What Living Seas SHOULD be!

[Dizknee_Phreek]

I just got back from the Smokie Mountains in TN Friday. While we were there, my family and I visited Ripley's Aquarium, and lemme tell ya, I hate to say it, but they stomped Disney's butt in the ground when it comes to aquariums! they had things in that aquarium i had never seen before in my life, and some i had never even heard of before! such as sea dragons (which has to be one of the coolest, most beautiful animal i've ever seen! i want one so bad now!) i took several pics around the aquarium, so if they turn out, i'll scan them and let you all seem them. but i'm telling you, people on here were saying how Disney should update the living seas and such, and i just didn't think they should, i thought it was perfectly fine the way it was....not any more! Disney should DEFINATELY update living seas and make it more like Ripley's! Ripley's didn't have any dolphins or manatees, and that's the only thing i have against it, but it SO made up for with everything else they had! a tunnel with 10 ft sharks and sting rays surrounding you, giant spider crabs, octpuses, jelly fish, horseshoe crabs that you could pick up, sting rays that you could touch, and, best of all, sea dragons!! ever seen a mud skipper or a 'four-eyed' fish? you can at Ripley's! it was just amazing! but one of those things that you just gotta see to believe. but the whole time i was there, i just kept thinking Disney SO needs to do this! in fact, i almost felt like i was at Disney, because it just had that quality, plus it had background music which made it even better. but, yeah, i see now what Living Seas COULD be, compared to what it is, and the place has so much more potential now! anyone agree?

 

[One Lil Spark]

You went to the one in Gatlinburg, Tn? I live really close to there and love to go on weekends and just take my time walking around. You're right. Ripley's far exceeds the living seas in certain aspects, but you have to admit, Ripleys was missing one key element making it the best... It wasn't DISNEY's. That still makes it somewhat inferior. The LS really does need a make over, I think everyone can say that. Maybe they just realize that with Sea World that close it's not worth making into a whole underwater experience like Ripleys. I mean, you stay in Ripleys for hours on end. The LS is meant to be walked through, taken in briefly and then you move on to another attraction. They're both grrrreat in their own ways though! Oh, by the way, how did you like my neck of the woods?? :wave:


p.s. It's SmokY Mountains...

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

Originally posted by One Lil Spark
You went to the one in Gatlinburg, Tn? I live really close to there and love to go on weekends and just take my time walking around. You're right. Ripley's far exceeds the living seas in certain aspects, but you have to admit, Ripleys was missing one key element making it the best... It wasn't DISNEY's. That still makes it somewhat inferior. The LS really does need a make over, I think everyone can say that. Maybe they just realize that with Sea World that close it's not worth making into a whole underwater experience like Ripleys. I mean, you stay in Ripleys for hours on end. The LS is meant to be walked through, taken in briefly and then you move on to another attraction. They're both grrrreat in their own ways though! Oh, by the way, how did you like my neck of the woods?? :wave:


p.s. It's SmokY Mountains...

yup! went to the one in Gatlinburg! (btw, went into NC to Clingman's Dome, so i really did venture into you're neck of the woods...or mountains as the case may be ) as for liking it, yeah, i really liked it. it wasn't my first time in Gatlinburg, though. i've been several times before...but my last time was in 1992, so it had been a good while. lots of childhood memories there, though. stayed in a cabin on a mountain in pigeon forge (Eagle Crest, i believe was the name of the mountain...well, foothill, really) anywho, had a great time! (lol, my bad! got a little confused on the Smoky spelling! )
as for the aquarium, you're right, it's still inferior because it's not Disney....but it was pretty darn close! but Sea World or not, i think Disney should make LS better, and more like Ripley's...and whether or not it's suppose to be a walk through attraction or not, somehow my family always spends at least an hour in there when we go in it (we go to LS less now because we're tired of the video at the first and the little ride-through thing. all we want to do is see the fish.

 

[One Lil Spark]

You're absolutely right! I forgot all about that stupid movie. :snore: Maybe that's because I always sleep through the darned thing! (One less point on Disney's side...) They just need to give it a face lift. Maybe a few new dolphins or something. The Living Seas is a great attraction if they'd just clean it up a bit every so often.

 

[BigNorm]

I've never been to the one in Gatlinburg, but I have been to the one in Myrtle Beach, two weeks ago to be exact, and I have to agree with One Lil Spark Ripley's is great, but it isn't Disney. Ripley's has a lot of great things, for lack of a better word, than most aquariums, but you have to love the hands-on experience you get at LS. Sure it's becoming out dated and it needs a major rehab, but it is Disney. Bottom Line. However, it's hard to beat touching a ray at Ripley's and Sea World, LS definately needs something like that.

 

[VinnieG]

I hapen to live not 20minutes away from the Ripley Aquarium in Myrtle Beach & I find it more better than LS.I also think that LS really needs an update,the short ride at Sea Base Alpha is too short & should be made longer or updated in some way.I have been going to Epcot since it opened & lately I do not bother going to LS anymore because it is too droll & stagnet.The only thing I find cool at LS is the 20K leagues poster & props on the waiting line at LS.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I think things like dolphins whales etc belong in the sea. Disney should not be adding to those in captivity. By all means have exotic fish etc as they seem to be happy anywhere.
The tanks at living sea seem to be a little boring visually. At the risk of annoying some on this board how about a sub sim ride, complete with water effects, an Atlantis tie in perhaps.

 

[kaos]

Originally posted by One Lil Spark
You're absolutely right! I forgot all about that stupid movie. :snore: Maybe that's because I always sleep through the darned thing! (One less point on Disney's side...) They just need to give it a face lift. Maybe a few new dolphins or something. The Living Seas is a great attraction if they'd just clean it up a bit every so often.

You can choose to not view the film now, but I always do.. I must be the lone nut out here that likes the movie on the creation of the seas...

"The deluge" hehe

 

[Dawn S]

I have always loved The Living Seas, being an ocean lover. I have been to many different types of aquarium-themed attractions all over & yes, The Living Seas pales in comparison, BUT as explained earlier, it isn't a free standing, fully supporting attraction. It is an attraction within a park & of course, it is bound to be lacking the display that an attraction solely devoted to its aquarium would have.

I do know quite a few people who aren't especially fond of this attraction, but personally, I spend hours here each time & I still love it.

 

[One Lil Spark]

:lol: Hahaha... I don't know if anyone will know what I am talking about, but on the 25th Anniversary WDW Vacation Planning Video, there was this father with his kids talking about the Living Seas. He's soooo funny to listen to. He's really nasal and says something like, "No matter how many times we come to Epcot, we always manage to hit the...ahh... Living Seas." It's really funny the way he says it. Reading all these posts made me think of that. :lol: Does anyone know what I'm talking about? :lookaroun

 

[DisJosh]

Originally posted by happy snapper
I think things like dolphins whales etc belong in the sea. Disney should not be adding to those in captivity. By all means have exotic fish etc as they seem to be happy anywhere.
The tanks at living sea seem to be a little boring visually. At the risk of annoying some on this board how about a sub sim ride, complete with water effects, an Atlantis tie in perhaps.

Atlantis bombed I wouldn't expect to ever see a tie in anywhere in WDW.

I really think LS needs a rehab but it doesnt seem likely that it will happen too soon. The attraction is still lacking a sponsor and with rumours of a Disney Sea park in WDW they may be holding back.

 

[MKingdom25]

Originally posted by Dawn S
I have always loved The Living Seas, being an ocean lover. I have been to many different types of aquarium-themed attractions all over & yes, The Living Seas pales in comparison, BUT as explained earlier, it isn't a free standing, fully supporting attraction. It is an attraction within a park & of course, it is bound to be lacking the display that an attraction solely devoted to its aquarium would have.

I do know quite a few people who aren't especially fond of this attraction, but personally, I spend hours here each time & I still love it.

I agree that this is because LS is not a seperate park/attraction. Like Dawn said, being part of a bigger park hurts it a little.
From a business perspective, I think Disney sees LS as a small (but significant) part of a really big pie.

Personally, I like LS and will keep going but I can see room for improvements.

 

[all_good_chic]

the only reaosn i went to the living seas was for the little tram ride threw the tanks but now that i hear thast been taking out i don't think i will be stopping at the living seas on my next wdw vacation... the only good thing about it is that you don't have to sit through that boring water movie anymore...anywho i have a question. is the dolphin at the living seas open to public viewing? or do you have to be on one of those scuba or dolphin courses to actually see him or her?

 

[MKingdom25]

If I recall from last year, you are able to see the dolphins still.
(although my memory might be bad HAHA)

Even though LS may not be a good as a full blown aquarium (although I haven't been to many of those), I think its still worth going to.

 

[Mikey4WDW]

I have found that I am not a good critic when it comes to judging things Disney because I love Disney World so much that I have never found anything negative about it. As-far-as The Living Seas, I love it. When in WDW I am usually at Living Seas for hours. I love marine life and love watching it.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Originally posted by MKingdom25


I agree that this is because LS is not a seperate park/attraction. Like Dawn said, being part of a bigger park hurts it a little.
From a business perspective, I think Disney sees LS as a small (but significant) part of a really big pie.

Couldn't agree more. I'm sure that IF Disney wanted to run an aquarium attraction like Sea World or the previously mentioned Ripleys then they would be able to do it much better than their competitors.
We love LS as it is.

 

[leeocean]

I think the watching the fishies is so much fun but the Living Seas isn't very impressive for those who aren't big fans of marine life. I happen to be a big aquarium freak so I really enjoy it. It is the largest aquarium in the country