Multiple Attractions Are Now Closing Early at EPCOT

There are so many attractions to take in at EPCOT, and it takes a bit of planning to enjoy them all during your visit. Without much notice, multiple attractions are closing earlier than the rest of the park. How will this affect your next trip to EPCOT?

Unexpected Changes

Since Walt Disney World does not close for select seasons, refurbishments and maintenance occur during operating hours. Some attractions close for lengthy refurbishments. You can check out the growing list of refurbishment closures HERE.

At other times, refurbishments may take place while the attraction remains open. Guests may notice some attraction elements blocked and operating hours may be affected.

Disney Parks reserves the right to change operational hours as needed and without notice. Now, Disney has an entire EPCOT pavilion closing two hours earlier than the park.

Closing Early

At EPCOT, guests have noticed a large sandwich board announcing that The Seas with Nemo & Friends will close at 7:00 pm this evening. Disney has not announced a reason for this early closure.

This early closure affects the Seas with Nemo & Friends attraction, Turtle Talk with Crush, Bruce’s Shark World, and the SeaBase Aquarium. This also limits time for guests to complete the fun Finding Dory’s Friends Fintastic Scavenger Hunt at this pavilion.

This early closure does not affect the Coral Reef Restaurant, also located in this pavilion. The Coral Reef still has normal operational hours and can book reservations after 7:00 pm when the other parts of this pavilion close.

Plan Ahead

The current Walt Disney World calendar extends until Monday, March 17th, and lists the pavilion closing at 7:00 pm every day (with EPCOT closing at 9:00 pm). It is unclear if this closure may be for refurbishment work or another reason.

Most of The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion now closes daily at 7:00 pm.

Disney can still adjust operating hours to normal without notice, but for now, if you hope to dive down into Nemo’s “Big Blue World,” you will need to plan to visit this pavilion before 7:00 pm. Be sure to check your My Disney Experience app for current operational hours.

What do you think of this early closure? Will this affect your EPCOT touring plan? Share your thoughts with us, and share this news with your Disney pals.