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.
EPCOT
And while the park has seen many changes over the years, Disney confirmed a multi-year transformation of EPCOT at the 2019 D23 Expo. Upon completion, the park — which is currently comprised of Future World and World Showcase — will ultimately house four distinct “neighborhoods”: World Celebration, World Nature, World Discovery, and World Showcase.
Epcot Concept Art ©Disney
New attractions, restaurants, and much more will serve as reminder that EPCOT — as Walt Disney himself said — will “always be in a state of becoming.”
New Neighborhoods in Disney Future World ©Disney
While the transformation will ultimately span a few years, guests can enjoy results of some of the work already! For instance, the Leave A Legacy monoliths which used to welcome guests upon entering the park have been moved, and also colorfully reimagined.
Leave a Legacy Walls in EPCOT
And now let’s take a closer look at the three new neighborhoods and explore the many ways World Showcase will also be 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.
EPCOT Fountain
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.
EPCOT Fountains at Night
Guests will also notice the addition of 12 new flags (six designs, two of each) on flagpoles flanking Spaceship Earth.
EPCOT Flags
The flags feature original EPCOT icons that represent the pavilions and attractions. The flags arrived at the same time as new music which welcomes guests into the park! Though still a work in progress (as everything is growing!), the newly revealed area presents refreshed landscaping to enjoy as well.
And EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth is also receiving an exterior transformation, as each of the four park’s icon’s are becoming “Beacons of Magic” in the evenings as part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration for Walt Disney World, which kicks off on October 1, 2021!
©Disney
In the case of Spaceship Earth, the new evening lighting will be a permanent addition to the structure! (Note that a ride refurbishment of Spaceship Earth was also previously announced; however, that project has been postponed.)
Creations Shop and Club Cool
And this summer, a new merchandise location — Creations Shop — will open as the park’s new flagship store!
Creations Shop concept art ©Disney
Creations will ultimately replace Mouse Gear (which closed in 2019 to make way for the transformation). But Mickey Mouse will still serve 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.”
Guests can also look forward to the return of an EPCOT classic experience, in a revitalized fashion: Club Cool — where guests can sample sodas from around the world — will reopen this summer, as well!
Club Cool
According to Disney, “this space will also have some new magic to bring the global experience of Coca-Cola to life for you.” Look for it near the new Celebrations Shop!
Dreamers Point
Looking towards the future, as guests exit Spaceship Earth — the park’s icon and centerpiece attraction — they’ll get a fantastic view of the new Dreamers Point.
Walt Statue in World Celebration ©Disney
Dreamers Point will feature a NEW statue of Walt Disney which will celebrate the way he always looked towards the future. World Celebration will include gardens designed to “pique curiosity”, a wishing tree, a story fountain, and a large new pavilion.
Festival Area
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!
World Celebration Concept Art ©Disney
From the park entrance, guests will move to the left of World Celebration to enter World Discovery.
World Discovery
Guardians of the Galaxy” Cosmic Rewind
The existing attractions of Mission: SPACE and Test Track will be joined by Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Guardians of the Galaxy Ride Vehicles ©Disney
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 Construction
Space 220
Dishes that are out-of-this-world will be served at the new Space 220 restaurant, where guests will rocket into orbit 220 miles above earth (via a simulation elevator) to enjoy a meal “in space” aboard the Centauri Space Station!
Space 220 Restaurant Concept Art © Disney
PLAY! Pavilion
And the new PLAY! Pavilion will allow guests to participate in new adventures with Disney characters in both actual and virtual experiences.
PLAY! Pavilion Concept Art ©Disney
The PLAY! Pavilion will be housed in the former Wonders of Life pavilion.
World Nature
World Nature will be located to the right of World Celebration and will encompass The Land and The Seas pavilions.
Journey of Water
Guests will also be able to explore a trail of “magical, living water” through the Journey of Water, a walk-through attraction inspired by Moana.
Journey of Water Concept Art ©Disney
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.
Awesome Planet sign
The film made its debut in EPCOT on January 17, 2020.
World Showcase
Harmonious
A brand new nighttime spectacular called Harmonious is coming to EPCOT!
©Disney
Guests will be able to cap off their evening with what Disney is referring to as one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney park! Disney music and images will be “reimagined by diverse cultural musicians and artists from around the world.”
Harmonious Center Barge
Several country pavilions around World Showcase will welcome new attractions, dining experiences, and more.
France Pavilion — Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Dining
For instance, the France pavilion will become home to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure when it opens on October 1, 2021!
Ratatouille ride in Epcot’s France
Riders will shrink down to “rat-size” and embark on a journey across Chef Gusteau’s restaurant kitchen in Paris! The attraction is expected to bombard riders with the sights, sounds, and smells from the kitchen as they’re chased through it on their way to safety.
Joining the new attraction in France will be a new restaurant. La Crêperie de Paris will offer both counter service AND table service dining and will feature a menu from celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse.
Creperie Concept Art ©Disney
It, too, will open on October 1, 2021!
La Creperie de Paris
These upcoming experiences in France will join the new Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along that just opened on January 17, 2020!
From Epcot’s “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along”
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 announced for one of France’s neighboring pavilions, the United Kingdom.
Mary Poppins in Epcot
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 we will update this page with any further information as it becomes available.
China Pavilion
The China pavilion will soon feature a new Circle-Vision 360° film, Wondrous China. It will join Canada Far and Wide — a new film already playing for guests visiting the Canada pavilion.
Wondrous China ©Disney
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.
Takumi-Tei Water Room
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.
EPCOT Experience
And something else you can already enjoy in EPCOT is the EPCOT Experience presented by Walt Disney Imagineering.
Epcot Experience
Housed in the Odyssey Events Pavilion, THIS is where you can enjoy a truly impressive preview of ALL the new experiences on the way to the park which Walt Disney said “will always be in a state of becoming”!
And 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
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!
Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!
With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs!
With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.
Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today!
Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today!
Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. 🙂
TRENDING NOW
Whether it's expensive cost, distance from the parks, or potential ghosts (?!), these are the...
The last of the Harmonious barges has been installed in EPCOT!
Come along on DFB's Skyliner Pub Crawl! We've got recommendations on where to drink (and...
Toy Story Land is open, here are Five Things You HAVE to Eat in Toy...
Save BIG with our DFB Store Tax Day sale today!
Disney has shared an update on how long face masks and social distancing policies are...
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Subscribe via RSS
Subscribe via email