Though Animal Kingdom is generally known as the best place to see and interact with creatures of different shapes and sizes in Walt Disney World, it is not the only park where you can get acquainted with nature. Over at Epcot, one of the largest man-made ocean environments in the world exists with a variety of undersea life to rival even SeaWorld. The Seas with Nemo & Friends is not only an entertaining pavilion in Epcot, but it’s also a great place to learn about aquatic animals. And now, The Seas has been granted accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), officially making it a top animal institution.

“The Seas has been awarded AZA accreditation because of its high standards in every aspect of its operations,” said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. “Orlando should be proud to have one of the top facilities in North America as a valuable community asset and economic engine.”
So what does getting accredited mean? In order to pass the AZA’s test, The Seas had to undergo a thorough investigation to ensure it has and will continue to meet stringent standards of animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. AZA requires zoos and aquariums to complete this process in order to be members of the Association, and they have to undergo it again every five years.

The Seas with Nemo & Friends, located in Future World, features a 5.7 million gallon saltwater tank named Caribbean Coral Reef, which is home to 6,000 inhabitants representing over 60 species – including sea turtles, angelfish, dolphins, rays, sharks, and even manatees. Guests can immerse themselves in undersea life on a circular platform in the middle of the aquarium and browse smaller exhibits throughout the aquarium where Nemo and his friends share knowledge about the underwater world. There’s even a fun activity area called Bruce’s SharkWorld where younger guests can learn about some fearsome and silent predators of the deep.

In addition to the Sea Base and Caribbean Coral Reef aquarium, The Seas with Nemo & Friends includes Turtle Talk with Crush, which gives guests an opportunity to chat about undersea life with one of the stars of Finding Nemo. Children can pose questions about the marine world to a digital Crush, who responds on the fly.

While entertaining guests and educating them, The Seas with Nemo & Friends is dedicated to inspiring conservation of coral reefs, marine mammals, and fish. In fact, The Seas partners with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and other zoos and conservation groups in the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership. The Seas is a designated rehab site for rescued manatees and sea turtles until they are well enough to be returned to their habitats.

“Every visit you make to The Seas supports wildlife conservation.” Maddy stated. “It’s an opportunity for families to get together and connect with conservation.”

Certainly, no visit to Epcot is complete without visiting The Seas with Nemo & Friends, and for animal lovers, it’s definitely a must-stop at Walt Disney World. So make an appointment with Crush, Nemo, and other stars of the ocean by getting your Walt Disney World tickets from OrlandoFunTickets.com, and get ready to embark on a fun and educational undersea adventure.

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