A year and a half ago, then yeah, it may have been April '06.
The LS project overall has been a huge one and at this rate, been going on for years. Does anyone recall when the first changes started? I'm not sure of the exact dates myself.
Turtle Talk was the first change, no? Or was it the Nemo and Friends module? I do know Bruce's Shark World seems to be the last Module to open.
Then there was the big closure that removed the hydrolators and repainted the inside. At that time, the Manatee areas changed to Nemo narration and minor signage changes.
The second floor above Nemo and Friends is the only original area left, and it's the only place where they play the old music rather than Nemo's soundtrack. The other day i was looking at the main tank window near it, and saw the reflection of the Living Seas logo from the computer screen in the glass and spent the next 10mins trying to figure out where it was coming from - it's a hold out
I, personally, think they've got to close the place down to finish. I cannot see them taking down the interior walls they constructed easily and overnight. Plus, I feel there has got to be more signage installed in the building or something, maybe more decor, because it just feels bland and empty. Not to mention that untouched module that plays the wrong music.
So, anyone know when that will happen?
Things we know..
1. Ride track is seemingly done, otherwise the vehicle bases wouldn't be installed.
2. Ride vehicles are somewhat done or finished, as people saw them a bit ago on the backstage tours at central shops.
3. They moved to the exterior work and look to be doing real show-scene work in the ride itself, indicating they're "physically" ready with the ride.
4. Other parts of the pavilion are being refurbished, like the back fascade panels that may have had water damage and such, as those are being torn out and replaced (visible from the monorail station).
Ah.. and I think I know where the delay came from from the estimate a year or so ago - LS was severely damaged during the hurricanes. It flooded, and remember it was the only part of Epcot not to immediately reopen. They probably added the main building rebuild/refurb to the budget and timeframe.
