living seas

[flik061195]

last time i was at epcot in 2002 there was a lot of construction, anybody know what they are doing and if they are done and what did they upgrade????????

 

[General Grizz]

From DisneyInformer.com - November, 2003

What’s the hype with Nemo? Find out over at the Living Seas in about a year - - that is, if Disney and Pixar can get their deals organized. If all goes happy and well, expect Nemo and the gang to take over the Living Seas, possibly starting around 2004 and beyond in three phases. Phase one would involve a few hints around the attraction. Phase two would involve changing the films. Then phase three will more than likely require the pavilion to go down to add extensive changes with the hit Pixar characters.

----

Well, that was the most detailed evidence brought out before Nemo made an appearance at the Living Seas!

I was lucky enough to visit EPCOT the first day that Nemo and Friends made it. Here are the first online photographs from last December:

http://www.disneyinformer.com/database/Movies/viewmovie_multimedia.php?id=391&baseid=49

Here's what has happened:

1. A Meet and Greet opened up outside of the Living Seas with Nemo (who made appearances at Disneyland and Walt Disney World in parades) and his Seaweed friends. Photos are available at the link above.

2. The first of three exhibits on the first floor of Seabase Alpha was closed for several weeks, until it reopened a few days before Christmas to showcase "Nemo and Friends" and "Mr. Ray's Lagoon" where the characters from Finding Nemo are on display in real fish form - and a petting squid area is open to guests.

From what I have heard, other areas of the Living Seas, including one of the observation decks, was boarded up for rework.

No doubt a sign of Nemo.

Based on that original report, the Living Seas still has many more changes. Rumors include a revamped Sea Cabs with hollograms of characters guiding guests to the hydrolators. Revamped films, new exhibits, and other Nemo-related areas may cause The Living Seas to go down for rehab in April or May 2004.

Recently, the Living Seas title on the rocks was removed for a few days, only to be found back intact - but raised higher. This could be to add a subtitle, characters, or perhaps a new sponsor.

Look for more soon! I'll have an update in about three weeks if nothing else shows up online.

 

[Dr Albert Falls]

Just to clarify a few details of the previous post--

The "boarded up" areas are the same ones that have been off-limits since early 2001-- specifically, the Sea Cabs load and unload areas.

The "hologram" rumor was not even really a rumor. On another message board, a poster speculated about how cool it would be to create such an effect. I've never seen it suggested that this is a real possibility.

As much as the SeaCabs added to the overall adventure, I will NOT be disappointed if they're removed completely--- as long as the tunnels are turned into a "walk-thru". In its current layout, guests do not even SEE the main tank until they've passed through the gift shop and taken the escalators upstairs (the large windows next to the gift shop where the SeaCabs once unloaded are also covered up) In fact, a cast member is usually standing outside the Hydrolators, instructing guests to go upstairs.

Of course, I would prefer to see the SeaCabs expanded to a full-blown dark ride, with the "tunnels" as the ride's grand finale--- just like Imagineeers originally planned, before the budget was cut and the films were added.

I'm sure Disney's biggest concern with making the tunnels a "walk-thru" is the crowd flow. Visitors will certainly stop at the first few windows, creating a bottleneck at the Hydrolators. ( The same thing happens at Sea World's "Terror of the Deep" attraction, where guests bottleneck at the first aquarium. Once you get past that one, its smooth sailing the rest of the walk-thru attraction) Moving sidewalks would have been a good solution, but there's no way for them to navigate the turn midway through.

 

[pilka214]

actually it is a good idea for there to be a moving sidewalk, and there is a new form of moving sidewalk that can turn. i rode one at ripleys aquarium in the smokies, they have the largetst underwater tunnel and it turns the sidwalk itself is made up of a seris of round shaped disks that can pivot so it whould be very possible to create this

 

[meanmice]

Originally posted by pilka214
actually it is a good idea for there to be a moving sidewalk, and there is a new form of moving sidewalk that can turn. i rode one at ripleys aquarium in the smokies, they have the largetst underwater tunnel and it turns the sidwalk itself is made up of a seris of round shaped disks that can pivot so it whould be very possible to create this

The only problem with this is that kids would most likely sit down and get something cought on the disk or ride mechanics.

 

[General Grizz]

Originally posted by Dr Albert Falls
The "boarded up" areas are the same ones that have been off-limits since early 2001-- specifically, the Sea Cabs load and unload areas.

While the Sea Cabs were boarded off, other areas have recently been boarded for rehab.

Originally posted by Dr Albert Falls
I've never seen it suggested that this is a real possibility.

Now ya have! :lol:

 

[epcot2004]

Maybe I am over reacting but isn't it ironic that an "aquarium" is being themed with the story of a fish that wants to be reunited with his family in the ocean?:brick: :hammer: :lookaroun

 

[marni1971]

epcot 2004 - quite true!

When did the seacabs actually close? They were open June 2001.

If they went with moving walkways, why not put a spinning floor at the elbow to keep guests moving - like SE or TTA loading??

 

[Bill]

Bingo.