Epcot is going to be seeing some out of this world changes in the next couple years! So, to help showcase these changes, the Odyssey building has been transformed into ‘Walt Disney Imagineering presents The Epcot Experience,’ which opened October 1st.
This new space is a must-see! Inside the Epcot Experience, which is on your left as you enter the World Showcase from Future World, you’ll find a 360 degree screen that plays a 12 minute movie that will completely immerse you in all the details – such as swirling cherry blossoms, a night sky full of floating lanterns, and booming fireworks. In the middle of this space is a 3-D model of all the areas in Epcot that will be effected. As the movie progresses thru all the changes that area of the map lights up and the entire model changes depending on what attraction they’re focusing on. For example, during the Ratatouille portion the whole map reflects that theme. The glass pyramid and Spaceship Earth both look like giant pieces of cheese, and little mouse shaped ride vehicles move through the map.
The movie begins with vintage footage of Walt reminding us that “the heart of everything we’ll be doing at Disneyworld will be…” Epcot.
EPCOT will soon be labeled with four new neighborhoods. Each one will speak to important aspects of the world and it’s people: World Showcase, World Celebration, World Nature and World Discovery.
World Nature:
Dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty and balance of Nature
This is the area that includes The Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilions.
Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana” will be the first experience inspired by the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film. This lush exploration trail will invite you 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.
World Discovery: Where Science , technology, and Space come to life
This is the area that includes Test Track
The PLAY! pavilion will open in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. In this digital metropolis, you’ll discover an interactive city bursting with games, activities and experiences that connect you with friends, family and beloved Disney characters – both real and virtual – like never before. As part of this new pavilion, you’ll have the chance to help legendary fashion icon Edna Mode on her quest to rid the world of uninspired style, or make a splash competing in a water-balloon fight hosted by Huey, Dewey, and Louie.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be the first “other-world” showcase pavilion at Epcot. The adventure starts in the “Galaxarium,” a planetarium-like exhibition that explores the similarities and mysteries of the formation of Earth’s galaxy and Xandar. You will be invited to learn more about the treasures Xandar has to share – until the moment when the Guardians of the Galaxy arrive, and adventures across the cosmos ensue. The attraction will feature a new innovation from Walt Disney Imagineering – a storytelling coaster that rotates 360 degrees to focus your attention on the action, including the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster.
World Celebration:
Will offer new experiences that connect us to one another and the world around us
The iconic Spaceship Earth will remain a voyage through time as the journey transforms to reflect the power of storytelling to unite the human experience. New narration and an entirely new musical score will focus on the moments and ideas that define our story. You will follow a magical “story light” that brings the entire experience to life in dynamic ways, giving each scene energy and beauty that ties the entire journey together.
The narration during this part of the show is very vague, only saying it’s “A journey you may know well.” The only imagery during this portion is a night sky full of lanterns and floating faces of different ethnicities. The music and faces made me feel like I was riding through the ending of ‘Living With The Land.” All of this leads me to believe that Spaceship Earth is certainly going to be completely re-themed – so die hard Spaceship Earth fans should start preparing themselves for that now.
World Showcase:
Will remain a celebration of culture, cuisine, and traditions – infused with new magic
In the China pavilion, “Wondrous China” will take guests on a spectacular journey across the country, filmed and presented in a completely seamless 360-degree digital format.
In summer 2020, the France pavilion will offer even more for you to discover, including the much-anticipated attraction Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, where you’ll shrink to the size of Chef Remy and race through Gusteau’s restaurant on a wild adventure.
The United Kingdom pavilion will welcome the first attraction inspired by Mary Poppins. You will step in time down Cherry Tree Lane past Admiral Boom’s house, then enter Number 17, home of the Banks family, where your adventure will begin.
In 2020, following the limited-time run of “Epcot Forever,” the new “HarmonioUS” will debut as the largest nighttime spectacular ever created for a Disney park. It will celebrate how the music of Disney inspires people the world over, carrying you away harmoniously on a stream of familiar Disney tunes reinterpreted by a diverse group of artists from around the globe. “HarmonioUS” will feature massive floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics, lasers and more.
Watching this part of the show gave me goosebumps. I am SO excited for HarmonioUS! Expect a change from the message of Illuminations, as it seems like the new show will be centered around Disney movie music.
Before you leave the Epcot Experience make sure that you check out all the ride posters and Photo Ops! There are old attractions that aren’t around any more, current, and upcoming attractions to see. The Photo Ops put you in the middle of all four new rides – Ratatouille, Guardian’s of the Galaxy, Mary Poppins, and the re-imagined Spaceship Earth.
If you want to check out all the new experiences coming to Epcot make sure you contact me at Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Kimberly to book your next Disney trip!