Moana Attraction & More Announced for Epcot Transformation
The 2019 D23 Expo kicks off today, and there’s already big news for Walt Disney World! Specifically, some of what’s coming to the reimagined Epcot. This includes a new Moana attraction that will be part of the transformation of Future World. In this post, we’ll take a look at the old and new concept art, and offer some thoughts about what we know thus far about the future of Future World.
It should be no surprise that Epcot is a focus of the 2019 D23 Expo, as Disney has been teasing a reimagined Epcot for nearly 3 years, and announced in recent months that all would be revealed at this year’s D23 Expo. What is interesting is that Disney is getting a jump start on the festivities by releasing concept art and making announcements prior to the event officially beginning and long before Sunday’s Disney Parks, Experiences and Products keynote panel.
Walt Disney World already sort of tipped its hand as to what’s happening in Future World last month thanks to a slew of closures that were quietly announced. We covered these in our Closing at Epcot: Club Cool, Starbucks, Electric Umbrella, MouseGear, Fountain of Nations, Etc post. Suffice to say, a lot is temporarily or permanently closing on September 8, 2019. Well, now we know what’s replacing some of this: Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana.
Journey of Water is the first-ever attraction based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios hit film, Moana. This water maze will be a lush environment where guests can interact with magical, living water in a beautiful and inspiring setting. Moana: Journey of Water will more or less replace Innoventions West, which has been rumored to be demolished for the last several months.
While I like the idea of a water maze in Future World in theory, I’m not wild about more intellectual property in Epcot. I understand that it’s going to happen and have accepted the reality that a big part of this transformation is going to be a disappointment for me. Even though the version of EPCOT Center I loved has been dead for a while, it’s still tough to say goodbye.
With that said, I’m also of the belief that Walt Disney World is trying the thread the needle with Epcot, appealing to both one-time visitors, who may want characters and not much else, and longtime fans. Or at least, I want to believe this. My worry is that the additions for the general public will be hundred million dollar attractions that have nothing to do with the spirit of Epcot, while fans get an old Communicore logo on the back of a new trash can.
I don’t doubt there will be some cheesy fan service, but I’m also hopeful longtime EPCOT Center fans will receive some encouraging announcements of substance. This part of me is inclined to believe this Moana news was quietly pushed before the D23 Expo began, and well before the Parks & Resorts panel on Sunday, so it didn’t put a damper on other announcements (in other words, they know their audience).
This is probably naive, wishful thinking but I’m hoping that’s the case. I’m hoping the Epcot panel highlights the elements of this overhaul that will appeal to the fans attending the convention, and we’ll hear about the specifics of the Future World overhaul, new attractions/pavilions (the show floor makes it look as if two ‘attraction posters’ are waiting to be revealed). Perhaps we’ll even get big news about another journey at Epcot…
Next, we’ll be able to preview this new Moana: Journey of Water attraction, along with everything else coming to the reimagined Future World beginning on October 1, 2019 at Epcot in the Odyssey Events Pavilion, which will become “Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience.”
Inside Imagineering’s Epcot Experience, there will be engaging and interactive exhibits that allow guests to see and, per Disney, “step inside the relentless innovation, energy and excitement and see some never-before-revealed details driving the future of Epcot all throughout this unprecedented period of transformation.”
To us, this sounds a lot like the Blue Sky Cellar, which was an awesome preview of the Disney California Adventure overhaul several years ago. Blue Sky Cellar was used there primarily to highlight the radical transformation of that park’s entrance (sound familiar?) and addition of Cars Land. Epcot Experience is perhaps more interactive, but it’s more or less the same idea.
Finally, above is concept art that Disney has released of the new-look Future World. You might notice that this differs substantially from the concept art shared two years ago. That art was only briefly shared during the Parks & Resorts panel, which suggested it might be subject to change (or at least that Disney wasn’t sufficiently confident in its finality to release a high resolution version online).
This new concept has been released via the Disney Parks Blog, and with construction slated to begin later this year, we’re going to assume this reflects the final plans. For the sake of comparison, below is our photo of the earlier concept art:
After poring over this new Future World concept art for…too long…I’m still not quite sure what to think. One thing I know is that there are still a lot of unknowns ‘hiding’ in the concept art that have yet to be officially revealed.
The high-res art reveals a lot, including what appears to be an elevated building that guests can walk under or over (it’s vaguely reminiscent of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.) This space has been rumored to be everything from a beer garden to a new festival center, and I certainly think the latter would make sense.
As for my reaction to the art, I’m not really sure. It’s the final iteration of the previous concept art and I already ‘reacted’ to that in our Epcot Reimagining Details Announced post a full two years ago. Even before then, I shared a lot of personal thoughts about Epcot, its mission statement, and its loft aspirations in my Why We Can’t Let EPCOT Go post. That details why so many of the changes to Epcot made in the last two decades miss the mark, and why this park is so important.
I won’t rehash all of that here. Specifically, I’m disappointed that Fountain of Nations really is disappearing, and the asymmetrical look of Future World thanks to only one Innoventions building is a bit jarring. Definitely a sharp departure from the Future World of EPCOT Center with which I grew up. I also think the layout looks a bit haphazard and doesn’t really do anything innovative in terms of design.
However, Future World has had a dead 1990s mall vibe for way too long, and this concept art does ooze life and vibrance. I’m stopping myself short of saying it feels more optimistic, because there are still a ton of unknowns (hopefully at least some of these are resolved Sunday, or if not, on October 1, 2019). About the only other thing I hope is revived in some form is the light-up pavement; that’s such a simple thing that still mesmerizes guests of all ages.
Since a ‘wait and see’ approach here only requires pausing a couple of days before formulating a reaction (and sticking to it for a lifetime, even if I end up being wrong!), I think I’m going to do that. More than anything else, I want Future World to be an optimistic, inspiring place that recaptures the spirit of EPCOT Center. If the “compromise” to get there is a couple more character attractions, then so be it, I suppose.
This all is, of course, assuming that Future World remains. In an image caption, Walt Disney World teased that this might not be the case, stating that “Epcot will be unified with four neighborhoods that take guests to new destinations where the real is made fantastic in a celebration of curiosity, hands-on wonder and the magic of possibility.” I guess we’re in store for a lot more surprises between now and Sunday. Stay tuned!
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Your Thoughts
What do you think of the Moana: Journey of Water attraction? Does more intellectual property being added to Epcot bother you, or do you think that ship sailed a while ago? Does this concept art look appealing to you? 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 hope they at least leave the Jumping fountains alone.
I am completely thrilled with the additions of MORE characters at EPCOT and, especially, Moana!! Wow, Tom, this newsletter is jam-packed with so many exciting revelations. Thank you for keeping us informed.
I am torn between loving and hating the new Epcot plans. Love the idea of Moana area showcasing the the role water and the Polynesian Islanders played in history. Also love the idea of an exhibit that highlights how we can interact with the natural wold in the future. BUT I also hate the idea that Epcot may be abandoning the things that made it so neat in the first place. The interactive exhibits with color and electricity, the possible future technologies available, and especially the Land and Sea experiences have always been favorites. A chance to slow things down a little, learn more about our environment, and the big fountain area with so much seating where we always had the chance to meet people from all over the world. I would hate to lose that part of Epcot. I think Epcot is all about getting to know our world, our possible future and the different culture of the world. Please, Please let’s hope Disney listens to their long time fans and keeps to those original ideals.
Without a doubt, the other Innoventions building will be taken out in phase 2 of this project. They couldn’t very well do them both in phase 1 since that would leave too little area for guests to walk from Spaceship Earth toward any of the other attractions. It’s a sad thought I’m having now that most likely, my next visit in 2-3 years will not include watching the fountain do its thing. Guess I’ve witnessed that in person for the last time. I use to look forward to touring this area of EPCOT because it gave me a spark of hope for a future world that would be an improvement over the present. Today it still does that for me at times. But should this be a trend of what we can expect EPCOT to evolve into over the course of the next few years, it will just become another thrill park. That’s not all bad, just not the experience I would prefer for at least one of the four parks to wow me with.
I completely agree with your article – although I’m afraid I’m a bit more pessimistic than you are. And although I loved the old logos and graphics, I feel bringing them back now into the “new” EPCOT is insulting and just rubbing salt in the wounds. But I will TRY and continue to hope for the best. Your articles are wonderful and so well written. Keep up the great work!
Considering that I sometimes say, “I would, unquestionably, trade a kidney for one full day in 1985 EPCOT Center,” I respond to all Epcot updates with a combination of nausea, sadness and exasperation (a huge improvement on the rage I felt from around 1998-20015. Aging has its merits). I accept that Epcot has needed massive improvements for decades and that there will be nothing done without IP. I just desperately hope that your optimism is justified, Tom, and that they throw a little rainbow-tunnel, edutainment magic in for the original EPCOT fans!!
I think Future World died with the closure of Horizons in 1999. As someone who grew up with EPCOT Center, today’s version is almost painful to experience. Communicore East and West has been stripped and are largely unused. The current version of the Imagination pavilion is a travesty. Horizons and the World of Motion are gone.
I’m tired of mourning past glories. It is time to bury the past and try something new.
Hey Tom – love your articles – this is how I get my Disney fix whenever I’m missing “home!”
Quick question – could start putting “dates” on your articles when you publish them? That would be awesome! Thanks!
I like the concept of the Journey of Water. I usually cringe about IP additions to Epcot but as long as Figment stays and IP isnt shoehorned into Spaceship Earth, I am ok.
I like the return of the EPCOT Center-era type logos and park posters for past, present, and future attractions.
Any guesses to when the new Moana attraction will be finished?!?
“the asymmetrical look of Future World thanks to only one Innoventions building is a bit jarring”
Yes!!! That was the first thing I thought too. 🙁 They should tear down both Innovention buildings and hide buildings within lush vegetation…and a fully immersive Fountain of Nations throughout the whole area that has abbreviated water shows throughout the day and a “grand finale” World of Color type of experience at night before and after Illuminations.
The symmetry of Epcot is something I’ve always loved. Now, it feels off.
I think it’s interesting that when EPCOT Center opened, it was pretty much a given that the future world (lower case) would be a “hard” landscape of concrete, steel, and glass. That was what progress looked like to Walt Disney (and countless futurists, science fiction authors, movie producers, etc.) throughout the majority of the 20th century. Sure, elements of the nature world would be present, but they would be tamed and constrained — whether in a water tank, a modern high-tech greenhouse, etc. Even World Showcase represents the “urban” version of all of the featured countries.
I feel like beyond the IP draw, this Moana attraction shows Disney continuing to adjust to a shift in how our culture views the future — where once nature was an enemy for humankind to subdue, most of us now recognize that we are interconnected with the natural environment and that a healthy symbiosis will be an element of an “idealized” future (which Epcot still represents in some ways).
That’s a very interesting viewpoint – I hadn’t thought of it like that before!
Pete, you nailed it. Well done.
Very insightful! IP is what it is, but I am very intrigued by this lusher image. As long as there is still forward momentum and an emphasis on thought (be it creative, critical, etc), I am glad to see new life breathed into Epcot.
Love Moana. Not sure why they haven’t improved on the quality of the menu and maybe thrown her into the spirit of aloha show, with both that could easily be a sell out dinner. I also think they could make a great attraction at MK. I think this does look nice in Epcot and a nice oasis on what right now is a lot of concrete.
I think the Water Maze sounds like its ripe for “edu-tainment” … even with an IP attached to it. I remember being pulled out of elementary school for a Disney trip in the early 90’s. In order for it to be an excused absence, my teacher assigned me a short essay on something from my trip. I wrote what I learned about hydroponics from “Living with the Land.” I’m imagining some present-day kid learning about the water cycle or conservation from the Water Maze and it leaving an impression – the same way “Living with the Land” did with me!
I’m excited for the Moana “attraction” but very confused on how it will work out. When new things open they tend to be swarmed/beyond busy (Galaxy Edge aside). I just envision tons of families and people all crammed in an area trying to experience it, taking away from the actual experience that they’re trying to create. Hope I’m wrong!
Moana!!!! The big question is, will they finally put in a permanent Moana meet-and-greet. I have never bought the whole line about it being too difficult to cast someone with Polynesian features. Come ON. They manage it from Sept-Dec every year…
I feel pretty much the same as you do about EPCOT changes. I enjoy the park for what it has been. I’d be more excited about Moana if it was going to be a water ride. While I like Frozen attraction, I still miss the original ride representing Norway. I feel like Frozen could have been more since there’s alot of empty space of black walls on the ride so leaves me feel there will be more lackluster attractions under current leadership. (just my opinion)
Totally agree with you!! Frozen is not too good…
Agree with you on Frozen. The more times I ride it, the more empty black walls and cheapo blacklight effects I notice, especially if you are sitting on the side of the boat that doesn’t face the scenes. It seems like they maybe recently plussed up the Ice Castle sequence with some more projections and fog, but yes, you can tell it was a quickly and cheaply revamped ride. Conversely, every time I ride Living with the Land, I marvel at how richly detailed it is on the front half scenes.
I totally agree with you Corey. I made my husband and son stand in line for over 2 hours to go on what was a favorite ride of my sons when it represented Norway to only be highly disappointed and upset that there was not more to see along the ride. I feel they only made half a ride which many will only ride once after experiencing the let down.
Maybe it’s just the retro EPCOT icon tugging at my heartstrings, but I am optimistic that this will blend a classic EPCOT educational aspect with the character overlay and I am all for adding more shade, foliage and landscaping to Future World. I hope the keep or incorporate some of the clear “pebble” water features over on that side – they are some of my favorites.
I’m so pumped about a Moana attraction but definitely perplexed by the park go choice for it. The concept art is intriguing and an overhaul is definitely necessary. It is currently so bland and pieces apart with very little “magic” one would expect when visiting any Disney park.
I like “Journey of Water” which could be both informative and fun, and I accept Moana being overlayed on it as an economic necessity from the corporate standpoint (using the IP to spur traffic to the attraction, boosting the IP itself, etc).
In terms of the concept art and other propaganda/corporate speak, it smacks too much to me of purposefully designed provocateur material to hype interest for future announcements and revelations. The never-ending drip of information which seems to have created another market for profit for corporations. What was once an intimate presentation of information to those with a true love and appreciation for the parks and their evolution has become a hyped spectacle with
I have now reached full “Old Man Yells at Cloud” capacity and will cease prattling.
I love your “old man yells at cloud” comment. As someone that loves all things Disney ( mostly, not counting Disney Channel ), Future Wold in EPCOT was and still is a part of the trip that could easily be skipped over. I always go in World Showcase and sometimes never even make it past “Soarin”, unless I want to cool off in the Aquarium. The theming is just too fuzzy and uninteresting, so I kind of “don’t get” the attachment some people feel to seeing this change. That said I guess I empathize. Just don’t mess with the classics!