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Back in 2019, Disney had promised a new attraction at EPCOT. However, it ended up being one of many projects canceled due to financial concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.
Credit: Disney
The Mary Poppins Ride
However, it is still something that many Walt Disney World Resort and theme park fans talk about today. In fact, conversations as soon as last month were still happening on X (formerly Twitter).
Related: Leaked Details About EPCOT ‘Mary Poppins’ Ride
In 2022, then Disney CEO Bob Chapek said that plans for the United Kingdom pavilion attraction had been paused but weren’t entirely canceled.
Credit: Disney / Canva
During a shareholder meeting in 2022, Chapek was asked about the attraction. Disney’s former CEO Said it would remain on hold until the Walt Disney Company’s “cash situation becomes a bit more robust and a little bit back to normal, in terms of [the company’s] liquidity. We look forward to hopefully refunding those projects in the future.”
Credit: Disney Concept Art
In 2023, concept art and images for EPCOT’s never-built Mary Poppins (1964) attraction surfaced, showing an indoor ride similar to the tea cups.
Credit: Disney Concept Art
But as we start 2024, it’s nearing five years since the first concept was announced. Yet, we still don’t seem to be any closer to the Mary Poppins ride. Or…are we?
Festival of the Arts
As part of EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts, new photo op step-ins have started popping up. These are nothing new (Walt Disney World Resort has introduced other photo ops during previous festivals).
Credit: Disney
But one curious aspect is the Mary Poppins photo op. Why? Because it could be Disney foreshadowing a new attraction. Although there has been no official announcement, it’s also worth noting that there is currently scaffolding around the United Kingdom pavilion.
Related: Disney Legend (and ‘Mary Poppins’ Star) Passes Away
Granted, this scaffolding appears to just be addressing basic refurb; you never know.
Related: Disney Should Completely Cancel This ‘Mary Poppins’ Ride
Other photo ops have appeared during the festival, including ones themed to Sleeping Beauty (1959) and Wish (2023).
Credit: Disney
The Mary Poppins (1964) photo op features the Jolly Holiday segment of the movie, where Mary Poppins and Bert step into the chalk paintings with the Banks children. This is also where we see Dick Van Dyke do his signature dance with the animated penguins.
First Look: NEW ‘Wish’, ‘Sleeping Beauty’, and ‘Mary Poppins’ Step-In Photo Ops for 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Arts https://t.co/5a3eskyvCf
— Avritt's Favorites (@dktavritt) January 8, 2024
The Festival of the Arts begins this Friday (January 12) at EPCOT and will run until February 19th.
