History of Epcot in Timeline

Epcot, located at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, opened in 1982 as EPCOT Center. Owned by The Walt Disney Company, this park is a celebration of human achievement, focusing on technological innovation and international culture. Often called a 'permanent world's fair,' Epcot is recognized for its iconic Spaceship Earth, a geodesic sphere.

1966: Walt Disney Describes EPCOT

In 1966, Walt Disney described EPCOT as a community of tomorrow that would never be completed, always introducing, testing, and demonstrating new materials and systems, showcasing the ingenuity and imagination of American free enterprise.

1966: Walt Disney's Death

In 1966, Walt Disney died before he could obtain funding and permission to start work on his Florida property until he agreed to first build the Magic Kingdom theme park.

1967: Establishment of Reedy Creek Improvement District

In 1967, the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) was established by the Florida State Legislature, granting governmental authority over the Walt Disney World land.

October 1, 1982: EPCOT Center Opens

On October 1, 1982, EPCOT Center opened to the public at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida. The dedication ceremony took place in front of Spaceship Earth and included speeches from Walt Disney Productions chairman and CEO Card Walker, Florida Governor Bob Graham, and president of AT&T William Ellinghaus.

October 1982: Grand Opening Festivities for EPCOT Center

The grand opening festivities for EPCOT Center took place over three weeks in October 1982. Disney Legend Bob Jani supervised and directed the events.

October 24, 1982: Official Dedication of EPCOT Center

On October 24, 1982, EPCOT Center was officially dedicated by Walt Disney Productions executives Donn Tatum and Card Walker. A marching band performed, and water from around the world was poured into the Fountain of Nations.

1982: Disney announced three pavilions "coming soon": Israel, Spain and Equatorial Africa

In 1982, Disney announced three pavilions were "coming soon": Israel, Spain and Equatorial Africa. A model of the Equatorial Africa pavilions was also shown on the opening day telecast. However, the pavilions were never built.

1983: Horizons Pavilion Opens

In 1983, the Horizons pavilion opened at EPCOT.

1984: Morocco Pavilion Opens

In 1984, the Morocco pavilion opened at EPCOT.

1986: The Living Seas Pavilion Opens

In 1986, The Living Seas pavilion opened at EPCOT.

1988: Norway Pavilion Opens

In 1988, the Norway pavilion opened at EPCOT.

1989: Wonders of Life Pavilion Opens

In 1989, the Wonders of Life pavilion opened at EPCOT.

1993: The Land Pavilion Attractions Replaced Under Nestlé Sponsorship

In late 1993, The Land pavilion began to see its attractions replaced under new sponsor Nestlé, a process that continued until January 1995.

1994: CommuniCore closed

In 1994, CommuniCore closed in Epcot's Future World.

1994: International Flower & Garden Festival Introduced

In 1994, Disney introduced the International Flower & Garden Festival at EPCOT.

1994: Spaceship Earth Updated

In 1994, Spaceship Earth was updated with music by Edo Guidotti and narration from Jeremy Irons.

January 1995: The Land Pavilion Attractions Replaced Under Nestlé

Between late 1993 and January 1995, the attractions within The Land pavilion were replaced under new sponsor Nestlé.

1995: International Food & Wine Festival Introduced

In 1995, Disney introduced the International Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT.

1996: Abandonment of EPCOT Naming Concept

In 1996, Disney abandoned the concept of adding the current year to Epcot's name and the park simply became Epcot.

1996: Universe of Energy Reconfigured as Ellen's Energy Adventure

In 1996, Universe of Energy was reconfigured as Ellen's Energy Adventure.

1996: World of Motion closed

In 1996, World of Motion closed in Epcot's Future World.

1998: Journey Into Imagination Closed

In 1998, Journey Into Imagination closed.

1999: Horizons Demolished

In 1999, Horizons was demolished at EPCOT.

1999: Millennium Village opens

In 1999, the Millennium Village, featuring more than 50 nations, opened at EPCOT as part of the Millennium Celebration.

2000: Millennium Celebration

In 2000, Walt Disney World held the Millennium Celebration with the central focus of the event at EPCOT, and a 25-story "magic wand" structure was built next to Spaceship Earth.

January 1, 2001: Millennium Village Closed

On January 1, 2001, Millennium Village was closed and turned into the World Showplace festival center, frequently used for EPCOT festivals.

2001: Journey into YOUR Imagination Closed

In 2001, Journey into YOUR Imagination closed due to negative reception.

2001: Millennium Village closes

In 2001, the Millennium Village at EPCOT closed after being part of the Millennium Celebration.

2002: Journey into Imagination with Figment Opened

In 2002, Journey into YOUR Imagination was replaced with Journey into Imagination with Figment.

2003: Mission: SPACE Replaced Horizons

In 2003, Mission: SPACE replaced Horizons.

2005: The Living Seas Rethemed as The Seas with Nemo & Friends and Soarin' Added to The Land

In 2005, The Living Seas was closed and rethemed with characters from Finding Nemo as The Seas with Nemo & Friends. Soarin', a flight simulator ride, was added to The Land, replacing Food Rocks.

2007: Wonders of Life closed

In 2007, Wonders of Life closed at Epcot.

2009: Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure Opened

In 2009, Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, an interactive scavenger hunt, opened at EPCOT.

2011: Walt Disney Imagineering office space

In 2011, the Wonders of Life pavilion was being converted to the first office space for Walt Disney Imagineering's upcoming theme park projects.

2012: Test Track Refurbished and Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure Rethemed

In 2012, Test Track was refurbished into a new version presented by Chevrolet, and Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure was rethemed to Agent P's World Showcase Adventure.

2012: Magic Kingdom began serving alcohol

In 2012, unlike Magic Kingdom, most stores and restaurants at EPCOT, especially in the World Showcase, serve and sell a variety of alcoholic beverages including specialty drinks, craft beers, wines, and spirits reflective of the respective countries.

2014: Maelstrom Closed

In 2014, the Norway pavilion's Maelstrom attraction closed.

November 2016: Disney Reveals EPCOT Transformation Plans

In November 2016, Disney revealed that EPCOT would be receiving “a major transformation” that would help transition the park into being “more Disney, timeless, relevant, family-friendly”.

July 2017: Formal Announcement of EPCOT Redesign and Expansion

In July 2017, the formal announcement came that EPCOT would undergo a multi-year redesign and expansion plan that would introduce Guardians of the Galaxy and Ratatouille attractions, as well as maintaining the original vision and spirit for the park. Also in 2017, the park reported its first drop in overall attendance ranking among the Walt Disney World Resort parks.

2017: Mission: SPACE Divided into New Missions

In 2017, Mission: SPACE was divided into a new green/Earth mission and the original orange/Mars mission.

2017: Universe of Energy closed

In 2017, the Universe of Energy pavilion closed.

August 25, 2019: D23 Expo: EPCOT Improvement Plans Expanded

On August 25, 2019, at the 2019 D23 Expo, Disney expanded on the plans for the improvements to EPCOT, with the creation of four distinct "neighborhoods" and a walkthrough attraction, Journey of Water—Inspired by Moana. Pinar Toprak was announced to compose a new musical anthem for the park.

October 1, 2019: New Nighttime Show and EPCOT Experience Center Announced

On October 1, 2019, it was announced that a new nighttime fireworks show, EPCOT Forever, and The EPCOT Experience Center would replace IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth and EPCOT 35 Legacy Showcase.

2019: Innoventions and Fountain of Nations closed

In 2019, Innoventions closed and the Fountain of Nations was removed from Epcot.

2019: Circular pavilion logos revived as part of park's transformation

In 2019, the circular pavilion logos were revived as part of the park's transformation, with both classic and newer logos introduced.

February 23, 2020: Agent P's World Showcase Adventure Closed

On February 23, 2020, Agent P's World Showcase Adventure closed at EPCOT. DuckTales World Showcase Adventure, which did not open until 2022, was slated to replace it.

July 15, 2020: EPCOT Reopened After COVID-19 Closure

EPCOT reopened on July 15, 2020, after being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida. Modified operations were established, including a pause on concerts and fireworks.

2020: Disney took ownership of the Morocco pavilion

In 2020, Disney took ownership of the Morocco pavilion, which was previously sponsored by the Moroccan government.

2020: EPCOT's Name Reverted to All-Uppercase

In early 2020, Disney officially announced that the park's name would revert back to all-uppercase (from Epcot to EPCOT) as an homage to both the park's original name and Walt Disney's original concept.

September 29, 2021: Harmonious Debuted

On September 29, 2021, the nighttime spectacular Harmonious replaced EPCOT Forever as part of the resort's 50th anniversary celebration.

2022: DuckTales World Showcase Adventure Opened

In 2022, DuckTales World Showcase Adventure opened at EPCOT.

2022: The EPCOT Experience Center Closed

In 2022, The EPCOT Experience Center closed.

March 31, 2023: Harmonious Ended

On March 31, 2023, the nighttime spectacular Harmonious ended its run in preparation for Luminous: The Symphony of Us, which debuted later that year. EPCOT Forever returned during the interim period.

October 16, 2023: Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana opens

On October 16, 2023, Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana opened in World Nature.

2023: Epcot Attendance

In 2023, Epcot attracted 11.98 million guests, making it the eighth-most visited theme park in the world.

June 10, 2024: CommuniCore Hall and Plaza Opening

On June 10, 2024, CommuniCore Hall and Plaza, named after the former Future World pavilion, opened to the general public.

November 21, 2024: Second Stage installed in CommuniCore Plaza Stage

On November 21, 2024, it was announced that the second stage has been installed in the CommuniCore Plaza Stage, and the stage will be the home of JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season.

March 23, 2025: Fire broke out near CommuniCore Plaza Stage

On March 23, 2025, a fire broke out near the CommuniCore Plaza Stage area.

May 6, 2025: Reservations open for Geo-82 and Geo-82 Fireworks Experience

Reservations are opening on May 6, 2025 for the Geo–82 and Geo–82 Fireworks Experience, which will take the place of the former Siemens lounge attached to Spaceship Earth. This lounge is reserved for adults only.