EPCOT Center opened on October 1, 1982. Though Walt Disney World is now home to four parks, EPCOT Center was the second to open its gates to guests outside of the Magic Kingdom, which opened on October 1, 1971. Originally envisioned by Walt Disney himself as an “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow,” these days the park is known simply as EPCOT.
And while the park has seen many changes over the years, EPCOT is currently undergoing a multi-year transformation. The park — which was previously comprised of Future World and World Showcase — now houses four distinct “neighborhoods”: World Celebration, World Nature, World Discovery, and World Showcase. And, in fact, the three new neighborhoods began going by their new names on October 1, 2021.
The transformation should reach completion in 2024 with the opening of the CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza festival areas.
Click HERE to learn your way around EPCOT’s three NEW neighborhoods: World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature!
New attractions, restaurants, and much more serve as reminders that EPCOT — as Walt Disney himself said — will “always be in a state of becoming.”
While the transformation will ultimately span into 2024 with the completion of Communicore Hall & Plaza, guests can enjoy most results of the work NOW! For instance, the Leave A Legacy monoliths which used to welcome guests upon entering the park have been moved, and also colorfully reimagined.
And now let’s take a closer look at the three new neighborhoods and explore the many ways World Showcase has also changed as EPCOT undergoes what Disney is calling an “historic transformation!”
World Celebration and the Entrance Plaza
Entrance Plaza and Spaceship Earth
On December 22, 2020, a new fountain was unveiled which guests can see as they approach Spaceship Earth immediately upon entering the park.
Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley has previously explained that the design team “took special interest in looking back to the original geometry for inspiration and infusing new features with a little bit of added magic to bridge the past, present and future of EPCOT.” The fountain itself is complete with a trio of acrylic pylons that look especially beautiful at night.
Guests will also notice the addition of 12 flags (six designs, two of each) on flagpoles flanking Spaceship Earth.
The flags feature original EPCOT icons that represent the pavilions and attractions. They arrived at the same time as new music which welcomes guests into the park! The area presents refreshed landscaping to enjoy as well.
EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth has also received a truly stunning exterior transformation, as each of the four park’s icon’s became “Beacons of Magic” in the evenings as part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration for Walt Disney World. In the case of Spaceship Earth, the new evening lighting is a permanent addition to the structure!
Click HERE to see MORE of the stunning nighttime lighting on Spaceship Earth!
(Note that a ride refurbishment of Spaceship Earth was also previously announced; however, that project has been postponed.)
Creations Shop, Club Cool, and Connections Cafe and Eatery
On September 15, 2021, a new merchandise location — Creations Shop — opened as the park’s new flagship store.
Creations has replaced Mouse Gear (which closed in 2019 to make way for the transformation). But Mickey Mouse still serves as the inspiration for the new location, as you’ll see him featured in a large mural on one of the walls and in smaller touches throughout the space.
All of the artwork featured is completely unique to the space and intended to showcase “the global, contemporary icon that Mickey has become for generations around the world.” The store features other additional details to make sure all guests feel welcome.
Click here to STEP INSIDE Creations Shop!
Guests can also celebrate the return of an EPCOT classic experience in a revitalized fashion: Club Cool — where guests can sample sodas from around the world!
Like the previous version, Club Cool is complete with lots of Coca-Cola merchandise, a small snack counter, and — of course — free samples for sipping! Look for it next to the Creations Shop.
See EVERY DRINK you can try at Club Cool!
Connections Cafe is the new EPCOT Starbucks location, and it opened on April 21, 2022 in World Celebration.
You can take a complete photo tour of the new home to Starbucks in the park HERE.
Click HERE to check out Disney World’s newest (and possibly coolest!) Starbucks location!
Connected (if you’ll pardon the pun) to Connections Cafe is the brand new Quick Service restaurant: Connections Eatery!
Connections Eatery officially opened on April 27, 2022; and you can see our first FULL REVIEW of the globally-inspired cuisine here.
Check out our FULL REVIEW of EPCOT’s new restaurant!
Dreamers Point
As guests exit Spaceship Earth — the park’s icon and centerpiece attraction — they’ll get a fantastic view of the new Dreamers Point.
Dreamers Point features a NEW statue of Walt Disney — “Walt the Dreamer” — which celebrates the way he always looked towards the future. It debuted on December 5th — Walt’s birthday!
The area includes gardens designed to “pique curiosity”, and will also include a wishing tree and a story fountain in the future.
CommuniCore Hall and Communicore Plaza Festival Area — OPENING 2024!
We’re especially excited for the addition of a dedicated Festival Area which will serve as the new “home base” for EPCOT’s seasonal Festivals and live events! CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza in EPCOT’s World Celebration will bring EPCOT International Festivals “to the center of Walt Disney World.” (You can see it in the bottom left of the concept art below.)
CommuniCore Plaza is an outdoor space where guests can come to relax and experience all the festivals have to offer. There is also an area that can host large-scale concerts or an intimate performance that extends out into the gardens nearby.
CommuniCore Hall is within the plaza, and will be the first fully-purpose built structure in festival programing, designed with flexibility in mind. This hall will be able to host a wide variety of experiences with food, art, live music, and more.
There will even be a demonstration kitchen, a mixology bar, and exhibition and gallery space here. The hall should also help extend the festival experience and give chefs new ways to connect and experiment.
We’re tracking ALL the latest news on EPCOT’s upcoming Festival Area HERE!
World Celebration Gardens
As the seasons — and seasonal Festivals — change throughout the year, this will be reflected in a World Celebration hub divided into several different gardens.
In the center is a planter based on the five-ring EPCOT logo. The gardens will also evolve with the seasons, and each one will have its own identity, with the ability to change to go along with the festivals throughout the year.
At night, the gardens “take on a whole new life,” as Disney says, where lighting will immerse guests in an evening experience that will also change through the seasons.
The new lighting fixtures incorporate updated technology and “controllability to deliver some fun new lighting capabilities.” Ultimately, World Celebration will have more than 12,000 individually controllable lighting fixtures, which Imagineers hope “will create a dynamic environment that will transform the area every night.”
The new areas will also have “hero features,” which are big artistic elements like topiaries and sculptures. The pieces will coordinate with the lights on Spaceship Earth.
The gardens also offer exciting new views of Spaceship Earth!
Mickey and Friends Meet-and-Greet Location — OPENING 2024!
As part of CommuniCore Hall, there will be a new location in EPCOT called “Mickey and Friends” where you can meet some of your favorite Disney characters!
We can’t wait to keep you posted on the “& Friends” greeting guests with Mickey! If it’s anything similar to the previous Character Spot that used to exist in Future World, Minnie Mouse and Goofy were often part of the character scene in the area.
Figment Meet-and-Greet Location
Have you heard the news??
The highly-anticipated Figment meet-and-greet IS NOW OPEN in World Celebration’s Imagination pavilion!
From the park entrance, guests will move to the left of World Celebration to enter World Discovery.
World Discovery
Space 220
Dishes that are out-of-this-world are NOW being served at the new Space 220 restaurant, which opened on September 20, 2021!
Guests rocket into orbit 220 miles above earth (via a simulation elevator) to enjoy a meal “in space” aboard the Centauri Space Station.
This new dining experience offers prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner as well as a lounge, and you can take your first look INSIDE this incredible new restaurant HERE!
Step INSIDE Space 220 by clicking HERE!
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
The existing attractions of Mission: SPACE and Test Track have been joined by Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind which opened on May 27, 2022!
This MASSIVE and thrilling ride (which happens to be EPCOT’s first-ever roller coaster) is located in the new Wonders of Xandar pavilion.
Click HERE to check out PICS and VIDEOS of Guardians of the Galaxy HERE! And we have a SPOILER-FREE Review HERE!
World Nature
World Nature is located to the right of World Celebration (from the entrance) and encompasses The Land and The Seas pavilions.
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
Guests can now explore what Disney has described as a “lush exploration trail” that allows explorers to “play with magical, living water” through the Journey of Water, an immersive walk-through attraction inspired by Moana. Journey of Water officially opened on October 16th, 2023!
The attraction is a walkthrough trail where guests can “play with magical, living water” in an immersive way. We’ve enjoyed sharing a look inside — along with a FULL WALK-THROUGH — with you!
Click here to GO INSIDE EPCOT’s Moana-Inspired Journey of Water Attraction! And find our FULL VIDEO WALK-THROUGH here!
And Moana is now meeting guests in EPCOT’s World Nature, right near the entrance to Journey of Water!
Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for appearance times, as this Meet-and-Greet is bound to remain incredibly popular for some time.
Awesome Planet
In fact, The Land pavilion has already debuted one of its new experiences with a new film housed in the pavilion, Awesome Planet.
The film made its debut in EPCOT on January 17, 2020.
World Showcase
Nighttime Spectacular
A BRAND NEW nighttime spectacular made its debut on December 5th, 2023, in honor of Disney 100 Years of Wonder: Luminous The Symphony Of Us!
According to Disney, the new production invites “everyone to gather around World Showcase Lagoon for a show that will unite us through commonalities of the heart in a dazzling display of fireworks, lasers, music and light. Featuring an original composition along with select songs from the Disney songbook, this new spectacular will remind us that we’re more alike than different, connecting our hearts together as one.”
Several country pavilions around World Showcase have welcomed new attractions, dining experiences, and more.
France Pavilion — Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Dining
The France pavilion is now home to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure which opened on October 1, 2021!
Riders shrink down to “rat-size” and embark on a journey across Chef Gusteau’s restaurant kitchen in Paris.
The attraction thrills and delights riders with the sights, sounds, and smells from the kitchen as they’re chased through it on their way to safety.
RIDE WITH US on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure!
Joining the new attraction in France is a new restaurant! La Crêperie de Paris offers both Table Service AND Counter Service via a walk-up window called Crêpes À Emporter and features a menu from celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse.
These new eateries also officially opened on October 1, 2021.
Click HERE for our review of La Crêperie de Paris!
These experiences in France joined the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along which opened on January 17, 2020.
The theater for the sing-along shares a home with the classic Impressions de France film, which is still available for viewing in the Pavilion in the evenings.
United Kingdom Pavilion
A Mary Poppins-inspired attraction was also previously announced for one of France’s neighboring pavilions, the United Kingdom.
It was revealed that this attraction will allow guests to “step in time down Cherry Tree Lane past Admiral Boom’s house, then enter Number 17, home of the Banks family.” This is where the magical journey will begin. However, please note that since the original announcement, Disney has released a statement that the development for the Mary Poppins-themed attraction has been postponed, and the project is officially on hold. will update this page with any further information as it becomes available.
Japan Pavilion
Other new experiences already open in EPCOT include Takumi-Tei, a signature dining restaurant in the Japan pavilion, which delivers a dining experience and setting inspired by the natural beauty of Japan.
And Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya is a new table-service restaurant! It features “Japanese delights” such as sushi and teppan items, plus an open sushi bar and grill. Sushi fans can enjoy the Kobore Sushi, Tokyo Negi Roll, and Funamori. Not only that, but you can enjoy Japanese Izakaya, a type of casual pub-style restaurant that puts an emphasis on drinks and conversations with friends.
The restaurant is located in the Japan Pavilion, on the second floor — above the Mitsukoshi Department Store (in the location of the former Tokyo Dining restaurant), providing views of World Showcase and — when the timing is right — fireworks!
The American Adventure Pavilion
And the Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue celebrates classic American “backyard barbecue” and beverages as an all-new quick service spot in The American Adventure pavilion.
It replaced the previous Liberty Inn quick service restaurant.
We invite you to check out our DFB YouTube video talking about several of the new changes coming as part of EPCOT’s historic transformation — and more changes in store for other parts of Walt Disney World — right here!
Disney Food Blog Posts Mentioning EPCOT’s Transformation
Want MORE Details About EPCOT’s MASSIVE Transformation?
NEW Festival Areas, Gardens, a Meet-and-Greet Area, and More Are Coming to EPCOT
Learn All About Journey of Water -- Inspired by Moana
Has the Mary Poppins Project at Disney World Been Canceled?
What’s Been CUT From the EPCOT Transformation?
SNEAK PEEK at the NEW Fireworks Show Coming to EPCOT