Epcot’s Transformation — What’s Happening, When?

With all of the construction walls up around Epcot and the flurry of announcements before, during, and after the D23 Expo it may to hard to remember what is going on there! We have put together a list of all of the changes that are underway, or planned, as part of Epcot’s transformation.

Epcot World Celebration Concept Art ©Disney

Get ready — the list is long!

Epcot Forever

Nighttime Spectacular
Premiered October 1, 2019

IllumiNations retired on September 30th. October 1 saw the debut of the new nighttime spectacular, Epcot Forever, as an interim show before IllumiNations’ permanent replacement debuts in 2021 (more on that later).

Epcot Forever Concept Art ©Disney

Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience

Preview Center
Opened October 1, 2019

Even the Imagineers know there is a lot to keep track of during this transformation! The Odyssey Pavilion opened on October 1, 2019 as a preview center with exhibits that give guests a peek at the Epcot to come. A dining area was added on February 2, 2020.  Learn more here!

Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience Concept Art ©Disney

Space 220

Restaurant Opening
Early 2020

Space 220 will open as a space-themed restaurant between Mission: Space and Test Track this winter. When you enter you will “travel” to a space station that includes views of earth from 220 miles away as you enjoy your meal.

Space 220 Concept Art ©Disney

Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue

Restaurant Opening
February 2020

Regal Eagle Concept Art ©Disney

The American Adventure pavilion’s Liberty Inn closed in July. This will be replaced with the Regal Eagle Smokehouse. This quick-service restaurant, inspired by Sam the Eagle, offers barbecued meals from around the country in a rustic, backyard inspired atmosphere. Learn more about the Regal Eagle Smokehouse here.

Taste Track Burgers and Fries

Restaurant Opening
February 2020

Taste Track at Epcot

With the closure of Electric Umbrella, Taste Track has taken over as the primary quick service location at Epcot, serving burgers, fries, and other culinary staples in a Food Truck setting.

Traveler’s Cafe (Starbucks)

Restaurant Opening

December 26, 2020

To handle the closure of Fountain View Cafe, a temporary Starbucks was opened near the entrance to the World Showcase, by Refreshment Port. This cafe offers a limited Starbucks menu, but still serves breakfast and similar treats.

Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360

Film Debut
January 17, 2020

Oh, Canada closed last year, and was replaced with Canada Far and Wide in January, 2020. The film, narrated by Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara, features new 4K Footage, a new story, and a return of the classic song “Canada (You’re A Lifetime Journey)”. Learn more about the film here.

Canada Far and Wide Poster ©Disney

Awesome Planet

Film Debut
January 17, 2020

Recently opened at The Land pavilion, Awesome Planet is an environmental journey featuring immersive in-theater effects, narration from Modern Family‘s Ty Burrell, and special space effects from Industrial Light and Magic!  Learn more about Awesome Planet here.

Awesome Planter coming to Epcot ©Disney

Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along

Show Debut
January 17, 2020

The new Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along has taken over mornings at the France Pavilion, with a 4K version of Impressions de France airing at night. The singalong, narrated by Angela Lansbury, features footage from the original animated film, along with new footage recasting Gaston’s sidekick LeFou as a bumbling, if surprisingly effective matchmaker!

Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along ©Disney

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Attraction/Ride
Summer 2020

Disneyland Paris’ Ratatouille makes a trans-Atlantic trek to open its kitchen doors in the France pavilion next summer! Shrink down to the size of a rat, and get ready for adventure as you race around the kitchen!

Artist Rendering of France Pavilion with Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ©Disney

La Creperie de Paris

Restaurant Opening
Summer 2020

A brand new creperie will open in the France pavilion next summer.  La Creperie de Paris will feature a menu inspired by the Brittany region of France. The new location will offer table service dining as well as a quick-service stop for guests craving sweet or savory crepes. Learn more about La Creperie here.

New Creperie coming to France Pavilion Concept Art ©Disney

Wondrous China

Film Debut
January 17, 2020

The China pavilion debuted a new Circle Vision 360 film at the Festival of the Arts this year, complete with updated 4K footage!

Wondrous China Poster ©Disney

HarmonioUS

Nighttime Spectacular
2021

HarmonioUS will replace Epcot Forever in 2020 (an exact date or season has not been announced). HarmonioUS promises to be Disney’s largest nighttime spectacular ever. The show will include Disney music reinterpreted by artists from around the world to illustrate how music inspires people everywhere. There will be floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics, lasers, and more.

HarmonioUS Concept Art ©Disney

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Attraction/Ride
2021

The Guardians will arrive in time for Disney World’s 50th anniversary in 2021. The new attraction is being dubbed a “storytelling coaster” that has seats that rotate 360 degrees to focus riders’ attention on the story. This new coaster will also include the first reverse launch for a Disney ride. Learn more about the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride vehicles here!

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Concept Art ©Disney

PLAY! Pavilion

Pavilion Opening
2021

The PLAY! pavilion will also open in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary. The pavilion will be a digital metropolis full of games and experiences that see you interacting with Disney characters — both virtually and in real life.  Learn more about the PLAY! pavilion here.

Play Pavilion Concept Art ©Disney

Openings, Additions, and More

The following items have been announced but do not have an opening date or season associated with them yet.

Introduction of Epcot’s New Neighborhoods

Say goodbye to Future World and hello to World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery. Learn more about Epcot’s neighborhoods here.

NEW Epcot Map ©Disney

Mary Poppins Attraction

Get ready to visit Cherry Tree Lane for a new Mary Poppins attraction coming to the UK pavilion!  Learn more about Epcot’s Mary Poppins attraction here.

Mary Poppins Attraction Poster

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, Attraction

Journey of Water will be an exploration trail where you will  meet and play with magical, living water. The water will have a life of its own – just like Moana’s friend, the ocean – and you’ll learn about the importance of the natural water cycle. Learn more about Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, here.

Moana Concept Art ©Disney

New Festival Center

A new, three-level pavilion will open in World Celebration and serve as a home for live events and as the Festival Center for Epcot’s festivals. Being three-levels it will offer new views of the Park as well as a great view of the nighttime spectaculars. The pavilion will include a plaza level, and expo level, and a Park on the top level.

Epcot World Celebration Concept Art ©Disney

New Entrance Plaza

Epcot’s new entrance will include new paths, a new fountain, and green spaces. The design will pay homage to the origins of Epcot. Learn more about Epcot’s new entrance here.

Epcot Entrance Concept Art ©Disney

Dreamers Point

Dreamers Point be located behind Spaceship Earth. This will include a new statue of Walt Disney, as well as a wishing tree in an enchanted forest with a fountain.

Dreamers Point Concept Art ©Disney

Update to Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth will still take us on a trip through time but with new narration, new music, and a new focus on the moments and ideas that define our story. The attraction will follow a magical “story light” that brings the attraction to life in  new ways and ties each scene to the entire human journey.

Closures

Electric Umbrella ©Disney

Several Epcot Staples have been closed or relocated as part of the transformation. These include…

  • Innoventions: September 8, 2019
  • Club Cool: September 8, 2019
  • Fountain View Cafe: December 3, 2019
  • Epcot Character Spot: Characters have been relocated around the park.
  • Mouse Gear: Temporarily Relocated across the Breezeway.
  • Electric Umbrella: Closing February 2020

 

What do you think of all of the changes to Epcot? Let us know in the comments!

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Sarah has built a career in communications and marketing that started when she was the editor of her high school newspaper. She has written for AllEars.net since 2018, and enjoys sharing Disney news and updates with the AllEars community. She's been a Disney fan ever since her first visit to Walt Disney World when she was 5, and has been known to arrange trips around visiting a Disney park!

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5 Replies to “Epcot’s Transformation — What’s Happening, When?”

  1. Since the Imagination Pavilion does not really fit with the World Nature theme for that area, what will happen to this attraction?

  2. So excited for changes. Only concern is change to Spaceship Earth. We love the current story although it does need update to current

  3. Can’t wait for the new changes to be finished. Don’t think I would want to go there during all of the construction. Sounds very exciting. I can’t afford week long vacations to WDW any longer with all of the rising prices but a day trip to Epcot will be in my future when it’s done and I go down to get my Harry Potter fix. It’s sad that Disney has become a side trip to my Universal visits, but Universal can be covered in 2 days and the food and extras are far less expensive.