Cast Member previews for Journey of Water Inspired by Moana are set to begin this month at EPCOT.
Previews will run from July 25 through August 19 for a select group of Cast Members, though more are likely to be included either within those dates or shortly after.
No official opening date has been announced by Disney other than “fall 2023,” but the attraction has been seemingly complete (or nearly so) for a while.
Walt Disney Imagineering already shared photos of water tests being conducted at the site.
A few days later, music could be heard from outside the construction area, and more water features were being tested far earlier than anticipated. “We Know the Way” from “Moana” was playing, and water was flowing over the Journey of Water entrance structure featuring Te Fiti’s swirl symbol.
More information should be available as previews begin. There has been no official word, but attraction openings at Walt Disney World typically include preview periods for Annual Passholders, D23 members, and DVC members.
Journey of Water Inspired by Moana
The official Disney description for the upcoming attraction reads, “Stroll along a self-guided outdoor trail where you can play and interact with water as it travels from the sky to the oceans and back again. Along the way, learn about the importance of water and discover its playful personality—just as Moana did on her heroic voyage.”
In our most recent construction updates, it has looked like Journey of Water is near complete, with only testing remaining. In April, Disney shared a video of water flowing through the attraction. The walkthrough attraction may include some MagicBand+ interaction.
Journey of Water concept art shows flowing waterfalls as well as water jumping over pathways. Next to a body of water is a giant statue of Te Fiti. It’s in the World Nature neighborhood of EPCOT.
“Along with Moana as a steward of water conservation, Te Fiti is a symbol of how we should protect and nurture water wherever we find it,” Reid Ekman, Lead Concept Designer at Walt Disney Imagineering, wrote on Disney Parks Blog.
This is an important theme in Journey of Water, where guests will learn more about how water travels from our skies to the ocean, and back again. This story will unfold along a lush trail inspired by the environments and art style of the beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios film.
At Journey of Water, guests will “engage with water in a variety of ways as they learn about water’s amazing ‘journey’ around our natural world, including ways to better conserve our natural resources and protect water.” Imagineers “hope everyone feels inspired to connect with water as a friend, just like Moana did in the film!”
According to CEO Bob Iger, Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana” is the last step in the years-long EPCOT reimagining. It’s expected to open later this year, along with Dreamers Point, CommuniCore Hall, and CommuniCore Plaza.
Check out our list of every new attraction coming to Disney Parks in 2023, which includes Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana.”
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