Previously unreleased concept art shows more of the delayed Mary Poppins ride planned for EPCOT at Walt Disney World

Mar 22, 2023 in "United Kingdom (Pavilion)"

Unreleased Mary Poppins ride system concept art
Posted: Wednesday March 22, 2023 8:50am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

A former Walt Disney Imagineer has posted concept art for the postponed Mary Poppins ride that was previously announced for EPCOT.

The new art shows an overhead plan view of the attraction, including the preshow area, the ride system, and the exit.

As speculated at the time of the ride's announcement, the ride is a teacup-style spinning flat ride, taking place in a show building with decorated backgrounds.

Announced at the 2019 D23 EXPO, the expansion to the United Kingdom pavilion was to add an entirely new neighborhood at the pavilion, complete with a ride. In the plans, guests would step in time down Cherry Tree Lane past Admiral Boom's house, then enter Number 17, home of the Banks family, where their adventure would begin.

Disney officially announced that the United Kingdom Pavilion expansion was paused in July 2020 as the park reopened from the COVID-19 shutdown. In addition to pausing Mary Poppins, Disney also put a halt to the Spaceship Earth update.

The last official comment on the Mary Poppins ride for EPCOT came from then Disney CEO Bob Chapek, who said in response to a question at the 2022 Shareholder Meeting, that the project is in a holding pattern currently, but looks forward to refunding the Mary Poppins ride in the future.

A lot has changed at Disney since then, and it remains to be seen if the Mary Poppins expansion at the United Kingdom pavilion in EPCOT will be built.

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Chef idea Mickey`=15 days ago

Alice is kind of hard because you can't throw London or UK with it unless if were any, a particular quote but aside a cup of tea that's about it for it to reference in nod with or to United Kingdom.

Haymarket200815 days ago

It actually was considered back in the 80's. Was one of the first Disney IP's to be considered for a sizable presence in World Showcase.

James Alucobond15 days ago

She already has merchandise and the Tea Caddy. Honestly, no World Showcase attraction needs its own retail space because there's already tons of it. You can find Poppins, Sword in the Stone, Pooh, Alice, Robin Hood, et al in the existing stores.

Fox&Hound16 days ago

I wonder why Alice was never considered for the UK. Seems like a no brainer and it would def sell more merch than Poppins (sorry, Mary!)

Animaniac93-9816 days ago

Watch the Rapunzel spinner from DLP get cloned for Germany instead I'm sure Mom and Dad will love riding it after a few beers

jmuboy16 days ago

That IS the Disney Difference

Chef idea Mickey`=25 days ago

I like it, only for the fact is it's indoors it's almost like a tour of the House!

PizzaPlanet25 days ago

Having a pre show for a spinner is wild

Bocabear27 days ago

That would be awesome!

Yellow Strap27 days ago

I still say bring back "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" and put it in the UK Pavilion.

BocabearSep 23, 2024

there are currently 5 smaller buildings back there that would have to be moved for a show building, but I am sure it could be done if they wanted to...they could then even exit people through the pavilion...tough I am not sure if that pavilion could handle more of a crowd...they would have to lose all the gift kiosks to open it up more....

PurduevianSep 23, 2024

I don't know if Disney is even considering this, but you could put a line where the current Donald M&G is and have the show building behind the Frozen M&G (disconnected from the pyramid)

Disstevefan1Sep 23, 2024

That's for sure. The Mary Poppins attraction never happened, just blame it on COVID. Magic would be Disney actually building and completing in a timely fashion something they announce.

lazyboy97oSep 23, 2024

The thing about things that happened is they always remain things that happened. They don’t magically one day unhappen.