Nautilus

The **Nautilus** was Captain Nemo’s submarine and his base for deep sea exploration and study. It is the setting of Jules Verne’s novel *Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea* and the 1954 Disney film adaptation.

## Descriptions

### Features

The specifications of the Nautilus were:

* Length: 70 Meters
* Width: 8 Meters
* Weight: 1,500 Tons
* Material: Steel-Plate
* Power Source: Electricity
* Depth Limit: 6950 Fathoms
* Speed: 50 Knots
* Home Port: Vulcania

## History

The Nautilus was built by Captain Nemo and his crew on the island of Vulcania, after escaping from prison. It was incredibly advanced, running off of electricity or nuclear energy, depending on the adaptation. It sailed the oceans, gaining attention when it attacked English vessels.

In 1868, Pierre Aronnax, Ned Land, and Conseil were brought aboard the ship after one of the attacks, where they learned about life under the sea and encountered a giant squid. The Nautilus sank, after the apparent death of Captain Nemo, and all of its discoveries went with it.

## Appearances and allusions

### 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage

When the Submarine Voyage was brought to the Magic Kingdom, it was themed entirely to 20,000 Leagues, as opposed to Disneyland’s, which only alluded to the film. The ride vehicles were changed to the Nautilus from the film, and Nemo narrated the attraction.

### Castaway Cay

Two of the submarines from the Magic Kingdom’s Submarine Voyage were placed in Castaway Cay in a snorkeling area.. They’ve deteriorated over the years, due to storms and the forces of nature.

### Discovery Bay

Jason Chandler and Ned Land searched under the sea and eventually discovered the remains of the Nautilus. Chandler rebuilt it, allowing for visitors to travel under the sea and to dine in the ship’s Grand Salon.

### Fantasyland

The Nautilus is carved into the queue of *The Little Mermaid**: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure* at the Magic Kingdom, as the attraction occupies the land that the submarine voyage used to be at. It is also carved into a tree in the queue of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, after it was moved from a play area that took up the land once occupied by the attraction.

### Mysterious Island

Sometime after the events of *20,000 Leagues*, Nemo had a change of heart and opened Vulcania to the rest of the world, allowing them to explore the depths of the earth and the depths of the sea. The Nautilus is docked in the harbor outside of the *20,000 Leagues* dark ride.

### Les Mystères du Nautilus

The Nautilus is the setting for this walk-through attraction in Disneyland Paris' Discoveryland entered from a lagoon. They can visit the ship’s treasure room, airlock chamber, the crew’s quarters, and Nemo’s personal quarters, where they encounter the giant squid from the film.

### Skipper Canteen

An illustration of the Nautilus can be seen within the *Jungle Navigation Co. Skipper Canteen* in Walt Disney World. On the wall there is a map created by one Captain Mary Oceaneer which details the *Legendary Beasts of the Mediterranean*. On the map there is the *Giant Squid* which is shown with its arms wrapped around the Nautilus, homaging the submarine's fate.

### Trader Sam's

The Nautilus is also a drink which is served within a mug shaped as the famous submarine. When it is ordered, the lights in the grotto turn blue as the cast-members equip snorkels and goggles while audio from the attraction plays.

#### Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar

The San Francisco Evening Bulletin newspaper is taken from this film. Its article talks of a real sea-monster which in reality was a misidentification of the Nautilus.

#### Trader Sam's Grog Grotto

A painting of the Nautilus hangs on the wall of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at the Polynesian Resort. A large severed giant squid's tentacle comes to life and lowers a bottle of alcohol for the bartender. During this time, a portrait of the Nautilus from the Magic Kingdom begins glowing and an antique diving helmet starts bubbling with water.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiGVB-TQgzs
2. ↑ https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/02/all-in-the-details-exploring-trader-sams-grog-grotto/