Disney Releases New Details on Upcoming Projects at EPCOT

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Walt Disney once said EPCOT “would always be in a state of becoming” as a place that changes with the times. The theme park is delivering on that promise in a whole new way as it continues the biggest transformation in its history. As we near the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in the World Discovery neighborhood, we can now look forward to the next stage of the transformation of EPCOT, the new projects yet to come in World Celebration and World Nature. Disney has released new concept art and details on what’s to come.

From a Disney Cast Member;

As international festivals continue to become more of an integral part of the EPCOT experience, Disney Imagineers are creating new spaces that will bring these events into the heart of the park in the new World Celebration neighborhood. In several new artist concept renderings released today, you can see how the transformation of EPCOT will take shape as you walk past Spaceship Earth and begin your journey through the park.

World Celebration will offer a beautiful hub divided into several different gardens, with a central planter based on the five-ring EPCOT logo. Filled with ample seating and shade, you’ll be invited to connect with one another and the nature around you in this lush new area. Each of these gardens will have their own identities, and they’ll change along with the festivals throughout the year.

At night, the gardens will take on a whole new life, as you can see here. They’re designed to be enjoyed in the round, where lighting immerses you in the nighttime experience that will evolve through the seasons.

This all surrounds CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza, a multi-use facility and outdoor event space, respectively, that bring the park’s international festivals to the center of EPCOT. CommuniCore Plaza will have the flexibility to host intimate musical performances that extend out into the nearby gardens, as you can see in the rendering above, as well as large-scale concerts.

CommuniCore Hall will be a flexible exhibition and gallery space, offering a wide variety of experiences that highlight art, live music, food – complete with a demonstration kitchen – and more. In addition, adjacent to CommuniCore Hall will be a new Mickey & Friends location where you can meet some of your favorite Disney pals.

This new facility, which you can see in the upper-right side of this rendering, is inspired by the original EPCOT aesthetic apparent throughout the park’s transformation, including the timeless triangular geometry most prominently featured in Spaceship Earth. Even the CommuniCore name reaches back to the origins of EPCOT while also emphasizing the park’s central idea of community.

We’ll have much more to share on the transformation of EPCOT here on the Disney Parks Blog as the center of the park continues to develop, so be sure to keep checking back to learn more. And also head over to Instagram where Imagineer Zach Riddley @thezachriddley provides more insight into the work Walt Disney Imagineering is doing at this park we love.

Construction at EPCOT’s ‘Moana’-Inspired Attraction

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Via InsidetheMagic

Fans of Disney’s animated film of Moana (2016) cannot wait until the day Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana opens at EPCOT. If you are not familiar with the upcoming Moana-inspired attraction coming to EPCOT, it will be nothing like Disney has done before.

In 2019, Disney announced that the all-new attraction themed after the story of Moana would be arriving at EPCOT. The new attraction will be called Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana and, according to Disney officials, will be the “first-ever experience inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ hit film [and] will let Guests interact with magical, living water in a beautiful and inspiring setting.”

And ever since, Inside the Magic has been updating you on the construction progress of the soon-to-be attraction.

moana attraction

Earlier this year, we reported that the construction site for the upcoming attraction is visible, and ever since, Disney Imagineers have been working hard to complete this project. Now, we can see more construction happening around the site for Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana thanks to Bioreconstruct on Twitter.

We can see some foundation work at the Moana attraction in EPCOT, to which bioreconstruct shared:

Foundation work at North end of Moana Journey of Water site.

Additionally, construction workers have brought in some large piping which will soon be installed at the site. Bioreconstruct shared:

Large diameter pipes being placed underground in Moana Journey of Water site.

More photos show the site beginning to take shape. Bioreconstruct shared:

Bottom arrow at rebar for a concrete wall in Moana Journey of Water site. Same rebar seen in first Tweet of this Thread.

Other arrows at large diameter pipe. Left is placed in a trench. Right is about to be placed.

And lastly, the view from the Monorail shows additional construction vehicles and pieces around the site of Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana:

Looking across both sides of the monorail loop at a collection of concrete forms in the Moana Journey of Water site. Arrows at same section of rebar for a short concrete wall.

Unfortunately, at this time we do not have an opening date for the attraction. Inside the Magic will continue to update you as we get information regarding Journey of Water.

Please keep in mind that the upcoming Moana-inspired attraction is just that — An attraction, not a ride. Think of it more as an experience. Disney describes the attraction as it “will let Guests interact with magical, living water in a beautiful and inspiring setting.”

Disney officially describes the Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana as:

In World Nature, The reinvention of Epcot will include Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana.” This first-ever experience inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ hit film will let guests interact with magical, living water in a beautiful and inspiring setting.

moana with ocean

The Cove – A New Hotel Underway on Walt Disney World Property

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

During the Walt Disney World closure most of the construction on property stopped. There were a few exceptions, one of which was rather large. A brand new building is being built in the Epcot Resort Area, and it is easy to see from World Drive. Many people assume that the new building is the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser (the “Star Wars” hotel) but that is not correct. The new building is going to be a hotel, but it won’t have a “Star Wars” theme, and it will not be owned or operated by Disney.

The building that is under construction is The Cove. It will be part of the same complex as the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts, which are also not owned by Disney. They are owned and operated by Starwood Hotels and Resorts, which is a subsidiary of Marriot. That is why construction continued during the closure, because The Cove is not being constructed by Disney.

The Cove looks like it is going to be a magnificent place to stay. When finished, it will be a 14-story tower. Part of the focus will be business travelers, with plenty of meeting rooms and suites. There are 343 rooms planned, half of which will be business suites. The business suites will be able to transform into meeting areas if needed. State of the art equipment will be available for business meetings. There will also be a business center, two ballrooms, and a rooftop space.

The Swan and Dolphin are known for their dining experiences, and the trend will continue at The Cove. There will be a restaurant that can serve up to 90 people at any given time, and there will be a 50 person lounge. If you’re looking for a place to relax, there will be a lounge on the second story that will feature specialty cocktails.

Business travelers will also want to have fun, so there will be a 16,800 foot pool. It will feature several fountains, and will be surrounded by lavish landscaping. There will also be a fire pit. The Cove will have a health club as well.

Given the proximity to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Cove is sure to be a favorite new place to stay for many. You will be able to walk or take a Friendship to either park, or watch the nightly fireworks from the rooftop. Fantasia Gardens miniature golf will also be just a short walk away. Disney’s BoardWalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club resorts will also be within walking distance, opening up even more dining, shopping, and entertainment possibilities. The Cove will also be near the International Gateway entrance to Epcot. That gives guests easy access to the Disney Skyliner.

Guests who stay at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels are eligible for some of the benefits that people who stay at a Disney owned resort can receive. This includes Extra Magic Hours and the ability to make FastPass+ reservations 60 days in advance. Guests at those hotels are not eligible for Disney’s Magical Express or the Disney Dining Plan. It is safe to assume that the same will hold true at The Cove once it opens.

It was originally announced that the opening date for The Cove was to be March 1, 2021. That date was given before the closure and subsequent reopening of Walt Disney World, and it has not been said if the date will be pushed back. When complete, the complex (including the Swan and Dolphin) will have approximately 2,600 rooms between the three resorts.

Aerial View of Completed New Tri-Circle-D Ranch

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

@bioreconstruct took to the sky to show the newly-completed Tri-Circle-D Ranch, which was rebuilt as an initial part of the expansion ongoing at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground for the upcoming Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge.

New Tri-Circle D Ranch

Imagineers have redesigned the Tri-Circle-D Ranch, which will offer a modern stable and updated outdoor spaces and facilities for “The Happiest Horses on Earth.” The new ranch will maintain the history and spirit of the original Tri-Circle-D, welcoming guests to explore exhibits of classic Disney equestrian artifacts, some of which date back to the 1950s!

Tri-Circle D Ranch Horses

There appears to be a completed walking path in front of the stables, and if you look closely, you can spot a few white horses, possibly ponies, near the stables.

Reflections A Disney Lakeside Lodge

The ranch houses nearly 100 horses in a wide range of breeds, including Appaloosas, Arabians, Belgians, Clydesdales, paint horses, Percherons, and quarter horses, as well as the aforementioned Shetland ponies. The horses are used for horse-drawn carriage rides, wagon rides, horseback riding lessons, pony rides, and during the holiday season, sleigh rides at the resort.

The new ranch is part of a major expansion plan of the area behind Disney’s Fort Wilderness Lodge & Campground, which was formerly a water park called River Country. Construction has continued on the site, despite most of the Walt Disney Resort remaining closed because of the novel coronavirus. While nothing has been confirmed, it can be ascertained that the new location of the Tri-Circle D Ranch will encourage guests of the both resorts to utilize this area for various activities.

Construction Reportedly Resumes On Tron Lightcycle Run

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Another sign of Walt Disney World beginning to resume operations may be at the Magic Kingdom, where construction may be “rebooting” on TRON Lightcycle Run.

Reportedly, there have been “multiple trucks hauling in items” near the site of the future attraction with security present, spotted while driving past the Magic Kingdom.

The aerial photo above, courtesy of Jonathan Michael Salazar, captures TRON Lightcycle Run as it stands during the construction freeze at Walt Disney World.

Construction at Walt Disney World’s theme parks was effectively placed on an indefinite pause due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. With the reopening of Disney Springs beginning this week and Universal Orlando prepared to reopen its theme parks in early June, Walt Disney World’s theme parks may not be far off from reopening to the public. If construction workers are returning to the job, it’s an encouraging sign that more magic may be around the corner.