PHOTOS - New concept art shows more of Epcot's redesign including new names for Future World areas

Aug 25, 2019 in "EPCOT"

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Epcot new central spine concept art

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Posted: Sunday August 25, 2019 3:33pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Epcot's Future World is no more, and will soon be replaced with three new 'neighborhoods.'

According to Disney, "Epcot will be unified with four neighborhoods that each speak to important aspects of the world and its people: World Showcase, World Celebration, World Nature and World Discovery. These neighborhoods will be filled with new experiences rooted in authenticity and innovation that take you to new destinations, where the real is made fantastic in a celebration of curiosity, hands-on wonder and the magic of possibility."

Epcot's new neighborhoods

World Celebration

World Celebration will offer new experiences that connect us to one another and the world around us.

The iconic Spaceship Earth will remain a voyage through time as the journey transforms to reflect the power of storytelling to unite the human experience. New narration and an entirely new musical score will focus on the moments and ideas that define our story. You will follow a magical “story light” that brings the entire experience to life in dynamic ways, giving each scene energy and beauty that ties the entire journey together.

A new festival pavilion will be the venue for Epcot’s signature festivals. It will provide an elevated view of the entire park and an ideal spot to witness Epcot’s nighttime spectacular. The three-level structure will feature a plaza level, a middle expo level, and a park that sits in the sky on the top level.

Concept art of Epcot's new festival pavilion

Epcot’s entrance plaza will be transformed with new experiences that connect us with the world, welcoming you with a reimagined fountain, new pathways and sweeping green spaces that beautify the entryway. The design will pay homage to the origins of Epcot.

Concept art of Epcot's new main entrance

At the exit of Spaceship Earth, there will be a new view of World Showcase from Dreamers Point. World Celebration will also feature a new statue celebrating the legacy of the original dreamer, Walt Disney, and natural environments and global design elements filled with Disney magic and surprises, including a wishing tree in an enchanted forest and a story fountain celebrating the power and music of iconic Disney storytelling.

Epcot new central spine concept art

World Nature

World Nature is dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty, awe and balance of the natural world. It will include The Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilions.

Journey of Water Inspired by Moana

Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana” will be the first experience inspired by the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film. This lush exploration trail will invite guests to meet and play with magical, living water. The water will have a life of its own – just like Moana’s friend, the ocean – and guests will learn about the importance of the natural water cycle.

The Land pavilion’s new film, “Awesome Planet,” which showcases the beauty, diversity and dynamic story of the planet, will open in January 2020.

World Discovery

In World Discovery, stories about science, technology and intergalactic adventure come to life.

This area of the park will include the new PLAY! Pavilion, Space 220 Restaurant, Test Track, Mission SPACE, and Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind.

PLAY! pavilion concept art

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DCBaker2 hours ago

Photo of a new wayfinding sign recently installed near the Rose Walk area. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53682849145_70edfb365e_o.jpg

Ayla4 hours ago

There is nothing calming or restful about flashing, bright LED lights. These aren't supposed to look like the front of a Vegas hotel. I also hope they wouldn't bring on an epileptic seizure for my sister.

Epcot82Guy16 hours ago

I will say, it creates a nice dynamic nature. But, it does highlight the lights not working more than you would think. And, for most months out of the year, you get 1-2 - maybe 3 - hours of that at most. So, there is a glaring issue for the rest of the day where it feels a little plasticy and cheaper than it should.

Epcot82Guy16 hours ago

Having seen it in person this week, I'm torn... PROS: -The environment is very nice at night. -The lighting package here looks cool. -The music and general vibe works well (though it can get repetitive), especially its tie in to Luminous. -The garden aspects add a sense of depth. The former design felt "larger". This feels more "dense". I think both are great approaches, and the new approach feels more modern. -The interaction between Creations/Connections and the center is great. I hope they can create something similar with CommuniCore Hall. (TBD) CONS: -The area has a very different vibe in the day vs. night. During the day, it does feel a bit lacking. The kinetic energy is not there during the day. -They actually have a perfect place for a fountain in the southern planter. That area is basically dead. They could easily put in a jumping or creative fountain in the middle of the giant fountain and solve a number of problems. -The lighting being out is more noticeable than I hoped. They really need to work on maintenance here. -People gather in the center near the Figment topiary. Nowhere else... -CommuniCore hall looks quite cheap in materials, especially when compared with the other buildings. I know it's modern materials, but it is a noticeably a box clad in flat panels. Again, the lighting is a nice touch, and the mural is not bad. But, it feels much more like the TTC than anything substantial in a Disney theme park (let alone a new build). Kinda like Luminous, it feels like a really good idea given a much reduced budget. The west side of World Celebration also feels very disjointed/sparse from the east side, which is an issue. -I still hate the "missing" quarter of the central circle behind JOW. (However, doing some sort of modern archway walk way a la Rainbow Tunnel or Lights of Winter would do wonders.) TLDR - Cool idea with some cool night effects. The general vibe. Execution is uncertain and feels a bit disjointed. And, it feels noticeably budget cut, even not knowing anything more substantial planned.

HauntedPirate16 hours ago

LED lighting does not provide “kinetic energy”. IMHO.

MisterPenguin19 hours ago

The only panels that light are the ones that are flat (they don't pop outward into two new triangles) and the ones with a border. Flat panels with no border aren't LEDs (it seems) and the ones that pop out don't light up, tho, they seem they do when they reflect the panels that do light up.

radiorae19 hours ago

I’m sure they are! They likely turned them all off until they can get them working again together instead of having random ones out. I’d guess they’d want it back up and running by the time Communicore Hall opens, but only time will tell!

Disstevefan122 hours ago

I hope part of the testing includes power washing ;)

Disstevefan122 hours ago

Did TWDC buy a LED lighting company? The interns in charge of the lighting design in all parks in WDW LOVE to use A LOT of different color lights. As the interns say, "Fountains are so 1982...."

James Alucobond22 hours ago

I assume some is already in place for sprinklers within the planters, but whether or not what's there could support a fountain is another issue entirely. Also, I doubt they have to break up ground to fix the floor lights.

Incomudro22 hours ago

Maybe when they break up the ground to fix the broken floor lights they can run some plumbing? ;)

Bocabear22 hours ago

Actually in the video the central planter looked awfully dark and non kinetic... Flashing lights can do something, but the sound of water, the visual is not the same as video walls and flashing color-changing lights.... a central core fountain would have brought something wonderful to the heart of World whatever-its-called....Maybe at some point in the future.....