After a prolonged period filled with anticipation, delays, and shifts in plans, the curtain has finally risen on the completed reimagining of EPCOT with the opening of CommuniCore Hall and Plaza on June 10. This comprehensive transformation, which has touched nearly every corner of the park, has been both celebrated and critiqued by Disney enthusiasts.
As the final walls are finally falling at EPCOT, let’s look back at the evolution of this dramatic transformation and explore what plans came to be, as well as the plans that were left in the dustbin of what could have been.
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The Highlights of Change
The redevelopment saw the phasing out of several iconic elements and the introduction of new attractions and thematic adjustments. The park’s entrance underwent a significant transformation, replacing the “Leave a Legacy” monoliths with serene flowerbeds and a lucite-pylon fountain reminiscent of the original. The iconic Spaceship Earth now sparkles with new lighting enhancements, creating a nightly spectacle that is lovely to watch.
In the realm of attractions, EPCOT introduced several new experiences:
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind took over the former Universe of Energy Pavilion, bringing a fresh, thrilling adventure to the park. The attraction uses a first-of-its-kind ride system, providing a new take on the classic indoor roller coaster.
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and the expansion of the France Pavilion enhanced the World Showcase with a dash of Parisian flair, providing a much-needed attraction to that section of the park.
- Space 220 Restaurant offered a unique dining experience with celestial views, aligning perfectly with the futuristic theme of the park. Reservations here are still difficult to grab, demonstrating the continued popularity of the new eatery.
The park also welcomed Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, an attraction that provides a fun and engaging experience with nature, aligning with the new focus on sustainability and conservation under the World Nature theme (the fun Moana easter eggs throughout are also a nice touch!).
The New EPCOT
EPCOT has transitioned from its original Future World division into three new neighborhoods: World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery, each bringing a distinct flavor and experience to the park. The aesthetic overhaul includes updated logos, color schemes, and uniform signage that reflect a modern yet nostalgic EPCOT. Dreamers Point, featuring a statue of Walt Disney, is an especially impactful addition to this area of the park.
CommuniCore Hall and Plaza are also now open, featuring a dedicated Meet and Greet Space for Mickey and Friends, a central hub for EPCOT’s Festivals, and a stage where a new Encanto-themed show currently plays during the day and a Latin groove band takes the stage at night.
Unfulfilled Visions
Sadly, not all announced projects came to fruition. The highly anticipated “Mary Poppins” attraction and the “Wondrous China” film were shelved, leaving fans wondering about what could have been. The ambitious Spaceship Earth overhaul was also postponed indefinitely, much to the disappointment of EPCOT enthusiasts.
Looking Ahead
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As we evaluate the changes, it’s clear that the reimagined EPCOT is a blend of new horizons and missed opportunities. The successes in thematic coherence, attraction updates, and aesthetic enhancements contribute positively to the park’s legacy. However, the unfulfilled projects and the mixed reception to some new features suggest room for improvement. We do have an updated Test Track to look forward to, which based on initial reports will see the ride return back to its roots.
Overall grade: 8/10
We have really enjoyed watching the park transform over the past few years (Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind alone earns this entire project at least a B!), however, we cannot ignore the impact the Mary Poppins expansion in England and the reimagining of Spaceship Earth would have had on the park.
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I think a Mary Poppins attraction is still a must have in EPCOT. However, we may have dodged a bullet in this round of updates. The speculated Mary Poppins teacups attraction would have been worse than doing nothing. Perhaps over time, Disney will reevaluation Mary Poppins and build a dark ride attraction which is what the IP deserves. One hopes the Spaceship Earth reimagining will be back on track soon.
Play! was probably a mistake from the beginning so it’s good that never happened. The only real disappointment for me in the reimagining is the central core garden. It’s far too sterile and looks more like an industrial business park not a Disney park. Celestial Garden coming to Epic Universe is the far better outcome.