Overview
- The pavilion marked its 40th anniversary on Jan. 15, 2026, four decades after opening as The Living Seas in 1986.
- The main habitat spans 35,000 square feet and holds 5.7 million gallons, with 793,000 additional gallons for storage, and debuted innovations such as reverse-flow filtration and curved acrylic windows.
- Disney reports more than 350 rehabilitated sea turtles released and 30 manatees returned to the wild through partnerships including the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership.
- Leaders say the facility now emphasizes short‑term critical care for manatees, with multiple patients on site and complex veterinary procedures conducted as needed.
- A new weedy sea dragon habitat is being readied for public viewing within a couple of weeks, with 13 animals already on site and chilled water set to about 54 degrees to match their native conditions.