The Ocean Behind the Curtain: An Exploration of the Living Seas
By Patrick the Patchman

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop." - Mother Theresa

It's Spring Break 2004 and two boys walk down a pathway in Epcot. Let’s call them Patrick and Ralph. They have been waiting for this trip to Walt Disney World for many months now. Patrick had started to become an avid Disney fan ever since he went to Disney's California Adventure in 2003. Sure, he had been here awhile back, but he wanted the full taste of Disney, and he knew this was the place to get it. Patrick had brought his best friend, Ralph (another Disney Fan) to Disney World with him too. They both did not like Michael Eisner, they both loved the history of Walt, what more could a friendship need?

Patrick had been really looking forward to Epcot, he had never been. This was his first time here. He heard about Epcot and really wanted to go, he loved anything involving the future. He loved Mission: Space, he loved Spaceship Earth, he loved Test Track too, but the two least likely pavilions would become his favorites. The Imagination Pavilion and the Living Seas pavilion, which is where our story begins. 

"Do we have to go to the Living Seas?" said Patrick. Ralph asked, "Yeah we want to do everything, why don't you want to go?" Patrick sighed, "It seems so boring, there's not even a ride, it’s just Disney's aquarium!" Ralph said, "Just give it a chance." 

So Ralph dragged Patrick to the Pavilion. Patrick was impressed by the sign and music and the splash of the water. Then they entered the mysterious pavilion, they had an amazing pre-show with the screens in a circle, Patrick was getting impressed. Then they entered the room where Patrick's love of Disney, Theme Parks, and Orlando would be instilled in him for years to come. 

They entered the room where an amazing film was to be played. Patrick said to Ralph, "Get ready to be bored to tears." Ralph rolled his eyes. The show began. There were interesting facts that popped up all over the place. It kept captivating Patrick and he was more and more glued to the screen. Then the woman who was narrating said the thing that would change Patrick's life forever. That single sentence would change his view on theme parks forever. They showed the doors to the hydrolators with the bubbling water next to them. Then the doors opened and the same place on screen, was right next to them. "We welcome you to the Living Seas. We welcome you to Seabase Alpha."

While everyone walked across the room Patrick's mouth was wide open. What just happened? Was this pavilion actually cool? Ralph was smiling like he was president of the United States. Patrick admitted he was wrong, but still, he felt like he was hit by a jet engine. They stepped into the hydrolators, what was going to happen. They saw through the windows, they were descending.  Patrick was puzzled, what the heck was going on here?! Then it opened, to a fantastic area full of wonder. Big aquariums full of fish, interesting exhibits.

Then, he saw Turtle Talk with Crush, boy what a show. The turtle, Crush, came and answered questions and talked with everybody. Nader smiled like he was a third party and asked Patrick, "What do you think of it?" "One of the best pavilions here, it was one of the best experiences I ever had," said Patrick while he looked in the tank. 

So, you may be asking, why are you using these names, who are these kids?  Patrick, that kid who didn't believe, that was me. I went four times to that pavilion after that, I was just amazed at how cool it was. That preshow and all the illusions created by Imagineering made it one of the best pavilions ever. Although some of you will disagree. 

The Living Seas opened in 1986, at the time sponsored by United Technologies. At the time it was the largest man made underwater environment in the world. That record is now held by the Georgia Aquarium. It was considered a marvel of engineering. The whole basis of the ride was to take a visit to Sea Base Alpha. People would come, watch a short video and then were presented with two options.  Either take Hydrolators on a simulated ride down to the Sea Base. Or a SeaCab ride were you got a close look at sea life in the tanks to Sea Base Alpha. Both were equally enjoyable experiences. They would both take you into the interactive exhibit area.

The sponsor dropped out in the 1998-2001 timeframe. I remember the SeaCabs were down so we only had the Hydrolator option. The pavilion had kind of lost its spark. So in 2003, they decided to spice things up a bit by adding Finding Nemo installations in the Living Seas. They added Finding Nemo statues outside the pavilion. Then in 2003, they added Turtle Talk with Crush. In my opinion is one of the best Disney World experiences around. Crush is in a "tank". He talks to you and you can ask him questions, but Disney won’t reveal the secret to this show. 

Then, in 2006, my dreams were crushed to ever see the pavilion as it was again. This is a bittersweet thing for me. The pavilion went down for refurbishment, and then in October 2006 it reopened. First its name was changed, from the Living Seas to the Seas with Nemo and Friends. The old preshow and hydrolators demolished. However, they did extend the SeaCabs ride and added very cool effects in the Nemo ride there. 

There is also a restaurant called Coral Reef in the Seas. There is a big glass part of the tank in the restaurant and you can view all the aquatic life the Seas have to offer.  They also have a diving program and many more educational opportunities. Did you know that the original Seas were supposed to have a ride involving Poseidon the Sea Lord. 

Even though the old Seas is gone, the new one still thrives with new memories people will have to cherish. That boy, amazed by a single door opening, will always remember it. 

Here some links about the Living Seas/The Seas with Nemo and Friends: 

Disney's Official Seas with Nemo and Friends page
The Seas on Wikipedia

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