The Seas with Nemo & Friends

The Seas with Nemo & Friends is a major pavilion and attraction within the World Nature section of Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. It combines a family-friendly dark ride based on the Pixar film Finding Nemo with one of the world's largest saltwater aquarium facilities. The pavilion succeeded the original The Living Seas exhibit, which opened in 1986 as part of the park's focus on technology and exploration.

Overview

The attraction invites guests to "climb aboard a 'clamobile'" and journey into the ocean world from the animated film, where characters like Marlin, Dory, and Crush appear to swim alongside real marine life. The ride culminates in the massive pavilion's centerpiece aquarium, containing over 5.7 million gallons of water. This seamless blend of animation and reality is achieved through projection technology known as "clamobiles" which utilize Screenscapes effects. The surrounding pavilion also houses interactive exhibits, educational programs, and dining at the Coral Reef Restaurant.

Attraction details

Guests board slow-moving ride vehicles designed as clamshells, which travel along a continuous Omnimover system through a series of detailed scenes. The narrative follows the search for Nemo, encountering scenes such as the East Australian Current, a submerged minefield, and the terrifying Anglerfish from the film. A key technological feature is the use of Digital overlays and Audio-Animatronics to superimpose the animated characters onto the real aquarium windows in the final scene. The attraction's score incorporates music from the film's composer, Thomas Newman, and sound design by Gary Rydstrom. Adjacent experiences include Turtle Talk with Crush, an improvisational show featuring the surfer turtle.

History and development

The pavilion originally opened on January 24, 2007, as a significant overhaul of the classic Epcot pavilion The Living Seas. That original exhibit, sponsored by United Technologies, was a celebration of oceanography and marine biology but had become dated. The retheming was part of a broader initiative by Walt Disney Imagineering and then-CEO Bob Iger to integrate popular Disney and Pixar characters into the park's educational landscapes. The transformation was led by Imagineers like Joe Rohde, who helped conceptualize the integration of story and conservation. The ride system and building structure were largely retained from the previous attraction, with new show scenes and character elements added.

Marine life and conservation

The pavilion operates a functioning marine aquarium that is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is home to over 4,000 sea creatures, including sea turtles, dolphins, rays, and numerous species of shark and tropical fish. The facility participates in breeding programs and rescue efforts, notably for sea turtle conservation. Disney's Conservation Fund supports global marine research, and the pavilion's cast members, including marine biologists, conduct educational presentations. Research partnerships have included work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund.

In popular culture

The attraction and its characters have appeared in various media and promotional campaigns for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. The "clamobile" ride vehicles were featured in the Disney Parks television special The Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade. The success of the pavilion influenced the inclusion of other Pixar properties in Disney theme parks, such as the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage at Disneyland and Crush's Coaster at Disneyland Paris. The attraction is also frequently referenced in travel shows and documentaries about Walt Disney World, including those on the Travel Channel and Disney+ series like The Imagineering Story.

Category:Epcot attractions Category:Disney dark rides Category:Finding Nemo