There’s about to be a sea change on the Residing Seas pavilion at EPCOT, as Walt Disney World is embarking upon infrastructure work and is reevaluating its roster of mammals within the 5.7 million gallon aquarium. This submit covers the animals that’ll be completely relocated, together with the ensuing suspension and finish of sure excursions of the Seas with Nemo & Buddies, plus our commentary.
One manatee and three dolphins quickly will probably be transferring out of their EPCOT aquarium habitat, Walt Disney World introduced. That is coming on account of suggestions by aquatic animal organizations, in addition to state and federal businesses. Disney signifies the adjustments are attributable to infrastructure work, but in addition that Walt Disney World is making adjustments that require “cautious thought, prioritizing the wellbeing of those delicate marine mammals.”
With this in thoughts, Walt Disney World is working with consultants and making adjustments really helpful by the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Companies (USFWS) that can end in fan-favorite manatee Lou, a longtime resident of the Residing Seas pavilion, to be relocated to a different Florida-based rehabilitation heart.
In line with Walt Disney World, Lou will transfer to a brand new residence on September 11, 2024 as a part of a statewide manatee initiative really helpful by the MRP and USFWS. These are the statewide businesses answerable for managing the rehabilitation and conservation of manatees all through Florida, and that is a part of statewide adjustments which might be within the works for manatees.
Quickly after Lou’s relocation, one other manatee will come to EPCOT as a companion to Lil Joe, the remaining manatee within the Residing Seas pavilion. “Whereas we’ll vastly miss Lou, we do stay up for aiding this different manatee within the subsequent stage of rehabilitation as we proceed to do our half in addressing the manatee disaster in Florida, which has seen declining manatee populations up to now few years,” Walt Disney World mentioned in an announcement.
The extra important change is that EPCOT’s trio of male dolphins will probably be relocated to the Gulfarium Marine Journey Park in Fort Walton Seaside, Florida in late October 2024. Not like the manatees, there aren’t any alternative dolphins en path to EPCOT.
Dolphins have been a part of the Residing Seas pavilion since its debut in 1986, so this can be a large change. Walt Disney World has additionally indicated that there aren’t any plans to reintroduce dolphins to EPCOT at a later date. In brief, because of this dolphins will not stay at EPCOT.
“This choice got here after a complete analysis as to what’s finest for these dolphins as infrastructure work progresses at The Seas,” mentioned Walt Disney World in an announcement.
The three dolphins will probably be completely relocated to the Gulfarium Marine Journey Park in Florida which is accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums and the Worldwide Marine Animals Coach’s Affiliation. Gulfarium opened its multimillion greenback Dolphin Oasis earlier this 12 months, and presents dolphin encounters and a stay present.
With this reevaluation of the aquatic life current within the Residing Seas pavilion and infrastructure work of unknown nature occurring to the aquarium, there are of course impacts to the particular excursions provided of the services.
Walt Disney World will proceed to honor reservations for friends with previously-booked Dolphins in Depth and DiveQuest experiences by October 19, 2024. DiveQuest will return someday in 2025, seemingly after the infrastructure work is accomplished. The Dolphins in Depth tour is not going to return, provided that there received’t be dolphins.
Though there are adjustments on the horizon for the Residing Seas Pavilion at EPCOT, the aquatic animals will proceed to be the main focus of the crew. Solid Members affected by the strikes of marine mammals will proceed to do necessary work with different sea life. EPCOT will proceed to be residence to marine species, together with sharks, sea turtles, jellyfish, angelfish, eagle rays, clownfish, and extra.
Turning to commentary, let’s begin by dispelling any misconceptions that this can be a matter of funds cuts or penny-pinching on the a part of Walt Disney World. Although we’re getting near the tip of the fiscal 12 months and begin of the following when precisely that sort of factor begins occurring, that isn’t what that is. The dolphins, clever as they’re, in all probability haven’t demanded raises (except you depend will increase to the variety of fish they’re fed every day, by which case, these requests are in all probability common).
In all probability, this has extra to do with evolving expectations and societal perceptions of cetaceans in captivity. This has been controversial for at the least a number of years now, and I’m truthfully stunned that Walt Disney World didn’t really feel pressured to make this transfer earlier than 2024.
For the final a number of years, a gaggle referred to as the Dolphin Undertaking has been operating a detrimental evaluate, letter-writing and petition marketing campaign about “Disney’s Dismal Dolphins” that makes an attempt to convey concerning the finish to Walt Disney World’s dolphin program. It’s unclear whether or not that initiative has achieved success, or if Disney–which companions with number of conservation organizations–has acquired outdoors recommendation that it’s time to maneuver on. Both manner, the end result is identical.
One factor I discovered fascinating and downright disturbing is the historical past of dolphins within the Residing Seas pavilion, relationship again to its beginnings in 1985. Right here’s the total historical past of their seize and deaths of the unique dolphins for individuals who are curious. As somebody who has cherished this pavilion since I used to be a small baby, that was powerful to learn. (I’d prefer to assume that: 1) it was a distinct period; 2) the positives from the variety of youngsters who have been impressed to get into conservation, marine biology, and so on., outweighs the hurt.)
However, this information is slightly bittersweet. It’s the tip of an period for dolphins within the Residing Seas pavilion. At the same time as I had my misgivings about cetaceans in captivity, I’d be mendacity if I didn’t additionally admit that I nonetheless take pleasure in watching the dolphins. Perhaps it makes me a hypocrite, however the Residing Seas is a favourite noon escape, excellent as darkish and funky counterprogramming to the sunny and sizzling summer season days at Walt Disney World.
Simply a few weeks in the past, I occurred to search out myself within the Seas pavilion one night because the crowds cleared out. Two of the dolphins have been zooming across the tank, and I swear they have been enjoying disguise and search with each other. It was lovable and a decompressing option to spend a little bit of time after consuming manner an excessive amount of mac & cheese in CommuniCore Corridor.
Or it was till like the one different get together in the complete pavilion began banging on the tank, attempting to get the eye of the dolphins. I suppose they felt unnoticed and needed to play disguise and search with the dolphins? In any case, this sort of habits is all too widespread, and it baffles me that grown adults don’t know higher. (Then once more, I see adults feeding geese nearly each time I’m within the parks, too.) However I digress.
In the end, these are good adjustments on stability for the mammals within the Residing Seas at EPCOT. Nonetheless, there will probably be a detrimental influence to the visitor expertise, as dolphins are the spotlight of the aquarium. Positive, sharks are cool and the rays enjoyable to observe glide round. However dolphins are/have been the draw.
The perfect “compromise” I can consider is bringing out Scuba Mickey extra typically. We’ve had the great fortune of seeing him a number of occasions within the final a number of years, as Scuba Mickey Mouse typically makes uncommon appearances on World Oceans Day. I can’t even start to let you know how superior that is to see as an old style EPCOT Middle fan. (I assume it’s superior for anybody, although.) The Walt Disney World promotional VHS tapes of my childhood all contained footage of two characters in Future World: Figment and Scuba Mickey.
Between the Boy Meets World proposal at Coral Reef and photographs of Scuba Mickey, the Residing Seas pavilion held a particular place in my coronary heart as a child. (It additionally bodily held manatees, which have been my favourite animal as a child.) Mickey Mouse scuba diving in one of many largest man-made ocean environments on the planet is the form of unforgettable “little factor” that completely defines (or ought to outline) Walt Disney World.
It’s seemingly insignificant, but it surely leaves a long-lasting impression–an indelible reminiscence that friends will cherish lengthy after they’ve forgotten which rides they rode or exhibits they noticed at EPCOT. In brief, it looks as if swapping a trio of dolphins for one gigantic aquatic mouse is a good commerce. One that can make as many or extra magical moments for friends, and with none issues about animal welfare. Win-win.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider the adjustments coming to the Residing Seas pavilion? Unhappy to see dolphins being retired from EPCOT, or do you perceive and agree with the seemingly rationale for the choice? What do you consider Scuba Mickey as a “commerce” for the three dolphins? Ideas on the DiveQuest or Dolphins in Depth excursions at EPCOT? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
