PHOTOS - Epcot's new central spine design revealed in new concept art

Aug 23, 2019 in "EPCOT"

Epcot new central spine concept art
Posted: Friday August 23, 2019 3:05am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has revealed concept art for the new central spine redevelopment of Epcot - which will see major changes to the center of the park in what is currently Future World.

Future World as we know it will be gone, and will be replaced with three “neighborhoods” - World Nature, World Discovery and World Celebration.

At the center, Innoventions West will be completely removed, and in its place will be a new meet and greet building to replace Character Spot, a large multi-level festival center complete with rooftop bar and lounge, and a walk-through garden area with an elaborate water feature called 'Journey of Water Inspired by Moana.'

On the other side, the existing eastern buildings will remain, but with extensive remodeling, and will become home to a quick service restaurant, an expanded Mouse Gear, the relocated Starbucks and Club Cool, and a couple of smaller Food and Beverage offerings including the much-talked about Beer Garden.

As you can see from the artwork, the new central area to be much more landscape heavy with trees and gardens replacing much of the existing concrete. Winding pathways will replace the main central guest corridor.

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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.

MisterPenguin15 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.