A Brand-New Attraction Is Coming to Walt Disney World’s EPCOT

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Walt Disney World’s EPCOT was always designed to be a revolving experience, a constant ‘state of becoming.’ This theme park’s main inspiration was the ever-evolving world of advancement, technology, and nature.

In fact, when Walt Disney first dreamt of EPCOT, he was imagining something else entirely: a city. His famous quote reads:

So that’s what E.P.C.O.T is…an experimental prototype community that will always be in a state of becoming. It will never cease to be a living blueprint of the future, where people actually live a life they can’t find anywhere else in the world.

Any hardcore fan of Walt Disney World Resort will tell you that EPCOT originally stood for ‘Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.”

While the Disney Park is, well, exactly that: a theme park, and not a city, it still finds ways to honor Walt’s original vision. It’s always in a state of becoming.

In EPCOT, things are ever-evolving, just like Walt Disney wanted. While rides and attractions can’t always change or update as often as a constant ‘state of becoming’ requires, the nighttime spectaculars can!

That’s why it makes total sense for the Walt Disney Company’s latest announcement: an all-new firework display in EPCOT.

EPCOT is one of the best places in Walt Disney World for a nighttime spectacular. Not only does the theme park’s iconic Spaceship Earth attraction come to life with projections, but the fireworks show across the World Showcase Lagoon can be viewed anywhere in the World Showcase.

That means a guest in the Mexico pavilion and a guest in the France pavilion can watch the same fireworks display at once, despite being in entirely different areas.

EPCOT Forever

Luminous: The Symphony of Us will feature iconic Disney music, fireworks, and even dancing water fountains. But at this time, these are the only details we have.

This new experience will debut on December 5.

FIGMENT Gets a Meet and Greet

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

When we think of Disney, we often conjure images of beloved characters, enchanting princess tales, and magical kingdoms. However, one often overlooked gem at Walt Disney World Resort is the unique and imaginative character known as Figment.

Figment is a small, purple dragon with a mischievous personality who serves as a guide through the wonders of the human mind. Figment can be found in the Imagination Pavilion at EPCOT, one of the four theme parks that make up Walt Disney World Resort.

While the world may not know his name, he is a true A-list celebrity to Disney fans.

Figment

Figment’s fanbase has completely exploded over the past couple of years. His nostalgic element, mixed with the fact that he is a Walt Disney World original character, makes him very important to a lot of fans. Disney has not always registered the love that fans have for Figment, but that shift began to happen last year with the sale of his Popcorn bucket.

When Disney released the Figment Popcorn bucked, fans lost their minds. Lines stretched through all the Parks in the hot Florida sun just to grab one of these coveted accessories. The resale market on these also blew up, with people selling these buckets for massive upcharges.

Disney World Figment popcorn bucket

Earlier this year, Disney announced the thrilling news that Figment would be receiving his own meet and greet in EPCOT. Fans will finally be able to hug and interact with this beloved character. At today’s D23 presentation, fans were treated to a viewing of what Figment will look like, and they also received the best news possible.

The Figment meet and greet is started Sunday, September 10! This is much sooner than fans were originally anticipating, and the fandom is certainly delighted at this news.

Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom CLOSING to Make Way For a Completely New Land

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

Dinoland, U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is endangered and will go extinct to make way for a brand new expansion of tropical-themed experiences.

Chester and Hester’s old stomping grounds at Dinoland, U.S.A., will be removed to make way for The Tropical Americas area of the park. Dinoland has long been a favorite of Disney World guests since it first opened with the park on April 22, 1998. Fans of the prehistorically-themed land love the DINOSAUR! attraction, as well as TricerTop Spin, the Boneyard, and the previously closed Primeval Whirl attraction.

primeval whirl attraction disney's animal kingdom

New experiences inspired by Encanto and Indiana Jones are being considered for the reimagined Dinoland U.S.A. land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, per an announcement at Destination D23 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

On Saturday morning, Bruce Vaughn, Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney Imagineering, shared the vision for a complete overhaul of Dinoland, U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which would include the addition of magical new experiences inspired by Disney’s Encanto (2021) and the Indiana Jones film series. Both are being considered as the inspiration for new featured attractions as part of a total revamping of Dinoland, U.S.A.

Vaughn said they have a long way to go and much more to discover before they begin the process of overhauling the guest-favorite area at Disney World’s fourth theme park, but he says that Walt Disney Imagineering teams are up for the challenge in the Sunshine State.

EPCOT’s Lack-Luster Attraction Is Getting “Reimagined” in an Incredible Way

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Right now, the news from Destination D23 is pumping out, and the changes are abundant. Whether it’s new meet and greets, fireworks shows, or ride changes, fans have been left with no lack of juicy breaking news this Saturday morning.

However, no news today has come to the relief of fans quite as much as the news that Test Track is finally getting a renovation.

sunset and rain epcot

Located in the heart of Walt Disney World Resort, EPCOT is a unique Disney park that combines entertainment, education, and innovation. One of the featured attractions in this expansive park is Test Track, an exhilarating ride that takes guests on a one-of-a-kind automotive adventure.

Test Track was originally meant to provide Guests with a high-speed, adrenaline-boosting ride experience. With high-speed turns, hair-raising accelerations, and heart-pounding thrills, Test Track was at one time a testament to the Disney Imagineering team’s commitment to creating unforgettable experiences.

However, as the years have passed, Test Track has not aged in the way that Disney may have hoped it would have. Fans now find the ride underwhelming, and it doesn’t really hold the nostalgic element with crowds either.

walt disney world ride space mountain test track expedition everest rock n roller coaster spaceship earth magic kingdom epcot animal kingdom hollywood studios average stall time to reopen

It has just been announced at Destination D23, the fan expo happening this weekend at Walt Disney World Resort, that Disney Imagineers are working alongside Chevrolet to create a reimagined version of the Test Track attraction. Disney explains that the new version will be looking “back into history fo inspiration- from the original World of Motion- and bringing that spirit of optimism to the next iteration of the Test Track attraction! “

By the looks of the post’s comment section, fans are thrilled at this news. For a lot of fans, this news has been a long time coming, and it is great to see Disney listen to the feedback from fans and implement it in such a way.

The Tree of Life: A Majestic Icon of Animal Kingdom

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

Within the heart of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park in Orlando, Florida, stands a majestic icon that captures the essence of the park’s mission – the Tree of Life. This towering 145-foot-tall tree, carved with intricate details, has become a symbol of wonder, conservation, and the interconnectedness of all living things.

The Tree of Life, unveiled in 1998, was conceived as the centerpiece and symbol of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a park dedicated to the celebration of wildlife, nature, and conservation. Its design is a testament to the park’s commitment to education and environmental awareness. This “tree” isn’t an actual tree but rather a man-made structure designed to resemble a massive baobab tree, a species native to Africa.

What makes the Tree of Life truly captivating is its intricate exterior. Carved into the tree’s bark are over 300 meticulously detailed animal figures, both familiar and exotic. These sculptures showcase the vast biodiversity found on our planet, from lions and elephants to tiny insects and birds. It’s a visual representation of the interconnectedness of all life forms and a reminder of the park’s mission to promote wildlife conservation.

While the exterior of the Tree of Life is awe-inspiring in itself, its magic doesn’t stop there. Inside the tree, visitors can explore the “It’s Tough to Be a Bug!” attraction. This 3D show, inspired by Disney-Pixar’s “A Bug’s Life,” offers a whimsical and educational experience, featuring larger-than-life animatronic insects who share their world with the audience. It’s a fun and immersive way to learn more about the vital roles bugs play in our ecosystem.

As the sun sets over Animal Kingdom, the Tree of Life undergoes a stunning transformation. With the introduction of nighttime experiences at the park, the tree is bathed in a warm, magical light. It becomes the centerpiece for “Tree of Life Awakenings,” a projection show that brings the carvings to life. The tree seems to breathe and come alive with scenes of nature and animals, enchanting visitors and emphasizing the importance of preserving the natural world.

In conclusion, the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is more than just an icon; it’s a testament to the park’s commitment to the beauty of nature, conservation, and education. Its majestic presence and intricate carvings inspire visitors to appreciate and protect the rich tapestry of life on our planet. Whether you visit during the day or marvel at its nighttime transformation, the Tree of Life is a symbol of our interconnectedness with the animal kingdom and the importance of preserving it for future generations to enjoy.