the living seas opened today,did'nt it?

[mrFDNY]

hi all,
if i remember right,did'nt the living seas reopen today at epcot??anyone there to report whats different?please tell me the sea cabs are back!!anyone know anything at all???

 

[SherryB]

We leave for Disney on Sunday and I was wondering the same thing. Anyone out there know? Thanks!

 

[PixieDust742]

I am going to Epcot in a few hours. I will try to post tonight! From what I've seen, it looks like Living Seas should be open!

 

[BCV23]

I know it did reopen. Our son and his bride were going to go through it this afternoon but she told him there is a long line so they'll do it another day.

 

[DavidUK]

according to other reports The Living Seas opened using the old exit as the new entrance and sea base alpha is now just sea base. The hydrolators are gone and the area has been painted to fit with the nemo and friends theme. The sea cabs aren't back but the pavilion isn't finished yet!

people have said they'll post pictures on that site i'll see if i can get hold of some.

David
not doing his projects

 

[Eljay]

No hydrolators! Say it ain't so! As corny as they were, I loved them! As David says, they're not finished yet, so maybe there's hope for my hydrolators.

 

[skent10]

No hydrolators! Say it ain't so! As corny as they were, I loved them!

Okay, I'll bite. What were/are the hydrolators?

 

[Chuck S]

Hydrolators are the mock elevators that take you "down" to Sea Base Alpha.

 

[All Aboard]

Hydrolators were an integral part of what was a great story - The Living Seas. It began with a walk through displays showing humankind's attempts and successes at exploring the seas over the years. You then entered a pre-show area that discussed the myths and legends of sea exploration. This was followed by a film showing the development of the seas and gave us a glimpse of what lie in the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean. The movie ended by offering us the chance to explore the seas ourselves. The screen image of the Hydrolators - elevators travelling through water - to take you down to the observation levels of Sea Base Alpha) was the last thing you see, until dramatically the theater doors swung open and the hydrolators (with bubbling water surrounding them). You boarded the hydrolator for you "journey" down. Once at Sea Base Alpha, you boarded Sea Cabs which gave you a glimpse of what you could see in the giant aquarium. Then, you were free to roam around the pavillion and explore at your own pace. The story was completed with another "journey" back up the hydrolator to Future World.

The first couple of times, I was convinced that the hydrolators were actually moving (I was a teenager). But, now, it seems like the entire storyline, the whole essence that made this a Disney attraction, is now lost. Now, it's just an aquarium. The concept of Sea Base Alpha was great.

 

[skent10]

All Aboard--

Thank you for the explanation. Reading your explanation brought back all the memories of the first time I was at Epcot (1985?). I had forgotten about all that initial stuff--although I'm not sure I ever realized those elevators were called hydrolators. The whole experience was a lot to take in.

I'm excited to see what changes they've made to the exhibit now. i guess I'll have to wait a few months.

 

[Disneyrsh]

Man, I'm gonna be mad if they got rid of the hydrolators! Those were cool! My kids were like, augh, we're going underwaaaaater! Eeeek!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

I am going to Epcot in a few hours. I will try to post tonight! From what I've seen, it looks like Living Seas should be open!

Did you get a chance to take any pics? I'm dying to see the "new and improved" Living Seas! We leave in 13 days and I'll get to see it in person !

 

[michaelwilliammidd]

There's an update about it at wdwmagic ......there's not alot of picture updates that you can tell much from but, there are some pics.

 

[seashoreCM]

The old exit consisted of nothing but three hydrolators (and one emergency door marked "cast members only"), different ones from the ones at the theater and entrance. Once those hydrolators were removed, that area could be easily converted into an entrance and exit foyer.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[seashoreCM]

The old exit consisted of nothing but three hydrolators (and one emergency door marked "cast members only"), different ones from the ones at the theater and entrance. Once those hydrolators were removed, that area could be easily converted into an entrance and exit foyer.

Unfortunately it does not make sense to have hydrolators "going down" but none "coming back up".

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

I saw the ones over there yesterday, but I'm not a paying member so I didn't see the video. Just wondering if the OP above had gotten a chance to take some pics since she was going over there yesterday.

 

[Hugpug]

I read that the Entrance has a small store now but that was all besides the exit becoming both exit and entrance.

 

[PKS44]

PICS and Description of the "changes" so far and a rumor about the returnn of a longer SEA CAB ride

 

[disneysteve]

I'll miss the hydrolators, but I'm willing to give them up if they are bringing back the sea cabs, and extending the track too. I don't know why they got rid of them in the first place - bad move.

 

[dgaston]

We went on a backstage tour in July, and CM Robert indicated that rehabbing the sea cabs (some leaked I think) was just far too costly. I recall our first trip, and how our then 8 year old was worried about being so far under the ocean. Ahhh, memories!