Hallo from EPCOT! In today’s photo report, we’re finding new merchandise in World Showcase, tracking more construction projects than we know what to do with, and counting down the days to the opening of new and returning restaurants. Let’s check out all the activity!
At the front of the park, new signage helps direct guests towards their desired destinations. As the closure of the center of Future World is imminent, navigating through the park will become even more difficult than it already is.
Construction at EPCOT is taking place all over, including the entrance. However, we’re starting to see signs of life in some work areas.
The entrance fountain is making some substantial progress, and we expect to see it start to come together more in the coming weeks.
In the soon-to-be World Discovery (you know it now as Future World East), we’re anxiously awaiting the return of solar panels to the former Ellen’s Energy Adventure building. The new tenant, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, is expected to open in 2021.
Test Track Presented by Chevrolet, which is currently under refurbishment through February 26, seems to be in the later stages of the process. Cars could be heard running on the track today, so we’re hopeful everything is on schedule.
Today, these new FastPass+ kiosks outside Test Track were made available to guests. Currently. they aren’t getting much use. But once Test Track reopens, it’s fair to expect they will get more attention.
Rounding out Future World East, we’re expecting Taste Track to make its burger-centric return soon.
In the central area of Future World, Pin Central (along with most of the courtyard) bids adieu today as they close to make way for additional construction of World Celebration.
Making our way back towards World Showcase, we spotted a new mural that will have many guests working to complete it later in the day.
A huge flower display, presumably in anticipation of the Flower and Garden Festival — which begins in just over two weeks, has been installed.
Sadly, yesterday’s rain seems to have resulted in the removal of much of the chalk art that was previously available.
At the Germany Pavilion in World Showcase, we’re treated to the new “Ich Bin” (“I am“) line of merchandise.
The line includes multiple shirts, hats and mugs along with a hoodie, tumbler, shot glass and bag. Check out our comprehensive post on the new collection.
We were also treated to a live band in Germany. We didn’t understand a word they were singing, but they sounded great!
At the American Adventure, Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts and Barbecue is achingly close to completion. We could swear that we smelled barbecue emanating from the restaurant today.
Within the Japan pavilion, we were able to enjoy this performance of Taiko drums.
Outside of the France pavilion, guests were painting some of the different pavilions around the showcase.
Inside the France pavilion, intensive work continues on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. The attraction is scheduled to open this summer, leaving precious little time to complete the extensive theming required for the area.
Our last photo of the day encapsulates the current state of EPCOT. The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is in full swing (remember, that mural was blank earlier in the day!), construction is everywhere, Pin Central is in its final hours and Spaceship Earth looms in the background — soon to undergo its own lengthy refurbishment.
Thank you for joining us on our journey around EPCOT (and the world)! Are there any attractions you’re especially excited for, or park staples you’re sad to be losing? Let us know in the comments!
I was at Epcot a day ago and my group had a Fastpass for Journey into Imagination with Figment. The Fastpass was scheduled for 5:05 and we showed up at 5:07. We were told the ride broke down but the cast members didn’t exactly know what went wrong. Does anyone know what happened?