Walt Disney Imagineering is testing the interactive water features for Epcot’s upcoming Moana attraction, inspired by Disney’s 2016 animated film.
Walt Disney World’s new Moana experience, which opens this fall, is located in the World Nature neighbourhood of Epcot. It is described as an exploration trail where guests can enjoy and play with magical, living water.
Imagineering’s lead concept designer Reid Ekman has described Journey of Water as an “immersive exploration trail” where guests will “explore and engage with water as it travels from our skies to our oceans and back again”.
In a new post on Instagram, Imagineers can be seen raising their hands to activate the water elements, which will respond to visitors’ movements and presence.
“As we test and prepare our next attraction to welcome guests later this fall to World Nature in Epcot, our Imagineers have begun to teach water how to play in Journey of Water, inspired by Moana,” Imagineering wrote on Instagram.
“Guests of all ages will engage with water in a variety of ways as they learn about water’s amazing ‘journey’ around our natural world, including ways to better conserve our natural resources and protect water as it voyages throughout our natural world, connecting us all.
“We hope everyone feels inspired to connect with water as a friend, just like Moana did in the film.”
Journey of Water to open this year
In December, Imagineering unveiled the Te Fiti display for Journey of Water. Earlier this year, Disney World shared a sneak peek at the new attraction on Good Morning America.
“As guests enter into the experience, we really want them to be surrounded by this lush Polynesian environment, surrounded with water, and a few familiar characters from the film,” said Ekman.
“We have probably a dozen characters that are hidden in nooks and crannies throughout the experience and within the waterways.”
