Caribbean Coral Reef Ride — Former Ride · History & Timeline

Former Ride · the memorial record

⚰ Permanently closed · Oct 21, 2001operated 15 years · 1986–2001

Replaced by The Seas with Nemo & Friends →

This ride is gone, but its history stays documented — the full lifetime log is below.

Ride history

the lifetime record

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2007

◆ Latest milestone

ChangedJan 24, 2007#

The Seas with Nemo & Friends was rededicated on the site, running the former Seacabs reshaped as clamshell "Clamobiles" over a route lengthened by 280 feet through the old preshow theatre space, with the final section still inside the tank.

Wikipedia dates the rededication to January 24, 2007 and states the ride was lengthened by 280 feet (85 m) through the former preshow theatre space. D23's Living Seas entry says guests climbed aboard clam-mobiles "beginning in 2006," so this date is the formal rededication rather than necessarily the first day of guest operation; D23 was therefore not cited for this date.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
2006

Area Update2006#

The remaining Living Seas preshow theater, entrance Hydrolators, holding areas and Seacab queue were completely removed and replaced by a new themed queue area.

Wikipedia dates this to construction that ran throughout 2006, so year-only is the finest precision supported.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
2005

ChangedAug 21, 2005#

The Living Seas pavilion closed entirely for its transformation into The Seas with Nemo & Friends, nearly four years after the Seacabs had stopped running.

Wikipedia gives August 21, 2005 for the pavilion closure and the list of Epcot attractions carries The Living Seas as 1986-2005. An earlier draft of this beat said the retheme had begun in December 2003; that detail could not be corroborated on re-check and was removed.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
2001

RefurbishmentOct 21, 2001#

The Caribbean Coral Reef Ride's Seacabs closed down and were walled off as a result of declining patronage following the September 11 attacks.

Wikipedia states the date and cause verbatim; it is the only source found for the exact day.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
Area Update2001#

With the ride shut, guests leaving the Hydrolators walked the former wheelchair bypass corridor to Sea Base Alpha, while the Seacab queue was left intact and the vehicles remained visible through the ocean tank windows.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
1999

Changed1999#

Preshow theatre #2 was removed and a corridor was built through its space, letting guests skip the introductory film and go directly to the Hydrolators and the Seacabs.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
1998

Changed1998#

United Technologies ended its sponsorship of The Living Seas after backing the pavilion since opening day, and all sponsorship references were removed.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes
1986

NewJan 15, 1986#

The Caribbean Coral Reef Ride opened with The Living Seas pavilion, carrying guests in Omnimover "Seacab" vehicles through the middle of the 5.7-million-gallon saltwater tank after a preshow film and a simulated "Hydrolator" descent.

Wikipedia gives January 15, 1986 for the pavilion opening and places the Seacab ride in the original guest flow; D23 corroborates the date and the 5.7-million-gallon tank as the largest saltwater tank in the world at completion, but does not name the ride.

Tracked byTheme Park Patch Notes

Questions & answers

When did Caribbean Coral Reef Ride open?

Per the documented record, Caribbean Coral Reef Ride at EPCOT opened on Jan 15, 1986.

When did Caribbean Coral Reef Ride last close for refurbishment?

The most recent closure/refurbishment documented for Caribbean Coral Reef Ride is dated Oct 21, 2001: The Caribbean Coral Reef Ride's Seacabs closed down and were walled off as a result of declining patronage following the September 11 attacks.

What changed recently on Caribbean Coral Reef Ride?

The latest documented change (documented Jan 24, 2007): The Seas with Nemo & Friends was rededicated on the site, running the former Seacabs reshaped as clamshell "Clamobiles" over a route lengthened by 280 feet through the old preshow theatre space, with the final section still inside the tank.

How many changes are on record for Caribbean Coral Reef Ride?

8 documented changes, dating back to 1986 — the fan-kept ride changelog nobody else keeps.

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