UPDATED: June 10, 2024

EPCOT’s historic multi-year transformation has — at long last — reached completion!

While Disney World is always changing and updating, EPCOT has seen a MASSIVE overhaul. Walt Disney proclaimed, during the beginning ideas of EPCOT, that it would “always be in a state of becoming.” And this transformation is doing just that, bringing EPCOT into a new state of past, present, and future. But what exactly has all changed since the transformation began? That’s exactly what we’re here to tell you about.

EDITOR’S UPDATE: The transformation of EPCOT reached completion on June 10th, 2024 with the opening of the CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza Festival areas. In this post, you can learn about everything NEW at EPCOT as a result of the transformation! If you are interested in learning about more major expansion projects in Walt Disney World, click HERE to find out about the Magic Kingdom Expansion and HERE to find out about the Animal Kingdom Expansion!

New Worlds

Let’s start with one of the most important changes that we’ve seen inside EPCOT. If you’re trying to get around, it’s important to know the names of the areas you’re trying to get to. What once was known as World Showcase and simply Future World (or commonly designated by the attractions you find in the area, for example– The Land and The Seas), are now separate “neighborhoods’ named World Showcase, World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery. 

This change may seem small, but it lays the foundation for all the other changes. Now, you can locate where the next attraction you want to go to is fairly easily by matching it to the neighborhood it belongs in. But this was just one of the many changes we have seen at EPCOT.

Entrance

EPCOT’s transformation really begins at the park’s entrance. Disney is known for getting all of your senses involved in your experience and the changes to EPCOT have even included new music as you walk into the park. You can also see that the Leave A Legacy monoliths have moved and been given a colorful upgrade.

If you walk a little further into the park, near Spaceship Earth you’ll find a new water feature. The new fountain, along with the three new acrylic pylons and 12 new flags, bridge the past, present, and future of EPCOT together. The pylons look especially beautiful at night!

Spaceship Earth

Before we step inside any of the world “neighborhoods” too far, let’s talk about how Spaceship Earth has changed. During the 50th Anniversary celebration of Disney World, the four icons from each park became the “Beacons of Magic” at night. When the 50th celebration ended, Spaceship Earth kept the new lighting and now you can capture new shows presented on the big ball.

World Celebration

At the very beginning of EPCOT, CommuniCore East and CommuniCore West were near the center of the park and served as the park’s “Main Street.” But they were eventually removed to make way for Innovations East and West and Mouse Gear, the central shopping center. However, it seems we are bringing back some old-school features in a reimagined way.

Mouse Gear was officially closed in 2019 and has been replaced with Creations Shop. And Innovations East and West are completely gone and instead you’ll find Connections Eatery, Connections Cafe (Starbucks), and Club Cool (which was reimagined and updated as part of the transformation).

World Celebration has officially opened, including Dreamer’s Point with the new  “Walt the Dreamer” statue.

Beyond the statue are gardens spread throughout four quadrants. In the middle, there’s a planter. What’s really cool, though, is that from an aerial view, the ground forms the EPCOT logo. The best part of this area, though, could be all the seating available. There are loads of benches, tables, and chairs, as well as outlets for charging your devices.

At night, the sidewalks glow.

We’re especially excited for the addition of a dedicated Festival Area that now serves as the new “home base” for EPCOT’s seasonal Festivals and live events! CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza opened in EPCOT’s World Celebration on June 10th, 2024 and now bring EPCOT International Festivals “to the center of Walt Disney World.”

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 housed within the plaza, and is the first fully-purpose built structure in festival programing, designed with flexibility in mind. This hall is able to host a wide variety of experiences with food, art, live music, and more. 

CommuniCore Hall is housed within the plaza, and is the first fully-purpose built structure in festival programing, designed with flexibility in mind. This hall is able to host a wide variety of experiences with food, art, live music, and more. 

Check out EVERYTHING at EPCOT’s new Festival Area HERE!

Along with providing dedicated spaces for EPCOT’s seasonal Festivals, CommuniCore Hall is also the location of a new year-round Mickey & Friends Meet-and-Greet!

We initially saw Minnie and Goofy greeting with Mickey, but be aware that the “& Friends” in the space may vary, so be ready for a surprise!

And rest assured that Mickey himself will always be present to SEE YA, PAL!!!

Check out Mickey’s NEW Meet-and-Greet Spot HERE!

World Discovery

World Discovery has seen a couple of big changes within the transformation (other than its name). Space 220, a new restaurant, was opened in 2021 adding to the Mission Space area. You take a simulated “elevator” into orbit 220 miles above Earth.

Universe of Energy– Ellen’s Energy Adventure featuring Bill Nye the Science Guy closed permanently to make room for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind which officially opened in 2022. It became EPCOT’s first-ever roller coaster and quickly a fan-favorite ride in Disney World!

World Nature

World Nature recently became home to the brand new attraction Journey of Water– Inspired by Moana. This walk-through attraction takes you on a journey with water as you learn and play.

Not only did the attraction featuring Moana open, but Moana herself has come to EPCOT! You can now meet the young way-sailor near the new attraction’s entrance.

And over in The Land, you can watch the new film Awesome Planet, which debuted in 2020!

World Showcase

Many people will be able to tell you about one big transformation that happened over at the World Showcase. The France pavilion got an entire expansion! Now you can join Remy on his Ratatouille Adventure which opened in 2021.

Along with the new ride, an all-new restaurant came to France– La Crêperie de Paris. You can get counter service or talk service at this crepe shop that features a delicious menu from celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse.

And finally, the finale, literally and figuratively. Luminous: Symphony of Us has officially debuted! It is a nighttime spectacular in honor of Disney’s 100th Anniversary. Luminous replaces Harmonious which had previously replaced  IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at the start of the transformation. The show features fireworks, fountains, lasers, lighting effects, and lots of Disney music

There have been a few other changes and additions around EPCOT such as the addition of the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, also in the France Pavilion, and the new restaurant, Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya, in the Japan Pavilion. And we’re sure in the many years to come, EPCOT will continue to be in the “state of becoming.” We’re looking forward to the completion of this transformation and to enjoying all the new additions to their full extent.

Until then, keep following DFB for more Disney news.

Disney Shared a First Look at the MUSIC for EPCOT’s New Fireworks Show!

What part of EPCOT’s transformation are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!