Bring out the balloons and cake — it’s time to wish a very Happy Birthday to the one and only EPCOT! 🎂 🎈
Happy Birthday, EPCOT!
EPCOT officially turned 40 years old today, October 1st, 2022, and we’re IN the park to check out all of the celebratory merchandise, snacks, and more. Want to see what it’s like in EPCOT on its special anniversary? Join us!
Crowds
We started our morning at EPCOT bright and early (of course!). But we weren’t alone. Though Park Pass reservations remained available close to the date of the anniversary, there were a decent amount of guests waiting for the 40th Anniversary celebration to begin on October 1st.
EPCOT is busy today!
We have a feeling it’s going to be like this all day.
Yep, it’s busy
People lined up early to get a good spot for the special ceremony at 11AM.
A special ceremony show is happening at 11am for EPCOT 40 and guests are lining up already! 👏🎉 pic.twitter.com/XOyVONaiv2
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) October 1, 2022
The crowds seemed excited to get the ceremony going!
Getting ready for the show here at the America Pavilion 🌟 #EPCOT40 pic.twitter.com/Kcl7tT6azI
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) October 1, 2022
Oh, and we spotted Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Josh D’Amaro arriving!
Josh D’Amaro!
However, we think most guests are waiting in line for EPCOT’s 40th anniversary merchandise in Creations Shop — they’re all following this sign:
THE place to be
The line itself is LONG. It’s wrapped from the Creations Shop entrance…
Creations Shop entrance
…around the middle and all the way back past The Seas with Nemo and Friends.
The merch line is LONG
Look at this line!
This amazing cast member is keeping guests excited in the current TWO hour line for EPCOT 40th merch 👀 pic.twitter.com/gDxL7W5qm9
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) October 1, 2022
According to a Cast Member we spoke with, those standing at the end of the line probably have around a two-hour wait before they can get into the store.
It’s going to be a while
So if you’re planning on getting some 40th merchandise at EPCOT today, prepare to wait!
Atmosphere
During the 35th Anniversary, there was a special map and even “EPCOT 35” bags for cotton candy, so we were interested to see what this year’s celebrations would hold.
It’s a grand and miraculous morning here at #WaltDisneyWorld! We’re getting excited for all the fun EPCOT’s 40th anniversary will bring! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/8819bmVZAT
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) October 1, 2022
Once inside EPCOT, we were greeted by some classic EPCOT music and a commemorative map with EPCOT 40 on it!
New map!
Guests who visit EPCOT today will also get a special commemorative poster.
Guests today will receive a commemorative poster for #EPCOT40 which has holographic elements on it! 🌈 pic.twitter.com/clyMDBmw1p
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) October 1, 2022
It has holographic effects!
Entertainment
A special ceremony show was held at 11AM, but guests began lining up HOURS in advance.
A special ceremony show is happening at 11am for EPCOT 40 and guests are lining up already! 👏🎉 pic.twitter.com/XOyVONaiv2
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) October 1, 2022
We were treated to a special performance by EPCOT’s Mariachi Cobre — including members who have been with the group since EPCOT’s opening day!
An amazing moment! Two members of the group have been with them at EPCOT since day one!! 👏 #EPCOT40 pic.twitter.com/yXnXMN6vtu
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) October 1, 2022
We also saw a tribute to Walt Disney, with Voices of Liberty singing “When You Wish Upon A Star.” What a special moment!
Walt Disney tribute during the #EPCOT40 celebration show ❤️ pic.twitter.com/92zbLqxNX9
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) October 1, 2022
At night, Spaceship Earth got a new Beacons of Magic look for the 40th anniversary!
What a grand and miraculous ending to the first day of EPCOT’s 40th anniversary! #DisneyWorld #EPCOT40 pic.twitter.com/NenGF1ohz5
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) October 2, 2022
There were nods to Horizons, Figment, and more.
And of course we have to have a nod to Figment! 🌈 #EPCOT40 pic.twitter.com/iYx9QHoZ65
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) October 2, 2022
We love these special lights!
See more of the new Beacons of Magic look in EPCOT!
Merchandise
In terms of merchandise, there are a few brand NEW items you can pick up for EPCOT’s 40th Anniversary! The collection features Figment along with some classic EPCOT logos. There are t-shirts, sweatshirts, water bottles, a spirit jersey….
Spirit Jersey
…a new Loungefly bag…
Loungefly backpack
…a baseball cap…
Need a new baseball hat? EPCOT’s got you covered!
Just one of many limited edition items available today! ✨ pic.twitter.com/xTUyysZtfF
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) October 1, 2022
…a MagicBand and more!
MagicBand
Also, check out this Figment Plush — he’s wearing a special 40th anniversary sweater!
FIGMENT!
There is also a Spaceship Earth figurine, a Harveys Figment crossbody bag, pins, and an Alex and Ani charm. Some of these items have been released in EPCOT, and some are also being released on shopDisney.
Creations Shop 40th anniversary display
But those going to EPCOT on the 40th will get an extra special opportunity to buy limited-edition items from the EPCOT 40th Anniversary Day-Of Collection! We’ll be updating this section with more merchandise information as we find it, so stay tuned for more details.
Get a look at EPCOT’s 40th Anniversary collection here!
Treats
It wouldn’t be a celebration without SNACKS, right?! Right!! EPCOT is celebrating its 40th Anniversary with a few unique and colorful snacks throughout the park. Some of these were actually available in the park starting the day before, September 30th and will be available for a few days following the anniversary. Others have more limited availability.
You can head over to Connections Cafe right now through October 3rd to grab a festive Liege Waffle…
40th Anniversary Liege Waffle
…run to Choza de Margarita for a 40th Fiesta drink with a souvenir cup…
Hopping back over to EPCOT! 🌈
Check out the 40th anniversary take on the Fiesta Margarita from the Mexico Pavilion! 🍹 pic.twitter.com/SXCEDPAmQo
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) October 1, 2022
…or stop by the Funnel Cake stand near the American Adventure Pavilion to get a Celebration Funnel Cake.
Celebration Funnel Cake
The Sake Flight in Japan is SIMPLY GORGEOUS.
We liked this flight!
And check out this Figment Sponge Cake from Sunshine Seasons.
Figment Sponge Cake
We’ll be picking up some of these treats and sharing FULL reviews of them, so be on the lookout for more updates from us!
Click here to see ALL of the snacks coming to EPCOT for its anniversary
More!
But wait…there’s MORE! Today, D23 Gold members who were lucky enough to get a ticket could enjoy a special 40th Anniversary event inside EPCOT.
©Disney
We’ll continue to update this post throughout the day, so be sure to bookmark it to check out even more exciting EPCOT 40th happenings!
To learn more about what’s going on in EPCOT, click here to see our list for the very BEST things to eat and drink at EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival (which continues through part of November), and click here to uncover the SECRETS of the Moana attraction coming to EPCOT.
Click here for our DFB EPCOT checklist!
Want MORE Details About EPCOT’s MASSIVE Transformation?
NEW Festival Areas, Gardens, a Meet-and-Greet Area, and More Are Coming to EPCOT
Learn All About Journey of Water -- Inspired by Moana
Has the Mary Poppins Project at Disney World Been Canceled?
What’s Been CUT From the EPCOT Transformation?
SNEAK PEEK at the NEW Fireworks Show Coming to EPCOT
Click HERE for All the News and Details about EPCOT’s Transformation!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest EPCOT transformation news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
What is your favorite thing to do in EPCOT? Tell us in the comments!
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We were SO disappointed that the anniversary cake at Sunshine Seasons sold out so quickly. We were combining 40th anniversary and Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month celebrations for our vlog and decided we’d get the cake to have after our birria tacos. The cake was sold out before Sunshine Seasons officially opened (other than the bakery case for breakfast)! The waffle was good, but we were also disappointed that the Funnel Cake Stand didn’t have the anniversary funnel cake listed anywhere, and the fact that so many of the special treats were at TS locations. Oh, well, at least that crazy merch line could be bypassed by ordering from ShopDisney! 😉