UPDATED: April 24, 2024
The EPCOT Transformation is remains underway at Disney World, and while we’ve already seen several aspects of the transformation be completed, there is still MORE exciting stuff to come!
One of the biggest additions to the front of the park include the new Moana-inspired attraction in the World Nature neighborhood of EPCOT, and now, we are taking a look at what’s coming to World Celebration!
Introducing CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza, coming EPCOT’s World Celebration neighborhood, which, though initially slated to reach completion in December 2023, received an updated opening timeline for 2024. Then, in March 2024, Disney announced an official Opening Date of June 10th, 2024! You can see it in the bottom left of the concept art below.
Disney says this area will bring EPCOT international festivals to the center of Walt Disney World. And, in fact, CommuniCore Hall and Plaza will be incorporated into the 2024 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival for the first time when the Festival runs from August 29th through November 23rd!
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.
In March 2024, Disney also announced that live shows at CommuniCore will begin on June 10th, as well, with the debut of a BRAND NEW Encanto stage show! ¡Celebración Encanto! is a sing-along that includes popular songs from the movie.
The show will be running several times a day and will take place on the CommuniCore Plaza stage. You’ll even be able to see Bruno and Mirabel throughout this show, which will run through September 6th, 2024.
Find out MORE about the new Encanto show HERE!
As the seasons — and seasonal Festivals — change throughout the year, this will be reflected in a World Celebration hub divided into several different gardens, according to Disney. And in early December 2023, these areas started to open for guests to enjoy now!
The planter above is based on the five ring EPCOT logo. The gardens will also evolve with the seasons! They offer plenty of shade and seating for guests, and each one has its own identity, with the ability to change to go along with the Festivals throughout the year.
Disney previously shared that at night, the gardens will “take on a whole new life,” where lighting immerses guests in an evening experience that will also change through the seasons. You can see the results of that work now!
Imagineer Zach Riddley previously took to Instagram to share more of his thoughts on these newer areas.
Here’s a look at what we can expect to see inside the hall.
Disney has shared the following quote: “CommuniCore Hall will also be the home of a dynamic exhibition space that will transform with each festival throughout the year, as you can see here in one possibility imagined for EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. Playing with light, shapes and reflections, the architecture of this building was designed by Walt Disney Imagineering to celebrate the legacy of EPCOT and the original CommuniCore buildings.”
In August 2023, Disney World’s Cast and Community Facebook page provided a few different pictures of the new mural artwork that’s going to be part of the exterior of CommuniCore Hall when the space opens.
Disney said that the pavilion features “classic EPCOT pavilions, patterns, and shapes.”
And, of course, beloved Disney characters will be showcased in the whimsical, colorful murals!
And throughout the year, CommuniCore Hall will also be the location of a new Mickey & Friends meet-and-greet!
So, we have a WHOLE new area to look forward to now at EPCOT! Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on the EPCOT Transformation.
Click here to see a NEW look at the Moana attraction coming to EPCOT!
Want MORE Details About EPCOT’s MASSIVE Transformation?
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What’s Been CUT From the EPCOT Transformation?
SNEAK PEEK at the NEW Fireworks Show Coming to EPCOT
Click HERE for All the News and Details about EPCOT’s Transformation!
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Which part of the EPCOT transformation are you the most excited about? Tell us in the comments!
Todd says
This is a wonderful announcement. I was disappointed when previous plans were shelved, but am thrilled it is coming back this soon. For those who visited the old Wonders of Life pavilion during festivals, it was a poor setting at best and completely lacked atmosphere. Nothing could have been more out of the way considering most of the festival activity occurs within or near World Showcase. Having something designed for this purpose should make for a great guest experience.
Ap says
I am having trouble visualizing where this will be. The renderings are lovely, but where is this again? Lol can someone explain it to me in super simple terms. Thanks!