Disney not announcing these three EPCOT upgrades is a huge letdown for park guests

As a seasoned Disney enthusiast with over two decades of park-hopping under my belt, I must admit that this latest round of announcements left me feeling somewhat “It’s a Small World”-sized letdown when it came to EPCOT.

During their latest presentation at the D23 stage, Disney executives unveiled a plethora of upcoming transformations in the realm of Disney theme parks. Ranging from novel attractions to fresh lands, revamped themes, and a myriad of other updates, it was an overwhelming array, indeed, quite “mind-boggling”.

Despite the excitement of hearing officially that a new ENCANTO and Indiana Jones theme is coming to Animal Kingdom, a new Monsters, Inc. land is coming to Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom getting a new Villainsland, EPCOT was largely left out of the discussion and that is a shame because there were three things fans have been wanting to hear about.

Mary Poppins Ride

For quite some time, there has been speculation surrounding a novel feature planned for the grounds of the U.K. Pavilion. Many enthusiasts were hoping for an announcement about a Mary Poppins-themed attraction, but neither confirmation nor denial was provided at the recent Disney event. As things stand now, this supposed carousel-style attraction is not yet part of the plans. However, that’s not necessarily a negative development.

At present, the pavilion boasts an enchanting open-air concert venue at its rear end, nestled between structures. Should no fresh rides be installed in this zone, the music performance may persist, thereby preserving the tranquil ambiance when the tunes are playing. It’s a delightful spot to unwind with an ice-cold pint of Guinness or enjoy a serving of fish and chips.

Spaceship Earth

Before COVID-19 swept across the globe and closed down Disney parks, there were plans to revamp and refurbish Spaceship Earth, the iconic big ball. The concept was to completely redesign the ride and its theme, but those plans were halted by the pandemic. Since then, whispers have been circulating about potential changes, but as of now, nothing has materialized. As a gamer, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this classic attraction!

1. No updates on the project have been shared yet.

A new World Showcase pavilion

For several decades now, there’s been anticipation about a fresh pavilion appearing in the World Showcase, with Brazil being the most frequently suggested choice. Given the increasing number of Brazilian visitors to the park, it seems logical to incorporate their unique traditions into the park experience. Yet, as of now, no such change has taken place.

As an enthusiast, I can’t help but ponder the possibility of welcoming two fresh nations into the World Showcase family. However, it seems there might be challenges in making this dream a reality, one of which could be securing financial support from these countries, as it has been customary for them to contribute towards construction costs when representing themselves. It’s a bit hazy whether this is the cause of the delay or if Disney feels that expanding isn’t necessary at this time.

Disney put a lot of money into EPCOT already.

It’s undeniable that Disney has invested significantly in its park. Recently, the Communicore Hall was unveiled, along with Moana: Journey of Water. At present, Test Track is undergoing renovations. Additionally, a new concert venue has been added, as well as other attractions such as a newly-installed bronze statue of Walt Disney in the park’s gardens that was opened last year.

At the moment, it seems that Disney might not be focusing on investing heavily in EPCOT, however, two potential projects could align with their goals: constructing a fresh pavilion and refurbishing Spaceship Earth.

2024-08-20 00:57