New Mary Poppins attraction, more updates coming to Epcot

The Disney Parks, Experiences and Products panel at D23 Expo 2019 shared a plethora of new information on the upcoming transformation of Epcot, which will take place over the next several years.

As revealed at D23 Expo 2019, Epcot will be divided up into four neighborhoods: World Showcase, World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery.

World Showcase

World Showcase will be a neighborhood that celebrates culture, cuisine, and traditions, with a touch of Disney magic.

The United Kingdom pavilion will be the home of the first-ever attraction inspired by “Mary Poppins.” Guests will get to walk down Cherry Tree Lane, past Admiral Boom’s house, and enter Number 17, home of the Banks family – and that’s where the adventure begins.

In 2020, after “Epcot Forever” has ended its run, “HarmonioUS” will debut as the largest nighttime spectacular ever created for a Disney park.

“HarmonioUS” will celebrate the inspirational qualities of Disney music, featuring familiar Disney songs reinterpreted by a diverse group of artists from around the world. The nighttime spectacular will feature giant floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed fountains, lights, pyrotechnics, lasers and more.

In summer 2020, alongside the opening of the new attraction, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, a new restaurant will debut in the France pavilion called La Crêperie de Paris. This restaurant will offer both table- and quick-service options with a menu created by chef Jérôme Bocuse.

Also coming to the France pavilion is the new “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along.” This offering will debut in January 2020 and is directed by Don Hahn, producer of both the animated and live-action versions of this tale as old as time. This offering will be available alongside “Impressions de France.”

The Canada pavilion’s new film, “Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360,” will also debut in January 2020 with new scenes and a new overall story.

The China pavilion’s new film, “Wondrous China,” will take guests on a journey across the country. The new film will be presented in a seamless 360-degree digital format.

World Celebration

World Celebration, the park’s entrance, will be transformed into an area that offers experiences that connect us to others and the world around us.

The Spaceship Earth attraction will receive new narration and a brand-new new musical score alongside new story elements. Guests will follow a magical “story light” that brings the experience to life, tying the entire journey together.

A new, elevated outdoor pavilion will be home to live events and Epcot’s signature festivals. This pavilion will offer a new view of the entire park and be a great spot to watch the fireworks. The three-level structure will feature a plaza level, a middle expo level, and a park that sits on the top level.

Epcot’s entrance plaza will be transformed with a new fountain, new pathways, and green spaces, with a design that will pay homage to the beginnings of Epcot.

Upon exiting Spaceship Earth, guests will be greeted with a new view of World Showcase from “Dreamers Point.”

World Celebration will also feature a new statue honoring Walt Disney along with natural environments and design alongside Disney magic, like a wishing tree in an enchanted forest and a story fountain celebrating Disney storytelling.

World Nature

World Nature will be dedicated to understanding and preserving the world around us, and will include The Seas with Nemo and Friends and The Land pavilions.

“Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana” will be the first attraction inspired by the Disney animated film. This exploration trail experience will invite guests to meet and play with “magical, living water.” Guests will also learn about the importance of the natural water cycle.

The Land’s new film, “Awesome Planet,” will debut in January 2020.

World Discovery

In World Discovery, stories about science, technology, and intergalactic adventure will come to life.

The new Guardians attraction received a name during the panel, revealed as “Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.” The adventure begins in the “Galaxarium,” a planetarium-esque exhibition that explores the similarities between Earth’s galaxy and Xandar. Guests will learn more about the treasures Xandar offers – until the Guardians of the Galaxy arrive and the fun really begins.

The attraction will feature a storytelling coaster that rotates 360 degrees to bring your attention to the action, along with the first reverse launch on a Disney roller coaster.

The restaurant currently under construction by Mission: SPACE now has a name: Space 220. This restaurant will be set in the panorama of a space station, with daytime and nighttime views of Earth from 220 miles up in space.

Guests will board a special elevator to travel to the space station. On the way, viewports will give guests a real-time view as they travel to the dining destination. Space 220 will open this winter and will be operated by the Patina Group.

The PLAY! pavilion is set to open just in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. Here, guests will discover an interactive city filled with games, activities, and experiences featuring Disney characters – both real and virtual.

Inside the new pavilion, guests will have the chance to help fashion maven Edna Mode rid the world of uninspired style, and take part in a water-balloon fight hosted by Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webby.

Guests will be able to see these new plans for the park in “Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience,” coming to the Odyssey Events Pavilion. This experience will feature interactive exhibits that showcase what’s to come for the park.

Check out this clip of the full Epcot reveal during D23 Expo 2019 below: