EPCOT Gets a New Addition to Reflect Its Four Neighborhoods

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

The massive EPCOT transformation is well underway at Walt Disney World Resort. With all of the construction underway at the theme park, Disney has now unveiled a new addition reflecting its new “four neighborhood” approach.

It wasn’t too long ago that EPCOT was known for having two main lands, including Future World and World Showcase. The Walt Disney Imagineering team has been hard work transforming these two lands into four “neighborhoods,” which include World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature, and World Showcase.

World Celebration holds the iconic Spaceship Earth and the newly refreshed EPCOT entrance. It will also be home to the new Walt statue coming soon, called “Dreamers Point.”

World Discovery has seen some of the largest transformations thus far with the addition of the popular indoor roller coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Additionally, the fan-favorite Test Track resides in World Discovery along with the new restaurant, Space 220.

World Nature is currently one large construction zone as we see the new walk-through attraction, Journey of Water Inspired by Moana take shape for its “Fall 2023” opening. Guests can continue to enjoy experiences such as Soarin’ Around the World and The Seas with Nemo and Friends.

The World Showcase has kept its name in the transformation and has seen the new addition of the France Pavilion expansion, which holds the family-friendly Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ride.

But, this newest addition isn’t taking place WITHIN any of these neighborhoods. Instead, Disney is adding a new addition to EPCOT’s parking lot!

@ScottGustin took to social media on January 20, 2023, to share the following photos along with the report, “NEW: The EPCOT auto plaza marquee will get a new look later this month. And starting today, character-themed parking lots will be added that includes “some of the heroes and sidekicks who represent concepts” in EPCOT: Crush, Dory, HeiHei, Moana, Rocket, Gamora, WALL-E, and Eve.”

The EPCOT parking lot will be split into two themed sides, including Earth and Space. Disney adds that the changes to the parking lot “reflect the identity of EPCOT and its four neighborhoods, celebrating the magic of possibility and stories inspired by our real world made fantastic.”

EPCOT Parking Lot characters

The image above shows the eight Disney characters that will be used for the EPCOT parking lot with Earth being represented by Moana, Hei Hei, Crush, and Dory. Space is represented by Wall-E, Eve, Rocket, and Gamora.

Unfortunately, there are still crickets on the Disney World parking lot news we are all really hoping to hear… When are the EPCOT parking lot trams returning? Disney initially promised trams would be available before the end of 2022, but as we wrap up January 2023, we’re still waiting. Disney Park trams have returned to both Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios trams are still missing.

Lastly, if you decide to use the My Disney Experience App’s newly added Car Locator, the app has already added the new characters to help Guests capture their vehicle’s location.

New EPCOT Attraction to Open This Fall!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

A lot is happening at Walt Disney World Resort right now. Guests are celebrating the final months of the 50th Anniversary, enjoying a ton of beautiful art and delicious food at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, riding the new EPCOT attraction, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and watching ride vehicles on TRON: Lightcycle/Run go through numerous tests. Plus, the temperatures in Florida are pretty great this time of year. It’s a truly great time to visit The Most Magical Place on Earth.

The Walt Disney World theme park currently experiencing the biggest change is definitely EPCOT. The Park is now made up of four distinct areas, each with their own personality — World Discovery, World Celebration, World Nature, and the World Showcase. While a lot of areas are being worked on, the largest construction area in the Park will soon be home to a brand-new attraction — Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana.

Journey of Water: Inspired By Moana was first announced back in 2019, and it’s now finally starting to make progress. Most recently, Disney brought in a towering statue of Te Fiti, which stands 16 feet tall! For months, Disney has been teasing that Guests will get to see Te Fiti up close in “late 2023”, but now, we have a more specific opening time frame.

According to Disney, the new attraction will open this fall!

Moana attraction EPCOT

Here’s some more information on the stunning new attraction coming to EPCOT.

Where Water Comes to Life

Stroll along a self-guided outdoor trail where you can play and interact with water as it travels from the sky to the oceans and back again. Along the way, learn about the importance of water and discover its playful personality—just as Moana did on her heroic voyage.

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is scheduled to open within World Nature—the EPCOT neighborhood dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty and balance of the natural world.

Again, we do not have a specific opening date for Journey of Water, but we do know that it will be sometime this fall. It will be so exciting to be celebrating the new attraction while enjoying all that Halloween Time at Disney World has to offer!

Fun New Additions Coming to the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, Sprouting March 1

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

There is nothing lovelier than springtime at Walt Disney World! The days get longer, the weather warms up, and colorful flowers bloom across the landscape. And one of the best places to experience spring is at the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. Beginning March 1 and continuing through July 5, this stunning festival features alluring gardens, whimsical topiaries, lively entertainment, beautiful merchandise and delightfully fresh cuisine.

Today, we have exciting news to share. For the first time, topiaries of Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela and Luisa from Disney “Encanto” will make a grand appearance at the festival. Located near the EPCOT main entrance, these new topiaries are sure to be a must-do photo moment. (But remember: We don’t talk about Bruno.)

And that’s not all. A new Princess Tiana topiary will grace The American Adventure. Plus, we also have returning favorites such as Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs; Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook and Tick Tock Croc; Figment; Anna and Elsa; and more.

The popular Garden Rocks Concert Series is back, featuring favorite tunes at the America Gardens Theatre. More details about the musical lineup will be released soon. Stay tuned here!

Guests better get their taste buds ready; because they’re in for a treat! More than 15 Outdoor Kitchens will offer specialty menus of scrumptious cuisine and beverages. One of our favorites is The Citrus Blossom which will move to a new location at Odyssey. With fresh new menu items, guests will want to sample all the mouth-watering delights.

Of course, guests can commemorate their visit with official ‘70’s inspired Orange Bird merchandise, including apparel, headwear, drinkware and much more.

Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration will have people abuzz again. This springtime scavenger hunt is fun for all ages. Guests can follow Spike the Bee on his pollination trail, where he will “bee” busy collecting nectar and pollinating gardens at EPCOT. Once guests find him in each garden on their map, they’ll add the corresponding sticker of the plant he is visiting.

On the bridge to World Showcase, guests can enjoy the sights and scents of spring with Blossoms of Fragrance presented by Scentsy. Surrounded by vibrant butterfly topiaries, guests will be invited to follow their noses to six scent stations—to form lasting memories with the help of unforgettable aromas.

To experience the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, guests must have both valid admission and a park reservation for EPCOT on the same date. Keep an eye here for more details!

Disney Starts Dropping Reservation System Requirements For Disney World Guests

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Guests need a Park reservation to visit each of the four parks at Walt Disney World. Guests can still park hop, but they will need a valid ticket and reservation date to do so. Guests also need to wait until 2 p.m. to visit their second Park.

Once Walt Disney World and Disneyland reopened to Guests after temporarily closing due to the ongoing pandemic, the theme parks implemented a new reservation system to help monitor Park capacity called the Park Pass system. In order to enter a theme park at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, Guests must not only have valid Park admission but a valid Park Pass reservation.

family on animal kingdom discovery island trails

At Walt Disney World, Annual Passholders will now be able to park hop after 2 p.m. without needing a reservation. There are exceptions, however, with Magic Kingdom being unaffected by this new policy on Saturdays and Sundays.

To enter a theme park, you will need a theme park reservation and valid admission for that theme park—for each day you’d like to visit:

Before You Make a Purchase

Please check to see if your desired date and theme park is currently available before purchasing your ticket, Annual Pass or vacation package. Keep your reservation date preference in mind when selecting your ticket, Annual Pass or package. Different types of admission—such as tickets, Annual Passes or packages—may have different reservation date availability.

Disney World Brings Back Beloved Ticket Offer!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

If there’s one thing that we know about a Walt Disney World Resort vacation, it’s that it is not a cheap experience. Between the hotel, Park tickets, food, and travel expenses, the average Disney World trip will set Guests back thousands of dollars. Over the past few years, it seems that Disney may have out-priced the average family, and even Florida residents are saying that they are planning to vacation elsewhere. Disney wants to show its Florida love and is bringing back a popular resident ticket offer.

On most days between January 10 and mid-April, Florida residents can purchase a two-day ticket for as little as $175 per person with the Florida Resident Weekday Magic Ticket! Considering a one-day Park ticket is typically over $100 per person, this adds up to significant savings. There are also three and four-day Weekday Magic tickets available, and Guests can even add on a Park-Hopper option or Park Hopper Plus option (which includes water parks) for an additional fee.

Here’s some more information on this great ticket offer that applies to all four Disney World theme parks – Disneys Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom Park.

Florida residents can purchase a 2-Day Disney Weekday Magic Ticket for $175 plus tax —or choose from other great Disney Weekday Magic Ticket options. This ticket can be used on consecutive or non-consecutive days.

Explore ticket options:

2-Day Disney Weekday Magic Tickets
3-Day Disney Weekday Magic Tickets
4-Day Disney Weekday Magic Tickets
Disney Weekday Magic Tickets are valid Monday through Friday only, from January 10 through April 27, 2023 (subject to blockout dates from March 13 through March 17, 2023; April 3 through April 7, 2023; and April 10 through April 14, 2023)

Tickets are not valid for admission on blockout dates.

There are several important things to note with the Florida Resident Weekday Magic ticket. First and foremost, in addition to their theme park ticket, Guests will also need to make theme park reservations. So, if you decide to purchase the Florida resident ticket, it is best to make sure the Parks you want to visit are available on the days you want to go. Luckily, weekdays are typically not as busy as weekends, so you may have more luck when trying to book the theme parks of your choice.

Spaceship Earth at EPCOT

It is also important to remember that, because this ticket option is for Florida residents only, proof of residency may be required. So, when you get to the parks, be ready to prove that you live in the state should a Cast Member ask you to. Over on the West Coast at Disneyland Resort, Guests must show their California ID when proof of residency is required, so Disney World may do the same.