It’s the worst-kept secret at Epcot right now. Permits have been filed, shops and meet and greets have closing dates, and the ultimate demolition of Innoventions West in being prepared. It’s all part of Project Gamma, the large scale re-imagining of Future World at Epcot.
Walls first went up on the backside of Innoventions West at the beginning of August.
They extend all the way back towards The Seas, even covering up the sign for The Coral Reef restaurant.
From the monorail, you can see that not a lot of work has happened yet, but there is definite clearing of brush and such close to the Innoventions building.
There is a noticeable amount of work, however, just south of The Coral Reef. Several trees appear to have been taken out and some construction fences are up behind the tree line.
This is a side of the Innoventions building very few people have seen in some time. You can even see the old-style grey tile along the base of the wall.
As preparations continue for the ultimate dismantling of the building, I think we can expect to see more of these trees some down. We’re not sure of the approach they’ll take to taking down the building, whether it will be piece by piece or a Horizons-style bulldozing. Either way, they’ll need the space the trees currently occupy for equipment and such. Ultimately, this whole area will look completely different.
Hopefully, we’ll see some more concrete plans and concept art at the D23 Expo this weekend. We’ll cover all of it as it happens, and we’ll keep you updated on all the projects happening at Epcot.
I’ll miss Innoventions; it had a lot of potential. “Edutainment” was one of Walt’s favorite ideas, but the Disney Company let Innoventions wither and die.