June 14, 1959 was a huge day in Disneyland history; 3 of the park’s most beloved attractions debuted: The Monorail, The Submarine Voyage, and The Matterhorn. The festivities were covered on live TV in a special called "Kodak Presents Disneyland ’59.” One of the highlights of this coverage was the christening of the Submarine Voyage, with Walt presiding over the ceremony. At the time, Walt’s fleet of submarine’s was the 8th largest in the world! I love the look on Walt’s face in this closeup; he is obviously having the time of his life!
For those of you not swept off your feet by black-and-white images, here’s a glorious one. Muchas graçias for this one, KK!
Today, with the subs being painted yellow and the squawking animatronic gulls, this attraction definitely has a different feel to it, and it’s still packing in the guests one year after it reopened!
See more vintage Submarine Voyage photos at my regular website.
11 comments:
Wow, you must have acquired a heap of nice publicity photos! And that third image is awesome. I still miss the original Sub attraction.
other than opening; probally the best day to be at the park. yes, there was a bolod statement made with those subs. something about "hard facts". i am very happy that the subs are back, in ant form; however, the military gray will always be special. thanks for the wonderful picture and that closeup. outstanding!
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bold statement
and
any form
getting another cup of coffee. sorry
It always nice to see Walt when he was having fun, and he sure looks happy in that photo. WOW that color photo is pure sweetness, what are those posters that look like a big snail shell?
Now that is what a submarine is supposed to look like. I miss the old-school subs. As much as I love the movie, Disney can keep the "Nemo" overlay and its underwater video nonsense.
Regarding those posters: I think that it is an illustration of a Nautilus (the sea creature) in reference to the nuclear sub theme of the ride.
Dave,
Once again great photos. Is that Lillian christening the sub?
Keep up the great work!
Mainstreetmom - I believe that is the wife of one of the military men on hand; an Admiral's wife perhaps? I would have to get out my copy of Disneyland '59 to verifty.
That is indeed a very cool poster. It is by a graphic designer named Erik Nitsche and he a large series of posters for General Dynamics during the mid 1950s. I had no idea they had them at Disneyland!
That blowup of Walt is priceless. Barely five years since DL groundbreaking, just seven and a half years until he'd be gone. Thinking of the projects he greenlit and guided during those dozen years is mindboggling.
The woman christening is the wife of one of the real USS Nautilus crew members, if I remember correctly he worked in the engine room. The USS Nautilus was in the news as it was the first sub to go under the Polar Ice cap in 1958.
And the General Dynamics posters were displayed. There is also a version of the Submarine Voyage poster with General Dynamics type instead of Disneyland.
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