EPCOT has made a surprising change just 18 months after unveiling a new tribute to Walt Disney. The area known as Dreamers Point, which debuted in the World Celebration neighborhood in December 2023, has seen part of its landscaping altered to accommodate an upcoming adults-only lounge.
Dreamers Point was created as part of EPCOT’s Future World transformation and features a statue of Walt Disney affectionately called “Walt the Dreamer.” The serene space offers guests a quiet spot near Spaceship Earth, acting as a tribute to Disney’s visionary founder. The statue’s 2023 unveiling symbolized the culmination of years of construction efforts, including new park additions like Connections Cafe, Creations Shop, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Journey to Water, Inspired by Moana.
However, change is inevitable at EPCOT, even after less than two years. The park is preparing to open GEO-82, an adults-only lounge inspired by the iconic Spaceship Earth, located on the second floor of the attraction’s post-show area. Set to open on June 4, 2025, GEO-82 promises upscale cocktails such as the Brown Butter Old Fashioned, alongside internationally-inspired small bites like Jumbo Lump Crab Gâteau. The lounge has already proven difficult to book due to high demand.
As the finishing touches are applied to GEO-82, EPCOT removed two large pine trees that previously framed the Walt Disney statue at Dreamers Point. According to BlogMickey, the trees were missing as of June 2, just days before GEO-82’s grand opening.
The trees had been blocking some of the lounge’s windows, obstructing what is expected to be a premium fireworks viewing experience. GEO-82 will offer a “Fireworks Experience” featuring unforgettable sights of EPCOT’s Luminous The Symphony of Us fireworks over the World Showcase Lagoon, paired with hand-selected champagne, exclusive cocktails, desserts, and small bites. The removal of the trees makes room for clear views of this nighttime spectacular.
While Walt Disney World Resort has not released an official statement about the removal of the trees at Dreamers Point, the decision appears to be driven by the desire to enhance the guest experience at the new adults-only lounge.
Do you agree with Disney’s decision to remove these trees from Dreamers Point? Share your opinion with us in the comments!
removed two trees?? “After Less Than Two Years, EPCOT Removes Walt Disney Tribute From Park”
Seriously, stop sensationalizing every little thing with these click-bait titles.
You are going to lost customers
You’re right! I thought they had taken the statue away but that’s not what the article says.
It hasn’t been mentioned where Walt could be moved to ? 3 visits since 23 we’ve missed this tribute to Walt and after each visit once we got home we would remember.As for the trees, new Disney is going to do what new Disney wants to do regardless what any true fan thinks.
If moving the statue of Walt Disney as well as the trees that flanked Walt’s statue is seen as a good thing to EPCOT & fireworks viewing, SO BE IT. I do hope the trees were replanted somewhere else on property & Walt’s statue was also moved to a nice place for the guests to see & take pictures with him.