PHOTOS - Aerial views of the EPCOT central spine demolition

Nov 13, 2020 in "EPCOT"

EPCOT Future World core demolition - November 13 2020
Posted: Friday November 13, 2020 12:18pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Work continues on the demolition of the EPCOT central spine, but at a much slower pace than we saw before the COVID-19 shutdown.

A small crew continues to strip the interior of the eastern side, which has now largely been reduced to a shell. Aerial photos for WDWMAGIC by @cchard.

On the western side, work is progressing on removing the interior of what remains standing of Innoventions.

From ground level, a section of the exterior has been torn out, but the shell of the building remains.


The plans for the area remain uncertain, as Disney grapples with reopening the parks amid COVID-19 and balancing expenditure. Our most recent information suggests that the plans for the eastern side, which includes the former Mouse Gear, Electric Umbrella and Innoventions remain unchanged and will go ahead with new merchandise and food & beverage lcoations. However, the western side seems much more uncertain, with Disney already suggesting that the multi level festival building has been abandoned. The fate of the still standing Communicore building remains unclear.

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Andrew C14 hours ago

I think it’s weird to put a temporary stage as part of a festival, in the area they just redesigned for festivals. I would have figured their designs would be a bit more seamless and account for these types situations better. If it was their intent to always do a temp stage, I think that’s bad show and bad design for an area that was purpose built.

MisterPenguin14 hours ago

They do have a permanent stage. But also, two temporary acts. I don't understand this criticism at all. I thought more entertainment was what people here wanted.

Andrew C15 hours ago

I thought the whole point of the Epcot overhaul to include a new permanent stage and festival center would change all that. I mean, is it really a stretch to think that was going to be the case?

MisterPenguin15 hours ago

They've been setting up a secondary stage for Joyful for years now. Norway gets a stage for its Christmas storyteller. Extra stages for a festival isn't new. It's not like they should build out a dozen permanent stages all over the place in case they need them.

trainplane316 hours ago

Maybe they're learning how much of a bad idea it was having a stage right against the hub? I know it's temporary but it says something that they're spending the time and money to install a temp stage like 150ft away from the permanent stage.

tparris18 hours ago

For comparison, these are the similarly reflective new panels outside of Communicore Hall

tparris18 hours ago

Looks like @DreamfinderGuy was right- they’re now replacing the opaque panels with new translucent ones, similar to the new ones recently added to the ground lighting outside Communicore Hall. So far, all of the cross sections have the new translucent panels.

Andrew C19 hours ago

Wait, wait wait...so after all that, they did not build enough infrastructure to cover all festivals?

Nunu19 hours ago

Brian19 hours ago

Maybe they can do both Celebracion Encanto and Joyful at the same time. Throw in a Spaceship Earth light show at the same time and 🤌🏻 https://blogmickey.com/2024/11/second-stage-communicore-plaza-epcot/

Cmdr_Crimson1 day ago

Bocabear1 day ago

Dolores!!!!!

HauntedPirate1 day ago

… Mulva? 😝

Jayspency1 day ago

Regarding my actual thoughts on this, I'm glad Soarin got some TLC, but I don't like the new Eiffel tower scene where you just kinda look at it from a distance. There was just a unique feeling you had scaling the tower from the bottom. At least the bendy tower is no more lol.