New Play Pavilion to replace Epcot's Wonder of Life

Feb 21, 2019 in "EPCOT"

Posted: Thursday February 21, 2019 11:06am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has today announced that a new Play Pavilion will be coming to Epcot's Future World in the former home of Wonders of Life.

This new space will be devoted to playful fun and feature an innovative city that’ll come to life under the dome of the un-named pavilion previously known as Wonders of Life. The pavilion’s city will be bursting with interactive experiences, your favorite Disney characters, hands-on activities and engaging entertainment when it opens just in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort.

“This innovative, new pavilion is beyond anything we’ve ever created and is completely unique to Epcot,” said Zach Riddley, portfolio executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. “Built on the power of play, it introduces an immersive and interactive ‘city’ where you can explore, create, and interact with some of your favorite Disney characters. This is an experience worthy of our bold vision for Epcot – and another signature element of our transformation.”

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UNCgolf8 days ago

I'm glad to hear confirmation of my opinion/belief that the Play Pavilion would have been tremendously outdated not long after opening. It's one of the many reasons I was happy it was cancelled.

ToTBellHop8 days ago

For 5 years, if it has one. Which, honestly, is probably when another Epcot addition might come anyway. So, non-issue.

Gusey8 days ago

Yeah, Iron Man coaster at DLP is pretty rough so I bet you're glad that wasn't cloned, but even Web-Slingers was designed for both WDS and DCA. It fits a lot better at WDS than DCA even though DCA got the stuntronic :)

Agent H8 days ago

🤓er um except for the iron man rollercoster because universal

Gusey8 days ago

Tron was Shanghai. They have a 5 year exclusivity as far as I'm aware because Tron was originally supposed to open in 2021, 5 years after Tron opened in Shanghai. Hong Kong doesn't seem to have any exclusivity but they try to have unique attractions/takes on attractions so people visit Hong Kong and Shanghai. Tokyo doesn't have a known exclusivity, but no attraction built for the Tokyo Disney Resort has been replicated afterwards at any other Disney Park. Meanwhile, now DLP is completely owned by Disney, any attraction is fair game for cloning

MagicHappens19718 days ago

They probably don’t - this is a common misconception. Not all overseas attractions have exclusivity, most don’t. I’ve actually never heard of a Tokyo Disney attraction having exclusivity. And even if it did they don’t last forever, see Tron.

ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ8 days ago

It's provided as proof that AI is capable of generating the same schlock Disney spits out. Then again, I'm sure AI could have done a better job with Tiana. Though for further edification, I purposely noted it instead of taking credit as if it were my own "idea". Read or don't. What do I care?

DreamfinderGuy8 days ago

If you don’t have the time to write your own ideas why do you think we have the time to read it?

ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ8 days ago

All the more reason why they should put a Tangled attraction next to the toilets. The armchair Imagineering community has oft-suggested the relocation of "small world" to Epcot... so why not move it to the Germany Pavilion? The dolls and facade would work within the thematic trope of the German cuckoo clockmaker. The trick would be in keeping the concept mostly the same, though not impossible. It'd do wonders for MK. New net gain attractions, Tangled ride, new footpath, etc. Generated from A.I. It's a Small World: A Time for Unity Experience the intricate harmony of global timekeeping through the eyes of a master German clockmaker. This reimagined classic transforms the beloved "it's a small world" into a celebration of cultural craftsmanship, while maintaining the essence of international unity that defined the original. Time as a Universal Language. Sponsored by the German National Tourist Board and renowned clock manufacturer Rombach & Haas Queue Experience Guests enter through an elaborate mechanical workshop facade inspired by traditional Black Forest architecture Interactive displays showcase various timekeeping mechanisms and clock-making techniques Period-appropriate tools and half-finished clocks line the walls, creating an immersive atmosphere A Journey Through Time The familiar boat journey now winds through scenes depicting how different cultures measure and celebrate time: [HEADING=3]European Precision German clockmakers crafting intricate cuckoo clocks Swiss watchmakers at work in their mountain workshops French horologists assembling delicate pocket watches [HEADING=3]Asian Timekeeping Japanese artisans creating temple bells Chinese astronomers studying celestial movements Indian craftsmen fashioning water clocks [HEADING=3]Americas & Beyond Native American sundial makers Brazilian carnival celebrations marking time Australian Aboriginal artists painting time-based stories Musical Elements Clockwork chimes punctuate the rhythm Tick-tock percussion weaves through verses Each region adds its unique time-measuring instruments Grand finale features synchronized clock strikes from around the world New Technical Innovations Projection mapping simulates intricate clock mechanisms Artistic Integration The original Mary Blair aesthetic intertwined with carvings Traditional clockwork elements Geometric patterns Rich wood tones reminiscent of antique clocks [/SPOILER] He says in the PLAY Pavilion thread.

Agent H8 days ago

It’s possible they build a different tangled ride but that one will never come to the us now I know this won’t happen because we already have mine train but I would like to see a boat ride based off the original Snow White ride

Disstevefan18 days ago

I know the Rhine river will never happen. I was just thinking today with LL, any and all new builds will be built to sell LL.

Chef idea Mickey`=8 days ago

Anyone wish the Thames river cruise and London cityscape concept came back for The UK. I love the UK as is but that was another concept with a boat ride experience!

Bocabear8 days ago

But if they changed it around could they get around any exclusivity agreement? We already have Rupunzel's tower at the Tangled Toilets... A second Rapunzel's tower at WDW would be ridiculous... I cannot for the life of me figure out why they couldn't bring back the idea of a Rhine River Cruise...and have nods to the fairy tales whose origins go back to Germany...as a way of adding some Ip references...but still about Germany... They could actually pull a few more German Fairy Tales that are not current films in....and create park-specific IP as well... A German train ride across the countryside with little Ip placement along the way? Get a sponsorship with Lehmann Grosse Bahn (LGB Toy Trains) which they also used to sell in their gift shop there... There really needs to be an actual ride in that area of World Showcase....

ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ9 days ago

Figzilla for synergy.