Demolition work is swiftly continuing at the former Innoventions West building in EPCOT. Across the way, structural steel has been added at Innoventions East. Let’s take a look at the state of both Innoventions structures.
At Innoventions West, demolition of the second floor is underway.
All that remains here is the structural steel. The light rigging at center is used to light Spaceship Earth.
The Innoventions West second floor windows have been removed.
A closer look at the second floor interior reveals that some roll-up blinds are still hung in windows. Lighting fixtures and wiring hang from the ceiling.
Eventually, this section of the park will be the World Celebration neighborhood, along with some of the Moana Journey of Water walkthrough for World Nature in the area closest to The Seas. A Festival Center may no longer be in the works, but EPCOT promises a new “festival area.”
On the other side of Innoventions Plaza, structural pieces are being added to Innoventions East.
New structural supports have been added where the Innoventions East exterior walls will rise.
The steel framing creates a stepped surface, rather than a flat one.
In the Innoventions East breezeway, a new structural header beam is in place.
Innoventions East previously housed Electric Umbrella and Mouse Gear, but will be home to a newly redesigned Mouse Gear location, as well as a Starbucks, Club Cool, and quick-service dining concept. For now, a makeshift Mouse Gear has been relocated to a temporary location.
What do you think about the changes being made at EPCOT? You can use the comments to share your thoughts.
Kind of bittersweet because my daughter did her DCP at Electric Umbrella, some updating is good so it doesn’t get stale. But a lot of change fuels unfamiliarity and for our Disney loving family is unsettling. What would Walt do?