Project Gamma is full steam ahead at Walt Disney World’s Epcot. The park makeover will see significant enhancements and new attractions. It will also receive a complete retheming according to the latest D23 Epcot announcements. Rather than a Future World and World Showcase, Epcot will feature a more unified world theme with a breakdown into four distinct neighborhoods. The new Epcot will embrace its roots with a classic logo and renaming of the park. In addition, the revitalization will reignite the imaginations of guests and inspire hope for a better tomorrow.
All the D23 EPCOT Announcements
World Showcase
The World Showcase remains the most unchanged under the new plans. However, there are plenty of new things taking place over there, including an original Mary Poppins themed expansion in the UK Pavilion and the Ratatouille dark ride in France. A Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along will also be joining Impressions de France. Meanwhile, China and Canada are receiving new 360 movies in their pavilions. The biggest news is the announcement of a new World Showcase Pavilion. Brazil will go right between Germany and Italy in the back of the World Showcase.
Epcot’s United Kingdom pavilion will welcome the first attraction inspired by Mary Poppins. Guests will step in time down Cherry Tree Lane past Admiral Boom’s house, then enter Number 17, home of the Banks family, where their adventure will begin. (Disney)
World Celebration
World Celebration will Feature a completely reimagined Spaceship Earth with new scenes and a focus on a unified Earth. The new festival center is going to be a multileveled structure lush with greenery. It will feature a stunning view of the World Showcase for an ideal vantage point during Epcot’s upcoming new nighttime Spectacular Harmonious.
In 2020, the new “HarmonioUS” will debut at Epcot 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 them 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. (Disney)
The World Celebration area will be primarily devoted to festival space and feature a beer garden as well as large spaces for food, beverage, and merchandise.
World Nature
This section of the park will expand on what The Land Pavilion and The Seas with Nemo and Friends have already started. World Nature will incorporate a stunning new film called Awesome Planet, which will show in the Land Pavilion. A gorgeous walk through garden-scape themed to Moana will reveal the journey of water.
The journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana” at Epcot will be the first attraction inspired by the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film. This lush exploration trail will invite guests to meet and play with magical, living water. (Disney)
World Discovery
Formerly known as Future World East, World Discovery will continue to feature new frontiers, such as space missions, the importance of play, and the new Guardians of the Galaxy coaster, Cosmic Rewind, the first roller coaster with a reverse launch and one of the longest indoor roller coasters in the world.
The new Play pavilion will reinvent the former Wonders of Life Pavilion and feature several interactive games and fun activities. Mission Space will receive a rotating table service restaurant that will feel as though you are dining on a space station.
The PLAY! pavilion at Epcot will open in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort. In this digital metropolis, guests will discover an interactive city bursting with games, activities, and experiences that connect them with friends, family and beloved Disney characters – both real and virtual – like never before. (Disney)
The new Epcot will have a cleaner, greener, more unified look, and feel. With brand new attractions, nature-focused landscaping and retro branding, the new EPCOT will be more similar in spirit to the original concept and have an appeal that will last for generations to come.
William D Holland says
The amount of money involved is beyond my comprehension. The big just keep getting bigger, don’t they, fed by the little? Such is life, my friend.
Thanks for the tour of the future. Have a great weekend!
Janine says
Aw, always and have a great weekend, too!! 🙂
Dara says
My kids have told me a bit about this from what they’ve seen around the web. Thanks for sharing it here, now I feel like I’m up to date on Epcot’s plans!
Janine says
Aw, glad to get you up-to-date on Epcot’s plans here today, too!! 🙂
Jen says
I’m in just because of Mary Poppins, but everything else sounds pretty fantastic as well 🙂
Janine says
Omg, I agree about Mary Poppins and cannot wait now, too!! 🙂
Gloria Spagnoli says
Lots of new things to explore and enjoy on your next trip(s)!
Janine says
I couldn’t agree more, aunt Gloria!! <3 🙂
Tamara says
So crazy. I went as a little kid to Epcot and then again when I was 19 and then once last year. We usually do just Magic Kingdom. Epcot is special, though, and I’m glad they’re updating it and some things will stay the same because they rock.
Janine says
I totally agree, Tamara as Epcot is truly special and glad that even though they are updating some stuff, Epcot hopefully will retain some of its original charm, too 🙂
Christine Carter says
WOW WOW WOW!! My gosh, all of this looks AMAZING!! Seriously, now I want to go…
Janine says
Aw, I know I seriously cannot wait to go back either 🙂
Meredith Spidel says
What huge changes! And thanks for spelling it out–I read a bit online, but wasn’t really clear about what was happening! I am especially so excited for the Mary Poppins area!
Janine says
Aw, my pleasure always and same here about Mary Poppins, too 🙂