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NEW! ‘Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond’ Opening Soon!

finding-nemo-the-musical
Credit: Disney

Known for the outstanding shows and performances in the Parks, Disney just always seems to get it right.

For years, Guests have enjoyed shows like “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Country Bear Jamboree in the Magic Kingdom, and even the Garden Rocks Concert Series during the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. Now we can rejoice with a new updated version of an old classic.

When the world closed down in March of 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, we had to go without our Disney Park fix, which for Disnerds like us, was really tough. Even after the Parks reopened, we were living in a different world and many of our Guest-favorite shows and activities had to remain closed. Some shows that did return had to go through major changes in order to make sure everybody was safe.

Here we are, a full two years later, and we still have not returned to 100% normal. One of our favorite shows before the shutdown was Finding Nemo – The Musical at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Back in September 2021, Disney did tell us that the “Finding Nemo – The Musical” would be reimagined but would continue to be based on the same colorful characters that we have grown to know and love, with a debut sometime in 2022.

At the end of March 2022, Walt Disney World revealed it was taking steps to open the newly reimagined musical, Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! At the time, Disney Live Entertainment was holding open auditions for vocalists and musical theatre performers who were based in Central Florida. Bruce, Crush, Dory, Marlin, Gill, and of course Nemo were all announced to be in the new Disney Park musical.

At the time, Disney Parks Blog said, “Although our Disney Live Entertainment team is still in the early stages of development for the show, the musical retelling of this underwater tale of family, friendship and kindness will feature new story material, as well as fan-favorite songs such as “In the Big Blue World” and “Go with the Flow.” 

This brings us to today, with Disney announcing more information on what we can expect from Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! First, we now know that the highly anticipated show will be opening in Disney’s Animal Kingdom this summer and can be found in the Theater in the Wild in DinoLand U.S.A.

Credit: Disney Tips

Disney Live Entertainment worked in close collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios on the revamping of this Guest favorite. This partnership went on to develop a new aesthetic that is inspired by layered, cut paper sculptures. This resulted in a fresh and unique look while staying true to the design of the original Pixar Finding Nemo (2003) film.

On top of the new script, Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! will feature new scenic set pieces and a new LED video wall that was designed to visually extend the world created by the physical sets on stage. The new sets are no small matter because they include a 32-foot-long sunken submarine and a fish tank volcano that is nearly 15 feet tall. Wow!

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Credit: Disney Dining

The returning beloved show will also see a shortened run time, with Disney World reducing the musical’s length from 40 minutes down to 25 minutes.

So far Walt Disney World has not released an exact premiere date, but we will keep an eager eye on the horizon for it.

The Disney Parks Blog said it best, “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! is just one of the many ways we’re adding even more magic to the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration.” Well, this reimagined show will sure be magical to us all.

About Gene Fitzmagic