Since 2019, EPCOT at Walt Disney World has undergone an extensive transformation, evolving from its original two-section layout—Future World and World Showcase—into four themed neighborhoods: World Showcase, World Nature, World Discovery, and World Celebration.
As part of this massive overhaul, Disney has introduced several new attractions, including Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana.
CommuniCore Hall and Plaza, which debuted in 2024, further enhanced the park’s appeal by providing a new dining option (Connections Café) and a centralized hub for seasonal festivals.
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One of the most talked-about updates to EPCOT has been the World Celebration Gardens, a space that promised to redefine nighttime aesthetics with its innovative ground lighting effects. The lights, designed to synchronize with the park’s iconic Spaceship Earth, created a vibrant, colorful glow intended to enhance the guest experience.
However, the reality of the installation has been fraught with challenges.
Initial Excitement Turns to Disappointment
When the lights debuted in December 2023, Disney enthusiasts were eager to see the promised effects. Unfortunately, the initial excitement quickly turned into disappointment.
Many guests criticized the design of the World Celebration Gardens, pointing out its heavy reliance on cement and vast, empty spaces, which felt lifeless compared to EPCOT’s previous offerings. The lighting effects themselves, though visually impressive, faced durability issues.
Within weeks of the area’s opening, the ground lights began to malfunction. They became misaligned and even started protruding from their fixtures, leading to widespread criticism. Many fans accused Disney of cutting corners and using substandard materials that couldn’t withstand high foot traffic. Despite these early setbacks, Disney responded by repairing the lights in time for the busy holiday season, much to the delight of visitors.
One guest’s excitement was captured in a viral tweet:
THIS IS NOT A DRILL. THIS PICTURE IS FROM RIGHT NOW IN EPCOT!!!!
The center area ground lights are BACK!!! The amount of excitement I felt as I approached the World Celebration area and I saw people illuminated 😭😭
THIS IS NOT A DRILL. THIS PICTURE IS FROM RIGHT NOW IN EPCOT!!!!
The center area ground lights are BACK!!! The amount of excitement I felt as I approached the World Celebration area and I saw people illuminated 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/5xZr8Vzxnz
— crazyparkguy (@crazyparkguy) December 10, 2024
Related: EPCOT Falls Into State of Disrepair; Attractions Being Held Together With Tape
A Short-Lived Fix
Sadly, the repairs didn’t last. Just six weeks later, the lights were reported broken again, with many fixtures coming loose from the ground. X (formerly Twitter) user Belle shared their dismay:
The new light strips (installed Nov 2024) in World Celebration have begun to pop out.
It also looks fairly terrible again, only 6 weeks later.
Ok Disney let’s look at the next 20 year maintenance cost on this and you’ll see it’s cheaper to install a dancing fountain.
The new light strips (installed Nov 2024) in World Celebration have begun to pop out.
It also looks fairly terrible again, only 6 weeks later.
Ok Disney let’s look at the next 20 year maintenance cost on this and you’ll see it’s cheaper to install a dancing fountain. pic.twitter.com/4DMo9NLmxK
— Belle (@FiBelleFi) January 4, 2025
Related: More Closure News as Fate of EPCOT Attraction Revealed by Disney
The sentiment was echoed by several others online, with many lamenting the removal of the beloved Fountain of Nations in 2019. The fountain had been a highlight of EPCOT, featuring synchronized water and light shows set to music.
Fans argued that its replacement—the World Celebration Gardens lighting—failed to capture the same charm and reliability.
I’ve got an idea for something near the park entrance I’m calling “Fountain of Nation”. Hear me out. It will be fairly large and we can time it to put on a show that involves this great musical score….
The recurring failures of the World Celebration lights highlight a growing frustration among Disney enthusiasts, who feel that the company has prioritized aesthetics over functionality. For now, it remains unclear how long it will take Disney to address these issues—or whether they will opt for a more permanent solution.
Do you think Disney should replace the current lighting setup with a more durable feature, or bring back something like the Fountain of Nations? Let us know in the comments!
Isn’t it exciting to see EPCOT’s lighting effects? It’s a bummer they’ve had some hiccups, but I think Disney could team up with tech experts for even better displays! Engaging fans could really bring fresh ideas, too!