After months of walls, closures, and whispered speculation, EPCOT’s The Seas Pavilion has quietly emerged from behind construction scrims—looking cleaner, brighter, and… well, just about the same. Disney has officially wrapped up its refurbishment of The Seas with Nemo & Friends, confirming what many fans already suspected: this was more of a maintenance refresh than a game-changing makeover.
Originally opened in 2007 with the addition of the Nemo overlay, The Seas has long been a favorite for guests looking for something a little more peaceful and educational in between thrill rides. With massive tanks, a charming dark ride, and a walk-through aquarium experience, it’s always offered a slower pace of Disney magic. So when the pavilion went behind walls for an extended period, longtime fans hoped the changes would reflect the level of transformation happening elsewhere in EPCOT.
That didn’t quite happen.
What’s Changed—and What’s Missing
Sure, the pavilion looks polished. The escalators are back in working order, and guests can now freely move about the multi-level interior with no blocked pathways or detours. Signs have been updated, the DiveQuest experience is operating again, and The Seas with Nemo & Friends ride is running as normal.
But there’s one noticeable absence that’s left fans disappointed: the dolphins. Once a standout attraction within the SeaBase aquarium, the dolphins have quietly disappeared from the pavilion. There’s been no official replacement, no new exhibits introduced, and no indication that anything new is on the horizon to take their place.
This change, or lack thereof, has sparked some disappointment. Many guests had hoped Disney would use this downtime to introduce fresh experiences or educational content. Instead, the update seems to have been focused on upkeep rather than innovation.
What This Means for EPCOT Guests
From a guest experience standpoint, having full access to The Seas Pavilion again is definitely a plus. No more construction walls. No more early closures. The pavilion is now open all the way through park close, making it easier to fit into your day without rearranging plans.
But if you’re someone who remembers how alive and exciting this space used to feel, it might sting a little. Gone are some of the interactive experiences and beloved marine life. In their place? A quieter, more reserved pavilion that feels like it’s being gently ushered into the background while the rest of EPCOT evolves.
So yes, it’s nice to walk through and enjoy the peaceful tanks. But if you were expecting an overhaul that matched the scale of recent EPCOT changes, this one probably isn’t going to blow you away.
What Else Is Happening at EPCOT?
While the update at The Seas may feel underwhelming, EPCOT as a whole is finally turning a corner. After years of being littered with construction zones, the park is beginning to feel whole again. CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza are officially open, giving guests a new reason to spend time in the center of the park.
And perhaps the most exciting part? Test Track is inching closer to its grand reopening. Disney has remained quiet about a specific date, but fans have noticed testing taking place behind the scenes. With other projects finishing up, it’s only a matter of time before we hear something official.
So while The Seas may have settled back into a more subdued role in the park’s lineup, it’s still part of the larger narrative of EPCOT’s transformation. And that’s worth keeping an eye on—even if the changes aren’t always headline-grabbing.
