Walt Disney World is currently in a state of transformation, with new lands under construction — including in areas like the Animation Courtyard — that had sat somewhat desolate for years. However, that doesn’t mean there’s activity everywhere.

Wonders of Life

From a shuttered EPCOT Pavilion to empty buildings and even a whole land that hasn’t seen a major upgrade in years, there are several major spots at the “Most Magical Place on Earth” that could use some TLC.

Wonders of Life

Built between the then-Universe of Energy and the then-World of Motion, Wonders of Life opened to much fanfare at EPCOT in 1989. The pavilion, dedicated to health care, the human body, physical fitness, medicine, and nutrition, was initially a hit thanks to the advanced-for-the-time simulator attraction Body Wars and the popular Cranium Command show. However. As EPCOT evolved with the additions of Test Track, Mission Space, and Soarin’ in the late 90s and early 2000s, its popularity sagged. The pavilion closed in 2007, and for the next decade, it was used as a temporary Festival Center during the park’s annual events.

©Wikipedia

In 2019, Disney announced plans to turn the space into the new Play! Pavilion, which would be themed to be an “interactive futuristic city where guests would be able to interact with a variety of Disney characters.” As with many projects during this period, work on the Play! Pavilion was paused. However, unlike much of the rest of EPCOT’s “reimagining”, work never resumed. 

©Disney || Play Pavilion Concept Art

In 2023, Disney confirmed that the space was being “reevaluated” and the former Wonders of Life has remained vacant since.

Stitch’s Great Escape

The show building at the front of Tomorrowland that once held Stitch’s Great Escape has actually been home to three different attractions over the years. Mission to Mars, a clone of the Disneyland original, opened in the Tomorrowland space in December 1971 — just months after the Magic Kingdom opened — and operated until October 1993.

ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter was here before Stitch’s Great Escape

It was replaced by the beloved (and reviled) ExtraTERRORestial Alien Encounter from 1995 until 2003. The attraction was retooled into the much-bemoaned Stitch’s Great Escape in 2004, and remained in operation for the most part until 2018. The space has remained vacant, short of some limited meet & greets, since.

Millennium Village

Opened in 1999 as the centerpiece of EPCOT’s Millennium Celebration, the purpose-built 60,000 square foot Millennium Village housed exhibits – ranging from small presentations to elaborately themed environments, and even a virtual reality “ride” – showcasing countries that weren’t represented in World Showcase proper, including Brazil, Chile, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and others.

The Millennium Village

It was so popular that many hoped the concept might become a permanent part of EPCOT after the celebrations ended. However, that wasn’t meant to be, as the village closed when the celebration ended in January of 2001.

Millennium Village

The structure is currently used during Food & Wine and other EPCOT festivals; however, for most of the year, it sits empty and vacant, taking up a potential World Showcase expansion pad.

Asia

While Animal Kingdom’s Asia isn’t “abandoned” in the same sense as the above three, the land definitely feels a bit left behind lately. It’s still home to Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids, but both of those attractions are over 20 years old, and the land has been relatively stagnant while the rest of Animal Kingdom has been transforming around it.

Expedition Everest

Given all of the changes happening at Walt Disney World, it seems like it’s just a matter of time until these “abandoned” areas are transformed. Stay tuned to DFB for more on Disney World’s evolution.

There’s Only ONE Bad Thing About EPCOT’s France Pavilion

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What do you hope comes to these areas? Let us know in the comments below.