Disneyland Submarines

 
 

Mermaids

*In 1959, as Harriet Burns told the story that she helped in creating statue’s of mermaids, but a day before open day they were stolen and not able to be replaced in time for opening day.

*In 1965 young women in mermaid costumes would become part of the submarine exhibit in the waters of the attraction. Unfortunately this led to more problems as guests would attempt to swim out to the mermaids. Harriet Burns remembered sailors would dive out to visit the girls adding to the removal of the girls. Not to mention the chemicals in the water also made some of the mermaids blonde hair turning a greenish tinge.

*In 1967 the live mermaids were replaced fake rubber type mermaids.

*In 2009, The 1313 Disney Club & Ape Pen Publishing Celebrated 50 year Anniversary of Disneyland's Matterhorn, Submarine, & Monorail. With a “1959 Event” with Bob Gurr. This event  had recaptured the mermaid memory for one memorable night, old film footage and guest speakers: Garner Holt, Disney Legend Bob Gurr, Disney Legend Ron Dominquez, and 1955 Anaheim City Manager Keith Murdoch.


Submarines

*The hulls  were fabricated at Todd Shipyards in San Pedro, California, then transported to Disneyland in Anaheim for outfitting under the direction of retired Admiral Joseph Fowler. The vessels were painted in military gray.

*Submarines could transported forty-passenger

  1. *The submarines were each 52 feet long and weighed 94,000 pounds each.

  2. *They were be powered by Diesel-electric machinery.

  3. *traveled at a maximum speed of 1.7 miles per hour

  4. *In the mid-1980s,The submarines were repainted a oceanographer yellow. Six of the 6 submarines were given new names—Neptune, Sea Star, Explorer, Seeker, Argonaut, and Triton—while two kept their familiar names, Nautilus and Sea Wolf.

  5. *The Submarines cost Disneyland $80,000 each, in 1959.

Original Submarine names

(1959–1986)

▪301 Nautilus

▪302 Seawolf

▪303 Skate

▪304 Skipjack

▪305 Triton

▪306 George Washington

▪307 Patrick Henry

▪308 Ethan Allen

  1. *Dedication Day June 14, 1959 *

  2. *On June 14th, 1959 ; Disneyland made history in dedicating three attractions on the same day. Never again has any three attractions been dedicated on the same day. (Monorail, Matterhorn, Submarines)

Fun Facts:

  1. *In 1959 one of the most fantastic construction marvels of all time: the building of a 5 1/2 million, 11 acre addition of amazing attractions;  A 14 1/2 story matterhorn, a submarine voyage, the Nations first monorail, four new multi-level autopia, two new lakes, which guest will take motorboat cruises.

  2. *It took a E Ticket to ride the attraction.

  3. *The attraction underwent complete rehabilitation about every six years.

  4. *In 1980 the lagoon was drained , and a 35 foot long  by 12 feet wide by four feet hole was discovered and repaired. An estimated 40,000 gallons of water each day was lost from the Motor Boat Cruise and Submarine ride.

*The lagoon refill takes 6.5 million gallons of water, which takes 5 to 7 days to clean.~

*On Tuesday, September 8th, 1998 (9pm-11pm) Disneyland cast members took the final undersea voyage aboard the submarines.

* On June 11, 2007 the New Opening of Finding Nemo opens, 3 days shy for the Original Opening of June 14, 1959.

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The 1313 Club Celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland’s Matterhorn, Monorail, & Submarine ride with Disney Legend Bob Gurr, Carlene Thie & Garner Holt.

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Ape Pen Publishing is best known for vintage Disneyland photography, videos of the Disneyland park construction, and interview videos with Disney Legends like: Bob Gurr, Alice Davis, X Atencio, Sam McKim, Wally Boag, Diane Disney Miller, Rolly Crump, Harriet Burns, Blaine Gibson, Rogger Broggie, Jr and many others are on DVD or have been involved with Ape Pen Publishing one way or another .


Also, Ape Pen has put on Disney Events such as~ “50th Anniversary of Tomorrowland ~ 1959 event”  “The Railroad Event”, “ The Marvelous Mechanized Magic Kingdom Event”, “The Golden Horseshoe Revue Event”, “Disneyland the Beginning book Signing”, “The Tiki Event”, “A tour

with Bob Gurr at Disneyland, Disneyland's Club 33, and a few others.


Ape Pen Publishing has the world exclusive privately owned collection of vintage photography of Disneyland. Some of the images from 1955 are, ariel views of Disneyland in 1955, Construction of Disneyland in 1955, The Jungle Cruise in 1955, Vintage photography of Disneyland's construction, Disneyland's Monorails system, Disneyland Autopia Cars, Disneyland Matterhorn construction, Walt Disney photos, Disneyland's Main Street Construction and much more.


Ape Pen Publishing can create custom prints (in any size) of our exclusive collection of rare vintage images of Disneyland from both ariel perspectives and ground level perspectives from the dates of ground breaking through 1962. Great Hotel decor !


Ape Pen Publishing can fulfill your custom Disneyland Birthday & Party needs with our exclusive images reproduced in a thematic line of paper goods like invitations, plates, cups, and napkins. Some examples of the themed events include: Vintage Disneyland Trains Images,  Vintage Disneyland Monorail Images, Vintage Disneyland Submarine Images, Vintage Disneyland Main Street Images and much more.


Ape Pen Publishing can create any speciality item, from our exclusive collection of Vintage Disneyland Images, that you would like to resell or  to have in your own home or hotel decor !


Ape Pen Publishing also has an exclusive line of limited addition Fine Art created in water color from our Vintage Disneyland Images. These are each hand signed and numbered, and come as print only or professionally custom framed.