If you’ve ever stepped within the gates of Disneyland park, you’ve surely caught sight of the magic makers who keep the sidewalks clean, the pretzels stocked, and the ride vehicles moving down the tracks. But when the sun sets, the streetlamps shine bright, and the last guest leaves for the night, an unsuspecting team of cast members begins to suit up — oxygen masks, wetsuits and all for a night of making magic beneath the bubbles.
Let us introduce you to the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage diving team, a mighty group of divers who keep the lagoon waters safe for submarine voyagers, Nemo and friends alike. These talented, aquatic-loving cast members share a passion for maintaining the mechanical systems that sit leagues beneath the surface, ensuring the ride remains safe and reliable for guests to enjoy.
Learning to Dive into the Magic
“I was a machinist at Matterhorn for two and a half years. Then someone came through one day and asked if anybody wanted to learn how to dive,” shares longtime Disneyland diver and Walt Disney Legacy Award recipient Ken Posey, recalling his early days at the resort. “I said, ‘I’ll do it,’ and soon after I started scuba training before moving to work at Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.”
Although he began his Disney days on dry land, Ken quickly fell in love with the unique opportunity to put his passion for solving mechanical puzzles to the test in an underwater world many people never see the depths of. “People don’t realize there are even divers at Disneyland,” Ken says. Years later, the extensive diving skills he learned on the job inspired him to explore some of the world’s most unexpected places, including Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
All in a Night’s Dive
At minimum, two members of the diving team swim through the lagoon waters every night, surveying the attraction for anything that might look out of place.
Depending on the night, the team may replace a light fixture, install a new show element, or support a multifaceted ride refurbishment, all while navigating the buoyant environment.
“We’re trying to keep whatever the engineers design operating properly,” explains beloved Disneyland diving team member Dave Fisher. “If the attraction is deviating from that, whether it’s a safety precaution or a show element, we’re going to find a way to fix it.”
Decades Beneath the Lagoon
For Dave, diving at the Disneyland Resort is a privilege that continues to baffle him, even 25 years into his Disney journey. “I get paid to dive,” he says with a wide smile. His passion for underwater exploration began as a hobby in the 1980s, when a friend encouraged him to take a class for fun. Ever since discovering the Disneyland diving team, Dave has been hooked on the feeling of bringing smiles to guests’ faces using a skill he wholeheartedly loves.
“We want anyone who comes here, even a 2-year-old who spots Nemo, to be happy,” Dave says. “We want to make the ride safe and give guests the best experience we can.”
The next time you climb down the yellow research submarine operated by the Nautical Exploration and Marine Observation Institute (N.E.M.O.), don’t forget the skilled team of cast members who use their fins every night to ensure your vessel remains safe, and that the story swims on.
