Disney News on Parade: Epcot Update
We welcome you to another Disney News on Parade. This week we wanted to showcase many of the changes and improvements happening at Epcot. You can see my video below:
Here are some photos that accompany the newscast:
Entrance & Future World
The changes to the entrance allows a lot more space to move guests into the park. Importantly, it permits guests who are coming from the Magic Kingdom or TTC to enter without having to go through another security check. This is huge!
Lots of space in the entrance to Epcot. Security has a no bag line on the far left.
No more monoliths in the front of the park. But the fountain is awaiting a re-do. Lots of space in the entrance to Epcot.
Most people don’t recall, but this was used in the early days as a space for checking into tours and programs that Epcot offered. Later it became a character meet ‘n’ greet. Now it’s being transformed to something else. Lots of space in the entrance to Epcot.
We reference the fact that on both sides of Spaceship Earth the landscape barriers have been removed. Now guests can see how close they are to both the Living Seas and to what will become the new Guardians of the Galaxy experience. Hopefully a new path will be re-paved through this area.
New signage has appeared in the center of SeaBase Alpha. I believe new carpet as well.
Here’s a closeup. Very smart design with graphics to interest the kids.
Not sure what is going into this berm between The Land and Journey Into Your Imagination.
Here’s what remains of the once glorious fountain:
One last look at the Electric Umbrella. I will not miss the food, nor the dirty carpeting. But I did like the use of neon, and the color scheme as a whole.
I can’t blame them for putting a DJ on Future World East. There is simply nothing on this side of the park but two attractions and a lot of fencing.
The Universe of Energy building sans roof-top mirrors. Still, the mounts are on the roof–maybe they’ll install newer energy-saving devices. Note the paint job on the side pillars. Not a fan. I loved the rainbow look before.
Most needed restrooms in Epcot. This was one of the most under planned facilities when the park opened. There was always a line at the old facility to go to the restroom. This will surely help.
O’ Canada! It’s refurbishment is not finished, but it is looking really beautiful. The colors on the mountain are much more satiated.
Here is an over-the-wall view of France and where guests will head as they go to visit the Ratatouille attraction.
Now for three closures. The first is Impressions de France which is being remodeled to include the new Beauty & The Beast Sing a Long.
The art gallery in Morocco is closed while they install a new exhibit. Few people know about this attraction, partly because it isn’t even listed in the guide map.
Neither is this retail location in the American Adventure, Heritage Manor, which is being transformed into a Disney Gallery.
The new Regal Eagle Smokehouse next door has not opened, but it has put out their new menu. Included is a variety of sandwiches and platters as well as a plant-based option. Side items include your classic barbecue complements like french fries, beer-battered onion rings, mac and cheese, baked beans with burnt ends, house-made pickles, and creamy slaw. Desserts include banana pudding or a s’mores brownie as well as a cup of fresh watermelon garnished with torn mint.
Kids can enjoy their own fun-sized bites including a burger, BBQ chicken salad, BBQ chicken leg or chicken salad, and even a BBQ rib platter, all served with their choice of two sides. An outdoor seating area will be a place to sit back and sip on a Tennessee Lemonade Cocktail or a non-alcoholic Berry Sparkler.
Off to Italy. I need to do a post on the mosaics of Epcot. Here is a gem put in fairly recently when they added a pizza window to Via Napoli.
We end here in Germany with this video of the rooster on the top of the clock. Not easy to see, but study it carefully.
If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, this is the video for the new presentation at The Epcot Experience:
That does it for this week. More parks to come! Did you know that I have a book that looks at Epcot in a whole new way? Lessons From Epcot: In Leadership, Business & Life. Check it out. It’s a beautiful online book with great graphics. And it’s only available on Apple Books.
