Some pretty significant changes are coming to EPCOT.
EPCOT
EPCOT is fresh off its transformation that resulted in CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza, but it appears that the Disney World park isn’t done. Disney announced some big changes coming to EPCOT’s The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion and, unfortunately, the news might be disappointing to some.
Within the next few weeks, one manatee and three dolphins are about to be PERMANENTLY moved out of their The Seas with Nemo & Friends habitats in EPCOT.
Manatee feeding time
Lou the 1,800-pound manatee is scheduled to be permanently relocated to a manatee rehabilitation center in Florida starting Wednesday, September 11th, 2024.
Manatee Lil Joe, the other habitat’s resident, won’t be alone very long, though, as another manatee is set to replace Lou in the habitat soon after the relocation.
Manatee
However, the biggest change is coming to the dolphin habitat. Disney World announced that it is relocating three dolphins to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Fort Walton Beach at some point in late October.
This move will effectively end the EPCOT Seas Adventures — Dolphins in Depth tour.
©Disney
Disney World addressed both decisions in a statement, writing, “While we will greatly miss Lou, we do look forward to aiding this other manatee in the next stage of rehabilitation as we continue to do our part in addressing the manatee crisis in Florida, which has seen declining manatee populations in the past few years.”
Per the statement, this change reflects other manatee moves being done around Florida that were recommended by the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services.
Manatee
As for the decision to relocate the three male dolphins and close Dolphins in Depth, Disney wrote, “This decision came after a comprehensive evaluation as to what is best for these dolphins as infrastructure work progresses at The Seas.”
Dolphins in Depth is a two-hour backstage tour and dolphin encounter and will end on October 19th, 2024.
Additionally, EPCOT Seas Adventures — DiveQuest, a two-hour backstage tour and SCUBA experience in a 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium full of all kinds of aquatic life like sea turtles, reef fish, stingrays, and sharks, will also close on October 19th. However, unlike Dolphins in Depth, Disney says DiveQuest will reopen in 2025.
Reservations for both experiences will still be valid through October 19th.
©Disney
We have to admit, although we understand the changes, we’re a bit bummed. Let us know how you feel about these changes and continue to follow us here at DFB for all the latest Disney World news!
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The post NEWS: Permanent Closure Announced for Backstage Tour in EPCOT first appeared on the disney food blog.