D23 Fantastic Worlds Celebration: EPCOT and the Magic of Possibility

As part of the D23 Fantastic Worlds Celebration, details were shared about the historic transformation happening right now at EPCOT. You can watch the entire session by clicking on the video below, but here are a few highlights from this discussion.

It’s been a while since we last talked about the new neighborhoods that will unify EPCOT, so the presentation provided a refresher on World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature and World Showcase.

To that end, information was shared about the park’s reimagined entrance, and how it sets the tone for the entire transformation with its gorgeous new color palette and an open, inviting layout. Earlier this year Walt Disney Imagineers installed gleaming new pylons as part of the work they’re doing on the new fountain at the base of Spaceship Earth, which will be completed by the end of this year. The fountain will have a new lighting package that will be joined by new lighting for the iconic geosphere of Spaceship Earth, as well. When complete, it will feel like a completely new way to begin your journey into the park.

Work continues on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the awesome and out-of-this-world new coaster experience coming to what will soon be known as World Discovery. We’ve just recently put a few of the attraction’s vehicles on the track for initial “push/pull” testing. When it’s ready, this is going to be a great adventure for families to take together.

 

There is a new nighttime spectacular planned for World Showcase Lagoon – “Harmonious” will be one of the largest shows ever created for a Disney park. It will also provide a new energy to the park during the daytime, too, with fountains out on the lagoon.

 

As part of today’s presentation, Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald and, from Pixar Animation, Roger Gould and Harley Jessup, gave a deep dive into the creation of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, the fantastic new family-friendly attraction set to open next year as part of a newly expanded France pavilion. They provided a look at the attraction’s incredible marquee that was recently installed, and discussed how it plays into the whimsical architecture of this newly expanded area of the pavilion. This session is a fascinating window into Imagineer’s collaborative work with Pixar.

This is just a snapshot from our in-depth discussion of all the goings-on at EPCOT right now. Go see the full presentation for yourself below!