Walt Disney once said: “Epcot will always be in a state of becoming”.
And that’s exactly what is happening at the Florida theme park.
For several years, Epcot has been known as the least exciting of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World Florida. But change is coming.
Epcot is actually an acronym that stands for “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow”. Walt Disney wanted to build a larger Disneyland which no space constraints and to imagine what the world would be like in the future.
It currently houses the World Showcase, Mission: Space the Test Track ride and Soarin’ Around the World.
But as our vision of space and the future has moved on, those exhibits no longer look like a “community of tomorrow”.
Enter the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Back in 2019, at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, Disney announced a bunch of new projects planned for Epcot.
The arrival of 2020 and the pandemic meant that some of those projects were scaled back or scrapped altogether.
But luckily for us, Epcot’s original plan was monumental. So we are still in store for some huge changes at Epcot.
These changes are going to dramatically transform entire sections of the park and make it Disney’s best theme park yet.
As part of its transformation, Epcot will no longer have two parts. Instead, it will have four distinct but interconnected neighbourhoods.
Disney plans to keep the current World Showcase and to reimagine the former Future World into three new worlds: World Discovery, World Celebration and World Nature.
Here’s what park-goers can expect from each of these worlds.
This is the futuristic world where visitors can immerse themselves in all things space, science and technology.
Epcot’s new future vision will now feature the Guardians of the Galaxy character meet-and-greet and an epic new rollercoaster.
Your adventure starts in the ‘Galaxarium’ a planetarium-like exhibition. Here you will learn about the treasures of Xandar.
From the entrance, visitors will then be able to jump on the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster, which is set to become the world’s longest enclosed roller coaster when it opens later this year.
According to Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek, the ride will be one of Disney’s most thrilling attractions yet.
“On most coasters, the vehicles point straight ahead throughout the ride,” Chapek said back in 2018.
“But on this attraction, each individual cab will be programmed to direct your eye to the story happening around you.”
“That means instead of whizzing by the action, you’ll be fully immersed in the story from the minute you launch.”
Yes, each individual carriage on the roller coaster will spin 360 degrees as you throttle down the world’s longest roller coaster descent. You can watch the test ride in the video below.
The Guardians of the Galaxy ride will also feature the first-ever reverse launch on a Disney roller coaster.
This culinary experience will offer a celestial panorama of a space station. The view will include daytime and nighttime views of Earth from 355km away.
We recommend dining at Space 220 and then visiting the reverse-launching space rollercoaster to keep your stomach stable.
World Showcase is the part of Epcot that celebrates culture, cuisine, architecture and traditions.
While World Showcase isn’t transforming structurally you can expect some changes with the infusion of new Disney magic.
The France Pavilion is getting a new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ride. It is a 4D ride inspired by Ratatouille: The Adventure ride at Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris. You’ll have to wait until 1 October 2021 to check out the new ride.
Other changes at the France Pavilion include the addition of a new restaurant La Crêperie De Paris. Celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse is the mastermind behind the authentic crêperie.
It will serve sweet and savoury crepes and have quick service and table service dining options. This will also open on 1 October 2021.
The China Pavilion will now feature Wondrous China, a 360-degree film that will take guests on a spectacular journey around China.
Harmonious is Epcot’s new nighttime show. The show will happen on the waters of World Showcase Lagoon. It will feature massive floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics and lasers.
Disney has said that this show will be a massive scale project and “like none we’ve ever seen before”.
We don’t know exactly when Harmonious is coming to Epcot but we do know this welcome change is coming sometime in 2021.
The vision for World Celebration is to offer new experiences that connect us to our world and to one another.
The entrance to Epcot was in need of a change. While Spaceship Earth will remain, the entrance will spotlight a feature fountain at its base. This fountain will celebrate the past, present and future of Epcot.
The addition of a statue of Walt Disney will honour the legacy of the original dreamer.
Under the Epcot changes, Dreamers Point will also feature a wishing tree and a story fountain that will celebrate the power of music.
As its name suggests World Nature is dedicated to preserving the balance and beauty of the natural world.
There aren’t many changes coming to this Epcot neighbourhood but it’s getting one big addition that will have you itching to check it out.
This lush exploration trail will be the first live experience inspired by the hit Disney film.
Here you will encounter magical and living water just like Moana. Those exploring the trail will also learn how to protect the natural water cycle.
Epcot is in Orlando, Florida USA. Australians can fly there from Sydney once the borders are open.
Flights from Australia to Orlando will involve a stopover at LAX, Dallas Fort Worth, Houston, or San Francisco.
You can also fly to Orlando via Hawaii.
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