Look at EPCOT’s New Attraction CLOSE-UP!

If you’ve been following along with MickeyBlog over the last few months, you know about Journey of Water, a Moana-themed attraction coming to the World Nature neighborhood of EPCOT. Today, Imagineer Zach Riddley shared a close-up look at EPCOT’s new attraction. 

Journey of Water Construction May 27, 2022

Most of the construction updates have come from MickeyBloggers photos as they ride through the sky on the monorail over the World Nature neighborhood. This new attraction will have lush green areas for guests to walk through and interact with magical, living water.  

Concept Art by Disney

Now, Imagineer Zach Riddley is getting us up close and personal with… rocks! 

Riddley and team are decked out in their safety gear on the construction site. They are ready to show off some artistry and details that matter when it comes to making an attraction that feels authentic and immersive. 

When thousands and millions of people walk through Disney, they’re bound to see every detail over time. So Imagineers put a lot of thought into what guests see up close and personal. 

The beams and structures and distant views are important too, but what makes Disney Imagineers different is their attention to detail. 

Riddley explains in his post on Instagram how creating rockwork that looks REAL takes a very specific mixture of science and art. 

Pockmarks, gashes, weathering, cracks, and crevices all work together to make someone feel like they’re walking up to the foot of the Himalayan Mountains in Animal Kingdom’s Asian landscape, through the hills of the wild west in Frontierland, or around a foreign planet in Black Spire’s Outpost. 

Now, Riddley and his team are looking at the fine details when it comes to Pacific Island shorelines. 

I expect that when we finally get to look at EPCOT’s new attraction for ourselves, we might just feel like we’re venturing through one of the volcanic islands created by Te Fiti… or should I say Te Ka? Journey of Water will take guests through a fun experience that will secretly teach them about the natural water cycle! #NerdAlert!

Riddley’s Instagram post reads: 

It was great to spend the day on our project site for Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana – the new attraction coming to the World Nature neighborhood of EPCOT. Many years go into designing these experiences and nothing beats seeing the real thing in its own “state of becoming.” Our guests are following along on this work from the monorail above our site, so I thought it would be fun to share a few views with you from on the ground, right in the middle of the process. 
 
The craft of creating rockwork is a blend of art and science, and seeing this carving and sculpting progress live is one of the things I love most about my role as an Imagineer. I joined the project team for a walk of the site alongside Imagineers Scott and Robert, two of our leaders overseeing the project. The range of textures are inspired by real world formations – all the way down to the tiniest details and variation that, when finished, should be impossible to distinguish from the real thing.

Are you excited to experience this attraction for yourself? Want to learn more about what is coming to Disney World soon? Let’s chat! Fill out the form below to get in touch with me, Tori Carle Emerson, to start planning your next Disney Vacation today!

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