A Beloved Part of EPCOT’s Past Is Coming BACK in a New Way

EPCOT’s massive transformation is moving forward, with the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster opening on May 27th. We’ve also recently gotten a BIG update on the Journey of Water — Inspired by moana attraction, and Connections Eatery is already open! So what’s still left?

EPCOT

If you’ve been to EPCOT recently, you know that the front section of this park is a maze of construction walls. Now, we’ve got another UPDATED look at some of the attractions and areas that will be located here in World Celebration when the construction finally wraps up. Here’s a hint — a beloved detail is finally going to return to this area!

Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley posted on Instagram today with some concept art of the World Celebration space, along with more details about the area. We’ve already seen the concept art of CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza, which are new festival areas coming to this EPCOT land. But now we know more about some lighting, decor, and landscaping elements that guests will find there.

©Disney

Does anyone else miss the lights in the ground that used to be part of Future World in EPCOT?

Lights in the pavement | 2019

There were sparkly squares other colorful patterns in the area just behind Spaceship Earth. These lights went away when EPCOT began renovations a few years ago, but now Disney has confirmed that they’ll be coming BACK!

lights | 2019

Riddley shared that “guests loved the fiber optics embedded in the pavement at EPCOT, and we’re excited to share that we’re bringing back new illuminated paving designs in World Celebration.” The new lighting fixtures will incorporate updated technology and “controllability to deliver some fun new lighting capabilities.” While we don’t know all the details about what kinds of new lighting we’ll see, you can tell from the concept art that the central EPCOT logo under the planter will be lit.

©Disney

The new areas will also have “hero features,” which are big artistic elements like topiaries and sculptures. These will change depending on the season and which festival EPCOT is hosting at the time. Riddley said that this image represents the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. The pieces will coordinate with the lights on Spaceship Earth.

©Disney

The CommuniCore Plaza was previously announced as a place to host live entertainment and performances during festivals. There will be different stages throughout the plaza so that guests can explore a variety of entertainment in the different gardens.

©Disney

Overall, World Celebration will have more than 12,000 individually controllable lighting fixtures, which Imagineers are hoping “will create a dynamic environment that will transform the area every night.” We’ll keep a lookout for more updates on this major project, so keep following DFB for all the latest news.