Diver Lock-Out Chamber Demonstrations Return to The Seas Pavilion at EPCOT July 22

Jul 21, 2025 in "The Seas with Nemo and Friends (Pavilion)"

Posted: Monday July 21, 2025 4:20pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Beginning July 22, the diver lock-out chamber demonstrations are back at The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion in EPCOT.

The Seas with Nemo and Friends

These presentations offer a behind-the-scenes look at how divers safely enter and exit the pavilion’s massive saltwater aquarium, which holds over 5 million gallons of water. During the demonstration, Cast Members explain how the lock-out chamber system works, why it’s used, and how it helps maintain proper conditions in the tank for both marine life and human divers.

The Seas Pavilion

Guests can watch as a diver enters the chamber and transitions into the aquarium, showing the equipment and safety procedures involved. The experience is both educational and a rare glimpse into EPCOT’s aquatic operations.

The demonstrations will be offered daily at select times inside The Seas pavilion.

Discuss on the Forums

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GoofyernmostAug 11, 2025

It once was a Disney Attraction built to entertain and place people in an unknown place. That was accomplished by the sea cabs in conjunction with the hydrolators. Without the hydrolators instead of making it an experience it just became an aquarium, just like any other aquarium. No story, just sea animals. Nice but not spectacular like it once was. I wonder what reason they had for making that change. It took away so much of what was The Sea! probably required more maintenance than Disney could afford (right) but it ruined it. I loved to ride the hydrolators and listen to the reaction of young kids as the simulated ride under the sea was happening. Wonderful effect and needs to be returned. That was much more entertaining than the diver lock out.

Haymarket2008Aug 11, 2025

Agreed. The uniformity of the signage goes a LONG way towards making this park feel like a connected experience.

andrewmeyersAug 11, 2025

We were just there last week and I noticed the signage had been updated. Looks great, and it’s amazing how updated signage makes The Seas more cohesive with the rest of the park. The Land could use the same treatment (not to mention Imagination).

Captain BarbossaAug 11, 2025

Looks great. Much needed imo. The previous version was blank/no signage and looked kinda weird without it.

Epcot82GuyAug 11, 2025

I like the idea of this sign. I wish they had gone with "Undersea Viewing" or something like that instead of "Aquarium". But, the concept is good. It absolutely felt like the exit (since it was), and this helps. I also like the continued font and fish cut outs, based on the current decor of the building.

JohnDAug 11, 2025

https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/the-seas-with-nemo-and-friends/news/11aug2025-epcots-the-seas-pavilion-gets-updated-entrance-sign-for-aquarium.htm Good. I think many thought this was the exit so they thought they had to ride Nemo to get inside.

EREDJul 23, 2025

We loved this little show. A little over 10 years ago, my youngest got to be the "dive buddy" for the show and give hand signals to the diver. The magnet he got for his efforts remain on our fridge to this day.

GoofyernmostJul 23, 2025

I could be wrong, but it sounds like you want to plus an attraction that had been minused and plussing would only bring it back to the original creation. Sounds great so probably not going to happen. However, if they do how about going completely retro on The Imagination Pavilion while they are at it.

BocabearJul 23, 2025

They really should go back to the original storyline for the pavilion... If IP HAS to be involved, it can still have Nemo, but rather than finding Nemo, perhaps the focus could be on the actual Seabase... Maybe Nemo has become the Seabase mascot...but please bring it back to a focus on the Seas , their creation, and exploration... I would even be ok with a flat ride and sea themed play area outside of Seabase Alpha for kids, just not in the actual Pavilion... A new Pre-show about the creation of the seas (like the original film, but newer and with in-theater effects... Then the Seacabs down to Seabase Alpha.

JoeCamelJul 23, 2025

That would be a Seal Base

GoofyernmostJul 23, 2025

I agree, it is good that they are bringing that back, but it just isn't as realistic without Sea Base and the hydrolators!

Surferboy567Jul 22, 2025

As a certified diver, this is great to see.

JABJul 22, 2025

I don't remember there ever being seals at The Seas - just manatees. 😏 Jokes aside, it's nice to see original elements returning (even if doesn't make as much sense without the "sea base" theme). Next up - hydrolators!!

CompedJul 22, 2025

In all seriousness the delay in resuming this was because after they drained the chamber during the pandemic they didn't fill it up again for quite some time and the seals rotted.