Fan-Favorite Returning to EPCOT!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Fans were heartbroken at the removal of one of their favorite EPCOT Future World elements during the overhaul construction at the Disney Park for the 50th Anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort. But on Friday, Imagineer Zach Riddley announced that it’s officially coming back!

The fiber optic sidewalk lights embedded in the pavement near Spaceship Earth at EPCOT greeted you as you headed out of the Disney Park after viewing of the now retired, late-night Illuminations or taking one last ride on Soarin’. So it was no surprise when fans begged for Disney to bring them back after construction.

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The lights were teased in concept art that Disney posted 0n Thursday. But until Zach Riddley confirmed, fans were left wondering if their favorite shimmering sidewalk was truly returning. According to the Imagineer, the sidewalk lights are coming back in a new way. He wrote on Instagram:

We know our guests loved the fiber optics embedded in the pavement at EPCOT, and we’re excited to share that we’re bringing back new illuminated paving designs in World Celebration. These features pay homage to EPCOT’s past, while incorporating updated technology and controllability to deliver some fun new lighting capabilities. As you can see in this image, at the central planter in the heart of World Celebration, the rings of the EPCOT logo will come to life with light and color in an inviting and dynamic celebration of unity.  

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Much like the reference to Horizons, Universe of Energy, and Kitchen Kabaret at EPCOT’s newest attraction, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Riddley reports that the new lights will pay homage to the Disney Park’s beloved past.

The lights will be a part of a new neighborhood at EPCOT titled World Celebration, which aims to tie the World Showcase with the other sections of the Park and, according to Riddley’s Instagram post, is “Designed with over 12,000 individually controllable lighting fixtures” He continues, “The reimagined nighttime experiences in this new park neighborhood will create a dynamic environment that will transform the area every night.”

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Although they’re paying tribute to EPCOT’s past, the new lights will look to the future with updated technology and controllability. Not only will the sidewalk “come to life” with light, but the rings of the new EPCOT logo in the center of World Celebration will also glow colorfully at night, celebrating unity and the themes of the beloved Disney Park’s different lands – World Showcase, Future World, The Land, and, of course, World Celebration.

Imagineer Shares Look at World Celebration Construction

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Via wdwnt.com

Imagineer Zach Riddley has taken to Instagram once again to share a behind the scenes look at the ongoing construction in the new World Celebration neighborhood, including the Creations Shop.

A photo behind the construction walls offers a close-up look at the ongoing construction that we’ve been following.

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In another photo, Riddley shows off the CommuniCore-style skylights with multicolored lighting.

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Riddley also shared a peek at the new World Celebration popcorn kiosk.

Imagineer Zach Riddley Gives Closer Look at New World Celebration Pavement

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Via wdwnt.com

We’ve been tracking the ongoing pavement replacement across EPCOT, and now, Imagineer Zach Riddley has given a closer look at the pavement and selection process.

“Continuing to look at the inspiration and design details of EPCOT, today I’m sharing a story about paving. It’s a surface you don’t often pay direct attention to, but the color and texture of the ground under your feet are a primary surface for storytelling. Cobblestones, brick, curbing, scored concrete, patterned terrazzo (like the new flooring coming to Club Cool and Creations Shop that I’ve shared previously) all work to immerse you in a believable place,” said Riddley in an Instagram post.

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Pavement may seem like a trivial detail to garner such precise decision making, but that attention to the smallest details is how Imagineers take theming to the next level. Minute elements can register unconsciously, creating a more “believable” experience.

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Riddley’s team has been using color to tie World Celebration together. Like the new color palette for the façade of the Creations Shop, warm grays were chosen to emulate Spaceship Earth. Riddley shared photos of a number of samples the team used to select the perfect tone, reflectivity, and color.

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Above is a recent photo from near Spaceship Earth where the new speckled gray pavement can be seen. The red-toned pavement is being removed section by section as the work continues.

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Disney’s Jungle Cruise To Remain Open During Reimagining

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

As previously shared, changes are on the way for Disney’s classic attraction, Jungle Cruise. At both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Disney has announced enhancements are coming to the attraction along with a new storyline. While we’re awaiting the arrival of what’s to come, we’ve wondered how long the attraction may be closed for the reimagining. Good news from Disney Imagineer, Zach Riddley, as he’s announced the attraction will remain open during the changes!

As shared via Zach Riddley Instagram: “You may start to notice some monkey business along the river as work begins on Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom. The good news for all of you visiting @waltdisneyworld is the attraction will remain open to guests while our teams update scenes in a phased approach over the next several months. We can’t wait to share the enhancements with our guests as we build on the story of the Jungle Cruise at both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park.”

Disney Imagineer Provides Behind-the-Scenes Look at New EPCOT Entrance Lighting

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Imagineer Zach Riddley has shared specifics regarding the new entrance lighting at Epcot.

According to Riddley’s Instagram post, the LED lighting replaces over 1,200 feet of fluorescent tubes.

“At more than four football fields long, this light ribbon has been present since opening day, but was originally lit by hundreds of fluorescent tubes in solid colors. Now we’ve updated it with highly energy-efficient, programmable LED lighting with nearly 3,000 individually controlled points of light that blend together to create color gradients and patterns.”

Riddley also explains how the color-changing lights will be able to match the new color palettes of World Nature, World Discovery, and World Celebration.

“Color gradients have always been a part of EPCOT’s design legacy from the tiered amber, blue, and purple lighting of Spaceship Earth to the bands of color on the Energy pavilion, to the new color palettes of World Nature, World Discovery and World Celebration, and you’ll see all of that reflected in this new lighting design we’ve created for the main entrance plaza and it’ll continue through the new areas of the park.”

“The newly color-coordinated light ribbon around the entire rim of the plaza connects with programming on the new fountain lighting and together will shine in concert when the new Spaceship Earth lighting debuts with the Beacons of Magic for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort.”

Riddley also mentions Beacons of Magic. Both Spaceship Earth and Cinderella castle will become Beacons of Magic for the Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary.