The Living Seas of Old Epcot

[Choodles]

Well, my kid loved the Nemo Ride so and it got us in the pavilion three times and we checked out the fish every time. Wonder why they could not have both the ride and the elevators?

It would make sense you can't go half way. They should have not been cheap fixed TLS and put a Nemo ride in DAK.

 

[Tim Lohr]

That was nice effect, but my biggest lament is the loss of the deluge woman's voice.

I agree, the only thing I really miss about The Living Sea is that film

But everything in Future World has been changed since Epcot opened, Nemo is the only change I kinda like

And for anyone who misses Sea Base Alpha, a lot of the props and dive suits are now on one of the Disney cruise ships, not sure which ship though

 

[progroupie]

I think the pavillion is big enough to include the ride and all the educational elements. The ride is really such a small part of the pavillion.
I don't quite understand the arguement of it not fitting into Futureworld, I mean I do get why it's not futuristic, but how have any of the incarnations of JII been futuristic?

 

[Monorail Lime]

That was nice effect, but my biggest lament is the loss of the deluge woman's voice.

Rain upon that planet Earth. And they rain ... and rain ... and rain. The deluge.

I certainly enjoyed the attraction a lot more when the crowds were so small that it felt like I had the place to myself. I can understand why Disney wasn't thrilled with that though.

 

[thelookingglass]

I think the pavillion is big enough to include the ride and all the educational elements. The ride is really such a small part of the pavillion.
I don't quite understand the arguement of it not fitting into Futureworld, I mean I do get why it's not futuristic, but how have any of the incarnations of JII been futuristic?

Future World was never really so much about being "the future" as it was presenting ideas to help us look forward and shape the future. Thats how JII fits in.

The Nemo ride (it technically doesn't even have a name, as the pavilion is called "The Seas with Nemo and Friends") doesn't fit with Epcot because there is no message, no future, no educational value. Its just the movie, in cliff note form. Which would be perfectly fine for Fantasyland. Just not Epcot.

I feel that the rest of the pavilion still fits, though.

 

[progroupie]

Honestly JII seems like it would have been more fitting in Fantasyland itself. I mean I loved the original and had no problem with it's placement, but I guess I don't have as strict of a view on the theming as a lot of people.
I just think the Nemo portion is such a small part of the entire pavillion that it's not enough to ruin the theme of the general area.

 

[Krack]

In my opinion, there is nothing in Future World that is better today than it was on the day it was built*; this includes the Living Seas. The original designers labored to create a land that was cohesive. The subsequent creative talent has spent 30 years dismantling it to satisfy their own whims.

*With the possible exceptions of Captain EO and Soarin (and those are debatable) and the definite exception of anything being better than Symbiosis.

 

[Banksy]

My thoughts are; It changed for a reason. Not everyone is going to be happy.


I like it.

 

[rodserling27]

Hydrolators were sweet, I agree. Nemo theme is kinda lame, I also agree. However, the pavilion as a whole has never quite done it for me. An aquarium is awesome and all, but for some reason it doesn't have a lot of repeat visit value to me :shrug:

 

[erasure fan1]

My thoughts are; It changed for a reason. Not everyone is going to be happy.


I like it.

I agree. As much as I love and miss the old E.P.C.O.T. I actually dont mind the seas with Nemo. I think it was well done and my kids love the pavilion now. Like a few others have said, it could have been worse and just went away. I do miss my sea base alpha and hydrolators but I can live with this change.

 

[Fantasmic]

Yeah, the hydrolators were cool...

IMHO the only decent change in the old/new future world is the change to The Seas with Nemo! I much prefer the old Epcot too.

 

[Fractal514]

I take exception to the statement, The Nemo change was well done.

What was well done? It is neither story driven or experiential. Nemo is missing, let's play a big game of hide and seek and take attention away from real fish, is NOT a strong ride. At least not in my opinion. I don't doubt that kids love the ride, but that's not surprising. Mc Donalds does very well, but you'd have a hard time arguing that it has high quality, just familiar taste. That's what has happened to Epcot in this case, they replaced high quality with familiar taste and so, yes, now it's packed, but I don't think it is nearly as inspiring or memorable.

All my opinion mind you.

 

[Innoventions]

In my opinion, like many others have said, Nemo saved the pavilion. Besides a few die hards, like myself, that would go, the Living Seas was seeing horrible attendance, with the refurb it becomes a destination for families

I loved the original Sea Base Alpha theme, and still have memorabilia from it, I miss it tremendously, but a group of a few Disney die hards and myself could not save the attraction. Its either a nemo overlay, or a barren pavilion :shrug:, you decide.

And, to defend this version a little bit, it fits perfectly in with the idea of Epcot. Not only does it create interest in learning, but there are still many opportunities for kids (as well as adults) to learn about the seas. Nemo just creates the interest, but the people inside the pavilion are what teach it. Id argue that this is probably the best pavilion at Epcot (besides maybe the Universe of Energy and Spaceship Earth) that stays true to the original intent of Epcot Center. People are not only riding an attraction, but they are learning as well. Cant say that for Soarin, cant say that for Test Track, Cant say that for Mission Space.

The reality is Nemo fits in here, and its awesome to see kids become fascinated with the Ocean. I dont have kids, but Im willing to bet that many get off the ride, explore the tanks and other displays within the pavilion, and after leaving cant wait to share what they learned. It gets and keeps all ages interested, thats a big accomplishment.

Again I miss the old version, but I enjoy this version a lot, and see the brilliance in it.

 

[ChrisFL]

Its funny, people talk about the Living Seas having horrible attendance, part of that is that they closed the sea cabs as soon as they lost sponsorship and let other parts start to look un-maintained. Suddenly part of the grand theme was gone.

 

[Fractal514]

Do you really think kids become fascinated with the ocean or just happy to see Nemo and pals?

I don't doubt that the pavilion needed some help, but I do disagree that this was the way to do it, just my 2 cents.

It's also disheartening to always hear that good stuff has to go away because the general public doesn't get it, or doesn't appreciate it.

 

[Master Yoda]

Its funny, people talk about the Living Seas having horrible attendance, part of that is that they closed the sea cabs as soon as they lost sponsorship and let other parts start to look un-maintained. Suddenly part of the grand theme was gone.

Attendance was suffering before the Sea Cabs closed. Let's face it....the was nothing all that great about them. You went through an incredibly impressive aquarium and that was it. While very kiddish and a bit lame the revised attraction is much more interesting.

 

[Master Yoda]

Do you really think kids become fascinated with the ocean or just happy to see Nemo and pals?

I don't doubt that the pavilion needed some help, but I do disagree that this was the way to do it, just my 2 cents.

It's also disheartening to always hear that good stuff has to go away because the general public doesn't get it, or doesn't appreciate it.

It is the way a for profit world works. Stinks, but it is true.

 

[Choodles]

I don't know why so many people are happy about Disney taking the easier and cheaper road?

 

[Banksy]

I agree. As much as I love and miss the old E.P.C.O.T. I actually dont mind the seas with Nemo. I think it was well done and my kids love the pavilion now. Like a few others have said, it could have been worse and just went away. I do miss my sea base alpha and hydrolators but I can live with this change.

*Clutches chest* someone agreed with me for once! :lol:

Yeah, it was obviously needed. I think some people think disney have changed parts of the parks just to offend them sometimes :ROFLOL:

 

[Master Yoda]

I don't know why so many people are happy about Disney taking the easier and cheaper road?

Because it was better than the close the doors road.