Went on my first time there in 1978 last year of college with my future bride of 40 years awesome ride
The submarine not the wife LOL. Couple more times in the 80s. Afraid our girls would be scared early 90’s closed when old enough to enjoy in 96.
My family and I rode it for first time in 1973 and several times thereafter. We loved it even though the visuals were so unrealistic compared to their current attractions. Fond memories!
I was also able to ride many times “back in the day”. I was disappointed when I found out they were shutting it down. I’m turning 50 December just like Disney World.
Disney world opened when I turned a year old within just an hour drive from where I grew up! I remember using the ticket books! Had a sister that worked in Entertainment while in High School, Had Annual passes for many years! “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” was always a disappointment, we usually skipped. the ride was slow, all made of the earliest animatronics which were very poor quality & unrealistic. It was never maintained or updated over the years ! Because a lot of the displays were underwater the last time I saw it the colors were so faded you could barely perceive them. Initially the ride was listed as going through that long overdue maintenance but after a year or so changed to be dismantled & replaced!
My friend jack Gladdish was one of the imagineers who designed the submarines…he also did Abe Lincoln at the hall of presidents (and at the nyc world fair for the debut) and the pneumatic lines for the little bird Julie andrews sang too in the movie…when I asked him if it was cool working on that movie he said “Matthew, I had nightmares for six months while trying to get the birds beak to move in sync with the music!”
If anyone still wants to ride this ride (an updated version I’m sure, and I don’t know how it compares to the old version in the US), it is at Tokyo DisneySea! I’ve been on it several times. 😊 But of course, Japan is not open yet to tourists (covid 😑)
Yep it’s there, I’ve been on it. Unfortunately though, the ride is all in Japanese (the narrator voice) so my kids and I had no idea what was going on.
This was the COOLEST. RIDE. EVER. on that first trip in ’74. 🙂
Before Space Mountain (it was going to open next month), there were two E-ticket showpieces of the park, and Jungle Cruise was the other one.
At one point, Paul Pressler–who hated all Walt-era attractions and wanted them changed to current 90’s/00’s movies–thought of changing it to an Atlantis ride, but…you know why that didn’t happen.
So, when management took a ride on 20K to see whether it was worth rehabbing, it’s said he deliberately gave them the leakiest boat on the ride.
Think it’s time to bring it back. Everything old is new again. Was on this ride in ’80. First time to the park. This ride & Pirates of the Caribbean were my fave.
I was there as a child to enjoy the ride back in the 70s…would have loved for my daughter experienced it, 30 yrs later, but it was gone by then. I always glance in that corner when I’m there, with a fond memory of it.
First rode it at Disney World when I was stationed in Florida in 1977 til 1981. Then rode the Disneyland version when I was stationed in California in 81. Always enjoyed it.
Was also fun riding the now defunct “Skyway Gondola” and looking down to watch the submarines travel their routes. What a great view as you made your way through the Magic Kingdom.
20K was the first attraction I worked at when I did the College program at DisneyWorld in 1986. It was the coolest attraction to operate and I have so many fond memories. Check out this fan site 20kride.com for lots of photos and interviews with cast members.
Really funny video and nostalgic photos. It felt like Stewart from The Big Bang TV sitcom narrated it. Oh yeah, watch out for the serpent when swimming!
When I was a lil kid I actually believed somehow it got to the ocean threw the cave and then came back. It felt so real! Using your imagination is the best!
I feel the need to add to “Runner’s” comments. A marathon is 26.2 miles. This was a RunDisney race weekend. No one ran a marathon sponsored by Disney over the course of the weekend. It may not seem like a big deal, but for those of us who have run an actual marathon/marathons, it really cheapens the accomplishment. Don’t be the blog that lumps all running races as “marathons,” you all are SO much better than that.
Comments for Disney World Brings Back Extinct and Demolished Attraction For One Weekend
Eddie
This morning we saw one submarine on a trailer on I4. We asked ourselves what’s that. Now we know. Thanks for the info
Kevin Tully
Went on my first time there in 1978 last year of college with my future bride of 40 years awesome ride
The submarine not the wife LOL. Couple more times in the 80s. Afraid our girls would be scared early 90’s closed when old enough to enjoy in 96.
Diana
My family and I rode it for first time in 1973 and several times thereafter. We loved it even though the visuals were so unrealistic compared to their current attractions. Fond memories!
Patricia Patel
I rode that ride as a child back in the 1970’s. It was one of my favorites.
Kathy
One of my favorite tides as a child. It was exciting, fun and very believable! I was sad when it closed. I first went to Magic Kingdom in 1972!
Mike
It was a cool ride if you didn’t look too closely at the plastic mermaids.
Love the movie it’s based on.
Barbara Belzer
It was the BEST !!!!
Cheryl Burcham
I was also able to ride many times “back in the day”. I was disappointed when I found out they were shutting it down. I’m turning 50 December just like Disney World.
CARMEN
My family and I rode in 1993, it was our first Disney vacation.
Michelle
Disney world opened when I turned a year old within just an hour drive from where I grew up! I remember using the ticket books! Had a sister that worked in Entertainment while in High School, Had Annual passes for many years! “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” was always a disappointment, we usually skipped. the ride was slow, all made of the earliest animatronics which were very poor quality & unrealistic. It was never maintained or updated over the years ! Because a lot of the displays were underwater the last time I saw it the colors were so faded you could barely perceive them. Initially the ride was listed as going through that long overdue maintenance but after a year or so changed to be dismantled & replaced!
Runner
It’s a HALF marathon weekend. The only marathon weekend is in January.
Matt basham
My friend jack Gladdish was one of the imagineers who designed the submarines…he also did Abe Lincoln at the hall of presidents (and at the nyc world fair for the debut) and the pneumatic lines for the little bird Julie andrews sang too in the movie…when I asked him if it was cool working on that movie he said “Matthew, I had nightmares for six months while trying to get the birds beak to move in sync with the music!”
Brandy Clark
What a great story! I think it’s really cool to get little snippets of behind the scenes info like that😊
Shirley Evans
My family and I did this ride in 1993. We all enjoyed it, a pleasant none thrill ride for as the family
Julie A Snyder
I remember that ride, and I enjoyed it.
Cali
If anyone still wants to ride this ride (an updated version I’m sure, and I don’t know how it compares to the old version in the US), it is at Tokyo DisneySea! I’ve been on it several times. 😊 But of course, Japan is not open yet to tourists (covid 😑)
Dennis L
Yep it’s there, I’ve been on it. Unfortunately though, the ride is all in Japanese (the narrator voice) so my kids and I had no idea what was going on.
Anthony
Rode numerous times in 78/79 (when I was 8 n 9) and one of the reasons I joined the navy!
EricJ
This was the COOLEST. RIDE. EVER. on that first trip in ’74. 🙂
Before Space Mountain (it was going to open next month), there were two E-ticket showpieces of the park, and Jungle Cruise was the other one.
At one point, Paul Pressler–who hated all Walt-era attractions and wanted them changed to current 90’s/00’s movies–thought of changing it to an Atlantis ride, but…you know why that didn’t happen.
So, when management took a ride on 20K to see whether it was worth rehabbing, it’s said he deliberately gave them the leakiest boat on the ride.
Poseidon
Now is a perfect time to return the Nautilus as an attraction.
Amy
Think it’s time to bring it back. Everything old is new again. Was on this ride in ’80. First time to the park. This ride & Pirates of the Caribbean were my fave.
Beth Viers
Rode it! Loved it!
RICHARD THORN
I was there as a child to enjoy the ride back in the 70s…would have loved for my daughter experienced it, 30 yrs later, but it was gone by then. I always glance in that corner when I’m there, with a fond memory of it.
ROGER D STEVENS
First rode it at Disney World when I was stationed in Florida in 1977 til 1981. Then rode the Disneyland version when I was stationed in California in 81. Always enjoyed it.
Paula
Rode in the summer of1972. Enjoyed the ride. Was a little disappointed when heard it was closing.
Phoebe L Ho
Wouldn’t it have been awesome. The movie is a classic.
And may I say that the Nautilus is way cooler than some certain yellow submarines? Plus a giant squid to boot? Hmm…….
Rroe
Was also fun riding the now defunct “Skyway Gondola” and looking down to watch the submarines travel their routes. What a great view as you made your way through the Magic Kingdom.
Mike
20K was the first attraction I worked at when I did the College program at DisneyWorld in 1986. It was the coolest attraction to operate and I have so many fond memories. Check out this fan site 20kride.com for lots of photos and interviews with cast members.
SG
Really funny video and nostalgic photos. It felt like Stewart from The Big Bang TV sitcom narrated it. Oh yeah, watch out for the serpent when swimming!
Laurie
When I was a lil kid I actually believed somehow it got to the ocean threw the cave and then came back. It felt so real! Using your imagination is the best!
SG
I love that!
Runner 2
I feel the need to add to “Runner’s” comments. A marathon is 26.2 miles. This was a RunDisney race weekend. No one ran a marathon sponsored by Disney over the course of the weekend. It may not seem like a big deal, but for those of us who have run an actual marathon/marathons, it really cheapens the accomplishment. Don’t be the blog that lumps all running races as “marathons,” you all are SO much better than that.
D
I loved the ride. I was just a kid back then. Rode it several times. Miss being able to see and ride it.
Comments are closed.