Walt Disney World turns 50 in 2021 and if anybody knows anything about Disney, it’s that they take celebrations SERIOUSLY. We still have some waiting to do before we can start celebrating but Disney has already begun preparing. In fact, they started over 2 years ago but we are just now starting to see the beginning of change in the parks. If you have not ever heard of the D23 expo, it’s basically Comi-Con but for Disney. It’s held every 2 years in California and last month the expo made some pretty big announcements about Disney, specifically EPCOT. Disney has been saying they want to make 50 changes to celebrate it’s golden year and they are proving it. EPCOT alone is receiving biggest overhaul any theme park has ever had and some of the changes and upgrades are going to be ground breaking so I want to just focus on this park for right now. This is everything we know so far from the D23 Expo. But before I go into all the EPCOT details, I have to show you this 50th anniversary logo. I need a hoodie, spirit jersey, tee shirt, key chain and necklace with this logo on it. I think Disney learned it’s lesson from the 25th anniversary pink birthday cake castle. Do you remember that? Let’s be a little classier this go round and not paint Cinderella Castle anything too crazy. It’s already rumored that rose gold may appear on the castle and I have no doubt that Cinderella Castle will receive some sort of make over. If they can give it a hologram/ iridescent type of coat, similar to the shine in the video below, I’m down with that.
Now, onto everything that will happen by 2021 in EPCOT.
New Logos:
In addition to the 50th Castle logo, EPCOT is going back their logo they used from 1982-1995 along with the pavilion logos. If you need a brief history of EPCOT signage, there’s a pretty neat article about Disney logos here.New Park Entrance: Leave a Legacy photo structures have already been removed and will supposedly be relocated at a later time. The entrance will have a more open area with green spaces and a re-imagined fountain.
Disney Skyliner
One of the five stops that allow you to travel through the sky will have a stop at EPCOT’s International Gateway. The other park stop will be at Hollywood Studios along with 3 other resorts. We rode the skyliner on our previous trip and they move pretty fast. I was impressed with how fast we were able to get from EPCOT to Hollywood Studios (about 8 minutes!). There are also continuous, they slow down a bit when they get into the station but pick up speed again once it leaves.
Disney HarmonioUS
EPCOT’s new nighttime show will begin after the limited time EPCOT Forever ends in 2020. It will celebrate how music inspires and unites people all over the world. This new show will feature massive floating pieces displayed across World Showcase Lagoon, custom built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains and pyrotechnics. This will be the largest nighttime spectacular show in Disney’s history, ever! Bigger than Magic Kingdom on New Year’s Ever?! I can’t even imagine this.
New Neighborhoods
Future World will be re-imagined into 3 areas, World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery. The biggest changes will occur in World Celebration.
World Celebration
Spaceship Earth
The ride inside of the giant “golf ball” that tells the story of humanity will remain but will undergo a major overhaul including new music and narration. The stories will remain the same but be brought to life in a more dynamic way with a “story light” element to bring each scene energy as well as brand new new stories focusing on our technological advancements the world has made recent years. The attraction will also be receiving a new exit space which may not sound like much but EPCOT is finally utilizing all that unused space they have. As you leave the ride, you will have a breathtaking view of the park including a view of World Showcase…from the sphere! You will also have a view of the new garden that will be below, Dreamer’s Point.
Dreamer’s Point
This new garden in World Celebration will have a view overlooking the all new park all the way to World Showcase and not to mention a perfect viewing spot for the new nighttime fireworks, HarmonioUS.
Uncle Walt Statue
I’m not exactly sure where the specific location will be for this, the high above exit space of Spaceship Earth or if it would be in the gardens below, but the takeaway is that EPCOT will feature a statue of Walt Disney. The conception art shows Uncle Walt sitting on some steps looking up into the sky as EPCOT was his dream and he was indeed, the dreamer of all dreamers.
More in World Celebration: Additional announcements that were made but not gone into detail was “gardens that will peak your curiosity and engage in your surroundings, a wishing tree that will come to life in surprising ways, a story fountain that celebrates the power and music of iconic Disney story telling.” I’m not sure what that last part means, it kinda confused me for a second but that’s what Bob Chapik said and I’m excited! I’m visualizing a dancing water fountain of some kind but way more magical that what I’m imagining. There will also be a new pavilion for all of those festivals EPCOT loves to host, it’s going to have a rooftop park. Not much was given but I can imagine how awesome this will be when completed.
World Discovery
Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind
An indoor themed coaster, you’ll begin your journey in a planetarium like presentation and will travel to the planet Xandar and back to earth THEN you will go on a Nova ship to see a view of earth from space and this is where the Guardians of the Galaxy come in to twist things up. As the name suggests, this will feature Disney’s first backwards launch roller coaster. Yep, backwards.
Space 220
Mission Space was the inspiration for this immersive restaurant. Take an elevator to board a space station and enjoy the view as you travel 220 miles above the earth. This thing will have real time views, night and day. Advanced dining reservations will go fast for this baby and it is scheduled to open in early 2020.
Play! Pavilion
Where Wonders of Life used to be, this pavilion will become a digital metropolis, an interactive city. Guests can learn to draw different Disney characters under the thumb of Edna Mode, have an epic water balloon fight with Huey, Duey, Luey, and Webby, with character meet and greets “like never before”. When I quote, you know it’s serious.
World Nature
Awesome Planet
A new film that will showcase the dynamics of earth, really wish I had more to say on this but I don’t. The title is self explanatory.The Journey of Water: A Moana inspired exploration trail that allows you interactive play with the wonders of water. Again, not much was given but I think it is going to be breathtaking, totally immersive and a perfect meet and greet spot for Moana and Maui. Just the concept art alone is amazing, just look at that shade!
World Showcase
Wonderous China
A new scenes on a seamless digital updated 360 degree circle vision film. Canada Far and Wide: Another circle vision 360 degree film with a new story. This one got some cheers and applause when it was announced. Theme Park film announcements didn’t have too many details but I expect these to be the 15- 20 minutes films to beat the heat or rain. You know, not your priority when you go to Disney but if there is a seat and A/C, you can count me in! I am curious about this Canada one though.
Impressions of France and Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along
These two will run in rotation in the France pavilion. Impressions of France is getting an update and it was not said if Beauty and the Beast would be an animated or live action show or which film it will based off of. My best guess is that it will be a mix of both.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
This will be in an all new area of the France pavilion. Guests will shrink down to the size of Remy the rat and race through Gusteau’s Restaurant and is an exact replica of it’s sister ride in Disneyland Paris and if this ride get’s you in the mood for food, a new crêperie called La Creperie de Paris will be nearby. This will be both a quick-service and a table-service restaurant.
Cherry Tree Lane (Finally!)
I saved the best for last. Cherry Tree Lane is coming to the United Kingdom pavilion and I peed a little when I watched Dick van Dyke come out on stage and announce this. Now, not too much information was given on this attraction but guests will get to walk past Admiral Boom’s home and then enter Number 17 Cherry Lane, The Banks home. This is the very first Mary Poppins attraction to come to any Disney park. The concept art looks just like a still from the movie.
I’m sure that as we get closer to 2021, more announcements will be made. The one that surprised me was that nothing was mentioned of the long time rumored Brazil Pavilion that has been going around for quite a few years. I still have my fingers crossed.