New update to Disney's website reaffirms a late 2023 opening for Journey of Water Inspired by Moana at EPCOT

Aug 16, 2023 in "Journey of Water Inspired by Moana"

Gallery / 2 Photos
Journey of Water Inspired by Moana Imagineering test and adjust

Posted: Wednesday August 16, 2023 10:30am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has updated the Journey of Water Inspired by Moana webpage and once again stated a late 2023 reopening.

Journey of Water Inspired by Moana concept art - May 2022

The new update says, "Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is scheduled to open in late 2023 within World Nature—the EPCOT neighborhood dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty and balance of the natural world."

Note that the opening time frame is in a bold typeface.

Limited Cast Member previews have been underway over the last month, with more scheduled for the coming weeks.

Journey of Water Inspired by Moana Imagineering test and adjust

Guests with imminent trips may have hoped for guest previews in the coming weeks, with an official opening not far behind.

A couple of upcoming dates would have seemed to be a great opportunity to open the new attraction. EPCOT will begin the Disney100 celebration on September 22, and EPCOT will celebrate its 41st anniversary on October 1, 2023.

As Imagineering wraps up work on Journey of Water, we will hopefully get an update with a specific opening date and details of any Annual Passholder and DVC previews.

Here is the full updated description of Journey of Water Inspired by Moana.

Where Water Comes to Life
Stroll along a self-guided outdoor trail where you can play with water as it travels from the sky to the oceans and back again. Along the way, you’ll find that:
Water Is a Friend: Moana befriended the ocean… and you can, too! Enjoy magical encounters with water and discover its playful personality, just as Moana did on her heroic voyage.
Water Connects Us All: All water is connected—and it connects us to one another. As you traverse this trail, you’ll connect and interact with water in new ways. And you’ll learn about the global water cycle, which takes water on a wondrous adventure around our planet.
Water Needs Protection: Throughout your journey, you’ll learn how you can help protect this precious natural resource and make a positive impact on the world.
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is scheduled to open in late 2023 within World Nature—the EPCOT neighborhood dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty and balance of the natural world.
Make a Splash… or Stay Dry!
You can choose to get wet—or take the dry path instead—as you explore this whimsical, watery world.

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JayspencyNov 12, 2024

So they could turn it into an Apple store

DreamfinderGuyNov 11, 2024

Ultimately they did do an early cancellation with Glidden, that was a five year contract that they ended in four. The West building I believe they did the same since all the exhibits closed at once, including the relatively new IBM Think which was presented by their longest running sponsor. That closed so abruptly because they had plans for the West building that they were going to act on imminently, which would later be canceled.

BocabearNov 11, 2024

I disagree. It would have been a different animal.

James AlucobondNov 11, 2024

You were responding to a comment about Innoventions. Innoventions was a series of interactive exhibits with a variety of sponsors. Now, you have a series of interactive areas themed to Disney programming (the Moana IP) as you suggested. Whether or not water is involved in the exhibits is pretty much irrelevant, but you bring it up endlessly in an attempt to trivialize it for whatever reason. The loss of the building is a legitimate complaint, and we all know CommuniCore Hall is a bust, but your "it's so easy" idea for programming is essentially what happened minus the roof.

bpiperNov 11, 2024

I am surprised that those contracts with the companies were that iron clad that Disney couldn't end them early, instead of waiting years for the last one to expire while the building just got more vacant as time went by. The last few years were very bad show.... But that could be said of a lot of things there now a days. They just don't care anymore on how it looks.

BocabearNov 11, 2024

Not really... at all. The building was razed.... They built a Water play and exploration trail. They built another building with some meet and greets that look like a bust and truck tour of Disney on Ice.... and a "flex space"...

James AlucobondNov 11, 2024

That’s literally exactly what they did minus the indoor part.

DreamfinderGuyNov 11, 2024

Disney wanted the space back to use for themselves

BocabearNov 11, 2024

they didn't try hard enough? They could have easily programmed that space themselves as a Disney attraction... It could have been an amazing indoor character Meet and Greet where the characters all had beautifully detailed settings within an indoor forest setting... Something that could have been a fantastic thematic wow... Making visiting the M&G a lot of fun instead of a long line for just a picture....That space was large enough it could have had all of those settings and a central court area with vending and refreshments....which would have been the cooler place to go in the summer or during storms...they would sell merch and F&B (snack) and would have been a much needed indoor gathering spot...But they would have had to actually design and beautiful indoor environment and not a Marriott Hotel Meeting Room...which it seems is all they are really designing these days....

bpiperNov 11, 2024

Any idea why?

DreamfinderGuyNov 11, 2024

Innoventions never had trouble finding sponsors lol, it died a slow death because Disney stopped accepting new ones and ran out the contracts on the old ones

BocabearNov 11, 2024

We would rarely ever get any of the food in the World Showcase during the food and waine festival and did the Party For The Senses instead where you could actually sit with your food...But years of cuts and changes had really ruined the PFTS...it was not longer a fun special thing, but just a bunch of Disney restaurants providing Tapas for a $150 ticket....

Chef idea Mickey`=Nov 11, 2024

It's an improvement, but for years it was like. It was funny when for Food and Wine debuted they removed some seats inside Detention Hall. 😁

MisterPenguinNov 10, 2024

It still needs improvement, but EPCOT is getting better at non-restaurant seating/tables. Part of the empty expansion pad between Morocco and France now has picnic seating. Same with the waterfronts area in front of America down toward Germany. Morocco now has a nice hole-in-the-wall outdoor lounge into which to bring food. There's a new picnic area on the Rose walkway between Canada and Imagination. The new hub has several seating/table areas, as well as Communicore Hall having indoor seating.