The Transformation Of EPCOT
Hey Disney park fans! Let’s talk about one of the most under rated Disney Parks, EPCOT. This park is undergoing a major reimaging. The construction has been so vast, EPCOT has been given a nickname-WALLCOT, due to the amount of construction walls. So let’s talk about what’s going on behind those walls!
Originally envisioned by Walt Disney himself as an “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow,” these days the park is known simply as EPCOT. EPCOT Center opened on October 1, 1982. Though Walt Disney World is now home to four parks, EPCOT Center was the second to open its gates to guests outside of the Magic Kingdom, which opened on October 1, 1971.
The park has seen many changes over the years while continuing to keep up with advancing technology and improving overall guest experiences. At the 2019 D23 Expo, Disney confirmed a multi-year transformation of EPCOT. EPCOT was previously comprised of Future World and World Showcase — now houses four distinct “lands”: World Celebration, World Nature, World Discovery, and World Showcase. We have so much to cover with this one, let’s review.
World Celebration and the Entrance Plaza
Entrance
This Location has went though some reimagining! On December 22, 2020, a new fountain was unveiled which guests can see as they approach Spaceship Earth immediately upon entering the park. Disney Imagineer took special interest in looking back to the original geometry for inspiration and infusing new features with a little bit of added magic to bridge the past, present and future of EPCOT. The fountain itself is complete with a trio of acrylic pylons that look especially beautiful at night. Guest returning to EPCOT will notice new music when entering this area, it sets the ton of this parks reimagining. Guest will also see new flags in this area. The flags feature original EPCOT icons that represent the pavilions and attractions.
Spaceship Earth
Spaceship Earth has also received a truly stunning exterior transformation, as each of the four park’s icon’s become “Beacons of Magic” in the evenings as part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration for Walt Disney World, which kicked off on October 1, 2021! We hope this display continues after the anniversary celebration. The ride itself has been rumored to have reimaging planned for the future, however we having heard any updates on plans to proceed with the transformation.
Shopping Locations
Creations Shop
On September 15, 2021, a new merchandise location opened as the park’s new flagship store! The Creations Shop has replaced Mouse Gear (which closed in 2019 to make way for the transformation). But Mickey Mouse still serves as the inspiration for the new location, as you’ll see him featured in a large mural on one of the walls and in smaller touches throughout the space. Some guest love the new look, some think it looks to much like a department store, you decide how you like the change.
Club Cool
Guests can also celebrate the return of an EPCOT classic experience in a revitalized fashion, Club Cool. This is where guests can sample sodas from around the world. Like the previous spot, Club Cool is complete with lots of Coca-Cola merchandise, a small snack counter, and of course free samples for sipping! This can be a fun activity to do, we recommend trying the Beverly (if you know, you know. If you don’t.. well lol). Look for Club Cool next to the Creations Shop.
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Dining Locations
Connections Cafe is the brand new EPCOT Starbucks location. Connected to this location is Connections Eatery, It’s basically to locations in one. Connections Eatery is a quick service restaurant, so you’ll order at the counter or on your My Disney Experience app(recommended) and then get your food immediately. If you’re walking into EPCOT past Spaceship Earth, look to your left to find these restaurant. You can then find a seat in the large dining room that’s designed to “nod to Walt Disney’s original plans for EPCOT” with modern décor, floor-to-ceiling windows, and painted beautiful wall murals.
This restaurant features “globally inspired flavors” with some classic dishes that take on unique twists. The entrées available here include several options for burgers or chicken sandwiches, like a Southwestern Burger, Banh Mi Burger, or Hand-breaded Chicken Sandwich, and pizza. There are some fairly traditional choices like pepperoni and cheese, but there’s also a meatball pizza and a curry spice pizza. We do think this is a good affordable option if you’re hungry and in this area, however we do feel that you can find better options with in world showcase.
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Dreamers Point
Looking towards the future, as guests exit Spaceship Earth(the big beautiful golf ball lol as our Marketing Director would say) guest will get a view of the new Dreamers Point. Dreamers Point will feature a NEW statue of Walt Disney which will celebrate the way he always looked towards the future. World Celebration will ultimately include gardens designed to “pique curiosity”, a wishing tree, and a story fountain. Though still a work in progress (as everything is growing!), the newly revealed area presents refreshed landscaping to enjoy as well.
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CHARACTER MEET & GREETS
As part of this new hall, there will be a new location in EPCOT called “Mickey and Friends” where you can meet some of your favorite Disney characters! This will be the new location to meet Mickey and pals. For now, you can still see and meet Mickey and Friends in EPCOT, they’re just more spread out throughout the park.
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HARMONIOUS
The heart of the Epcot transformation comes to life with Harmonious, one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for Disney Parks. The show is a beautifully crafted medley of classic Disney music and visuals reinterpreted by a culturally diverse group of 240 artists from all around the world. Discover how Disney music and stories have the power to inspire and unite us all, overcoming any language or border.
This magnificent new show brings to World Showcase Lagoon an innovative combination of floating giant screens, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics and lasers in a 360-degree view. The show features the worlds inspired by Moana, Aladdin, Coco, Brave, The Lion King, Mulan, The Princess and the Frog and other classic stories. Colorful images and effects dance and change as Harmonious weaves familiar Disney music and stories together in brand-new ways. Through unique perspectives as diverse as the world itself, Disney songs hop from language to language as the show brings people from different parts of the world together to unlock the magic of possibility.
Pro Tip: The best viewing locations is near the America Pavilion or the World Promenade area.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
If you’re excited about the revamping of EPCOT and wanting to visit in person, please contact us! Our Certified Travel Advisor Angel specializes in Disney and Universal travel. She is a huge Disney fan with extensive knowledge of Disney World. She helps guide our clients along the way with personalized advice, tips, customized itineraries, resort booking, advanced dining reservations, My Disney Experience app training and set-up, and on-going discount monitoring (if Disney releases a new offer, she will apply the offer to your package and save you money!)
The best part, All of our services are 100% free. We are extremely committed in providing the best travel services, and we are always ready to go above and beyond in order to ensure the highest level of personalized service for you. Find out what magic we can bring to your vacation. Click here to contact us for more information.
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