The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage ride at Disneyland in Anaheim has been closed for quite a while. The attraction closed on March 14th, 2020, when Disneyland closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and remained shut down since. No re-opening date has been announced since its closure, so it is currently unknown how extensive the refurbishments to the ride will be.
We have a look at the current state of things thanks to WDWNT.
The ride first opened in 2007 and was a re-theme of the Submarine Voyage ride that opened in 1959 but closed in 1998. The ride had a sister attraction in Walt Disney World based on the 1954 film 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea that operated from 1971 – 1994.
In 2001 the attraction was planned to be re-themed after the 2001 Disney film Atlantis: The Lost Empire, but the 2001 9/11 terror attacks and the film’s lower than expected performance ended those plans.
But when Pixar’s 2003 film Finding Nemo became a hit plans were made to convert the attraction to Finding Nemo.
A number of recent photos show off the current state of the attraction under refurbishment. The water has been completely drained from the attraction, exposing all the fake coral and animatronics.
In addition to that we can also see a few scaffolding erected through the attraction, presumably there for either repairs or additions/alterations. It is unknown if any of the scenes or sequences will be changed. Since the ride’s opening the film, Finding Nemo, received a sequel, Finding Dory, in 2016. So characters from that film like Hank the Octopus, could be added.
The only downside is that the submarines will remain the same. One common complain about the ride is how cramped it is riding in those vehicles. It’s a claustrophobe’s worst nightmare, especially when you’re partially submerged under water. Hopefully someday they will take the feedback and upgrade the seating arrangements in the submarines, or at least offer alternative seating for those with certain physical difficulties that may affect their experience.
Source: WDWNT
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