Disneyland Nemo Submarine Accomodations for Guests with Disabilities

According to an Associated Press story in the Sioux City Journal, the new Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage provides an alternative experience for Guests with disabilities:

When the “Submarine Voyage” ride reopens Monday at Disneyland, it will have a new story line, shiny new coral reefs and something not envisioned when it debuted in 1959 — an alternate experience for disabled visitors.

The “Imagineers” at The Walt Disney Co. couldn’t retrofit the hatches and spiral staircases of the original 52-foot submarines to accommodate wheelchairs.

So they did the next best thing. The undersea voyage has been photographed with state-of-the-art equipment, and the high-definition images will be displayed on a 61-inch plasma screen in a theater designed to resemble an observation outpost.

The viewing site is also intended to accommodate people who are claustrophobic.

New attractions must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, but as the Nemo subs are a rehab of an older ride, Disney wasn’t forced into these accommodations. Kudos to Imagineering for doing the right thing!