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The Living Seas
Concepts & Construction Page
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may not be reproduced in any form on the Internet without express
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A marine themed pavilion had
been planned for EPCOT since the mid-70s when all of the other pavilions
were under development.
© Disney
This early concept drawing shows a vast ocean floor and an all glass
enclosed visitor's center. This was obviously too large and impossible
to build.
The following is from a 6 page booklet entitled "Walt
Disney World EPCOT Center" which was published in 1980.
The book provides brief summaries of the attractions at the new park.
Here is the complete text for The Seas pavilion.
THE SEAS (Opening 1983). Visitors to The Seas pavilion
will explore the wonders of the aquatic frontier through two major
presentations. First, "The World of the Sea," a ride-thru
experience presenting various ocean environments; and second, "Sea
Base Alpha," a futuristic undersea research station complete
with a 5,000,000-gallon tank supporting a living coral reef community.
In "The World of the Sea," bubble-like
vehicles will transport guests through a series of scenes depicting
the visual drama of ocean kelp forests, abyssal canyons and other
marvelous and mysterious ocean environments.
Guests will discover the complex interrelations
of the physical and biological systems of the seas. They'll also
become aware of the finite nature of the oceans' resources, and
the vital need to coordinate human endeavors in ways that will ensure
the stability of essential marine ecosystems.
Arriving at "Sea Base Alpha," guests will
disembark from their vehicles to explore a myriad of exhibits and
participatory demonstrations. Observation modules within the huge
tank will provide "aquanauts" with undersea windows onto
the living coral reef community.
Two years later, with construction nearing completion, Walt
Disney's Magic Kingdom Club put out a publication with the
same name, "Walt Disney World EPCOT Center",
but in color and over 50 pages long. It is filled with concept art
for the new attractions coming to Walt Disney World. This is what
it has to say about The Living Seas:
Opening 1984. Using Disney magic, the mythical Lord
of the Seas will invite guests to embark on an incredible sub-sea
journey. Traveling in pearl-like vehicles, visitors will glide through
surrealistic scenes from the mysterious and wondrous environments
that make up our planet's oceans. As the vehicles near their final
destination, Poseidon challenges us to face the oceans wisely, with
courage and determination. We then disembark into a startlingly
realistic 21st century seabase set within a six-million gallon coral
reef teeming with life. You'll be free to examine a myriad of interesting
and exciting demonstrations that reflect 21st century technologies
in the world of the Living Seas.
© Disney
This next concept picture shows a drawing of the layout of The
Seas. Notice that the whole section on the right is the ride-thru
section that the two descriptions talked about above. Then the ride
vehicles pass into the aquarium tank and then visitors proceed into
the exhibit area on the left side.
This is obviously not what was built in the end. Because of rising
costs on the aquarium tank, the decision was made to take a more scientific
approach to the introduction to the pavilion. Instead of a longer
ride, a movie would be shown.
This sign from 1983 informs guests about the future Living Seas
pavilion.
© Disney
This aerial photograph shows The Living Seas
under construction.
© Disney
This picture shows the completed pavilion from above.
© Disney
At the Dedication and Grand Opening of The
Living Seas Mickey Mouse and Frank Wells (then President
of Disney) dove into the aquarium to officially open the pavilion.
The Living Seas Grand Opening Button
The Living Seas
Introduction | Pre-show | The Seas Film | Hydrolators & Sea Cabs
Sea Base Alpha
| Exit Hydrolator | Coral Reef Restaurant
Concepts & Construction | Fact Sheet
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© EPCOT Discovery Center
Created August 1, 1998 / Last modified
November 20, 2001
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