Originally Posted By oc_dean I understand this has been closed for a while. Anyhone know if it's to reopen with a slightly modified theme change/whatever?
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy The Living Seas just closed for a relatively short (couple of months) refurb late 2005. It was mostly painting, repair, and removing things. Living Seas is supposed to close again in early or mid 2006 for a much longer refurb. That makeover is RUMORED (don't know for sure) to be a more extensive theme change, probably towards Nemo. There are further RUMORS that the old seacabs might even be resurrected for this 2006 refurb. (this may be mostly people's hopes) While seacabs coming back MAY happen, the problems with these rumors are -- The original seacabs omnimover track was very short, compared to most other applications at WDW. The current Disney administration has not demonstrated a lot of interest in EXTENDING existing attractions, particularly without a sponsor. It would be very expensive to extend an existing track. It's not even clear if the original seacabs track is still there. (Probably is, because it would have cost money to remove it -- cheaper just to wall it off) But who knows? I hope for the best!
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy I'm always skeptical about rumors about refurbs when they do such a thing without playing it up big why they're doing it. If it was going to be a big, new, exciting makeover, wouldn't it make sense to be trumpeting it BEFORE and WHILE you were actually doing it so that the public would build up an expectation about it? "The Return of the SeaCabs!" "You can help Find Nemo!" etc.
Originally Posted By oc_dean When I rode the Seacabs back on '95 I seem to recall coming very close to aquariums on one or both sides. Depending on if there is still sea life in those tanks ... I wonder if WDW management tried to mimmick the underwater special effects that will take place in the Submarine Voyage at DL for it's "Nemo" makeover in 2007(???). In this application ..... the new type of effects Disney is acheiving for DL's sub ride .. could be used in some sort of a similar "Nemo" adventure using the seacabs omnimover to be the conveyance. Perhaps??????? Just a thought.
Originally Posted By leemac The seacabs are coming back as shell vehicles in the summer with an extended track into one of the old theaters. My understanding is that the rest of the pavilion will not need to be closed again to accommodate the rest of the work. The front of the pavilion also hasn't been changed despite still being behind a construction wall. It seems that WDI R&D will be installing some of the underwater SFXs from Submarine Voyage (or at least attempting to as they haven't been able to finalise them on Flower Street right now). Lee
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> The seacabs are coming back as shell vehicles << I presume you mean "shell vehicles" as in a sea turtle shell. I hope what you're saying here comes about. Sounds cool.
Originally Posted By leemac ^^ I must admit I have only seen the fiberglass outer so couldn't tell you whether it was a turtle shell or just a seashell.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy Thinking about it, a seashell makes more sense than a turtle shell. They can be open to the top where people would be sitting. A turtle shell would naturally be a more closed, top-covered environment, closer to what the HM Doombuggies are like.
Originally Posted By Labuda Geat news, lee! THanks for sharing it with us - hoiping to get a ride on (in) the seacabs in November!
Originally Posted By jmuboy So will the ride be a "pre show" to the Pavilion like it used to be or a separate attraction? Is the old queue getting a facelift?
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney ''I must admit I have only seen the fiberglass outer so couldn't tell you whether it was a turtle shell or just a seashell.'' I would bet it's the design of vehicles for DLP's planned-but-never-built Little Mermaid attraction. They did a workup for possibly adding this to DCA a few years back as well.
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney ''What says California like the Little Mermaid? : )'' Right. But they went from Avalon Cove featuring fine dining by Wolgang Puck to Ariel's Grotto so ...
Originally Posted By Ash Is Crazy 4 WDW Well I was quite disappointed to see the sea cabs go away, that was always my favorite part. As for the track, you can see it somewhat when you look down in the tanks or behind the walls when you walk into sea base alpha, it is no longer there. Hopefully they bring something good back, because now, that attraction is boring. Except for the dolphins and manatees, but still.
Originally Posted By Disneyland55 Yeah, I went in there last week. They aren't using the "hydrolators" or the film right now. They are having everyone go to the other side of the building into the sliding glass doors rather than the main entrance. It is exciting to hear that they are adding a new ride. Although "turtle talk" is also bringing in the crowds. The manatees are my favorite part too! They are so cool!
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Sadly, we pretty much quit going to Living Seas once the ride portion was discontinued. But then last year we came back for Turtle Talk and it was great. I miss the ride portion of the attraction, but I am not going to get my hopes up for its (or some other version of it's) return. Short ride? Yes, up close view? Yes. I am sure that this has been a hot button for EPCOT for years. I am sure they know all about people wanting the ride portion back but without a sponsor, it probably just wasn't cost effective. I am glad the attraction still exists at all.
Originally Posted By stevenp antoher cool thing in the living seas is the cuttlefish,go check'em out.
