Amid a slew of major updates about what’s coming to EPCOT, Imagineers foreshadowed a new experiencing coming to World Celebration: CommuniCore Plaza and CommuniCore Hall, as well as a hub divided into several beautiful gardens.
Fans of Disney history will recognize the term CommuniCore as the name for the old EPCOT pavilion in Future World behind Spaceship Earth. The pavilion consisted of two semi-circular buildings (CommuniCore East and CommuniCore West) and housed rotating exhibits on science and technology. These buildings were a core part of EPCOT when it opened in 1982, but CommuniCore closed down in 1994.
As EPCOT continues to blend history with the future, the park is introducing a new outdoor facility and event space, called CommuniCore Plaza. In addition, Disney is building CommuniCore Hall and surrounding it all with beautiful gardens.
This area will enhance each international festival experience by providing a dedicated space for festival entertainment. (Don’t worry: You’ll still eat your way around the world at World Showcase.)
New CommuniCore Plaza
CommuniCore Plaza will be built in the heart of EPCOT, close to Spaceship Earth in World Celebration. This outdoor event space will host major concerts and intimate musical experiences.
This rendering demonstrates EPCOT’s new festival stage at CommuniCore Plaza. Photo courtesy of Disney
According to Imagineer Scott Mallwitz (Executive Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering), CommuniCore Plaza will be the place to “meet, relax, and experience all our festivals have to offer with the flexibility to host a giant concert stage or an intimate performance, extending out into the nearby gardens.”
New CommuniCore Hall
The sister to CommuniCore Plaza is CommuniCore Hall. This multiuse building will serve as an exhibition and gallery space and will be the “first fully purpose-built structure” in EPCOT’s festival programming.
CommuniCore Hall will be a purpose-built structure for festival goings-on. Photo courtesy of Disney
Imagineers envision this space being used for food and fine art exhibitions and even live music. Mallwitz even hints at a “demonstration kitchen and mixology bar to extend that festival experience.”
New World Celebration Gardens
CommuniCore Plaza and CommuniCore Hall won’t just exist among a sea of concrete. No, Imagineers have artfully designed lush gardens in the hub, each with its own unique identity that can change throughout the year to match the current festival and season.
Stunning gardens will be the centerpiece of World Celebration. Photo courtesy of Disney
As you explore the gardens, you’ll find a central planter based on the five-ring EPCOT logo. There will be plenty of seating and shade for when you need a reprieve from long lines and that Florida sun.
The EPCOT gardens will come alive at night in World Celebration. Photo courtesy of Disney
Get unique views of Spaceship Earth from the gardens. Photo courtesy of Disney
And at night, the gardens and central plaza will take on a whole new life with controllable lighting that changes throughout the seasons.
More Coming to World Celebration
In addition to the new gardens and CommuniCore transformation, World Celebration at EPCOT will be welcoming a brand-new statue of Walt as he envisions EPCOT and Walt Disney World. This statue will be located at Dreamers Point, a new spot in World Celebration.
A rendering of the new Walt Disney statue at Dreamers Point in EPCOT. Photo courtesy of Disney
Finally, Mallwitz shared that World Celebration will soon host a new facility called Mickey and Friends, where you can meet some of your favorite characters.
Thanks to Disney for hosting us on a 2-night The Celebration Continues: Even More Magic Media Event where we got to conduct interviews, learn about exciting updates made for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, stay at Gran Destino Tower, and experience new entertainment offerings. #SaveTheGalaxyTime #CosmicRewind #DisneyWorld50
