They both signify the beginning of the transformation of Epcot.

D23 Expo 2019, Disney Parks and Resorts Pavilion – Epcot

Details of the multiyear transformation of Epcot were announced at the D23 Expo 2019 during the Sunday morning Parks and Resorts Panel – Watch the full presentation.  While the presentation was Sunday morning, the Expo and the Parks Pavilion opened on Friday with a few spoilers and teasers as to what would be announced on Sunday.   The Experience included posters from past, present and future attractions, a model of Epcot, and a display with lots of teasers and previews.  It was our first glimpse at concept art for the Play Pavilion, Moana Journey of Water, and the new nighttime spectacular, HarmonioUS, though we won’t know the name until Sunday.

So… how do you link the D23 Expo to Epcot?   Relocate the model from the Anaheim Convention Center to the Epcot Odyssey Events Pavilion; enhance the presentation with a 360-degree theater experience; dim the lights (which you really can’t do in an Expo hall); incorporate projection-mapping that brings the model to life by continually changing the

The Epcot Experience at the Odyssey Events Pavilion, October 2019

landscape, completely synchronized with the 360-degree film all around you, completely emerging the audience in the 12 minutes long Epcot Experience.  ON top of that, relocate all of the attraction posters from the D23 Expo; add some four-dimensional photo pass locations which make you feel like you are standing on top of Spaceship Earth or shrunk to the size of Remy from “Ratatouille”; incorporate some display cases with artifacts and memorabilia, including an opening day ticket and pin sets showcasing the history of Epcot Pins; concept art of the new Epcot and Epcot attractions; a grab-and-go food location with a few tables and seats; and of course, a merchandise location celebrating the New Epcot.

But of course, the feature attraction is the 360-degree film which includes archival footage that takes guests on a journey from the vision of EPCOT Center to present-day Epcot and beyond, including the Play Pavilion, the New Spaceship Earth, HarmonioUS, Mary Poppins and more.  This episode of Sams Disney Diary is the full 12 minute Epcot Experience as recorded in October 2019 along with footage from the D23 Expo 201 Parks and Resorts Pavilion.