Let's assume Michael Eisner's slip-of-the-tongue mention of "Nemo's Living Seas" is still planned for the future. (I bet the project will hinge on the upcoming Pixar negotiations. I'm sure the fallback will be the rumored "Little Mermaid" Living Seas layover)
With any layover, Disney can do two things: 1) keep the pavillion basically the same, with a new film in the main theater, or 2) Finally build the dark ride that was originally proposed for the pavillion in the late 70s. (when costs skyrocketed, Disney ditched the dark ride and installed the cheaper theaters instead. However, they decided to keep the "grand finale" of the dark ride--- the SeaCab ride through the aquarium tunnels)
Hoping they go with a new dark ride, the next question becomes "How will they do it?"
Disney could easily gut the existing pre-show queue, theaters, Hydrolators, and old Sea Cab boarding area--- and start the project from scratch.
However, I think there's a way they can keep the current entrance queue and Hydrolators-- and still build a dark ride.
The layout of the entrance queue (where the old diving suits are displayed) is fine the way it is. However, there is no room for the inevitable "FastPass" line.
Recently I noticed that there is an "emergency exit" just under the giant "sun and sea" mural outside that opens up into the first "Circlevision" preshow room. They could use THAT entrance for FastPass, where it would merge with the interior queue line.
With the "Circlevision" room mostly walled off, guests walking from the interior queue would join up with the FastPassers and go directly into the Hydrolator room through the "bypass" doors that were recently installed.
The old SeaCab boarding area could probably remain exactly like it is. But instead of the vehicles taking a sharp left into the aquarium, they would take a sharp right into the old theaters.
The dark ride would wind its way through the main theater and the "Circlevision" preshow area, before once again returning to the aquarium tunnels, where the SeaCabs would complete the journey as they always have.
It seems this "plan" would cut costs and save the Hydrolators. Also, keeping the SeaCab load and unload areas in the current location seems to be the most efficient track layout. Guests still exit into Seabase Alpha-- but the empty SeaCabs only have to travel a few feet before being loaded with new guests.
With any layover, Disney can do two things: 1) keep the pavillion basically the same, with a new film in the main theater, or 2) Finally build the dark ride that was originally proposed for the pavillion in the late 70s. (when costs skyrocketed, Disney ditched the dark ride and installed the cheaper theaters instead. However, they decided to keep the "grand finale" of the dark ride--- the SeaCab ride through the aquarium tunnels)
Hoping they go with a new dark ride, the next question becomes "How will they do it?"
Disney could easily gut the existing pre-show queue, theaters, Hydrolators, and old Sea Cab boarding area--- and start the project from scratch.
However, I think there's a way they can keep the current entrance queue and Hydrolators-- and still build a dark ride.
The layout of the entrance queue (where the old diving suits are displayed) is fine the way it is. However, there is no room for the inevitable "FastPass" line.
Recently I noticed that there is an "emergency exit" just under the giant "sun and sea" mural outside that opens up into the first "Circlevision" preshow room. They could use THAT entrance for FastPass, where it would merge with the interior queue line.
With the "Circlevision" room mostly walled off, guests walking from the interior queue would join up with the FastPassers and go directly into the Hydrolator room through the "bypass" doors that were recently installed.
The old SeaCab boarding area could probably remain exactly like it is. But instead of the vehicles taking a sharp left into the aquarium, they would take a sharp right into the old theaters.
The dark ride would wind its way through the main theater and the "Circlevision" preshow area, before once again returning to the aquarium tunnels, where the SeaCabs would complete the journey as they always have.
It seems this "plan" would cut costs and save the Hydrolators. Also, keeping the SeaCab load and unload areas in the current location seems to be the most efficient track layout. Guests still exit into Seabase Alpha-- but the empty SeaCabs only have to travel a few feet before being loaded with new guests.
