Disneyland's classic Submarine Voyage attraction resurfaced today in Tomorrowland (June 11, 2007) as the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. The 12-minute ride features 15 minutes of all-new animation from Pixar Animation Studios with FINDING NEMO favorites Nemo, Marlin, Dory, Crush and others.
The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage contains eight brand new subs that have been upgraded with all-new environmentally friendly, electric engines and state-of-the-art audio and vfx. Two additional seats and two new portholes have been added. Guests will hear and see a slightly different presentation, depending on where they sit and whether they go during the day or at night.
Utilizing designs and other trademarks from the original attraction that opened in 1959 and retired in 1998, the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage offers the latest in new technology from Walt Disney Imagineering. Along with improved, unique underwater technology, the attraction boasts fully sculpted Audio-Animatronics characters, including scuba divers and the scavenging seagulls from FINDING NEMO, who yell: "Mine! Mine! Mine!" In addition, there are 7,000 pieces of artificial foliage and more than 23,000 pieces of artificial coral.
"This is one of the most involved, integrated projects at WDI," explained Skip Lang, vp and exec production designer at Walt Disney Imagineering. "The 37-year vet added that the four-year project encompassed 400 different disciplines and required a staff of 200 at WDI. Instrumental to the project was a 3-D animatic that was used as a flight simulator. Lang added that John Lasseter also played a key role since the Disney acquisition of Pixar. "The whole goal was to immerse you in the FINDING NEMO experience," Lang suggested.
In addition, Disney officials also gave a sneak-peek of Toy Story Mania. Coming in 2008, Disney's California Adventure guests will be transformed into TOY STORY "maniacs" when their favorite Disney-Pixar pals take them inside a fun-filled adventure in a new immersive attraction, Toy Story Mania. Celebrating the Disney-Pixar hit films TOY STORY and TOY STORY II, Toy Story Mania will take the interactive ride-game experience to exciting new heights. High-tech yet rooted in classic midway games of skill, Toy Story Mania will immerse guests into the TOY STORY world as never before. Donning 3-D glasses, guests shrink to the size of a toy and hop into fanciful ride vehicles that travel and twist along a colorful midway-themed route. Upon arrival at each game booth, they will take aim for animated targets using their own special on-board "toy cannon." As guests score points, they will be cheered on by favorite Toy Story friends, including Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Hamm, Bo Peep and the Little Green Men.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
