Living Seas '05-'06 Refubishment (Phase I)

[Figment!]

The Living Seas officially re-opened today (11/23/05) in the fashion as described in the recent media release. Guests do now enter (and exit) through the former exit of the pavilion. This dual entrance/exit appears to be temporary as there is no signage noting this as the entrance to the pavilion on the outside, only a large temporary sign directing guests towards this area as the entrance to the pavilion. This sign appears where the "Imagineers at Play" sign once stood on a themed construction wall. The wall still sections off much of the exterior of the pavilion including the former entrance. As there is a permanent sign on the inside of the pavilion noting these same doors as an exit to Future World, it is expected that this area will permanently be the exit.

The new entrance/exit is comprised of dark blue automatic glass doors that are etched with bubbles and waves. As previously reported in the media release the Hydrolators have been removed, guests now enter into a new passage area with a Nemo shop to one side. The shop carries an array of Nemo related merchandise including character plushes, t-shirts and other kid aimed items. Beyond this passage area is the newly refurbished SeaBase (the “Alpha” has been dropped from the name with the new overlay). All existing exhibits prior to the refurbishment remain unchanged and no new exhibits have been added. The only changes to the area have been completely cosmetic. The whole SeaBase area has had much of the technology/futuristic décor removed and the entire area has been repainted with an aqua blue and green color scheme. As far as the Nemo overlay aspect, while there have indeed been some Nemo related décor additions to the area, it has been quite minimal. These décor additions are rather simple and subtle additions like new murals of Nemo and friends and the like. The interior soundtrack to the pavilion has been changed to a Finding Nemo related soundtrack, although the exterior soundtrack is still the same as it was before the rehab.

As expected a portion of the pavilion is still under construction. A large rehab wall blocks off guests from the original entrance area to the pavilion and the "Imagineers at Play" sign that once stood in front of the pavilion now resides on this wall inside the pavilion, confirming that indeed there will be a phase II to this refurbishment. In addition to this rehab wall, one of the nearby viewing areas has also been blocked off, it is unknown if this is a permanent change or if this is related to the ongoing construction.

According to Cast Members close to the source, the original entrance area to the pavilion is in the process of being gutted. The other set of Hydrolaters and original pre-show area have already been reportedly removed. Construction is reportedly poised to begin on the track for the planned ride, but will reportedly not start till early 2006. The details of this ride are still unknown, but due to the new “Nemo Subs” attraction coming to Disneyland; it is expected that this ride will share some of the same attributes namely the new state-of-the-art holographic effects.

It is currently unknown if the work for phase II will cause any further down time for the whole pavilion, but it is expected that if there is any it will be brief and only to connect the two areas. It is being expected that the pavilion will operate in its (now) current form for the vast majority of the time till the phase II re-opening.

[skisurf2]

Well hate to see the hydrlators go, but at least they are moving in the right direction. Looking forward to the rides return.

[vizsla]

Thanks for the update.

[hoop de do]

Thanks for the update. I appreciate it.

PA Disney Freaks -

[Jace Heiden]

Sounds exciting! Thanks for all of the info!

[Dreamer7080]

Thanks for the update! The new doors sound really pretty! lol
I'm kind of happy to see the hydrolators go. I always felt they were such a waste of time. And it always ruined it when we were in the hydrolator and somebody alays yelled 'we arent even moving anywhere!!' But somebody always says that in the elevator at Disney Quest too when we really are moving. Figures
I really hope the sea cabs are coming back and soon!!