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TL;DR
- Walt Disney World is relocating three dolphins and one manatee from the Living Seas pavilion at EPCOT due to recommendations from aquatic animal organizations and infrastructure work, with plans to prioritize marine mammal welfare.
- Manatee Lou will be moved to a Florida rehabilitation center on September 11, 2024, while another manatee will be introduced as a companion for the remaining manatee, Lil Joe.
- The three male dolphins will be permanently relocated to Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in late October 2024, with no plans to replace them at EPCOT.
- Changes will affect certain tours at the pavilion; the Dolphins in Depth tour will not return, while DiveQuest may resume in 2025 after the infrastructure work is completed.
Big Changes Coming to EPCOT’s Living Seas Pavilion
Hey there, ocean lovers! If you’re a fan of the Living Seas pavilion at EPCOT, we’ve got some important news to share. Walt Disney World is getting ready to make some big changes to the aquarium, which might affect some of your favorite sea creatures.
What’s Happening with the Sea Life?
Walt Disney World has announced that one manatee named Lou and three dolphins are going to be relocated from their home at EPCOT. This decision comes after recommendations from expert organizations that care for aquatic animals. Disney wants to make sure these sensitive mammals are in the best environment possible during some upcoming infrastructure work.
Lou the manatee is scheduled to move to a rehab center in Florida on September 11, 2024. This is part of a statewide effort to help manatees, which have been struggling in recent years. At the same time, another manatee will come to keep Lil Joe, the remaining manatee, company.
Goodbye Dolphins
The really big news is that the three male dolphins will be moving to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Florida in late October 2024. Unlike Lou, there won’t be any new dolphins coming to EPCOT. This is a massive change because dolphins have been part of the Living Seas pavilion since it opened back in 1986! Disney has said that they have no plans to bring dolphins back to EPCOT in the future.
Tours Affected
With these changes and the work going on, some special tours will also be affected. If you have reservations for the Dolphins in Depth or DiveQuest experiences, Disney will still honor those through October 19, 2024. However, the Dolphins in Depth tour won’t come back since there won’t be any dolphins to see. DiveQuest is expected to return in 2025 after the construction wraps up.
Focus on Other Sea Creatures
Even though there’s a lot of change going on, EPCOT will continue to be a home for many other sea creatures. Visitors can still enjoy a variety of marine life, including sharks, sea turtles, jellyfish, and more. The team at EPCOT remains dedicated to caring for and showcasing these amazing animals.
Thoughts on the Changes
This news can be a bit bittersweet. While it’s important to prioritize animal welfare, many fans simply love watching dolphins play. It’s not just a matter of enjoying their playful nature but also recognizing how they’ve impacted people’s understanding of marine life and conservation.
There’s been growing concern about keeping dolphins in captivity, and organizations like the Dolphin Project have been advocating against it. These discussions have likely influenced Disney’s decision to relocate the dolphins rather than continue the program.
A Little Nostalgia
A piece of nostalgia for many visitors is the memory of seeing dolphins swim at EPCOT. As someone who loved visiting the Living Seas pavilion as a kid, I understand that leaving behind this part of the experience can feel tough. However, it may also pave the way for new beginnings, like seeing characters like Scuba Mickey become a more regular part of the experience!
In Summary
So there you have it! The Living Seas pavilion will see Lou the manatee and three dolphins move away to help with their rehabilitation and care. The tours will change, but EPCOT will still focus on showcasing other wonderful marine animals. It’s a change, but one that reflects a growing awareness of marine life’s needs.
What do you think about these upcoming changes? Are you sad about the dolphins leaving, or do you understand why it’s happening? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
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