After Disney's death in 1966, the "EPCOT" concept was abandoned as the company had uncertainty about the feasibility of maintaining an operating city.
In the 1970s, WED Enterprises began developing a second theme park for the resort to supplement Magic Kingdom, as that park's popularity grew.
His remarks were followed by Florida Governor Bob Graham and William Ellinghaus, president of AT&T. === 1980s: Opening and operation === As part of the opening-day ceremony, dancers and band members performed "We've Just Begun to Dream".
Inspired by an unrealized concept developed by Walt Disney, the park opened on October 1, 1982, as EPCOT Center, and was the second of four theme parks built at Walt Disney World, after the Magic Kingdom.
The newly designed park, featuring two sections—Future World and World Showcase—opened as EPCOT Center in 1982.
Before it opened on October 1, 1982, Walt Disney World Ambassador Genie Field introduced E.
Water was gathered from major rivers across the globe and emptied into the park's fountain of nations ceremonial containers to mark the opening. ====Dedication==== The theme park opened on October 1, 1982.
Located at the front of the park is a plaque bearing Walker's opening-day dedication: ===1990s–2000s: Change in vision=== Despite its initial success, Epcot was constantly faced with the challenges of evolving with worldwide progress, an issue that caused the park to lose relevance and become outdated in the 1990s.
In 1994, the park was renamed to "Epcot", dropping the acronym and "Center" from the name. In 2019, Epcot hosted 12.444 million guests, ranking it as the fourth-most-visited theme park in North America and the seventh-most-visited theme park in the world.
To maintain attendance levels, Disney introduced seasonal events such as the International Flower & Garden Festival and the International Food & Wine Festival in 1994 and 1995, respectively.
To maintain attendance levels, Disney introduced seasonal events such as the International Flower & Garden Festival and the International Food & Wine Festival in 1994 and 1995, respectively.
Universe of Energy was reconfigured as Ellen's Energy Adventure in 1996, World of Motion was rethemed as Test Track, and Horizons was demolished in 1999 and replaced with Space.
Universe of Energy was reconfigured as Ellen's Energy Adventure in 1996, World of Motion was rethemed as Test Track, and Horizons was demolished in 1999 and replaced with Space.
The Living Seas was closed in 2005, and rethemed with the introduction of characters from Finding Nemo, as The Seas with Nemo & Friends.
Wonders of Life closed in 2007, with the pavilion being occasionally used for the park's annual festivals. === 2010–present: Transformation and redesign === 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”, while keeping the original vision alive.
Wonders of Life closed in 2007, with the pavilion being occasionally used for the park's annual festivals. === 2010–present: Transformation and redesign === 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”, while keeping the original vision alive.
Wonders of Life closed in 2007, with the pavilion being occasionally used for the park's annual festivals. === 2010–present: Transformation and redesign === 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”, while keeping the original vision alive.
In July 2017, The Walt Disney Company formally announced that Epcot would undergo a multi-year, redesign and expansion plan that would introduce Guardians of the Galaxy and Ratatouille attractions to Future World and World Showcase, respectively, as well as maintaining the original vision and spirit for the park.
In 1994, the park was renamed to "Epcot", dropping the acronym and "Center" from the name. In 2019, Epcot hosted 12.444 million guests, ranking it as the fourth-most-visited theme park in North America and the seventh-most-visited theme park in the world.
That same year, the park reported the first drop in overall attendance ranking among the four Walt Disney World Resort parks, dropping from second to third place, the first in its history. On August 25, 2019, at the 2019 D23 Expo, Disney expanded on the plans for the improvements to Epcot.
The show will replace Reflections of Earth and will feature similar elements including pyrotechnics, choreographed water fountains, searchlights, lasers, floating set pieces, and LED panels. The park was closed from March 16 to July 15, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida. ==Areas== Epcot is divided into two main themed areas: Future World and World Showcase.
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