UPDATED June 10, 2024

The transformation of EPCOT reached completion on June 10th, 2024 with the opening of the CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza Festival areas. On this page, you can learn about everything NEW at EPCOT as a result of the transformation!

If you are interested in learning about more major expansion projects in Walt Disney World, click HERE to find out about the Magic Kingdom Expansion and HERE to find out about the Animal Kingdom Expansion!

EPCOT Center opened on October 1, 1982. Though Walt Disney World is now home to four parks, EPCOT Center was the second to open its gates to guests outside of the Magic Kingdom, which opened on October 1, 1971. Originally envisioned by Walt Disney himself as an “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow,” these days the park is known simply as EPCOT.

And while the park has seen many changes over the years, EPCOT recently underwent a multi-year transformation. The park — which was previously comprised of Future World and World Showcase — now houses four distinct “neighborhoods”: World Celebration, World Nature, World Discovery, and World Showcase. The three new neighborhoods began going by their new names on October 1, 2021.

Click HERE to learn your way around EPCOT’s three NEW neighborhoods: World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature!

New attractions, restaurants, and much more serve as reminders that EPCOT — as Walt Disney himself said — will “always be in a state of becoming.”

While the transformation ultimately spanned into mid-2024 and ended with the opening of Communicore Hall & Plaza on June 10th, 2024, guests started to enjoy several results of the work prior to the official completion.

As just one example, the Leave A Legacy monoliths which used to welcome guests upon entering the park were relocated, and also colorfully reimagined.

And now let’s take a closer look at the three new neighborhoods and explore the many ways World Showcase has also changed as EPCOT underwent what Disney has called an “historic transformation!”

World Celebration and the Entrance Plaza

Entrance Plaza and Spaceship Earth

On December 22, 2020, a new fountain was unveiled which guests can see as they approach Spaceship Earth immediately upon entering the park.

Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley has previously explained that the design team “took special interest in looking back to the original geometry for inspiration and infusing new features with a little bit of added magic to bridge the past, present and future of EPCOT.” The fountain itself is complete with a trio of acrylic pylons that look especially beautiful at night.

Guests will also notice the addition of 12 flags (six designs, two of each) on flagpoles flanking Spaceship Earth.

The flags feature original EPCOT Center icons that represent the pavilions and attractions. They arrived at the same time as new music which welcomes guests into the park! The area presents refreshed landscaping to enjoy as well.

EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth also received a truly stunning exterior transformation, as each of the four park’s icon’s became “Beacons of Magic” in the evenings as part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration for Walt Disney World. In the case of Spaceship Earth, the new evening lighting is a permanent addition to the structure!

Click HERE to see MORE of the stunning nighttime lighting on Spaceship Earth!

Creations Shop, Club Cool, and Connections Cafe and Eatery

On September 15, 2021, a new merchandise location — Creations Shop — opened as the park’s new flagship store.

Creations replaced Mouse Gear (which closed in 2019 to make way for the transformation). But Mickey Mouse still serves as the inspiration for the new location, as you’ll see him featured in a large mural on one of the walls and in smaller touches throughout the space.

All of the artwork featured is completely unique to the space and intended to showcase “the global, contemporary icon that Mickey has become for generations around the world.” The store features other additional details to make sure all guests feel welcome.

Click here to STEP INSIDE Creations Shop!

Guests can also celebrate the return of an EPCOT classic experience in a revitalized fashion: Club Cool  — where guests can sample sodas from around the world!

Like the previous version, Club Cool is complete with lots of Coca-Cola merchandise, a small snack counter, and — of course — free samples for sipping! Look for it next to the Creations Shop.

See EVERY DRINK you can try at Club Cool!

Dreamers Point

As guests exit Spaceship Earth — the park’s icon and centerpiece attraction — they’ll get a fantastic view of the new Dreamers Point. 

Dreamers Point features a statue of Walt Disney — “Walt the Dreamer” —  which celebrates the way he always looked towards the future. It debuted on December 5th, 2023 — Walt’s birthday!

World Celebration Gardens

As the seasons — and seasonal Festivals — change throughout the year, this will be reflected in a World Celebration hub divided into several different gardens.

In the center is a planter based on the five-ring EPCOT logo. The gardens also evolve with the seasons, and each one has its own identity, with the ability to change to go along with the festivals throughout the year.

At night, the gardens “take on a whole new life,” as Disney says, where lighting immerses guests in an evening experience that also changes through the seasons.

The new lighting fixtures incorporate updated technology and “controllability to deliver some fun new lighting capabilities.” Ultimately, World Celebration has more than 12,000 individually controllable lighting fixtures, which Imagineers hope “create a dynamic environment that will transform the area every night.”

The new areas also have “hero features,” which are big artistic elements like topiaries and sculptures. The pieces also coordinate with the lights on Spaceship Earth.

CommuniCore Hall and Communicore Plaza Festival Area

We’re especially excited for the addition of a dedicated Festival Area that now serves as the new “home base” for EPCOT’s seasonal Festivals and live events! CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza opened in EPCOT’s World Celebration in June 2024 and now bring EPCOT International Festivals “to the center of Walt Disney World.”

CommuniCore Plaza is an outdoor space where guests can come to relax and experience all the festivals have to offer.

There is also an area that can host large-scale concerts or an intimate performance that extends out into the gardens nearby.

CommuniCore Hall is housed within the plaza, and is the first fully-purpose built structure in festival programing, designed with flexibility in mind. This hall is able to host a wide variety of experiences with food, art, live music, and more. 

There is even a demonstration kitchen, a mixology bar, and exhibition and gallery space here. The hall helps to extend the festival experience and give chefs new ways to connect and experiment!

Check out EVERYTHING at EPCOT’s new Festival Area HERE!

As part of the CommuniCore opening celebration, a BRAND NEW Encanto stage show made its debut! ¡Celebración Encanto! is a sing-along that features beloved songs — and characters! — from the film.

The show is presented several times a day through and takes place on the new CommuniCore Plaza stage.

Get ready to party with Bruno and Mirabel!

And in the evenings through the summer, you can still stop by and be entertained with live music performed by Latin bands!

See why we LOVE EPCOT’s new Encanto show HERE!

Mickey and Friends Meet-and-Greet Location

Along with providing dedicated spaces for EPCOT’s seasonal Festivals, CommuniCore Hall is also the location of a new year-round Mickey & Friends Meet-and-Greet!

We initially saw Minnie and Goofy greeting with Mickey, but be aware that the “& Friends” in the space may vary, so be ready for a surprise!

And rest assured that Mickey himself will always be present to SEE YA, PAL!!!

Check out Mickey’s NEW Meet-and-Greet Spot HERE!

Figment Meet-and-Greet Location

Have you heard the news??

A highly-anticipated Figment meet-and-greet has also opened in World Celebration’s Imagination pavilion!

From the park entrance, guests will move to the left of World Celebration to enter World Discovery.

World Discovery

Space 220

Dishes that are out-of-this-world are being served at the Space 220 restaurant, which opened on September 20, 2021!

Guests rocket into orbit 220 miles above earth (via a simulation elevator) to enjoy a meal “in space” aboard the Centauri Space Station.

This new dining experience offers prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner as well as a lounge, and you can take a look INSIDE this incredible new restaurant HERE!

Step INSIDE Space 220 by clicking HERE!

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

The existing attractions of Mission: SPACE and Test Track have been joined by Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind which opened on May 27, 2022!

This MASSIVE and thrilling ride (which happens to be EPCOT’s first-ever roller coaster) is located in the Wonders of Xandar pavilion.

Click HERE to check out PICS and VIDEOS of Guardians of the Galaxy HERE! And we have a SPOILER-FREE Review HERE!

World Nature

World Nature is located to the right of World Celebration (from the entrance) and encompasses The Land and The Seas pavilions.

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana

Guests can now explore what Disney has described as a “lush exploration trail” that allows explorers to “play with magical, living water” through the Journey of Water, an immersive walk-through attraction inspired by Moana. Journey of Water officially opened on October 16th, 2023.

The attraction is a walkthrough trail where guests can “play with magical, living water” in an immersive way. We’ve enjoyed sharing a look inside — along with a FULL WALK-THROUGH — with you!

Click here to GO INSIDE EPCOT’s Moana-Inspired Journey of Water Attraction! And find our FULL VIDEO WALK-THROUGH here!

And Moana is now meeting guests in EPCOT’s World Nature, right near the entrance to Journey of Water!

Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for appearance times, as this Meet-and-Greet is bound to remain incredibly popular for some time.

Awesome Planet

In fact, The Land pavilion had already debuted one of its new experiences with a new film housed in the pavilion, Awesome Planet.

The film made its debut in EPCOT on January 17, 2020.

World Showcase

Nighttime Spectacular

A NEW nighttime spectacular made its debut on December 5th, 2023, in honor of Disney 100 Years of Wonder: Luminous The Symphony Of Us!

As Disney shares, the new production invites “everyone to gather around World Showcase Lagoon for a show that will unite us through commonalities of the heart in a dazzling display of fireworks, lasers, music and light. Featuring an original composition along with select songs from the Disney songbook, this new spectacular will remind us that we’re more alike than different, connecting our hearts together as one.”

And several country pavilions around World Showcase have welcomed new attractions, dining experiences, and more.

France Pavilion — Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Dining

The France pavilion is now home to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure which opened on October 1, 2021!

Riders shrink down to “rat-size” and embark on a journey across Chef Gusteau’s restaurant kitchen in Paris.

The attraction thrills and delights riders with the sights, sounds, and smells from the kitchen as they’re chased through it on their way to safety.

RIDE WITH US on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure!

Joining the new attraction in France is a new restaurant! La Crêperie de Paris offers both Table Service AND Counter Service via a walk-up window called Crêpes À Emporter and features a menu from celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse.

These new eateries also officially opened along with the ride on October 1, 2021.

Click HERE for our review of La Crêperie de Paris!

These experiences in France joined the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along which opened on January 17, 2020.

The theater for the sing-along shares a home with the classic Impressions de France film, which is still available for viewing in the Pavilion in the evenings.

Japan Pavilion

Other new experiences already open in EPCOT include Takumi-Tei, a signature dining restaurant in the Japan pavilion, which delivers a dining experience and setting inspired by the natural beauty of Japan.

And Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya is a new table-service restaurant! It features “Japanese delights” such as sushi and teppan items, plus an open sushi bar and grill. Sushi fans can enjoy the Kobore Sushi, Tokyo Negi Roll, and Funamori. Not only that, but you can enjoy Japanese Izakaya, a type of casual pub-style restaurant that puts an emphasis on drinks and conversations with friends.

The restaurant is located in the Japan Pavilion, on the second floor — above the Mitsukoshi Department Store (in the location of the former Tokyo Dining restaurant), providing views of World Showcase and — when the timing is right — fireworks!

The American Adventure Pavilion

And the Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue celebrates classic American “backyard barbecue” and beverages as an all-new quick service spot in The American Adventure pavilion.

It replaced the previous Liberty Inn quick service restaurant.

POSTPONED Transformation Changes

A Mary Poppins-inspired attraction was also previously announced for one of France’s neighboring pavilions, the United Kingdom.

It was revealed that this attraction will allow guests to “step in time down Cherry Tree Lane past Admiral Boom’s house, then enter Number 17, home of the Banks family.” This is where the magical journey will begin. However, please note that since the original announcement, Disney has released a statement that the development for the Mary Poppins-themed attraction has been postponed, and the project is officially on hold. will update this page with any further information if it becomes available.

EPCOT’S Play! Pavilion was also previously announced; The PLAY! pavilion was to present playful and innovative opportunities for FUN in a “city” setting — all inside the previous Wonders of Life pavilion. However, the PLAY! pavilion, which was designated on the previous EPCOT park map, was removed from the park’s map as of January 2023.

Status of the PLAY! pavilion is currently unknown, but we will keep you posted if and when we learn more.

Additionally, a major ride refurbishment of Spaceship Earth was also previously announced; however, that project has likewise been postponed.

We invite you to check out our DFB YouTube video talking about several of the new changes coming as part of EPCOT’s historic transformation — and more changes in store for other parts of Walt Disney World — right here!

Find the latest news about EPCOT’s transformation here!

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