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EPCOT to remove guest favorite attraction permanently at The Seas

BBG News

As a seasoned Disney enthusiast with over two decades of park-hopping under my belt, I must say that the decision to remove dolphins from The Seas at EPCOT is bittersweet for me. Growing up, watching Flipper and Free Willy, I always looked forward to the dolphin shows and encounters during my visits to Disney World.

A significant transformation awaits Disney World’s EPCOT center, and while it may bring a mix of sadness and comprehension, one popular attraction within “The Living Seas” is set to disappear. On Wednesday, Disney confirmed that dolphins will no longer be a part of the park going forward.

For many years, Disney has served as a sanctuary for various marine creatures, including turtles, manatees, and dolphins. Recently, they have expressed plans to transfer their dolphin population to another institution that specializes in the care of marine mammals due to concerns about their long-term wellbeing.

Besides the dolphins, a single manatee is going to be moved, while another one will be introduced to the manatee observation area. It’s heartening to learn that Disney remains committed to helping manatees through their care, rehabilitation, and rescue efforts.

At EPCOT, the seas have consistently been a major attraction. Although you don’t necessarily need to take the “Nemo” ride to reach the aquarium, it’s a delightful dark ride that children adore. Once you finish, the experience culminates in an expansive tank teeming with schools of fish, sharks, turtles, stingrays, and until now, dolphins.

By the end of October, Disney intends to transfer its trio of male dolphins to a new location. It remains undecided how they will utilize the vacant tank, but this situation could present a fantastic chance for enlarging the adjacent tank that has been partitioned from the dolphin tank by a wall.

EPCOT is losing an educational opportunity but in this case, the dolphins are the priority.

For many years, The Seas offered an educational chance for certified scuba divers, enabling them to contribute to tank cleaning, record Continuing Education (CE) hours, and engage with marine creatures. Additionally, the dolphins served as valuable teaching resources too.

As a gamer putting on my aquatic explorer hat, let me share this: If you’re looking for a place to get up close and personal with those amazing sea mammals, dolphins, in the Orlando region, SeaWorld is currently your best bet among major theme parks. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s unfortunate about the dolphins leaving Disney. Frankly, their tank setup was sparse, and on many days, the dolphins themselves were nowhere to be found in that tank. So, for a more immersive dolphin experience, SeaWorld seems like the better choice.

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2024-09-11 23:27

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