epcot Archives | Park Savers

‘Awesome Planet’ Film at Epcot

By Dean Chapman | March 19, 2019

One of the central and incomparable strengths of Disney—cinematic excellence—is coming to The Land pavilion at Epcot®, and its subject is as wide as the great, big, wonderful world around us.

“Awesome Planet,” an on-screen exploration of the realm we call home, showcases the spectacular beauty, diversity and dynamic story of our earth with all the grandeur guests have come to expect.

This new film – together with the new Circle-Vision film previously announced for the China pavilion, updates to the film at the Canada pavilion, and the “Beauty and the Beast” Sing-Along that is coming to France – hints at the scope of the coming transformation of this amazing park. The new films herald a bold new era for a theme park that is distinctly Disney in its view of the earth, its lands and its people.

We’re aware, of course, that each time we touch Epcot, we are touching the setting for millions of precious family memories. So, we are very careful stewards of this park.

“Beauty and the Beast” Sing-Along will rotate, for instance, with “Impressions de France,” which retains its place in Guinness World Records as the longest-running daily screened film in the world.

With spectacular nature photography, immersive in-theater effects, and space sequences created by none other than Industrial Light & Magic (which provided the cinematic foundation for the Star Wars franchise), “Awesome Planet” will stir Epcot Guests and deliver an environmental message that will resonate far beyond its final scenes.

Look for more news soon on the transformation of Epcot. We’re looking forward to welcoming the world in a whole new way!

Dean Chapman

Dean has been writing and blogging for over 10 years. He specializes in Disney theme park news including updates, openings, special events and general advice for travelers. He doesn’t shy away from the good, the bad and the ugly. His previous work includes being a Cast Member at Disneyland and working as a travel agent.

Major Transformations Coming To Epcot

By Dean Chapman | February 24, 2019

Throughout the year we’ve been talking individually about some of the changes that are coming to Epcot at Walt Disney World. Any many of you know there are several new additions coming to both parts of the park in Future World and World Showcase. Just yesterday Disney announced another major change coming to the front of the park involving the entrance.

Disney has decided to update the entrance of Epcot which we’re very happy to hear. While there is nothing wrong with how it is set up now, we think the park deserves an update. The new entrance will feature more gardens and trees as well as a new water fountain. Guests who have come to love the Leave a Legacy photo walls will still be able to enjoy them just outside the new entrance.

The project pays homage to the original entrance of Epcot while incorporating fresh new elements and ideas.

Along with a new entrance is coming a newly redeveloped area between Spaceship Earth and World Showcase. Disney hasn’t released any details about this update but we’ll be sure to let you know once they do.

If you’re visiting the park there will be a brand new Experience Center coming to Epcot later this year. The Experience Center will be located in the former Odyssey Pavilion and feature interactive exhibits to help visualize park projects throughout this unprecedented period of transformation.

The ongoing evolution of Epcot includes plans for a play pavilion that’ll be unlike anything ever seen at the park. This new space will be devoted to playful fun and feature an innovative city that’ll come to life under the dome of the un-named pavilion previously known as Wonders of Life. The pavilion’s city will be bursting with interactive experiences, favorite Disney characters, hands-on activities and engaging entertainment when it opens just in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort!

While we’re excited about the new entrance we’re even more excited about the new attractions coming to Epcot as part of the parks major transformation. First up, the new Guardians of the Galaxy-themed roller coaster in Future World. Not many details have been released about this new attraction other than it will be a roller coaster (not like Guardians at California Adventure Park) and will the in the area left of Test Track. Our guess is that it will incorporate the technology that’s currently being used on the Tron attraction in Shanghai.

Epcot Forever, a 2019 limited-time nighttime experience over World Showcase Lagoon set to classic Epcottunes, followed by an all-new nighttime spectacular debuting in 2020 is the next show on our list. Because of the transition show starting this year, Illuminations will be ending. If you’re wanting to catch it before it’s gone be sure to make a trip soon!

The new night-time shows will include water, fire, fireworks and lighting. No details have been released on the new show debuting in 2020.

Next up is the space-themed table service restaurant that will be opening up by Mission: SPACE inside Future World. This new dining experience is supposed to be like any other and will be located in a newly-developed area between Mission: SPACE and Test Track. The restaurant will transport guests to space where they will enjoy a meal among the stars. No opening date is set at this time.

In a rare move, part of the new expansion is for the France pavilion to receive a brand new attraction. This hasn’t happened in years! Guests who enter Epcot through the World Showcase entrance can see all the construction for this new attraction, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. The attraction comes from Disneyland Paris and is one of our favorite rides! Remy is slated to open in 2019 or 2020.

The China and Canada Pavilion’s will also receive updates to their 360 films as well as Japan receiving a brand new dining experience.

As you can see there is a lot coming to Epcot which we will is going to bring the park up to family status like Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.

Dean Chapman

2017 Candlelight Narrators at EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays

By Dean Chapman | October 15, 2017

Rounding out this year’s celebrity narrators for the 2017 Candlelight Processional, part of the Epcot® International Festival of the Holidays , are two new faces and two returning favorites.

Disney Legend Kurt Russell, who has starred in Disney films from the 1960s to 2017’s “Guardians of the Galaxy 2” will read the Christmas story this year – as well as gold- and silver-medal-winning gymnast Laurie Hernandez. Two veterans of the event – actress/comedienne Ana Gasteyer and Jodi Benson, voice of Ariel in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” – complete this year’s list.

As previously announced, new narrators for this year’s lineup include Matt Bomer (“White Collar,” “The Last Tycoon,”); Star Wars fan favorite Warwick Davis, who played Wicket the Ewok in “Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi;” Daytime Television Legend Pat Sajak and TV star CCH Pounder, who was recently at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the grand opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar.

And returning this year are everyone’s favorite hard-driving Dr. Bailey from “Grey’s Anatomy,” Chandra Wilson – and newly-named Disney Legend Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of ABC’s “The View.”

Here is the full list of narrators (everything subject to change, of course):

Nov. 24- 26 – Laurie Hernandez – NEW!
Nov. 27-28 – Matt Bomer – NEW!
Nov. 29 – 30 – Ana Gasteyer
Dec. 1-3 – Whoopi Goldberg
Dec. 4-5 – Pat Sajak – NEW!
Dec. 6-8 – Jodi Benson
Dec. 9-11 – Kurt Russell – NEW!
Dec. 12-14 – Warwick Davis – NEW!
Dec. 15-17 – Trace Adkins
Dec. 18-21 – Neil Patrick Harris
Dec. 22-24 – CCH Pounder – NEW!
Dec. 25-27 – Jaci Velasquez
Dec. 28-30 – Chandra Wilson

The Candlelight Processional presents the traditional story of Christmas in truly spectacular fashion – with a celebrity narrator, a 50-piece orchestra and a massed choir.

The processional is performed three times per night (5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.) during the holiday season at the America Gardens Theatre. These packages, available on select nights, include a delicious meal and a guaranteed seat for one of the Candlelight Processional performances. Availability is limited.

In addition to lunch and dinner packages, breakfast options are available at some favorite restaurants in and near Epcot like Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and The Garden Grill. Breakfast, lunch and dinner options are also available this year at Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort,** with breakfast and dinner options being offered at Trattoria Al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk.

Candlelight Dining Packages for breakfast start at $35 plus tax per person for adults and $21 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9. Candlelight Dining Packages for lunch and dinner start at $44 plus tax per person for adults and $15.50 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9.

Epcot provides an extravaganza of holiday entertainment, merchandise, food, beverages and festivities where guests can celebrate at Epcot throughout the holiday season. Time-honored traditions come alive through the sights and sounds of the countries of World Showcase, and live performances enliven the park throughout the day.

Image ©Disney

Dean Chapman