The escalator nearest the manatee viewing area of The Seas Pavilion in EPCOT has reopened as refurbishment work nears completion.
The Seas Refurbishment
For the past several months, The Seas has been under general refurbishment with construction walls and curtains up around the pavilion. It appears now that work is coming to an end.
There were previously construction walls on the left side of the pavilion’s aquarium space, between the manatee viewing area and the exit of The Seas With Nemo & Friends. The walls blocked access to one of the two escalators. In our last update, those construction walls came down, opening up the space around the escalator. Now, the escalator closest to the manatee viewing area has reopened.
Construction walls remain on the right side of the pavilion, blocking access to the other escalator.
The furthest aquarium tank window to the right is still behind curtains, as well.
Although the right side of the upstairs viewing area nearest to the nursery is still behind construction walls, there is a Cast Member posted to provide information about marine biology, sharks, and more as guests complete the complimentary scavenger hunt available in The Seas Pavilion.
The Seas Hours
For the past four months, The Seas with Nemo & Friends and the attached aquarium have closed at 7 p.m. to accommodate refurbishment work inside the pavilion. According to the Walt Disney World website, the pavilion will resume operating until park close on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Park close is usually 9 p.m.
This refurbishment follows various updates to The Seas over the past few years. In 2024, new “Finding Nemo” decorations were added to the gift shop. In late 2023, crews repainted the pavilion’s facade, plus refreshed character decorations, and upgraded the exterior lighting. Around the same time, Disney restored an underwater effect to the aquarium area.
The Seas’ scuba-diving experience, DiveQuest, returned this month after a six-month hiatus.
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