The Living Seas Introduction

Attraction:

Pre-show

'The Seas' Movie

Hydrolators &
Sea Cabs

Sea Base Alpha

Exit Hydrolator

Coral Reef Restaurant

Extras:

Concepts & Construction

Fact Sheet

EDC Site Map

Search

Contact

INTERCOT
 

Sea Base Alpha

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Now that we've disembarked the seacabs, there are several exhibits to view here in Sea Base Alpha - a prototype underwater research facility. A map near the exit to the seacabs shows the layout of the base. This map was updated in the fall of 1999 reflecting the changes made and using the new, more modern base map used in the new SeaBase.Link terminals. There are six modules and each one is devoted to a specific topic. Each exhibit is identified by level.

Level 1

© Disney

• Wave Tank: This 24 foot long tank displays how waves form and how those waves affect the ocean floor and the beach. (Removed in '99)
• Diver Lock-out Chamber: Every half hour, divers either enter or exit the main tank through this chamber. Divers demonstrate the latest in wetsuit and air tank technology. An assistant explains the process to us and allows us to ask any questions we may have. (Ceased operation and covered over in '99 but was rehabbed and reopened in July/August 2001)
• Module 1A - Ocean Ecosystems:
  • Pacific Coast Kelp Forest
  • Pacific Coral Lagoon - 3,000 gallons of water containing starfish, sea anemone, small fish, and hermit crabs
  • Predator Tank - grouper, barracuda, connet head sharks, and green moray eels
  • Web of Life - phytoplankton, zooplankton, and filter feeders
  • Other free-standing tanks explain camouflage, symbiotic relationships, and bioluminescence
  • SeaBase.Link terminals (replaced SeaBase Challenge in 2000)
• Module 1B - Marine Mammal Research Center:
  • This module allows underwater viewing of the West Indian manatees.
• Module 1C - Earth Systems:
  • What on Earth - a map that marks undersea volcanoes, faults, the Ring of Fire, etc. with lights that illuminate when the corresponding button is pressed.
  • "An Animated Atlas of the World" - a 6.5 minute animated video
  • Clues to an Age-Old Mystery - display shows a sample of the earth's core.
  • Anatomy of the Sea - this large tube shows what the ocean is composed of.
  • SeaBase.Link terminals (replaced SeaBaseChallenge in 2000)
• Module 1D - Undersea Exploration:
  • Jason - An Audio-Animatronics version of the real Jason (created by Bob Ballard) explains how robots can explore the depths of the ocean.
  • JIM suit - One complete suit is on display and two are cutaway so that we can try to turn an arrow, push a lever, turn a wheel, and shift a gear using the counterbalanced (for weightless effect) manipulator hands.

© Disney
Module 1A - Ocean Ecosystems

Level 2

• Observation Deck: Allows viewing of the main tank. 2 SeaBase.Link Living Seas Online Database terminals installed in fall '99.
• Module 2A - Ocean Resources Sea Lab:
  • Pacific Coast Kelp Forest - same as in Module 1A. This tank spans the height of both modules.
  • Mariculture Lab - displays techniques for underwater farming of plants and animals. A marine biologist is often available for questions/discussions.
  • SeaBase.Link terminals (replaced half of the SeaBase Challenge terminals in 2000)
  • SeaBase Challenge terminals (quiz with A, B, C, and D push buttons for answering remains)
• Module 2B - Marine Mammals:
  • This is a view of the manatees (of 1B) from above. Marine-mammal specialists working with the manatees often talk about the animals and answer questions.

© Disney
Dolphin Research

SeaBase.Link

The new SeaBase.Link Living Seas Online Database terminals are a significant upgrade from the original Ocean Quiz terminals. SeaBase.Link features a video screen with The Living Seas logo floating in water. A touch of the screen bubbles up an overhead look at Sea Base Alpha. The view swings around to the side where the three levels of the computer animated map separate for a better view.

Selecting the Main Level allows you to further explore the four modules. The module in which you are standing is pointed out to you. You can select a module, view pictures and some video of sea life in the module and read a short summary of the featured creature. Some modules feature games or puzzles.

Level 2, or the Observation Level, allows further exploration into the two modules there plus the Underwater Observation Deck. In the Observation Deck section, you can view and get more information about each of the species in the base's coral reef community.

Selecting the 3rd Level, or the Crew Level as it is labeled, allows you to get more information about guest programs such as Dive Quest, Disney's Dolphins in Depth, and the Making a Difference Wildlife Conservation program going on at both The Living Seas and Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Now that we've seen all of the exhibits in Sea Base Alpha, it's time to return to the surface on the Exit Hydrolators.

The Living Seas Introduction | Pre-show | The Seas Film | Hydrolators & Sea Cabs
Sea Base Alpha | Exit Hydrolator | Coral Reef Restaurant
Concepts & Construction | Fact Sheet

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