World Celebration in Walt Disney World’s EPCOT is themed around new experiences that connect people to one another and the world around them.
Prior to EPCOT’s recent construction and transformation of the front half of the park, World Celebration was part of Future World. Future World has now been divided into 3 new neighborhoods or “Worlds” to match the naming convention of World Showcase. The Worlds that once comprised the whole of Future World are: World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature.
Note: much of the rear half of World Celebration is closed for construction. This construction has been going on at a snail’s pace since 2019. High temporary walls block off views of the construction area. Construction is planned to be complete in “late 2023” according to Disney.
After arriving at EPCOT’s main entrance you’ll enter World Celebration through a remodeled green-space with a new fountain that leads towards Spaceship Earth, which dominates your view.
Spaceship Earth is the ‘Golf Ball’ looking sphere, which is one of World Celebration’s attractions.
To pass further into World Celebration you’ll walk under Spaceship Earth on either the right or left. Both routes come together on the backside of the attraction on a long central plaza.
World Celebration leads towards the rear of the park and is the main connection to World Showcase. World Celebration sits between World Discovery to the left and World Nature to the right.
As you leave Spaceship Earth behind you’ll encounter a Dreamer’s Point, a beautiful hub divided into several different gardens, with a central planter based on the five-ring EPCOT logo. Filled with ample seating and shade. Each of these gardens will have their own identities, and they’ll change along with the festivals throughout the year.
At Dreamers point you can listen to stirring musical performances and delight in festival fun. Here, you’ll also discover a statue of Walt Disney—a reminder for us all to dream big.
This area is adjacent to CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza.
- CommuniCore Hall is a multi-use facility and outdoor event space that will be a flexible exhibition and gallery space, offering a wide variety of experiences that highlight art, live music, food – complete with a demonstration kitchen – and more.
- CommuniCore Plaza is an outdoor event space that will have the flexibility to host intimate musical performances that extend out into the nearby gardens, as well as large-scale concerts.
Expect these areas to be a big part of the various festivals that EPCOT hosts during the year, such as the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival.
The CommuniCore name reaches back to the origins of EPCOT. The original 2 main buildings in World Showcase were called CommuniCore East and West.
Adjacent to CommuniCore Hall will be a new Mickey & Friends location where you can meet some of your favorite Disney pals.
Past CommuniCore Plaza and to the right is the Imagination Pavilion, as you might imagine, this pavilion celebrates the imagination in all of us!
Most of World Celebration is contained within the monorail loop that tours EPCOT prior to arriving at the EPCOT Monorail Station at the front of the park. The Imagination Pavilion is the exception, residing outside of the loop. Meanwhile, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana which is part of World Nature is inside the loop.
Attractions
Spaceship Earth (Genie+) – Ride through an audio-animatronic history of communications. Board your two to four person vehicle for a ride through time. As your vehicle proceeds up the track into the geosphere (the Spaceship Earth “golf ball” as many describe it) you will pass many scenes of how communication has progressed from cave paintings to the printing press and on to computers. At the top you’ll emerge into the top section of the sphere which is wide open and dark except for the huge planet earth projected near the top. Then your car turns around for the steep backwards journey down. While descending you can answer some questions about your preferences on your vehicle screen and then see what your future might be like. My tip is to do this attraction at night for the best experience. The ride is very dark and if your eyes are used to the daytime sun some of the first scenes will be hard to see!
Journey Into Imagination with Figment (Genie+) – Tour the Imagination Institute on this classic ride with Figment, the original EPCOT Center Mascot. This is a look at how our senses play a part in our imagination with Dr. Nigel Channing and a cute purple dragon named Figment as your guides!!
ImageWorks: The What-If Labs – Is an interactive play/exhibit area located at the exit of Journey Into Imagination with Figment. The What-If Labs features interactive musical and digital exhibits as well as a Meet and Greet with Vanellope von Schweetz.
The Magic Eye Theatre: Featuring the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival (Genie+) – Shorts from and previews for upcoming movies. Updated as needed.
Dining
Connections Café & Eatery – Connections Cafe & Eatery features two distinct experiences all under one roof – an eatery on one side serving lunch and dinner menus, and a café and pastry shop on the other open all day long. Enjoy food inspired by delicious cuisines from around the world.
- Connections Café – S $ – Quick Service – Starbucks coffee, specialty beverages and Disney-baked goods.
- Connections Eatery – LD $ – Quick Service – Take your taste buds on a tour around the world with dishes inspired by Italian, French and Asian cuisines. Serving burgers, pizzas, salads and more.
Note, Quick Service is Disney speak for Counter Service.
Club Cool – Club Cool Hosted by Coca-Cola invites guests to taste drinks from around the world, bringing the global experience of Coca-Cola to life. Taste all kinds of odd sodas for free!
Shopping
Creations – One-stop shopping for Disney character gifts and park merchandise. This is EPCOT’s flagship merchandise location.
Creations replace the old Mouse Gears shop that served as the flagship merch location for many, many years.
Get Your EPCOT Bearings (what’s next to what?):
World Nature | World Celebration | World Discovery
Entry to World Showcase (between Canada and Mexico)
EPCOT Overview Pages:Disney World’s Other Theme Parks:
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