New Epcot documentary traces history of the park’s transformation
“Epcot Becoming: Inside the Transformation,” a new documentary about Epcot’s recent additions, will air on National Geographic.
“Epcot Becoming: Inside the Transformation” Documentary
The one-hour (with commercials) documentary will debut April 29, 2024 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The special will land on Disney+ and Hulu streaming services on July 19, 2024.
Five additional videos about Epcot’s transformation will debut weekly beginning June 14, 2024 on the National Geographic YouTube channel.
Following several years of announcements, in 2019 Disney commenced a multi-year full sweep of new attractions and updated infrastructure throughout Epcot. The “Epcot Becoming” documentary will spotlight the behind-the-scenes creation of the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster; the walkthrough trail Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana; the nighttime spectacular “Luminous The Symphony of Us”; and more.
“Keeping Epcot Relevant” + “Looking Toward the Future”
“The documentary takes a unique look at how the park was transformed through the lenses of technology, nature, music, and other National Geographic themes,” said Rex Rainey, manager of content, programming, and media networks synergy for Yellow Shoes Creative Group, the internal ad agency of Disney Experiences. “Watch as Walt Disney World Resort teams seek to find the balance of keeping Epcot relevant for guests today while also looking toward the future of the park.”
When announcing many of the Epcot changes, former Disney CEO Bob Chapek vocalized four goals for Epcot to become “more timeless, more relevant, more family, and more Disney.”
Image courtesy of Disney
The “Epcot Becoming” documentary title likely stems from a Walt Disney quote, written by former Imagineering executive Marty Sklar and spoken aloud by Disney in “the Epcot film,” a 1966 presentation detailing Disney’s plans for a city of tomorrow.
So that’s what Epcot is: an experimental prototype community that will always be in a state of becoming. It will never cease to be a living blueprint of the future, where people actually live a life they can’t find anywhere else.
Walt Disney, 1966
Photo by Blake Taylor
A portion of the same quote is displayed on a plaque near the new “Walt the Dreamer” statue in Epcot’s central plaza, albeit somewhat lost in translation. The plaque simply reads, “always be in a state of becoming,” as if the quote is an aspirational sentiment Walt is imparting to the reader rather than a statement describing his intentions to build a futuristic city in a dome. The quote itself, it seems, is in a state of becoming.
What’s New at Epcot
Here’s everything Epcot introduced as part of its ongoing transformation.
Rides
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, an expansion of the France Pavilion
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in the new Wonders of Xandar Pavilion
Nighttime Spectaculars
- “Epcot Forever” (temporary)
- “Harmonious” (temporary)
- “Luminous The Symphony of Us”
Images courtesy of Disney
Films
- “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along” in the France Pavilion
- “Canada Far & Wide” in the Canada Pavilion
- “Awesome Planet” in The Land Pavilion
Walkthroughs, Exhibits, and Experiences
- The Epcot Experience (temporary)
- The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure (temporary)
- DuckTales World Showcase Adventure
- Figment character greeting in the Imagination! Pavilion
- Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
Photos courtesy of Disney
Dining
- Space 220 Restaurant, an expansion of the Mission: Space Pavilion
- Connections Eatery, the park’s flagship counter-service location
- Connections Café, the park’s Starbucks location
- Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya restaurant in the Japan Pavilion
Infrastructure
- Disney Skyliner transportation system
- Redesigned entrance plaza with new fountain and Spaceship Earth lighting package
- Creations, the park’s re-imagined flagship gift shop
- Renamed parking lots
- World Celebration Gardens, featuring Dreamers Point and CommuniCore Hall
Photos by Blake Taylor
Our Coverage of Epcot’s Transformation
For a big-picture view of Epcot’s transformation at large — plus a peek into abandoned attractions that never opened — read our previous Attractions Magazine story:
Inevitably, with so much change, many Epcot attractions retired. Explore the park’s history with our look at everything Epcot closed during its transformation, including Ellen’s Energy Adventure, the Fountain of Nations, “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” and much more:
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