| (June 14, 1959–Sept. 1998) 38 Riders were able to enter the 8 half-submerged mini-submarines by descending through access hatches at either end on this E-Ticket attraction. Each sub cost about $80,000 to build and could go about 1.7 miles per hours. Sitting on small fold-down seats, guests leaned forward to peer out through port holes on either side. The subs moved around a track in the mermaid lagoon and gave the illusion of diving by having bubbles rise around it while the captain intoned commands over the loudspeaker. Guests saw real-looking and imaginary sea life fastened to rocks or floating in the water, a treasure chest of gold, mermaids, a sea serpent, and passed under icebergs at the “North Pole” during their 9 minute voyage.
As you can see from the photos below, REAL(!) mermaids actually swam in the lagoon for a brief period. During the opening ceremonies, there was a water ballet of mermaids. The mermaids were around for the first year, then returned for the tencennial. Requirements for those auditioning at the Disneyland Hotel were height between 5'4"–5'7", long hair, and able to swim! From summer 1965 through summer 1967, the mermaids could be seen for four hours a day on the rocks in the middle of the lagoon. A few overly amorous males apparently swam out to the rocks to the meet the mermaids. In addition, the chlorine in the lagoon turned the mermaid’s hair green. Mermaid entered the changing room located on the sub dock, wearing a Tiki Room mumu while transitioning from backstage. The cover was added on top of the old service dock so that the public did not see them put on their lower fish half. It included a small air unit for ventilation. Early on it was a canvas covering, then became metal to go along with the rest of the maintenance boxes.
The submarines were 52' long, originally military gray, and named after vessels in the 1950’s Nuclear submarine program: Seawolf, Skate, Ethan Allen, Patrick Henry, Nautilus, Triton, Skipjack, and the George Washington. They were all part of the largest peacetime fleet of subs in the world. The subs were repainted yellow in the 1980’s. The “Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage” opened in place of the original attraction on June 11, 2007.
Most photos available for purchase as enlargements; email your request. To view photos, allow popups in your web browser & click thumbnails below. |
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Christening of the attraction, June 14, 1959)
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Aug. 3, 1959)
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