Previously unreleased concept art shows more of the delayed Mary Poppins ride planned for EPCOT at Walt Disney World

Mar 22, 2023 in "United Kingdom (Pavilion)"

Forum Forums Tweet Share Tweet Share

Gallery / 3 Photos
Unreleased Mary Poppins ride system concept art

Posted: Wednesday March 22, 2023 8:50am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

A former Walt Disney Imagineer has posted concept art for the postponed Mary Poppins ride that was previously announced for EPCOT.

Unreleased Mary Poppins ride system concept art

The new art shows an overhead plan view of the attraction, including the preshow area, the ride system, and the exit.

Unreleased Mary Poppins ride system concept art

As speculated at the time of the ride's announcement, the ride is a teacup-style spinning flat ride, taking place in a show building with decorated backgrounds.

Unreleased Mary Poppins ride system concept art

Announced at the 2019 D23 EXPO, the expansion to the United Kingdom pavilion was to add an entirely new neighborhood at the pavilion, complete with a ride. In the plans, guests would step in time down Cherry Tree Lane past Admiral Boom's house, then enter Number 17, home of the Banks family, where their adventure would begin.

Disney officially announced that the United Kingdom Pavilion expansion was paused in July 2020 as the park reopened from the COVID-19 shutdown. In addition to pausing Mary Poppins, Disney also put a halt to the Spaceship Earth update.

Mary Poppins attraction poster and concept art

The last official comment on the Mary Poppins ride for EPCOT came from then Disney CEO Bob Chapek, who said in response to a question at the 2022 Shareholder Meeting, that the project is in a holding pattern currently, but looks forward to refunding the Mary Poppins ride in the future.

A lot has changed at Disney since then, and it remains to be seen if the Mary Poppins expansion at the United Kingdom pavilion in EPCOT will be built.

Mary Poppins attraction poster and concept art

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

Disone20 hours ago

DCA's never had a line even when it was light on attractions and not a full park. Honestly even triceratops been at animal Kingdom usually does not have a very long line it doesn't get much thinner list of attraction than DAK. Basic attraction does not necessarily mean a long line even in Disney's busy Parks. We don't need to give them a pass for not adding small incremental value attractions.

Bocabear21 hours ago

They are "Low Draw" in a park full of engaging attractions and rides...In a park light on attractions and very long lines for what there is, it will be overrun...

Disone21 hours ago

I don't think a carousel would be overrun and mobbed with crowds. It's just not that big of a draw. I imagine it draw in the same type of crowds any of the other Disney carousel. Basically something to do when everything else is too busy. From MK to Disneyland, from Tokyo to Paris.... Disney Carousel are definitely low draw attractions, more atmosphere then anything and hardly ever huge crowds.

Bocabear23 hours ago

The problem is it would be overrun and constantly mobbed... It is too little too late at this point.... They really need one for real attraction at that pavilion.....then they could add a smaller Carousel type attraction.... The park at this point desperately needs some new attractions...full stop~

Disone1 day ago

Agree. Adds just a wee bit of little capacity, alot of charm and does so without drawing bigger crowds into the park.

Chef idea Mickey`=1 day ago

A Mary Poppins ride would be similar to Peter Pan's flight with MRR transition where your in between at first and end riding flying on Mary's umbrella to then up and down on a carousel horse.

Bocabear1 day ago

If you look at the footprint that the flying carpet spinner takes up in Adventureland, the carousel would be similar...with so few rides in EPCOT, the demand would be high and the entire area would be a queue... I hope they will come up with a good idea for Mary... at this point the ride through the bowl would have been better than absolutely nothing.... But I hope they don't dumb it down to just a carousel....

nickys1 day ago

It would have to replace the maze &/or bandstand though, which would be a shame. If they can fit it in without losing the charm of the garden then fine.

RosR91 day ago

I wish they would do something even as simple as having a Mary Poppins carousel out near when the mini hedge maze/gazebo is, I think it could be really charming

Rhinocerous2 days ago

Just think of the hoopla surrounding the announcement. Make way, for this IP Say hey, it's this IP...

Chef idea Mickey`=3 days ago

Let's not give them any ideas!

Bocabear4 days ago

So if Morocco is considered part of the Arab World does that give permission to put Aladdin in Morocco? It is sad that the Moroccan pavilion seems to be slowly slipping away...the cultural exhibits are a joke at this point... The Bazaar is gone as is the signature restaurant and entertainment.... At this point they coould probably make some modifications architecturally and turn it into a fictional Agribah Pavilion and add a couple attractions and a Sultan's Palace signature dining location....