Nemo arrives at Disneyland as a Major Highlight in the Year of a Million Dreams

The new Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage at Disneyland is a major highlight of the Year of a Million Dreams celebration at Disneyland.

Taking its inspiration from two entertainment experiences, the worldwide smash-hit Disney·Pixar motion picture “Finding Nemo” and the very fondly remembered in the USA classic Disneyland Submarine Voyage that opened in 1959 and retired in 1998 but has been sitting in the park ever since waiting to be resurrected.

“Only Disney can bring to life in a whole new way beloved characters from one of the most popular animated movies in a classic Disneyland attraction,” Jay Rasulo, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, , [pictured centre left with Bob Iger, President and CEO of the Walt Disney Company and John Lassetter, Pixar Executive Vice President , told The Mole adding, “The marriage of innovative technology with great storytelling has created a one-of-a-kind immersive experience that will surely astound guests.”

The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage features eight original submarines from the Disneyland Submarine Voyage fleet, completely rebuilt and modernized and as “members” of the sub crew, passengers embarking on an expedition to the site of an erupting undersea volcano, set somewhere off the east coast of Australia, with the crew announcements made with good Aussie accents.

Soon after departure, passengers find themselves in the world of Finding Nemo, with Nemo getting into the swim of things right alongside the submarine through stunning new imaging technology developed exclusively for the attraction by Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative arm for all Disney parks and resorts.

The Finding Nemo characters appear exactly as they do in the film, but in a real, three-dimensional underwater setting – with no special viewing glasses required.

“We are literally bringing the undersea world of the popular Finding Nemo movie off the screen and into the submarine lagoon of Tomorrowland,” Tom Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President and Senior Creative Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, told The Mole, adding “Guests are immersed into an adventure that will leave them in disbelief, asking, ‘How did they do that?’”

Along with the improved unique underwater technology, the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage features fully sculpted Audio-Animatronics characters, including scuba divers and the scavenging seagulls from Finding Nemo, complete with their call of “Mine! Mine! Mine!”

The submarine vehicles include new features, including conversion from the diesel power of the 1950s to environmentally friendly, fully electric power and with new on-board audio, guests hear the sounds and voices of the underwater characters as they move alongside the submarine, with the sounds synchronized to travel along with the figures under water and in the sub, using a four-channel stereophonic sound system.

Guests will eavesdrop on the exploits of Dory, Marlin, Crush the turtle, of course, Bruce the shark and the members of the “tank gang” and most importantly take part in the ever-changing adventure of trying to find Nemo.

Passengers enjoy colorful undersea environments, modeled on the Great Barrier Reef, thanks to Disney Imagineering technology that creates eye-popping custom colors from recycled glass, resulting in deeper, richer hues that last longer under water.

After surviving a sub-shaking volcanic eruption, the subs dive alongside a breathtakingly beautiful Australian coral reef where Marlin, Nemo and all their friends gather to celebrate finding Nemo at last.

For those less mobile, as entry into the subs is down a spiral staircase, an additional feature of the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is the “Observation Outpost”, located underneath the Disneyland Monorail track and adjacent to the submarine dock, the special viewing area letting guests experience the entire Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage via a special “high-definition porthole cam.”

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage joins a full line-up of immersive experiences to be found at Disneyland during the Year of a Million Dreams celebration, with the Resort celebrating its “Dreams Come True” heritage by making literally millions of dreams, large and small, come true for eligible guests.

Many money-can’t-buy experiences—from exclusive Dream FASTPASSES for popular Disney attractions to around-the-world vacations or a stay in the special Mickey Mouse Penthouse at the Disneyland Hotel—are being awarded at random.

There are other “Dreams Come True” opportunities for guests to meet and play with Disney Princesses at Disney Princess Fantasy Faire, duel with Darth Vader at Jedi Training Academy, create mayhem with the denizens of Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, or show their school spirit by joining in the fun of the High School Musical Pep Rally at Disney’s California Adventure park. The Year of a Million Dreams is being celebrated at both Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Read TravelMole tomorrow to find out how The Mole was able to make a Disney dream come true for one family from British Colombia, Canada.

For more information about new attractions, the Year of a Million Dreams, and vacations at Disneyland Resort visit www.disneyland.com or contact a featuring wholesaler.

Report by The Mole on location at the new Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage at Disneyland Resort, California.