It’s been a few weeks since we took a look at the several EPCOT construction projects. From a new ride share loop in the parking lot to Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana,” there is a lot being built at the park.
EPCOT Parking Lot
There hasn’t been significant progress on the ride share loop since construction began last month, but more dirt has been cleared from the site.
This new ride share loop is next to the Hei Hei parking lot.
EPCOT Guest Relations
The interior of EPCOT Guest Relations was refurbished last year, but construction continues on a patch of land just outside.
There were diggers on site during our recent EPCOT trip. Orange net fencing is along the edge of a ditch.
An old concrete wall remains close to the Guest Relations building.
CommuniCore Hall & CommuniCore Plaza
CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza are under construction behind Spaceship Earth, in a new courtyard area of World Celebration that will also house Dreamer’s Point and gardens.
A long awning stretches out from the main building, covering a circle of concrete in the ground.
Another shorter awning connects to the first, surrounding more concrete structures in the ground.
The name CommuniCore is a reference to two pavilions that were part of EPCOT on opening day. They were later reimagined into Innoventions before eventually being demolished. The new CommuniCore Hall and Plaza will serve as a multi-functional space that will be used during the park’s various festivals. The hall will be home to a Mickey & Friends meet and greet, a demo kitchen, a mixology bar, a gallery space, and more.
The architecture of the building was designed by Walt Disney Imagineering to celebrate not only the legacy of EPCOT, but also the original CommuniCore buildings.
Right now, the architecture isn’t much to look at, but recently released concept art shows what the final building will look like.
Steel beams create a frame around some of the building as it begins to be enclosed.
CommuniCore Hall is also visible from the ground. One wing of it is shorter than the main building.
A cherry picker was up as crew members worked on the roof.
Openings between sections of steel may be for windows.
The concept art below shows how the final building will be covered in triangles reminiscent of the Spaceship Earth paneling.
This concept art also includes a sign for the Mickey & Friends meet and greet area.
Concept art of the interior shows a multicolored statue of Figment, a figure of Steamboat Willie, an “Inside Out” display, and more artwork.
In the concept art above, CommuniCore Hall is the building in the upper right. The long awning we mentioned earlier can be seen stretching towards World Showcase Lagoon.
This concept art offers another look at the hall and plaza in the lower left, as well as at the gardens in the center.
The gardens will see the return of light-up sidewalks to EPCOT.
They will also receive different decorations for the various EPCOT festivals.
Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana”
Our last major construction project is Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana,” a new walkthrough attraction part of the World Nature neighborhood.
The curved lampposts throughout the attraction have been slowly uncovered and round lamps have been hung from them.
The sidewalk is also being completed. Most of the visible sidewalk is now paved light brown.
While trees have been planted throughout the attraction, more plants and grass still need to be added behind the short rocky barriers.
Another sidewalk leads around the attraction towards Dreamer’s Point.
The trees and shrubbery are slowly covering the unthemed concrete wall still visible on the side of Journey of Water.
Across the sidewalk is the service station for the water system.
It is also being surrounded by trees and shrubbery so it’s not quite as obvious to guests.
From the ground, we can just barely see the moss and flowers atop the entrance structure featuring Te Fiti’s swirl. Water will eventually run down this structure, as we saw during testing last fall and in the concept art below.
This bird’s eye view of the center of EPCOT also offers a look at Journey of Water, which will have water falls, jumping fountains, and more water features.
Journey of Water and CommuniCore Hall are both scheduled to open this year.
What are you most looking forward to opening at EPCOT? Let us know in the comments.
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