20,000 Leagues Under The Sea Exhibit Opens August 5, 1955

On August 5, 1955, the 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea Exhibit opened in Tomorrowland at Disneyland.  The walk-through exhibit features props and set pieces from the 1954 blockbuster film, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.  Guests will be able to view the exterior of the Nautilus, Professor Aronnax’s cabin, the pump room, the chart room, the diving chamber, the wheelhouse and the famous organ.  The exhibit will stay open till August 28, 1966.

This first picture shows the entrance to the attraction in the 60’s.  The picture is from www.davelandweb.com

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This next photo is showing the artwork of the different rooms of the exhibit, this was created by Tom Scherman and David Holman

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These next photos I found are great.  In researching for information for this artcle, I found that these photos were actually from a View-Master and sold exclusively at Disneyland as souvenirs in 1955.  Todd Popp created these images from the old View-Finder pictures and the quality of these photos are amazing.  At the time, color film wasn’t as widely available and these photos are very rare to see.  

Nautilus
A Nautilus model that was used in the film
The Nautilus wheelhouse
The Nautilus wheelhouse
Captain Nemo Grand Salon
Captain Nemo Grand Salon

The Organ that was used in the film and later in the exhibit would eventually find it’s home in the Disneyland Haunted Mansion ball room.

Another picture of the Grand Salon and Captain Nemo's Library
Another picture of the Grand Salon and Captain Nemo’s Library
One great thing from the exhibit was looking out one of the Salon windows and seeing a Giant Squid
One great thing from the exhibit was looking out one of the Salon windows and seeing a Giant Squid
The Diving Chamber of the Nautilus
The Diving Chamber of the Nautilus
The center piece of the exhibit was the resting place of the giant Nautilus
The center piece of the exhibit was the resting place of the giant Nautilus

 

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