EPCOT is undergoing a HUGE transformation right now, which is pretty obvious if you’ve been to the park in recent years due to all of the construction.

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There are new neighborhoods, stores, restaurants, rides, and more that have already opened up, and there’s SO much more to come! One of the new attractions coming is Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana in the World Nature neighborhood. We’ve seen a look at concept art for the attraction and have also kept an eye on construction over the past several months. And now, we have a FIRST LOOK at some of the design details of the attraction!

The Walt Disney Imagineering team and crew of artisans have begun sculpting the rock work for Journey of Water! This attraction will let guest explore and interact with water as you check out its journey from the sky to the ocean and back again.

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Disney says that the Imagineering team partnered with artists and cultural consultants from Walt Disney Animation Studios to bring this attraction to life. The team has tasked themselves with capturing the beauty of the natural water cycle for the attraction. Disney says they were also inspired by Moana’s fierce determination to protect her environment and her bond with water.

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If you’re a fan of the movie Moana, you should be able to recognize some familiar characters and shapes that are carved into the rocks and waterways throughout Journey of Water! Moana herself will be very noticeable and will be seen celebrating water’s arrival to the ocean.

Journey of Water Concept Art © Disney

Disney also shared some Imagineers at work. Check out Principal Dimensional Designer Jim Towler as he’s sculpting the foam maquette of Moana for the attraction. Imagineers create models, mock-ups, and maquettes like this one to bring the characters and their stories into the parks.

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This is just a look at one of the earliest stages in the design process before paint and other details are added. Disney says that once the pose of the character is defined, sculptors add detail and texture until the emotional expression of the carving is just right. Then, they do a paint study and create full-scale samples to test their materials and carving techniques.

Progress on Journey of Water — Inspired by ‘Moana’

Disney also shared a look at a sample from the mountain-like forms that will be at the entrance to the attraction. You can see Moana’s iconic spiral! And, you can see how Imagineers have used paint, scenic treatments, and foliage to bring this area to life.

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We’ve been keeping up with progress on the attraction, as well as sharing first looks at other designs and concept art! The attraction is still very much under construction, which you can see any time you take the monorail through EPCOT.

Moana Construction

We’ll be sure to share any other details we find out about the upcoming attraction! For now, you can check out what else is coming for the EPCOT transformation right here, or take a look at the details from EPCOT’s newest attraction, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news and updates!

Click here to see our latest construction update on this attraction!

Are you excited for this new attraction? Tell us in the comments!