On a shareholders call in March 2022 it was officially confirmed that the untitled Mary Poppins attraction that was originally planned for the UK pavilion at EPCOT was “on hold indefinitely”. Many projects had to be inevitably put on hold or canceled as a result of COVID-19.
When the project was originally announced in 2019, Disney shared the idea that they would be building an entirely new neighborhood at the pavilion: Cherry Tree Lane. This new section of this part of the park was to include recreations of Admiral Boom’s house as well as Number 17, which is the iconic home of the Banks family.
We were told that guests would be able to actually enter Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane, to see a recreation of the house made famous by the Mary Poppins films where they would “start their adventure”, and then this would lead to some kind of attraction. Details were never revealed as to what this attraction would be.
At the end of March, Screamscape reported that new concept art has been discovered and posted on Twitter by Luke Carroll – ReviewTyme. It can be seen below from the aerial view of the inside of the building on Cherry Tree Lane that there would have been a number of rooms which we assume guests would walk through and would make up the pre-show, setting the scene and immersing guests in the life of the Banks family. We imagine there would then have been a portal of some kind to transport guests to the start of the main attraction.
The Mary Poppins ride at Epcot was going to be a Teacups ride… but indoors! pic.twitter.com/P6xnTrrELg
— Luke Carroll – ReviewTyme (@ReviewTymeLuke) March 22, 2023
It now looks as if the main attraction was planned as an magical indoor Teacup ride. Undoubtedly we assume the plans included extensive theming with projections and visuals of scenes and animals to bring the iconic Mary Poppins story to life. A Teacup ride may have come as a disappointment to some but a fitting attraction idea to others.
There has been no news recently as to whether these plans will ever be revived and the Mary Poppins attraction will become a reality in the future but it is certainly interesting to see what the plans were and day dream about what could have been. With no new technology seemingly planned, it could be something that Disney decides to bring to fruition in the future, only time will tell.
If you want to feel a little bit of Mary Poppin’s magic you can book a table at Cítricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. This restaurant reopened in July 2021 with a brand new theme inspired by 2018’s Mary Poppins Returns film.
According to Disney, the restaurant takes “subtle cues from the movie’s animated sequence, the dining room brings guests into a fanciful garden setting where you can “trip a little light fantastic” as you experience the restaurant surrounded by the glow from decorative lamps and chandeliers”. For further information regarding making a reservation and menu options visit the offical website.
We asked you if you would you like to see Mary Poppins come to EPCOT? Based on our poll results so far, an overwhelming majority of 76% of voters said “yes” with only 5% saying “no” and the remaining 19% voting they “don’t care either way” Let us know your thoughts by voting in our poll or leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.
