Now that the plan to overhaul Disney’s Hollywood Studios is basically complete (save for a few more things), Disney has turned its eye towards Epcot, which will be getting over a dozen new additions in the next few years, including the most ambitious ride ever constructed at Walt Disney World, several new additions in the World Showcase, and two new nighttime spectaculars.
And while this revamp will bring quite a lot of new experiences to the park (as well as some unfortunate closures), let’s take a step back for a broad look at how Disney plans to re-theme and re-shape Future World over the next few years
The central spine, redefined
Perhaps not-so-coincidentally, the center of the “new” Epcot begins in a revamped Central Spire, which will act as a hub for the park’s lower half. Gone will be the Fountain of Nations, Innoventions West building, Starbucks and even Club Cool, and replacing it will be a lush, vibrant area with trees, walkways and more. Though unconfirmed, rumors seem to indicate that a new character meet and greet building t will be constructed in this new central area as well as a permanent Festival Center building with several floors and, a rooftop bar.
Though we know that the concept art above is slightly outdated (we’ll probably get a new look at this refreshed area in just a few days during the D23 Expo), but it does an excellent job of showing the “feel” Disney is going for with this updated hub, as more of a connecting space rather than just a place you walk through. And that distinction is very important, because Future World is, quite literally, branching out!
Segmenting the new Future World
Image: Disney
Though every other Disney park has multiple themed “lands” Epcot has always been an exception of sorts to this rule, only separated broadly into Future World, and World Showcase. However, it looks like that is about to change. With the Central Spine of the land set to become a new “hub” for this park, the surrounding Future World areas will branch out into new specifically-themed areas. Though we don’t know much about these themed lands just yet, we’d guess one will revolve around the natural world with The Land and the Seas, and another will revolve around space and exploration, encompassing Mission Space, the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy attraction, and the new space-themed restaurant, which is still supposed to open sometime later this this year.
A new entry area
Image: Disney
And though the idea of several different themed areas of Future World is certainly interesting, one BIG upgrade that we know is coming sooner rather than later is a brand new entry area for Epcot. The removal of the Leave a Legacy stones is almost complete, and work is set to begin very soon on an updated entry area that will include expanded walkways, new garden areas, a newly reimagined fountain and a design that will pay homage to the original park entrance with fresh takes on classic elements, all of which you can see in the concept art above.
When will all this happen?
Image: Disney
As mentioned previously, work on the entrance area is ongoing, and preparations are being made to begin demolition on the current central part of Future World. And though we don’t exactly know how long these projects will take, we’d guess that Disney will want to have the “new” Future World ready in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, which is coming in 2021. Hopefully Disney will have a lot more information to share about the reinvention of Future World (and Epcot as a whole) this weekend at the Parks and Resorts Panel at the D23 Expo!
