Announced in September of 21 was “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” This of course is replacing the old Finding Nemo show located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The initial announcement was more of a way to let the general population know they hadn’t forgotten about the live action show.
Finding Nemo: The Musical (FNTM) closed down due to the pandemic in 2020, and has been dark since. The show, which clocked in at 40 minutes long, was good in a sense that it could give you a break from the summer heat and rain. To that point it was 40 minutes long, and to us that is a long time to sit in a dark comfortable theater.
FNTM was probably due for an upgrade, so we can at least thank the pandemic for something! This make today’s news great. From their website:
“Climb aboard explorers and hold on tight, because it’s time to take a deep dive into the creation of the freshly reimagined show, “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” – opening this summer at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park!
Stepping inside the Theater in the Wild, we’ll catch up with the group of fish from Dr. P. Sherman’s office in “Finding Nemo,” who have made their way across the ocean to the Marine Life Institute. The fish tell Nemo’s story in this fully updated, 25-minute show, incorporating live performers and puppets, along with many of the beloved songs and production numbers from the original “Finding Nemo: The Musical” – which is great news if you’re like me and have had “In the Big Blue World” stuck in your head since 2007.
In addition to a new script, the show will feature new scenic set pieces and a new LED video wall designed to visually extend the world created by the physical sets on stage. We aren’t talking small set pieces either. Be on the lookout for a 32-foot-long sunken submarine and a fish tank volcano standing nearly 15 feet tall!
Working in close collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios, artists and designers at Disney Live Entertainment also developed a new aesthetic for “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” inspired by layered, cut paper sculptures. The resulting look is fresh and unique to the show, while staying true to the designs in the original film. Check out the video below for a sneak peek.”
Conclusion
At this point, we are eagerly waiting for an opening date. Disney mentioned Summer 2022 which can mean anywhere from Memorial Day all the way until September 21st.
Our thoughts is Memorial Day is out with the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opening during that weekend. More than likely this is a good attraction to open towards the end of June. Be sure to tune in here for that opening date!
Our biggest take away is the shortening of the show. It went from 40 minutes to 25, and we think that is a plus. I am hoping they run more shows during the day, however I do hope it does not mean a smaller budget at the same time.
What are your thoughts? Do you miss Finding Nemo The Musical? Are you looking forward to the new show? Let us know in the comments!