At the 2019 D23 Expo’s Parks and Resort presentation, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Bob Chapek, joined by Zach Riddley of Walt Disney Imagineering and other special guests, took the stage to announce a historic transformation of the EPCOT park at Walt Disney World.
Although EPCOT purists were disappointed, the majority of fans were beyond excited at the new changes. Six months later, the coronavirus pandemic shut the world down. This affected virtually every Disney business including all Disney Parks worldwide.
Disney had to reevaluate all of its current and future projects including EPCOT’s massive transformation. Some of the announced projects continued, others were scaled back, while others were postponed or outright canceled.
“Moana” Journey of Water/Disney
Today, Disney held a press preview on what the “new” new EPCOT will look like. First, Disney released an updated site plan on what the new neighborhoods will look like. “Moana” Journey of Water made the cut. Disney originally described this as a lush exploration trail where guests will be able to “meet and play with magical, living water. The water will have a life of its own – just like Moana’s friend, the ocean – and you’ll learn about the importance of the natural water cycle.”
Although Dreamer’s Point, with a new statue of Walt Disney as its centerpiece, made the cut, the new three-level festival pavilion, just beyond Spaceship Earth, did not. Also, there is no mention of the planned update to many of the scenes in Spaceship Earth. It is expected to happen at some point, but Disney has made no official statement.
There are also some new garden areas coming as well as a new festival stage area. Located next to the Journey of Water area is an homage to the original Communicore pavillions. The new areas will now be known as Commuicore Hall and Communicore Plaza.
Communicore Hall will be home to Mickey & Friends, a new meet-and-greet and reportedly a demo kitchen, mixology bar, gallery space, and more. Over a Communicore Plaza, gardens will be seasonally decorated and there will be a light installation in the sidewalk in the shape of the EPCOT logo.
