20k leagues info?

[wdwdude2004]

This would be an old question, but i still wish to ask.

Anyone know the real inside reason as to why they ever closed 20K Leagues in 1994? (this is at Magic Kingdom). And also why was it just meet and greets for almost a decade? Why no changes, or replacment? or even removal of underwater scenery (which could PLAINLY be seen if it was a sunny day). I'm confused

**Thank you everybody!!**

 

[Nickunited]

Great question. Not to sure - But I know now that they have drained the pool and are going to put some kind of attraction there. What they will put there is still up for debate!

 

[B'rer Karen]

Well the only people who would know the absolute real reason would be the suits who made the decision. But the reasons I've heard are that it was not handicap accessible and that it cost a lot of money to maintain. I also heard some spin about the fact that kids today didn't know anything about the movie and therefore couldn't connect with the ride. I think that's lame because A) not everything needs a movie tie in (Big Thunder Mountain!), and B) kids today wouldn't know anything about Song of the South yet their best ride (IMO) is Splash Mountain (which they built 40 some odd years after the movie came out!).

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

I thought I heard a rumor once that it had something to do with the tunnels underneath MK. When the attraction was running, it was putting too much pressure on the tunnels...or something like that. I've also heard the explanation about it not being handicapped accessible, and also it being generally too difficult to exit in case of an emergency.

It's such "prime property" in MK, I hope they finally do something with it!

 

[wdwdude2004]

Just curious. In all those years it had been open, did they ever have a problem and need to evacuate that anyone remembers?

If not I think it was pretty unjustified that they shut it down. If they had to, a proper warning would've been nice. Maybe an extra "20K week" before the closure that told people it'd be gone soon.

Just my thoughts.

I just wanted to try some emoticons out so...

 

[SueM in MN]

Lack of handicapped accessibility is often mentioned as a reason for closing things, but they don't close attractions just because they are not accessible. If they did, half of the rides at MK would be closed because they don't meet accessibility standards.
The subs were not handicapped friendly at all (it was hardly easy for people without disabilities to get in).
If they had just repaired/repainted, etc, they would not have been required by the ADA to do anything at all to the ride. The ADA only comes into play for rides that are significantly altered or are new. And, even if it was significantly altered, they would have been subject to the "technical infeasibility" provisions of the law that says if it's not possible to comply with the ADA, you just have to comply to the extent that is feasible.

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Quote from ADA law posted at http://www.access-board.gov/recreation/final.htm
Where an existing amusement ride is modified in a way that does not change the ride’s structural or operational characteristics to the extent that the ride’s performance differs from that specified by the manufacturer’s or original design criteria, the amusement ride is not required to comply with 15.1.1. Routine maintenance, painting, and changing of story boards are examples of activities that do not constitute an alteration.

As with other elements or facilities subject to the alterations provisions in ADAAG, "technical infeasibility" applies to alterations of amusement rides. In this case, compliance with the technical provisions is required except where the nature of the existing ride makes it virtually impossible to comply fully. In these circumstances, the alteration should provide the maximum accessibility feasible.
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For several years before they finally closed, the subs were hardly ever open. The first few years, they actually had a CM stationed there at times. MY FIL talked to several of them and some of the reasons they gave for the ride being closed at the time were repair issues - that the subs were difficult to keep in running order, were breaking down a lot and since they broke down a lot, it became difficult to keep them staffed.

 

[ahoff]

So, what did they do with the subs? Still around sitting in some backlot?

Maybe auction one of these off along with the Space Mountain car!

 

[alloyd1170]

Back in 2000 we did a ride at MGM (think it was the stunts one) and while youre walking through the line they had one of the subs (or a model) in a large pool. They demonstrated how they filmed some of the movie with it. Not sure if its still there (last trip was in Feb with a 2 yr old who was only interested in Playhouse Disney)!

alison

 

[B'rer Karen]

I believe one is submerged in the water around Castaway Cay as a prop.