journey of water opening

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana – New!

An outdoor exploration trail where water comes to life, go with the flow, water connects us all, make a splash... or stay dry, know before you go.

• Some aspects of this experience may close during inclement weather.
• Wheelchair access is available on the dry path only.
• Service animals are permitted with caution in some areas; service animals must remain on the dry path.

Meet Moana in World Nature

Guests Also Viewed

Safety, accessibility and guest policies, times for journey of water, inspired by moana – new.

Journey of Water Inspired by Moana: Official Opening Date & Soft Opening Details!

Walt Disney World announced the opening date of Moana’s Journey of Water at EPCOT! This shares the debut date and new details about soft openings prior to the official debut! Plus, predictions about virtual queue v. standby, Genie+ Lightning Lane, crowds, and more! ( Updated October 5, 2023 .)

In case you’re unfamiliar with it, the attraction is officially known as Journey of Water Inspired by Moana (or Moana’s Journey of Water, as we’ll call it for simplicity’s sake). This is the first Walt Disney World attraction based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios hit film Moana, and is a walk-through exploration trail rather than a ride.

This ‘Moana Maze’ (not really a maze–it’s entirely linear) is an experience where guests interact with magical, living water in a beautiful and inspiring setting at the front of EPCOT, with Spaceship Earth looming in the background. Moana’s Journey of Water consists of a lush environment that engages and educates guests about the water cycle and how it sustains our world.

Moana’s Journey of Water is technically part of the new World Nature neighborhood of the former Future World. World Nature is dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty, awe and balance of the natural world. In addition to Journey of Water Inspired by Moan, World Nature also features The Land and Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilions.

Fans won’t have to wait too much longer, or for all of the construction walls to come down in order to experience the new exploration trail! Walt Disney World announced that Moana’s Journey of Water will officially open on October 16, 2023 .

Imagineers also shared that Moana herself will begin appearing in World Nature at EPCOT with her own meet & greet starting on October 16, 2023.

Soft Openings Start October 6, 2023

Walt Disney World has announced that Moana’s Journey of Water will soft open on select days and hours starting on October 6 and continuing through October 15, 2023.

According to the official operating hours, here’s the current soft opening schedule for Moana’s Journey of Water:

• October 6, 2023: 9 am to 9 pm
• October 7, 2023: 9 am to 9 pm
• October 8, 2023: 9 am to 9 pm
• October 9, 2023: 9 am to 9 pm
• October 10, 2023: 9 am to 9 pm
• October 11, 2023: No times available.
• October 12, 2023: No times available.
• October 13, 2023: 9 am to 9 pm
• October 14, 2023: 9 am to 9 pm
• October 15, 2023: 9 am to 9 pm

Note that this schedule is subject to change, and Journey of Water could close at any time due to weather or technical difficulties.

During the soft open opportunities, Walt Disney World has indicated that a virtual queue may be available to join after guests enter EPCOT at 9 a.m. The virtual queue will remain open until it reaches capacity or is no longer needed to be used for that day. You can join the virtual queue in the My Disney Experience app.

Note that during AP and DVC previews, lines and wait times peaked relatively early in the day. In the evening hours, Moana’s Journey of Water was typically much less busy and not using a virtual queue. That makes sense to some degree, as usually the front of the park clears out as guests head to World Showcase for the evenings. With that said, Journey of Water is much better at night–between that and the lower crowds, we recommend checking it out after sunset.

If you’re planning on experiencing Moana’s Journey of Water in the coming days, pack your patience. As discussed in  Walt Disney World’s Busiest Week Since the Easter Peak is Happening Soon! , it’s going to be a busy week-plus at Walt Disney World! (Not because of the Journey of Water soft openings–because it’s fall break in much of the United States.)

For those who are unfamiliar with them, soft openings are also known as trial operations or technical rehearsals, and are basically an unannounced and controlled test period. They provide an opportunity for theme parks to open an attraction prior to its official opening and conduct operations and Cast Member training in a more forgiving and low-stress environment.

Typically, soft openings are not publicized via official resources. As a result, they always draw significantly small crowds than official openings. They’re a nice perk for guests who are already in the park and the most plugged-in Walt Disney World fans. (We preface that with “typically,” because TRON Lightcycle Run had a publicized soft opening in 2023, which is a first in our experience at Walt Disney World.)

Prior to TRON Lightcycle Run, Walt Disney World had gotten away from soft openings in recent years. With Moana’s Journey of Water, doing soft openings once again makes a lot of sense. But probably not highly publicized ones, especially since fall break is going to be busy. Rather, because I believe it would be prudent of Walt Disney World to slowly burn off as much demand as possible prior to the official opening date, so that it’s not chaos on October 16, 2023.

AP & DVC Previews

Regardless of a soft opening, we already know that Moana’s Journey of Water will offer previews for select affiliation groups, including Disney Vacation Club Members, Annual Passholders, Golden Oak Residents, Club 33 Members. In case you missed it, see  Moana’s Journey of Water Preview Dates & Details   for more info.

The pertinent detail for those previews is that they do not require registration. This is a significant change as compared to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (both also at EPCOT). Having previews for those attractions offered locals a “squeak/sneak peek” at the new attraction with shorter wait times, while also helping spike attendance for EPCOT during the off-season and pulling forward some of those locals’ visits from October. Having a ‘release valve’ on demand was good for those attractions, but not essential.

Neither used standby lines upon opening, so there was no concern about overcrowding and long standby lines. (Not having as many locals ‘fight’ tourists for spots in the virtual queue is a good thing, but not an operational imperative.) Which brings us to the next topic…

Standby v. Virtual Queue

Don’t laugh or roll your eyes . Yes, Journey of Water Inspired by Moana is “only” an interactive exploration trail and not a blockbuster E-Ticket. But the thing is, virtual queues are not decided based upon how “big” an attraction is, but rather, how much it’s operationally necessary. Merchandise releases also aren’t major thrill rides, and yet, virtual queues are used for those from time to time.

The big question marks with Moana’s Journey of Water are hourly capacity, guest demand, and where to put the standby line amidst the sea of construction walls surrounding the Giant EPCOT Dirt Pit. As mentioned above, CommuniCore Hall is not yet ready. The current corridor is already cramped due to the construction, and there’s not a ton of space for a physical standby line in this area until more walls come down.

Presumably, that will happen to some extent between now and the opening of Moana’s Journey of Water. The walls around CommuniCore will shrink, freeing up an area for overflow queue. However, I’m still skeptical that there will be sufficient space to accommodate a standby line.

Again, you might laugh at the notion that there will be long lines for a glorified interactive queue, or whatever derogatory terminology you might want to use to imply that Walt Disney World fans will wait for  anything. And yeah, it’s true that us diehard fans do have an affinity for standing in long lines at EPCOT.

But this is also a question of throughput. Journey of Water is truly interactive, and many of the effects “work” best when there’s a slow trickle of guests through the experience. Otherwise, the timing is thrown off or there’s congestion everywhere and it’s less impressive/enjoyable. Operations will thus either need to pulse guests through Journey of Water slowly, or just open the floodgates and let some of the experience be lost during the initial period of high demand. (I could see that going either way.)

Anyway, all of this is a contributing factor when it comes to affiliation previews, soft openings, and even the official opening date. If Moana’s Journey of Water opened with zero previews during the hottest stretch of summer, it would’ve been so popular that it needed a virtual queue, or else had a standby line all the way back to the turnstiles.

My strong suspicion is that Walt Disney World has done all of the above as mitigation measures, with the  hope  that a virtual queue won’t be necessary. They know virtual queues are unpopular, but view them as a “necessary evil” of sorts. With a walkthrough experience, using a virtual queue presents those same headaches–and would also create unrealistic guest expectations. (It’s one thing to get up at 7 am for an awesome thrill ride…but another entirely to do it for a exploration trail!)

With all of that said, I still think there’s a reasonable chance Moana’s Journey of Water will need a virtual queue at first. Disney diehards love anything new, and EPCOT enthusiasts are the “worst” of all. No matter how many previews or how strategic the timing, this is going to have high demand at the outset. Even opening during a lull may not help much, as October through December is an incredibly popular time of year among annual visitors–so there’s going to be a steady stream of fans for whom this is brand-new.

Genie+ Status

Again, don’t laugh or roll your eyes. On the plus side, I think/hope there’s not much of a chance that Journey of Water Inspired by Moana will be an Individual Lightning Lane attraction. Like the virtual queue, this comes down to managing expectations–there would be a lot of frustrated first-timers if they bought an ILL for the new “Moana attraction” only to find out it’s not a ride. Walt Disney World (hopefully) knows better.

So the better question is whether it’ll be a Genie+ experience. I could see this going either way. Although there are no Lightning Lane tapstiles at the attraction entrance, there’s nothing to say that it couldn’t use handheld iPad scanners, just like a handful of other attractions. The issue is more one of queue management, and the fact that there isn’t space for one line, let alone two. It has the potential to be an operational quagmire.

On the other hand,  money. Moana’s Journey of Water being part of Genie+ would help sell the service, and also “allow” Walt Disney World to raise the price of Genie+ at EPCOT. Heck, Walt Disney World could obviate a lot of the aforementioned issues by having Moana’s Journey of Water be Genie+ only (no standby line or virtual queue) for a while. I don’t want to give them any ideas, but that would actually be pretty savvy…and awfully unscrupulous!

With that said, I’ll be the optimist here: Moana’s Journey of Water probably won’t offer a Lightning Lane. Yeah, Walt Disney World loves money, but they still haven’t added Lightning Lane viewing to the fireworks, and I thought having that for Harmonious would’ve been an  easy  way to sell the service.

Sometimes Disney does pass on making a buck when it’ll come at the expense of the guest experience. My bet is that’s what happens here. Even though having Journey of Water be Lightning Lane-only for a few months would solve the aforementioned issues and make them a boatload of cash, they (hopefully) won’t do that–or a Lightning Lane at all–due to the damage it’d cause to the guest experience.

Ultimately, we are very much ready for Journey of Water Inspired by Moana to open and I’m cautiously optimistic about what it’ll add to the lineup at EPCOT in the long term. (I’ve already had the chance to experience Journey of Water, but I’ll save thoughts about how it “fits” EPCOT and whether it’s a worthwhile addition for a separate review.)

In the near-term, I have a lot of concerns and unanswered questions about how Journey of Water will “work” until demand dies down. Personally, I think these logistical hurdles and the tradeoffs Disney makes to “solve” or minimize them are interesting, but I’m also a geeky blogger and not strictly a regular guest. Between its capacity and the new attraction smell, I anticipate a number of unavoidable operational issues that are going to frustrate fans. Just remember that Disney doesn’t have any perfect solutions to the demand dilemma–it’s a bunch of least-bad choices. So if you find all of this annoying, your best bet is to simply wait until 2024 to experience Moana’s Journey of Water.

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews . To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!

Your Thoughts

What do you think of Moana’s Journey of Water? Excited to experience this during your Christmas-time trip to Walt Disney World? Will you try to do it right away, or wait until demand dies down and it’s easier to experience the ‘Moana Maze’ minus the chaos and congestion? Does this exploration trail look appealing to you? Do you think this will be a solid addition to EPCOT, or do you wish it were added elsewhere? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

I know this isn’t the subject of the article, but have you heard anything about international guests not being able to purchase magic bands until they arrive at Disney?

Hi Isabelle, We live in Denmark and have heard (not officially but through some social media groups) that international guests cannot buy magic bands before arrival. More specifically, they don’t seem to be available on the European shopDisney site, and cannot be shipped to a non-US address when purchasing from the US shopDisney site. If you’re staying on property there will likely be magic bands you can purchase in your hotel as soon as you get there; otherwise there’s Disney Springs and of course the parks. But I’m now following your post in case anyone else has heard otherwise! Katie

Any idea why the two days in the middle of the week have no times available? Do you think there’s a chance that there will be unannounced soft opening on those days? Is there something else going on those days that I missed?

So, do you think it’ll just be an extremely long standby line then? I’m going in late Oct. I wasn’t going to bother with Epcot, but have decided to park hop on Animal Kingdom day, mainly just for Guardians and Moana. But I’m struggling to plan without knowing how the lines will work and waiting times. I’d go first thing in the am before the line gets out of hand, but then I’d have to wait until 2pm to get into AK, which closes early. If I do AK first, I’d miss Pandora at night and I could be looking at an extremely long line for what is essentially a garden water feature. If the lines are long, then I guess I wouldn’t have time to hit both Guardians and Moana in the short 7-9pm after AK closes. Any suggestions?

Hey Anya, I could be wrong about this, but I’m pretty sure that you can only get onto Guardians if that’s the park you start at. As far as I know, it’s strictly available with the online boarding passes, which are released at 7am (if you have a park reservation), or 1pm (if you are in the park at that moment). You might want to look into that to help make your decision!

I can’t predict how Moana lines will be, but many days, the Guardians virtual queue stays open until past park hopping time. It is still a gamble, but it’s possible to get on even without starting at Epcot

My wife was just last night talking to me about how you touch the different waters and it plays music. She’s excited but we just came back and really don’t want to return for at least a year maybe two. By then it should be a walk in the park.

We saw some club33 folks waiting to go though the new attraction this morning. I was hoping for some soft openings this week, darn!

Do you think this means the Moana meet at AK will close? Our AK day is 10/16 and I would hate to wake up to find out she won’t be there! That said, I’m extremely relieved this isn’t opening on our EPCOT day (10/12). Since we’ve already made dining & experience reservations we are pretty locked in on our park days. Appreciate any insight or opinion!

I just watched Moana again with my daughter and was reminded of how great the soundtrack truly is. I haven’t heard much mention of this but I’m wondering to what extent (if any) that soundtrack is incorporated into this walk-through? I feel like having great background music would be key in really making this journey immersive and connecting guests with the emotional heart of the film.

Last time we were at Epcot was January 2020 when half of the park was under construction. Really happy to be going back. Actually just registered for Epcot in Christmas Day! Really excited to see Moana. Can’t wait!!

Tom We will be in Epcot Oct 1-4 with 2 Moana lovers and have no special Disney “tags”. Any chance we might experience the Moana experience? Approach the entrance cast member and simply ask?

My family (all adults) and I were already planning on being at EPCOT all day on October 16 as part of our October 14-21 trip. As DVC members staying at Boulder Ridge, we’ll be eligible for Extended Evening Hours as well.

Do you think we should reconfigure our plan and consider either starting our day elsewhere, ending elsewhere, etc. based on it being the opening day for Journey of Water? Or is it a non-factor, in your opinion?

Thanks for being my favorite blog since I was planning my 2013 Disneymoon!

I’m curious about this too. We have booked EPCOT for 10/16 as part of a trip the same days as yours and I’m hoping it’s not super crowded now due to the Journey of Water opening, but also don’t want to have to rebook dining reservations, etc. to move park days around.

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We Tried the New Moana Attraction at Disney World — Here's Everything You Need to Know

Journey of Water is unlike anything we've ever seen at EPCOT.

Good Housekeeping recently got to try out this attraction, and had an exclusive interview with Chelsea Whikehart, Senior Creative Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering , who has been bringing the creative vision to life throughout its year-and-a-half long construction process.

Here, we share everything you can expect from the attraction, which we found to be a breathtaking experience, regardless of whether or not you’re familiar with the movie.

What is Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana?

Whikehart described it as a “self-guided exploration trail on the journey water takes from the skies to the earth and back again.” As you walk through the trail, you’ll see water throughout its lifecycle, from rain falling down to vapor rising to the clouds. There are also interactive areas to stop and play. For instance, you can run your hands through strings of water to hear music, wave to water in a stream to make it jump and walk through waterfalls that part for you.

“It’s really all about engaging with water,” said Whikehart. “We hope that when guests leave our attraction, they’re going to have this desire to protect one of our most important resources.” We also found the path to be very serene, bringing a sense of calm and relaxation within a Disney theme park.

How much Moana is involved in the attraction?

The entire experience is inspired by Moana, but the movie presence can be subtle at times. Whikehart says “there are a lot of nods to Moana along the way,” and notes there are hidden characters throughout the rockwork, so make sure to keep an eye out for your favorites. There’s also a stunning and not-so-subtle Te Fiti along the trail, which Disney Parks Blog describes as “a symbol of how we should protect and nurture water.” It’s also a can’t-miss photo opportunity for Moana fans.

Where is the attraction located?

You can find Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana at EPCOT in Walt Disney World Resort. Specifically within the park, it’s located in the World Nature area, with its entrance right by The Land pavilion. For those not as familiar with EPCOT, it’s fairly close to the park entrance.

How wet do you get on the trail?

It’s really up to you. While you might feel a few splashes along the way regardless, you can get as wet or stay as dry as you prefer. In fact, there are dry paths specifically for those who want to experience the water from a distance. Most people that walk through will get misted and just a bit wet, which we found to be the perfect amount in the hot Florida weather.

What ages is it best for?

“This is an attraction that the whole family can enjoy,” Whikehart told us, and added, “Our youngest guests and oldest guests can experience this together.” When we walked through during a preview with just adults, they were all blown away by the beauty and engaging with the playful opportunities — even without kids present. But for those with kids, it’ll be a big hit. Besides all of the ways to interact with water and find characters from the movie, there’s a small splash pad towards the end of the trail.

How long does it take?

It’s self-paced, so it depends on how much time you spend at a stop along the way. Whikehart shared that if you were to just walk straight through then it could take you as little as 10–20 minutes, but we spent nearly an hour exploring during our visit.

Will Moana be there?

Though the Moana character won’t be in the attraction itself, Disney just announced that you can meet her nearby. There will be a new area set up for this meet and greet, so fans can take photos and interact with Moana. Just note that it will be a separate attraction, which means there will be a separate line.

When does Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana open?

Both the attraction and the Moana meet and greet will open on October 16, 2023. Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will be able to get a first preview of the trail during September 24-29 and October 1-4.

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Entertainment | Your waterproof guide to Disney’s new Moana…

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Entertainment | your waterproof guide to disney’s new moana attraction at epcot.

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, fountains flinging water through the air, 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 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 attraction, 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.

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Complete Guide to Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana at Epcot

If you’re a fan of Moana , then this attraction is for you. Just like Moana does in the movie, you’re able to interact and play with water as you enjoy this outdoor trail in Epcot.

As described by Disney, Journey of Water gives you the opportunity to “learn about the importance of water and discover its playful personality.”

While this attraction is far from a thrill ride, it is gorgeous and special in its own right. Plus, you get to learn about the cycle of water with help from some pretty cool interactive water features.

Find out everything we know about the attraction in our complete guide to Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana.

In this article

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana Quick Facts

• Location: Epcot, inside World Nature
• Height requirement: None
• Suitable for: Everyone
• Attraction length: Depends — it’s a self-guided outdoor trail
• Do we recommend? Definitely for fans of Moana
• When to visit: Anytime
• Scheduled Refurbishments
• Tip(s): There are wet and dry paths, the latter for those who want to avoid getting wet. You don’t need to use a MagicBand, a MagicBand+, or a special app to for the interactive water features.

Description: Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is an outdoor trail that guests take in at their own pace as they explore and interact with playful water features themed after the popular animated movie. The experience includes lots of water features and fountains to help guests learn how the cycle of water works.

Journey of Water is found in the World Nature neighborhood of Epcot, which is close to the entrance of the park. It’s near The Seas with Nemo and Friends attraction and Coral Reef Restaurant.

Download the PDF

How to Experience Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana

During previews and the soft opening of this attraction, a Virtual Queue was utilized. However, this is no longer the case and the queue hasn’t been used since the initial opening.

When you are ready to visit, you can head over and join the standby line. You can find the entrance to this walk through attraction near Coral Reef restaurant and the Seas with Nemo and Friends.

Do I Need Genie+ to Experience Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana?

Genie+ is not offered at Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana. You’ll be able to visit the attraction via the standby line.

You can also access the attraction during both Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours .

Rider Switch/Child Swap

Rider Switch is Disney’s service that allows guests with small children to take turns riding bigger rides, while another person/people wait with the little one.

Seeing as Journey of Water isn’t a ride, Rider Switch is not offered here.

• Learn more about Rider Switch

What to Expect When You Visit

Unlike other attractions, Journey of Water doesn’t really have a dedicated queue. One isn’t necessarily needed, since this is a trail that keeps guests constantly moving.

When hopping in the Standby line, you’ll simply stand in a queue that is located outdoors.

Accessibility Information

Guests may remain in their wheelchair/ECV as they explore the self-guided trail, but wheelchair access is available only on the dry path.

Service animals are also permitted with caution in some areas and they must remain on the dry path.

In the Experience

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, includes lots of water features and fountains to help guests learn about how the cycle of water works.

As you travel through the attraction, trail markers guide you as you interact with the water, which responds to your movements. You won’t need to use a MagicBand, a MagicBand+, or a special app to do this — it all seems to be working on a motion sensor, so you can experience the features tech-free.

The cornerstone of the attraction is a giant Te Fiti statue that stands 16 feet tall, which was placed in December 2022 . It’s a pretty impressive feat, and there’s no doubt this is one of the most exciting parts of the attraction for Moana fans.

There’s a large fountain that features the heart of Te Fiti inside the attraction that is also a focal point for the area.

Speaking of fountains, there is a chance that you could get wet while experiencing this attraction, but you definitely don’t have to if you don’t want to.

Some portions of the trail offer a wet path and a dry path, so you can truly personalize your experience. You likely won’t get fully soaked even on the wet path, but there are splash areas designed for kids who are into that.

As you walk through the attraction, you’ll encounter several different stops along the water cycle, starting with rain. You’ll then proceed to the stream, where you’ll find “strings” of water you can run your hands through and play music.

Next are the wetlands, a walking path where you can choose to stay dry or walk directly through the water, though the water will part to allow you to walk through. Then, there’s the spring, where the water will come up to meet your hand.

This is followed by the land, a cavelike area which also offers a dry path, and the lake, where you’ll finally see Te Fiti. Next, you’ll be at the river, and finally, the sky as you make your way back around the path. Each of these stops offers different ways to interact with water as you learn along the way.

The attraction ends with the opportunity for several people to join together to create one giant wave with their movement.

Though Moana herself does not appear in this attraction, a meet and greet with the character is in an area nearby, across from the Coral Reef restaurant.

Is Journey of Water Kid-Friendly?

Yes, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is definitely kid-friendly. There’s an interactive water feature here (similar to a splash pad) with theming that Moana fans will enjoy. You may want to bring a change of clothes for your little one in case they get wet!

Since it’s an outdoor, walk-through attraction based on one of Disney’s most beloved animated characters, we expect that it this to be a crowd pleaser with younger age groups.

Children who don’t like getting wet may not like this attraction, since a lot of water is involved. But, there is also the dry path available for all guests.

Be sure to check out our guide on things that might scare little ones at Disney World.

If you have a stroller with you, there is a designated stroller parking area outside of the entrance.

Disney officially announced Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana in August 2019 at the D23 Expo as part of an overhaul of Epcot that’s been in progress for several years now.

It was initially intended to open in 2021 to celebrate the parks’ 50th anniversary, but was eventually pushed back to late 2023.

Almost a year later, Disney shared an update with fans, providing new concept art of the attraction once construction was underway.

Since then, Disney Parks Blog shared new project milestones with eager fans, including the progress being made on a sculpture of Moana by Principal Dimensional Designer Jim Towler that will be featured in the attraction in August 2022.

During the 2023 Disney Shareholders Meeting in April 2023, Bob Iger toured the attraction , and from the footage shared, it seemed like it was close to being completed.

At the time, he revealed that guests would be able to interact with the water similar to the way that Moana did in the movie.

During the 2023 Destination D23 parks panel , it was finally confirmed that Journey of Water, Inspired Moana would open on October 16, 2023.

Other Fun Details

• There are a range of hidden characters carved into the surrounding areas, like Moana, baby Moana, HeiHei, Pua, Gramma Tala, and Kakamora.

• If you listen closely, you’ll hear songs from the Moana soundtrack playing as you explore the trail.
• There is a Moana meet and greet nearby Journey of Water for guests to say hello to the character who inspired this attraction.

Other Attractions in World Nature

Land Pavilion

• Awesome Planet
• Living with the Land
• Soarin’

Imagination Pavilion

• Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
• Journey into Imagination

The Seas with Nemo and Friends Pavilion

• The Seas with Nemo and Friends
• Turtle Talk with Crush

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana

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Moana’s Journey of Water: NEW EPCOT Attraction Review

Journey of Water, inspired by Moana is a brand new attraction at EPCOT at Walt Disney World! Based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios film fan favorite Moana, this new attraction is inspired by Moana's friendship with water and her devotion to nature.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about this new experience, a NEW look at the attraction and info on how to access the Moana experience.

We have been inside the new Moana Epcot attraction and have our review and photos included below.

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Moana's Journey of Water Now Open

Moana Journey of Water is NOW OPEN. Moana is also available at World Nature for a character meet-and-greet with guests in her dedicated space near Journey of Water.

Disney shared a sneak-peek of this experience on their Instagram:

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Disney Parks (@disneyparks)

You can read more about other new attractions and rides at Disney World in our tracker .

NEW- Virtual Queue for Moana Journey of Water

Moana Journey of Water uses a virtual queue as needed. Guests can request a spot once they enter at EPCOT and starting at 9AM via the My Experience App.

Read all about the Moana Journey of Water virtual queue in our guide.

Inside New Moana Journey of Water Epcot Attraction

Recently I had the opportunity to go inside the new Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, attraction. This walk through experience is a trail through interactive water elements, rock sculptures, and greenery. The melodic, calming, Moana score plays throughout the area.

The experience immerses guests in a lush environment featuring the global cycle of water which will be brought to life. Guests can interact and play with water as it travels from our skies to our oceans and back again. This experience is designed for all ages and is inspired by Moana's friendship with water and her devotion to protecting nature around her. What all this means is that there are placards throughout featuring commentary on our reliance on water cycling throughout our world.

Journey of Water includes each zone of the water cycle which is introduced with trail markers. These trail markers are illustrations that tell the story of each stage of water and include instructions on how to interact with the water one each zone. The attraction includes interactive elements which focus on each stage of the water cycle: Rain, Stream, Wetland, Spring, Land, Lake, River, Ocean and Sky.

And this is one interactive experience at Walt Disney World that does not require a MagicBand+ to access the interactive elements, everything is purely on connecting with nature, no wristbands required.

While walking through the experience, there is also always a clearly labeled “dry path” where you can avoid getting wet completely. This is great for parents to avoid the water while kids play. It will also be crucial during the colder January and February months.

During my time walking through the new attraction, we got to “teach the water how to play”. From making a wave ourselves to then having the rocks explode with that same wave to playing a musical instrument, many of the water elements are currently interactive.

My favorite two water features are a curtain of water that opens when you walk up to it slowly. It feels very James Bond-esque and like I'm walking up to a secret layer – maybe I am thinking of the scene in “The Incredibles” where they part a waterfall to enter the secret lair. The other favorite one is where you can jump on a pad and the water shoots up. Supposedly the water goes higher the harder that you land on the pad.

Other water cycles encourage guests to wave to the water when rainfall gathers into streams along with direct interactions with the water like playing a water harp which results in actual music being played when guests run their fingers over the strings of water.

Perhaps my favorite aspect of the trail was the impressive Te Fiti figure that rises over a pond about halfway through the experience. So far I have only personally see the train during the day, but know that at night this figure lights up stunningly.

The area does include shaded canopies inspired by canoe sails which further connects to the Moana film. Considering the Florida heat, this was a wise decision for Imagineers and truly makes this an amazing place to spend time. This is also not an experience that is guaranteed to get you wet. You can pretty much decide how interactive you truly want to be with the water. At one point I was walking passed some of the rockwork in the Moana area under a jumping fountain and a gust of wind came up and the water dumped down on me drenching my back. Be careful not to get too close on a cold day.=

Parents can just enjoy a spot in the shade while their kids go all in and play with water. There is also a specific puddle area where water jets jump up and kids where playing.

As you'll be able to tell from my photos throughout this article, there was a Florida thunderstorm inbound while we were enjoying the attraction. There were multiple pre-recorded announcements while we were walking through Journey of Water Inspired By Moana that the attraction could close. The attraction did end up closing just before the rain started.

Additional Commentary on Moana Journey of Water

One key reason that Disney built Moana Journey of Water at Disney World is the popularity of the film and character. The movie is continuously one of the top titles on Disney Plus. This popularity coupled with the promotion this new attraction has received, the demand for the experience will be high. I am sure that Disney shares my worry that demand will far outweigh the capacity of this walk-through experience.

Perhaps Disney is purposely having longer preview periods and pushing out the opening until a slightly slower period to try to take as much of the pent-up demand off the attraction when it opens to day guests. Based on the recently announced Moana attraction previews the demand for “opening day” ride chasers – the locals and content creators – will pretty much be gone by the time the attraction officially opens to the public.

The other difficult aspect of this attraction is that capacity isn't fixed. There is no, “if we run this attraction on a consistent basis it should bring through a certain amount of guests per hour.” This was part of the argument for having the original Haunted Mansion use Doom Buggies instead of creating a walk-through exhibit. In this case, there are variables at play including the weather and guest type that will shift how long people spend enjoying this new experience.

Disney also has to be careful with the amount of people in the attraction to avoid pushing the interactivity elements to their limits. During our preview, there was already one section that was not open and likely had some element break.

The new Journey of Water Inspired by Moana attraction at Epcot is a great addition to the park. I look forward to getting this area and the rest of the middle of Epcot fully open again. At that point, the attraction should be a nice no-wait addition that gives younger guests a great place to run around and play.

Background on New Moana Disney World Attraction

In the film Moana, the ocean is seen as its own individual character that guides Moana in her journey and even adds a sense of commentary to different moments in the movie. Just like how water is a character in the movie, it is said that water also acts as its own character in the Journey of Water as it reacts to guest interaction.

Walt Disney Imagineering partnered with artists and cultural consultants from Walt Disney Animation Studios to design this experience and capture the beauty of the natural water cycle within the attraction. Imagineers were also inspired by Moana's fierce determination to protect her environment.

Guests will notice familiar shapes and characters carved into the rocks and waterways through Journey of Water. An example of this will be Moana herself as she celebrates water's arrival to the ocean.

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is part of EPCOT's transformation and is located in the World Nature neighborhood of the park where Living with the Land and other similar themed attractions are located.

Te Fiti Figure Moana's Journey of Water

The most predominant feature you will notice in Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is the 16-foot-fall Te Fiti figure which is positioned along the trail inside the attraction.

When I first saw this image on my social media feed, I thought it was a photoshopped rendering at first and it took me a moment for my eyes to catch up! She's absolutely breathtaking and I cannot wait to see the beauty that Imagineers have created for this experience.

Moana's Journey of Water fits in nicely with EPCOT especially when you consider the long-standing history this park has had with nature. All you have to do is look towards Living with the Land to see that connection and innovation. This is a nice opportunity for Disney to add a popular, beloved film franchise into the park while still ensuring it maintains its relevance to what EPCOT stands for. They've hit it out of the park with this one and I think even the most hesitant EPCOT fans will end up liking what they see.

Te Fiti Concept Model Moana

The Te Fiti figure was originally revealed as a concept model at 2022 D23 Expo. Disney used scale models to develop the color and digital models to get all the details right.

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is a great addition to EPCOT.

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It has been a very long road to get to the opening of Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana at EPCOT since it was first announced back in August 2019.

We have enjoyed bringing you updates on the construction process and are very hopeful that with the area now complete we are not far away from the official opening of this new attraction as part of the EPCOT transformation. We still await confirmation of the exact date which we will share with you as soon as it is announced.

For many, in that Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana is a walk-through attraction and doesn't include an actual ride, expectations are fairly low. We understand that this new area will include water features and splash pads for children to enjoy.

Cast Members have been testing Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana and if you are wondering exactly what this new attraction has to offer then take a look at the atmospheric full walk-through video which is embedded below. You can see how it looks in daylight as well as after dark where the water effects take on a whole new look and meaning.

Although Disney has been criticised for the two year construction timeline for Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana and that there is no actual ride element, if it is taken for what it is, Disney fans surely can't fail to be impressed? But, is EPCOT the right location for this attraction? Although it clearly has a edutainment element, for many the answer will be no, Disney's Animal Kingdom would have made for a better fit for the theme. Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.

In a recent review posted to YouTube by DSNY Newscast, we get to hear an honest opinion of the new Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana and on first looks it appears that this new attraction at EPCOT is more impressive and fun than most are likely expecting it to be.

What is great about this new walk-through experience?

The very interesting thing about the water effects is that they are interactive and completely controlled by the guests as they are in the film, making this a very different experience to most areas which include jumping fountains or water features which are centrally controlled.

According to DSNY Newcast, Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana is an area where all families or parties could spend at least 30 minutes out of their day to EPCOT to enjoy.

Water features which particularly stood out and are worth spending time exploring are:

• The geysers at the beginning of the experience where you can control the water by your arm movements.
• Pads at the end which control geyser style spouts by jumping on them.
• Wall of Water created by a group of guests moving their arms at the same time.
• Effect where the water adjusts to the height of your hand to give you a high five.

Disney has very cleverly placed sensors hidden in plain sight to enable the water effects to appear magical. The theming is very impressive with rock work, foliage and of course the towering 16 foot statue of Tafiti as well as Easter Eggs to Moana.

It revitalises one of the original purposes of EPCOT being edutainment and teaches guests about the importance of water conservation as well as the facts of the water cycle.

What are the problems?

The location is an issue as it is difficult to feel completely immersed in Moana's world when Spaceship Earth looms in the distance. With a Moana meet and greet exclusive to Disney's Animal Kingdom and blue sky plans announced for a Moana themed land to be built in the location of Chester and Hester's Dinorama in DinoLand USA, it seems a real shame that this interactive walk-through experience was not located at Disney's Animal Kingdom rather than EPCOT. 

Also, as the water features are all controlled by guests it can seem slightly lifeless when fewer people are in the area, however we aren't predicting that this will be a problem for majority of the time, especially when Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana first opens.

In summary, don't be put off by preconceptions regarding Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana. From initial reviews it appears that Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana, if taken for what it is as a walk-through experience, will be a very fun and enjoyable attraction for all the family. 

Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana at EPCOT is slated to open this Fall and back in August, Disney revealed a new look photo and logo for Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana at EPCOT which can be seen below posted to Twitter by Landon McReynolds . We are expecting news of an opening date for this walk-through attraction soon. 

#Disney has shared a new look at "Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana" attraction. According to Disney's latest quarterly earnings report, the attraction at #EPCOT is still scheduled to open this fall. pic.twitter.com/QhWzLgMHoH — Landon McReynolds (@LandonProducer) August 16, 2023

It certainly looks like although there will not be a ride that this new attraction will be a very immersive addition to EPCOT and we will be very excited to bring you video footage of exactly what you can expect to experience from Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana when it opens at EPCOT.

Here is the newly released logo for Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana, do you think it does the attraction justice? Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.

To see the construction journey continue reading...

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Opening Timeline for Journey of Water, Inspired by ‘Moana’ Coming to EPCOT

For the past few years, EPCOT has been undergoing a big transformation .

The park got new attractions like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind , along with new restaurants, gift shops, and experiences. But the biggest project has been in the middle of the park — and now we know when a large part of it will be complete!

Disney has FINALLY announced the opening timeline for Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana . We knew the attraction would open sometime before the end of 2023 , but now Disney has confirmed that it will open in  Fall of 2023.

This walk-through attraction will allow guests to interact with water while surrounded by characters and theming from  Moana . In terms of things we’ve seen in the parks before, it’s pretty unique.

The landscape is made up of everything from the little Kakamora to a giant sculpture of Te Fiti. We’ve been watching the construction for a few years now, and we’re impressed with how far things have come since.

We’ll make sure to keep you updated as Disney reveals more details about this attraction, so stay tuned! We can’t wait to try it out for ourselves.

Click Here to Get a Closer Look at the Concept Art!

Want to learn more about epcot’s massive transformation we can help.

• Opening Timeline Confirmed for Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana
• Details You’ve NEVER Noticed About the Moana Attraction Coming to EPCOT
• Learn About the NEW Areas Coming to EPCOT’s World Celebration
• Get a Look at the New Walt Disney Statue Coming to EPCOT
• FIRST LOOK at the NEW Fireworks Show Coming to EPCOT
• Details Shared About a NEW Character Meet-and-Greet Spot Coming to EPCOT
• A Figment Meet-and-Greet Has Been Announced for EPCOT
• EVERYTHING You Need to Know About the BIG Changes Coming to EPCOT

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Are you excited about this new attraction? Tell us in the comments!

Disclosure: We were invited by Disney to attend a media preview of upcoming offerings. This did not affect our reporting of the event — our opinions are our own.

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2 Replies to “Opening Timeline for Journey of Water, Inspired by ‘Moana’ Coming to EPCOT”

not terribly interested in this attraction

Calling this an “attraction” seems a bit of a stretch.

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Journey of Water, Inspired By Moana Opening Soon at EPCOT

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Journey of Water, Inspired By Moana Opening at EPCOT

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• Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will welcome adventurers in EPCOT soon. Guests can explore a serene walking trail that entertains, inspires and educates as they engage with water in magical ways like Moana did with the ocean. The new attraction is located in the World Nature neighborhood of EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Amy Smith, Photographer)

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BREAKING: Opening Date Revealed For Journey of Water in EPCOT

by Jess Landers · September 9, 2023

We’re at one of the biggest Disney events of the year — Destination D23 !

Destination D23

This sold-out event, which takes place from September 8th to the 10th at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, lets ticketholders explore all kinds of fun Disney facts, history, news, and more, and we have a big update about an EPCOT attraction!

Journey of Water Opening Date

We FINALLY have an opening date for Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana in EPCOT! The interactive water trail attraction will officially open to the public on October 16th.

Journey of Water recently opened to Cast Member previews , but not to regular guests.

Journey of Water

This attraction allows guests to interact with the cycle of water, as well as learn more about how water affects our world. This is a great way to stay cool on a hot Florida day and let kiddos get some wiggles out — all in the name of education!

You can read all about our experience in the attraction here .

Also, Disney revealed that on the same date (October 16th), a Moana meet-and-greet will debut in a new area across from Journey of Water!

Photo: Disney

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Home » Walt Disney World » Epcot » Attractions

Moana: Journey of Water Attraction Coming to Epcot – Details, Opening Date & More

By Author Ziggy Oskwarek

Posted on Last updated: September 1, 2022

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Disney revealed at the last D23 Expo that they currently working on a new Moana-based attraction is coming to Epcot as part of its transformation called: Moana: Journey of Water . This was one of the most surprising new attractions coming to Epcot in the new few years and we are excited to share more with you.

In this post we are going to share everything we know so far about the Moana: Journey of Water attraction with you including details, concept art, and even rumored opening dates.

Before we get started, don’t forget to sign up for our FREE Weekly E-Mail Newsletter. There we bring you the latest Moana: Journey of Water updates as well as vacation planning tips. You can sign up here: Join our E-Mail Newsletter!

(Updated 5/5/22) New Concept Art for Moana: Journey of Water

Today Disney gave us the first updates about the new Moana: Journey of Water that we’ve had in two years including the most detailed concept art we’ve had of the attraction yet.

There are several interesting details included in the artwork including a wooden pavilion, and plenty of water features. Let’s take a look:

The area that Moana: Journey of Water takes up is on the site of the former Communicore West building, and it takes up a large footprint.

Here is the entrance to the experience:

From its position, it looks like it will be on the pathway going toward The Seas with Nemo and Friends and guests can make a stop here before moving on.

We get a better look at some of the fountains and water features on the right side of the art:

The wooden pavilion is interesting and it looks like smaller water features are located inside of it.

In the back of the experience is where the larger waterfall is located and the heart of Te Fiti as we’ve seen in previous concept art.

In this last image, we see what looks like the back of the attraction as it borders the new Festival Center there at the top of the artwork.

Besides the new concept art, Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley provided some new details about Moana: Journey of Water in an Instagram post, and it’s starting to be a little clearer just what this new experience will be like:

“This new experience is coming to EPCOT during its historic transformation, and will find its home within World Nature, our new neighborhood dedicated to learning and supporting humanity’s relationship with our planet.

Journey of Water will immerse guests in a lush environment, and it is here that the story of the global cycle of water will be brought to life in a story completely unique to EPCOT. We’re creating an outdoor attraction for all ages, where you will be invited to play and interact with water as it travels from our skies to our oceans and back again.

The spaces and experiences within were inspired by Moana’s friendship with water and her devotion to protecting nature around her. I often say that EPCOT is a park about people – the stories and curiosity that we share about our world, and the endless possibility that lives in each of us.

Since the earliest days of the park, pavilions like The Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends have given millions of guests the ability to explore the far reaches (and depths!) of our planet, and it’s through these unique encounters that we become inspired to protect the beauty and balance of our natural world. Journey of Water will build on that history of storytelling and conservation-focused education at EPCOT.

Currently, our Walt Disney Imagineering team is hard at work preparing the site and developing all the details that will give form to this new experience.”

While we still didn’t get too many specifics with this latest update, at least we have a much better idea of what the experience will look like as a whole. To us, it looks like it’s going to be much more geared toward kids rather than adults, and we’re a bit unsure about what the main draw is going to be here besides just water features.

We also are a bit skeptical right now about how much people will want to keep coming back here once they’ve experienced it already.

Stay tuned for more updates coming soon. In the meantime, keep reading for more details about what we know so far.

Moana: Journey of Water Overview

Not too many details have been given about the project yet, but this is the first attraction in any park based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios hit film, “Moana,” and guests will be able to interact with magical, living water in a beautiful and inspiring setting.

Right away people want to know if this is a ride. No, from the concept art we can see, it isn’t a ride, but more like an interactive experience. It will be something to interact with along a walking path in EPCOT’s World Nature.

The location for Journey of Water is over by The Seas with Nemo and Friends pavilion, on the site of the former Communicore West building. From looking at the concept art, there are multiple fountains which kids and adults will be able to interact with.

This is definitely a family-friendly addition to EPCOT and its latest push into getting more Disney IP into the parks.

There is an exploration trail with fountains and water arches that rise above guests’ heads along the trail.

It also goes along with the original mission statement for EPCOT as there are “edutainment” elements to the experience. Disney says it will help “ guests learn how to protect the natural water cycle in a fun and engaging way ,” and show them the role we all play in preserving our planet’s water supply.  

We got to see the concept art and models at the Disney Parks “Imagining Tomorrow, Today” pavilion which was located on the show floor of the last D23 Expo . There were plenty of models including one for the Journey of Water area already set up to see.

Here is what it looked like:

A similar Moana: Journey of Water model was also but for the now-closed EPCOT Experience in the Odyessy pavilion.

Here is a look at the limited edition poster for the attraction:

Will the Moana Character Be in the Attraction?

At this time, it’s unclear whether guests will actually be able to see the Moana character while visiting Journey of Water or not.

As we mentioned, it’s not a ride, and it really looks more like a walkthrough space with gardens than anything else. Is it possible that the whole thing is an elaborate queue for a character meet and greet with Moana?

While it wouldn’t surprise us if Moana is in the space, it doesn’t appear that is the entire point of the attraction. It’s supposed to be an immersive environment that actually teaches guests about water and its important role on our planet.

It looks a bit more complicated than a character meet, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that Moana still won’t be there in some form or another, especially with Disney’s strong push for IP in EPCOT right now.

If the Moana is included here, she will probably be located at the end in the small section where the rocks, waterfalls, and heart of Te Fiti are all grouped together.

When is Moana: Journey of Water Opening?

It’s not a stretch to say that we’ve been waiting for this attraction to open for quite a while, and there have been multiple construction delays over the past few years.

When the parks closed down for a few months in 2020, all construction projects were put on hold, and even when they started up again, budget cuts put Moana: Journey of Water lower on the list of attractions to build than others that were already further along.

Originally, it looked like Disney was aiming for a 2021 opening for Journey of Water. We even saw some interesting information in a limited-print edition of upcoming attraction posters on the ShopDisney website with a description that stated Moana: Journey of Water was opening in 2021 .

Here is the original blurb:

“Celebrate the new aquatic adventure at the reimagined Epcot with this limited edition print promoting the forthcoming  Moana -inspired  Journey of Water  walkthrough maze. Featuring the goddess Te Fiti from the 2016 movie, the poster is printed on archival paper and will whet your appetite for the attraction’s 2021 opening at Walt Disney World.”

Of course, that turned out not to be true, and that 2021 date was put on there erroneously with Disney quickly removing all traces of it shortly after.

In reality, Disney hasn’t officially said when Journey of Water is opening. For a while now, we’ve known that it wasn’t going to be one of the first attractions ready in the huge Epcot overhaul , and probably wouldn’t make it to the park until 2022.

At this point, we don’t have any accurate information about the opening of Moana: Journey of Water but by looking at the construction progress, it doesn’t seem that we will be seeing it in 2022. That means it probably won’t be ready in time for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary or EPCOT’s 40th anniversary in October.

It’s likely that it won’t open until sometime in 2023, especially since other attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind are already opening this year and Disney will likely want to spread around the new attraction openings.

We’ll keep you posted with any updates regarding Moana: Journey of Water as soon as we hear more. In the meantime, keep reading for more general info on the upcoming attraction.

More details will most likely be announced about this new Moana attraction, so stay tuned for that info.

In the meantime, check out all of the other New Disney World Rides coming in the next 3 years .

• D23 Expo Guide – Everything You Need to Know about the Expo!
• D23 Expo News and Announcements – All the Announcements from the Expo
• D23 Expo First Timer Tips and Tricks – Everything you need to know BEFORE going to the D23 Expo.
• Star Wars at D23 Expo
• Marvel and Phase 4 at the D23 Expo
• Tour of the D23 Expo Show Floor

Your Thoughts

I want to know what you think about the new Moana: Journey of Water attraction coming to EPCOT…

• Are you looking forward to this new attraction?
• Do you think Moana is a good fit for the park?

Let us know in the comments section below!

If you enjoyed this article, as always I appreciate it if you’d share it with others via social media.  I work hard at making this website into a useful resource for you and your family to plan your visit to the Disney Parks and I hope it can help you! Thanks 🙂

My name is Ziggy and I love Disney, everything Disney! I grew up on Disney and it has and continues to be a huge part of my life. I started young when my parents took me to Disney World when I was 18 months old. Little did they know that would be the first of an uncountable number of trips we would take. I have so many amazing memories going to Disney with my family and friends and it has been interwoven into my DNA.

Janet Montanaro

Saturday 2nd of July 2022

Looking forward to seeing Moana. Hope in early 2023. Bringing along 5 grandkids all 5 and under. Please have them hurry.

Cheryl Mahood

Tuesday 22nd of June 2021

I am hoping that the Moana attraction will be completed by next summer, as we are bringing our granddaughter and she is obsessed with Moana and looking forward to it—and also anything having to do with Disney princesses! We brought our children to Disneyworld and Disneyland around six times when they were little and now are looking forward to enjoying the magic with our grandchildren!

Monday 13th of April 2020

Nice topic.

Thanks for you.

Tom Krausse

Tuesday 7th of April 2020

Don’t read too much into it, especially the date. It’s possible, if not probable, that this was planned ahead of time and put up automatically from pre-Coronavirus plans. As noted, it’s an odd place to announce stuff, which suggests to me that they were probably planning an announcement in late March to early April of details, but current events postponed that.

Go with the flow for a lush, leisurely tour of EPCOT's new Moana-inspired Journey of Water

"I like to dance with the water. The undertow and the waves. The water is mischievous.”

Don't be surprised if those wise words from Grandma Tala of "Moana" fame come to mind as you navigate Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana , the lush, green and serene paean to the wonders of water opening Monday , Oct. 16, at EPCOT.

Inspired by the 2016 animated movie " Moana, " Journey of Water is the latest addition to the park's World Nature section, which also includes The Seas with Nemo & Friends and Living with the Land.

The self-guided, all-ages exploration trail offers "edutainment" on the water cycle and how it sustains our world and life, detailing water's travel "from the sky to lakes and oceans, and back to the sky."

More: This isn't the EPCOT you remember: Top Imagineer explains why the park 'will never be completed'

Given its theme, this should come as no surprise: Journey of Water is gloriously as wet as you want it to be. Do read the signs: At every stop, with titles explaining Rain, Stream, Wetland, Spring, Land, Lake, River, Ocean and Sky, there's an immersive, water-themed experience. Check out the nods to Moana and her friends throughout, via carvings and sculptures of characters from the film. Wave your hands or step on and off raindrop-dotted pads to make water rise and fall. Walk through the spot where the slower you walk, the drier you'll stay. The signs will explain what you're experiencing and how to jump into the fun.

While it's thought-provoking, it's also cool and colorful. Guests wind their ways through trails replete with trees. Educational signage. Chances to make water leap, dance and "sing" as visitors make their way toward a stunning, greenery-bedecked, 16-foot-tall statute of Te Fiti, the goddess of creation and major character in "Moana."

Imagineers were inspired in the design stage, they said, "by Moana’s fierce determination to protect her environment — her bond with water is unique, and we are excited for guests to learn about the importance of water and experience its playful personality just as she did."

More: Annual pass, parking prices increase at Disney World, Disneyland amid other changes

Of note: There are dry paths if you choose to take the non-trickle-down routes throughout your journey, allowing guests using wheelchairs a safe, accessible pathway.

Sisters Beth McMillen of West Melbourne and Dina McMillen of Melbourne visited during annual passholder preview days held in late September and early October.

"We found it fun and relaxing. Really exciting for all to play with the water," said Beth McMillen.

"The cool mist was very welcome. I was pushing my sister in a wheelchair and it was very accessible and the benches were a nice place to stop and relax for a few minutes. I was worried it would be a simple 'This is the water cycle,' which we have seen thousands of times, but in true Disney fashion, they took it to the next level and even as a Disney adult I found it to be so fun. I definitely want to go back and see it at night!"

More: 'Take it slow': Florida theme parks have accessibility programs but they still require planning

And be ready to be wowed by Te Fiti: In a blog post earlier this year, Reid Ekman , lead concept designer for Walt Disney Imagineering, stated that "Along with Moana as a steward of water conservation, Te Fiti is a symbol of how we should protect and nurture water wherever we find it."

She doesn't disappoint.

Sheri Herchenroeder of Fontana, Calif., said even though she had seen previews, "when I rounded that corner and caught sign of Te Fiti, it took my breath away."

The opportunity to learn and be inspired seemed endless, Herchenroeder said.

"With the pond and dancing water at her base, this is easily the most beautiful spot in all of Disney World. I can’t wait to go back, especially with my 8-year-old granddaughter," she said.

More: The Disney World '4 Parks in 1 Day' challenge: You can do it, but planning is everything

"From the moment you step through the entryway, you are immediately transported to Motunui. From the lighting to the landscaping, each corner and path leads you deeper into the immersive experience where visitors are invited to interact with the water."

And Journey of Water is enchanting at night: "Although fully encircled by the tropical theming, you can still catch glances of Spaceship Earth, which when playing its own light show, made for the perfect backdrop," Herchenroeder said.

If tours through Journey of Water after opening are as highly anticipated as were the passholder previews, expect crowds. It does get bottle-necked at times, with many guests understandably wanting to read the signage along the way, take photos and participate in the wet, hands-on journey. And when Moana herself is in the Journey area for autographs and photos, expect more crowds.

But go as slowly as you can to take in all the details.

And don't miss all the chances to step on those painted raindrops along the way.

At Journey of Water, water comes to life.

Soak in its story.

Journey of Water

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, opens Oct. 16 in the World Nature section of EPCOT.

Disney advises that:

• Some aspects of this experience may close during inclement weather.
• Wheelchair access is available on the dry path only.
• Service animals are permitted with caution in some areas; service animals must remain on the dry path.
• A virtual queue may be in use during periods of high demand for Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana.

Park admission is required. Ticket information is available at disneyworld.disney.go.com/admission/.

Britt Kennerly is education/breaking news editor at FLORIDA TODAY.   Contact Kennerly at 321-917-4744 or  [email protected] .  Twitter:  @bybrittkennerly  Facebook:  /bybrittkennerly .

• Walk-Through Attractions
• World Nature
• Português do Brasil

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana

• View history

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is a walkthrough attraction at EPCOT 's World Nature , based on Disney 's 2016 animated feature film Moana . [1]

It was originally scheduled set to open in 2021 . However, it was delayed to October 16 , 2023 , as part of the park's 40th anniversary celebration, which is part of the Disney 100 Years of Wonder anniversary celebration, since the opening was postponed indefinitely following the closure of the park due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 2.1 Logo and Posters
• 2.2 Concept Art
• 3 References

Summary [ ]

Journey of Water is a garden featuring interactive fountains and other water features leading from the current Innoventions Plaza (replacing much of Innoventions West) down to The Seas Pavilion . Anchored by a 16 foot tall topiary figure of Te Fiti , Journey of Water serves as a whimsical exploration of the water cycle and how it sustains our world.

Gallery [ ]

Logo and posters [ ].

Concept Art [ ]

References [ ]

• ↑ " Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Shares First of Many Exciting Announcements to Be Unveiled at D23 Expo 2019 ". DisneyParks ( August 22 , 2019 ).
• 2 Inside Out 2

Top Spectator Tips

Spectator tips that will help you make the most of your day when attending the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open.

Tip 1: Access and transfer your tickets before arriving

Be sure to access your tickets and transfer tickets to friends and family before arriving at the Renaissance Club. Your tickets will be available six weeks prior to the event, with some FAQs here to read.

Tip 2: Plan your journey and use our free shuttle bus!

Be sure to plan your journey in advance for getting to The Renaissance Club. Find out more HERE about travelling to the event by car, public transport and our free shuttle bus service that will run between Longniddry Railway Station and The Renaissance Club.

Tip 3: Bring a reusable water bottle

To stay hydrated during the day, we encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle. There will be refill water stations in the Championship Village and around the course.

Tip 4: Enjoy the Championship Village

The Championship Village is an absolute must-visit destination, offering an unforgettable experience. Immerse yourself in its lively atmosphere, boasting a plethora of food outlets, bars, exhibition stands, and an electrifying show stage for live entertainment. Don't miss the opportunity to try out on thrilling fan challenges.

Tip 5: Check out the best spots to watch

The Renaissance Club is packed with stunning vistas and there is plenty of seating that makes the most of this. Get the best out of your day by watching the action from the best seats in the hose. Click here for more information.

DP World Tour Partners

• Category: ID@Xbox

Explore the Post-Apocalyptic Seas in Age of Water

Welcome to the future, adventurers!

Imagine Earth completely covered by water. Civilization as we know it is gone forever, and whatever remains of your favorite fast-food joints, fancy cars or gaming consoles rests on the ocean floor. 

Humanity has survived though. We always do. People built settlements on top of whatever high structures remained above the surface. Brave captains roam this water world in their improvised boats looking for food, materials or information. Age of Water will put you in the shoes of one such adventurer embarked on their first big journey.

This journey includes:

• Crafting your own unique post-apocalyptic boat.
• Saving your friends from the hands of cruel scavengers.
• Fishing mini-game!

Our team at Three Whales Studio (named after the signature settlement you’ll visit in our game!) has been developing Age of Water for quite a few years. Our goal was to build a world that is post-apocalyptic in nature, but visually bright and colorful. The ruins of the old civilization serve as a sombre reminder of what was lost, while the vibrant new societies that have emerged atop them radiate with life and resilience.

Age of Water is also our love letter to, well, water. Its realistic flow, reflections, and interactions with objects and characters help to immerse players in this vast, aquatic world. From the gentle lapping of waves against your boat to the terrifying majesty of a whirlpool, every aspect of the water has been crafted to feel as real and dynamic as possible.

Obviously, this is a video game, so the adventure won’t go too easy, as pirates and other evil guys, both seaborne and airborne, will attack your boat on sight. You’ll have to prepare for battle by customizing your boat or building a completely new one, adding more weapons and training crew members. 

On the other hand, Age of Water has a lot of more peaceful things to do: you can trade between settlements, hunt for treasure and undertake story quests to unravel the mysteries of this brave new world.

Age of Water is an online adventure game, and that means that you’ll meet other players and will be able to talk to them and invite them into your quests. But I’d like to stress that you’re totally welcome to play solo if that’s your preference. 

We did not want to limit you to any specific game-play style, as freedom is essential for any marine adventure game. So, after a few tutorial-style quests at the very beginning you’ll be free to do your own thing, living your own life in Age of Water . I hope you’ll like it!

The game will allow you to test your might against others, though all PvP content is strictly optional (no player will attack you while you’re just exploring the ocean), and you won’t miss anything important by not engaging in battles with others. It’s just another way of earning in-game resources that you can get via other non-PvP-related means

Age of Water

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