New Play! Pavilion Permit Gives Hint at Possible Opening Timeframe at EPCOT

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Walt Disney Imagineering has filed a permit for the long-delayed Play! Pavilion at EPCOT. This new pavilion will take over what was once the Wonders of Life Pavilion. It was announced in 2019 and originally supposed to open for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, but we haven’t heard much about it since COVID-19 … Read more

Universe of Energy Pavilion Renamed to “Wonders of Xandar” as First “Other-world Showcase” Pavilion

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Earlier today, Disney announced that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind would be opening in 2022 at EPCOT. We’ve now received some additional details about the pavilion that the attraction will be housed in. Disney has now shared that the pavilion, formerly known as the Universe of Energy Pavilion which was home to Ellen’s Energy … Read more

PHOTOS: Limited Edition EPCOT Wonders of Life Poster Available Now on shopDisney

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The EPCOT serigraph poster collection continues with a new limited edition poster featuring the Wonders of Life Pavilion. Another version of this poster was available last December but quickly sold out. You’ll have to move fast to snatch this one as it is only available until May 31st. Limited Edition EPCOT Wonders of Life Serigraph … Read more

Charles Grodin, from “Cranium Command” and “The Muppets at Walt Disney World,” Has Passed Away at Age 86

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Charles Grodin, best known for films such as King Kong, Beethoven, and The Heartbreak Kid, has passed away from bone marrow cancer at age 86, according to his son Nicholas. Disney fans may best recognize Grodin for his two villain roles alongside The Muppets and an extinct EPCOT attraction. Grodin played the villain Nicky Holiday … Read more

SHOP: New Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Poster and Several EPCOT Matted Prints Now Available on shopDisney

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A new EPCOT poster for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is now available on shopDisney. Several new prints of previous poster releases are also available. These releases celebrate the past, present, and future of EPCOT. Each item is limited to 10 per guest. Limited Release EPCOT Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Poster – … Read more

WDWNT’s Top 7 Photos of the Week (10/4/20)

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We at WDWNT employ some great photographers who scour the Disney and Universal parks and resorts around the world to show you the best there is. So each week, we will be rounding up the seven best images captured by our photographers, whether they made it into a story this week or not, and bringing … Read more

PHOTOS: Work on Play! Pavilion Roof Panel Replacement Making Rapid Progress at EPCOT

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We learned a few days ago that a Monorail Mark X attraction coming to the Play! Pavilion in EPCOT, so we’re even more excited to check up on construction now. There has been a lot of work happening on the roof of the old Wonders of Life Pavilion, and even more progress has been made … Read more

PHOTOS: Refurbishment Rapidly Progressing on Play! Pavilion Roof at EPCOT

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Construction is slow but steady on the remodel of EPCOT’s Wonders of Life pavilion, which is becoming the Play! pavilion. Storage pallets have been on top of the pavilion for months now as progress is made refurbishing the triangular tiles. During our most recent visit, we noticed that not only many more tiles looked different, … Read more

PHOTOS: Construction Crews Return to Work on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and the Play! Pavilion at EPCOT

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EPCOT has no shortage of construction going on, but only so much of it is visible to guests. One corner of the park has roof work happening on two different buildings, so let’s take a closer look. First up is the show building for the future Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction. Solar panel … Read more

PHOTOS: See Stunning Aerial Photos of an Empty Future World at EPCOT with Construction Left at a Standstill During the Extended Parks Closure

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As Walt Disney World remains closed for the longest period in the resort’s history, aerial photographers have been able to capture just what the Most Magical Place on Earth looks like without guests. Thanks to pilot Jonathan Michael Salazar on Facebook (also @ColombianPilot on Instagram), we’re able to show these photos of Future World at … Read more

It’s “Lights, Camera, Action” for the Disney-MGM Studios in this Guide Book From 1989

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With Disney Parks around the world closed for the foreseeable future, WDWNT is dipping into our archives of vintage parks materials for a look back into parks history! And in celebration of Hollywood Studios Appreciation Week, all this week, we’re peeking into the studio vault with items from the early years of the Disney-MGM Studios! Today, … Read more

Discover “The Spirit of EPCOT Center” and Uncover the Park’s Roots With this Cast Member Booklet from 1982

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With Disney Parks around the world closed for the foreseeable future, WDWNT is dipping into our archives of vintage parks materials for a look back into parks history! Today, we’re discovering EPCOT’s roots in “The Spirit of EPCOT Center,” a booklet given to cast members in 1982! Note: This article will detail the booklet page by … Read more

See a Park in the Making with the First Issue of EPCOT Center Construction News from February 1982

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With Disney Parks around the world closed for the foreseeable future, WDWNT is dipping into our archives of vintage parks materials for a look back into parks history! Get ready to travel back to February 1982 and see EPCOT Center from the ground up with the first issue of EPCOT Center Construction News! Note: This article … Read more

PHOTOS: Work Continues on Roof of Former Wonders of Life, Upcoming Play! Pavilion at EPCOT

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The former Wonders of Life Pavilion had some interesting action happening on the roof today, as two square boxes have appeared for the staging of new construction materials. Recently, we saw a portion of the roof getting repaired and some tiles being removed and/or replaced. You can see a portion of the roof in the … Read more

PHOTOS: Exterior Work on Former Wonders of Life Pavilion Begins for New Play! Pavilion At EPCOT

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After a long, somewhat rudderless road over the last 13 years, the Wonders of Life will finally be put to put to use in the form of the new Play! Pavilion. The Play! Pavilion will be a large scale immersive metropolis. Guests will be able to experience interactive games and activities centered around their favorite … Read more

PHOTOS: Work Continues on EPCOT’s New Play Pavilion, More Land Cleared

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As part of the transformation of EPCOT, the park will be broken down into four new “neighborhoods”. Inside World Discovery, you will find the new Play Pavilion with new interactive experiences full of character. We got a look at some of the concept art during D23, as well as an idea of what’s coming to … Read more