Disney World Taken to Task by Animal Protection Groups for Treatment of Beloved Performers

in Walt Disney World

A dolphin balances a blue ball on its nose in front of Disney's The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion at Epcot, featuring colorful marine murals and the iconic geodesic sphere of Spaceship Earth in the background. The Disney logo overlays the image.

Credit: Inside the Magic

Disney World is relocating three beloved animal performers in the interests of “prioritizing [their] wellbeing,” but a prominent animal rights group says it’s not enough: these dolphins will still be forced to put on shows for human entertainment.

A young girl and an older man in wetsuits interact joyfully with a smiling dolphin. It is a promotional image for the Disney EPCOT Seas Adventures – Dolphins in Depth animal exhibit, which has been confrontational.
Credit: Disney

In October, the fan-favorite EPCOT Seas Adventures – Dolphins in Depth at Disney World will be shut down as part of a major overhaul of The Seas with Nemo & Friends. Dolphins in Depth is a two-hour experience (which costs $209) and is promoted as offering the chance to:

  • Interact with our dolphins in waist-deep water for approximately 30 minutes.
  • View backstage areas and learn about our dolphin care program.
  • Learn about training and research sessions with marine mammal specialists.
  • Participate in conversations about global issues affecting ocean life.

Related: Guest Violently Attacked During SeaWorld Dolphin Show, “Serious Injuries” Sustained

A vibrant underwater scene featuring numerous clownfish with distinctive orange, white, and black stripes swimming against a blue backdrop. The image is from Nemo & Friends at EPCOT.
Credit: EPCOT

A recent cast member memo explained, however, that the feature would be shut down, and three male dolphins would be moved to a different facility in Florida. The memo explained:

“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. 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.”

Reportedly, the decision to remove the Disney World dolphins was made “after a comprehensive evaluation as to what is best for these dolphins as infrastructure work progresses at The Seas” and to make sure 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 World Animal Protection logo on a green gradient background.
Credit: World Animal Protection

Regardless of what research Disney World did in this process, World Animal Protection US feels that it is not sufficient and will not actually remove the root issue at hand. WAP US reached out directly to Inside the Magic regarding the EPCOT dolphin relocation and provided a statement from Wildlife Campaign Manager Nicole Barrantes.

The statement reads, “While it’s great news that Disney will no longer keep dolphins in captivity for entertainment, the sad truth is the three dolphins will continue to perform for tourists at another venue. We urge Disney to work with groups building sanctuaries so these dolphins can retire in peace.”

Related: Dolphin Plunges Into Crowds After Devastating Theme Park Accident; Shocking Footage Goes Viral

A group of elephants with trunks intertwined stands together in black and white photography. On the left side, there is a colorful Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari logo.
Credit: Inside the Magic

WAP US is no stranger to criticizing theme parks for their treatment of animal performers. Recently, the organization released a short film titled Trapped at Six Flags, documenting the plight of Joyce, an African elephant currently held at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey.

According to WAP US, Joyce has been in the United States since the 1980s, “alongside 62 other orphaned elephants, including Mundi, Joyce has suffered a traumatic history of performances, isolation, and stress, regularly passed around between zoos, circuses, and other captive attractions around the US.”

Related: UPDATE: Florida Theme Park Fights Government Eviction, Insists It Offers the “Highest Standards of Care”

According to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park website, the theme park offers:

Get up close and personal with our dolphin pod during this exhilarating experience. Experience a training session with one of our dolphins with one of our very own Marine Mammal Trainers! You will have the opportunity to feed, touch, and learn about the dolphins we have here at the Gulfarium. You will also learn about the dolphins that live right here in the Gulf of Mexico and why it is so important to protect this species.

Inside the Magic reached out to the Walt Disney World Resort for comment, but has not heard back by the time of publishing.

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