Disney has finally checked off one of the most persistent items on its to-do list at EPCOT: bringing the long-dark lights of World Celebration Gardens back to life.
The revitalization of EPCOT was once a centerpiece of Disney’s ambitious plans. At the 2019 D23 Expo, Disney unveiled its vision to transform the park, which had lagged behind its counterparts at Walt Disney World Resort.
The upgrades were planned to coincide with EPCOT’s 40th anniversary in 2021, promising bold additions like the Festival Pavilion, a Mary Poppins (1964) attraction in the United Kingdom Pavilion, and a reimagined Spaceship Earth with new narration and scenes.
However, the pandemic forced Disney to pause or cancel many of these projects. While some plans—such as the Festival Pavilion and Mary Poppins ride—never materialized, EPCOT did receive several notable updates, including Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and World Celebration.
The Issue With World Celebration Gardens at EPCOT
World Celebration has divided fans since its debut. The area, in general, has faced criticism for its overly minimalist design, with wide, concrete-heavy spaces that left the area feeling stark.
As one parkgoer put it on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Wonder if @RobertIger knows EPCOT reimagining’s a HUGE disappointment: concrete planters, airport gift store & food court, blank convention center passageway, a “show” area with the vibe of a Ralph’s loading dock – and girls in leotards spinning on a globe. How did this happen?”
In contrast, World Celebration Gardens was initially well-received when it opened in late 2023. At least, that was until its most captivating feature—floor pathway lights and illuminated light pillars—started malfunctioning after a matter of days.
The issues have progressively grown worse over the past year. For months, the area was left dimly lit, leaving visitors underwhelmed.
Finally, a Bright Spot
This week, photos from theme park fan @crazyparkguy on X (formerly Twitter) revealed that the long-dormant lights have been restored.
THIS IS NOT A DRILL. THIS PICTURE IS FROM RIGHT NOW IN EPCOT!!!!” the user excitedly shared. “The center area ground lights are BACK!!!
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
The renewed lights, however, are not a perfect replica of their original version. Guests have noted that the once-dynamic, transitioning lights now display static block colors. While not the seamless experience initially promised, the return of any lighting after such a long absence is still being hailed as a significant improvement.
We first spotted hints of an impending update during a recent visit to EPCOT when we observed translucent materials replacing the opaque covers that previously blocked the lights.
The lighting update follows other tweaks around the park, including adjustments to Soarin’ that recently drew criticism from fans for featuring the World Celebration lights in all their glory – despite the fact that that didn’t align with reality.
While the updates might not fully meet expectations, fans are optimistic that Disney is listening and gradually restoring the magic EPCOT’s World Celebration Gardens promised to deliver.
What’s your take on the updates to World Celebration Gardens?
