Walt Disney Imagineer shares a ground-level look at Journey of Water Inspired by Moana

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Journey of Water Inspired by Moana update from Walt Disney Imagineering - August 19 2022

Posted: Friday August 19, 2022 1:37pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley has shared a new ground-level look at EPCOT's latest project - Journey of Water Inspired by Moana.

Journey of Water Inspired by Moana update from Walt Disney Imagineering - August 19 2022

Zach said on Instagram, "It was great to spend the day on our project site for Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana – the new attraction coming to the World Nature neighborhood of EPCOT. Many years go into designing these experiences and nothing beats seeing the real thing in its own “state of becoming.” Our guests are following along on this work from the monorail above our site, so I thought it would be fun to share a few views with you from on the ground, right in the middle of the process."

Journey of Water Inspired by Moana update from Walt Disney Imagineering - August 19 2022

"The craft of creating rockwork is a blend of art and science, and seeing this carving and sculpting progress live is one of the things I love most about my role as an Imagineer. I joined the project team for a walk of the site alongside Imagineers Scott and Robert, two of our leaders overseeing the project. The range of textures are inspired by real world formations – all the way down to the tiniest details and variation that, when finished, should be impossible to distinguish from the real thing."

Journey of Water Inspired by Moana update from Walt Disney Imagineering - August 19 2022

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peter114352 days ago

Everything at WDW needs constant attention to keep it in working order. The question is will it get the attention it needs.

CntrlFlPete3 days ago

fwiw, we had no issues on two walk throughs (one being during previews). We went one night recently -- there was one of the water string areas that was blocked off, another had water flowing but the sound did not corollate with ones strumming of the water. On the same night, the large area where folks make the water shoot super high, well that one was not working. I hope it was just an off night, but it seems a shame if this will need constant attention to keep in working order.

James Alucobond3 days ago

I'm not sure "already not working" is exactly the right framing. There are certain effects—particularly the ones just before the caves where the water rises to meet your hand—that have regularly gone down for maintenance even before the attraction officially opened. I'd be interested to know the why, but it's not performing any worse than when it opened; there just seems to be a reliability issue with that portion for whatever reason.

CntrlFlPete3 days ago

was going to say this. we went through last week to see it at night and I was really surprised how many elements were already not working.

MisterPenguin4 days ago

According to an Unscrupulous source, the water in JoW is heated when temperature in WDW is low. (Or, when it's in the 60's, the water, which has been in the 70-80s, feels heated.)

Rteetz8 days ago

I experienced it for the first time a couple weeks ago now. For what it is it’s lovely. I didn’t find it overly in your face Moana. Yes there is the Te Fiti statue or whatever you want to call it but outside of that Moana is more subtle. I have to say kids were in love with the play aspects. I’ve talked with friends and others too who say their kids loved it. I think that’s really who the target audience is for this and its working.

Disstevefan18 days ago

Ahhh its 5 people PLUS @Centauri Space Station ;)

WondersOfLife8 days ago

Did you find those 5 peoples opinions all on your own??? Good job!

Disstevefan18 days ago

EPCOT is DOOMED.... Might as well change its name to Animal-less Kingdom. Well at least we will always have the food booths ;)

Centauri Space Station8 days ago

keep trying bud

WondersOfLife8 days ago

A side note-- how long has this thing been open? They already have a few water stations and effects not working on this thing. Looks like a maintenance nightmare.