A special thank you goes out to Epcot for providing me with complimentary access to the park to visit The Seas with Nemo and Friends & Dolphin Research Encounter as part of the Monkey Kingdom Event. Opinions expressed are that of my own.
Imagine heading under the sea and watching seas turtles swim, rays eating their dinner, dolphins perform special tasks, and even visiting Nemo, well lots of clown fish that is.
While on a recent adventure in Orlando I got to do exactly that in Future World at the EPCOT The Seas with Nemo and Friends. Lead by an excellent guide named Ayesha, myself and other bloggers were able to explore this underwater oasis and check out a Dolphin Research Encounter.
To start our day we actually walked around the SeaBase area. I of course had to ham it up a little and get eaten by a shark named Bruce.
Then, our guide took us over to observe the Coral Reef tanks and all the inhabitants. We saw lots of fish, rays, and Green Sea Turtles. Next, we went up a set of stairs for an exploration trip behind the scenes.
Our group was then able to go above the tanks and see what the divers were working on. Cast members from Epcot also gave us some insight on how the fish eat and are cared for at the facility. Did you know that Green Sea Turtles like to eat Romaine Lettuce?
They also provided us with details about other behind the scenes programs at the Aquarium. Visitors can make arrangements to swim with dolphins, snorkel the aquariums surface, and dive in the tanks (for those certified). This is in addition to regular park admission, for more information visit EPCOT SeaBase.
We then headed out to observe the feeding of the rays.
It was so relaxing being in this environment and Ayesha shared so many interesting details about the fish and other tank inhabitants. One thing I thought was interesting is that the animals do not prey upon one another because of the controlled feedings.
After visiting the Coral Reefs, it was time to observe the Dolphin Research Encounter in an adjacent tank.
During this time, we as a group sat and watched trainers as they went through various activities with the water mammals.
The Cast Members would use hand signals, visual aids, as well as tapping the glass to work with the 2 dolphins. It was really cool watching them interact and trying to complete each task.
This was a real training session because they did not always get the answers right. You could tell the dolphins were really enjoying though, not realizing that it was actually a form of work.
Of course a trip to Epcot would not be complete without seeing Nemo and his friends and I was sure to snap a shot of Clown Fish for my children.
I am definitely looking forward to visiting this area of Future World again with my family. My hopes are one day that I may snorkel the Coral Reef or even swim with the dolphins. To learn more about this Disney Attraction, visit EPCOT The Seas with Nemo and Friends and EPCOT SeaBase.
About Disneynature Monkey Kingdom:
Life is an adventure for Maya, the clever and resourceful blonde-bobbed monkey in “Monkey Kingdom,” Disneynature’s new feature film set among ancient ruins in the storied jungles of South Asia. Maya’s world is forever changed when she welcomes her son, Kip, into her complicated extended family. Like all families, Maya’s has more than its share of colorful personalities—and she’s determined to give her son a leg up in the world. When their longtime home at Castle Rock is taken over by powerful neighboring monkeys, Maya’s whole family retreats, and she uses her street smarts and ingenuity to uncover untapped resources amidst strange new creatures and unsettling surroundings.
Ultimately, they will all have to work together to reclaim Castle Rock, where Maya can hopefully realize her dreams for her son’s future.
Featuring a rich variety of characters, including a mischievous mongoose, simple-minded langur monkeys, predatory leopards and monitor lizards, “Monkey Kingdom” is narrated by Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), directed by Mark Linfield (“Chimpanzee,” “Earth”) and co-directed by Alastair Fothergill (“Chimpanzee,” “Bears”).
With music from award-winning composer Harry Gregson-Williams (“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” “Shrek” movies).
Monkey Kingdom is rated G and out in theaters NOW!
For more information on the film visit nature.disney.com/monkey-kingdom.
You can also like Disneynature at Facebook.com/Disneynature and follow along at Twitter.com/Disneynature.
FFM
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