Voyage Beneath the Waves: The Adventures of the Nautilus

Inspired by Jules Verne’s groundbreaking 1870 novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Disney’s acclaimed 1954 film adaptation, the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage at Magic Kingdom offered guests a thrilling underwater expedition aboard the legendary Nautilus, helmed by the enigmatic Captain Nemo.

Guests began their journey at Nemo’s secret base, Vulcania, boarding one of twelve sleek submarines via an air-powered loading ramp. After descending a narrow stairway and stepping through hydraulic hatches, they entered the richly themed interior of the Nautilus. Each guest sat on a red-cushioned Victorian-style stool, facing a round porthole that offered a personal view into the undersea world.

As bubbles surrounded the vessel and lights dimmed, the illusion of a real descent into the ocean depths began. Captain Nemo (voiced by Peter Renaday) welcomed guests over the intercom, accompanied by his haunting pipe organ music, and gave the order: “Dive, dive. Take her down easy.” The Nautilus glided forward, leaving the bright lagoon and entering a hidden waterfall that concealed the show building—where a fantastical deep-sea adventure awaited.

Throughout the twenty-scene voyage, guests witnessed breathtaking underwater tableaus: coral reefs teeming with sea life, giant green sea turtles, divers harvesting seaweed and roping a massive turtle, and the eerie graveyard of lost ships guarded by sharks. The narration described the crew's scientific work managing marine life and growing kelp beds, as well as interesting marine facts like fish using sonar to communicate.

As the submarine descended further, it passed under the polar ice cap, where shimmering auroras danced above and creaking ice flows surrounded the vessel. Deeper still, the Nautilus entered the ocean's twilight zone, where sunlight never reaches. Bioluminescent creatures flickered in the darkness, and guests glimpsed strange sea forms never before seen by man.

The voyage then took a turn toward legend. Crumbling ruins appeared on the seafloor, which Nemo speculated to be the lost continent of Atlantis. Columns and temples rose from the depths, evidence of a once-great civilization buried beneath volcanic fury. But fantasy quickly met reality, as crew members spotted mermaids and even a sea serpent slithering through the ruins—much to the disbelief of Mr. Baxter, a humorous voice among the crew.

Suddenly, turbulence shook the vessel—an underwater volcano was erupting! The Nautilus veered to avoid falling columns and molten vents. Just as it seemed the danger had passed, an urgent alert sounded: a giant squid had attacked a sister submarine, crushing it like an eggshell. Before guests could react, their sub came face-to-face with the monstrous creature. Tentacles whipped across the viewport. “Full repellent charge!” Nemo ordered. “Maximum voltage!” With engines unresponsive and the squid closing in, an emergency surface maneuver was called.

With a final jolt, the Nautilus broke free and surged toward the surface, returning safely to Vulcania. As the vessel slowed and prepared to dock, Captain Nemo delivered his closing words, thanking guests for joining him on this perilous and unforgettable journey 20,000 leagues under the sea.

Once the cabin lights came on, guests were invited to gather their belongings, watch their steps, and disembark—bringing with them memories of sea serpents, ancient ruins, polar wonders, and the thrilling escape from the deep. A masterpiece of imagineering, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage brought literature, film, and immersive storytelling together beneath the waves.