Disney World's Epcot Theme Park Is Receiving A Massive Overhaul

Ed Mazza
Updated

Disney unveiled plans over the weekend for a massive makeover of its Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World in Florida that will include new attractions, new themes and a new look.

Some of the attractions, such as a roller coaster themed to the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films and a dark ride based on “Ratatouille,” had been previously announced. But the weekend’s flurry of unveilings at the D23 Expo in Anaheim revealed additional details, like attractions themed to “Mary Poppins” and “Moana” and a new plaza between Spaceship Earth and the World Showcase Lagoon.

(Photo: Disney)
(Photo: Disney)

The remade plaza will feature new landscaping, “a wishing tree in an enchanted forest and a story fountain celebrating the power and music of iconic Disney storytelling,” the company said in a news release.

It’ll also be home to a three-level center that will host live events and serve as home to the park’s many festivals:

(Photo: Disney)
(Photo: Disney)

The top of the new structure will contain a park with greenery, promising new views of the World Showcase Lagoon and its fireworks, including the newly announced “HarmonioUS” nighttime show to debut next year:

(Photo: Disney)
(Photo: Disney)

The park’s World Showcase ― home to 11 pavilions, each representing a different country ― will now have a “Mary Poppins” attraction in England and new films in the theaters in Canada, China and France. France will also feature the previously announced Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ride.

The front end of the park, currently called “Future World,” will have a new identity that’s split into three areas. World Celebration will be centered around Spaceship Earth; it will have a new score and narration as well as the new multi-level pavilion. World Nature will cover the area with the Land and Living Seas pavilions along with the upcoming “Moana” attraction. The company didn’t offer many details on the attraction, but said it would feature a “lush exploration trail” where guests could “play with magical, living water.” The third section, World Discovery, will include Test Track, Mission: Space and the upcoming “Guardians of the Galaxy” ride and PLAY! pavilion.

Although it’s not clear when the makeover will be completed, the company will open an exhibit with more details on the plan in the Odyssey Events Pavilion on Oct. 1.

Disney also unveiled new details about its upcoming Star Wars hotel, which will be located adjacent to the Galaxy’s Edge themed land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel will be a two-night experience with rooms that resemble a spaceship’s quarters, complete with “windows” that are actually screens showing images of space.

The company hasn’t announced an opening date.

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Epcot Canada Pavilion

Let's start out easy. Can you spot the hidden Mickey in Canada's Northwest Mercantile store?
Let's start out easy. Can you spot the hidden Mickey in Canada's Northwest Mercantile store?

Epcot Canada Pavilion

It's in the fish's spots.
It's in the fish's spots.

Magic Kingdom Liberty Square

Can you spot the Mickey in the Columbia Harbour House?
Can you spot the Mickey in the Columbia Harbour House?

Magic Kingdom Liberty Square

The charts on the wall form Mickey's head.
The charts on the wall form Mickey's head.

Magic Kingdom Frontierland

Can you spot the Mickey in the Frontier Mercantile?
Can you spot the Mickey in the Frontier Mercantile?

Magic Kingdom Frontierland

There it is in the ropes behind the register.
There it is in the ropes behind the register.

Epcot Outpost

Can you spot the Mickey in this shot between China and Germany?
Can you spot the Mickey in this shot between China and Germany?

Epcot Outpost

Mickey's head is formed by the poles.
Mickey's head is formed by the poles.

Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland

Do you see the Mickey in this Tomorrowland sign? Hint: You might have to look upside down.
Do you see the Mickey in this Tomorrowland sign? Hint: You might have to look upside down.

Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland

There it is in the craters of the moon.
There it is in the craters of the moon.

Epcot Germany Pavilion

Do you see Mickey on the clock tower above the Biergarten?
Do you see Mickey on the clock tower above the Biergarten?

Epcot Germany Pavilion

He's holding up the bell.
He's holding up the bell.

Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland

Can you spot Mickey on this Fastpass machine from Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin?
Can you spot Mickey on this Fastpass machine from Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin?

Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland

He's hidden in the shapes on the control panel.
He's hidden in the shapes on the control panel.

Epcot China Pavilion

Where can you find Mickey at this entrance to the China Pavilion?
Where can you find Mickey at this entrance to the China Pavilion?

Epcot China Pavilion

He's carved into the lamp posts.
He's carved into the lamp posts.

Magic Kingdom Adventureland

Mickey is hanging out on this Jungle Cruise sign. Can you see him?
Mickey is hanging out on this Jungle Cruise sign. Can you see him?

Magic Kingdom Adventureland

There he is in the barnacles.
There he is in the barnacles.

Magic Kingdom Adventureland

Close-up view
Close-up view

Epcot Germany Pavilion

One of these knights is hiding a Mickey. Can you spot it?
One of these knights is hiding a Mickey. Can you spot it?

Epcot Germany Pavilion

Mickey adorns the crown of the statue on the left.
Mickey adorns the crown of the statue on the left.

Epcot Germany Pavilion

Close- up view
Close- up view

Epcot Germany Pavilion

You'll have to look upside down again to find this Mickey outside the Biergarten.
You'll have to look upside down again to find this Mickey outside the Biergarten.

Epcot Germany Pavilion

There he is supporting the iron lion.
There he is supporting the iron lion.

Epcot Morocco Pavilion

Do you see the Mickeys hanging out at the Moroccan Souk?
Do you see the Mickeys hanging out at the Moroccan Souk?

Epcot Morocco Pavilion

That was easy-- they're right on the doors.
That was easy-- they're right on the doors.

Magic Kingdom Liberty Square

Can you find the hidden Mickey from the Hall of Presidents? You'll have to look <em>very</em> closely.
Can you find the hidden Mickey from the Hall of Presidents? You'll have to look very closely.

Magic Kingdom Liberty Square

There he is on the tip of George Washington's sword.
There he is on the tip of George Washington's sword.

Magic Kingdom Liberty Square

Close-up view
Close-up view

Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland

This hidden Mickey at Mickey's Star Traders isn't as obvious as you think.
This hidden Mickey at Mickey's Star Traders isn't as obvious as you think.

Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland

Sure the displays are obvious, but he's also in the train in the mural above.
Sure the displays are obvious, but he's also in the train in the mural above.

Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland

There are a bunch of hidden Mickeys in Mickey's Star Traders store. Can you spot three more?
There are a bunch of hidden Mickeys in Mickey's Star Traders store. Can you spot three more?

Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland

There's one made my the loops in the highway, and two in the skyscraper.
There's one made my the loops in the highway, and two in the skyscraper.

Magic Kingdom Main Street USA

Do you see the Mickey in these decorations from Tony's Town Square restaurant?
Do you see the Mickey in these decorations from Tony's Town Square restaurant?

Magic Kingdom Main Street USA

Those lovely red roses are arranged to look like the mouse himself.
Those lovely red roses are arranged to look like the mouse himself.

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