The transformation of Epcot is one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken at Walt Disney World. And The Epcot Experience is where it all began for many guests. Located inside the Odyssey Events Pavilion, between Test Track and the Mexico Pavilion, The Epcot Experience offered a dynamic, 360-degree first look at the park’s future.
At the heart of this immersive preview is Michael Hundgen, Executive Producer from Walt Disney Imagineering, who joined me for an exclusive interview during the opening of the attraction. Michael shared how the space was carefully crafted to honor Epcot’s legacy while providing a window into the innovations shaping its future.
“We wanted this to be a space where guests could come and not only learn about what’s coming to Epcot but really feel the emotion behind it—what makes Epcot special,” said Hundgen.
What Is The Epcot Experience?
The Epcot Experience was a celebration of Epcot’s past, present, and future, offering a stunning mix of projection mapping, interactive displays, and historical artifacts. At the center of the pavilion was a large-scale model of the park that came to life with projection effects timed to a 12-minute 360-degree presentation.
The presentation previewed upcoming attractions like:
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
- Play! Pavilion
- New Spaceship Earth
- World Celebration
- And a sneak peek at HarmonioUS, the new nighttime spectacular
A Tribute and a Tease
The pavilion also featured original attraction posters, photo ops, and rotating exhibits that honored Epcot’s rich history while teasing what’s next. “It’s part preview center, part celebration,” said Hundgen. “We wanted guests to come in, remember why they fell in love with Epcot, and leave excited for what’s ahead.”
More Than Just a Model
Beyond the model and visuals, the experience was personal. Whether it was stepping into the photo op spaces or spotting original memorabilia. The Epcot Experience captured the spirit of Walt’s vision while teasing a future rooted in storytelling, connection, and innovation.
