Experiences and travel provided by Disneynature & Disney Parks. As always, all opinions stated in 10 Facts I Learned at EPCOT’s Living Seas are all my own.
While I was at Disney World a couple weeks ago for the Monkey Kingdom Event, I had the opportunity to participate in many of the experiences around the parks. I was able to learn about the Dine with an Animal Specialist program at Animal Kingdom Lodge, go on the Backstage Tales Tour at Animal Kingdom, look at all the lovely flowers and topiary displays at the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, learn more about Wilderness Explorers at Animal Kingdom, and go on the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom again.
Whew. I’m tired just typing all that. It was a full three days at the parks.
During our day at EPCOT, we had the opportunity to go behind the scenes and learn more about the aquarium and the aquatic animals. We were taken on a private tour to the very top of the aquarium so that we could see and learn more about how the staff works with and feeds the animals. We weren’t allowed to take any pictures in this restricted space, and the pictures I was able to take in the viewing area of the aquarium aren’t very clear unfortunately.
But regardless of how my photos turned out, I learned so much from our tour guide. Here are 10 Facts I Learned at EPCOT’s Living Seas.
- The aquarium at Epcot holds 5.6 million gallons of handmade salt water.
- The water in the aquarium is kept between 74-77 degrees.
- There are 4 Atlantic-nosed dolphins in the aquarium that are fed by divers.
- There are 6 sharks in the aquarium at Epcot.
- The sharks don’t eat the other fish in the aquarium because they are not fed the type of fish in the shared aquarium.
- The sharks are fed during the middle of the night when all the lights are out and it’s completely dark in the aquarium. A staff member wearing all black will shine a single light in the water and drop in the food.
- There are thousands of schooling fish in the aquarium at Epcot.
- The animal trainers are teaching the dolphins to vocalize what they see by making a series of sounds.
- This diver is serving a very important purpose – she’s the lookout diver for the others feeding.
- Epcot does husbandry training with their animals to get them accustomed to human interaction.
I wish I could have had more time with our guide to ask her more questions about the animals and how the staff interacts with them. I was intrigued at the facts she was giving us and since I didn’t have a pen and paper to write everything down, I tweeted what I could so that I could go back and find it.
That’s why you should be following me on Twitter. Sometimes I have good stuff to say.
I know that the previous times when we’ve visited EPCOT, we kind of just rushed through and moved on to the next park. Next time I’m at Disney World with the kids, I plan on spending a whole day at EPCOT to make it a fun, learning experience about ocean life. It’ll be perfect for a homeschool lesson.
Don’t forget to go see Disneynature’s newest film, Monkey Kingdom. It’s all about a mama monkey and how she overcomes the odds to make a better future for her son, Kip. It will pull at your heartstrings, y’all. In a good way, of course. You can read my Monkey Kingdom film review before you go. No spoilers, I promise.
Kim says
Handmade salt water? That is interesting. I would guess they feed the sharks to resemble them eating in the ocean, hence the dark. But that would still be amazing to see.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
We love the Nemo ride and visiting the marine life at The Seas every year when we go to Disney! Cool fun facts!
jasmine says
Thanks for sharing the cool facts! We went last year and loved the memo ride too.
Erin says
That aquarium sounds fabulous. I think it’s cool to have the job feeding sharks. I used to have the job feeding alligators at a zoo!
Patty says
Ooooh, I’ve been there and it’s AWESOME. That aquarium is just eye popping. I ate dinner at the restaurant there and the food was so good.
Liz Mays says
I love Epcot and I usually spend a ton of time there. I think it’s becoming one of my favorite stops.
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
I wonder why the sharks are feed in complete darkness? I love all these facts! I can’t imagine making homemade saltwater, though.
Jeannette says
That’s a ton of water in one aquarium! And I didn’t know that it was man made salt water. I love seeing live animals and Epcot does it right!
Mandee says
How fun!!! We’ve been seeing lots of photos pop up on newsfeeds about Epcot and Monkey Kingdom. I must say…it’s making me want to take a trip! 🙂
Avry says
Holy cow that is a lot of water! The temperature seems like a pretty comfortable level. Love the fun facts I learned!
Ellen Christian (@ellenblogs) says
Wow that looks like so much fun! I love all your photos! I’d love to visit.
Andrea Kruse says
What an amazing opportunity! I know Epcot and Disney World are both on my bucket list. I want to take my kids at least once (we are W. Coast) before they graduate.
Amber Edwards says
oh goodness, that is such an amazing experience! I would love to have a tour and see all this for myself. I have always wanted to visit Epcot living seas!
Kira says
Great list of facts. I wasn’t aware of any of these. Thanks for sharing.
Holly @ Woman Tribune says
What an interesting way the sharks at EPCOT’s Living Seas are fed. It’s smart, though, to have a routine and to meticulously separate the sharks from the other fish that they are accustomed to eating. So interesting!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Wasn’t it? This was just about the most interesting thing I’ve read on Epcot.
Michelle F. says
What an amazing experience. I loved going to Epcot when I was a kid.
JanetGoingCrazy says
This was my son’s favorite part about Epcot when we went.
Michele says
They did not have the aquarium when I was at Epcot–if I ever get back there-that is where I will be spending most of my time. I love aquariums!
Demetra @SweetSavant says
I haven’t been to Epcot since I was a kid, I’m long overdue for a visit. Monkey Kingdom looks like an incredible film, my entire family wants to see it.
Pam says
We love aquarium and sea animals. We have never been to Living Seas at Epcot but I would love to visit one day.
Anjanette @MommaYoung says
Wow it looks amazing with all the sea life. I would love to feed some dolphins.
Jeanine says
Wow! What an amazing place. Great info you learned too. I love places like this. Sea life amazes me!
HopscotchNJellybeans says
OMG I want to take my boys they would love it
Chrysa says
This look like such a cool place to visit! That is fascinating that the sharks don’t eat the fish in the aquarium because they are not what they are “used to”.
Veronica says
I would love to visit! What a great place. Very beautiful
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says
Love, LOVE Epcot! Thanks for all the great facts!!
Ora Lee Gurr says
Epcot is an amazing center and always fun to visit and learn more about the world in which we live. The pictures are great and give a visual description to match the things you learned and shared.
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
“”The sharks are fed during the middle of the night when all the lights are out and it’s completely dark in the aquarium. A staff member wearing all black will shine a single light in the water and drop in the food.”””
That is probably a good thing. I am not so sure a bunch of kids coming through really need to watch a shark rip apart its meal and watch the aftermath fall to the bottom. LOL
Rosey says
I can see you tweeting not having the pen and paper, lol. 😉 I think it sounds like such a fun/amazing experience. I’d love to do it too!
Kiwi says
Ive only been to Disneyworld once and I dont think I got a chance to go to Epcot! Great review and fun!
Tracey says
This looks like an awesome experience. I will being checking out Epcot’s Living Seas on my next visit!
Rachelle J says
I love all things Disney, and Epcot is no exception! It looks like you had a great time!
Debra says
This is my FAVORITE Exhibit at Epcot! So cool!
Shell says
I don’t think I even realized this was there! My family will have to check it out when we visit next week!
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
I haven’t visited Epcot with my family. I hope to some day take them.
Christie says
My kids are so big into sea animals right now! They love the Seas at Epcot
Tonia @TheChattyMomma says
I’m looking forward to visiting Epcot for the first time this week. I can’t wait to see the aquarium.
Melinda@LookWhatMomFound...andDadtoo says
Rays are my favorite. they are so soothing to watch as they glide through the water
Amber C. says
How educational!!! I LOVE going to museums, and aquariums! Such a fun learning experience!