Testing Begins for Brand New Disney World Expansion

Testing has begun for one of EPCOT’s newest and most exciting additions.

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It’s been a long time coming, but Walt Disney Imagineering is making significant progress at EPCOT. Thanks to an update from a guest (@epcotboy220), we can now confirm that testing has officially begun inside CommuniCore Plaza and CommuniCore Hall at EPCOT. Some truly dazzling lighting effects could be seen illuminating the new structure, which remains behind construction walls.

Lighting test going on at CommuniCore Hall & Plaza

Lighting test going on at CommuniCore Hall & Plaza pic.twitter.com/8fVmfmFoDt

— 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗙 𝗘𝗣𝗖𝗢𝗧 (@epcotboy220) February 21, 2024

The exterior of the building is intended to mimic the iconic triangle pattern on Spaceship Earth, which serves as the official mascot of the park, much like Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom and the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Originally envisioned as a multi-level Festival plaza, CommuniCore Hall and Plaza will be the first location designed with EPCOT festivals in mind. Each and every year, EPCOT hosts a variety of festivals, such as the Festival of the Arts, the International Food and Wine Festival, and, of course, the International Flower and Garden Festival. Each one of these limited-time events gives guests a reason to visit EPCOT, with CommuniCore Hall and Plaza being specifically designed to accommodate these festivals.

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Though each theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort has undergone significant changes in the last several decades, none of these changes compares to the ongoing transformation currently happening in EPCOT. This massive undertaking began several years ago, with The Walt Disney Company announcing that EPCOT would be receiving significant grades, both in terms of rides and attractions, as well as its overall aesthetics and layout. A lot was canceled or put on hold indefinitely, like the fabled Mary Poppins attraction or the planned refurbishment of Spaceship Earth. However, a lot still made its way through the pipeline, and EPCOT is a lot better for it.

A major part of the EPCOT project involved the addition of multiple new lands that help separate and differentiate the park. Now, EPCOT is split into four distinct “neighborhoods”: World Showcase, World Discovery, World Nature, and World Celebration. Along with these new areas, EPCOT was also given some serious upgrades in terms of new attractions. In 2021, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opened in the France Pavilion in World Showcase, breathing new life into that section of the park.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind officially opened in 2022, making it the very first roller coaster to open at the park and effectively becoming EPCOT’s first true thrill ride. In 2023, EPCOT received another new attraction called Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana. This experience has a lot more in common with the Swiss Family Treehouse at Magic Kingdom, as it allows guests to walk through various exhibits at their own pace.

CommuniCore Hall and Plaza will be located in World Celebration when it finally opens later in 2024.

Do you enjoy the new EPCOT? What’s your favorite park at Walt Disney World?

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