Journey of Water is a new attraction — the first ever inspired by Moana — coming to EPCOT’s World Nature in the FALL of 2023!

Journey of Water is one element joining several others that will ultimately make up the historical transformation of the park.

Take a Video SNEAK PEEK INSIDE the Journey of Water HERE!

Journey of Water — The Attraction

Guests will be able to explore what Disney has described as a “lush exploration trail” that allows explorers to “play with magical, living water” through an immersive walk-through attraction.

In addition to the trail and interactive living water experiences, Disney has shared that guests will “learn about the importance of the natural water cycle.” Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley explained a bit more about how this will happen, using a graphic that represents the style that “will be used throughout the attraction.”

This map of the water cycle was “inspired by the design and visual language” of Moana. Riddley also shared that the EPCOT team “created many original pieces that focus on the dynamic movement of water as it travels around the experience.” Pictures like the one above will be used to “guide guests through the cycle of water in fun and engaging ways to tell our story of the vital link we share with water across our planet, and inspire the important role we all share in preserving this life-giving and life-sustaining precious resource.”

In May 2022, Disney shared additional concept art for the upcoming attraction.

This design gives an idea of the size, scope, and layout of the trail and its features.

Click HERE to “zoom in” on the details!

The Walt Disney Imagineering team has tasked themselves with capturing the beauty of the natural water cycle for the attraction. Disney says they were also inspired by Moana’s fierce determination to protect her environment and her bond with water.

If you’re a fan of the movie Moana, you should be able to recognize some familiar characters and shapes that are carved into the rocks and waterways (there are about a dozen hidden characters throughout the attraction, both on land and in the water) throughout Journey of Water!

In fact, Moana herself will be seen celebrating water’s arrival to the ocean.

(The photo above, shared by Disney in August 2022, is of Principal Dimensional Designer Jim Towler as he’s sculpting the foam maquette of Moana for the attraction. Imagineers create models, mock-ups, and maquettes like this one to bring the characters and their stories into the parks.)

And in September 2022, a stunning model of Te Fiti, who will also be seen in the attraction, was revealed!

The final figure of the model of Te Fiti you see above will actually be around 15 feet tall and will be made of over 3,000 pieces of foliage. The Imagineering team worked together with Disney Animation to finalize her pose and size.

In fact, Te Fiti ARRIVED in EPCOT in December 2022!

This photo below, in particular, gives you a better idea of the massive scale of the Te Fiti structure.

In January 2023, Disney released a new behind-the-scenes video featuring the queen of the attraction herself — Te Fiti.

And that’s just one example of what’s to come when this new attraction opens in the fall of 2023!

Click HERE to see MORE of the behind-the-scenes creation of the Journey of Water!

In May 2022, Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley shared the following with Gizmodo.com: “For Journey of Water, the idea is really celebrating the cycle. You actually get a chance to meet water the same way Moana meets her friend water in the film, and we have some really fun experiences as you move through this trail that are totally unique, invented for this. But the underlying subject is really the importance of preserving water, like the cycle of water, the fact that all water is essentially finite, and it’s important for us to understand its role and to preserve it as a resource, so we’re able to use elements from Moana’s story. But the Epcot story is about water and its conservation; that idea is rooted in real ideas, real things that inspire us but then actually take you into that experience. That’s what we think the unique space of Epcot can bring to life.”

We’re uncovering the SECRETS of Journey of Water HERE!

Journey of Water — Location

Journey of Water will be located in the World Nature neighborhood in EPCOT.

World Nature also encompasses The Land and The Seas pavilions.

Journey of Water — Timeframe and Construction

In September 2022, it was announced at the D23 Expo that Journey of Water will open in late 2023. Then, in March 2023, Disney specified further that Journey of Water will open in the fall!

In the meantime, we are keeping a close eye on the future location for this attraction, and will continue to keep you posted on construction milestones as they are reached.

Construction Milestone — April 2022

For instance, in late April 2022, we began to see the formation of what appear to be the beginning of rock structures in the upcoming attraction.

Construction Milestone — May and June 2022

And the rock work (as pictured above) continued to expand in May, while clearing of some areas began to be seen in June (as pictured below).  The image below also gives a good perspective for the attraction’s orientation in World Nature behind Spaceship Earth (in World Celebration).

Construction Milestone — July 2022

In the next photo (taken in mid-July, 2022) you can REALLY see MORE of the rock formations taking shape!

Disney Update — August 2022

On Instagram, Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley posted a closer look at the rocks in August 2022, calling “the craft of creating rockwork” a “blend of art and science.”

According to Riddley, the textures seen on the rock are sculpted, carved, and “inspired by real world formations.” Once the rocks are completed, they should be indistinguishable from real rocks crafted from years of environmental interactions.

Riddley also shared his experience exploring the future site of Journey of Water with Imagineers Scott and Robert, two of the leaders overseeing the construction of the interactive water attraction.

Disney also revealed in August 2022 that The Walt Disney Imagineering team and crew of artisans have begun sculpting the rock work for Journey of Water!

The Imagineering team partnered with artists and cultural consultants from Walt Disney Animation Studios to bring this attraction to life.

Click HERE to see MORE of the behind-the-scenes creation of the Journey of Water!

Construction Milestone — September 2022

Here is a look at the site in September 2022, with lots of the rock work painted!

September also delivered the first peek at Moana’s icon in the attraction!

Construction Milestone — October 2022

Here is a look at the site from late October 2022:

Construction Milestone — December 2022

In December 2022, it was thrilling to see the arrival of the Te Fiti sculpture that guests will encounter along the trail!

This photo below, in particular, gives you a better idea of the massive scale of the Te Fiti structure.

EXPLORE the construction site — as of February 2023 — by clicking HERE!

Disney Update — December 2022

Good Morning America got a sneak peek inside the new attraction and captured some video of its features, which are still under construction. They interviewed Reid Ekman, who is the Lead Concept Designer, asking questions about what we can expect from the new experience — check out the video by CLICKING HERE!

Take a Video SNEAK PEEK INSIDE the Journey of Water HERE!

Construction Milestone — March 2023

In March 2023 was when the walkways really started to take shape.

Construction Peek — April 2023

In April 2023, we got a fun peek at some shading elements in the attraction.

And we could see more detailed elements coming along inside the walk-through.

We can’t wait to keep you posted as the late Fall 2023 opening of Journey of Water approaches!

News and Details About Journey of Water

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Opening Timeline CONFIRMED for the Moana Attraction Coming to EPCOT

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PHOTOS: Major PROGRESS Is Happening at EPCOT’s ‘Moana’ Attraction

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Lightning Lane Access or Virtual Queue: Not yet known

Height Requirement: Any height

Ages: All

Restriction Information: Not yet known

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