With D23 2017 just a few weeks away now there are a lot of rumours circulating about what is going to be coming to Epcot in the coming years.

With Disney’s Hollywood Studios currently undergoing massive changes, Pandora just opening at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom receiving the relatively new Fantasyland expansions, Epcot changes have been long overdue.

Join me as I take a look at some of rumours we have seen circulating and rate them out of 10 in terms of likelihood.

You can read more detail on a lot of these rumours in the fantastic post over on wdwnt.

A Replacement to Universe of Energy

Chances of happening – 9/10

Ellen’s Energy Adventure has been around since the mid 90s and has long since been due an upgrade. Though I am a huge fan of the attraction, I accept that most (if not all) of the reason behind this is because I have been riding it since I was 5 years old!

The real question is what attraction is going to be replacing not only Ellen but also the entire pavilion. Signs currently point towards either a Guardians of the Galaxy themed attraction or the Tron Coaster from Shanghai.

Ellen's Energy Adventure at the Universe of Energy in Epcot

 

Gut feel from me at this stage is Guardians, Tron has been rumoured for Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom in time for the 50th celebrations and I think fits better into the space.

Inside Out Replacing Figment

Chances of happening – 6/10

Journey into Imagination with Figment is not an attraction loved by many Disney fans despite almost everyone having a love for Figment himself.

The current rumour is that Inside Out will get its own attraction with Figment joining the emotions in their new attraction.

As much as I think this could actually work pretty nicely, I am not convinced on Disney creating an attraction on Inside Out, I hardly ever see anyone talking about the movie or wearing merchandise despite it being a great movie.

I am all for this attraction though so long as Figment is kept as an icon of the park.

Spaceship Earth Update

Chances of happening – 7/10

Siemens are expected to renew their sponsorship for both Spaceship Earth and Illuminations and with this would likely see an agreement on changes to the attraction.

Spaceship Earth

I am a huge fan of Spaceship Earth but there are two key parts of the attraction that I would like to see change:

  • The finale with the choose your own future as it isn’t implemented particularly well
  • Project Tomorrow as it feels dated. A lot has changed in 10 years!

This attraction isn’t going anywhere but I think everyone would welcome a few subtle changes.

A New World Showcase Pavilion

Chances of happening – 10/10

This has been a very long time coming with plans being in place to increase the number of countries for a number of years.

Potential countries that have had plans in the past that for one reason or another got scrapped include:

  • Switzerland
  • Spain
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Venezuela
  • Russia
  • Iran
  • Africa
  • Costa Rica
  • Israel

One or more of these is likely to happen at some point and if I was a betting man I would put my money on Spain being the likely candidate. If I was to choose one it would be Switzerland as the original plans intended to build a version of Disneyland’s Matterhorn Bobsleds!

A Replacement Show to IllumiNations

Chances of happening – 8/10

As much as I really don’t want one of the best shows in Walt Disney World to change, it is currently the longest running fireworks show at any Disney Park and is only a matter of time before we see at least some changes made.

Illuminations Reflections of Earth

Coco Coming to The Gran Fiesta Tour

Chances of happening – 5/10

Despite Coco fitting better inside the Mexican Pavilion (2/3 of the Caballeros aren’t Mexican) I can’t see this happening just yet. Disney has no idea how this movie is going to perform and recent releases such as The Good Dinosaur and Cars 2 are proof that Pixar can occasionally get it wrong.

I suspect Donald and the gang will be remaining inside the attraction until at least Disney understand whether Coco is going to perform well financially.

A Ratatouille Takeover in France

Chances of happening – 8/10

I think it is only a matter of time before we see the lovable rat appear in more of a capacity in the French Pavilion at Epcot. Whether this comes in the form of a brand new attraction like the one in Disneyland Paris or a new restaurant still remains to be seen.

Impressions De France hasn’t really changed since 1982 and it would make a lot of sense to see a Ratatouille attraction take up the space if more Disney characters in the park is what Disney are going for.

A New Vision for The Land

Chances of happening – 8/10

While I don’t expect Living with the Land or Soarin’ to go through many changes (if any a all), I don’t know a single Epcot visitor that has said they enjoy Circle of Life: An Environmental Tale.

Circle of Life at Epcot

I suspect we will see some minor changes to Living with the Land and something brand new crop up to replace the dated Lion King attraction.

These are just some of the rumours we have seen for the future of Epcot at Walt Disney World. Whether or not any of these are true remains to be seen but they all seem to point to one thing, more Disney characters are coming to the park in the future.

D23 is a few weeks away so as soon as we see anything confirmed it will be up on the site!

Do you think there are any of these rumours that will become reality, are there any we have missed that you would like us to rate? Let us know in the comments below!