Walking around Disney World every day gives us a unique advantage to sit back and watch for things that might not be so apparent on the surface. Or maybe, we run across things that are too “in your face” that you just completely miss.
EPCOT
It’s true we’ve covered some of the most bizarre and weird things we’ve spotted at Disney World’s park however, we’re seeing evidence of a new trend growing and we don’t know how to feel about it.
It seems like it took decades for EPCOT’s massive transformation to be complete (ok, not decades but definitely multiple years), and you would think for such a massive undertaking from when it was revealed, the ending result would have blown us away with everything there was to see, do, and explore.
EPCOT
When Disney first teased the transformation ahead of it’s true reveal it seemed like there was tons of experiences to be had, new attractions that would be worked into parts of the world and so much more. a few sections in particular that was teased of this caliber were a multi-level festival center and the Play Pavilion.
©Disney || Play Pavilion Concept Art
So when Disney World finally was ready to bring down the remaining walls around EPCOT, it left a lot of folks stunned and not in the best way. You see, several of those original artist concepts either didn’t come to fruition at all or were remarkably different from what we thought we would be getting (take the CommuniCore Hall for example, and whatever happened to the Mary Poppins attraction set for the U.K. Pavilion?).
Mary Poppins attraction concept art
Instead what we got in and around the CommuniCore Hall and World Celebration was…a lot of seating areas. Think about it with us for a second! You’ve got the World Celebration Gardens that’s got more than ample seating spaces, tables, and chairs…
Nice spot to chill
…you can pop a squat next to Walt Disney’s statue at Dreamer’s Point…
Walt at Dreamer’s Point
…and most of the inside of CommuniCore Hall is well, empty compared to what we grew to expect early on.
CommuniCore Hall
But, we’ve noticed this isn’t a one off area or a seeming oversight. No — there are a few other places that we feel have so much more potential than what they’re currently used for. Another example to further our argument in this lies at The Odyssey.
The Odyssey Pavilion
When it’s not a bustling hot spot for the changing EPCOT festivals it’s mostly either used as indoor seating where you can grab a quick snack and pop by a clean bathroom…
Inside The Odyssey during a festival
…and we’ve recently seen it used as a temporary location for the DVC Lounge. while the original location in the Imagination Pavilion is being remodeled.
Temporary DVC Lounge
Otherwise, this entire building is closed to park visitors and just lies in waiting to be used again. But potentially the biggest real estate of opportunity lies within the Morocco Pavilion around the World Showcase.
Morocco Pavilion
Restaurant Marrekesh used to be a thriving, immersive dining experience hailed by many as a must-do when visiting EPCOT. Today, it stands as mostly an empty building (with the exception that it has been occassionally used as a temporary lounge for Annual Passholders, during select festivals, and most recently the relocated KidCOT location for this country).
Morocco KidCOT location
We’re tired of seeing this space only used for a smidge of what it’s true potential holds! Look at how sad it looks without a lot of people inside!
Restaurant Marrakesh open as an indoor seating area
So have we made you think a little deeper yet? Sometimes these quiet trends are hard to spot if you’re not constantly laser focused in on Disney World’s every detail but we think with a little thought and TLC, Disney could come up with more space for rides, attractions, dining, and meet and greets to fill the park and give visitors way more to do than what’s available currently.
We’re constantly talking about the strange, weird, and bizarre things that stick out to us around Disney World. Be sure you’re follow us at Disney Food Blog to keep up with all the latest!
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If you have spent ANYtime in the parks at all in the FLORIDA heat then you should be thanking your lucky stars for all of the air conditioned seating areas! I for one think they are brilliant and a more than welcome addition. More of these spaces should exist, not fewer.
Morocco was one of my favorite pavilions-I took a picture of the camel every year-so sad-it’s a travesty what it has become. Is politics the cause? It’s so beautiful and is now going to waste. The bazaar atmosphere was always fun with many purchases made. Sad, sad, sad…
Unfortunately this space should be used and Disney isn’t taking advantage of this once epic place of good food and entertainment 🥴 Get on it D , come on!!!!
I haven’t been to Epcot in over 20 years. I am disappointed that the Morocco Pavilion is closed. When and why did Restaurant Marakesh closed?
The Epcot “transformation” is another example of the new Disney mediocracy.
Where are the great imagineers, I believe they are there but leadership has no imagination. It seems as if they have an attitude of who cares.
Disney is definitely slipping at the parks, it surely is not the WDW it once was. Comuunicore hall is a joke right….
I think it should be turned into a Greece pavilion! Paint everything white with blue roofs and then decorate!!