Living Seas Rehab: August - November

[General Grizz]

Thread drift here for a minute

Actually theres one thing I never understood about the removal of The Land's symbol. As you know they removed it from the wall but they kept it on the FP machines. I was just thinking if you can leave it on the those, where as theres more than one, then why would it be so hard to leave it up on the wall?

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Quiet you!

I don't think they know that....!

 

[General Grizz]

My favorite line is "We welcome you to the Living Seas. We welcome you to Seabase Alpha." Then, you have the comchat with the doors opening and the bubbling of the water near the hydrolators... AHHH.. I get chill bumps thinking of it!

Get on AIM...

 

[Horizons1]

Ooooopps. Uh I was just joking thats all........... I like to get people thinking you can find symbols in someplace where they are completely gone cause I know how much they love them...... its not actually there! :lookaroun

End drift :lookaroun

 

[djlb16]

i have a bad memory or i haven't been or listen something about the seacabs... what were the seacabs?? Were they something similar to what's going to be "Finding Nemo Sub Voyage"??

 

[dxwwf3]

Well I figured this was coming, so I made sure to catch the film on this trip. I also took special time to enjoy the queue, the hydrolaters, and various other things that might be gone soon. I really loved that pavilion this trip because it took me back to the 80's. Not that it really seemed that dated to me, but it just brought back alot of memories. "The seas were born" - That film is so quoteable.

I wouldn't mind if the hydrolaters were taken out. They were GREAT for the attraction up until this point, but it might be time for a change there. They really served no purpose other than setting up the Sea Base Alpha story, which will probably be downplayed or eliminated.

I'm not sure if changing the entrance/exit would help that much. They could easily make the entrance part of the queue for the ride (which will probably turn into the main attraction of the pavilion) and they could still set it up where you get to the top of the queue and you could choose to go to the ride or just go straight to the tanks and exhibits.

I could see them gutting the preshow area to allow for extra queue for the ride portion or maybe something else. But I always thought it would be neat to just change the film to a Nemo preshow for the rest of the pavilion.

Even though I really enjoyed my last trip to the Seas, I'm definately ready to let go of current version and I actually have some hope for this project. If Disney screws this one up, they've got bigger problems than I originally thought.

 

[TheOneVader]

Ooh, I'm definately looking forward to this! They definately need to get rid of the long wait at the front. First you wait to get into the circular theater thing where you can't sit for 5 min. Then you go and wait for the Hydrolators. Then you have to wait in the cramped Hydrolators. Finally, you're in Sea Base Alpha and you just missed Turtle Talk. In short, all that needs to go. Go ahead, keep the movie, but let the people that don't want to watch go ahead without wait.

Also, I hope we see some improvements to Turtle Talk. Specifically, the queue should look a lot nicer than just some ropes, and a Wait Time or Next Show Time clock would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mousermerf]

When they made the announcement last night I was stupid happy.

I actually was bouncing around all smiles.

Anyways - operational update:

Coral Reef, Seas Aqua Tour, DiveQuest, and Dolphins in Depth as well as the exterior Nemo meet and greet will continue to operate.

 

[righttrack]

TLC is a way to reach smaller children and of the Epcot exhibits, Energy, The Land, Seas and Journey to Imagination, seems to be the best of the best. I hope this is a genuine improvement and works to expand the imaginative nature, plus the appreciation of the sea-life.

Ever notice how these are amoung the oldest things at Epcot? Thrill rides, yes, but keep Epcot at a level the littlest can enjoy too.

 

[KumbaRider]

Will this be a complete overhaul of the Pavillion or will it only be a partial refurbishment?
After all, it's only scheduled to be down for a few months, which doesn't provide much time for construction or other necessary factors.
However, this could be another Land incident, where it's actually closed much longer due to extra needed time for construction and testing.

 

[Dr Albert Falls]

Mousermerf---

Are you saying that its CONFIRMED the interior of the pavillion will be closed?

I just find it hard to believe-- following the $$ already spent on the rehab-- that Disney would COMPLETELY shut down TLS for 3 months. They just put up a "Turtle Talk" billboard across from Sea World on I-4. It's one of their new star attractions.

With the reduced off-season crowds, you'd think Disney could find a way to keep the "Seabase" open, while work is done in the hydrolator/theater area. It would be a mess, but I'm sure there's a way to route the queue through the current exit.

 

[imagineer boy]

Am I the only one who's opposed to this rehab? Firstly, if Nemo took over it would destroy the whole concept of the living seas, and make it a good excuse for a meet n' greet. Second, a whole pavillion devoted to cartoon characters would not fit right in Future World. It will just screw things up even more. Imagineers, you're great, but what you are doing here is a mistake. Personally, I think they just should have kept only one exibit with nemo, that would've been fine, but I've always like the whole sea base alpha theme. Not to mention that I've always liked the hydrolaters. They could atleast make them bigger for higher capacity.

 

[Fran98765]

I think this will be great. We went in May and the new Nemo stuff was wonderful. My son loved it to death! Turtle Talk was a really good show and to encourage the love of the seas to our young is great to do, anyway that it can be done. All the changes so far, have been very tasteful and well done.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Am I the only one who's opposed to this rehab? Firstly, if Nemo took over it would destroy the whole concept of the living seas, and make it a good excuse for a meet n' greet. Second, a whole pavillion devoted to cartoon characters would not fit right in Future World. It will just screw things up even more. Imagineers, you're great, but what you are doing here is a mistake. Personally, I think they just should have kept only one exibit with nemo, that would've been fine, but I've always like the whole sea base alpha theme. Not to mention that I've always liked the hydrolaters. They could atleast make them bigger for higher capacity.

No. I agree. Update the pavilion, absolutely. Use characters sparingly to tell certain stories, sure. Turn this into Nemo's Seas, absolutely not. However, I feel this is just one step in the sugar-coated child-oriented turn for WDW that has been going on. Guess they still haven't learned their lesson.

However, that is all speculation. It seems no one knows just what will actually happen, so let's wait to see how it works. After all, the Land (despite debates) got an outstanding update, and this might work that way, too.

 

[peter11435]

Will this be a complete overhaul of the Pavillion or will it only be a partial refurbishment?
After all, it's only scheduled to be down for a few months, which doesn't provide much time for construction or other necessary factors.
However, this could be another Land incident, where it's actually closed much longer due to extra needed time for construction and testing.

The land was only closed about 3-4 weeks more than planned. You would be amazed how much they can do in just the 3 months the Seas will be closed. Look at how much was done in just 4 months at the Land.

 

[mousermerf]

I think that's exactly why they don't list an opening date. They got greif over the Land.

It will not effect the restaurant, the Coral Reef, so I assume the exterior will see minimal change as well as the marine enviroment itself.

It's about a 3 month rehab. That's fairly lengthy in terms of rehabs. Rehab walls have been part of that pavillion for the last year or more - the area around the ride and underneath the main observation deck staircase. That's not a real wall - but they've been there so long people assume it's supposed to be like that.

Things i'd like to see:

1. Real Pre-show in the holding area, nemo and friends on the big circular screen (I'd hate to see it go, just because the screen itself is neat!)
2. Revamp or re-use of the film "The Seas." I can live with a nemo film, but it wasnt a bad film.
3. Overhaul of the hydrolators to get them back in good condition
4. Bring back the ride!

And - if nothing else - don't go from entrance to gift shop. I think it anything that wiull be fixed by adding more show or moving the gift shop.

 

[mousermerf]

Mousermerf---

Are you saying that its CONFIRMED the interior of the pavillion will be closed?

I just find it hard to believe-- following the $$ already spent on the rehab-- that Disney would COMPLETELY shut down TLS for 3 months. They just put up a "Turtle Talk" billboard across from Sea World on I-4. It's one of their new star attractions.

With the reduced off-season crowds, you'd think Disney could find a way to keep the "Seabase" open, while work is done in the hydrolator/theater area. It would be a mess, but I'm sure there's a way to route the queue through the current exit.

According to the official announcement:

"Turtle Talk with Crush will not operate during this time."

But again, the Coral Reef restaurant, Seas Aqua Tour, DiveQuest, and Dolphins in Depth will continue their operational schedule inside the building while the Nemo meet and greet outside will be unaffected.

 

[Moustronaut]

My favorite line is "We welcome you to the Living Seas. We welcome you to Seabase Alpha." Then, you have the comchat with the doors opening and the bubbling of the water near the hydrolators... AHHH.. I get chill bumps thinking of it!

Exactly!!! that's all the little details that made that attraction so immersive with it's theming. *sigh*

 

[mousermerf]

My favorite line is "Please stand by." from the holding room. It's from the full phrase "Those of you wishing to depart directly to SeaBase Alpha, please stand by." but the end always stands out.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Why is it that I experience worry with the announcement of every rehab? Please keep Epcot, Epcot! No need to kiddy pander in every attraction in every park and no need to talk down or play stupid to the kids either.

Aas someone said, it could go either way. Can but hope

 

[mousermerf]

Incase you were wondering - I always find these funny - "recommended alternative"

The Living Seas Pavillion - The Land

Turtle Talk with Crush - Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!

Umm, yeah, right