The Living Seas pavilion at EPCOT celebrates 35-year anniversary
On Jan. 15, 1986, Disney got into the aquarium business. On that date, EPCOT at Walt Disney World opened the largest saltwater tank in the world at the time in the new The Living Seas pavilion.
The 5.7 million gallon tank held fish, sharks, dolphins and all types of aquatic life. The trek through the pavilion was an immersive experience starting off with an 8-minute movie showing how the Earth turned into a world of oceans from a volcanic planet. Then, guests entered a Hydrolater which “took you down” to the Seacabs.
The Seacabs took you on a journey through the coral reef to Sea Base Alpha where there were a number of exhibits. Once down, you needed to ride another Hydrolater to the surface.
Fun fact: The Hydrolater was stationary. Moving walls, sounds effects and vibrations gave the rider the impression they were traveling downward.
In this is a restaurant that remains to this day, the Coral Reef Restaurant.
The pavilion was sponsored by United Technologies (which eventually merged in 2020 with the Raytheon Company) until 1998. After that, changes were made. One of the pre-show movie theaters was removed and people could then head straight to the Hyrdolaters. In 2001, the Seacabs were closed.
It was then time for a major makeover. But it wasn’t until 2003 work started based on the Disney-Pixar film “Finding Nemo.” In 2004, Turtle Talk with Crush opened. The exterior was renovated. The Seacabs were rethemed as Clamobiles for the new The Seas with Nemo & Friends friend.
Then on Jan. 24, 2007, The Living Seas was renamed The Seas with Nemo & Friends.
