Forty Years Under the Sea: EPCOT's Living Seas Pavilion Celebrates a Milestone Anniversary

Before there was Nemo. Before there was Crush. Before there were clownfish and sea turtles asking kids about their fins, there was simply the ocean—vast, mysterious, and waiting to be explored. This month marks the 40th anniversary of The Seas Pavilion at EPCOT, one of the park's most enduring testaments to the wonder of the natural world.

Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney's Animals, Science, and Environment, announced the celebration on Instagram, promising a month-long look back at the pavilion's legacy. "Since 1986, this EPCOT pavilion has inspired guests and deepened appreciation for the importance of our oceans," he wrote. "Follow along all month as we continue to celebrate this milestone!"

A Pavilion Years in the Making

The story of The Seas actually begins before EPCOT itself opened. Plans for an ocean-themed pavilion were part of the park's original vision, with an early concept featuring the Greek sea god Poseidon guiding guests through different aspects of marine life in bubble-shaped vehicles. But finding a sponsor proved challenging, and the attraction couldn't make the October 1982 opening day lineup.

It would be another four years before United Technologies signed on as sponsor and The Living Seas finally welcomed its first guests on January 15, 1986. The wait proved worthwhile. Upon opening, the pavilion housed the largest saltwater aquarium in the world—a staggering 5.7 million gallons containing more than 200 species of marine life.

The Original Experience

For guests experiencing The Living Seas in its early years, the journey felt genuinely transportive. You'd begin with a film about ocean formation called "The Sea," then board a Hydrolator—an elevator that convincingly simulated descending to the ocean floor through rumbling, shaking, and visual effects. The illusion was so effective that many guests believed they were actually travelling underwater.

From there, you'd board a Seacab for the Caribbean Coral Reef Ride, gliding through the massive aquarium and observing marine life that had never been displayed in such an environment. The ride deposited guests at SeaBase Alpha, a futuristic underwater research station where you could explore exhibits about oceanography, marine biology, and underwater exploration.

It was quintessential EPCOT: educational, immersive, and forward-looking in ways that made you feel genuinely optimistic about humanity's relationship with the natural world.

Evolution and Nemo

The pavilion remained largely unchanged for nearly two decades, though United Technologies departed as sponsor in 1998. The September 11 attacks and subsequent decline in theme park attendance led to the closure of the Seacab ride in 2001, simplifying the guest experience.

Then came Nemo.

Following the massive success of Pixar's Finding Nemo in 2003, Disney began reimagining The Living Seas to incorporate the beloved film. Turtle Talk with Crush debuted in 2004, introducing groundbreaking technology that allowed the animated sea turtle to have real-time conversations with guests. The show's unexpected popularity accelerated plans for a complete pavilion overhaul.

The Living Seas closed in August 2005 and reopened later that year as The Seas with Nemo & Friends. The dark ride replaced the scientific Caribbean Coral Reef Ride with a whimsical journey through projected animation, following Marlin and Dory as they search for the wayward clownfish. The ride cleverly integrates real aquarium views with animated effects, creating moments where Nemo and friends appear to swim alongside actual fish.

The Seas Today

The pavilion has continued evolving in recent years. In 2019, new signage restored the classic Living Seas logo, and the pavilion was officially renamed simply "The Seas Pavilion" as part of EPCOT's broader transformation. The exterior received a fresh coat of paint returning it to its original colour scheme, and various Finding Nemo character elements were removed from the facade.

Perhaps most meaningfully, the aquarium has transitioned to serve as a short-term rehabilitation centre for rescued marine animals, adding genuine conservation purpose to what was already an educational experience. The beloved Diver Lock-Out Chambers demonstration, where guests can watch divers communicate from inside the aquarium, returned in 2025 after a five-year absence.

Turtle Talk with Crush remains one of EPCOT's most popular attractions, consistently drawing long lines for its genuinely interactive experience. Two decades after its debut, watching Crush respond to children's questions with wit and warmth still feels magical.

What Forty Years Means

Standing in SeaBase today, surrounded by sharks, rays, sea turtles, and thousands of fish, it's worth reflecting on what this pavilion has meant to generations of guests. For many, The Living Seas provided their first meaningful encounter with marine life. It sparked careers in marine biology, inspired conservation commitments, and simply reminded visitors of the extraordinary world beneath the waves.

The pavilion has certainly changed over four decades. The scientific earnestness of the original has given way to character-driven storytelling. The Hydrolators and Seacabs exist only in memory and YouTube videos. SeaBase Alpha is now SeaBase Aquarium.

But the aquarium remains. The fish still swim. And somewhere in that massive tank, a cast member is probably donning scuba gear to wave at families pressed against the glass, creating the same sense of wonder that guests experienced in 1986.

Celebrating Throughout January

Disney's Animals, Science, and Environment team will be sharing content throughout January to commemorate the anniversary. Expect behind-the-scenes looks at aquarium operations, profiles of the marine animals that call The Seas home, and likely some nostalgic glimpses at the pavilion's history.

For guests visiting EPCOT this month, take a few extra minutes at The Seas. Watch Turtle Talk with Crush. Spend time in the aquarium levels observing species you might never encounter otherwise. Read the educational displays that carry forward the original pavilion's mission.

Forty years is a remarkable run for any theme park attraction. The Seas has earned every one of them.

Until next time, keep believing in magic.

— Behind the Wish