Moana’s Journey of Water Attraction Info & Construction
Journey of Water Inspired by Moana is a new attraction coming to EPCOT as Walt Disney World overhauls the front of the park between Spaceship Earth and World Showcase. This covers everything you need to know about the addition: target opening date, concept art, construction progress, and answers to frequently asked questions. (Updated December 9, 2022.)
Let’s begin with a basic overview of Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana (or Moana’s Journey of Water, as we’ll call it for simplicity’s sake). This is the first Walt Disney World attraction based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios hit film Moana, and will be an exploration trail rather than a ride.
This water maze will be an experience where guests can interact with magical, living water in a beautiful and inspiring setting. Moana’s Journey of Water will consist of a lush walk-through environment that engages and educates guests about the water cycle and how it sustains our world.
Next, let’s take a look at the location of Moana’s Journey of Water. There has been a lot of confusion about this, with some Walt Disney World fans believing it’ll be replacing Journey into Imagination for some reason. (Because both have “Journey” in the name? Perhaps since there’s already a water play area up by the Imagination pavilion?)
In any case, that’s not where Moana’s Journey of Water is going. Instead, the water maze will more or less replace half of Innoventions West, which was demolished as part of EPCOT’s central spine redesign.
Moana’s Journey of Water will be part of the new World Nature neighborhood. (As a reminder, Walt Disney World has eliminated EPCOT’s Future World and replaced it with 3 new neighborhoods.)
World Nature is dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty, awe and balance of the natural world. In addition to Journey of Water, it will include The Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilions.
Above is concept art that Disney has released of the new-look front of EPCOT and these three new neighborhoods. Note that this is the updated art as of mid-2022, reflecting the scaled-back scope of these plans.
Essentially, Moana’s Journey of Water will be located between Spaceship Earth and the Seas with Nemo & Friends. You can see it in the bottom right of the above concept art.
Walt Disney World also recently released new concept art showing a closer view and updated look at Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana. This is the first time the company has offered a look at the rough layout of this interactive exploration trail and water play area.
Based upon the concept art, it appears that the water exploration trail will be one way of accessing the Seas and Land pavilions from Spaceship Earth, with normal bypass pathways on each side of it for guests who don’t wish to partake in the play area.
This update came as Disney offered updates on the Giant EPCOT Dirt Pit™️ that is behind Spaceship Earth, which will become CommuniCore Hall & Plaza.
This replaces the multi-level festival center in some of the above concept art, and reflects Disney’s scaled back vision for the EPCOT overhaul plans. Essentially, they’re rebuilding what was previously there, adding some trees, and taking 3+ years to do it.
December 9, 2022 Update
Walt Disney Imagineering shared the above photo and this message on social media today: “This morning, our project team at Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana welcomed Te Fiti at her position along the trail.”
“This is a momentous milestone for the project team as we continue to bring this experience to life for EPCOT guests in Late 2023. Congratulations to the team of Imagineers and all of our partners that made this happen!”
This comes only a few months after the surprise announcement about about Moana’s Journey of Water that a towering Te Fiti model that’s being added to the attraction!
Te Fiti had not been in prior concept art or officially released details about Moana’s Journey of Water. According to Imagineers on the show floor at the D23 Expo, it was added to the walk-through attraction when other changes (read: budget cuts) were made to other aspects of the plans for the front of the park.
Here are photos of the model itself and placards around it offering details:
Our expectation is that Te Fiti will be an impressive figure from inside the walk-through path, but will mostly be concealed from outside Moana’s Journey of Water. Hopefully, the figure is not competing with Spaceship Earth for visual attention as the park’s main ‘wienie.’
Next, here’s the prior update about Moana’s Journey of Water, covering the ‘edutainment’ component of the attraction…
Walt Disney Imagineering also shared a preview of the graphic style that will be used throughout the attraction, inspired by the design and visual language of the movie. The WDI team created many original pieces that focus on the dynamic movement of water as it travels around the experience.
Per Imagineering, graphics like these will “guide” guests through the cycle of water in fun and engaging ways. The goal is to share the vital link we have with water across our planet, and inspire the important role we all share in preserving this life-giving and life-sustaining precious resource.
As part of the design process, Imagineers create models, mock-ups, and maquettes to bring beloved characters into the parks.
Above is a behind-the-scenes look at Principal Dimensional Designer, Jim Towler, sculpting the foam maquette of Moana for this attraction.
This gives you a glimpse into the earliest stages of the design process, before paint and additional details have been added. Once the pose of the character is defined, sculptors add detail and texture until the emotional expression of the carving is just right.
Designers then do a paint study and often create full-scale samples to test final materials and carving techniques. This process ensures the production and creative vision for the experience align.
Above is another making-of example, showing a sample from the mountain-like forms that will soon mark the entrance to the attraction. Fans will recognize Moana’s iconic spiral, which we portrayed in one of the first concept renderings for Journey of Water.
You can see how artisans use paint, scenic treatments, and foliage to bring even more life to environments. Disney indicates that it’s an exciting time for the Imagineering project team as these elements are coming together on site now and in the coming months!
Last week, an Imagineer posted that “many years go into designing these experiences and nothing beats seeing the real thing.”
Noting that guests are following along on this work from the monorail above the site, he thought it would be fun to share a few views from on the ground, right in the middle of the process.
“The craft of creating rockwork is a blend of art and science, and seeing this carving and sculpting progress live is one of the things I love most about my role as an Imagineer. I joined the project team for a walk of the site alongside Imagineers Scott and Robert, two of our leaders overseeing the project. The range of textures are inspired by real world formations – all the way down to the tiniest details and variation that, when finished, should be impossible to distinguish from the real thing.”
Now let’s take a look at construction photos of Moana’s Journey of Water as of early Fall 2022…
Fall 2022 Construction Photos
Here’s a ground level view of work on Moana’s Journey of Water taken from near the Land and Seas pavilions.
Just below the tree branch, you can see one of the mountains peeking out above the top of the wall. This is the highest point of the walk-through trail, and the first time we’ve been able to see any of the attraction while walking around EPCOT.
With a bit of elevation from back by Journey into Imagination, this rockwork is even easier to see over the wall.
Pathways will weave through this rockwork, making it an engaging area to explore.
For the next few photos, we take to the Highway in the Sky, for some “aerial” shots from the Epcot monorail.
Above is a wide view showing the entirety of the Giant EPCOT Dirt Pit™️ that should underscore just how huge this construction zone is. Moana’s Journey of Water is in the far upper left corner. It’s a big project, but only a fraction of the overall area.
Most, if not all, of the rockwork that will surround the trail has been installed.
Rockwork that was easy to see last month is now obscured by scaffolding as workers move to the details phase of the project. Contrast the new image above with the one below (from mid-July).
A lot is going on in these Moana’s Journey of Water construction photos, so let’s break it down.
You can see steel support structures, concrete walls, and wire mesh forming the shape of rockwork.
Here’s a closer look at the rockwork. On the right side, there’s a series of formations that essentially form corridors. These look a lot like the area below the jumping fountains in the concept art.
On the other side of that is a moderately-sized mountain. This is likely the signature rockwork in Moana’s Journey of Water–the mountain-like feature with cascading waterfalls.
This rockwork has gone up really quickly. All of this has been built since the start of summer–before that, there was no rockwork, just some steel structures and concrete walls.
Now that everything is installed, artisans are bringing the construction materials to life and making it look like real rocks. That’s the purpose of all of the scaffolding that has appeared recently–it makes the mountains easier to access for the artists.
Disney hasn’t had anything to say about the rockwork on Moana’s Journey of Water (or anything else about it, for that matter), but here’s hoping that renowned Imagineer Zsolt Hormay is leading the team.
For those unfamiliar with Zsolt Hormay, he’s the Imagineer behind rockwork on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Pandora – World of Avatar, Tree of Life, Cadillac Mountain Range in Cars Land, and Mysterious Island at Tokyo DisneySea. You don’t hear Zsolt Hormay’s name as much as the celebrity Imagineers, but he’s arguably more deserving of that status than anyone.
Here’s a final look from the monorail at the edge of the Moana’s Journey of Water construction site and Spaceship Earth. The entire area behind the geodesic sphere has been the Giant Epcot Dirt Pit™️ for the better part of the last three years.
Again, it’s difficult to ascertain what is for Moana’s Journey of Water and what is simply the “enchanted gardens” that’ll make up the lush area of World Celebration. From the concept art that Walt Disney World has released, it’s incredibly difficult to ascertain the scope and scale of Moana’s Journey of Water. It could take up a lot of real estate, or very little. We should have a better idea once more of the wire mesh rockwork goes up and the actual path becomes more clearly defined.
My expectation is that a lot of this will make up the walk-through trail, and I’m cautiously optimistic about Moana’s Journey of Water.
EPCOT is unquestionably changing, and part of that entails becoming more “Disneyfied” in the process. Denying that reality is a recipe for constant disappointment. From my perspective, anything that manages to mesh with the park’s optimism, inspiration, and edutainment aims is on the right track.
While Moana’s Journey of Water is clearly not a blockbuster addition, that’s fine. Not everything needs to be. That doesn’t mean this isn’t a welcome addition.
One of Future World’s biggest issues was that it was a concrete jungle with little shade, water, and lushness. This remedies all of those complaints, while also offering kids a place to play and blow off some steam.
Morever, Moana’s Journey of Water is a logical transition to both the Seas and Land pavilions, making it a good “pathway” to those attractions. Offering a nice environment to educate kids about the water cycle while providing a fun gateway to this neighborhood of EPCOT sounds like a win to me.
It’s certainly not my ideal walk-through attraction, but my generation’s version of EPCOT Center is long gone. I’ve accepted that and am satisfied with the potential Moana’s Journey of Water could offer as an enjoyable diversion that coalesces nicely with what already exists on this side of EPCOT.
Plus, Walt Disney World could use some Moana. Right now, there are segments in Harmonious and Disney Enchantment (the nighttime spectaculars at Epcot and Magic Kingdom) plus new rooms and other details at the Polynesian.
There’s also a meet & greet in the queue for Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room during the Halloween and Christmas Parties. That’s about it.
Moana is one of our favorite modern animated films (that soundtrack!) and is deserving of more representation in the parks. Its popularity probably doesn’t justify an E-Ticket addition, but an interactive play area seems well-suited to the film.
For that, Adventureland or this area of EPCOT were about the best-case locations. It should go without saying that EPCOT is in more urgent need of new offerings.
Finally, the opening date of Moana’s Journey of Water. While a lot was planned to debut “in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary,” this was never one of those projects.
A debut date has never been announced for any of the central spine projects, but the internal timeframe has been that they would start to open “…beginning in 2022.” That nebulous timeframe was before the closure of Walt Disney World.
It’s worth noting that during and after the closure, all construction stopped at Walt Disney World. Demolition of the Innoventions building didn’t resume until several months after EPCOT reopened, and it was slow-going for a while.
Moreover, the plans for much of the EPCOT overhaul have changed and been scaled back, with some components cut entirely. Fortunately, Moana’s Journey of Water is still happening, but the finished product could look different than the original concept art, as Imagineering has taken the EPCOT overhaul plans back to the drawing board with budgets being cut. However, it’s always the case that what’s built differs from concept art, so nothing really novel or surprising there.
Our expectation is that 2023 is now the target opening for Moana’s Journey of Water. (A safe bet given that Walt Disney World has announced that the EPCOT Overhaul Ends in 2023!) Given the current state of construction, previous delays, and the evolving nature of the EPCOT transformation, we’re hesitant to make a prediction beyond that.
According to Walt Disney World, the official target for Moana’s Journey of Water is “Late 2023.” Given that Disney has recently been behind, rather than ahead, of meeting its targets, this likely means November or December 2023–or even early 2024–rather than summer or fall.
Nevertheless, Summer 2023 seems realistic in light of current progress, which is surprisingly far along as of December 2022 (I didn’t take new photos, but it has progressed a lot since our last photo update!). That’s also the most sensible time to debut a water-centric attraction, as the last couple months of the year can be cold. That is, unless Imagineering’s plan is to finish the entirety of the CommuniCore Hall and Plaza Projects prior to opening Moana’s Journey of Water. That would make some degree of sense, and also explain the “Late 2023” target as opposed to spring or summer for Moana’s Journey of Water.
Ultimately, a lot could happen and change between now and 2023. It’s thus impossible to make any sort of credible predictions about the ultimate fate of Moana’s Journey of Water, including the precise date it’ll open, and what it’ll look like if/when it does. Either way, we’ll keep you posted with more updates about Moana’s Journey of Water as we learn more!
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Your Thoughts
What do you think of Moana’s Journey of Water? Do you think this will end up being cancelled, or will go forward as planned? Does this concept art look appealing to you? Do you think this will be a solid addition to EPCOT, or do you wish it were a ride being added elsewhere? Do you agree or disagree with our reaction/assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I think it’s amazing. My grandkids will love this. And so would grammy.
The Moana area is a nice addition. But, the overall EPCOT spin project is underwhelming. Despite the pandemic financial cuts, Disney had one chance to do it right and they didn’t. They talked about the spin update for years and then took the cheap path. The new expo area is ugly and poorly integrates into the overall area. Leaving half of the original comunicor creates a “Great Wall.” When Disney builds at the parks, a new attraction or land, it’s for decades. Maybe a century…some of the Disneyland infrastructure will be 100 years old in the near future. When you’re building for several centuries do it right. Don’t go cheap.
I wish they would have given world nature a different name so it was more consistent with the other names. All of the other names use deverbal nouns that imply some action-showcase, celebration, discovery. Nature just doesn’t fit. Even something like preservation, conservation, or exploration would have worked. I’m sure a copywriter or word smith could have come up with something that still fit the theme, but sounded better.
That Te Fiti sculpture is going to be absolutely beautiful. I love South Pacific culture and thankfully living in Australia I get to experience it in my own backyard in New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa and all the other beautiful countries and islands close by. Moana is one of may favourite Disney movies and the one we rewatch the most. I adore the music and the story and Pua is just adorable. I am saving my pennies as a stay at the Polynesian in one of the new Moana rooms is on my bucket list even if it is just for a couple of nights. I agree that it would have been great to see a Moana ride but I do think that this new area is going to be beautiful and I can’t wait to see it.
Why is there a large Walt with Moana in the pic?
It’s on the wall at the EPCOT room that showed the future plans for this attraction. It got caught in the background.
This Te Fiti statue is a welcome addition, and, given Disney Park’s track record with landscaping and topiaries, will likely be quite beautiful. Honestly, I hardly care what they do with this dirt pit anymore. I just want those walls down. The walk from the Land to Test Track was BRUTAL under an August sun.
Disappointed, Moana is one of my kids favorite movies, they watch it continually, and they would have been thrilled about any type of Moana related ride. An educational walk through? And potential for wet children chaffing all day? Not thrilled, what a wasted opportunity. With Ellens energy ride you had education and then when the walls broke away you could actually smell the dinosaurs! Also can someone PLEASE explain why they dont just add a crotch strap option so slightly shorter kids could enjoy Soarin? So few things for younger/shorter kids to enjoy at Epcot, and that is a very calm enjoyable ride with a very easy modification that would allow for more to enjoy it.
The Soarin’ ride has had a strap in place for years to accomodate smaller riders. Its even in the intro speech when you ride the ride. Patrick Warburton talks about smaller aviators that don’t measure up to the height indicator.
I’m totally fine with this addition. Bring on the green space! My daughter’s favorite part of Epcot (since a toddler) are the countries. Not everything has to be a thrill ride… we could all use a little down time. Whelp, here’s to it being completed by March 2023 (ha!!!)
did all the really talented imaginears either quit or retire? That certainly seems to be the case.
Sadly, this is being positioned as something special which is really just highly themed pathways. IF Disney really wants to do something big they should build the inverted Moana coaster once discussed for the Magic Kingdom in the space between Nemo and Friends and the Land.
I think the higher ‘hype’ for this is more a result of other components of the EPCOT overhaul being canceled, delayed, or finishing earlier.
Personally, I think EPCOT (and all of the parks that aren’t Magic Kingdom) needs more play areas, so it should be a good addition. Just not a blockbuster one.
Epcot needs more mid level attractions, and now that we’re seeing more details this looks more like Tom Sawyer’s Island than Pooh’s Playful Spot. Almost everything that be considered an attraction feels like an A-ticket or an E-Ticket.
As a kid, I found the most fascinating part of Disney World to be to parts I could explore and touch. Over they years Disney has removed playgrounds and interactive exhibits in favor of shows and meet and greets. Kids are constantly told to be still and behave (in lines, restaurants, shows, and other attractions) an awful lot in modern Disney, which is a lot to ask of younger kids. My young nephew’s favorite part of EPCOT was just looking at all the fish in The Sea pavilion! And I remember as a kid spending hours in the Boneyard at AK.
I’m actually pretty thrilled to see an interactive feature which is aimed at kids. There are plenty of rides and attractions for older guests already, so a shady area where kids can run, yell, and touch the scenery to their heart’s content sounds like an excellent idea.
Completely agree! So many rides, even kids ones, require one to wait in long lines, not fun. This will give kids the opportunity to run around and explore while still feeling immersed in a Disney movie environment. Plus I think when parents have to do child swap, this will be a great place to wait and relax.
Being honest, this sounds really lame and disappointing…. I’m sure there must have been a better idea out there. A walk through that teaches about the water cycle? The water cycle is something you’re going to naturally experience if you live or visit Florida…i expected way more than this. The possibilities for a Moana attraction were endless in my opinion.
Watched Moana with my daughter yesterday for the third time (total) and started thinking about all the possibilities this “attraction” could consist of. I really hope they don’t penny pinch and let the creative juices flow. Could be really cool.
This is definitely a cool addition- particularly for kids. Hopefully its unveiled sooner than later.
RE: Original Concept of Epcot Gone
It doesn’t have to be. First, Harmonious needs to go. Any fireworks show that blocks the beautiful view of the lake with ugly iron barges all day is not needed. I personally felt they could have kept the Illuminations fireworks show with its beautiful music, and “updated” the barges used for that (which were NOT in the lake all the time).
Next, the fountain of nations with its beautiful “fountain show” and music needs to be put back somewhere.
The sing along at France needs to go, and the wonderful movie “Impressions de France” needs to return to being all day. A very unique documentary with a wonderful montage of French classical music.
Frozen should have NEVER replaced Malestrom at Norway.
Guardians is definitely a Hollywood Studios or Magic Kingdom ride – NOT Epcot at all.
Rattatouille falls into that category as well.
If they wanted to spend some money at Epcot, they could have:
– Added water rides to some pavilions (i.e. Germany – Ride down the Rhine River)
– Added Soarin-like movies to the other pavilions that have nothing but restaurants and shops.
Epcot was unique in the world of theme parks, and it’s original theming “Informational” should have been kept.
If people want to ride fast attractions, there’s 3 other parks to attend.
Just curious as to what others think of these ideas.
Thanks, and God bless!
Moana should have received a ride. This “Journey to Water” space could easily have been used for a smaller ride system as well. A walk through maze is just not enough to wow us. Moana has the cutest characters and is just a great movie. So much potential for a fun ride.
I agree with previous comments that Germany and Canada pavilions would benefit from rides as well. Canada has so much space- it definitely needs a ride.
Guardians is most certainly a Hollywood studios ride- it’s out of place in Epcot. Great ride; off theme for the park though.
Actually the reasoning behind putting Frozen and Ratatouille in the World Showcase is to further show the international aspect of the Disney characters. Germany was supposed to have a ride. The large wall with the mural in the Festhaus was supposed to be where the entrance would have been. The show building is back there but is now used for support services. As for Guardians the concept of it being a pavilion for Xandar fits in a Sci fi way into the international (or in this case intergalactic) theme of Epcot.
Thanks for the update! Plus, your “the Giant EPCOT Dirt Pit™️” joke never gets old.
Thanks for the shout-out for Imagineer Zsolt Hormay; I had never heard of him. We now reside in Arizona and I’m always amazed at the rock/mountain/stone work in Cadillac Range in Cars Land – and of course in Galaxy Edge and Pandora. Ultimately, I’m hopeful that the finished area resembles the concept art. We still lament the Epcot fountain going away but the additional trees through the area should soften things up and provide needed shade.
Hi Dave. I too think it was a big mistake to take out the founatain of nations. What a beautiful place, especially at night when they did the “fountain show” with its colors and music.
Have a blessed day…
Chasing the jumping water at “Figment’s House” was a found memory I have and now get to enjoy with my preschooler. However, it is all concrete and no shade with it being sort of tucked away. Your description of Moana sounds like they got everything right this time around for what is sure to be a young crowd absorber. A princess, shade, and water fun located in an oasis is perfect for those us who rider swap or need to just rest with a stroller or little ones. It is the little things and enviroments that make Disney Magical. This is both. Probably not a big deal to a lot of people, but to my family, this one of the best improvements they could have added. It feels deeply “Disney” already.
If I set aside where this is located, it sounds like an incredibly positive addition–the kind of thing every other park could use. This fills an important role, and kids should have opportunities to play in the parks.
I still think it was a huge missed opportunity to not have a play area in Toy Story Land. So many potential concepts that could’ve been home runs!
I 100% agree with you on Toy Story Land! That would have been incredible! Instead we just get to hang out at Woody’s Box Lunch’s tables while waiting for others…. What are the odds they take your amazing suggestion and install it behind the giant Woody?
The irony is they removed a kids play area to build it! Or did the Honey! I Shrunk the Kids area close way before that? Anyhoo, it was a simple homerun they messed up on. All the Toy Story “lands” have been after thoughts. Which is odd when you consider without much thought you could have built a 5th gate just on Toy Story rides!