How Scary is The Seas with Nemo and Friends? 11 Things You Need to Know

  • Epcot
  • December 12, 2022
  • 2 Comments

At a Glance

Duration: 4 minutes, 10 seconds

Look Out For: some toothy sharks, a creepy angler fish, and some slight overstimulation or motion sickness

Jump to:

Opening on January 24, 2007, The Seas with Nemo and Friends is a family-friendly dive into the big blue world. But how scary is The Seas with Nemo and Friends? Let’s take a look at the stats:

the seas with nemo and friends

1. Ride Length

The Seas with Nemo and Friends has a ride duration of 4 minutes and 10 seconds. However, you may spend a few extra seconds in your clamshell for slight delays.

2. Height Requirement and Warnings

The Seas with Nemo and Friends has no height requirement or official warnings from Disney. Unlike many non-restricted rides that have hidden scary elements, this attraction is truly gentle and could be suitable for even the most sensitive of riders.

3. Ride Vehicles and Restraints

The Seas with Nemo and Friends ride vehicles consist of individual cars, or “clamshells,” that seat approximately 2 riders each. There are no ride restraints and the small gate at the front of the vehicle simply closes when the ride begins. They are very similar to the “clamshells” you’ll find at Journey of the Little Mermaid or the “doom buggies” at the Haunted Mansion – sans the lap bar, of course.

4. How Does The Seas with Nemo and Friends Work?

The Seas with Nemo and Friends works like a standard Disney track ride, moving its ride vehicles along a predetermined track. This attraction also makes use of large screens, projections, some practical effects, one animatronic, and an actual aquarium as a backdrop.

5. Is The Seas with Nemo and Friends Scary?

While The Seas with Nemo and Friends is not intentionally scary, it has a couple of spooky moments. Really, the only creepy encounters can be found with the anglerfish (basically a puppet attached to a hydraulic arm) and in the shark scene (Bruce is projected on a screen.) While both characters feel pretty far removed and aren’t terribly in-your-face, Disney definitely makes use of some ominous sound design – in the form of snarling from the anglerfish and Bruce’s deep, menacing voice.

It’s also worth noting that the EAC tunnel could feel a bit overstimulating to some with its hundreds of projected bubbles spinning all around you. This scene only lasts for about 30 seconds and stars only friendly characters. However, I felt it was important to mention, as the “tunnel” could feel a bit chaotic to the sensory sensitive among us.

6. How High is The Seas with Nemo and Friends?

The Seas with Nemo and Friends does not involve heights. As an indoor track ride taking place under the sea, there are no heights on this attraction – simulated or otherwise.

7. How Fast is The Seas with Nemo and Friends?

The Seas with Nemo and Friends does not go fast. Much like other similar rides like the Haunted Mansion, Journey of the Little Mermaid, or even Spaceship Earth right across the park, this attraction moves at a very slow, meandering pace through the show scenes.

It’s again worth mentioning that the EAC tunnel scene might “feel” like you’re picking up speed due to the rapidly moving bubbles all around you. However, rest assured that you’re moving at the same slow rate throughout the entire ride.

8. Does The Seas with Nemo and Friends Have Drops?

The Seas with Nemo and Friends does not have drops. As a very gentle track ride, this attraction lacks any thrill elements whatsoever.

9. Does The Seas with Nemo and Friends Cause Motion Sickness?

The Seas with Nemo and Friends may cause motion sickness to some riders. While most of the attraction shouldn’t be a problem, the EAC tunnel – filled with swirling and spinning projections of bubbles all around you – could potentially cause nausea. However, this segment only lasts for around 30 seconds and you could certainly just close your eyes if it’s causing you trouble.

10. Is The Seas with Nemo and Friends Claustrophobic?

The Seas with Nemo and Friends should not feel claustrophobic for most riders. While some of the show scenes might feel a bit cramped (especially with the “undersea” setting), the short ride duration, lack of a lap bar, and great theming throughout the queue should help take the edge off. If you had no problems on other similar attractions like Journey of the Little Mermaid in Magic Kingdom, this ride will most likely be the same.

11. Are There Animatronics on The Seas with Nemo and Friends?

There is one animatronic on The Seas with Nemo and Friends. As I mentioned before in the Is it Scary section, the anglerfish is essentially just a puppet on a hydraulic arm, swinging around after Marlin in one of the show scenes. He is definitely a creepy character and is even accompanied by snarling and spooky sound design, but the scene only lasts for about 15 seconds.

The Seas with Nemo and Friends Queue Walkthrough

The queue entrance is located outside in the World Nature area of Epcot. Once entering the building, you’ll wind through a beautifully themed series of rooms depicting a beach, then a grotto area, and finally the open sea. While this queue could feel pretty claustrophobic with its lack of windows, relatively low ceilings, and undersea setting, the exquisite theming (and delicious AC) certainly helps take the edge off, in my opinion. This attraction also tends to have low wait times, making it more doable for the claustrophobic among us.

The Seas with Nemo and Friends Ride Walkthrough

Once boarding the ride vehicle, you’ll slowly set off – finding Marlin and Dory searching once again for our friend, Nemo. You’ll pass Mr. Ray and the rest of the class as Nemo swims through a school of fish. From there, you’ll follow Marlin and Dory into a massive group of jellyfish before encountering the anglerfish, “chasing” Marlin around before he manages to escape.

You’ll head right into the shark scene where you’ll find Bruce (on-screen) and Chum peeking out of a sunken ship. After passing the sharks, you’ll find yourself in the EAC with Crush, Squirt, and their other turtle friends. On the other side, Marlin and Dory are reunited with Nemo with the beautiful live aquarium as their backdrop. With that, the ride comes to an end you’ll find yourself back at the loading station.

That’s it! Remember, everyone’s riding experience is a little bit different and only you can decide whether to hop on that ride vehicle or not. I just hope this guide helps you be prepared and enjoy every second of your Disney experience!

So what do you think? How scary is The Seas with Nemo and Friends? Leave a comment to help keep this guide up to date!

For a full visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video from 4K WDW:

About me:

Hi, there! I’m Ginny – a wife, mom, and lover of all things Disney. As a lifelong anxious girl, I’m here to get down to the nitty gritty of every attraction and make sure you’re ready for that next ride!

Need the Guide on the go?

Get the official eBook and never hit the parks without it

Join the Email List

2 Comments

Leave a Comment:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *