Big Changes at EPCOT: The Seas with Nemo Returns to Full Hours, GoofyCore Opens, and Closures Continue at Walt Disney World
As Walt Disney World Resort continues to evolve in 2025, EPCOT is finding itself at the center of some major shake-ups, both temporary and transformative. Guests returning to the park will notice that beloved offerings have either reopened, been reimagined, or closed entirely to make room for something new.
After months of adjusted hours, one aquatic fan-favorite is finally swimming back into its full operational schedule. As of May 27—just a few days after Walt Disney World’s historic six-park opening—The Seas with Nemo & Friends is once again staying open until 9:00 p.m., in sync with EPCOT’s regular closing time.
The attraction, which features vibrant underwater scenes and a real working aquarium, had been closing early since January 17, 2025, though Disney never formally addressed the change. The reduced hours were listed on the Walt Disney World calendar through May 26.
During the early closures, reports suggested behind-the-scenes work throughout the area. Expanded walkways, escalator maintenance, and enhanced safety training for diving cast members—particularly those assisting guests with disabilities—pointed to backstage upgrades. In addition, DiveQuest, EPCOT’s guided scuba experience inside the SeaBase Aquarium, quietly returned alongside the reappearance of the much-missed manatees, who had temporarily relocated.
But just as one pavilion reopens its full experience, another temporarily closes. EPCOT’s CommuniCore Hall shuttered on May 12 to prepare for a brand-new offering: GoofyCore, a limited-time play zone designed for families and young guests.
Billed as part of Disney’s “Cool Kid Summer” initiative, GoofyCore is a zany, high-energy transformation of the CommuniCore space, now open through September 1, 2025. The new offering features interactive activities like “Loopy Limbo” and “Parachutes ‘n’ Pipsqueaks,” and even DJ-led dance parties in a setting that channels Goofy’s larger-than-life antics. WDWMAGIC debuted a first-look video inside the vibrant play zone, revealing its bright design, playful atmosphere, and sensory-rich spaces aimed at younger parkgoers.
While CommuniCore Hall houses the indoor GoofyCore activation, its neighbor CommuniCore Plaza remains open, continuing to host outdoor performances and meet-and-greets with Mickey & Friends. This split-use setup allows EPCOT to balance large-scale entertainment with seasonal surprises.
Meanwhile, the winds of change are also sweeping through the other Walt Disney World parks. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a major shift is underway with the closure of several DinoLand U.S.A. attractions. Longtime staples, including TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and It’s Tough to be a Bug! have all closed, paving the way for the forthcoming Tropical Americas area and the new Zootopia attraction.
The new land, titled Pueblo Esperanza, promises to weave together tales from Encanto and Indiana Jones, inviting guests into a lush, story-driven environment rich with South American culture, legend, and adventure. Disney has yet to announce an opening timeline, but fans are already speculating about what’s next for the transformed space.
Over in Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad took its final guests aboard on January 13, as the wildest ride in the wilderness shut down for a lengthy refurbishment. Visible deconstruction in Frontierland shows the scale of the overhaul, with Disney confirming the work will extend over the course of a year or more.
The extensive refurbishment coincides with a broader reimagining of the area. The Cars franchise is steering its way into Frontierland—a bold blend of Pixar’s racing world and the Old West, which was teased during last year’s D23 Expo. While fans have debated the compatibility of Radiator Springs and rustic canyons, the move is part of a sweeping update that also includes an entirely new Disney Villains land.
From EPCOT’s undersea adventures to Animal Kingdom’s tropical revamp and the frontier’s mechanical makeover, Walt Disney World Resort continues to evolve, layering nostalgia with fresh experiences that promise to keep guests returning.
Are you excited to check out GoofyCore? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!
