The two resident manatees of The Seas With Nemo & Friends at EPCOT have moved out.
Manatees Gone from The Seas
The manatee viewing area on the first floor of the SeaBase Aquarium is blocked by blue curtains and rope.
The second-floor viewing area is also blocked by rope, although we could still see inside. According to Cast Members, manatees Lil Joe and Inigo have been relocated to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park and the Mote Marine Laboratory. Cast Members were not sure which manatee was moved to which facility.
Lil Joe was a long-time resident of EPCOT, but Inigo had only moved to the park in September. This was soon after manatee Lou moved out “as part of a broader set of manatee moves around the state,” under the recommendation of the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services. (via Orlando Sentinel) Three male dolphins were also relocated to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park.
Lil Joe and Inigo’s move seems to have also been recommended by the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services. A Cast Member said The Seas is focusing on short-term rehabilitation and the manatees moved to a more long-term facility.
Walt Disney World entertainment host Steve Soares reported on X that new manatees will later move into The Seas as the facility shifts focus to short-term rehab. This has not yet been confirmed by Disney.
The Seas Construction
The manatees and dolphins moving out aren’t the only changes in The Seas. There are currently construction walls up as the escalator is closed for refurbishment. The DiveQuest scuba experience is closed due to construction in the tanks, including the former dolphin tank. DiveQuest may reopen as soon as March.
Cast Members said work includes an expansion to the walkways through the tanks to better accommodate scooters and wheelchairs. They also said the park’s professional divers have been practicing for emergency situations involving guests with disabilities.
Years ago, we reported on a rumor that The Seas (as well as The Land Pavilion) would be demolished.
How do you feel about Lil Joe and Inigo leaving EPCOT? Let us know in the comments.
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