Disney clarifies some details on the transformation of EPCOT but raises more questions about what will be built

Nov 23, 2020 in "EPCOT"

Posted: Monday November 23, 2020 8:24am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Last week's announcements during the IAAPA and D23 Fantastic Worlds events gave some clarity to the direction of EPCOT, but raised more questions about some aspects of what was originally announced for the park's transformation.

As Disney moved to confirm that Remy's Ratatouille Adventure will move to a 2021 opening, we did not get a timeline update on the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, or Space 220. Guardians has reached the milestone of vehicle testing, and some show elements are arriving on site, which seems to be a very positive step.

The PLAY! pavilion seems to have completely dropped off the menu, at least for now. In a press release issued this week there is no mention of the reworked Wonders pavilion. PLAY! was planned to be an interactive experience that may just become unfeasible given the current COVID-19 health restrictions. Disney may be waiting to see how things develop and if this could once again become a possibility. 

Another addition that is pending easing of health restriction is Harmonious. The return of nighttime shows at Disney is thought to be considered for Spring 2021, and construction of Harmonious is continuing. Disney also confirmed that the massive show barges will remain on the lagoon during the day, disguised by a daytime fountain show.

Also missing from any recent discussions is the rework of Spaceship Earth. Originally planned to begin earlier this year, the changes were put on hold as the company scrambled to save money and get EPCOT back open to guests in July. We may see this later, but for now Spaceship Earth will remain as is.

At the center of the park, there are more questions about what will become of the central spine.

As work slowly continues on gutting the former Innoventions buildings, the elaborate festival center is gone from the plans, but what will replace it is open to interpretation. New wording in the press release describes a "newly reimagined festival area." Are we looking at an open area of land that will house some event kiosks? It is a distinct possibility. 

Staying with the center of the park, Dreamers point remains, as does the statue of Walt Disney. We also expect the new Starbucks, Mouse Gear and other food, beverage and retail to feature.

The Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana remains in the plans, which means we should see a total demolition of the still standing Innoventions West building.

And finally there is Mary Poppins. The United Kingdom pavilion came so close to finally getting an attraction, but this one failed to get out of the starting gate and was canceled back in July.

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THEMEPARKPIONEER10 hours ago

There’s no reason why they shouldn’t, even if they did decide to add it’s fun to be free to Test Track. It all fits, the seas should totally get it, 2 weeks ago the same music was playing all 4 corners of former Future World, if The Land music is back it wouldn’t surprise me to see at the least The Living Seas and Imagination, music that’s all background and relevant to the attraction. If I’m not mistaken I think the Pyramid fountains or maybe even all Fountains over by imagination are or were in sync with the original music loop.

SaucyBoy14 hours ago

Why is anyone surprised? Disney has shown time and time again they have contempt for 1980s Epcot unless they can benefit financially from exploiting its nostalgia.

Skibum197014 hours ago

I was actually going to mention that myself but didn't want to veer too far off topic. I like the old Bass Pro store in Forest Park better but the location off Union-Centre is better. Hopefully, they can finish off the new buildings and maybe I can experience Epcot with any walls for the first time in what seems a decade.

Earlie the Pearlie14 hours ago

https://blogmickey.com/2024/03/disney-deactivates-1982-original-land-pavilion-background-music-days-after-bringing-it-back/ NO! NO, GOD, NO! NO NO NO! PLEASE! (breathes) NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

Phicinfan16 hours ago

not to drag off topic, - but this happened in Ohio also. The merger with Caballa's tied up some of their planned expansion. They finally built the new site here in Cincinnati - so hope springs eternal for you

Earlie the Pearlie1 day ago

I hope so! And then maybe they could do the same for the Seas, and then maybe they will bring back Fun to Be Free for Test Track 3, and maybe then they could tear the entirety of mission space and build horizons back and play the music from that there, and then I would die of happiness. Seriously though there are four pavilions, three if the land is permanent, where you could add back some original music and make us fans so happy for literally no cost. I really hope they follow through on this. I SWEAR IGER DO THIS AND I WILL NEVER GO TO ANOTHER UNIVERSAL PARK

THEMEPARKPIONEER1 day ago

I wonder if this is here to stay, also I was not cool with them playing the entrance music at the Imagination Pavilion but now I’m wondering if here going to revert to the old music there to.

Vinnie Mac1 day ago

I don't know how but they should mix the old and the new music loop for all of Future World. I love both the old one and the new one so much and it's a shame it seems we can only have one and not the other but a mix of both would be sick

Earlie the Pearlie1 day ago

Love this so much! Hopefully it is still going in August when I’m there; I would love to see (hear) this in person!

aladdin20072 days ago

It still bothers me they added those when tutto italia was refurbished in Italy......here its fine as future world pavilions always had them,,,but Italy just still irks me.

tparris2 days ago

Looks like sliding doors have been installed in the last photo.

DCBaker2 days ago

Photos from today. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53590416982_54eaef72e4_o.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53591733230_7cdf4dcc1c_o.jpg[URL='https://flic.kr/p/2pDHDc3']https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53591733260_8c327f45f9_o.jpg[URL='https://flic.kr/p/2pDGZLF']https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53591607379_32dfa2997f_o.jpg[URL='https://flic.kr/p/2pDGqvS']https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53591495508_3ed0012bbc_o.jpg [URL='https://flic.kr/p/2pDATSG']https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53590416872_7cdbe42e5f_o.jpg

Incomudro2 days ago

This reminds me... I retired 4 years ago this coming May. A couple of years before that they announced the construction of a Bass Pro Shops a few miles from my house. Great! I thought... By the time I retire, that store will be open and it'll be a nice little part time job to keep me busy. (I worked at Herman's World of Sporting Goods in the early 80's.) They still haven't gone vertical on that construction project.

TheElectricUmbrella3 days ago

A welcome surprise indeed: