Disney Adults everywhere rejoiced when the final wall came down after the EPCOT Transformation. Seriously, it basically felt like being at the Brandenburg Gate circa 1987.
World Celebration Gardens
But, now that the transformation is finally complete, it seems like fans aren’t really satisfied with the outcome — and it’s kinda hard to blame them. The concept art for the changes at EPCOT were full of wonder, color, and creativity, but the reality feels like little more than a mall or a college campus trying to be hip — at least according to these ticked off Disney Adults.
We recently shared an update on our DFB Instagram page about the drastic difference between the concept art and reality of the EPCOT Transformation, and Disney Adults went WILD in the comments with their thoughts on the matter. Taking a look at the comparisons below, the final result doesn’t exactly look like the renderings Disney first showed us.
Concept art vs. reality
Commenters did not hold back when sharing opinions on the reality of EPCOT’s new look — starting off with one person pointing out that it was “Very much Instagram vs Reality” with how things turned out. Others remarked at how EPCOT has lost all of its charm following the changes, and that it’s become sterile instead.
We appreciated this comment, that said, “…more like communiBORE hall if you ask me.”
Concept art vs. reality
Others couldn’t help but mention how much the new look basically looks like a college campus: “Communicore: Inspired by Real American Community Colleges” and “It’s giving Disney community college vibes” were just a couple of the many comments we saw, essentially saying the same thing. There’s no whimsy or colorful, fun decor like we saw at EPCOT during the 1980s and 1990s.
Concept art vs. reality
And, while some might say, “That’s progress,” it’s hard to not be disappointed when the concept art is just so wildly different from what we ended up with. CommuniCore Hall might be the best example of that — especially when it first opened, as evidenced below. The concept art looked like a colorful art gallery with fun installations, and when it actually opened, it pretty much looked like a school cafeteria.
Concept art vs. reality
We will give Disney a little bit of credit when it comes to CommuniCore Hall, as they have turned it into some really fun exhibits now that it’s been open for a while. During the 2025 Festival of the Arts, a Disney on Broadway experience was located here, and during Cool Kid Summer, the area has been redubbed to “GoofyCore,” full of fun activities featuring Goofy himself.
LOTS of fun here!
Still, we can’t help but reminisce about the old EPCOT, the “sparkles in the ground” EPCOT, the whimsical EPCOT. While we’ve certainly gotten used to how things are now, we’ll always wonder what it would have looked like if Disney had stayed a bit closer to the original concept art.
EPCOT Transformation Early Concept Art ©Disney
We’ll be on the lookout for more updates around Disney World you need to know about. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more!
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Think on though, COVID didn’t help
Unpopular opinion but i like the new area at Epcot – love all the seating, the different trees, and color at night. And i am optimistic Disney is still finding its legs with the new CommuniCore Hall. Things change – remember the god memories and make new ones.
Bring back the fountains that lept in the air to the music – and yes, the sprinkles of lights on the pavement – my kids chased those around when little! Not a fan of “Communibore” as one person put it!
Innoventions Plaza was a masterpiece. This is a downgrade-—both the concept art and the reality. Worst move ever. I’ll never get over it. I miss it so much.
One thing that a lot of parks get wrong, in my opinion is a sense of pacing. The use of quieter, calmer spaces is as important to quality of the overall experience as the E-ticket attractions. They are the soft melody that sets up the crescendo; the palate cleanser that brings out the flavour of the main dish.
World celebration is a really lovely example of such a space; it does this much better than the acclaimed Epic Universe (although the huge central water feature of Celestial park seems an earnest attempt). I don’t even agree that it’s a big departure from the concept art: the main difference seems to be the age of the trees (they’re more mature in the concept art). It is unfortunate that they’re struggling to keep the lit paving working (and the effect doesn’t seem as whimsical or dynamic as old Epcot) – it would be great to see them sort that both artistically and from an engineering perspective.
I accept that there are people out there who seem to want unceasing noise and spectacle – that is why they keep letting Michael Bay make movies – but the word that describes these people is ‘wrong’.