Last weekend’s D23 Expo revealed a lot of big news for the Disney Parks (Epcot Transformation! Avengers Campus!), Disney+ streaming service, Disney Cruise Line, and more!
Oh and then there was a little something called GALAXY’S EDGE…and the Epcot FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL in there this week! And wait there’s a HURRICANE?!
Welcome to Walt Disney World!
Well in that onslaught of expected and unexpected news (Mary Poppins attraction, wut!), three HUGE pieces of Disney news for Walt Disney World went way under the radar.
We’re shining the light on Disney news that you missed during D23!
1) Changes Are Coming to Spaceship Earth!
Epcot’s Park-wide transformation was arguably the biggest, most paradigm-shifting news at D23, and lost in the haze of new neighborhoods and new pavilion, attraction, and dining info, you might’ve missed discussion of Spaceship Earth’s transformation. But we didn’t!
Epcot Concept Art
That’s right: Spaceship Earth is going to undergo some large and some perhaps subtle changes. First, let’s just ease everyone’s first concern: the structure of Spaceship Earth — the Park’s iconic geodesic sphere — isn’t going anywhere, and for that we are very thankful. (With so many changes everywhere else, we’re clinging to the familiar here!)
Transformation of Epcot — with Spaceship Earth as the centerpiece! ©Disney
The changes will occur on the Spaceship Earth ride itself. Guests are still expected to travel in ride vehicles on the same journey up into the “ball” and back down again; but instead of the narration focusing on great moments in the human history of communication, new scenes in the ride will focus on storytelling and “reflect human themes.” This lines up with Epcot’s newly-stated vision of “a future we can create together,” according to Imagineer Zack Riddley who spoke at D23.
And with all this change coming to Epcot, one bit of big (perhaps expected) news went unsaid…
2) Innoventions West Is Being Destroyed!
To make way for World Celebration and World Nature on the right side of Epcot, it appears that Innoventions West will have to be removed. Concept art clearly shows abundant green space, some bursts of color, water features, and meandering paths where the structure currently stands. Innoventions West was closed in late-April 2015, but the popular Character Spot in part of the space allowed guests to meet Mickey and his friends. We reported back in July that the Character Spot (among other attractions) are closing September 8.
World Celebration in Epcot
So the removal of Innoventions West was not altogether unforeseen, but confirmation hurts sometimes! Still, based on concept art, it looks like a new space-age pavilion will be built partially in that area of the Park, and we can’t wait to see that structure which will serve as a hub for Epcot’s Festivals and provide some new views on the Park! Read more about the pavilion here!
World Celebration Concept Art ©Disney
3) Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Updates
Fans were hoping for some in-depth insights into what the Company had in store for the 50th anniversary celebrations, but instead they got a metallic color scheme for treats and merchandise and some vague opening dates for attractions opening “in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th.” Rides like Epcot’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Magic Kingdom’s Tron Lightcycle Run are two such attractions on that timeline.
Tron Lightcycle ©Disney
But the metallic color scheme — which sounds like a play on the iridescent color trend from earlier this year — makes us wonder what’s coming for the World itself.
Disney Iridescent Cupcake
Will Magic Kingdom’s castle get a revamp like Disneyland’s did during Project Stardust? Are we in for another cake-castle debacle? We’ll keep you updated!
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PLEASE LEAVE THE CASTLE ALONE!
THAT PEPTO BISMOL PINK MONSTROSITY WAS BEYOND HORRIBLE!
I just have one question… will Dame Judy still narrate? If not I will be crushed!!?
D., they specifically said “fresh narration”, but they did not specify a different narrator. We’ll have to wait and see!
Please, I hope they don’t incorporate any political or wacky worshiping the grass or weird stuff!! Leave that stuff out. We go for family fun, not mind control!!!