Pirate in the Parks – A look at Epcot Construction

I ventured into Epcot recently to take a look around at the massive construction project that is taking place.  There’s a few helpful tips in the post that may assist you when you are touring the park and a look at what coming in the next couple of years.  Come join me!

If you are driving to Epcot, you’ll find that the trams now pick you up and drop you off much farther away from the park than they used to.  The new tram area is under construction, so you only travel a few hundred yards.  I actually beat the tram to the front, even though I was parked in the back lot.  It’s good exercise too :)

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The new construction area is walled off, so you have to go to the LEFT to get around the wall. It is a bit of a journey. The ride share area is now located just to the right of this wall. The signs when leaving the park will take you on a winding journey to reach this area, so just follow all the guests who are walking in and out to get to parking.

Is this the cause of all the recent break down issues in the parks?  You’ll need to research Looney Tunes, if you aren’t familiar with the reference.

The monorails flowing through Epcot are still a beautiful sight to behold, even if we are badly in need of a new monorail fleet.  I rode the line from Epcot to Magic Kingdom and back and neither had the air conditioning working.  It gets very hot in them because they are fully enclosed.  At Disneyland they use vented windows, but still close their monorail when the oppressive summer heat or Santa Ana winds falls upon them.

Now, we are making our way around the wall I mentioned above.  Follow this path to the security check point.  Those arriving by bus or monorail have their own security check point on the opposite side of the park.

Here’s some construction along the left side near the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster.

A view looking downward at the area that used to be the tram stop.  This area will become an expanded security check point.  That should help with the logjam that occurs at Epcot with all the guests being funneled through very small check points.  With that said, I still don’t understand why they don’t just use scanners for bags.  That’s one area that Universal has a distinct advantage.  They require all bags to go through an actual scanner.  Of course, I saw a lady holding and extendable selfie stick in her hand while passing through Epcot security.  It didn’t go off in the walk through scanner, but she waltzed right into the park holding it.

A view looking down at the new tram stop.  That’s a lot of work to add maybe another 100 feet to the tram!

This is part of what you’ll walk around, if you park your car in the lot.  You can see a tiny view of the security point on the right.  I don’t take photos inside security areas, ever, so that’s the best you’ll get.

As you approach the entry area for Epcot, you’ll notice that the mausoleums are removed from the entry area and the middle and left side are under construction now for the new look that is coming with more plants and topiaires.  The entry should be a vast upgrade over the area that resembled death encasements for so long.  It’s an ugly inconvenience for now though.

At least they added a little theming to the giant black walls.  Photopass is stationed in this area to get your off-centered Spaceship Earth photo.  That ride is going to undergo an enormous renovation soon.  I’ll do that full write-up soon.

Pluto is still currently in his normal meet and greet. Don’t forget that Character Locator is your best source for ALL your planning needs, including character meets!

The camera center is now closed for refurbishment.

The Fuelrod Station has moved across the way to Gateway Gifts.  They also put back the sign that says, “Free unlimited swapping.”  They had removed that sign when it was at the camera center.  Perhaps all the people commenting toward them after my article changed their minds about charging Disney parks guests for swapping?  I’ll keep an eye out.  By the way, I never received any official answer when I asked if free swapping was going away.

The construction for Guardians of the Galaxy spills over into the area near Guest Relations.  Guest Relations is still open in this location, but is obscured by the big black wall.  Maybe a blue wall that fits the building behind it would be better?

Pin central is still open with all the giant sails.  This area will close in the future as they renovate it completely and get rid of the kites that are all over the area for limited shade.

The fountain is closed off and will be removed soon.  There area demolition vehicles already behind the walls demolishing the walkways.  Next year the entire Innoventions West building on the right will be removed.  A big Moana themed walk through water play area will be installed.  I’ll talk more about that and other big changes in another post soon.  People love using these new walls as selfie walls.

I picked up the Annual Passholder Minnie magnet that I kept forgetting.  My wife loves these things.  Our refrigerator is covered with them.  Remy will soon be offered for the remainder of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.

The Disney Du Jour Dance Party was moved over next to what was Innoventions East.  The characters only appear on Fridays and Saturdays and are listed on Character Locator.  This year, they have added a bunch of Disney Channel singers to the rotation of those who appear.

Good news for java lovers!  The Joffrey’s kiosk is still open over near Innoventions West.  It’s stuck back out of the way a bit, but the coffee fiends found it none-the-less.

Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster is set to open in 2021 and will feature a backward launch and vehicles that rotate to follow the motion of the ride as needed.  It won’t be Primeval Hurl though.  It will be much more smooth.  It will feature classic hits from the 1970’s and your favorite characters from the film.  Rocket rules!

There will be a tribute in the ride to the former Ellen’s Energy Adventure ride.  Maybe something about brain power?

Here’s a poor photo of me looking out from the monorail down into the Guardians of the Galaxy construction.

Walls are everywhere!  There’s even a giant walled off area near Test Track.

While riding Test Track, I snapped a couple of photos of the new Space 220 restaurant that will sit between Mission: Space and Test Track.

Taste Track food kiosk was recently replaced by The Donut Box.  It offers a few sweet things, a smoothing and some flavored beers.  Basically, everything I can no longer consume as a diabetic in remission.  This and every menu with handy snack icons and best values are always listed on Character Locator!

There’s a small break between the Innoventions West side walls so you can get to Mouse Gear :)

Cool Wash is now offering more varieties of slushy things.

The Epcot Experience is now open in this building between Test Track and World Showcase.  I like the new paint scheme and the small preview is a nice way to spend 10 minutes in air conditioning.  A full post is coming on that experience and things coming to Epcot.

A  look back at the big wall that runs down by the water near Mouse Gear.

It’s the world famous backside of fountain walls!

The expanded restrooms as you enter World Showcase are coming along nicely.

The Canada gardens is one of the most beautiful and peaceful areas of Epcot.  You can make some great photos here.  You’ll notice that the rock work on the O! Canada attraction are getting some love.

Lately, I’ve noticed Goofy and Minnie meeting near International Gateway quite often.  This can make a great photo, provided the photographer tries to capture the Eiffel Tower in the background.  Minnie’s photo is the opposite direction, so it was just some plants in the background.

The Love Buckets were not in operation after the big crash that sent 3 people to the hospital recently.  It’s done testing, but no guests have ridden since that night.

Impressions de France is closed for refurbishment.  You can find out what is occuring here in this post.

Goofy, Mickey and Minnie moved from the Fastpass+ friendly meet that they were offering to find fewer guests visiting in this temporary location.  I was told that the goal is to keep them here at least through New Year’s Eve.  At that time they will scramble in the park until the Play Zone appears in coming years.  Baymax will retire when this area is closed.  I’ll keep you updated and Character Locator will remain updated.

Mickey, Goofy and Minnie appear for separate photos in their classic costumes.

That takes us to the end of this post.  If you like photos of a bunch of walls and dirt, let me know in the comments or on Facebook.

KtP