A Toddler’s Guide to the Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT
EPCOT is home to one of my toddler’s favorite rides–The Seas with Nemo & Friends. This slow-moving, underwater-themed attraction is a great option for little ones, especially if they love the movie Finding Nemo.
But like many dark rides, there are a few things parents should know before hopping on.
In this post, I’ll walk through what to expect on The Seas with Nemo & Friends, how it feels for toddlers, and a few tips to make it easier with little ones.
Ride Overview: The Seas with Nemo & Friends
The Seas with Nemo & Friends is a slow-moving dark ride in EPCOT where you board a pink “clamshell” and follow along with Marlin and Dory as they search for Nemo.
Each clamshell fits two to three guests, and there’s no height requirement, which makes it a great option even for babies and toddlers. There are also no lap bars or seatbelts, just a small door that slides closed once you’re seated.
To get on, you’ll step onto a moving walkway (kind of like a conveyor belt) and then into your ride vehicle. I usually help my toddler get settled first, then step in after him and keep our bags down at my feet.
The ride itself is just under four minutes long and is filled with bright colors, familiar characters, and catchy songs. If your little one already loves Finding Nemo, this ride will be a big hit.
What to Expect on the Ride
Once you enter the queue, you’ll start to feel like you’re heading underwater. It’s themed really well, but one thing to keep in mind is that in order to create the effect of being underwater, most of the line is pretty dark.
The first time we walked through, my toddler was definitely a little unsure of what was going on. This was actually his very first ride, so between the darkness and not knowing what to expect, he was a bit nervous. By the second time we rode, he was completely fine. It just took the first experience to get comfortable.
The ride itself is also considered a dark ride, although most of it is colorful and easy to see. There are two scenes in particular that get noticeably darker. The first time we rode, my toddler actually covered his eyes during those parts.
Nothing scary happens, it’s really just to transition between scenes, but if your little one tends to get nervous in darker environments, it’s definitely something I’d mention ahead of time so they know what to expect.
Overall, though, if your toddler is a fan of Finding Nemo, there’s a really good chance they’ll love this ride.
One thing to keep in mind, strollers aren’t allowed in the ride queue, so you’ll need to park them before entering.
Exploring the Aquarium after the Ride
After the ride, you’ll exit directly into a 5.7 million gallon saltwater aquarium, and honestly, this is a big part of why we love this attraction so much.
The aquarium is home to all kinds of sea creatures, including fish, sharks, rays, turtles, and more. There are two levels you can explore, along with interactive areas, a gift shop, and a few fun photo spots, Strollers are allowed in this area and there are elevators available if you want to head up to the second level.
My toddler could easily spend a long time just walking around the aquarium and looking at everything, and since it’s indoors and air-conditioned, it’s a really nice break from the Florida heat.
Located inside the aquarium is a live, interactive show called Turtle Talk with Crush. The show is about 15 minutes long, and allows kids the chance to ask Crush any questions they might have. Also, because it’s improvised, the show is a little different every time.
If you plan to see Turtle Talk with Crush, timing matters. Even with a Lightning Lane for this attraction, you could still end up waiting close to 15 minutes if you arrive right as a show is starting. We made that mistake once, and my toddler lasted about three minutes before deciding he was done waiting.
If you’re visiting with multiple kids, this can also be a good place to split up for a bit. Sometimes my husband will start walking around with our older son, while I go grab the stroller with our younger one, and then we meet back up inside.
You can also skip the ride altogether and just explore the aquarium. The entrance is located just past the ride entrance, which makes it easy to stop in even if you’re not planning to ride.
Don’t Miss the Free Scavenger Hunt
One thing that surprised us the first time we visited is that there’s actually a free, self-guided scavenger hunt inside the aquarium.
Near the exit of the ride, you’ll find small booklets available for guests. The scavenger hunt has you follow clues to help Dory find her friends, and it’s a fun way to keep little ones entertained while you explore.
My toddler especially loved this part. As an added bonus, the booklet includes a few pages of Finding Nemo stickers, which were a big hit.
Once you’ve completed it, the booklet also makes a really fun (and free) souvenir to take home.
Final Thoughts
Overall, The Seas with Nemo & Friends is one of our favorite rides at EPCOT for toddlers. It’s a great first ride, especially since there’s no height requirement and the slow pace makes it easy for little ones to follow along.
The only thing that gave my toddler pause at first was how dark parts of the ride can be. But once he knew what to expect, he was completely comfortable riding again.
Between the ride itself and the aquarium afterward, this is an easy place to spend a good amount of time, especially when you need a break from the heat.
If your toddler enjoys this kind of experience, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is located just across the walkway and is another great option to explore. You can ride our complete guide on that experience here.