One piece of vintage EPCOT is left at Walt Disney World Resort–but not for long.
Originally known as EPCOT Center, Walt Disney imagined Walt Disney World Resort’s second theme park as a community where people could live and work. He dreamed that residents and guests would experience the most innovative technology while learning about the world we live in. In the 42 years since EPCOT opened, some Disney Parks fans feel Walt Disney Imagineers lost Walt’s original vision for the theme park.
Many Walt Disney World Resort fans felt that the classic EPCOT ended with the recent transformation of Future World into the World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery neighborhoods. Others thought it disappeared as soon as the Central Florida Disney park injected characters into World Showcase pavilions, like Frozen Ever After in Norway or Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in France.
There’s officially one piece of vintage EPCOT left at Walt Disney World Resort, but it’s not where you might think. As you’re leaving Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures in DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, look up!
TikTok user @stuckinneverlandco recently shared this video of a sign on the rafters outside the gift shop. It reads, “When in Florida be sure to visit EPCOT.” The EPCOT sticker features the theme park’s old logo, which was used from 1996 to 2019.
@stuckinneverlandco no but fr im also devastated about dinoland 😭🫶 #epcot #dinoland #disneyparks #wdw #animalkingdom #distok #disneyadult #epcot
The Disney Park guest preemptively mourned the loss of the sticker, which will disappear when Walt Disney World Resort demolishes DinoLand U.S.A. At D23 Expo 2024, Chairman of Disney Experiences Josh D’Amaro revealed that the theme park land would be transformed into the previously announced Tropical Americas area.
Disney Parks fans joined the TikToker in reminiscing about the classic EPCOT logo.
“This was the first thing I went and took a picture of once the closure was announced,” @ryanmullaney5 wrote.
“This was literally my first thought,” @disneyfunfacts_ replied. “I hope they keep the building somehow and leave that up. They’ll need a gift shop in that area anyways.”
Related: “You Don’t Need” Lightning Lane, Guest Shares Secret to Beating Disney Crowds
Officially named Pueblo Esperanza, the new Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park land will feature attractions inspired by Encanto (2021) and Indiana Jones. Construction on the new land is said to begin this fall. Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t announced an official closing timeline for DinoLand U.S.A., but it’s expected to occur in phases, with the DINOSAUR attraction closing last.
Do you prefer classic or modern EPCOT? Let How to Disney know in the comments.
I love the classic Epcot.