Ready to find Nemo (again)?! On Epcot's The Seas with Nemo & Friends, you do just that! During this secret history, we'll hop on a clamobile and venture deep down into the sea. This Epcot dark ride used to be known as The Living Seas. We'll find this (along with Nemo) and other facts during the secret history of The Seas with Nemo & Friends. Let's get hoppin'!
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The Secret History of The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Like I mentioned above, before this ride became The Seas with Nemo & Friends, it was actually called The Living Seas. On this version of the Epcot ride, guests would take a Hydrolator ride down to Seabase Alpha. From there, guests hopped on "seacabs" that would guide them through the coral reef. The Living Seas opened at Epcot on January 15, 1986.
The former version ended in 2006 with a complete makeover and takeover by Nemo! Disney's "Finding Nemo" was released a few years earlier and as you know, proved to be very popular. Some elements from The Living Seas was kept, such as the ride track and the views of the coral reef (although, The Seas with Nemo & Friends offers limited views of this). The ride operates on an Omnimover system!
The Seas with Nemo & Friends opened at Epcot on November 26, 2006. There are obvious differences between the two versions! The Living Seas wasn't adorned with "Finding Nemo" sculptures, paintings and more. The pavilion now features Turtle Talk with Crush, Bruce's Shark World and aquariums. There's also a Nemo-themed attraction at Disneyland Park called Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. On this ride, you board a submarine and dive into the "sea" with Nemo & friends!
The Seas with Nemo & Friends Fun Facts
- According to The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World by Susan Veness, the saltwater aquarium found at the pavilion was the largest in the world until Georgia opened its Atlanta aquarium in 2005!
- Another difference between the two ride versions - The Seas with Nemo & Friends features sideways facing clamobile while The Living Seas had forward facing seacabs!
- Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage at Disneyland Park has been re-themed over and over again and originally opened as Submarine Voyage.
- As you're about to board your clamobile on The Seas with Nemo & Friends, take a look at the beach signs on the signpost; look carefully at the ads for Daily Diving Departures and see that it's sponsored by N.E.M.O (Nautical Exploration & Marine Observation)!
- Like to find Hidden Mickeys? You'll find two in SeaBase in the waiting area for Turtle Talk with Crush. Take a close look at the mural featuring "Finding Nemo" characters.
- In the old version The Living Seas, the Hydrolator didn't actually dive down beneath the surface to to Seabase Alpha! They didn't even move - the rock walls just moved upwards to create the illusion of movement.
Did you ever experience The Living Seas? Which version do you enjoy more - the former or current? Let us know in the comments below! And don't forget to check out The Seas with Nemo & Friends wait times and more.
Stay cool!
