I don't know what it is about the Epcot nemo ride, but it is one I'll rank the lowest in all of WDW. It's not bad, it's just something kinda cheap about it I guess. Maybe because it's just screens and you're facing one direction the whole time, but sometimes thinking about riding it is similar to star tours in that it's a job rather than something I'd want to do.
Hmm. That's an interesting take on it. I think it helps for me that I rode the 14+ minute long epic E Ticket version of Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage before I rode the Epcot Nemo Seas 5 minute Omnimover version. My point of reference was the E Ticket submarine ride, and so I wasn't expecting much of The Seas version, but was just happy to get the Seacabs back.
But when I went on The Seas with Nemo ride, it was a nice, upbeat, witty entrance into The Seas pavilion. I was pleasantly surprised, and I liked that it was sort of a Cliffs Notes version of the longer, grander Disneyland plotline, with a few different twists. And it certainly breathed new life into the dying Seas pavilion.
What can't be understated however, is how
truly mezmerizing the Disneyland submarine ride is for kids under the age of 6 or 7. It's that same demographic that still believes in Santa Claus, and for them they really believe they are diving deep underwater in a real submarine. It's a priceless Disneyland experience that has been very smartly updated and freshened for the 21st century. Plus it just provides a snazzy, uniquely Disney vista to see the fleet of subs gliding through the blue lagoon. Bravo Imagineers!
Interestingly, the 2007 Nemo version of the submarines is several minutes longer than the original 1959 version of the ride, owing to a slower vehicle speed once you enter the "Dark Ride" portion inside the caverns. It's a complete reversal of the trend to shorter and briefer ride experiences, by tacking on several more minutes of ride time to a 1959 concept.
Which gets us back
OT to Little Mermaid. If the interiors of this Mermaid ride are as elaborate and engaging as has been reported, and what is hinted at in the Blue Sky Cellar exhibits, then I wonder if a 6 minute ride time will leave folks satisfied? Nemo proves that a 14+ minute ride time can still satisfy 21st century audiences, if the story and experience is engaging enough.