As construction was halted across all of Walt Disney World due to the unprecedented COVID-19 closures, work at various construction sites, especially at EPCOT––which is basically one massive construction site––has come to a standstill. However, Walt Disney Imagineering continues to work behind-the-scenes to ensure that progress continues––at least on projects that are already underway. While many believe plans for transforming the former Wonders of Life into the new Play! Pavilion have been scrapped, recent permits have been filed for the project.
Additional permits have been filed for the Play! Pavilion in the future “World Discovery” neighborhood concept of the park. While heavy-duty work on replacing the pavilion’s domed roof panels were clearly visible from the ground up until the park’s closure, new advancements are underway for the pavilion’s many interior themed sets.
The following permits were filed recently for the Play! Pavilion:
- Added information and detail for set areas (Balfour Beatty Construction)
Additional concept art for the Play! Pavilion (pictured above) was last released during the 2019 D23 Expo last August. Disney described the space as a place where guests will have the chance to help legendary fashion icon Edna Mode on her quest to rid the world of uninspired style, make a splash competing in an epic water-balloon fight hosted by Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webby, and partake in more IP-based activities.
Geared at younger guests in contrast to the Guardians of the Galaxy coaster taking over the former Universe of Energy location, the pavilion will offer a slew of interactive games and character meet-and-greets. In a detailed post from last May, we outlined each of the activities to be made available inside the pavilion’s projection-mapped dome.
The Play! Pavilion has been slated to open “just in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary” in 2021. Given how deadlines were missed for the last several Florida projects, not to mention the added setbacks of the ongoing pandemic, it’s likely that the project has been delayed somewhat, but as implied by the recent permits, work is still moving full steam ahead. With permits also recently filed for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, it seems simultaneous work on both these projects will render them ready to open around the same time frame.