Is Epcot Finally Realizing Walt’s Initial Dream?

The answer I’ve come up with is not quite but it’s getting close. Walt Disney’s original plan for EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) was not a theme park at all but an actual, if futuristic, living and working community.  So, in that regard, no, Epcot is not being transitioned from theme park to community.

            What makes me feel as though EPCOT is almost living up to Walt’s initial dream is the fact that the park is actually making substantial changes and upgrades. A great irony of the park is that while its main theme are change and growth, there has been very little of either in the past years.

            While plenty of attractions, even entire buildings of attractions have closed, such as The Wonders of Life Pavilion, the only new attractions in recent times have been Mission Earth and Frozen Ever After. Then, bit by bit, Disney began announcing even more new additions to what some naysayers call the least popular park.  

            At first it was two new rides, (Ratatouille, Guardians of the Galaxy), a restaurant, new fireworks, and a massive reworking of the entrance.  Then at the D23 Expo a slew of new attractions was introduced, a Moana attraction, a Mary Poppins ride, and a complete revitalization of what is now Future World.

            This revitalization includes separate neighborhoods, World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature, and the existing World Showcase, which is getting several new attractions. The fact that they are being called neighborhoods is a definite nod to Walt’s original vision. 

             World Celebration will include an updated Space Ship Earth, a new Walt statue, gardens, and a very futuristic convention center.  The theme, to me, seems a bit vague, but with Spaceship Earth being refocused toward stories, yet still being the centerpiece, I’m assuming stories and gatherings are the theme.

               World Discovery’s theme is more defined, the future. This neighborhood will house the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride, Test Track, and Mission Space. The new space themed restaurant will also be housed here.  The Wonders of Life Pavilion will finally see new life as an iterative play area called Play! Pavilion. There’s been no word if the Muppet Mobile lab will still be available, but if it is, I would imagine and hope that this would be where. I am also looking forward to, though it’s not been announced to Guardians of the Galaxy meet and greets. 

Muppet Mobile Lab

            Finally, we will have World Nature which will include The Land and Seas Pavilion and the new Moana attraction. The Land will be getting a new film called Awesome Planet.

             For a park that has seen little changes, Epcot is getting quite the makeover. While I am unsure about some of the changes, I say it’s about time. So, it’s not completely  lining up with Walt’s idea of a community of tomorrow, but it’s certainly closer to that concept than ever before. 

            I look forward to revisiting Epcot and seeing, and riding all these changes in person. Take my money, Disney, I’m beginning to save up now.