EPCOT Transformation | the disney food blog

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

On September 15, 2021, a new merchandise location — Creations Shop — opened as the park’s new flagship store!

Creations Shop concept art ©Disney

Creations replaces Mouse Gear (which closed in 2019 to make way for the transformation). But Mickey Mouse still serves 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.

©Disney

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 celebrate the return of an EPCOT classic experience, in a revitalized fashion: Club Cool — where guests can sample sodas from around the world — reopens on September 15th, 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

This new dining experience will offer prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner when it opens on September 20, 2021!

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! It will make its debut on October 1, 2021!

©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! 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.

Ratatouille ride in Epcot’s France

We were fortunate to attend a preview of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure on September 1, 2021, and then an additional ride through at a special event on September 3rd. We are so excited to share this fun adventure with you here!

Joining the new attraction in France is a new restaurant! La Crêperie de Paris will offer both Table Service AND Counter Service via a walk-up window called Crêpes À Emporter and will feature a menu from celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse.

La Creperie de Paris

These new eateries will also officially open on October 1, 2021. We have been able to dine at each during the previews we attended, and you can find our review of La Crêperie de Paris here.

Click HERE for our review of La Crêperie 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.

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!