At a glance
Les Mystères du Nautilus is an attraction found nowhere else in the world, designed specifically for Disneyland Paris and inspired by Richard Fleischer’s Disney film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, released in 1954 and itself adapted from Jules Verne’s novel published in 1869. Captain Nemo’s submarine sits in the middle of the Discovery Lagoon, a stone’s throw from Hyperspace Mountain. A little secret: the visible hull is just scenery, and the attraction is actually housed in a building next door.
The walk-through takes you through six rooms of the Nautilus: the ballast tank you use to enter the submarine, Captain Nemo’s cabin, the chart room, the diving chamber with its diving suits, the grand salon and the steam-filled engine room. Every room is furnished exactly as in the film thanks to the tireless work of Tom Scherman, a renowned expert on the film, who drew more than 250 sketches on paper napkins to settle the full design of the submarine. For his work, he received a certificate naming him the one and only Admiral of the Nautilus, a childhood dream come true.
The highlight takes place in the grand salon, in front of the great starboard porthole looking out onto the ocean depths: humpback whales, hammerhead sharks and turtles drift past, with narration about protecting the oceans. Originally, this porthole looked out onto the legendary giant squid attack, using a film technique called dry for wet, where only the inside of the porthole holds water.
A tour of Captain Nemo’s submarine. Wander freely through the passageways of the Nautilus: the salon, the organ and the great porthole looking out onto the ocean depths. A detailed recreation based on Jules Verne’s novel. Often deserted, it’s a quiet stop away from the Discoveryland crowds.
History
Opened on 4 July 1994, Les Mystères du Nautilus is a walk-through inside a recreation of Captain Nemo’s submarine, in Discoveryland. Exclusive to Disneyland Paris, the attraction is inspired by Jules Verne’s novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas and its 1954 Disney adaptation.
During the 2023 refurbishment, the giant squid sequence in the grand salon gave way to a marine life sequence (humpback whales, hammerhead sharks, turtles), created with help from EPCOT’s marine biologists to carry a message about protecting the oceans.
Technical data
- Opened
- 1994
- Type Walk-through
- Opening date 4 July 1994
- Duration 10 to 20 min, depending on how much you explore
- Design Tom Scherman
- Theme Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Theme & story
Levels & accessibility
- Fear level none
- Thrill level low
- Emotional impact low
- Perceived wait low
- Minimum height None (open to all)
- Recommended age all ages
- Wheelchair access fully accessible
- Pregnant visitors suitable
Premier Access, Single Rider, PhotoPass
Not offered on this ride.
No Single Rider here. To save time, count on Premier Access or park opening.
No PhotoPass on this ride.
Not open during Extra Magic Time: it opens at the same time as the park.
Who it’s for
Pros and cons
Strong points
- Sets completely faithful to the film
- The perfect shelter when it rains
- An attraction found nowhere else in the Disney parks
Weak points
- Narrow stairs inside the submarine
- A letdown for fans of the giant squid, now gone
- Of limited interest if you don’t know the film
My verdict
Les Mystères du Nautilus is an attraction found nowhere else in the world, designed specifically for Disneyland Paris in 1994. You step down into a faithful recreation from Richard Fleischer’s film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: six rooms to explore, including the grand salon with its great porthole looking out onto the seabed. It’s a free walk-through with no queue, ideal for sheltering or taking a break in the dry.
I really like how faithful it is to the film, it’s almost a Nautilus museum. It means more if you know the original film, otherwise it’s of limited interest for kids in a hurry. Watch out for the narrow stairs inside the submarine. And a little pang for fans: the giant squid that used to burst out behind the porthole gave way to a marine life sequence in 2023.
Map & getting there
Les Mystères du Nautilus is in the middle of Discoveryland, between the exit of Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain and Autopia.
Your questions about this ride
01 How can you avoid long queues for the most popular rides?
To avoid long queues at Disneyland Paris, I combine several tactics. First, Single Rider is free and really speeds things up on the rides that offer it, including Crush’s Coaster, Flight Force, Ratatouille and Spider-Man, as long as you’re happy not to ride with your group. Next, Disney Premier Access is a paid service that gives you priority access to the headline rides. If you’re staying in a Disney hotel, Extra Magic Time lets you into the park before official opening, and it’s the best time to ride the popular attractions back to back without queuing. Finally, heading to the most popular rides during a parade or a big show empties the queues considerably.
02 Are the queue times shown in the park reliable?
Yes, the queue times shown in the app or on the screens around the park are generally reliable. They’re often the same as, or slightly longer than, the real wait, which helps you plan your day better.
03 How can I find out if a ride will be closed for refurbishment during my trip?
Disneyland Paris publishes the list of rides closed for refurbishment on its official website, several weeks in advance. Because the parks are open all year round, the maintenance teams sometimes work on days when the parks are open, which leads to temporary closures. My advice: check this calendar (or the one on my blog) before booking, especially if there’s one particular ride you really care about.
04 Which rides might scare young children?
Several rides at Disneyland Paris can frighten young children even without a height restriction. Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains, in Fantasyland, has dark scenes with the witch that can catch them off guard. Les Voyages de Pinocchio also has some unsettling scenes. La Tanière du Dragon, under Sleeping Beauty Castle, is home to a very impressive animatronic dragon. Phantom Manor, in Frontierland, plays on a ghostly atmosphere and is really intense for toddlers. Pirates of the Caribbean switches between cheerful moments and darker scenes. I’d suggest watching how your child reacts before you get on.
05 How far in advance does Disneyland Paris announce ride closures?
Disneyland Paris publishes the list of ride closures around 2 to 3 months in advance. For major rides, the park tells visitors about planned construction work at least two months before it starts. I recommend checking the official calendar (or my dedicated page) a few weeks before your visit, as dates can change. That way you avoid the nasty surprise of finding out on the day that your favourite ride is being refurbished.
