As EPCOT evolves and new stories come to life around Walt Disney World Resort, change continues to ripple across the parks—both above and below the surface.
Guests visiting EPCOT in early 2025 were greeted by a noticeable shift at The Seas with Nemo & Friends. “At EPCOT, guests have noticed a large sandwich board announcing that The Seas with Nemo & Friends will close at 7:00 p.m. this evening,” Kenny the Pirate reported in January. According to the Walt Disney World Resort calendar, this early closing time began on Friday, January 17, 2025, and remained in place through at least May 26. While the rest of EPCOT stayed open until 9:00 p.m., the attraction’s shortened hours raised plenty of questions.
Though Disney never officially commented on the change, work around the SeaBase Aquarium hinted at what might be going on. The attraction, a long-standing favorite for its aquatic exhibits and educational focus, quietly underwent a series of updates. Walkway enhancements, escalator work, and improved safety training for cast members assisting guests with disabilities were all observed during this time.
Some beloved elements also experienced changes. The manatees were temporarily relocated to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, their usual area roped off and hidden from view. Thankfully, the animals have now returned—along with the fan-favorite DiveQuest scuba tour.
Now, guests have something new to look forward to: beginning May 27—just days after the anniversary of the park’s historic debut—The Seas with Nemo & Friends will once again remain open through EPCOT’s full operating hours, closing at 9:00 p.m.
Elsewhere at EPCOT, CommuniCore Hall in World Celebration is set to close on May 12 to prepare for the limited-time GoofyCore experience.
But it’s not just EPCOT undergoing a metamorphosis. Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, several longtime attractions have recently closed to pave the way for something entirely new. TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and It’s Tough to be a Bug! have all taken their final bows. These closures are part of the transformation of DinoLand U.S.A. into the new Tropical Americas-inspired land, Pueblo Esperanza—bringing stories from Encanto and Indiana Jones to life.
Meanwhile, over at Magic Kingdom, Frontierland is entering a bold new era. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed on January 13 for a major refurbishment, with visible deconstruction underway. The area will eventually welcome a new expansion based on the Cars franchise—a development first revealed at last year’s D23 Expo.
While fans continue to weigh in on the unique pairing of Pixar’s high-speed heroes and a frontier landscape, curiosity remains high. Additionally, an all-new land centered around Disney Villains is on the horizon, adding even more magic to the transformation.
Are you excited to spend more time under the sea again at EPCOT? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
