20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage
Magic Kingdom · Fantasyland
Overview
Guests boarded submarines that appeared to fully submerge into a Fantasyland lagoon, cruising past painted underwater scenes inspired by Jules Verne — coral reefs, sea serpents, a sunken city, and a battle with a giant squid — narrated over the sub's speakers while portholes created the illusion of gliding through open water.
ParksLog Verdict
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea remains one of the most fondly remembered casualties of Magic Kingdom's original Fantasyland — a genuinely ambitious piece of engineering for its era, using real submersible vehicles rather than a track-bound illusion. Its closure reflected a broader shift away from maintenance-heavy show vehicles toward more efficient dark ride formats, and it still holds particular nostalgic weight for guests who rode it as kids.
About this experience
Submarine ride exploring underwater scenes inspired by Jules Verne.
Best For
- Magic Kingdom historians
- Guests who remember the original Fantasyland
- Fans of classic Disney dark rides
- Jules Verne and retro-futurism enthusiasts
Tips
- The submarine lagoon was eventually filled in and redeveloped as part of Fantasyland's Little Mermaid area
- Look for nautical theming cues that still linger in the surrounding Fantasyland pathways
- Some of the original submarine hulls found new life at other Disney parks after this attraction closed
Details
History
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea opened with the park in 1971 as one of its original attractions and closed in 1994, largely due to the high cost of maintaining a working fleet of guest-carrying submarines. Its lagoon and show building were eventually redeveloped into Fantasyland's Ariel-themed area.
Fun Facts
- The ride used real, guest-carrying submarines that fully submerged into the lagoon — one of the most mechanically complex attractions Disney ever operated
- It was one of Magic Kingdom's original 1971 opening-day attractions
- The submarine fleet's maintenance costs were a major factor in the attraction's eventual closure
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage take?
- The experience runs about 10 minutes. Budget extra time for the queue, any pre-show, and boarding — on busy days the full process can take considerably longer.
- Is 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage good for young children?
- Yes — 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage is listed as kid-friendly on ParksLog. The experience is gentle enough for most young guests, though always consider a child's individual comfort with the ride type before queuing.
- How intense is 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage?
- ParksLog rates this as low intensity — calm pacing with light movement. Suitable for most guests including young children. Use your own judgement based on personal comfort and any health advisories posted at the entrance.
- When did 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage open?
- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage opened at Magic Kingdom in 1971.
- Is 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage still operating?
- ParksLog marks this attraction as retired or no longer operating. Check Magic Kingdom's official site for the current lineup.