Walt Disney World has introduced two new lounges coming to the parks, together with one inside Spaceship Earth at EPCOT. This put up shares particulars, idea artwork, and all the pieces we all know concerning the plan–plus complete commentary about extra bars at WDW and whether or not we expect these are doubtlessly good or unhealthy additions for the park. (Up to date December 3, 2024.)
This information was introduced in the course of the “Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase” or Parks Panel presentation in the course of the D23 Expo. Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro supplied a sneak peek at idea artwork for the longer term as well as and teased what was to come back in just a few years, together with a number of initiatives which can be already underway. Amongst these have been over a half-dozen additions that can debut earlier than the top of 2025.
In actual fact, there was a lot information in the course of the D23 Parks Panel that Josh known as in mates Darren Criss and Skylar Astin for I assume what you’d name a rapid-fire montage music of smaller-scale updates earlier than persevering with on with the present. Throughout that, the dynamic duo introduced a model new lounge at EPCOT…
December 3, 2024 Replace: In a brand new press launch that has since been deleted, Walt Disney World introduced that the upcoming lounge inside Spaceship Earth is ready to open earlier than Summer time 2025:
For greater than 40 years, Spaceship Earth has welcomed guests to EPCOT as a shining beacon of optimism and hope. A newly introduced lounge will likely be impressed by the tales, shapes and enduring legacy of this timeless icon.
Taking inspiration from the geometric sphere, the smooth area to assemble and revel in refreshments will likely be draped with wealthy textures and heat metallic tones, giving it a mysterious and stylish intimacy. This new area will welcome its first friends simply earlier than summer time begins.
Timing-wise, opening this lounge inside Spaceship Earth earlier than Summer time 2025 is smart.
Of the undertaking updates Walt Disney World simply shared, that is far and away the least bold. As famous within the commentary under, that is already a lounge area. Accordingly, the reimagining is actually a matter of giving it a brand new aesthetic and making no matter back-of-house modifications are obligatory to make sure the area can deal with a gentle stream of friends and never simply company shoppers.
Most likely probably the most notable factor about this opening date is that it closes the door on a much-needed and lengthy overdue refurbishment of Spaceship Earth earlier than the lounge debuts. Had at the moment’s information been that Check Observe 3.0 is reopening in Spring 2025 and the Spaceship Earth Lounge is opening in Late 2026, my fast conclusion would’ve been that the lounge had been pushed again to accommodate a reimagining in between.
Alas, that isn’t what occurred. It actually makes me surprise what, if something, the plan is with Spaceship Earth. The attraction wants to go down for a prolonged refurbishment sooner or later within the not-too-distant future. I suppose that might nonetheless occur in 2026, however it’d be an odd transfer to open this lounge solely to shut it ~6 months later for over a 12 months.
This leads me to imagine that the plan (assuming there may be one–daring assumption) is both a scaled-back refurbishment of simply what’s obligatory versus a reimagining, which permits the lounge to stay open, or that Journey into Creativeness is subsequent on deck. Both of those outcomes could be completely tremendous by me. However then there’s the third choice, which might be the most probably: nothing is scheduled for refurbishment/reimagining at EPCOT in 2026.
No future plans for the previous Future World could be pretty in step with the corporate’s perspective in direction of EPCOT. For these maintaining rating at residence, this was the solely brand-new EPCOT information in the course of the D23 Parks Panel. Check Observe was additionally touched upon in the course of the above-referenced replace music montage, and people have been the one two EPCOT initiatives mentioned in any respect.
I’m actually not shocked. Walt Disney World has advised us in no unsure phrases that the EPCOT overhaul is completed. However my response has been: you positive ’bout that?
CommuniCore Corridor and Plaza are a large disappointment, World Celebration is an underwhelming placemaking undertaking at finest, and there are a number of rides in want of refurbishment after Check Observe. And that features Spaceship Earth, which was overdue for refurbishment in 2020, when it was slated to shut for reimagining. (Idea artwork under is for that shelved Spaceship Earth reimagining, NOT this new lounge.)
Greater than every other undertaking, EPCOT’s overhaul was a sufferer of the COVID-closure. The modifications and cancellations made because of that massively scaled again the size and scope of that transformation, and we’re simply now seeing the ‘fruits’ of that.
With the advantage of hindsight, I’m guessing nobody at Disney is proud of how the overhaul turned out–particularly when an easier placemaking undertaking (just like the entrance entrance–which is relatively incredible) would’ve been cheaper, sooner, and perhaps even higher.
The excellent news, I assume, is that EPCOT attendance is constant to languish. So even when Walt Disney World has declared the EPCOT overhaul over, they’re going to want to do one thing else. This can’t be the established order via 2028, extra reimaginings and smaller scale initiatives have to be on the horizon. And never simply low-capacity lounges. However I digress.
Again on matter, this new lounge impressed by Spaceship Earth seems to be like a promising addition. In case it’s not clear, that is going to be positioned within the sponsor lounge inside Spaceship Earth that was previously occupied by AT&T and Siemens. It’s the glass home windows above the Walt the Dreamer statue within the photograph above.
I’ve been on this lounge just a few occasions through the years, and it’s pretty sizable. Not as large or cool because the Common Motors lounge above Check Observe, however I hope that one by no means turns into a public area as a result of GM is probably the most useful sponsor to EPCOT, and with out that firm, there’s no manner we’d be getting Check Observe 3.0 this decade. (I assume it implies that Disney Company Alliances has given up on a brand new sponsor for Spaceship Earth, which doesn’t precisely bode effectively for the reimagining.)
Nonetheless, all of those company lounges are pretty small relative to demand. This lounge has simply sufficient elevation and a location to make it good for sweeping views of the remainder of the previous Future World and again to World Showcase, that means it’ll supply a terrific perspective on Luminous: The Symphony of Us.
My prediction is that Advance Eating Reservations for the Spaceship Earth lounge immediately grow to be the #1 most troublesome ADR in all of Walt Disney World, dethroning the House 220 Lounge within the course of. Despite the fact that this could have barely greater capability and fewer in the best way of themed design, the view and novelty of being inside Spaceship Earth will likely be like catnip to Disney diehards.
As for the inside type of the lounge, it’s no matter. Jogs my memory of the rooftop eating places at Gran Destino Tower or the lounges on the Want-class of the Disney Cruise Line ships. That’s not likely a dig. I feel these areas are stylish and stylish and, within the case of Gran Destino, the principle draw is the views.
The same strategy with the Spaceship Earth lounge additionally is smart. There are design particulars that evoke the geometric panels on the outside of the geodesic sphere–that’s just about good. Showcase the massive views and let these be the spotlight, with a vaguely futurist and opulent sensibility to the type. That ought to hopefully discourage friends from taking off their footwear within the lounge ( you, DVC members within the Creativeness lounge.) Ah, who am I kidding–that’s wishful considering!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you excited for the Spaceship Earth lounge at EPCOT or Pirates of the Caribbean tavern at Magic Kingdom? Or are you disenchanted that Disney is including extra bars and lounges to the parks? What plans from the 2024 D23 Expo have you ever most and least excited? Something you’re hoping does not find yourself coming to fruition? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!