The Walt Disney World Resort, in Florida, brings the new Journey of water attraction, inspired by Moana, and considers the Latam region to be super important
The Walt Disney World Resort released news about the four theme parks that are part of the complex in Orlando, Florida, for the last quarter of the year. Demonstrating the brand’s strength and investment, there are so many innovations and new attractions that, maintaining this pace, as Josh DAmaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, said, in this next decade, Disney will have more projects in progress than any other point of history.
Among the four Disney parks in Orlando, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios, without a doubt, the icing on the cake at the moment is Epcot, which has been undergoing a transformation project over the last five years. Opened in 1982 with a futuristic design, Epcot was created to inspire people, celebrate the world, international cultures, and is now being gradually remodeled to have more green and open spaces for visitors, bringing more aspects of nature and maintaining the celebration concept.
The first attraction that reinforces this idea of bringing nature closer to visitors is now ready and will open on October 16th this year, at Epcot. This is Journey of water, inspired by Moana, where visitors can explore a walk with surprises through water sources, interacting, for example, with a waterfall that opens into the water. people pass by. The new attraction makes a link with the film Moana, from Walt Disney Animation Studios, a heroine who has a special and magical relationship with the sea.
Epcot is a very different place, because it is not a park with a castle. It was not created around a castle, but rather as an idea of optimism, to inspire people for a better world. But since the park was created, a lot has changed, except people’s optimism and hope. Of course we have problems, but optimism and hope move the world forward. Life is better when we engage people and celebrate the world, and that is Epcot’s proposal, said Scott Mallwitz, executive creative director.
In the first week of September, Mallwitz gave an exclusive presentation about the Epcot transformation project to a group of Latin American journalists invited by Disney for the Latin America Media Event. On that occasion, the group experienced the Journey of water attraction first-hand.
He explained that when they thought about redesigning Epcot, they considered how people walk around cities today. We also knocked down some walls and put glass in place so that there is more connection between the interior and exterior of the buildings.
Another point was the redesign of the Walt Disney statue. The first statue of Walt at the Magic Kingdom features him standing. And we thought why not put him on the floor now, sitting, showing that Walt was people like us, said the executive creative director. The idea is to celebrate positivity. We are never satisfied, more news is coming, concluded Scott.
Epcot was also the park chosen to celebrate, in the Orlando complex, the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company. The celebrations began in January 2023, at the Disneyland Resort, in California, and now reach the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. To mark the moment, the characters Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will wear platinum outfits to welcome visitors, who will also be able to take photos at the Disney100 backdrops spread throughout the parks.
Furthermore, Spaceship Earth, Epcot’s symbol, will be illuminated at night with special colors and lights, reminiscent of Disney’s 100th anniversary celebrations. The celebration also includes a special menu at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
Magic Kingdom
At Magic Kingdom, one of the new features of the year is the fastest roller coaster in the Disney theme parks, the Tron Lightcycle/Run. It combines roller coaster emotions with speed, visual effects and music. Tron inspired by the film Tron legacy, also from Walt Disney Studios.
Unmissable as always, the nighttime show, Happily Ever After, features fireworks, lights, lasers and special effects, including projections. And for those who enjoy Halloween, the Magic Kingdom is already decorated with party props, called Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party, which takes place after the park is closed.
Despite the name, the party is not scary, it has a fireworks show and a special parade. In addition, maps show the points where to find characters and also indicate where Disney employees distribute sweets, inviting visitors to join in the typical Halloween Trick or treat game.
Read the full story in the September 18, 2023 edition
