Disney World removing all live dolphins from Epcot's Finding Nemo attraction, 'prioritizing the wellbeing' of animals

Dolphins will no longer just keep swimming at a famous Disney World attraction based on the Finding Nemo film series.

Nearly 20 years after Epcot's marine life attraction The Living Seas got a Pixar makeover for its transformation into The Seas With Nemo & Friends ride (and accompanying aquarium experience), Disney has revealed that all live dolphins will be removed from the attractions beginning in October.

According to a Monday morning cast member communication sent to the Seas team and obtained by Entertainment Weekly, the company informed staff of its plans to swap out two mammals as well as to permanently remove all dolphins from the experience.

"As we look to the future of The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot, we are making some changes that require careful thought, prioritizing the wellbeing of these sensitive marine mammals," the memo reads, later adding: "We are planning to permanently relocate three dolphins in late October to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Florida which is accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums and the International Marine Animals Trainer's Association. The facility is led by a marine mammal expert who cared for the dolphins for years at The Seas."

The decision "came after a comprehensive evaluation as to what is best for these dolphins as infrastructure work progresses at The Seas," and that the information was determined with "extraordinary care from our team" to ensure that "these three male dolphins have thrived and led long lives and we will continue to be a resource while they receive the best possible care after they are moved."

The communication also reveals that Epcot's famous manatee, Lou, will relocate to a different rehabilitation center on Sept. 11, with another manatee moving in to join Lil Joe, another of Epcot's beloved aquatic mammals, who will remain at The Seas With Nemo & Friends. The company looks "forward to aiding this other manatee in the next stage of rehabilitation as we continue to do our part in addressing the manatee crisis in Florida, which has seen declining manatee populations in the past few years," the note says.

"Our commitment to conservation and care for animals remains at the core of what we do, and the cast members who care for these marine mammals and other sea life will remain at The Seas continuing to focus on key species and conservation initiatives represented in the pavilion," the message concludes.

While Epcot's DiveQuest experiences will be impacted by the removal of the dolphins, Disney plans to honor guest reservations through Oct. 19, with DiveQuest expected to return in 2025.

Entertainment Weekly has reached out to Disney World representatives for further comment.

The Living Seas attraction first opened as a half-ride, half-aquarium walkthrough at Epcot in 1986, before reopening with its Finding Nemo theme in 2005, after the Pixar classic's $940 million haul at the global box office in 2003.

Finding Nemo isn't the only intellectual property Disney has injected into Epcot's repertoire, as the park — which debuted as a celebration of human innovation, the environment, and world culture — recently underwent a significant upgrade, adding rides and experiences based on Frozen, Ratatouille, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Moana since 2014.

Want more movie news? Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more.

Other developments at Disney World include recently projects announced at D23 in August, based on Disney villains — including a Magic Kingdom land themed entirely to evildoers popularized in Disney films — and a revamp of the Animal Kingdom park's Dinosaur ride into an Indiana Jones-inspired attraction.