With the much anticipated D23 Parks Panel behind us, we can begin to discuss the many changes and improvements coming to the Florida and Florida-adjacent (Bahamas) Disney properties. Let’s start with arguably the biggest changes announced: the reimagining of EPCOT Center to become “more Disney, more family, more timeless, and more relevant.”
Future World
Future World will be divided into three distinct neighborhoods: World Nature, World Discovery, and World Celebration. World Celebration will include a renovated entrance with more greenery and an updated version of the park’s original fountain. Spaceship Earth will remain the park’s timeless icon, but inside, the ride will undergo some improvements. Instead of a technology and communication focus, Spaceship Earth will now depict scenes from the human experience and the development of story telling through the ages. Some classic scenes will remain mostly intact (although enhanced) while others will be added to continue the new theme. Spaceship Earth will exit into a rennovated area featuring a wishing tree and new Walt Disney statue. We also learned about a three-story pavilion coming to World Celebration, which will become the new home base for EPCOT’s various festivals. The top of the pavilion will feature an outdoor garden with sweeping views of the World Showcase lagoon.
World Nature will feature the previously announced Moana exploration trail, Journey of Water, as well as a new film within the Land pavilion called, “Awesome Planet.” No opening date has been announced for the Moana attraction, but “Awesome Planet” will begin showing in January of 2020.
World Discovery will feature the new roller coaster called, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. This coaster include a backwards launch into space and a “story-telling” vehicle that rotates to focus on the action. The previously announced culinary addition to the Mission: SPACE pavilion will be called Space 220. Dining guests will be surrounded by windows looking out to the planet Earth and the space station. Finally, the old Wonders of Life pavilion will be transformed into the Play Pavilion, featuring multiple ways to experience your favorite Disney characters. Among others, guests will be able to engage in a water fight with various characters or help “The Incredibles'” Edna Mode save the world from endless fashion disasters. This pavilion will be open in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary in 2021.
World Showcase
There are plenty of changes coming to the World Showcase as well. First and foremost is the announced Cherry Tree Lane area of the United Kingdom pavilion. We know this area will feature a new Mary Poppins themed attraction, but we don’t know any further details. The France pavilion will debut a new “Beauty and the Beast Sing-A-Long” movie in January 2020 ahead of the new Ratatouille ride and creperie restaurant next summer. La Creperie de Paris will feature quick and full service options. We also learned that Canada and China will get new circle vision movies, respectively called “Canada Far and Wide…” and “Wondrous China.”
New Nighttime Spectacular
We all know the Illuminations is coming to an end, but today we learned that it’s long-term replacement will be called HarmonioUS, celebrating Disney music and its inspiration on peoples all over the world. HarmonioUS will debut at EPCOT after a limited run firework show called, EPCOT Forever.
In closing, let me say that, if it seems like we are lacking details- that’s because we are. Disney did not reveal much specific information about what we can expect. It makes me a little sad to see EPCOT moving farther away from the educational focus it once espoused, but I understand the need to incorporate more Disney characters and experiences in order to appeal to a wider audience. Whatever these changes ultimately entail, I don’t doubt that Disney will create high quality and exciting experiences.
