What’s Coming to EPCOT Walt Disney World ?

What’s New at Walt Disney World EPCOT Park in 2023? The Changes Coming to EPCOT at Walt Disney World are many. If you’re looking for what’s New at EPCOT Park, and what’s coming to the park in the next couple years, this is for you. If you’ve visited within the last year, you know that construction seems neverending. While some people cheered at the refreshing new possibilities for EPCOT, one of Disney’s more struggling parks, others wept at the complete loss of the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow ( Epcot) that opened in 1982. Walt Disney’s original personal vision showcased the Utopian city of tomorrow is changing. And not unlike Walt’s personal motto, Epcot keeps moving forward. Of course, who could have possibly imagined the world of tomorrow would look like this? Here are all the changes coming to EPCOT Park.

The Re-Imagining of EPCOT Park at Walt Disney World

While the “old” EPCOT highlighted technological advances and development the “new” EPCOT embraces a different kind of future. One that needs us to include nature in order to survive. And one that thrives on inter-cultural partnerships, discoveries and progress. 

• Epcot’s New Tagline is “The Magic Of Possibility”
• Future World is officially removed, allowing the Natural World to take its place as one of Epcot’s 4 Neighborhoods
• EPCOT’s no longer just about technology
• Disney characters will be at the core of EPCOT experiences, as Disney infuses family-friendly and recognizable attractions
• Culture and honoring all countries is still a focus in the World Showcase

What’s New at EPCOT in 2023?

Incredible glass pylons form an entrance fountain right before you arrive at Spaceship Earth. This is done in the scheme of the original Lucite fountain from EPCOT’s entrance in the good old days. You will see large obelisks etched with the park logo. And in the foreground of Spaceship Earth. This entrance offers amazing lighting, water displays, and a new EPCOT soundtrack. Here’s everything coming to Walt Disney World EPCOT. 

Figment Meet and Greet |  EPCOT  September 10, 2023 

Everyone’s favorite dragon Figment, is getting his place in the sun, at EPCOT park. Available for Meet and Greets inside the Journey into Imagination building at EPCOT, Walt Disney World. Be sure to check the My Disney Experience App for the meet and greet schedule. 

Asha Character Meet and Greet | EPCOT Fall 2023

A new character meet and greet with the new Disney Princess, Asha, from the new Disney animated film “Wish” which is opening soon at EPCOT. Disney’s film Wish is set to arrive in theaters on November 22, 2023. 

Journey of Water Inspired by Moana | EPCOT October 16, 2023

World Nature connects both The Seas and The Land areas of the parks and adds Moana’s Journey of Water to the mix with natural spaces and “magic water.”  Journey of Water will include waterfalls, water experiences, and a gorgeous soundtrack reminiscent of the film’s strong score. 

As part of World Nature, this garden area features waterfalls, fountains, winding trails, trees, plants, and more to help restore your balance with the Earth and its strongest life force, water. Complete with Moana carved rock elements and a 16-foot Te Fiti garden sculpture, this land is filled with water features. 

Moana Meet and Greet | EPCOT October 16, 2023

In addition to the Journey of Water Inspired by Moana attractions are also able to meet Moana at EPCOT in a newly designated space just outside the Journey of Water attraction. 

Luminous the Symphony of Us |EPCOT December 5, 2023

Shown on the lagoon at EPCOT a new nighttime spectacular arrives in December. Called, “Luminous The Symphony of Us”, this show tells the story of us and includes familiar Disney music celebrating all cultures. This new show debuts on Dec. 5, 2023!  

Dreamers Point at EPCOT Park | December 2023

An iconic statue of Walt Disney Himself, the original dreamer is set to be placed in World Celebration. Welcoming guests to EPCOT, this statue is sure to be a great Disney World Photo Op. 

World Celebration | EPCOT December 2023

World Celebration encompasses different experiences that allow guests to interact with the planet, a place for all cultures including performances. Most notable here is the way the space is broken up by green spaces. Part of the goal is to integrate more nature into this central hub area that branches off to the other neighborhoods. Filled with tables, and centered around a central EPCOT logo planter, there are shaded spaces to enjoy. Focused on the festival experience, World Celebration becomes a central hub for everyone, before heading to World Showcase. Opening Fall 2023

• EPCOT Gardens throughout the World Celebration space will transform with each festival and transform at nighttime with lighting and extra magic. 
• CommuniCore Hall offers up a flexible exhibition and gallery space, with a variety of opportunities to highlight art, live music, and food. This building will also house the demonstration kitchen for foodie festivals. This is also where you can find Mickey & Friends as a Disney Character meet and greet location. 
• CommuniCore Plaza is the hub for musical performances, both intimate and large scale that allows guests to fill the open garden spaces to watch. 
• Creations Gift Shop is the newest shop in EPCOT and by far the biggest. This department store layout offers up plush, jewelry, apparel, toys, kitchenware, a pet section, a Disney Dooney and Bourke section, and more. 
• Connections Cafe is home to Starbucks at EPCOT park, as well as a full-scale quick-service restaurant. We love the extra indoor seating here and the murals on the wall!
• Club Cool features sodas from around the world. Known for the Italian soda, Beverly, there are plenty of other sodas to try, and all are worth the taste. Head into Club Cool for a free sample of these foreign sodas. 

Test Track Re-Imagining| TBD

World Discovery takes the place of Future World East. Encompassing all things technology-focused, World Discovery includes Test Track, Mission Space, Space 220 Restaurant, and the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Coaster. It’s in this area that you can also pass the Wall-E Play Zone for children. 

In development with Chevrolet, Disney is re-imagining Test Track in the EPCOT World Discovery Area. This fan-favorite ride at Disney World is set to incorporate a variety of inspirations. Test Track features the opportunity to build your own “car” and then race it around the track. We expect this re-imagining to incorporate new technologies, seated in history. 

Imagineers along with teams from Chevrolet are reaching back into history for inspiration – from the original World of Motion – and bringing that spirit of optimism to the next iteration of the Test Track attraction!  More to come in the future.

What’s New at EPCOT 2022?

EPCOT welcomed major developments in 2022, during the EPCOT re-imagining which started in 2020. Here is everything to make sure you make time for, if you haven’t visited in a while. 

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Roller Coaster | May 27, 2022

This indoor storytelling coaster launches riders into the galaxy to battle the bad guys and save the universe. By far one of the largest projects, this roller coaster allows riders to turn their car at 360 degrees and be part of the story. Open with Virtual Queue and Lightning Lane. 

What’s New at EPCOT 2021?

As part of the continued work at EPCOT Park, a few major projects were completed in 2021. Offering up new restaurants, and rides, EPCOT opened new spaces in World Discovery and World Showcase. Plus new EPCOT quick-service restaurant options. 

Space 220 Restaurant | September 20, 2021

As part of World Discovery, the Space 220 Restaurant offers out-of-this-world dining with outer-space views that help guests feel as if they are on a spaceship sailing through the galaxy. You can find this restaurant tucked behind Mission Space. There is both a lounge and a restaurant and reservations are necessary. We loved our meal here. Be sure to check out our Space 220 Review to see if this is a restaurant you should add to your ADR lineup.  Check out the Space 220 Menu

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, France, World Showcase | October 1, 2021

Our favorite rat, Remy, from Ratatouille just happens to be underfoot in the kitchen and we’re along for the ride. Riders take the role of rat dodging all sorts of calamities that happen in the kitchen. As part of France in Epcot, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure joins Frozen Ever After in Norway and the Gran Fiesta Tour in Mexico as the world Showcase’s most kid-friendly rides. There is a stand-by queue in place for this ride, that fills up early due to rope drop. We recommend waiting until lunchtime between 12-2 pm when people are either eating or traveling to park hopping. 

Canceled EPCOT Park Projects

EPCOT, along with the other Disney Parks has seen a slew of projects get canceled along the way. Here is a lineup of some of the main projects recently canceled at EPCOT. 

Interactive Play! Pavilion-Delayed or Canceled

The Interactive Play Pavilion offers guests the opportunity to arrive in a digital world and interact with games, spaces, and characters like never before. This experience takes over the Wonders of Life building in EPCOT and is set to also be the home of the new Mark X Monorail attraction. *Indefinitely delayed or canceled.

Spaceship Earth Renovation- Delayed or Canceled

Spaceship Earth is getting a design overhaul. While some much-loved exhibits within the ride may stay intact, riders will now be taken on a journey through history with a little bit of Disney Magic. Following the “Story Light,” the new experience will capture humanity’s journey through the past and present.  *Indefinitely delayed or canceled.

Mary Poppins Attraction, U.K., World Showcase *- Delayed or Canceled

A new Mary Poppins attraction in the UK section of the World Showcase will bring guests into the world of Cherry Tree Lane. This new neighborhood will give guests a glimpse into the world of Mary Poppins. *Indefinitely delayed or canceled.

Changes at EPCOT Park at Walt Disney World

With a lot happening all over Walt Disney World, no one has seen more changes than EPCOT Park. And with many more changes still to come, we’re sure they’re all for the better. With loads of new spaces, nature areas, places for community events, and more, so much is on the way.