NEW Permits Could Be Clues to 3 EPCOT Changes

EPCOT is still very much in a state of transformation and we’ve got some clues about just what the future might involve.

EPCOT

We’ve already shared a full walkthrough of the NEW Moana attraction (which is set to open this fall), and we’re constantly on the lookout for changes happening in World Showcase Lagoon as EPCOT prepares for its new fireworks show. But some new permits filed recently could clue us into MORE changes hitting this park.

We regularly search for newly filed permits — technically Notices of Commencement — that could signal where construction work could begin soon. Here’s what we’ve spotted recently!

6 NEW Signs

First up we’ve got a permit recently filed to “install 6 new ground mounted signs” — interesting! According to some mapping software we look at, the address the permit is tied to is the Joffrey’s Coffee location at the entrance to EPCOT (the one that you’ll find before the ticket-scanning spots).

Joffrey’s

The permit lists the owner as Walt Disney Imagineering and the contractor is Design Communications LTD. We’ve seen that contractor on a number of sign-related permits in the past including ones for the entry gate turnstiles at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Living Seas, and more spots.

On their website, they refer to themselves as a “world-class fabricator of custom solutions,” and their work seems to involve all kinds of signs.

What Could be Coming to this Space?

It’s not yet clear what these 6 ground mounted signs will be. Could they be related to the 100th Anniversary and EPCOT’s role as the host of that celebration in Disney World starting later in September? Or will they tie in more directly to Joffrey’s Coffee specifically? We’ll certainly be on the lookout.

“Show Elements”

Another permit filed recently also lists Walt Disney Imagineering as the owner but this one describes the work that’ll be done as “install show elements.”

The location this permit appears to be tied to is identified on our building software identified as the “East Kiosk Main Bridge.” Basically, if you’re walking down the central pathway from World Celebration to World Showcase, it’s the building on the left-hand side.

©ArcGIS

The contractor listed on this is Jon Richards Company FL, Inc. We’ve seen them on some Disney permits before and their website indicates that they’ve worked on a variety of projects, including some for parks like Universal and Disney.

Could this be related to the 100th Anniversary celebration as well? If it is, work would need to begin quite soon since things will kick off in EPCOT on September 22nd. We’ll keep our eyes peeled!

Click here to see how EPCOT will CHANGE on September 22nd!

A Stage?!

Our final permit keeps us close to the prior location. This one is tied to an address that the building software has named Fountain Plaza Tech Building. It appears to be in the World Celebration area, near the space typically used for a playground. Interestingly, this permit is actually for the installation of a stage.

©ArcGIS

Imagineering is once again listed as the owner of the property, and the contractor is InterAmerica Stage, Inc. We’ve seen them on some Disney permits before for work on lighting hoists at Splash Mountain, work around Creations Shop, Spaceship Earth work, and work at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind too. It seems like this would be somewhere near Creations Shop, so we’d be interested to see just what this stage might be for.

Click here to see our full page about EPCOT’s entire transformation

And that’s a peek at some of the permits recently filed for work around Disney World. We’ll continue to watch for more news and let you know what we find. Stay tuned for all the latest!

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What do you think these permits could mean for the future of EPCOT? Tell us in the comments!