Abandoned - Disney World's 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea

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When the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea: Submarine Voyage became an instant hit. It was a theme park attraction like no other in Florida and a classic ride within Walt Disney World for decades to come. However by 1994, the iconic attraction was abruptly closed and would sit abandoned for the next decade, sitting in the middle of the most visited theme park on earth. Join me today as I find out why and take a look at the history of this beloved attraction.
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Bright Sun Films 2024
Presented in 4K

[@angrycharizard]

I feel like every time a "temporarily" closed attraction gets a character meet & greet in its queue space, you know it's never coming back lol. Same thing with Stitch's Great Escape

[@christinacody8653]

One exception was the Tiki Room. IT was restored after a HUGE campaign to bring it back.

[@tisFrancesfault]

"Temporarily closed" for theme parks is akin to "they have my full support!" In politics. Not necessarily a death sentence but sure is close..

[@HSAC.WDTK.DTKT.LFO.]

Soon every Disney property will just be an Instagram wall.

[@jacksonteller3973]

@@christinacody8653 and because Under New Management suffered from a fire in 2011 that left the animatronics badly damaged to the point where they had no choice but to bring the original back, had that not happened who knows UNM might still be going today.

[@emmettito]

The Starcade at Tomorrowland (Disneyland) became a meet and greet and has never been the same 😭

[@TrashComments]

This was one of the few Disney rides that I wish was still around today because it showed how creative the Disney Imagineers were. The immersion and atmosphere when boarding that nautilus was absolutely amazing. When people say that this was the true definition of an E-Ticket attraction, they’re not wrong at all! Rest easy, 20,000 LUTS, we miss you ❤️

[@TSoneonetwo]

I dare to say it completely embodied the concept that was behind the idea of immersion. the attempt to make you feel you had left Central Florida and travelled to some far away place.

[@scottzinn6326]

I was so pissed as a kid when they closed this ride.

[@BrownEyePinch]

It was fun

[@radioactiveduck6]

This was my absolutely favorite ride at MK when I went as a kid. Forever wondering why they closed it instead of sprucing it up.

[@HooLeePhucingSheet]

people became too chonky for the ride and it was claustrophobic but I agree, I wish i got to experience it, I think Defunctland is working on a VR tour of the ride.

[@Military-Museum-LP]

I feel so lucky to have experienced this ride. I was impressed and the memory is strong.

[@jaredb908]

My grandpa was one of the production leads at Morgan Yachts when the boats (submarines) were produced for the 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea ride. He also worked on the original Paddle Wheel river boat, The Admiral Joe Fowler, as well as all the rental runabout boats for when the Magic Kingdom originally opened. He had some of the coolest stories about meeting Roy Disney and working on incredible projects such as these.

[@Vulpine407]

Former 20K sub driver from the early eighties here. Fantastic video. Really brought back memories. At the time I worked there, we still had twelve subs total. Ten of them were powered by natural gas engines and the other two were experimental diesel models. And, yes, the ride was hugely popular at the time. Our line during peak seasons would easily hit 120+ minutes. The one thing this video can't quite convey is the incredible ambience of the attraction. Once you were in the queue line, the various rock and coral formations basically sealed you off from Fantasyland. You would look across the lagoon and see Volcania (much like in the movie) towering up. Music from the movie also set the mood. It was like walking into the movie made real life. For us, the outfit was a mixed bag. It looked awesome. The shirts were nice and breathed well. The hat was heavy (mainly because of the metal Nautilus buckle on the front of it.) The pants were rather uncomfortable. I remember them being incredibly stiff. But there is no doubt it was one of the most iconic outfits in the park. There as a certain pride to wearing that outfit. It was very unique and we always stood out to the guests. Interestingly, we were not permitted to walk anywhere else in Fantasyland except directly to the tunnel accesses either behind Pinocchio's (next to us) or behind Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (across from us) as our outfits didn't "fit-in" with the rest of the area.

[@ZiddersRooFurry]

I went there so often back then I probably had you as a skipper. Thanks for helping provide me with so many amazing memories.

[@Ottie193]

I'm surprised that the subs were powered by ICE engines, I had expected them to be electric, though I guess this ride was opened in the '70s.

[@dporrasxtremeLS3]

Wow! Thanks for sharing this! I remember we used to go to Disney all the time when we were young. One time at the submarines we saw Lloyd Bridges with his two sons! My cousin Many said Oh he's the guy from Father Knows Best! I said No Many! He's from Sea Hunt! Lloyd Bridges just laughed with us! What a moment in time I will never forget!

[@Irish39100]

Did they ever have squid Arms popping in through some of the Pipe Fittings Early on ?

[@Muddy.Teabagger]

i got to go to Disney land as a kid in the 90s and i will say some of the rides just waiting to go in was fun, i remember the back to the future ride to this day, and i all so remember the ride "its a small world" but not for it being good. but as i kid getting to go on all the rides and me and my bother did that as we got to go round the park by are self's just had to meet back some were at some set time but it still brings a smile to me now.

[@SueBobChicVid]

This was the definition of an E-Ticket ride! My first voyage was in 1972 when I was 7 years old. I went on to serve on US subs.

[@XRatedPoetry]

How did you comment on this video 4 days ago???

[@SueBobChicVid]

@@XRatedPoetry Time travel. And Patreon.

[@joustingking]

​@@SueBobChicVidThe Final Countdown is real!

[@dannydaw59]

Have been on the sub ride at Waikiki Beach?

[@x808drifter]

​@@dannydaw59​No, because there isn't one. Atlantis Subs is in Honolulu not Waikiki.

[@Mechamaniac]

The Tokyo Disney Sea attractions surrounding 20,000 Leagues are breathtaking. They're centered around being on the island of Vulcania and include a roller coaster that takes you through the volcano as well as the Nautilus ride. I've been to TDS 4 times and have yet to manage to ride the roller coaster because TDS doesn't do Fast Pass etc. and the lines every time I have been there have been more than 2 hours long.

[@MatthewKanwisher]

They do now, you can book time queues for some rides and a couple rides have pay per use fast pass

[@JK-Handyman]

The best part of this video was the interview of Chris Cooper. As A father of a 4 year old I can relate to the magic & imagination little kids can have and its so precious. Life loses its luster as we age unfortunately and its only revitalized when we have or own children and can relive our childhood through their them as the discover the world with fresh un-jaded eyes.

[@mrmicro22]

I also have and own children. They are a delight.

[@DiamondDepthYT]

Defunctland recreated this ride in VR here on KZbin. It's an amazing recreation. I showed it to my father, who's only memory of Disney when he was younger is this ride. It gave him a lot of nostalgia.

[@brianb8060]

Thank you for mentioning that. I wasn't aware of that video. It was odd being on the Starboard side of the boat. We always ended up on the Port side.

[@BrownEyePinch]

It closed in the 1990s, not 1890s

[@SuperFoxdemon]

I came to say this!!!

[@patrickdaly5988]

Amazing. Thanks for that.

[@MichaelSTaylor]

Pretty sure this was the 1790s because Hamilton going on this ride was a deleted song from the musical.

[@annconover1277]

My father got into trouble with his bosses at Disney. He worked for Reddy Creek, and his job was to make sure the water was safe and clean. Once he came home and said he made 20k TOO clean. You could see the strings/wires from the far side of the park in the late 70's early 80's. They had to add dirt to cloud up the water for a wile.

[@redzebrave]

I went there in 1977, could see all the wires. I had so great expectations for the ride been a fan of Jules Vernes. I really wanted to see some real sea life, thinking it was a kind of aquarium.

[@AgraFarmsllc]

I worked as maintenance the summer before I went. Into the service. I had a dive license so I got to work on it and space mountain. I enjoyed 20,000 more.

[@loraweems8712]

In 1997, my husband and I visited the submarine ride at the West Edmonton Mall, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It was not too bad...but we discovered that my hubby got claustrophobic!

[@snsnplpl]

It was best at night, couldn't see the wires

[@jasonwilson9446]

The first sub ride I went on was the Disneyland version and I loved it. When I moved to Florida I was really excited to ride 20k at Disney World but was quickly disappointed. I remember all the fish being haphazardly painted in weird neon colors and they must have not covered the strings because they were coted in the same paint. When I hear people complaining about the strings I know exactly what they are talking about. That being said I would still go on the ride during every visit and did my best to suspend disbelief because it was fun to believe you were in a real sub on an underwater adventure.

[@foto21]

One of the best movies Disney ever made. Entertaining for all ages, with deep messages for adults. Amazing cast from James Mason to Kirk Douglas to the moralist professor, played by Paul Lukas, and of course, Peter Lorre. SUCH an AMAZING adventure story from Jules Verne, and one of those rare examples where Hollywood improved something, and didn't ruin it, but the film was made in 1954, so the Golden Age of Hwood was still nearby.

[@Carbonium-dt4om]

Yeah my class watched the movie and read the book when I was 11

[@lucyalexander3607]

I've been to Tokyo Disney Sea twice. I'm going again for a third time this summer. This ride is great for smaller kids, but it is fun for adults too. Disney Tokyo is the best out of all the Disneys, in my opinion.

[@rachelelder1428]

Fun fact--there is water from 20,000 Leagues in the queue of The Jungle Cruise as well! I was a skipper from 2018-2020 and you could find it on the walls in the fastpass queue, inside a small metal cannister facing unload. I could always tell it because it's marked with a small piece of glow-in-the-dark tape!

[@gmmeier321]

That’s awesome. Will have to go find that next visit.

[@Nbeages]

I went on this ride in 1993 and I’ve been a submarine sailor In the navy for 14 years. This and down periscope made me want to do it and I love it.

[@danaphilmon]

Hope you never ran into Mr. Pasqual !!!

[@user-iz3dg9qh8b]

Id like to get one of the boats , use it for a pleasure craft., imagine that cruising off of Gloucester.😊

[@spudhut2246]

Awesome, Hunt for Red October was my reason....Salute Brother.

[@DavidHerscher]

I remember this ride, I rode it when I was very young. The only time I ever went to Disney World. It was, amazing, and galvanized itself in my young brain to be one of my earliest and fondest memories.

[@12secta81]

My wife and I went to Disney World a few years ago, my first time since I was a kid, and this was the only thing I wanted to do. I was heartbroken to find out it had been taken out 20+ years prior.

[@XFolf]

I'm a huge 20k leagues nerd, the disney sub version is my favorite external design. This video was so satisfying, thank you.

[@BrightSunFilms]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@kellychuang8373]

Also used to be on there as well and also another part of bad news 99 Cents Only Stores went away and are bankrupt. Really give it a Google and find out anyway you can about it.

[@floppytnarwal1641]

With you on that. Still love this subs design

[@ultramet]

This used to be my favorite ride at WDW when I was a kid. It was amazing. Thanks for this video Jake.

[@BrightSunFilms]

Thanks for watching!

[@Buggabones]

I only have very feint memories of riding it, but I remember the abandoned lagoon very well.

[@mjrussell414]

That was my favourite ride when I was a kid and I still remember how I felt looking through the portholes at the wonders at 5 years old in 1974. I did get to go back a couple times again, and was saddened to hear that they closed it. Maybe there’s a video I can watch now 50 years later.

[@zerotodona1495]

I loved that ride as a kid. Honestly the old rides were so much better than these new ones.

[@michaeledwards1644]

agree

[@user-zp4ge3yp2o]

What you don't like screens?

[@Lex1uth3r]

Not gonna lie, as a kid this was probably my favorite ride at Disney and definitely the most memorable. I was there back in 91 and then again right before this ride closed and still remember the entire experience. It was just so cool and unique. Thanks for making this video, really brought back those memories.

[@MikeMovesPLK]

91 also 🫡 lol

[@user-mo6qs3fk6c]

Same

[@DVX_BELLORVM]

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea epitomized the magic of Disney World as a kid. I mean, where else could you take a ride on a submarine?? The narration, creepy organ music, and cramped quarters aboard created an unforgettable atmosphere. It's crazy to think that it closed down 30 years ago. The memories are even more special to me now that some of the people who I went on the ride with are no longer around.

[@williamr5371]

I couldn’t agree more. One of my favs

[@rusty-oc2tj]

i am 73 yrs old and remember my one time rideing one of those subs, it wasnt perfect but quite realistic, i am sad to hear they buried them, so sad, they could have found some better place for them, get them out of the ground disney, so very depressing 😢

[@matthewserrao2926]

The California Disneyland has an extremely similar ride. I think it’s Finding Nemo related

[@craigdarby9533]

​@@matthewserrao2926That's what he said in the video.

[@DG-wu7ke]

I rode this ride in 1972 in Orlando. 12yrs old and rarely impressed, this was the most memorable ride we visited. At that time everything was handcrafted but made to be realistic to the theme of each attraction.

[@travisc7506]

I actually have very fond and one horrible memory of this ride. Growing up my family had a vacation home in St Augustine, Florida. We used to go a few times a year and would always make that trip down to Disney. We had family in Deltona outside of Orlando so we would stay with them for a few days and hit up the Disney Parks. 20,000 leagues under the sea was one of my favorite rides. Granted I was probably about 7 years old the last time I went on it so I'm sure I was easy to please. I remember always being amazed that the subs actually went underwater. I have fond memories of standing there with my face glued to the glass looking at the scenes underwater. Always trying to see something I missed the last time I went on the ride. Then I have one more rather vivid memory of this ride. When I was 5 my family and I took the trip to Disney. I remember not feeling good in the park and feeling progressively worse as the day went on. We were waiting in line for 20,000 Leagues and I remember feeling almost delirious. That was when my mother noticed the red line going up my arm. Apparently the tiny cut on my wrist that I had gotten a few days earlier had become infected and I had blood poisoning. I guess swimming in the Florida Ocean when you have an open wound is ill advised. I remember my mother freaking out and taking a ride in the Disney Golf carts to a first aid area. Then spending like 3 days in a hospital in Orlando. Kind of a traumatizing experience for a 5 year old. Luckily after a few days and IV antibiotics I was fine. Because of that rather bad experience even being as young as I was I will always remember that day waiting in line for 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. I also remember being disappointed that I didn't get to go on the ride that year. Sadly it closed a couple years later but i did at least get to go on the ride the next time we went to Florida. Sadly much like the state of Florida itself. All good things come to an end.

[@jimmythetrumpster3976]

Tell Chris Cooper this is James Edwards, I worked with him from 92 to 95. Rear dock was the best. "GTO Green taillights only!"

[@GoddessofWisdom]

Omg this is awesome!

[@jerrodfine4881]

If that message gets to him, can also tell him that I was one of those kids that came off that ride and said wow? I have worked on many ships and even a few submarines in my professional career. Today I’m a HVAC Tech 4 servicing power plants, airports and industrial facilities as well as a firemen.

[@InveterateThorn]

I was on the crew in the fall of ‘92! “Pssst!” 😜

[@user-iz1vx8gv8q]

I worked there too during that time as part of the Walt Disney World College Program

[@jimmythetrumpster3976]

@user-iz1vx8gv8q what's your 10/20?

[@johnnyenglish6751]

I use to love this ride as a kid. And what a lot people didn't know was that once you entered the giant squid part, if you put your head up against the window and looked down you would see the squid's head and eyes looking up at you. Most just looked straight out the window looking at the arms and bubbles coming up!

[@AndyMiller_windskisong]

I remember that.

[@TheMysticRealms]

❤yup

[@kimberlyvespa]

I remember that, too! Loved that ride!

[@CaptainCraigKWMRZ]

My family drove from Indiana to Orlando in the early 70's in a Ford station wagon. I don't remember much about the trip but I do remember this ride. I'm 62 now and spent my career as a Merchant Marine, Dive master, NAUI dive Instructor, Underwater Archeologist and Treasure Hunter. I worked for Mel Fisher out of Key West on the Galleon Atocha. I was definitely inspired by this ride!

[@Thelawncarenut]

This was one of my favorites as a kid! Thanks for covering it.

[@Socrates21stCentury]

I was (10) when my family went to DisneyWorld in 1973 ... 20,000 Leagues was the most exciting and greatest attraction I can remember ... followed very closely by the Haunted Mansion! I never realized that the attraction was so short lived ... but I LOVED it !!! 🙂

[@nicfornario]

14:53 Pooh’s Playful Spot (now relocated) also has a carving of the Nautilus inside the tree. Ask a cast member the next time you’re waiting for your “Many Adventure’s of Winnie The Pooh” lightening lane time. They’re always really excited to point out the location!

[@averteddisasterbarely2339]

Playful spot sounds funny !

[@BlazeHeartPanther]

@@averteddisasterbarely2339 It makes sense given Pooh also has a "Thotful Spot" for where he goes to thinks.

[@pocketmarcy6990]

It’s basically right inside the que as well, so you don’t even have to ride the ride if you don’t want too

[@n7565j]

As an 11 year old boy on July 4th 1976, our family camped at Fort Wilderness Camp Ground. We got to see the fire works from a boat while on the way to the park the fireworks started and our guide stopped the boat so we could watch, BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE!!! And the best fireworks show I've ever scene to this day!!! I remember 20k leagues under the sea and quite enjoyed it :-) My wife and I still occasionally use the phrase, "that was an E ticket ride" ;-) We visited KSC as well on that trip, what a vacation for a VERY small town boy!!! Great video sir!!!

[@WarHawk-]

I remember going on that ride in '78 not long after Disney World Opened. Everything at that time was so new that it actually took away from the experience, especially in areas that were supposed to be presented as being ancient, like lost Atlantis. Still, I cherish having experienced the adventure with my young children.

[@mahatmarandy5977]

Oh boy, this one hurt. 20,000 Leagues was the 2nd or 3rd ride I rode on my very first visit to WDW when I was 6 or 7 years old. It was my first 'ludicrously long line' that I ever waited in, and the giant squid scared the hell out of me. Even so, it was a really treasured memory I have of my parents, and I rode it every chance I had. In Grad Nite '85 - I don't know if they still do Grad Nites anymore - there were only a couple thousand people in the park but it was open all night long. Anyway, I rode it *five times in a row.* There weren't enough passengers waiting in line for them to fill up the subs, so the cast members would just say, "If you want to ride it again, just stay in your seats" so I did. As cool as the ride was, riding it at *NIGHT* when the outdoor lighting was different (no sun) was a really different, amazing experience. I always looked forward to taking my own kid there someday, and when I finally got the chance....it was closed. And never re-opened. Between that and the re-theming of Tomorrowland (Which I hated and still hate, and consider it to be basically vandalism), it was kind of a heartbreaking experience because my kid will never be able to have the same experience my parents gave me. Sad. The *OTHER* salvaged sub was at the MGM-Disney park for a lot of years. It was part of their behind-the-scenes stunts show, in the queue area. I have pictures of it somewhere. When I first saw it there, I hadn't realized they'd shut down teh 20,000 Leagues ride yet.

[@VinceAndRosGetCancelled]

my dad took me to disneyworld when i was a little kid and we rode this, i thought it was so cool. i really do appreciate the old man for doing that.watching this reminded me of that. thank you.

[@frankg5714]

Thank you for putting this together.

[@Caveman57]

I went on that ride in 1971. It was great! I still remember it very fondly. I recently found a photo that i took of the submarines. Such a piece of Disney history. Thanks for doing this video. It'll help keep that piece of history alive.

[@quiksilvermanblue]

I rode it in 92. I was 10. It was April, outside was a pleasant 82 degrees. Inside the sub it was close to 100 degrees. I was sweating the whole time. However I was fooled because I thought we were completely under water. My father (An ex Navy man) told me it was just as uncomfortable in a real sub. Some of the props were dated and some of the animatronics were not moving correctly (Or at all). However I remember being fairly happy with the experience.

[@ms-kp4sk]

Omggggg I rode this in 1994ish when I was in elementary school. To be honest with you it was one of the few rides that I loved. Disney was good and bad for me as a kid. Some rides were just too rough. Splash mountain was traumatic. I was a sensitive kid and weighted like 70 lbs and the descent was too much. I felt my whole body leave the seat and I was dangling while clinging onto the railing of the log. I was sobbing once the log hit the water. Anywho, the submarine ride was more gentle and felt like an adventure but still safe. Sooooo excited loading into it. I remember the octopus tentacles and the cool blue atmosphere inside the sub. Shout out to the engineers, great work. So sad they never brought it back. But at least I got to ride on it once. Thank you Jake for this video ❤

[@hgodtx]

I rode it when I was 10 just after I had read the book. For kids in the imagination years this was absolutely an incredible experience. So fun to hear all the facts 50+ years later! Thanks so much!

[@cgross82]

I remember this ride very well! My family lived in Winter Park, Florida (northeast side of Orlando) in the late 1960s and through the 1970s. We visited the Magic Kingdom not long after it opened in 1971, and many times after that. After graduating from high school and serving for three years in the U.S. Army as a bandsman, I worked at Disney World as a Toy Soldier Trumpeter during the Christmas season of 1979 when I was still a student at U.C.F. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was still in operation then, although I cannot recall if I rode on it while I was working there. It was a cool ride, and I did not know that it had been scrapped! Thanks for making this video of it; it brings back some memories!

[@maddog7365]

A Disney Abandoned video? Nice. Great way to start the weekend.

[@TornadomusPrime47]

Now these types of videos are amazing, I love seeing the stories of how they got abandoned

[@kellychuang8373]

Yes they really are and also just right now there's news of 99 Cents Only Stores gone under may want to think about that as a future video.

[@bryanhill1406]

As an adult I was disapointed this ride was gone. Screw Disney world, though. They are so frigging overcrowded and expensive. Just go to six flags and go on some real rides. I'd rather go to sea world and bush gardens, any day. Manta, cheatah and Gwazi are insane.

[@katesun2957]

Agree, they were my stress release, but after breaking my neck, I can't go on them. But they're so fun.

[@jeffreycoyle12]

I have vivid memories of this ride as a child. I thought the sub “submerging” was so cool and I really liked the total immersion the ride put the guest in. Thanks for the video walk down memory lane 🙏

[@texan176]

Went on it when I was 10 in the 80s. I thought we were actually deep underwater and felt the scale of the sub as well as things outside were big. It was exactly what Chris Cooper described for me as a kid. I was really impressed by how it was designed and what it did. It lit that spark you have in youth where anything is possible. I did not know the ride was gone until at least 5 years after total demolition. It’s very sad I will never get to experience it again or take my own family on it.

[@vodkafall]

I got to go on this as an 11 year old in 1991. Thank you for doing this video, Jake. It really is unfortunate that Magic Kingdom pulled the plug on its subs after 23 years while the ones at Disneyland are 65 years old and still going

[@neilengel3715]

Great video. I was a lead/trainer at 20K in 1980. I don't know where you got your thruput numbers but each load cycle took 5 minutes. There are 3600 seconds in an hour and you divide that by the dispatch interval. Five minutes = 300 seconds and then you multiply that result by the number of guests sent out per dispatch. Even with 9 subs running which was the maximum and only 120 people sent out per dispatch, that's only 1440 thruput per hour. That is half of what Mansion or Pirate Ride does.

[@BrightSunFilms]

I was going by the 1973 internal Disney capacity numbers.

[@neilengel3715]

@@BrightSunFilms Disney lies

[@AdmanToronto]

I was on that ride in 1992 or 1993 and I can still remember it today. It made a big impression on me. I can remember standing in line with so much anticipation. Thanks for the video.

[@jeff92k7]

My parents took me to Disney World back when I was 4 or 5 years old in the early 80's. Being so young, I don't remember much, but I have two distinct memories of that trip. One was a mine train ride and the other was this submarine ride. This video just unlocked/refreshed those decades old memories. As cheesy as this "underwater" ride may have been from an adult view, it was pretty intense as a little kid. Thanks for making this video!

[@kevinwebster7868]

My first and only trip to Disney World happened when I was a kid back in about 1980. This ride was my absolute favourite. No other ride impressed me more and now 40+ years later it’s the only thing I really remember about that trip.

[@theone2be33]

Same feeling here. Space mountain as well.

[@socaljmac7720]

Heard many years ago that 20k was part of a larger waterway system at the park that also included Rivers of America. This may explain why the attraction sat for nearly a decade after closing.

[@pocketmarcy6990]

I knew about all the water in Disneyland being connected but had never heard of this (though it would make sense), Interesting

[@erebus1964]

Seeing this video, I am glad and thankful that I had the opportunity in the late eighties to have a ride in it (especially because it was on the other side of the Atlantic for me). I loved it, the Disney movie is still one of my alltime favourites. RIP 20,000 LUTS! I will never forget you! We had also rides here in Germany, for example in the "Europa Park", called the "Pirates of Batavia", which vanished in their original setup during the decades. I was so astonished when I discovered that the same ride existed in Florida, when we visited the Park in 1988.

[@arielcordero]

I went to Magic Kingdom when I turned 10 in the late 70's. And this is one of the rides that I actually remember from that first trip. This one, Space Mountain and the Dumbo ride. From the rest of the rides I remember snippets of each. But I vividly remember Captain Nemo's submarine, The Nautilus and that giant squid. From a little 70's kid's point of view that was the absolute best experience ever! I'm 55 now and I'm a more or less regular visitor at the parks since I moved to the Orlando area a couple years ago. I really enjoy all the attractions, but Captain Nemo's Nautilus will always be my most treasured Disney memory. Thanks for making this video and making that memory so much more strong. 🥰

[@htgi85]

I remember going on this ride as a kid in the early 90’s. Loved it. It was also a great escape from the heat. Also, the fact that Disney buried the other subs in the ground sounds like an epa nightmare.

[@msbkay]

right??! im like...is that even safe???

[@danthevanman294]

They dug them up last month, the area is a landfill, it was probably safe to bury them there.

[@markberman8958]

@@danthevanman294 Do you know what they’re doing with them or where they are right now? It would be so cool to buy one!

[@zerotodona1495]

@@markberman8958they will turn them into props or destroy them :/

[@SupremeGreatGrandmaster]

@@markberman8958 They'd be in terrible shape. You'd be better off building one from scratch.

[@SaturnCanuck]

Thanks for the memories. This was my Mum’s favourite ride and every time we visited Disney World we rode it. It was one of the first truly “immersive” experiences, going underwater and seeing the scenes. Oh and you never mentioned the organ music playing during the ride and the James Mason sound-alike as Captain Nemo that played throughout. Great stuff.

[@zackworrell535]

I rode that ride in 1976. I was 5 and it was my favorite ride!!!! Nice video!

[@stabor_editor]

Jake, I LOVE this series and especially those interviews with people involved with your subject. I recently watched your documentary too! You did a very nice job with it (I work in TV and had a few teeny tiny gripes - like the audio mix at the beginning being a touch rough - but overall really enjoyed it). I work with a guy from New Orleans and was able to ask him about Jazzland/Six Flags. Keep 'em coming!!

[@venomousnate7263]

It’s just so surprising honestly of how Disney just leaves a lot of stuff abandoned in their parks. Unbelievable.

[@bwofficial1776]

Cheaper to leave it and do nothing than remove it. Why spend the money taking something out if that spot isn't going to be immediately redeveloped?

[@alexander1485]

Because they love closing rides and opening new ones every 10-15 years

[@Rose_creature]

They probably want to keep the old animatronics to reuse the parts

[@Revkor]

Cranium Command comes to mind

[@eclipsehorse8693]

@@Revkor 'where's Buzzy?!' :)

[@SolRC]

I remember that ride as a 6 year old , as much as Space Mountain. Thanks for the nostalgia 🤙.

[@dennycelestinohybridspecies]

This definitely was one of my favorite rides at Disney World, which my uncle worked at since day one and we lived in Winter Springs FL and my uncle lived really close to the Kissimmee area for a long time and we went to Disney World like monthly when I was a kid with my cousins. I remember that distinct scent when you got inside of the sub, and being between five years old and 11 it definitely was pretty realistic to us kids. I remember when it was shut down in the 90s and I went with friends when I was in my 20s as they were shutting down other rides in the area like Mr Toad's wild ride, The Grand Prix, Wedway people mover, the Skylift and destroying Tomorrow land's cool Jetson's appeal. Thank you for this cool channel.

[@nonamenoname5871]

I remember going on this ride/attraction. What a loss, it was such a wonderful place at the park.

[@planetmirror2090]

Worth mentioning the name of the attraction is "Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid," which is a nod to '20k Leagues Under the Sea'. And there's another larger hidden Nautilus in the queue

[@bigguy1960]

My first voyage was in 1970 when I was 9 years old! Family vacation from Michigan that included Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, The Japanese Deer Park, Universal Studios, NBC, Cars of the Stars, Balboa Harbor (Tail of the Whale restaurant), San Diego Zoo, and the Queen Mary! 707 out, 747 back! With 4 kids yet! To make this trip today we'd have to win the 1.1B powerball!

[@krab1791]

The park opened in 1971.

[@MrIronmaiden1971]

Oh my you young boomer you.

[@pauldavidgraham6301]

@@krab1791 Disneyland opened in the 50's - you're referring to Disney World. Bigguy1960 is talking about the original Disneyland which I visited during the late 50's with my family. Knotts was also in California.

[@SOTMead]

I got to experience this ride in 1982, would have been about 8 and this video brought back a bunch of memories. Thank you!

[@paulfagan2964]

Great documentary on a ride I went on as a kid! A very iconic and unique ride. I was sad when I took my daughter to Disney World and saw that it was abandoned.

[@reallymadnomad7330]

All the more reason to cherish the movie, released in 1954 with Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas and Peter Lorre. Beautifully done, back in the day of practical effects. Three other live action versions of the Jules Verne story exist: A 1916 silent film, and two TV adaptations released in 1997, one starring Michael Caine and the other with Richard Crenna.

[@JWPanimation]

James Mason as Capt Nemo, playing the organ after being shot is still burned into my psyche. The Giant Squid beak was terrifying as well. Great movie.

[@kedwards4377]

Glad to see another Abandoned episode on a Disney attraction. I remember seeing the submarine lagoon at Magic Kingdom and wondering what it was for. On the subject of Disney, you should do an Abandoned episode on the old airport runway by the transportation and ticket center.

[@kartos.]

its absolutely wild you didn't know about this legendary ride

[@incompletetoysandvideogames]

I remember riding on this as a kid. It was definitely my favorite attraction in the park. Awesome video.

[@SabotAndHeat75]

Grew up in SW Florida, I got to enjoy this ride many times while growing up. I loved it every time.

[@Zombie_Trooper]

For those unaware, one of the serpents were also saved and just recently was on display at a Disney auction event. Can't recall if it sold or not, but anyone who went to the auction house got to see it up close for a few weeks.

[@downlink5877]

That one was from Disneyland's Submarine Voyage

[@Zombie_Trooper]

@@downlink5877 You're absolutely right, my mistake.

[@downlink5877]

@@Zombie_Trooper Not at all! Serpent brothers on the two coasts; same common heritage. One of them was owned by someone about 20 years ago (maybe the same one) and it was set up beside a swimming pool. It looked great.

[@tyjoe9792]

Idk what it is about that animatronic in the water, but it always sends chills down my spine…

[@alexaproffitt4640]

Me tooo!!! For so long, I had zero idea this was an actual phobia- I just figured I was a lone weirdo! 😆

[@wingerfan1]

Another amazing video from you my friend. Absolutely love the history of this stuff. Just wish I could've taken the ride but sadly, I didn't visit until 1999 when I was finally able to go to the park.

[@willowwisp6401]

I remember riding on that when I was a youngster. It was real Groovy.

[@WahooYahoo]

SO happy you’re finally covering this, I wished there were more videos about the ride years ago, so glad you’re covering it!

[@pokemonyugiohmettaton]

I honestly got interested in this ride because of the SAME photo. I’ve watched, a large number that I’m afraid to admit, videos on this ride alone. I love animatronics, and abandoned ones are all the more intriguing.

[@MilesCone]

WOW nice tribute to the 20K Ride!! Thank you… this really brings back memories as I worked on the sub ride at Disneyland in 1969 moving to Florida in 1970 worked during the construction to WDW and then in 1971 worked on the 20K Ride. In 1973 started working at Ride & Show Engineering as a draftsman. I worked for Tim Kelley and under his direction and together worked on 20K Ride redesigning the underwater animation, sub hatches (they leaked bad going under the waterfall) . These subs used compressed natural gas (CNG) initially and later the engines were replaced with diesel which was a big step backwards…I remember during one of the major rehabs we drained all the water and I worked on a redesign of the underwater switches in the load area. I worked with the guys from Central Shops taking up the old switches and replacing them with the new….very cool memories… great video and thanks. Steve Cone

[@shadowgirl00]

I remember vaguely this ride. There's probably some old photo of me as a child in this ride. Lovely video, good to hear about it.

[@ColeWalker]

A third sub vehicle was actually saved and restored for select Disney events. You can see photos of it online

[@simtrafox]

Aye, at least the top half of it. I have seen it back stage when running RunDisney. I have gotten a couple of pictures with it and they normally have some fog effects to help hide the bottom part. At least when I seen it a runDisney.

[@MikeOxlong-mo8oh]

So glad you covered this! The same photos you came across are what got me interested in abandoned attractions in theme parks.

[@ericpullen524]

One of my favorite ride as a kid, loved it so much. When I went back with my oldest in 2006 was sad it was gone, didn't know it was closed over the years.

[@URSCSAN]

I road this ride once. This was one of my favorite movies and I was glued to the porthole. Definitely a high point of the trip for a little boy from Manhattan

[@RobertCatiller67]

I appreciate you presenting this situation from all points of view - the fans, the business side and the objective reality with it's challenges. This video left me with an appreciation of why this ride was so loved, why it became unsustainable and the comfort of knowing that newer versions of it live on in other parks. Great video!

[@epicgamerhank9509]

20,000 Leagues along with Alien Encounter are some of my favorite extinct Disney World attractions, even though I never had a chance to ride both of them. They both had an interesting history and were very creative in my opinion.

[@SoulfulVeg]

I totally forgot about about this ride. Thanks for the memory. ❤

[@vladimirputin4370]

I actually rode this as a kid. I remembered it immediately when I saw the first video of the submarine. I had totally forgotten about it until now! Thanks!!

[@bripez]

Those pictures freaked me tf out and then the squid appeared and I genuinely had to pause the video and compose myself 😂

[@ninabeena83]

This used to be one of my favorite attractions as a kid, always wished I’d had a chance to officially ride it “for the last time” before its final closure. This, and original EPCOT, had a lasting effect on my decision to pursue the sciences 🤓 Thank you so much for this look back 😊

[@Mizz.Person]

So interesting! Thanks, Jake!

[@oldnstillworkin5709]

I’m proud to say I rode this ride a few times. Loved it as a child.

[@greeeeeb]

i cant believe you’ve never covered this!!!!!! my favorite

[@McFetty]

I swear I was just looking for a new BSF episode to watch before I napped and you answered my prayers

[@deefrash9806]

Very interesting and so glad I got to experience this ride as a kid many, many years ago.

[@russwoodward8251]

Loved this ride as a kid. Thanks!

[@hcrawford]

I remember going to the WDW Preview Center at the construction site in the 1960s, and was completely wowed by the submarine concept art. I couldn't wait for the park to open to experience that ride. There were some cheesy moments, yet it was cleverly done and felt very real. I'll miss this ride, but at least there are related opportunities in other parks around the world.

[@kingoftheclouds42o5]

What a wonderful start to the weekend! Now playing 📽️

[@ahighervibe4086]

I rode that ride way back in 1982 as a child and have fantastic memories of that iconic ride!

[@dionelr]

I remember this ride very fondly. Even when I got a little older. I always associated it with the old 50s movie, which I think Disney was involved in. I was on a high school trip when I first saw it closed. Great putting this all together for the video.

[@williamr5371]

Great memories. Thank you for video

[@TFeld-nx9io]

Rode it several times in the 70’s. The first time I was 5 and was both mesmerized and slightly terrified. Always a must ride! One of my favs.

[@0goaway0]

Loved this ride as a kid. So amazing.

[@geckosocks]

The mixed messages about opening closing or renovation could be to avoid losing staff, losing contracts etc, not getting into specifics to avoid doxing but a company I work for is doing this right now because they dont want to lose staff or trades they're trying to move to other locations saying oh it'll be temporary, trying to keep good contracts that were only for that location saying oh just until we reopen this one send everything and all work orders to that other location, but its been over a year without anything happening to that location, despite having a road map they claimed to be following haha