One of the most exciting announcements at the D23 Expo today has been the reveal of a “fresh new journey” for Epcot’s Future World, a journey that will transform the Park and tap into “the magic of possibility.”
Welcome to Epcot!
Much of the original inspiration of Epcot will shine through in the new design, according to the announcement, and now we have more information on how Future World will be laid out. Get ready for three new “neighborhoods” in addition to World Showcase!
The Future World we have known and loved for over 35 years will be segmented into World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature.
New Neighborhoods Breakdown ©Disney
This new design will unify the front and back sections of the Park by creating four total neighborhoods, each celebrating and building on the existing parts of Epcot we all love. The reimagined entrance fountain will “pay homage to the origins of Epcot” and beckon guests into the central neighborhood: World Celebration.
Spaceship Earth Concept Art ©Disney
World Celebration
World Celebration
will retain Spaceship Earth as the Park icon, but the ride itself will have a shift to focus on the broader history of man through storytelling rather than communication. Park-goers can look forward to new scenes that “reflect human themes”, new music, and new narration.
World Celebration
As guests exit Spaceship Earth, they’ll get a fantastic view of the new Dreamers Point. This central area of World Celebration will feature lush landscaping, water elements, and a NEW statue of Walt Disney that will celebrate him always looking to the future. World Celebration will include gardens designed to “pique curiosity”, a wishing tree, a story fountain, and a large new pavilion.
Walt Statue in World Celebration
The new 3-level festival center pavilion will be constructed as the epicenter of all of Epcot’s many festivals. It is expected to provide amazing views for the nighttime spectaculars over World Showcase Lagoon, too. Concept art shows a space-age design with trees and vegetation on the top level. (Is it just us, or does this feel like it has E.P.C.O.T. written all over it?!)
World Celebration Concept Art ©Disney
World Discovery
To the left of World Celebration, World Discovery will focus on looking toward the future. Mission: Space and Test Track be joined by the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. This attraction will be the first at Disney to launch guests BACKWARDS, and we can’t wait to experience those new, pivoting ride vehicles!
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Concept Art ©Disney
World Discovery will also be home to Space 220, the long-awaited, immersive space-themed restaurant in Epcot which we now know will open this winter!
Space 220 Concept Art ©Disney
Nearby, the PLAY! Pavilion (formerly Wonders of Life) will welcome guests of all ages into a world where they can learn, play, and explore. Here, guests can help Edna Mode save the world from fashion faux pas and get into a water balloon fight Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webby! (We’ll have more on this pavilion soon!)
PLAY! Pavilion Concept Art ©Disney
World Nature
The final major neighborhood, World Nature, will be on the right side of World Celebration and will encompass the Land and Seas pavilions. This will connect guests to nature in never-before-seen ways! The Land pavilion’s new film, Awesome Planet, will debut in January 2020, and World Nature will also be home to the newly-announced Moana attraction, Journey of Water. (More details on Journey of Water coming soon!)
Journey of Water Concept Art ©Disney
Of course, the fourth neighborhood in the new Epcot is World Showcase, where announcements included opening seasons for China, Canada, and France pavilion films and a new Mary Poppins-themed ride in United Kingdom!
Mary Poppins in Epcot
The transformation of Epcot is described as intended to “inspire guests in meaningful ways,” and we are so excited (and maybe a smidge apprehensive!) to see how Epcot will grow over the coming years!
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I already miss the EPCOT of the 80’s, if they mess too much with Spaceship Earth I will be so upset. While I love Test Track, World of Motion was a fantastic ride and I miss it. Horizons was absolutely fantastic and once you’ve done Mission Space you’ve done it. I really think that Horizons was the best ride they had after Spaceship Earth, I loved it. Once in a bad storm we rode it over and over again until the storm ended, probably an hour or so. These are some of my favorite memories from going when my kids were young. I will keep an open mind about the new neighborhood idea, but I’m not crazy about it. I can’t wait to see what the new Mary Poppins ride will be. Being able to walk around Cherry Tree Lane will be awesome. I will miss O Canada, I love that movie. I hope that they keep the theme of World Showcase when they change the movies. It should stay all about the countries and not get off track. I’m kind of nervous about where they are going with this park.
Will they keep Journey into the Imagination with Figment? How about the characters? Is Journey into Water a ride or a walk-through? Looking forward to Mary Poppins, Ratatouille, and Beauty and the Beast.
Any timelines for these new additions?
UMMmm…. where’s figment?
Figment is close to the Land and Seas Pavilions. It’s located in the Imagination Pavilion.
I’m really unsure how to feel about all of this. There are some exciting new things to look forward to. But Epcot is my favorite park, and it’s going to be hard to let go of the park that I know and love. For example, why couldn’t they leave Spaceship Earth alone?!
The current Spaceship Earth ride is not even the original ride. I have no problem with changing it up again. It’s pretty old.
With the “Land” attractionn gone, where will Disney restaurants get its fresh fish and veggies?
I just hope that Figment stays…unless they want to do the right thing and re-imagine it back to the original version.
Mike, the Land pavilion is not slated to change, except for the addition of the Awesome Planet film in early-2020.
Julia, D23 didn’t highlight anything regarding Figment/Imagination.
Pris, not yet!
Mickey, Journey of Water is described as an “exploration trail”, so we expect a walk-through. No word on Figment/Imagination!
All of this looks awesome! I’m going to miss the fountain of nations. I love Spaceship Earth as it is but it will be nice to have a new story that encompasses more than just the history of communication. This park has been long overdue for some improvements. 😊
Are they changing the movie at the France pavilion? Or, are the changes only being made to the Chinese and Canadian movies?
It seems like they’ve put some thought into establishing a consistent theme that will tie together the whole park. Can’t wait to explore the new EPCOT.
I am really concerned that the Journey into Imagination/Figment are being subtly phased out. Where does this pavilion fit into the new “neighborhood” structure?
Will Spaceship Earth be changed to include Disney IP? I echo what many people have said. EPCOT has changed dramatically, and not for the better. Roller coasters? Ratatoullie? These may be great attractions, but they fit better in the other parks. EPCOT was always so special because it was focused on learning and not thrill rides.
Morgan, it appears Impressions de France is remaining as is — just alternating with the Sing-A-Along.
I’m excited to see the new ideas! I hope Epcot will continue to grow and evolve. I just wish it were more friendly to people with disabilities. This park is very hilly and trying to push an adult in a wheelchair up those hills is totally exhausting. For instance, there’s only one way in and out of the area where the Garden Grill Restaurant, Soarin’, and Living with the Land are located. It’s up a steep hill. There are no elevators or motorized walkways to make it easier for those with disabilities. So I would urge Disney to consider that in their remodeling/updating: don’t focus simply on attractions; focus also on access.
When will Spaceship Earth close for this rehab?
Janice, Disney still hasn’t announced this.
So basically it’s getting dumbed down. I loved the way Epcot taught in a fun way., my kids did as well. It was by far our family’s favorite park, even when the kids were in grade school. This sounds like a lot of less meaningful entertainment. That’s too bad. Imo is sets the wrong tone for kids who already don’t use their minds but have it all fed to them.
I in a way agree with Kathy and Jan. I will continue to keep an open mind with all the changes that are going to happen. My question to Disney is – Is this what Walt would have wanted? What would Walt have done?
i am excited for the play pavilion, and sad about theenterie theme of Epcot being changed and will this be effected by covid, and the protest?
Figment has become a beloved Disney character! My grandson and I loves him. Please keep in mind what seems old to some is a brand new experience to families with young children who are seeing it for the first time.
Adding attractions is fine but please don’t take away Any classic attractions which have meanings and memories for your most devoted park goers