Sunday, September 15, 2013

Skate, August 1982

The Skate was one of eight diesel-powered submarines that plied the Tomorrowland lagoon. And let's face it, it was the coolest, because it encouraged everyone to skate. How many other subs did that? None, that's how many. Tony Hawk saw this submarine and now he's a millionaire. I saw the one that said "George Washington" and now I have wooden teeth. Coincidence?


If only the photographer had captured the Skate doing a "900" (two and a half revolutions through the air).


12 comments:

Chiana_Chat said...

Huh. I thought the Skate was an invitation to roller skate up and down the aisle yelling, "XANADU!" Explains the funny looks I got. Another mystery solved at Gorilla's!

Anonymous said...

Today, the Skate would be renamed the Gnarly Bro.

Bill in Denver

K. Martinez said...

I love the "Disneyland USA" imprint on the submarine. I remember that on the Rocket Jets attraction too. Is that Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile) in the foreground?

For the record:

303 Skate, grey sub, 1959-1986
303 Sea Star, yellow sub, 1987-1998
307 Voyager, Finding Nemo sub, 2007-current

Nanook said...

@ K. Martinez-

Let's certainly hope those are Agapanthus plants in the foreground. Otherwise they could be alien beasts in disguise about ready to abscond with a Disneyland Sub-!

Anonymous said...

For the record, the subs were diesel-electric. Diesel engine drove a generator, which in turn drove an electric motor.

Nanook said...

@ Anonymous-

Geez - and all this time I thought the subs were nuclear-powered; or at the very least, the combined energy of hundreds of mice running in wheels - with mini-generators attached.

The bubble is burst, once again-!

Alonzo P Hawk said...

I saw the Nautilus one year and it turned me into the total gym rat with gnarly pumped guns. But then alas I went back the next year and saw the Ethan Allen. I promptly went out and bought a couch, sat down and quickly turned in the Winnie the Pooh physique.

Major Pepperidge said...

Chiana, obviously you and I agree that Xanadu is one of the greatest cinematic achievements EVER!

Bill, at least it sounds like something Crush would say (which I am sure was your point)!

K. Martinez, interesting, I don't think I knew that the subs changed names when they went through their initial "yellow sub" phase. As for the plant in the foreground, I have no idea.

Nanook, that would be COOL!

Anon, oh alright! At least now I know that they have been converted to nuclear reactors.

Alonzo, what did you do when you saw the "Patrick Henry"?!

Alonzo P Hawk said...

At first I thought about studying for the bar. Then after a long night of drinking at one I just decided to collect stamps.

Nanook said...

This group is entirely too funny; and I never fail to laugh. This time it's touché to Alonzo. What can I say-?

Melissa said...

Hang on, "SKATE?" I always thought it was "KATE!" I mean, most of the others had people names! I mean, except from the one that's named after an augmented fourth, for some reason.

JG said...

On Thufer's behalf, let me insert a comment about "The Grays".

Submarines were supposed to be gray. The new yellow look is cheerful and reminiscent of research boats, not warships, and I suppose that's positive outlook now.

But when Disneyland had the world's eighth largest submarine fleet, it was best for them to be gray.

Fun stuff and a funny bunch of commenters. thanks everyone.

JG