With Just One Day Before Dreamers Point Opens, Work Continues In World Celebration
The multi-year overhaul of EPCOT will move one step closer to completion tomorrow when World Celebration Gardens opens with its Walt the Dreamer Statue.
In many ways, the crown jewel of World Celebration, Celebration Gardens, will feature a new statue entitled “Walt the Dreamer,” which represents Walt later in his life, dreaming up the Florida Project and his Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.
Photo: Disney
According to Disney, the statue will see Walt “enjoying the beauty of his realized dream: a park that represents pure optimism and truly celebrates the magic of possibility.”
Media Gathers in World Celebration
While the new World Celebration Gardens will officially open tomorrow, which just so happens to be Walt Disney’s birthday, Disney executives and journalists descended on EPCOT today for a special media preview.
As you can see, there was a bustle of activity near the Walt statue.
The gardens will draw on the architectural legacy of EPCOT, but add modern lighting elements and a “variety of natural textures.”
The World Celebration Gardens, including Dreamers Point, will connect back to the areas that surround them.
UPDATE: Click Orlando reported that this was a dedication ceremony for Dreamers Point and the new Walt the Dreamer statue.
Photo: WKMG
Kartika Rodriguez, vice president of EPCOT, had this to say:
“I am thrilled to be here at Dreamers Point with all of you celebrating the company’s original dreamer, Walt Disney. The view of this new space and beautiful statue of Walt contemplating one of his biggest dreams, means so much to transformation, and all that EPCOT represents.
“Walt Disney’s vision for EPCOT was to create a beacon of innovation and place the possibilities and somewhere where individuals from all walks of life can come to work, to play and to learn.”
Photo: WKMG
Disney Imagineers were also present at the ceremony. Scott Mallwitz of Walt Disney Imagineering said:
“Here, you will find Walt at the end of his career, thinking about his legacy and thinking about how he has changed the world and how many people he’s inspired.
“As you walk around this beautiful expansion and sector of the park, you’re going to see many details that are driven up from some of those early planning documents, some of the early architectural and original pavilions, the materiality, pattern, color and shape. It’s all intrinsically EPCOT. You’re in no other place, but in the heart of that.”
Photo: WKMG
Brianna Post, art director with Disney Imagineering, added, “Really it does not become a park till you have the park goers, and until we have our guests come in and our cast members who live and breath and bring our parks to life.
“We’re going to be waking up tomorrow, and we’re going to be alive tomorrow for the first time – we have transformed. I’m looking forward to see how it evolves over the years after we have given it over because that is truly what we hope happens.”
Work Continues on CommuniCore Hall & Plaza
With the opening of World Celebration Gardens, only CommuniCore Hall and Plaza will remain unopened.
As you can see, work is continuing on the new area, with crews visible behind the construction walls.
Hopefully, after four long years, EPCOT’s construction will soon be over, and the revitalized park will be clear and open.
As always, be sure to check back with MickeyBlog. We will be in EPCOT tomorrow to report on the Grand Opening of the World Celebration Gardens and the new Walt the Dreamer statue.
