Difference between revisions of "The Seas with Nemo and Friends"

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The Sea's With Nemo and Friends is a pavilion in Epcot.

The Seas with Nemo and Friends
The coastline facade in front of the Sea's With Nemo and Friends.
Epcot
Land	Future World
Theme	Finding Nemo, the sea
Opening date	January 15, 1986
Number of Attractions	3
Formally Known As	The Living Seas (1986-2005)
Sponsored by	United Technologies (1986-1998)

Pavilion History

The Sea's with Nemo and Friends opened as The Living Seas in 1986. Construction of the pavilion began on October 1, 1983. Various experts were brought in as consultants during the creation of The Living Seas. They include:

• http://www.intercot.com/edc/LivingSeas/lsfacts.html

The Living Seas Presented by United Technologies(1986-1998)

The pavilion was sponsored by United Technologies and built shortly after EPCOT opened. Although the pavilion did not open until 1986, there had been plans for an pavilion based on oceanic study since the park opened in 1982. The Living Seas was designed to look like an underwater research base. When the pavilion opened, it featured the largest saltwater tank in the world (although this title now belongs to the Georgia Aquarium). The exterior of the attraction featured a rocky coastline with the "Living Seas" name prominently displayed. Artificial waves would crash over the rocks every few minutes, adding to the coastline illusion. A mural located behind the shoreline led guests into the pavilion.

An artists depiction of guests traveling on the Seacabs.

When The Living Seas opened, it featured three connected attractions and the Coral Reef Restaurant. Upon entering the queue, guests could see various depictions and artifacts of the history of diving. After reaching it's end, guests watched a preshow which was hosted by Untied Technologies. A male announcer would inform guests about the history of oceanic discovery. Special attention was paid to the tools and equipment that man used to help explore the ocean. After watching the preshow film, the doors below the screen would open allowing guests to enter one of two main theaters (to watch a short film) or move directly into the main attraction.

Inside the theaters guests watch a short film called simply, The Seas. The movie taught guests how the earth changed from a planet made up of volcanoes, to one made up of oceans. The film also featured the popular line (at least among Disney enthusiasts), "And they rained..and rained..and rained .The deluge.". After watching the film, guests would board exit doors which read, "Hydrolators to SeaBase Now Boarding". A Hydrolator (which was really just an elevator) which would take them down to the ocean floor. Although guests were given the illusion that they were descending in the Hydrolator, they really did not go down at all.

After reaching the ocean floor and exiting through the opposite Hydrolator door that they came in, guests would wait through another queue and then board the Seacabs. The Seacabs would take guests into a tunnel, which went directly through a large aquarium. Guests could see 270 degrees of the aquarium as they passed through it. The Seacabs where traveling to Sea Base Alpha, however they would stop so that guests could see the large coral reef aquarium. Over 6,000 fish were housed in the aquarium. Finally, the Seacabs reached Sea Base Alpha, where guests would unload. After exiting the ride vehicle, guests could view various sea exhibits. To exit the pavilion guests would travel through another Hydrolator.

The Living Seas (1998-2003)

In 1998, United Technologies dropped their sponsorship of The Living Seas pavilion. The narration for the Seacab portion of the attraction was changed significantly, and all references to United Technologies was dropped. The Sea Base Alpha exhibits were also updated and modernized. In October of 2001, the Seacab portion of the attraction closed. Although the cabs remained intact, after exiting the Hydrolator, guests now walked directly to Sea Base Alpha. Guests also had the ability to skip the Seas video and walk directly into Sea Base Alpha.

On August 10, 1998, the Coral Reef Restaurant went under a 1.5 million dollar refurbishment. During the refurbishment the resturant continued to operate out of The Living Seas VIP Lounge. The regular resturant reopened on September 14. Although the basic premise of the resturant remained the same, the color scheme was brigtened and brightly colored tiles replaced the carpet. Lighted panels were also added to the walls.

The Sea's With Nemo & Friends (2003-Present)

The Living Sea's began to get a Finding Nemo makeover, shortly after the movie was released. In 2003, Many of the exhibits were repainted, and given a Nemo theme. A Nemo statue was also built just outside of the pavilion, and the merchandise sold in the Sea's gift shop was almost exclusively Finding Nemo related. In 2004, a finding Nemo exhibit was added to Sea Base Alpha called Turtle Talk with Crush. The exhibit is interactive show that allowed guests to talk with Crush himself. The ride was the first use of "digital puppetry" in Walt Disney World, and was an instant hit. Also added to the Sea Alpha Base was a large figure of Bruce the shark. Guests could climb into Bruce's mouth, and get their picture taken.

On August 21, 2005, The Living Seas closed for refurbishment. The pavilion was completely rethemed to tie into Finding Nemo. When part of the pavilion opened in November of 2005, guests noticed that many changes to the pavilion had taken place. Characters were added to both the shoreline facade and the large mural outside of the attraction. Sea Base Alpha was also completely rethemed. Instead of being themed to look like an underwater research center and focusing on scientific exhibits, the base was given a Finding Nemo theme, and featured more cartoonish exhibits. The Hydrolators which guests once exited the pavilion through, were replaced with large glass doors. This allowed guests to enter and exit the pavilion through the gift shop. In 2006, the preshow theater, entrance Hydrolators, holding areas, and Seacabs queue were all removed from the pavilion. A new queue was constructed, and the Seacab track was extended (by 280 feet) and rethemed. The original Theater 1 and the third Hydrolator were replaced by scenes for the new dark ride attraction. The Seacab vehicles were also rethemed and reshaped to look like clams. Three squawking sea gulls who yell "Mine" were also added to the shoreline facade at this time.

Empty Clamobiles, the current ride vehicle of The Sea's With Nemo & Friends.

The Seas with Nemo & Friends was officially rededicated on January 24, 2007. Five days later Turtle Talk with Crush was moved across the Sea Base and into the former location of Living Sea's second theater where guests could see the original Seas movie. The theater had been unused since 1999, when guests were given the option to bypass the preshow.

The new Sea's with Nemo attraction, takes guests on a dark ride through the pavilion. The queue for the attraction was repainted dark blue and teal. Guests now board their "Clamobiles" and travel through scenes depicting characters from Finding Nemo. The scenes are projected on the aquarium's (which were used in the original Living Seas) creating the illusion that Nemo and his friends are swimming with the real fish. The dark ride still concludes with guests stopping inside the massive aquarium.

Current Attractions

The Seas with Nemo & Friends (Attraction)- This dark ride allows guests to explore the "Big Blue World" with Nemo and his friends. On this attraction guests board Clamobiles and set off to help rescue Nemo who is once again missing! The Seas with Nemo & Friends is based on the 2003 Disney-Pixar movie, Finding Nemo.

Turtle Talk with Crush- This interactive show allows guests to meet and talk to Crush himself. Turtle Talk with Crush uses digital puppetry to help Crush (from Finding Nemo) answer guests questions.

Sea Base- The main area outside of the Seas with Nemo and Friends attraction, allows guests to view many aquariums, try different exhibits and maybe even crawl into a shark's mouth! The popular Bruce's Sub House is located in the Sea Base.

Tours

The Seas with Nemo & Friends features three different tours that guests can experience (for an additional cost)

Epcot DiveQuest- Epcot DiveQuest is 3 hour experience that certified SCUBA divers can take. The experience is broken up into three parts, a 40 minute under water tour (in the aquarium), a backstage tour, and free time. As of March 2012, the price is 175 dollars per guests, and guests must be at least 10 years old to experience the Epcot DiveQuest.

Seas Aqua Tour- This tour allows guests to swim in the Caribbean Coral Reef Aquarium (the big aquarium) with the assistance of a SCUBA Assisted Snorkel system. The tour last approximately two and half hours, and as of March 2012 cost 140 dollars. Guests must be at least 8 years old to participate.

Dolphins in Depth- This three hour tour allows guests to learn about, meet, and even swim with the dolphins. Guests must at least 13 years old, but do not need to know how to swim. As of March 2012, the Dolphins in Depth tour cost 194 dollars per person.

Former Attractions

Although some consider the former Living Seas pavilion to be one attraction, we broke it up into three separate attractions. This was due to the fact that one part of the pavilion could be skipped or not operational, and it would have little to no effect on the other two.

Seas- One of the original Living with the Seas attraction's, the Seas was a video that guests watched when they first entered the pavilion. The video explained to guests how the Earth came to be covered in oceans.

Seacab- The Seacab portion of the pavilion took guests on an omnimover ride through Caribbean Coral Reef Aquarium. While on board the ride vehicles, guests could get a 270 degree view of the aquarium. The Seacab also transported guests to Alpha Sea Base, the final part of the pavilion.

Alpha Sea Base- The Alpha Sea Base featured many sea related exhibits. Although the exhibits changed over time, they always had a marine focus. The Alpha Sea Base was themed to look like an underwater research center, and guests could also view marine life from inside it.

Restaurants

Coral Reef Restaurant- The Coral Reef Restaurant is a table service restaurant which specializes in seafood. The restaurant is located in the Sea Base part of the pavilion. One of the walls of the restaurant is made completely of glass, allowing guests to see into the Caribbean Coral Reef Aquarium. Occasionally guests will be able to see Mickey Mouse snorkeling in the aquarium!

Shopping

The Seas with Nemo & Friends Gift Shop- The pavilion's gift shop is located near in the Sea Base, near the exit. The shop sells Finding Nemo merchandise, aquatic merchandise, as well as general Epcot souviners.

Characters

Mickey Mouse- Mickey can be seen from time to time snorkeling inside the Caribbean Coral Reef Aquarium. Guests can not get his autograph however.

Fun Facts and Trivia

• There are 61 different windows through which guests can view the Caribbean Coral Reef aquarium.

• Spaceship Earth could fit completely inside the aquarium.

• Many of the interior pipes in the Sea's With Nemo & Friends have the name and extension number of Imagineers who worked on the attraction.

• Montgomery Watson was the prime architectural and engineering contractor for The Living Seas pavilion.

References

http://www.intercot.com/edc/LivingSeas/index.html

http://www.lostepcot.com/livingseas.html

http://allears.net/tp/ep/e_seas.htm

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/epcot-dive-quest/

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/dolphins-in-depth/

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/seas-aqua-tour/

http://www.intercot.com/edc/LivingSeas/lscoral.html