Since it was first announced, we’ve been SO excited for the chance to have our first walkthrough of the Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana! But as much as we’re looking forward to our chance to play in this space…we’re also getting more and more worried.
Journey of Water Concept Art ©Disney
Guests will be able to explore what Disney has described as a “lush exploration trail” that allows explorers to “play with magical, living water” through an immersive walk-through attraction. Well, we sure hope so.
When the details for the Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana attraction at EPCOT first came out, our anticipation soared! But as time as gone on and more information has been released, concern grew right along with our excitement, and we continue to have questions about this project as it gets closer and closer to completion. Let’s go over a couple of those together.
Journey of Water Concept Art as seen in The EPCOT Experience
The Departure from Traditional Rides
One major concern revolves around the departure from traditional rides. Unlike other popular attractions that offer thrilling adventures, Journey of Water is described as a walk-through exploration trail, which makes us worry that this departure from a traditional ride format might not provide the same level of excitement and entertainment we’ve come to expect from Disney theme parks. We know that we will be able to interact with the water elements, so we’ll need to wait and see how truly “immersive” this ends up being.
Journey of Water Concept Art as seen in The EPCOT Experience
Potential Lack of Replay Value
Another concern is the potential lack of replay value. While a walk-through experience can be immersive and visually stunning, there is a question of whether the attraction will offer enough variety and interactive elements to warrant multiple visits. To that end, hopefully the 15-foot tall model of Te Fiti will make us want to come back again and again.
Te Fiti Sculpture in Journey of Water
With that said, we are eager to know if there will be enough surprises and engaging activities along the trail to make each visit a unique experience.
Limited Moana Connection
Despite being inspired by the beloved film Moana, some of us are worried that the attraction might not feature enough direct references to the characters and storyline.
©Disney
The focus on the water cycle and conservation is commendable, but we who were expecting a more immersive Moana experience may feel slightly disappointed if the film’s presence is not as prominent as anticipated.
Impact on EPCOT’s Overall Transformation
EPCOT is currently undergoing a significant transformation, and that raises some concerns about how Journey of Water fits into the park’s overall vision.
Journey of Water Concept Art © Disney
With the Future World section undergoing extensive changes, there is a question of how this attraction will blend with the new thematic elements and whether it will complement the park’s educational and futuristic focus. Disney has shared that in addition to the trail and interactive living water experiences, that guests will “learn about the importance of the natural water cycle and the important role we all share in preserving this life-giving and life-sustaining precious resource.”
©Disney
As we said before, hopefully activities along the trail will feel cohesive with the park’s vision and make each visit a unique experience.
Journey of Water construction site — March 2023
Despite the concerns, there is still much excitement surrounding the Journey of Water attraction. Disney’s ability to create immersive environments and captivating storytelling has consistently impressed us in the past. With the promise of lush landscapes, interactive water elements, and the incorporation of Moana-inspired elements, we have an optimistic hope that Journey of Water will deliver a unique and memorable experience that resonates with us as visitors. Until then, stay tuned for the latest on the transformation of EPCOT and more Disney news!
Click here for the latest on EPCOT and the Moana-inspired attraction
Want MORE Details About EPCOT’s MASSIVE Transformation?
NEW Festival Areas, Gardens, a Meet-and-Greet Area, and More Are Coming to EPCOT
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What are your thoughts about this new Moana-inspired attraction? Let us know below!
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No reason to be worried. We all knew from the beginning, this was just a strolling path not an attraction.
I would caution anyone from comparing this to a ride attraction. If anyone is thinking it will be much more than a cross between Epcot’s old reverse waterfall and jumping water fountain, and walk-through attractions like Tom Sawyer’s Island, the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, they’ll likely be disappointed. If, on the other hand, they anticipate a beautiful and peaceful area to explore (a draw somewhat like Pandora’s) with some much-needed shade, they will probably quite enjoy themselves.
I still love the jumping fountains in front of Journey to Imagination, but I know they don’t attract the crowds they used to. The attraction of Moana may be the shade it affords in a park that has very little. Some well placed benches may make it a hang out spot to sit and rest.
I know that Disneyland Paris has many more “walk through” attractions that the US parks and those are a draw for guests when they want to “wind down” a bit from all the Disney “energy”. Maybe it will be a place to relax in the middle of the day or when it gets so hot!
I think the Journey of Water will be like the Oasis in Animal Kingdom- a relaxing and shady walk to get from one area to another in the park, not so much an attraction equal to the rides.
I think this would’ve bee better suited in AK. Although I live Moana, it’s not really an Epcot vibe.
I’m curious how the interaction will work when there are 25 people all crowded in at the same spot wanting to do something different. Of course I haven’t experienced it yet but so far, it appears to me to be a one-and-done attraction. I hope I’m wrong. (Maybe they could have achieved the same concept but used it in a ride capacity and gotten people out of the heat and off their feet?)
If there are lots of places to sit in the shade, it will be a success.
Honestly, I’d rather have a Mary Poppins ride. A walk through is nice but people will use it as a way to rush from one part of the park to another.
Somehow a walkthrough strikes me more as a queue design than an attraction. If that’s all there really is here, then it’s definitely a one-and-done attraction, which would be more than a little disappointing given the money Disney is spending on this and the multi-year disruption to Epcot in order to build it.
Hey, people still walk through Swiss Family Robinson tree house over and over, and that doesn’t even work properly any more. Or am I imagining that the water wheel thing used to work?
Finally, someone, (DFB) has had the courage to expound the truth about the Moana fiasco. I too have had my doubts, and can envision myself maybe going thru the area twice while looking for a quicker path to World Showcase where the real fun is. I now view it as nothing but an obstacle in my path to the big attractions. Moana… Moana who…? As Epcot skews more toward adults, I can imagine boredom for the traveler much like the entranceway to the Animal Kingdom. The Pre-Show walk is nothing but an obstacle there as if you looked and saw the ducks in the ponds once, you have seen enough and now repeat guests just walk thru without stopping or looking. I envision Moana much like Harmonious… a huge Disney Imagineer Flop. So sad, Epcot was once a great learning and educational experience, now it is nothing more than a giant food court with limited educational benefits for young and old. We need a new leader from outside of Disney to take over for Bob Iger. Moana will be a disaster for visitors
These concerns are silly. Parks need more non-ride attractions not fewer. I’m not saying do away with rides but parks need things that don’t. require. lines. That aren’t passive. EPCOT has long been the favorite park of my toddlers because of how much on-their-feet exploration there is (as opposed to having to stand in lines all day at some of the other parks.) This will only feed their love of it.
And I wouldn’t be too concerned with connection to the transformation. The whole transformation has been a bust as project after project has been canceled.
And loose connections to IPs is always smarter. Movies fade in and out of popularity. Adventure doesn’t.
From the beginning I felt pretty meh about it. I can’t believe they’ve spent so much money on nothing more than an aggrandized version of the Imagination Pavilions jumping water. I hope I’m wrong, but this isn’t going to do anything but disappoint a lot of people.