One of the earliest childhood memories I have is heading out of cold, grey Toronto with my parents during March Break to spend a week in sunny, warm, Florida and visit Disney World.

What a sight that was! The Magic Castle, the rides, the fireworks and the cartoons, walking alongside, in real life! Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy – especially Goofy!

Of all the rides I liked, I remember Pirates of the Caribbean as a top favourite. But there was another attraction that took hold of my young imagination, and now, nearly forty years later, still hasn’t let it go.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea!

Inspired by the serialized novel of famed science fiction author Jules Verne 1869, I was taken with the design and functionality of the Nautilus ride at Disney, the fictional Captain Nemo’s famous sea monster-inspired submarine.

Today, imaginations around the world are fired up with…