Home » Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana Is An Impressive Addition But Should It Be In EPCOT?

    Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana Is An Impressive Addition But Should It Be In EPCOT?

    Natalie Sim036 mins

    It has been a very long road to get to the opening of Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana at EPCOT since it was first announced back in August 2019.

    We have enjoyed bringing you updates on the construction process and are very hopeful that with the area now complete we are not far away from the official opening of this new attraction as part of the EPCOT transformation. We still await confirmation of the exact date which we will share with you as soon as it is announced.

    Journey of water Moana, Disney
    Image: Disney

    For many, in that Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana is a walk-through attraction and doesn’t include an actual ride, expectations are fairly low. We understand that this new area will include water features and splash pads for children to enjoy.

    Cast Members have been testing Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana and if you are wondering exactly what this new attraction has to offer then take a look at the atmospheric full walk-through video which is embedded below. You can see how it looks in daylight as well as after dark where the water effects take on a whole new look and meaning.

    Although Disney has been criticised for the two year construction timeline for Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana and that there is no actual ride element, if it is taken for what it is, Disney fans surely can’t fail to be impressed? But, is EPCOT the right location for this attraction? Although it clearly has a edutainment element, for many the answer will be no, Disney’s Animal Kingdom would have made for a better fit for the theme. Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.

    In a recent review posted to YouTube by DSNY Newscast, we get to hear an honest opinion of the new Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana and on first looks it appears that this new attraction at EPCOT is more impressive and fun than most are likely expecting it to be.

    What is great about this new walk-through experience?

    The very interesting thing about the water effects is that they are interactive and completely controlled by the guests as they are in the film, making this a very different experience to most areas which include jumping fountains or water features which are centrally controlled.

    According to DSNY Newcast, Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana is an area where all families or parties could spend at least 30 minutes out of their day to EPCOT to enjoy.

    Water features which particularly stood out and are worth spending time exploring are:

    • The geysers at the beginning of the experience where you can control the water by your arm movements.
    • Pads at the end which control geyser style spouts by jumping on them.
    • Wall of Water created by a group of guests moving their arms at the same time.
    • Effect where the water adjusts to the height of your hand to give you a high five.

    Disney has very cleverly placed sensors hidden in plain sight to enable the water effects to appear magical. The theming is very impressive with rock work, foliage and of course the towering 16 foot statue of Tafiti as well as Easter Eggs to Moana.

    It revitalises one of the original purposes of EPCOT being edutainment and teaches guests about the importance of water conservation as well as the facts of the water cycle.

    What are the problems?

    The location is an issue as it is difficult to feel completely immersed in Moana’s world when Spaceship Earth looms in the distance. With a Moana meet and greet exclusive to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and blue sky plans announced for a Moana themed land to be built in the location of Chester and Hester’s Dinorama in DinoLand USA, it seems a real shame that this interactive walk-through experience was not located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom rather than EPCOT. 

    Also, as the water features are all controlled by guests it can seem slightly lifeless when fewer people are in the area, however we aren’t predicting that this will be a problem for majority of the time, especially when Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana first opens.

    In summary, don’t be put off by preconceptions regarding Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana. From initial reviews it appears that Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana, if taken for what it is as a walk-through experience, will be a very fun and enjoyable attraction for all the family. 

    Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana at EPCOT is slated to open this Fall and back in August, Disney revealed a new look photo and logo for Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana at EPCOT which can be seen below posted to Twitter by Landon McReynolds. We are expecting news of an opening date for this walk-through attraction soon. 

    It certainly looks like although there will not be a ride that this new attraction will be a very immersive addition to EPCOT and we will be very excited to bring you video footage of exactly what you can expect to experience from Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana when it opens at EPCOT.

    Here is the newly released logo for Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana, do you think it does the attraction justice? Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.

    Journey of Water, Disney
    Image: Disney

    To see the construction journey continue reading…

    We wanted to draw your attention to this video posted by 4K WDW where you get to see video footage from July 25, of this new upcoming attraction at EPCOT. Cast members have been play testing Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana at EPCOT for a number of weeks now and work is continuing on the walkways where construction vehicles can still be seen.

    From the video you can clearly see the smoke effect and the leaping fountains showing the final details are being tested which is certainly a good sign showing this project is on track. We will continue to bring you updates and inform you as soon as an announcement is made relating to the official opening date.

    A selection of photos were also posted to Twitter by Bioreconstruct showing the leaping overhead fountains which have been seen working and being tested in the last few weeks.

    Although Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana has been criticised for only being a walk-through attraction, it certainly appears to be shaping up to have the potential to be an enjoyable and relaxing escape at EPCOT.

    According to the latest update from Park Update on July 23, you can see in the video embedded below that the attraction looks ready and complete.

    If you take a look at time stamp 1:33 and 3:05 you can clearly see the area from the monorail and also work continuing on the other parts of the EPCOT transformation, CommuniCore Hall and Plaza. Although many have criticised Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana for only being a walk-through attraction, the attention to detail is certainly very impressive and the way guests will be immersed in Moana’s world is surely going to make for a very enjoyable experience for all.

    Earlier in July, Disney fans who are looking forward to the opening of Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana at EPCOT this Fall would have been very excited to see how the attraction currently looks in the recently posted photos to Twitter by Bioreconstruct. These can be seen below. 

    However, in the newest update on Bioreconstruct we can see the new rockwork appearing near to the Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana service area. 

    The attraction appears almost complete with finishing touches being added to rock work and features.

    At the top of this aerial photo you can see the filtration/circulation service area of Journey of Water.

    Finally, you can see Journey of Water in context with the monorail and CommuniCore Hall. We are very excited for the opening of this walkthrough attraction in the Fall and will continue to update you with news of the latest developments on our news and Facebook page.

    In this video taken on July 2, by Park Update, the footage has been taken from the monorail so although you only get to glimpse the attraction at the timestamp 1:45 it is clear to see that the area looks almost complete.

    In April, Walt Disney Imagineering posted the video below to Instagram. As you can see there is water flowing! We have been tracking the construction progress in recent months and the arrival of water is certainly a major achievement.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by Disney Parks (@disneyparks)

    April 6 – Work is progressing very well on Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana which is slated to open at EPCOT in late 2023. Here is the most recent aerial photograph posted by Bioreconstruct of how this attraction currently looks.

    You can see how the attraction is really taking shape with Te Fiti dominating the central location of the attraction. There is a newly opened walkway on the right and new concrete for a route through World Celebration at the bottom of the photo.

    In this aerial photo from March 17, you can clearly see the shape of the area and key focal points including the signature rock entrance, extensive rockwork and passages throughout the attraction and Te Fiti herself in her central location.

    January 25 –  Walt Disney Imagineering has now released a video walk-through of the attraction. You get to see a close up look at the recently installed 16-Foot Te Fiti Statue, the mountain structure which will form the entrance to the attraction with Moana’s iconic spiral on it as well as the further detailed rock work and special touches.

    Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana will be a walk through attraction which will immerse guests in a lush environment where the global cycle of water will be brought to life as guests play and interact with water as it travels from our skies to our oceans and back again. It is described as, “an exploration trail that allows you to follow the journey of the water cycle whilst also getting to know water and its fun and playful personality.”

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by Disney Parks (@disneyparks)

    Walt Disney Imagineering has also released the video below which gives further information about the upcoming Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana with more close up views of Te Fiti as well as the detailed rock work and fun elements in the attraction.

    From the videos above you can clearly see the progress being made to the attraction and although some Disney fans criticise it because there is no actual ride, we expect it to prove to be an entertaining addition to EPCOT’s line up when it opens at the end of the year. No actual official opening date has been given as of yet but we will update you on this as soon as it is announced.

    Are you looking forward to this “exploration trail”? Do you think Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana will be a worthwhile addition to EPCOT? Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.

    December 25 – At the beginning of December we saw progress being made on the rockwork for Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana which is slated to open at EPCOT in late 2023. Bioreconstruct has posted recent photos of new trees which have been added to this walk-through attraction. 

    The post below shows a small berm forming along a new walkway between the central space of World Celebration and the Seas pavilion. You can see the recently installed 16-Foot Te Fiti Statue in the top right of the photo. We will keep you updated on further progress on Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana on our news and Facebook page.

    December 5 – Two exciting new photos showing the progress of Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana which will open at EPCOT in late 2023 have been posted on twitter by Bioreconstruct. They show a view from the monorail of the signature rock work. We know some Disney fans haven’t been particularly excited about this upcoming walk through attraction but we have got to say that this project appears to really be taking shape.

    October 29 – We are closely monitoring the progress of Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana which will open at EPCOT in late 2023. Walt Disney Imagineering has recently posted an update on Instagram which includes four photos showing how the attraction currently looks. We can see continued work on the extensive rock work and in the description Disney emphasises the attention to detail which is being put into Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana.

    September 12 – It was confirmed at the D23 Expo that Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana will open at EPCOT in late 2023. We are seeing regular updates online of the progress which is being made which is really positive to see. Bioreconstruct has recently posted these tweets with images of developing rock work and painting.

    Continue reading to see previous updates on the construction progress of Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana at EPCOT…

    August 26 – Work is progressing well on the upcoming Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana at EPCOT with rock work already being sculpted. This experience is designed to be enjoyed by Disney fans of all ages and definitely has an aspect of the original concept of EPCOT at its heart, education. 

    Guests will get to explore and engage with the majestic cycle of water and discover the playful nature of it just as Moana did. Many familiar shapes and characters will be carved into the rocks including Moana herself. Disney has now released further photos of what guests can expect and these can be seen below.

    Journey of water Moana, Disney
    Image: Disney
    Journey of water Moana, Disney
    Image: Disney
    Journey of water Moana, Disney
    Image: Disney

    UPDATE July 26 – Anyone visiting EPCOT in recent weeks will have seen the rock work emerging over the top of the construction walls for the upcoming Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana at EPCOT. Today Creative Portfolio Executive, Zach Riddley has shared an image on his Instagram account which gives a preview of the graphic style which will be used throughout the attraction to show the “dynamic movement of the water as it travels around the experience.” These images will be used to guide guests through the cycle of water and to show the important part we play in preserving this vital resource.

    UPDATE July 18 – Work seems to be progressing well on the upcoming Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana at EPCOT. A passageway in the rock work can now be seen from the EPCOT entrance plaza. Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana will be a walk through attraction which will immerse guests in a lush environment where the global cycle of water will be brought to life as guests play and interact with water as it travels from our skies to our oceans and back again.

    UPDATE July 3 – There has been further photos posted on twitter by Bioreconstruct of rock work for Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana which can now be seen emerging from over the fence alongside the Seas pavilion. It is exciting for guests at EPCOT to be able to see work progressing on this upcoming interactive experience which we are hoping will have an opening date at some point in 2023.

    When it opens, Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana will be the first-ever attraction based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios film Moana. It will be a walk through which will immerse guests in a lush environment where the global cycle of water will be brought to life as guests play and interact with water as it travels from our skies to our oceans and back again.  The spaces and experiences inside this attraction are inspired by Moana’s friendship with water and her devotion to protecting nature around her. 

    UPDATE June 27 – Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana is set to be an exciting addition to EPCOT and we have a photo to share from Bioreconstruct showing the current progress of the attraction. The photo shows the tunnel in the rock work. As you can see there is a lot more work to be done on this interactive experience and we are not expecting an opening date until sometime in 2023.

    May 10 – New concept art has been released of Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana At EPCOT along with further details of this upcoming interactive experience..

    The vision for this new attraction can clearly be seen in the concept art below which includes interactive water features, waterfalls, a wooden pavilion and an impressive entrance with rockwork and further waterfalls.

    Journey of water Moana, Disney
    Image: Disney

    Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana will be part of the EPCOT transformation which is currently underway at the site of the former Future World. We saw new concept art and learnt further details of this transformation last week.

    Journey of water Moana, Disney
    Image: Disney

    Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana was originally announced in 2019 and slated to open in 2021, construction was delayed due to COVID-19. We know that construction is underway and we are hoping that a confirmed opening date will be announced in the coming months.

    We will keep you posted with further details on our news and Facebook page. Let us know your thoughts on this upcoming new attraction at EPCOT by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.

    Related News