The Italy World Showcase Pavilion at EPCOT is in the final stages of a quiet transformation, and fans of the Disney Park area will be happy to know that the makeover is nearly complete. Crews have spent months working on this refurbishment, and guests visiting EPCOT are beginning to see the changes take shape.
EPCOT guests first noticed the changes back in February, when construction walls appeared around the Italy World Showcase Pavilion’s tallest building, the red brick tower. Scaffolding was placed around the structure and covered with fake brick scrims, designed to mimic the building’s original design. This temporary covering was put in place as crews began the refurbishment process.
Disney Skyliner cable tower seen behind Italy in Epcot.
Disney Skyliner cable tower seen behind Italy in Epcot. pic.twitter.com/2FkEC0HFvy
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) May 12, 2018
As of July 15, the refurbishment project is nearing completion. During a recent visit to EPCOT, WDWNT noticed that much of the scaffolding and the decorative fake brick scrims had been removed, revealing the real brickwork of the tower underneath. While most of the work has been completed, construction walls remain at the base of the tower, still blocking access to the area around the tower. These walls are likely there as crews work on the final finishing touches of the project.
The Italy Pavilion’s tower is a replica of St. Mark’s Campanile, the iconic bell tower at St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy. Walt Disney World Resort has not made any significant changes to the original design of the tower during the refurbishment. Instead, the work likely involved standard maintenance, including possible repainting and repairs to ensure the Italy World Showcase Pavilion continues to shine for visitors. The ornate carvings and intricate brickwork at the top of the tower remain the same.
While Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t issued a public statement regarding the ongoing work in the Italy Pavilion, this lack of communication is not unusual. Disney typically doesn’t provide updates on maintenance projects unless they significantly impact the guest experience, such as attraction closures. Interestingly, crews are also working on another mystery refurbishment between the Mexico and Norway World Showcase Pavilions at EPCOT, though little is known about that project at this time.
Have you noticed any other changes around Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Share your story with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
