I worked at the diving bell, playing "Junior Dugan" from 1979-1984. The diving bell was a simulation attraction, and it was contained completely inside the building that now houses the Lost River. Since the simulators were inside the building, the attraction could operate any day, rain or shine. It did not matter if thunder and lightning were nearby. I only remember a few violent storms in the years that I worked there that resulted in a power outage at the diving bell. The occupied capsules would simple come to rest at a slant on their hydraulic arms, and everything of course went black. When the power came back up, the Junior in the capusle with the group of park guests would have to hit a "recycle" button which reset the film and effects, and within ten minutes, the adventure could begin again...from the start. So, a power outage really ruined the ride, because guests then knew they were not underwater! Belive it or not, the combination of film and sound effects, special effects like water leaks, and the motion of the capsule, convinced many people over the years that they really were on an underwater adventure in a submarine. The attraction, if brought back today with the special effects that now exist...like 3D, and so on, would be fantastic! I'd like to see the diving bell come back, and I'd love it if SDC would let me help them in staging the comeback. I'd leave all sorts of "homage" around the attraction that would tip a hat at the old attraction and the people who worked there. I can dream, can't I?
