While visiting EPCOT recently, we spotted some newly installed theming elements in the World Celebration construction zone. The themed structures were not previously seen in concept art and it’s not immediately clear what function they serve. Before we take a look at the structures and speculate on their purpose, here’s a look back at what was planned for the area.
In this portion of concept art, we can see that there were plans for a central fountain, but beyond that and slightly to the left, we can see a futuristic tree. Disney didn’t really go into any detail about this tree, but a second photo of concept art below affords us a closer look.
Here’s a closer look at what appeared to be an interactive tree of sorts. The pre-budget cut World Celebration looked like a weird and inviting place, but the final version will be something a bit more tame, we believe. In more recent versions of concept art, this tree has been removed, but it’s always possible that Disney could reintroduce it at some point.
While we await to find out the final fate of the interactive tree pictured in concept art above, we can see some themed structures installed roughly where the tree was supposed to be from our in-park photos from a recent visit to EPCOT below.
A small cluster of these themed structures is visible beyond the construction walls.
A closer look reveals some theming details but doesn’t really make clear what their function will be. It’s possible that they could end up being covered in foliage and perhaps even have some lighting effects to try and bring the area to life like the interactive tree in the concept art above would have. We’ll have to keep an eye on this work over the coming weeks to see what becomes of the area.
Disney World has previously said that World Celebration will open to guests later this year, marking the end of the COVID-impacted EPCOT overhaul project.
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