Hello, and welcome to Dateline Disney World! This week, we’re doing a loop through Epcot, as there are many rumors floating around the internet in regards to the future of the this park, and potential announcements at the D23 Expo in July. Let’s go!

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
Welcome to Epcot!

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
Rumors suggest that the Leave a Legacy stones will be removed in the near future.

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
News just broke this week that Siemens will no longer sponsor Spaceship Earth.
, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
Will we see changes to this attraction? Will there be a new sponsor?




, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
Most of the entrances into Innoventions have been closed for months. Will they bulldoze here, or repurpose the space?

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
Universe of Energy is rumored to be replaced by either a Tron attraction or a Guardians of the Galaxy attraction.
, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
Mission: Space is currently down for refurbishment and is also rumored by the MiceChat Podcast to be slated for upgrades in the next year or two.

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
The lawns are empty looking after Flower and Garden ends.
, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
Kids water play area under refurbishment.

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
This booth near Mexico is the only one left after the end of the festival.
, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
A look at the outdoor tequila bar. The Choza de Margarita outdoor venue should be opening this year.

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
Mexico got repainted with a slightly darker, more weathered paint scheme.
, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
MiceChat rumors also suggest a Coco themed overlay of the boat ride here if the new movie does well.

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
With no festival booths, World Showcase feels wide open once again. Very nice.

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
Final cleanup post festival.
, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
France is one of the countries almost guaranteed to have changes announced at D23.
, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
The big rumor is that a clone of the Ratatouille ride from Walt Disney Studios in Paris is coming to the France pavilion.
, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
The big question is, though, will Impressions de France get the axe? Hopefully not, and permits have been filed for buildings behind the France pavilion, so hopefully this Epcot treasure will survive.

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot


, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
Back to Future World.
, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
Will Journey to Imagination finally get a worthy replacement of the original version? We can only hope so.

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot

If you are planning to visit the WDW resort for the Independence Day weekend, we have a special events roundup for you:

Magic Kingdom will present “Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky
on both July 3rd and 4th at 9pm. Special DJ led dance parties will take place in both Frontierland and Tomorrowland offering alternative locations to view the fireworks.

Epcot will host several different events on July 4th. Throughout the day, Mickey and the gang will be available outside “The American Adventure”. They will be decked out in special patriotic attire.

  • Voices of Liberty will perform special Americana themed songs at several evening concerts at the America Gardens Theater. They are scheduled at 5:30pm, 6:45pm and 8pm.”
  • IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” is scheduled to perform at 9pm with a special All-American, heart-pounding grand finale.

Disney Hollywood Studios will host “. . .

  • The Music of Pixar LIVE! A Symphony of Characters” at 5pm, 6:45pm and 8pm. “ Disney Movie Magic” at 9pm and the ever popular
  • Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” at 9:30pm.

Well, folks, that’s it for this week. So many rumored changes! How do you feel about them? Would you rather have Tron or Guardians? Excited for Ratatouille? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

, Dateline Disney World – Photos and Rumors from Epcot
Time to head out!

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Cory Disbrow
Cory likes Walt Disney World so much, he recently packed his bags and moved to Orlando. Cory is a photographer and writes MiceChat's Dateline Disney World columns every Friday.