Welcome to those of you joining me from My Dreams of Disney and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 3rd stop on our Magical Blogorail. I am excited by the opportunity to hop on board with Magical Blogorail Black this month!
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I remember my first trip to Walt Disney World. It was January of 1988. I was a senior in high school. It was the perfect age to go to Disney (and, since then, I say that every age is the perfect age – even 41!) At the time, there were only two parks – Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
We loved that trip so much that we came home and immediately started planning for a 2nd trip. We returned in January of 1990. By that time, I had my own car and drove down with a friend. We rented our own hotel room and did our own thing. Hollywood Studios was brand new and we had a blast!
It wasn’t until almost 10 years later that I would have the opportunity to return to Walt Disney World. In March of 1999, now married with a 5 year old daughter, I once again made the journey from PA to FL – this time with a husband and daughter to introduce to this special place that I had fallen in love with a decade before.
But, much to my surprise, some things had changed. At Epcot, I noticed some changes – most obvious of which was the lack of Figment! The Skyway to Tomorrowland was missing at the Magic Kingdom (this, however, didn’t really make me sad, as I’m not a fan of cable-car type rides). There were several other changes, but the one that stands out in my mind as the most obvious was that 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was gone. In it’s place was just this big open, rather sad-looking place where I knew 20,000 Leagues used to be. I felt kinda sad.
My 5 year-old redhead, though, was pleased that, off to the side of that location was Ariel’s Grotto, where she got to meet and spend some time with Ariel.
Over the years, that location has been home to Pooh’s Playful Spot as well. Now, however, it is under construction and will be home to the much-anticipated Fantasyland Expansion.
I have to wonder though . . . what might have been? I mean, sure the ride may have been a bit dated. But, who better than Disney to update it with more sophisticated audio-animatronic sea creatures, etc. – the ride could have had such a realistic feel. Oh well . . . I guess we’ll never know!
I’d like to leave you with this video that I found on YouTube (part of the Vanished World of Disney series). You might also appreciate this article on the attraction, found at AllEars.Net and written by Lou Mongello.
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Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is Unknown Magic Within Walt Disney World.
Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:
1st Stop ~ The Disney Chick2nd Stop ~ My Dreams of Disney
3rd Stop ~ Heidi's Head
(You are HERE)
4th Stop ~ Unknown Magic Within Walt Disney World
Final Stop ~ The Magical Mouse Pad
4 comments:
I think that is one of my most missed rides (along with Mr. Toad). I hear from others that is smelled, was too hot, etc. I just remember being a kid and really thinking we were diving into the unknown. Thanks for the memory.
Thank you for including the video. I loved this ride as a kid, though I experienced it at Disneyland and not WDW.
This was a great post! I never got to experience this ride either, im just too young lol!! Great incite and I love that you included a video!
Also i saw your countdown to your next WDW trip, what dates will you be there? I move to become a WDW Cast Member on January 16th!! We can have a Disney meet and greet!! lol
I remember the submarine as a kid and always wondered why Disneyland had taken it out in the late-90's. Now it's back with Nemo and friends and is one of my daughter's favorites! Maybe it'll make a comeback in a different form at WDW!
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