More Epcot Stories

First-of-its-Kind Play Pavilion, New Park Entrance Part of Epcot’s Historic Transformation

Thomas Smith

by , Editorial Content Director, Disney Experiences

As many of you know, we’ve got BIG plans for our multi-year transformation of Epcot, with new experiences that’ll “Wow!” guests while keeping true to the original vision of the park. Today, we’re excited to share even more of what’s to come.

The ongoing evolution of Epcot includes plans for a play pavilion that’ll be unlike anything you’ve ever seen at the park. This new space will be devoted to playful fun and feature an innovative city that’ll come to life under the dome of the un-named pavilion previously known as Wonders of Life. The pavilion’s city will be bursting with interactive experiences, your favorite Disney characters, hands-on activities and engaging entertainment when it opens just in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort!

“This innovative, new pavilion is beyond anything we’ve ever created and is completely unique to Epcot,” said Zach Riddley, portfolio executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. “Built on the power of play, it introduces an immersive and interactive ‘city’ where you can explore, create, and interact with some of your favorite Disney characters. This is an experience worthy of our bold vision for Epcot – and another signature element of our transformation.”

There will also be exciting changes to the way you come and go at Epcot! As you can see above, changes are coming to the Epcot main entrance, where the plaza will welcome guests with new pathways, sweeping green spaces and a newly reimagined fountain. This new design will pay homage to the original park entrance with fresh takes on classic elements.

As part of the new entry experience, Leave A Legacy photos will be moving into a beautiful setting just outside the park’s gateway. Additional significant redevelopment will begin between Spaceship Earth attraction and the World Showcase Promenade. More details about the transformation of this area will be announced at a later date.

And if you’re as excited as we are about these upcoming projects, you’ll soon be able to look into the future with us at a new Experience Center coming to Epcot later this year. The Experience Center will be located in the Odyssey Events Pavilion and feature interactive exhibits to help visualize park projects throughout this unprecedented period of transformation.

Here are some of the other exciting Epcot experiences we’ve shared:

Keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for more updates on the continuing transformation of Epcot.

Destinations: Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort

Topics: Vacation Planning

Comments

  • Please bring back the original fountain in front of spaceship earth!!! It was beautiful and fit the overall look.

  • I have always enjoyed the “adult” themed Epcot. I will withhold judgement, as I am DVC since 1994 and go to all of the festivals at Epcot, even though we live in California. I will keep my fingers crossed that all this is for the better.

  • Please Don’t take Away Figment! I love Figment!

  • Please don’t get rid of Figment. I was there the first week Epcot opened and have loved that little guy since. I am super excited to see the new changes.

  • So excited to see & experience all the new changes at Epcot!!! Can’t wait!!!!

  • WOW!

    I cannot even imagineer what the Imagineers will create!

    I have been waiting to hear more about the spaced-themed dining – anymore information you can share?

    PSYCHED!!!!

  • PLEASE DO NOT take away Teppen Edo or make it a Signature dining experience!

  • A) Why is “Play” not the theme of the new (and equally empty) Imagination building revamp?
    and
    B) Will this affect the “Left-brain/Right-brain” layout of the original 80’s Epcot Center World’s-Fair theme (ie. abstract pavilions like Imagination and Energy on one side, and real-world pavilions like the Land and Sea on the other), or have Test Track, Mission: Space and Guardians of the Galaxy already messed up the mix?

  • I have always loved the pixie dust in the sidewalk. I also hope it stays!

  • Since Leave A Legacy is staying, any chance you’ll reopen enrollment? Lots of those spaces are empty and I’d love a slot!

  • Epcot is my families favourite park! So excited to see what’s new to come in the next couple years 🙂

  • Wonder where the Festival Centers will be if both the Wonders of Life and Odyssey are being repurposed?

  • This is very exciting. Glad to see all of the investments going into all the parks (both as a visitor and as a stockholder!). Epcot could use a refresh in terms of attractions and aesthetics. Of all the parks it would seem that Epcot should be the that transforms the most. Bravo.

  • So exciting!! I have loved Epcot ever since I was a kid and I know this will make it all the more exciting for my own kids as we continue to visit over the years!

  • Please don’t take away the twinkly lights in the sidewalk!!

  • Thank you for breathing life back into the wonders of life pavilion (with this new an exciting reimagined area) and making that area open to guests again. It has been a long time coming and definitely looks like it is going to be an amazing addition!

  • Thank you! Looks great and so glad they are moving the “tomb stones” at the entrance! Such a depressing entrance and they presented quite the obstacle course. Looking forward to a more aesthetically pleasing opening scene!

Comments are closed.