Hidden in plain sight along the newly-completed entrance gardens of EPCOT is a rusted hunk of junk from a galaxy far, far away. Literally—it’s from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This side of the gardens debuted with the reopening of the park back in July, and it seems they had to improvise when it came to manhole covers in the area, as a themed Batuuan manhole cover is in place near the entrance to the park.
The manhole cover sticks out like a sore thumb with its excessively worn, rusted exterior and geometric design that resembles the ancient script of the Star Wars universe. When juxtaposed with the white, sleek futuristic lighting fixtures nearby, plus the newly-installed lucite pylons and Spaceship Earth in the background, you can tell how out of place it looks.
These manhole covers can be seen throughout the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge lands in both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Resort.
Elsewhere throughout EPCOT, it’s just these plain old Walt Disney World manhole covers.
Of course, Project Gamma has some new EPCOT-centric manhole covers coming to the completed front entrance of the park. We first revealed concept art for the manhole covers back in June 2019, with an all-over Spaceship Earth design featuring the new EPCOT logo.
Here’s a look at the finalized concept art for the newly-reimagined EPCOT entrance, showing the completed gardens, retro lucite pylon fountain, and a swirled, gradient concrete design along the ground, which can already be seen in the portions of the entrance that have been completed. Imagineering estimates that the iconic entrance fountain will be completed and revealed by the end of the year, and by then, we expect the rusted Galaxy’s Edge manhole cover to have been removed, with the new EPCOT cover in place and shining bright. Also to come? New geodesic benches.
What do you think of this odd, off-world appearance of a Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge manhole cover at EPCOT? Are you eager to see the new manhole covers installed throughout the park’s redesigned entrance? Let us know in the comments!
It’s for the World Showcase… just not this world.
Looks like it’s from Westworld. Did Disney buy HBO yet?
Disney continues to get lazy about their maintenance and construction – breaking theme is just a new low.
Maybe it’s a portal to Batuu :P
Haha
I had a similar thought. I like to believe this is an entry/exit point for a Utilidor tunnel between Future World and Galaxy’s Edge. This way, Vi Moradi or Chewbacca can enjoy a lunch break at Space 220 when it opens.
Does it really matter? The need for water and emergency shut off in a place that size is crucial.Why did you spend so much energy on such a useless topic?There is so much more swirling around you and you care about manhole covers.Open your eyes and be amazed by the StarWars universe, It’s finally here so shut up and enjoy
It’s in EPCOT if you read.
You seem like a fun person, Michael,
I bet you have lots of friends.
Could be test firing for final specs for the designs for the Epcot ones.
I was hoping they would lead to a new Star Wars inspired ride coming to our world to meet the”Mouse” that they keep calling “Our Leader”
Doesn’t anyone realize Star Wars whole empire is the “alien” visitation from our past. Why wouldn’t the manhole cover be “OLD”? Come on stop criticizing and have fun using your imagination!!
I think that with everything going on pandemic wise it makes sense I’d they had an extra from one place laying around they are using most likely temporarily in another area, or it’s a homage to the era we live in now, I love Disney it can be a very mysterious place lol
Adding a Star Wars themed section to the rest of the sections of our world seems appropriate and forward-thinking… that’s my guess.