LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — As Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind revs up for its official opening at EPCOT in just a few weeks, Disney officials are giving us a look at the park’s future beyond its latest thrill ride.
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Imagineers are creating new spaces that will bring EPCOT’s signature international festivals into the front of the park around the new World Celebration neighborhood, Disney said in a blog post Thursday.
World Celebration will be divided into several different gardens “with a central planter based on the five-ring EPCOT logo,” Disney said in a blog post.
“Filled with ample seating and shade, you’ll be invited to connect with one another and the nature around you in this lush new area,” Disney said. “Each of these gardens will have their own identities, and they’ll change along with the festivals throughout the year.”
READ: Get an early look inside Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, EPCOT’s newest thrill ride
The gardens will “take on a whole new life” at night, Disney said, sharing concept art of the “nighttime experience that will evolve through the seasons.”
The transformation will surround EPCOT’s new CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza, which will bring the park’s international festivals to the center of the park.
Photos: Get an early look at the future of EPCOT’s transformation
See photos of the transformation below:
The hall will be “a flexible exhibition and gallery space,” Disney said, which offers chances to experience art, live music and food, complete with a demonstration kitchen, and more. Adjacent to Communicore Hall will be a new location to meet your favorite Disney pals.
The plaza will host both intimate musical performances that extend into the nearby gardens as well as large-scale concerts.
That’s not all that Disney has in store for EPCOT.
READ: 9 things to know about Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Imagineer Zach Riddley posted an artist’s rendering of the upcoming attraction Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana.
“Journey of Water will immerse guests in a lush environment, and it is here that the story of the global cycle of water will be brought to life in a story completely unique to EPCOT, Riddley wrote in his Instagram post. “We’re creating an outdoor attraction for all ages, where you will be invited to play and interact with water as it travels from our skies to our oceans and back again. The spaces and experiences within were inspired by Moana’s friendship with water and her devotion to protecting nature around her.”
SEE: EPCOT’s newest night-time show ‘Harmonious’ will take Disney’s vision ‘to the next chapter’
The attraction will be located in World Nature, EPCOT’s newest neighborhood that will “be dedicated to learning and supporting humanity’s relationship with our planet,” Riddley wrote.
An opening date for Journey of Water has not yet been announced.
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