(UPDATED 5/17/19): In case you missed it a couple weeks ago, Disney announced a whole new Epcot entrance re-do including moving the Leave a Legacy monuments outside the park as part of a bigger project for the park. Now Disney has filed permits for the new Epcot entrance they are calling internally: “Project G” and the demolition is set to begin this weekend.
The construction work is going to take place in 2 phases. The first phase is on the West side of the Leave a Legacy monuments which will start this weekend and continue throughout the Summer.
The second phase of the Leave a Legacy demolition will start on the East side next year. Once completed all of the granite monoliths will be destroyed, however the plaques with the guest names will be moved to another location outside the Epcot entrance.
The permit describes the work as: “Enabling Works at North Pathways. Includes site-work, demo, hardscape, landscaping.” It has 1400 Avenue of the Stars #A for the address of the project which has been used in the past for other Epcot projects, so unless something else is getting demoed there, this is the right project. It’s possible “Project G” stands for the rumored “Project Gamma” which includes an overhaul to the Spaceship Earth attraction itself.
We recently took a deeper dive into Project Gamma where it looks like Innoventions is going to be demolished, as well as Starbucks and Club Cool closed (though we know Starbucks is coming back for sure).
In this permits we found out that Whiting Turner is the contractor. If that name sounds familiar then you obviously follow a lot of the construction projects around Walt Disney World as Whiting Turner has been one of lead companies building some of the biggest projects currently going on including: Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, TRON Roller Coaster and more…
Even though the permits use the work “demo” in describing the entrance, we know that the actual Leave a Legacy plaques are not going to be destroyed, but the granite monoliths themselves probably will be. In either event, the plaques are just getting moved outside the park to the Epcot parking lot and will probably be mounted on a wall of some sort. So if you are looking for yourself or loved ones, maybe you’ll get a look as you’re walking up to the park.
This isn’t the only park getting an entrance upgrade in Walt Disney World. Just last week we saw permits filed for an entrance overhaul in Disney’s Animal Kingdom too, with a new covered tram drop-off point. Similar verbiage to this permit for Epcot was found in that one too.
Work is expected to get start on the project this Spring/Summer, and be finished in 2020. These permits confirm that with their “1-year” work duration.
This is also only one part of the Epcot transformation as many new attractions are coming to the park including a Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Epcot Forever fireworks show, new restaurants and the just announced Kid’s Play Zone which is taking over the Wonders of Life pavilion. All of this has to be in place by 2021 when Walt Disney World will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
To learn more about this project and more, check out our Walt Disney World Construction Updates page for more news on all the projects going on around Disney World as we continue to bring you the latest!
Your Thoughts:
I want to know what you think about the Epcot entrance re-do…
- Are you happy with the change?
- How do you feel about them moving Leave a Legacy outside the park?
Let us know in the comments section below!
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My name is Ziggy and I love Disney, everything Disney! I grew up on Disney and it has and continues to be a huge part of my life. I started young when my parents took me to Disney World when I was 18 months old. Little did they know that would be the first of an uncountable number of trips we would take. I have so many amazing memories going to Disney with my family and friends and it has been interwoven into my DNA.
Victor DeCapua
Tuesday 5th of March 2019
I don't mind changes being made to the entrance. I do mind putting the Legacy in the parking lot. We have visited our Legacy plaque each time we go thru. We started this on our 25th wedding anniversary 15 years ago, We will be visiting again this year celebrating our 40th. Our kids find it special to view this when they visit EPCOT.
Ziggy
Tuesday 5th of March 2019
Hi Victor, thanks for the comment! I do understand your sentiment, I guess it's just the overwhelming majority of guests would prefer getting those huge stones out of there. I'm sure Disney will do something classy though when they move the plaques as they know there are thousands of people who will be looking for them like yourselves :)
Morgan Paschal
Tuesday 5th of March 2019
Hey Ziggy. Any word or permits for the rumored Epcot hotel that may be built at or near the entrance? Haven't heard much about this lately and one of the tours I was on over the weekend the Cast Members basically said they had not heard of an Epcot hotel since there has been no formal announcement. Wasn't sure if you had heard anything. Thanks.
Ziggy
Tuesday 5th of March 2019
Thanks for the question Morgan. I don't have any new info, but it sounds like the project might get cancelled or at least put on hold for a while. I'll let you know if I hear anything!