Your waterproof guide to Epcot’s new Moana attraction
After months behind Walt Disney World construction walls, the Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana attraction will open to the public at Epcot soon.
Journey of Water has old-school Epcot elements — education, science — and modern park sensibilities, including the incorporation of themes and characters from “Moana,” the 2016 Disney animated film set on and around a Polynesian island.
Annual passholders can preview the attraction starting Sept. 24. Disney World cast members and their guests have been touring the area for weeks. A recent walk-through revealed water-based, motion-activated pursuits, prancing fountains, informational text and general splashing around.
What is it?
Journey of Water is a self-guided, open-air, walk-through attraction. It’s neither a ride nor a traditional show. Visitors stroll through an area lined with rockwork, greenery and water displays such as prancing fountains, falls, gushers and activities, some of which are controlled by human movement. There are signs explaining the global water cycle and conservation efforts.
Where is it?
When walking from Epcot’s front gate, veer to the right side of Spaceship Earth. The attraction is part of the park’s newly named World Nature neighborhood, and its entrance faces The Seas With Nemo & Friends pavilion. Once upon a time, part of Innoventions West stood in this basic area, which featured exhibits such as Great Piggy Bank Adventure, IBM Thinkplace, Where’s the Fire?, Tom Morrow 2.0’s Playground and Segway Central.
What’s the story?
The real-life saga is about the water cycle, without getting too scientific. It’s explained in segments labeled as rain, stream, wetland, land, lake, river, ocean and sky — a bit of a rinse, lather, repeat thing. The signs also bring a real-life component with suggestions such as “dance in the rain, visit the ocean or tell your family about a local lake or stream.”
What do we do there?
There are interactive water events corresponding to each segment. Early on, there are sets of downward streams that, when interrupted, play a tone, sort of like a soaking-wet harp. (The low height these are constructed at should give us an idea of the targeted age group.) Others are more dramatically activated with arms in the air to create bursts of fountains, and some, like the water curtains, can appear magical. There are posted instructions for each effect.
Will we get wet?
Well, maybe. Most of that is controlled by participants, and there are “dry path” options at the splashier points. There could be splatter caused by exuberant Epcotters, and you might encounter some heavy mist along the way. There’s also a more traditional splash pad with jets coming from the ground, but it’s easily avoidable. Also, there’s not a lot of overhead protection, so beware of the stray Florida thunderstorm.
Where’s Moana?
So, theming is subtle on the Disney scale. Characters and symbols are interwoven into the walk, some carved into the rockwork, some appearing through mossy paint jobs. It could be considered a low-key scavenger hunt. There’s a Polynesian feel throughout, down to the explanatory signs. At the ocean stop, one reads, “arriving at this joyful tide pool, our water is ready to travel beyond the reef, just like Moana.” The representation of the goddess Te Fiti is way more obvious at 16 feet of greenery. Disney has carved out a nice photo spot at her feet. An in-the-flesh meet and greet with Moana is planned near the entrance of Journey of Water by its official opening date of Oct. 16.
What’s the vibe?
The prancing fountains, spread throughout the attractions, bring to mind the nearby Imagination pavilion. You might also be reminded of the stylings of Pandora — the World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, especially in the evening. The area is lush and immersive and natural, but then you’ll have a clear, fresh view of the ultramodern-looking Spaceship Earth and a glimpse of the monorail gliding by. The walkways are narrow compared with the wide spaces typically associated with Epcot, so future elbow room could be at a premium.