Play! Pavilion

Play!
Pavilion icon unveiled at D23 Expo 2019
Epcot
Area	World Discovery
Status	Delayed Indefinitely
Cost	$123,000,000
Opening date	TBA
Replaced	Wonders of Life (Future World)
Ride statistics
Attraction type	Pavilion
Designer	Walt Disney Imagineering
Theme	Digital City
Height	65 ft (20 m)
Site area	100,000 sq ft (9,300 m^2)
Geodesic dome size	65 ft (20 m) high and 250 ft (76 m) in diameter

Play! was an announced pavilion that was set to open in Epcot's World Discovery area.[1][2][3] Originally planned to open in 2021, the attraction missed its opening window without any formal announcement of a delay. In January 2023, Play! was removed from EPCOT guide maps[4] following over three years without the attraction being mentioned by Disney. Later that month, Disney officially announced that the attraction's concept was being reevaluated.[5] As originally announced, Play was set to be constructed within the former Wonders of Life pavilion and themed as an interactive futuristic city where guests would be able to interact with a variety of Disney characters.[6]

Overview

According to concept artwork by Walt Disney Imagineering, the pavilion as originally announced was planned to contain:

• An Animation Academy-like experience where Edna Mode teaches guests to draw.
• Hotel Heist- An interactive game hosted by Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde from Zootopia.
• An Arcade
• Monorail Mark X
• A water balloon fight video game experience with various Disney characters.[7]

Other potential attractions included meet and greets for Wreck-It-Ralph, Vanellope von Schweetz, Joy, Sadness and Baymax.[8]

References

1. Schoolfield, Jeremy (August 25, 2019). "New Details Revealed for the Historic Transformation of Epcot Underway at Walt Disney World Resort". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on May 21, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2019. The PLAY! pavilion will open in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World.
2. Smith, Thomas (February 21, 2019). "First-of-its-Kind Play Pavilion, New Park Entrance Part of Epcot's Historic Transformation". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on September 16, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
3. Bonomolo, Cameron (February 21, 2019). "Walt Disney World Announces New Play Pavilion for Epcot". Comicbook.com.
4. Mike (January 13, 2023). "New EPCOT Park Map Removes Mention of PLAY Pavilion". BlogMickey.com - Disney World News, Photos, and Info. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
5. Mike (January 13, 2023). "Disney World Is Re-Evaluating Plans for PLAY Pavilion at EPCOT". BlogMickey.com - Disney World News, Photos, and Info. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
6. Streit, Kate (February 25, 2019). "Epcot Center Is Getting A New 'Interactive City'—here's What We Know". Arizona Daily Star.
7. "BREAKING: Disney Releases New Concept Art of Play Pavilion at Epcot - WDW News Today". wdwnt.com. August 25, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
8. "Epcot's Play Pavilion Will Include A New 'Zootopia' Attraction and More". /Film. May 6, 2019.