Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Imagineers are now finally getting serious about adding some Marvel-themed
attractions to Disneyland. But what may surprise some is the lengths that Ima-
gineers are apparently willing to go to create room for these proposed rides
and shows. At least one version of this ambitious plan calls for the monorail
routethroughTomorrowlandtobesimplified andthePeopleMover trackstobe
removed entirely. That would open up a huge chunk of property that Disney-
land's Motor Boat Cruise used to occupy for development, which the Imagin-
eers hope to use as the site of a cutting-edge thrill ride that would pay tribute to
the Marvel Universe.
Disneyland Railroad
DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS
The Disneyland Railroad makes a regular stop at the To-
morrowland Railroad Station. Usually the wait to board here is short.
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
What it is
Simulated submarine ride.
Scope and scale
Headliner.
When to go
Before 10 a.m.
or during evening parades or fireworks.
Duration of ride
11½ minutes.
Average wait in line
per 100 people ahead of you
7½ minutes.
Assumes
All 8 subs operating.
Loading speed
Slow-moderate.
DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS
The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage ride is based on
the story line of the hit Disney-Pixar animated feature
Finding Nemo.
Here you board a
submarine in a loading area situated below the Disneyland monorail station in Tomorrow-
land. After a quick lap of the open-air lagoon, the sub passes through a waterfall and in-
side to follow the general
Finding Nemo
story. Special effects center on a combination of
traditional Audio-Animatronics and, once you're inside the dark interior of the building,
what appear to be rear-projection screens, underwater, at a distance of 3-10 feet from the
sub's windows. Encased in rock and shipwrecks, the screens are natural looking and allow
the animated characters to appear three-dimensionally in the undersea world. Other ele-
ments include traveling through a minefield and a sea of jellyfish (very cool) and entering
the mouth of a whale. The onboard sound system allows the story to “travel” from front to
back of the sub, and the visual experience is different depending on what seat you're in.
The attraction is well done. You don't have to be a Nemo fan to be impressed by
the scale and effects. It's not fast-paced but, rather, leisurely in the way that Pirates of the
Caribbean is.