'Journey of Water Inspired by Moana' construction update from EPCOT

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'Journey of Water Inspired by Moana' construction - January 5 2021

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Posted: Friday January 7, 2022 11:09am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The first look at EPCOT's 'Journey of Water Inspired by Moana' from the new year shows little major progress since previous updates.

'Journey of Water Inspired by Moana' construction - January 5 2021

Work still appears to be concentrated on utility and infrastructure, with numerous trenches and cleared areas visible throughout the site that is part of the newly named 'World Nature' area of EPCOT.

'Journey of Water Inspired by Moana' construction - January 5 2021

Some of the vertical structures are more apparent, which will presumably shape some of the landscape of the walk-through experience.

'Journey of Water Inspired by Moana' construction - January 5 2021

According to Disney, this first-ever attraction based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios hit film, “Moana,” will let guests interact with magical, living water in a beautiful and inspiring setting.

Journey of Water Inspired by Moana

The new area will be located in what was Future World in approximately the area previously occupied by the Innoventions West building leading towards the Living Seas. Innoventions West and all the buildings on that side have been demolished as part of the work.

Journey of Water can be seen in the center

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MisterPenguinNov 21, 2025

It's the Circle of Water!!

jah4955Nov 21, 2025

and they did a smashing job

tpoly88Nov 21, 2025

I guess I’m not seeing the big picture on this attraction and I’m still caught in the Epcot of the 80-90’s world fair theme. Someone mentioned redoing the area and having a more animal kingdom theme but if that’s the case why have it there ? I’m sorry I just don’t see the fit with this attraction in Epcot. Agree just an IP squeeze. Moana does not belong in Epcot unless they were going to do a Polynesian land around it.

HauntedPirateNov 21, 2025

ToTBellHopNov 21, 2025

Unfortunately, to save money, they painted everything with water color paint. Then again, it’s janky like the rest of World Celebration, so perhaps we should applaud WDI for fully committing to a singular vision.

Cmdr_CrimsonNov 21, 2025

I kind of like it as more of a natural rock-like feature.... It's possible it will get some kind of winter refurb when it gets cooler out perhaps?

tparrisNov 21, 2025

Speaking of repaint, many of the rocks in the “river” section (with the jumping water across from Te Fiti) have had the paint noticeably washed off.

BagOfGroceriesNov 21, 2025

Looks like it needs a repaint.

tparrisNov 21, 2025

Quick update of the rockwork with the main logo on it from when the walkthrough opened vs today…

JayspencyNov 12, 2024

So they could turn it into an Apple store

DreamfinderGuyNov 11, 2024

Ultimately they did do an early cancellation with Glidden, that was a five year contract that they ended in four. The West building I believe they did the same since all the exhibits closed at once, including the relatively new IBM Think which was presented by their longest running sponsor. That closed so abruptly because they had plans for the West building that they were going to act on imminently, which would later be canceled.

BocabearNov 11, 2024

I disagree. It would have been a different animal.

James AlucobondNov 11, 2024

You were responding to a comment about Innoventions. Innoventions was a series of interactive exhibits with a variety of sponsors. Now, you have a series of interactive areas themed to Disney programming (the Moana IP) as you suggested. Whether or not water is involved in the exhibits is pretty much irrelevant, but you bring it up endlessly in an attempt to trivialize it for whatever reason. The loss of the building is a legitimate complaint, and we all know CommuniCore Hall is a bust, but your "it's so easy" idea for programming is essentially what happened minus the roof.

bpiperNov 11, 2024

I am surprised that those contracts with the companies were that iron clad that Disney couldn't end them early, instead of waiting years for the last one to expire while the building just got more vacant as time went by. The last few years were very bad show.... But that could be said of a lot of things there now a days. They just don't care anymore on how it looks.