Epcot's new era: See inside the park's historic transformation

14.06.2024 - 20:07 / thepointsguy.com

When it opened in 1982, Epcot's attractions were meant to give guests an exciting peek into what the future might look like. But as time passed, that future looked more and more like the past.

For the past several years, Disney has been reimagining Epoct and its missive to "entertain, inform and inspire." Admittedly, the full-park refurbishment (especially one this large) was not without its growing pains. Epcot was, for a time, riddled with construction walls. Navigating the park was confusing even to frequent visitors, and with its lack of new attractions, it was the most obvious choice to skip if your time at Disney World was limited.

As of June 10, Epcot's transformation is finally complete after five years of construction. Every last wall has been removed, revealing new attractions, experiences, entertainment and even fresh restaurants. The recent additions showcase what Epcot does best: sharing emerging technologies and innovations, inspiring curiosity and fostering togetherness. And since today's vision of the future looks a little different from how it was imagined four decades ago, Epcot looks drastically different.

Now that the park is no longer a construction site, here's a look at what's new at Epcot.

Related: Why Epcot is now Disney World's must-do park

Epcot is now defined by four neighborhoods: World Celebration, World Nature, World Discovery and World Showcase. Each neighborhood is home to attractions and experiences that align with its theme.

In World Nature, for example, you can visit preexisting Epcot attractions like The Seas with Nemo & Friends and Living with the Land, along with the park's newest attraction: Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana.

If I let my kids have their way, they would spend hours playing with the Journey of Water's interactive water features. But what they don't realize is that Epcot has made the new "Moana" attraction educational as well: As they play, the Journey of Water teaches young visitors about the water cycle. Since Epcot first opened, education has been one of the park's core tenants, and the park can now execute that principle in new, innovative ways that weren't possible 42 years ago.

The same is true of Epcot's first (and only) roller coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in World Discovery. While the coaster experience offers pure adrenaline-fueled thrills, its innovative ride system makes it Epcot-worthy. Not only is it one of the longest enclosed coasters in the world, but it is also Disney's first "OmniCoaster." Each ride vehicle rotates to point riders toward the excitement, keeping you fully immersed in the story.

Related: 30 best Disney World rides

At Epcot's World Showcase, there are 11 pavilions that each represent a