Walt Disney World’s EPCOT has been a hub of innovation and transformation in recent years. Since 2019, the park has undergone a significant overhaul, with new attractions, redesigned neighborhoods, and updated spaces aimed at creating a more immersive guest experience. Among these updates is the newly introduced World Celebration Gardens, a central hub designed to bring fresh energy to the park’s layout.
However, the gardens’ highly anticipated lighting effects, meant to provide a dazzling nighttime atmosphere, have sparked frustration among fans. Just weeks after being repaired, the lights are malfunctioning once again, leading many to question the durability and planning behind the project.
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A Bright Start Fades Quickly
When World Celebration Gardens debuted in December 2023, it promised a modern aesthetic with dynamic lighting displays synchronized to EPCOT’s iconic Spaceship Earth. Disney promoted the area as a key feature of EPCOT’s evolution, aiming to capture the magic of Disney’s cutting-edge technology. Guests were initially awed by the glow of the ground lights, which cast colorful patterns throughout the gardens.
But the magic didn’t last long. Shortly after the lights’ debut, visitors began noticing issues. The fixtures became misaligned and loose, detracting from the area’s appeal. Critics pointed out that the gardens, dominated by cement and wide-open spaces, lacked the lush landscaping that once defined EPCOT’s charm.
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The first round of repairs in late 2023 brought temporary relief. Guests celebrated the lights’ return, with one fan sharing their excitement on X (formerly Twitter):
THIS IS NOT A DRILL. THIS PICTURE IS FROM RIGHT NOW IN EPCOT!!!!
The center area ground lights are BACK!!! The amount of excitement I felt as I approached the World Celebration area and I saw people illuminated 😭😭
THIS IS NOT A DRILL. THIS PICTURE IS FROM RIGHT NOW IN EPCOT!!!!
The center area ground lights are BACK!!! The amount of excitement I felt as I approached the World Celebration area and I saw people illuminated 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/5xZr8Vzxnz
— crazyparkguy (@crazyparkguy) December 10, 2024
Related: Changes in EPCOT Promise Enhanced Experiences
A Short-Lived Fix
Unfortunately, the repairs were short-lived. By early 2024, just six weeks later, the lights were malfunctioning again. Fixtures were reportedly popping out of the ground, creating not only an aesthetic issue but potential safety concerns.
One frustrated parkgoer shared their thoughts on social media:
The new light strips (installed Nov 2024) in World Celebration have begun to pop out.
It also looks fairly terrible again, only 6 weeks later.
Ok Disney let’s look at the next 20-year maintenance cost on this and you’ll see it’s cheaper to install a dancing fountain.
The new light strips (installed Nov 2024) in World Celebration have begun to pop out.
It also looks fairly terrible again, only 6 weeks later.
Ok Disney let’s look at the next 20 year maintenance cost on this and you’ll see it’s cheaper to install a dancing fountain. pic.twitter.com/4DMo9NLmxK
— Belle (@FiBelleFi) January 4, 2025
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The sentiment was shared widely among fans, with many pointing to the removal of the beloved Fountain of Nations in 2019 as a misstep. The fountain had long been a centerpiece of EPCOT, offering a stunning water and light display synchronized to music.
Its replacement by the gardens, many argued, fell short of the park’s high standards.
I’ve got an idea for something near the park entrance I’m calling “Fountain of Nation”. Hear me out. It will be fairly large and we can time it to put on a show that involves this great musical score….
The repeated issues with the World Celebration lights have reignited conversations about Disney’s cost-cutting measures. Many fans feel the park has prioritized flashy updates over practical, durable solutions. Social media platforms buzzed with calls for Disney to replace the lighting feature entirely or even restore elements of the park’s past.
While Disney has yet to address the recurring problems publicly, the situation has added to a growing list of fan frustrations. Between rising ticket prices and concerns about park maintenance, guests are becoming increasingly vocal about what they see as a decline in Disney’s attention to detail.
The lighting effects were meant to symbolize EPCOT’s bright future, but their struggles have become a metaphor for the challenges of balancing innovation with quality. Guests now wonder whether Disney will invest in a long-term fix or continue to make patchwork repairs.
Should Disney rethink its approach to these updates? Would you rather see a return to the reliable magic of features like the Fountain of Nations? Share your thoughts below!
