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.
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).
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!
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.
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue
Restaurant Opening
February 2020
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
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
Want to Learn More About EPCOT’s MASSIVE Transformation? We Can Help!
- Opening Timeline Confirmed for Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana
- Details You’ve NEVER Noticed About the Moana Attraction Coming to EPCOT
- Learn About the NEW Areas Coming to EPCOT’s World Celebration
- Get a Look at the New Walt Disney Statue Coming to EPCOT
- FIRST LOOK at the NEW Fireworks Show Coming to EPCOT
- Details Shared About a NEW Character Meet-and-Greet Spot Coming to EPCOT
- A Figment Meet-and-Greet Has Been Announced for EPCOT
- EVERYTHING You Need to Know About the BIG Changes Coming to EPCOT
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Since the Imagination Pavilion does not really fit with the World Nature theme for that area, what will happen to this attraction?
Very excited and needed. I have been coming to WDW SINCE IT’S OPENING.
So excited for changes. Only concern is change to Spaceship Earth. We love the current story although it does need update to current
So I will be visiting a construction zone till my pass expires in April.Wow.
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.