UPDATE: New photos appear to show that Disney World is abandoning the in-ground lighting effect at EPCOT. Our original article continues below, unchanged.
The problematic in-ground lighting at EPCOT’s World Celebration Gardens has been removed. During a recent visit to the park, we found the light strips gone from the paver walkways surrounding the central planter behind Spaceship Earth. Empty channels remain cut into the pavement where the strips used to sit. It’s not yet clear if Disney plans to install new lighting in their place or abandon the in-ground lighting effect altogether.
EPCOT’s Long-Troubled In-Ground Lighting Has Been Removed
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- The in-ground lighting strips have been physically removed from the World Celebration Gardens walkways
- Empty channels remain where the strips used to sit, with no new lighting or materials staged
- It’s unclear whether Disney will install a new lighting system or abandon the feature
The curved paver walkways around the central planter still trace the same EPCOT logo style the lighting once followed. Now, the strips themselves are gone. Narrow, empty channels remain cut into the pavers, and loose mortar and debris still sit in some sections. No new conduit, wiring, or lighting hardware sits staged in the area that we can see.
Along the plaza, the rolling, hedge-covered construction barriers first spotted blocking off half the planter remain in place. They still cordon off a portion of the walkway near the flower beds. Guests can still walk the open side of the plaza.
What’s different this time around is that the strips are gone entirely instead of repaired or resecured like past fixes. That raises the question: Does Disney intend to install a new in-ground lighting system, or scrap the effect for good? We’ve reached out to Disney for more information, but we haven’t heard back.
Story So Far
- November 2024: The in-ground lighting was completely broken, with its future unclear.
- November 2024: The lighting was reactivated, though struggles continued.
- January 2025: The lighting looked terrible again as strips separated from the ground.
- June 2025: Disney began screwing loosened strips back into the ground as a stopgap fix.
- August 11: Rolling construction barriers were installed around half of the central planter.
- August 18: The in-ground lighting strips have been removed, with no new lighting yet installed.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!