Disney recently made a slew of announcements about one of Disney’s most ambitious theme parks ever built, Epcot at Walt Disney World. When it opened, Epcot was a massive achievement and Worlds Fair style park celebrating the nations of the world and the technology that unites us and will take us into the future. But keeping a park like that current was a challenge and Epcot became increasingly stale and out of touch over the decades.
An investment of billions of dollars will bring Epcot into the future with new rides, shows and attractions throughout the park, including the division of Future World into three new lands, the demolition and rebuilding of the center of the park, and a new focus on storytelling throughout the park. Let’s take a look:
This article was originally published on 8/25/19 and was updated on 8/30/19 with additional information and video.
A NEW EPCOT ON THE WAY
Disney Parks Chair Bob Chapek tied the future of Epcot to a quote by Walt Disney that noted the original E.P.C.O.T. living city he had planned would always be “in a state of becoming.” Of course, Epcot the theme park was never Epcot the city, but many foundational E.P.C.O.T. city concepts were integrated into EPCOT Center, the theme park.
Needless to say, Epcot the present-day theme park hasn’t really reflected the mission statement of either EPCOT Center or E.P.C.O.T. city in many years. So when the announcements for the park at this year’s Expo centered around an effort to unify the park’s concepts and mission, I think many fans felt relief. And certainly Disney is seemingly putting in a lot of thought and effort into making the park cohesive once again, even as it continues to evolve into a different experience altogether.
Chapek welcomed out Imagineer Zach Riddley, who is overseeing the Epcot revitalization and expansion project.
Riddley noted his own love with the original EPCOT Center and his team’s dedication to honoring the park’s history as they bring it into the present-day.
EPCOT Divided
Riddley announced that the park will soon be divided into four “neighborhoods.” Gone is the existing Future World, now divided into three sections: Spaceship Earth and Innoventions Plaza are now World Celebration, Future World East becomes World Discovery, and Future World West is set to become World Nature. World Showcase will maintain its existing theme and keep its same name.
World Celebration
World Celebration will encompass the park’s entrance, Spaceship Earth, a new multi-level festival center, new lush gardens and waterways, and the existing Innoventions West building with new offerings.
The park’s new entrance is a throwback to its original entrance. Lush landscaping, a new fountain reminiscent of the park’s original fountain, and Spaceship Earth infused with new magic.
Spaceship Earth’s theme will be reworked. No longer to be focused on the history of communication, Spaceship Earth will now tell the history of storytelling. Many of the showscenes will remain as we know and love them today but new special effects, including the Spirit of Storytelling will be incorporated throughout the ride.
Spaceship Earth will exit through a new exit structure and experience.
Behind Spaceship Earth, guests will enjoy new gardens, waterways, a new festival center, and more.
A new Walt Disney statue will be added in World Celebration.
Live entertainment.
New fountains and gardens
The new three-level festival center will serve as a home base for Epcot’s various signature festivals. It looks beautiful and gives off great World’s Fair vibes.
Stunning views of World Showcase Lagoon from the top level.
World Discovery
Future World East is set to become World Discovery, with the new PLAY! pavilion, the existing Mission: SPACE, the new Space-themed restaurant, and the new Guardians of the Galaxy attraction.
The new Guardians of the Galaxy attraction will take guests on a thrill ride in space, utilizing new rollercoaster ride system that allows Disney to turn ride vehicles to direct the attention of riders.
The ride’s official name was finally announced — Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Nearby, Epcot’s new Space-themed restaurant will take guests high in the sky, giving them views of earth down below as they launch into space — reminiscent of Disney’s classic Mission to Mars attractions.
At the top, the restaurant will give stunning 360-degree views of outer space.
As you dine 220 miles above Earth, you’ll get both daytime and nighttime views the planet below. Named after the altitude of your dining location, the new restaurant is officially set to be named Space 220 and is set to open this winter.
Not far from Space 220, the former Wonders of Life pavilion will now be home to the PLAY! pavilion.
Inside, interactive experiences for kids of all ages will invite Epcot guests to experience the power of play.
Join Edna Mode from the Incredibles for a fashion show
Have a water balloon fight with Huey, Dewey and Louie.
Meet Wreck-It Ralph
World Nature
Future World West will now become World Nature. Home to The Land pavilion, the Seas with Nemo and Friends, Imagination!, and the new Moana-themed “Journey of Water” attraction.
The new “Awesome Planet” film will be opening at The Land pavilion in January 2020.
Journey of Water, inspired by Moana, will take guests on a walk-through journey through interactive waterways
World Showcase
In World Showcase, the cultures of the world will continued to be celebrated in both authentic and Disney-inspired ways.
At the China pavilion, the new “Wonderous China” film will take viewers on a stunning journey across China in seamless 360-degree video.
“Canada Far and Wide” will bring an all-new Circlevision 360 video to the Canada pavilion in January 2020.
In France, the new Beauty and the Beast singalong show, which will alternate with the existing Impressions de France, will feature a surprise twist ending. That new film debuts in January 2020.
Coming in summer 2020, the new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction along with a new crêperie restaurant will expand the France pavilion significantly.
The new crêperie will be run by the folks who run Epcot’s excellent Le Chefs de France restaurant.
Nearby the France pavilion, guests will be able to enter Epcot at International Gateway after disembarking from the new Disney Skyliner.
Some of the biggest news of the Epcot portion of Sunday’s Disney Parks presentation was an announcement for the United Kingdom pavilion. Disney Legend Dick Van Dyke was welcomed to the stage after chimney sweeps set the tone with a rousing performance of “Step in Time.”
Dick’s appearance set the stage for the announcement of an all-new Mary Poppins-themed attraction for the UK pavilion, which would soon be expanding to include Cherry Tree Lane.
Guests will stroll down Cherry Tree Lane past Admiral Boom’s house, then enter Number 17, home of the Banks family, where their Mary Poppins adventure will begin. No details on what kind to expect from the new attraction were made but we’re hopeful it’ll live up to the film’s towering legacy.
Epcot Entertainment
Finally, the audience was treated to a bit of a sneak peek at Epcot’s upcoming nighttime spectacular, Epcot Forever.
This new nighttime show is a temporary offering but promises to be quite the crowd-pleaser for longtime Epcot fans. The show will focus on the musical history of Epcot, a park that has long been home to some incredible, inspiring music.
Following the limited run of Epcot Forever, the park’s new main nighttime show will be called HarmonioUS. Also music themed, the new show will celebrate how the music of Disney inspires people around the world. The new show will be the largest ever created for a Disney park.
To wrap up the Epcot section of the presentation, the D23 Expo audience was treated to a performance of the new theme for Epcot, composed by Pinar Toprak.
Whew, that’s a lot of information! And that was only the Epcot portion. What do you think of all the big changes and new attractions coming to Epcot? Are the new offerings the right fit for the park? Are they helping push Epcot to a good new direction for the future? Let us know what you think in the comments.
For more announcements and information from Disney’s big announcement event, you’ll find all of our D23 Expo coverage here:
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