Disneyland Built an Olympic Pool on Main Street, Michael Phelps & Other Gold Medalists Swam In It

There have been some pretty interesting things that have happened throughout Disneyland's history, from some of the weirdest things we can't believe used to be at Disneyland to incredibly elaborate special events that made a lasting impression. There's a special one featuring Michael Phelps and other Olympians that is perfectly timed to recount during the Paris Olympic games.

Disney has a reputation for pulling out all the stops when it comes to creating a memorable occasion, and one particular event from 2004 is the perfect example of this. If someone told you that there was once a giant swimming pool on Main Street U.S.A., you might not believe it, but this feat is undoubtedly one of the most interesting things that has ever happened at the park!

Keep reading for details on the swimming pool on Disneyland's Main Street U.S.A. that was constructed in less than 30 hours and the special circumstances under which it was built.

Pool Constructed on Main Street U.S.A at Disneyland

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Following the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, legendary swimmer Michael Phelps and his teammates, Lenny Krayzelburg and Ian Crocker, participated in a 12-city tour across the country. They swam alongside young swimming stars in the “Disney's Swim with the Stars Tour” that began at Walt Disney World in Florida and culminated at Disneyland in California.

In each city, there was a two-hour show presented by Disney highlighting the accomplishments of the swimmers, with “special insight into the stars’ races and strokes; including demonstrations, rematches from Athens and a relay with the stars and special guests.”

“Since I was a kid, I’ve dreamed of winning the gold medal and shouting ‘I’m going to Disney World,” said Phelps. “Now I’m really doing it – and going to Disneyland too!”

For the special swim meet at Disneyland, Cast Members reportedly constructed a pool on Main Street U.S.A in less than 30 hours. According to Mouse Planet's coverage of the event, the pool measured 164 feet long, 24 feet wide, and 3.5 feet deep. The pool held 103,944 gallons of water, and the temperature of the water was heated to 80 degrees. The pool was only three lanes wide.

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The event featured a 200-meter relay with local youth swim champions who were teamed up with each of the Olympic swimmers, starting with the youngest members. In a touching moment of the event reported by Mouse Planet, the Olympic swimmers dove into the pool to help out 5-year-old youth swimmer Paul Lovely to the end of his relay leg.

This is such a fun piece of Disneyland history that some may not know, and others may recall attending the event in 2004! The swim meet was undoubtedly one of the most interesting moments from Disneyland's past, and the lengths to which Disney went to make this event a reality are truly impressive.

Top photo via DarkBeer on SmugMug.

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