journey of water opening

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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Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana – Now Open at EPCOT & What You Need to Know

Guests visiting EPCOT can now voyage into an all-new adventure with Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana. Guests can explore a beautifully landscaped walking trail with fun and surprises around each turn as they engage with water in magical ways like Moana did with the ocean – from a simple greeting to a high five or even a crashing wave of fun. Learn more about this new attraction below.

1 – A New Attraction in EPCOT

The new walkthrough attraction is the latest addition to Walt Disney World, continuing a wave of growth and investment across the resort. As recently announced at Destination D23, an unprecedented number of projects are underway, and Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, is the newest chapter in that expansion. Debuting as part of a multi-year transformation of EPCOT, the attraction showcases the innovation and creativity that Disney is known for, further demonstrating the company’s commitment to incredible storytelling through immersive experiences.

2 – Interactive Experience

This lush and tropical path is the first Disney Parks experience to immerse guests into a world inspired by the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film, “Moana.”  This lively, interactive experience inspires guests of all ages to protect and cherish the water that connects and gives life to the world. As they make their way through the trail, they will see water in its various forms throughout the water cycle and have the chance to interact with it like never before. Just like Moana’s friend the ocean, water here has a playful personality of its own, and guests can join in the fun by playing music with “rain harps,” waving to jumping streams, and creating a roaring ocean wave.

3 – Fun For the Whole Family with Different Options

Designed with the whole family in mind, the experience of Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, can be personalized for each guest’s preferences with accessible pathways, wet and dry path options, and shaded areas to rest in. As guests walk along the trail, they will come across Te Fiti, who is seen protecting water as it travels through the water cycle. Guests might even discover beloved characters carved in the rock formations like Hei Hei, Pua, and, of course, Moana.

4 – A Whole New Experience at Night

If possible, try to visit the attraction at night for a whole new experience. The lighting in the area is beautiful, and the experience is elevated, similar to how Pandora: The World of Avatar is at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

5 – New Moana Meet and Greet

In addition to experiencing this new attraction, guests will have the opportunity to meet Moana in a new area of World Nature. Nestled across from Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, this will be the perfect place for fans to snap a few photos, share in a hug, or even recount their important learnings about water conservation with the Wayfinder herself.

6 – World Nature Neighborhood at EPCOT

These new elements enhance the story of the World Nature neighborhood, connecting with dynamic attractions like Soarin’ at The Land pavilion and family-favorite The Seas with Nemo & Friends. From adventures above the clouds to descending under the waves, the unique attractions in this neighborhood help guests engage with, appreciate, and learn how to protect the unique elemental ecosystems that enliven the world.

7 – Lots of New Experiences at EPCOT

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, joins new experiences such as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Connections Café & Eatery, and more as part of the EPCOT transformation. A new Walt Disney statue called “Walt the Dreamer” at Dreamers Point and the World Celebration gardens, with plenty of lush green space to enjoy, are also now open.

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Moana-Inspired Journey of Water Attraction Opens at Epcot- What Did We Think?

J ourney of Water, Inspired by Moana, opens at Epcot for all guests on October 16. We visited during the annual passholder previews. What should you expect when you visit Epcot?

Journey of Water, inspired by Moana, marks the most recent attraction added to the Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World . We have been hearing about this attraction for some time . This attraction draws inspiration from the Walt Disney Animation Studios movie “Moana.” In the movie, Moana connects with the water in Disney magical ways in that movie. She also shows devotion to nature. Guests visiting this attraction can experience a portion of that magic.

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, functions as a self-guided nature walk filled with interactive water features. Guests have opportunities to learn about the water cycle. The Epcot idea of education and entertainment wrapped into an attraction occurs with this new addition to the theme park.

Preview of Journey of Water

We visited recently during the annual passholder preview days. Currently, annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members can experience this attraction. Disney reserves the right on busy days to utilize a virtual queue system for guests to enter Journey of Water. This walkthrough attraction opens to everyone on October 16.

As guests walk through this attraction, they will be struck with the care that Imagineers took to present a complete narrative. Signs are located along the trail to help guests with the experience.

The trail works like a closed-loop path with one way in and one way out. Along the way, guests can choose a dry path or a wet path in places. Still, if you stay on the wet path, you will not find yourself facing a downfall of water if you follow instructions. In our recent experience, we found these places to choose a path worked well for group members with different objectives.

Water Features with Journey of Water

Several different creative water elements can be enjoyed by guests at Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana. We will not ruin all of them as you prepare for your Walt Disney World vacation.

Nevertheless, one prime example would be the water harp section. Five different water harp areas allow guests to play the “strings” of water-creating tones. The musical tones relate to the guest’s hands interacting with the water. This makes a good start to the attraction. These water harps make for great fun for kids and adults alike.

During our recent trip, we noticed people lined up to use the first water harp. Feel free to move to an open one to avoid waiting in this area.

Some water features allow groups of people to work together. In contrast, other sections are designed for guests to individually manipulate the water by their actions. For example, in one section, waves grow higher and stronger based on the number of people working together. We compared it to the “wave” at sporting events. However, in this case, working together actually makes a real wave of water.

However, several excellent splash pad areas reside along the path of Journey of Water. Though these offer similar effects found in other places at Walt Disney World, they fit nicely in Journey of Water.

Te Fiti at Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana

The large Te Fiti figure provides a great image for this attraction. We suspect once all the walls and barriers are down at Journey of Water, Te Fiti will be a very popular photo spot. Of course, it is hard to walk by Te Fiti without taking a photo now.

Along the path, several barely hidden carvings can be viewed within the rockwork and other solid areas of the pathway. Pairing with that, music from the “Moana” soundtrack plays. We would have preferred more music on the days we visited. Still, the “Moana” theme is hard to miss, in a good way.

Does it Fit Epcot?

In our opinion, this attraction fits the image and idea of Epcot wonderfully. Sure, we would have liked a ride where guests could sit down. Yes, we question the use of the “Moana” intellectual property at Epcot versus other Walt Disney World theme parks. Still, the intention of this attraction matches Epcot for at least two reasons.

First, once the initial excitement about the attraction (finally) opening dies down, Journey of Water should provide a leisurely attraction with limited waits to enter. Epcot has specialized in those styles of attractions.

Second, this attraction combines learning about the water cycle with theme park fun. Some of our group compared several features of Journey of Water to children’s museum exhibits. Those claims look valid. Yet, Journey of Water takes those to a Disney level.

Though I doubt most adults will spend an extended amount of time at Journey of Water during their Epcot day, families with younger children will love this. Okay, they will love it if they can keep their kids from getting too wet. Based on our recent visit, we heard lots of parents asking their children not to get too wet. For the record, that did not go as the parents may have desired.

Hot days will draw plenty of families to this attraction. The splash pad areas will be popular. Kids wearing diapers will need swim diapers.

Walt Disney World anticipates families staying in this attraction for an extended amount of time. Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, contains its own restrooms to aid with this. Plenty of places to sit can be found for the older crowd watching the younger ones play. Also, with the shade provided in many areas of Journey of Water, guests might find this attraction a good place to take a break.

However, this will not make a good option for a picnic. No food or beverage is allowed with the attraction. The only exception during our visit was water bottles.

This attraction will not uproot Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind anytime soon as the most desired attraction at Epcot. Still, not every attraction needs to be an “e-ticket” attraction.

We will not race back to this attraction in between our dining adventures at Epcot. However, we think many families will enjoy it. Feel free to let us know in the comments below what you think of it after you visit this attraction.

The post Moana-Inspired Journey of Water Attraction Opens at Epcot- What Did We Think? appeared first on Pirates and Princesses .

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.

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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: 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.

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(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.

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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

Join the AllEars.net Newsletter to stay on top of ALL the breaking Disney News! You'll also get access to AllEars tips, reviews, trivia, and MORE! Click here to Subscribe!

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 at Disney World’s EPCOT

UPDATED July 23, 2024

Journey of Water is an attraction — the first ever inspired by Moana — in EPCOT’s World Nature ! This experience officially opened on October 16th, 2023 .

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana

Journey of Water is one element  that joined several others that all ultimately came together to make up the historical transformation of the park .

STEP INSIDE the Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana HERE ! And join us on a FULL WALK-THROUGH of the attraction HERE !

Journey of Water — The Attraction

What is journey of water.

Guests can explore what Disney has described as a “lush exploration trail” that allows explorers to “play with magical, living water” through an immersive, self-guided walk-through attraction .

Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana

In addition to the trail and interactive living water experiences , guests also learn about the importance of the natural water cycle.

The Water Cycle

As you walk through the attraction, you’ll see signage describing the natural water cycle. Each of the sections —  Rain, Stream, Wetland, Spring, Land, Lake, River, Ocean, and Sky  — has a way for you to interact with the water.

Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley explained that these signs and experiences   “guide guests through the cycle of water in fun and engaging ways  to tell our story of the vital link we share with water across our planet, and inspire the important role we all share in preserving this life-giving and life-sustaining precious resource.”

Welcome to the Stream section!

The Walt Disney Imagineering team tasked themselves with   capturing the beauty of the natural water cycle   for the attraction. Disney says they were also inspired by Moana’s fierce determination to protect her environment and her bond with water .

If you’re a fan of the movie  Moana , you should be able to recognize some  familiar characters and shapes that are carved into the rocks and waterways .

There are about a dozen hidden characters throughout the attraction (both on land and in the water) throughout Journey of Water.

Baby Moana in Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana

As you explore, you’ll find signage that will help you know how to interact and PLAY with the water !

Journey of Water signage

Throughout the attraction, there are parts where you may simply play with certain water features and other sections where you’ll need to perform actions to get the water to respond.

For example, in the “Rain” section of the trail, Disney teaches us how water falls from the clouds to the earth and tumbles down the mountains, renewing everything it touches.

Journey of Water

To celebrate that,  guests can play with strings of water that play musical notes  as they touch them.

An Imagineer Comments on Journey of Water

Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley shared the following with Gizmodo.com : “For Journey of Water, the idea is really celebrating the cycle . You actually get a chance to meet water the same way Moana meets her friend water in the film , and we have some really fun experiences as you move through this trail that are totally unique, invented for this. But the underlying subject is really the importance of preserving water, like the cycle of water, the fact that all water is essentially finite, and it’s important for us to understand its role and to preserve it as a resource, so we’re able to use elements from Moana’s story. But the Epcot story is about water and its conservation; that idea is rooted in real ideas, real things that inspire us but then actually take you into that experience. That’s what we think the unique space of Epcot can bring to life.”

Journey of Water at Night

We’re uncovering the SECRETS of Journey of Water HERE!

Will i get wet exploring journey of water.

Disney has specified Journey of Water is a “self-guided outdoor trail” where you’ll learn about water being a friend, water connecting us all, and the need to protect water.

This experience is meant to appeal to everyone!

In the Land section, for example, you can walk through a waterfall, and it’s up to you how wet you get ! Walk slowly and the water will split around you, but walk quickly and you can get soaked!

Kakamora water feature

But there are portions of what Disney calls a  “dry path”  so if you want to learn about water without being covered in it, be on the lookout for those.

You can take the dry path instead!

Essentially, these are parts where the path splits in two and you can observe from a drier place without getting into all the wet features.

Group water element

So if getting wet is NOT your thing, don’t be concerned — you’ll be able to avoid playing too much with the water here, if that’s your preference.

Journey of Water — Location

Journey of Water is located in the World Nature neighborhood in EPCOT.

World Nature also encompasses The   Land and The Seas  pavilions.

Journey of Water — Attraction Access

Journey of Water is available through Standby access as a walk-though attraction.

Journey of Water — Characters

As mentioned above, there are about a dozen hidden characters from Moana throughout the attraction (both on land and in the water).

Can you spy Hei Hei?

One character in particular, though, is not hidden whatsoever.

Te Fiti in Journey of water

In fact, at 15 feet tall and comprised of over 3,000 pieces of foliage , this stunning sculpture of Te Fiti is a true highlight of Journey of Water!

Te Fiti in Journey of Water

Additionally, Moana is now meeting guests in EPCOT’s World Nature , right near the entrance to Journey of Water!

Moana in EPCOT

Be sure to check the  My Disney Experience app for appearance times, as this Meet-and-Greet is bound to remain incredibly popular for some time .

Journey of Water — Good to Know

Here’s a tip for you: Wearing a pair of waterproof shoes — or even packing a simple pair of sandals for this occasion — can really make this experience more enjoyable ! This way, you can experience the interactive water features in a more comfortable manner.

Now, you really don’t have to get  too  wet to experience any of these water features — most of them are similar to walking through a mister that you’ll find in other areas of the parks. But,  it can get  hot  in the Florida sun, and if you have the appropriate clothes, you might really appreciate taking advantage of these water zones at their fullest effect .

Water feature

You might also want to bring a poncho . Most of the water interactions are mild, but it doesn’t hurt to pack a lightweight poncho in your bag just in case.

Journey of Water Restroom

Should you or anyone in your group need to use restrooms, this attraction does have its own dedicated bathroom space.

Additional Specifications for Journey of Water

Restrictions: Some aspects of Journey of Water — or perhaps even the entire attraction — may close during inclement weather ; Wheelchair access is available only the dry path; Disney shares that “Service animals are permitted with caution in some areas; service animals must remain on the dry path.”

Height Requirement: Any height

News and Details About Journey of Water

• BREAKING: We FINALLY Know Who’s Going To Play The Live-Action Moana!
• The REAL Moana Visited EPCOT and Had Tons of Fun Playing with Water!
• NEWS: Following Abrupt Closure, the Moana Attraction Finale Has REOPENED in EPCOT
• NEWS: Disney Suddenly CLOSES Part of Journey of Water in EPCOT
• We’ve Gotta Share Some GOOD NEWS About Characters in Disney World
• Here’s the Bad News About EPCOT’s New Moana Attraction
• There’s a NEW Park Map in EPCOT — See All the Changes Here!
• ALERT! A NEW EPCOT Attraction Officially Opens Today!
• 25 Dates to Consider When Planning Your 2024 Disney World Vacation
• Why We’re Worried About October 16th in EPCOT

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Moana’s Journey of Water: Disney World AP & DVC Preview Dates & Virtual Queue Details

Walt Disney World has revealed preview dates for Moana’s Journey of Water at EPCOT! This shares the dates & details for Annual Passholder & DVC members, along with recommendations for attending the sneak peek and details about the virtual queue that’s being used. ( Updated September 24, 2023 .)

Before you get too excited about being the “first” to experience Journey of Water Inspired by Moana, it’s worth noting that Cast Member playtesting began in late July and ran through late last month. Playtesting differs from traditional previews in that Imagineering and Operations uses them to observe an attraction in action with normal audiences (or close to it) to see what works and what doesn’t. Participants are then surveyed afterwards for feedback, all of which Disney uses for test & adjust.

Walt Disney World has already moved on to regular Cast Member previews, just like most other recent attractions have offered. Cast Member previews for Journey of Water Inspired by Moana began on September 1 and will continue through September 22, 2023. That date is significant, as also just so happens to be the start of Disney100 at EPCOT, meaning that Moana’s official opening will miss that date.

We also now know that Moana’s Journey of Water will also miss the anniversary of EPCOT for its official opening date. Following the Cast Member previews, Annual Passholders can attend a special preview for Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana starting later this month. Walt Disney World Annual Passholder previews will take place at EPCOT from park open to park close on the following dates:

• September 24 to September 29, 2023
• October 1 to October 4, 2023

To participate in this preview experience, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders must have a theme park reservation for EPCOT on the day of the preview. Please note that:

• If your theme park reservation is for a different theme park (and not for EPCOT), then you will NOT be eligible to participate in a preview that day.
• If you enter EPCOT without a theme park reservation after 2:00 pm, then you will NOT be eligible to participate in a preview that day.

To check in for this preview, please visit the entrance to Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana—located across from Coral Reef Restaurant.

Important Information

• Registration is not required to attend the Moana’s Journey of Water AP preview.
• Again, you must have a theme park reservation for EPCOT on the day of the preview–Park Hopping to EPCOT is not sufficient.
• A standby queue will be in place for this experience; a virtual queue will not be available.
• An eligible, activated Annual Pass is required to attend this preview. You must show your Annual Pass card, Disney MagicMobile pass, MagicBand or MagicBand+—along with valid photo identification—when checking in.
• Everyone in your party must be an Annual Passholder to attend this preview experience.
• All offerings are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

We also now have the details for Disney Vacation Club previews of Moana’s Journey of Water:

• When: September 24 – 29 & October 1 – 4, 2023
• Time: From park open through 5:00 p.m.
• Where: Check-in will take place at the Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana entrance, across from the Coral Reef Restaurant in World Nature.
• Who: Eligible DVC Members with a valid EPCOT theme park reservation and valid admission to EPCOT on a preview event date.

The only material difference appears to be that the DVC preview period ends at 5 pm, rather than running until park closing. I wonder if that’ll actually be enforced, or if both will operate in exactly the same way. Additionally, eligible DVC members means those who qualify for Membership Extras (meaning you bought DVC directly or have a resale contract that’s grandfathered in).

September 24, 2023 UPDATE: Moana’s Journey of Water previews started this morning, and there was a standby queue that formed immediately at park opening, wrapping around the construction walls and to the park entrance. If our estimates are correct based on attraction capacity and the pace of people through the walkthrough when we did it, this is easily a 2-hour long line.

Previously, Walt Disney World indicated that only a standby queue would be used for Journey of Water previews and NOT a virtual queue ( see strikethrough above ). After park opening today, they decided otherwise, launching an impromptu VQ as the line continued to worsen. This started as being offered via paper slips ( a return of OG FastPass! ), but has since been integrated into the My Disney Experience app under EPCOT -> Special Events:

Unlike other virtual queues for TRON Lightcycle Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the one for Moana’s Journey of Water will only be used  as necessary  and after eligible Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members have entered EPCOT.

According to Walt Disney World, “standby line access for Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana may be available at park open and again after boarding groups have been called for the day. You can check back here to learn if current attraction access is via virtual queue or standby line.”

Frankly, it’s frustrating that Walt Disney World got caught flat-footed here. We’ve been discussing demand, capacity, and operational logistics for Moana’s Journey of Water for a while. In fact, our post about the Opening Date for Moana’s Journey of Water has an entire section dedicated to “Virtual Queue vs. Standby Line.”

Here’s the conclusion to that: “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.”

How this issue would be very obvious to someone on the outside, but not internally is confounding. That’s doubly so after multiple dates of Disney Park Pass reservations have fully booked up for EPCOT on preview days. Walt Disney World  knew  these dates would be busy–they have the data saying so!–and yet, they still said a virtual queue would not be used. (Let this be Exhibit 82 in the case that Walt Disney World is not nearly as good at forecasting attendance and demand as many of you seem to think.)

It’s still too early to draw any definitive conclusions about what this means for the official opening day and thereafter, but our view is that this dramatically increases the odds that Moana’s Journey of Water will also need a virtual queue during normal ops. In the nearer term, it’s likely that the virtual queue will be necessary even after today. Although demand is always worst among the APs wanting to be “first,” the fact that park reservations are fully booked for several other dates suggests there’s a steady stream of demand in the days to come.

What follows is the original post about Moana’s Journety of Water AP and DVC previews…

Timing-wise, these preview dates make sense for Moana’s Journey of Water. Honestly, I’m a bit surprised the timeframe isn’t longer, running at least 2-3 weeks in late September and early October 2023.

That has pretty much been the preview playbook for EPCOT in the last few years with both Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Both of those had prolonged preview periods, and both occurred during the two slowest months of the year (September and May).

This was mutually advantageous: they 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…

It’s really interesting and curious that Walt Disney World is not requiring registration for Moana’s Journey of Water previews. There are a number of plausible potential explanations for this. One is simply that their system is  so bad  at sending out emails to notify APs of the registration opportunity, and that the past previews have filled up fast.

We’ve seen this play out again and again, which is why we send out email alerts letting readers know when registration emails have gone out for past previews. We typically hear from a ton of people who didn’t get the email directly from Walt Disney World–or who had it get caught by SPAM filters–but got the notice from us, and were only able to register because of that.

We’ve also heard from even more frustrated fans who didn’t get the official notification and saw our email “too late” (meaning over 15 minutes after it went out), got stuck in a long virtual queue for registration and wasted hours watching a progress bar…only to be shut out. I’d hazard a guess that Walt Disney World has received a ton of complaints from Annual Passholders as a result of the preview process.

So this could simply be a “solution” to that–shifting demand to the park itself, and letting the chips fall where they may.

Another possibility is that Walt Disney World is dropping registration since Moana’s Journey of Water is not an blockbuster addition or E-Ticket attraction, so the internal view is that preview registration is unnecessary. This could be a matter of not wanting to set expectations too high, or thinking that demand will be far lower since this is “only” a walk-through water exploration trail.

I’m skeptical of either explanation. For one thing, the ship has already sailed on setting expectations. Walt Disney World has been teasing Moana’s Journey of Water for  years –for better or worse, fans have already formed an opinion on what this is or should be. The hype is what it is, and preview registration (or the lack thereof) is not going to change that.

For another thing, this could be an opportunity to purchase an Annual Passholder exclusive Moana fidget spinner for “only” $25, and there would still be a long line on day one. Disney diehards are a different breed, and savor nothing more than exclusivity and ridiculously long lines. Since this is a new attraction several years in the making rather than a fidget spinner, you can be assured that the demand will be even higher. And not just on day one. So either Walt Disney World management has made a massive miscalculation, or this is purposeful.

My money’s on the latter. I suspect all of the previews have been and will be part of a “stress test” on Moana’s Journey of Water–both the walk-through itself and logistics in handling demand and operational realities of a relatively low-capacity walkthrough nestled among construction walls.

Walt Disney World operations is still likely learning a lot about crowd flow for Moana’s Journey of Water. I suspect final line logistics have not been finalized–and probably won’t be until after AP previews. (The queueing issues for Journey of Water are another topic for another day –for now, just be aware that they exist.)

Suffice to say, if you’ve been shut out of AP or DVC previews in the past and are relieved to see that Moana’s Journey of Water is lower stress…you might want to hold that thought. What’s happening here is Walt Disney World opening the floodgates and shifting that stress to the in-park experience. You’ll pay the price in the Florida heat and humidity, rather than while sitting at your computer enjoying creature comforts, such as air-conditioning.

On a positive note, demand for Journey of Water previews will definitely be lower than for Cosmic Rewind or TRON, but so too is the barrier to entry. Those previews could be pretty chaotic, and that was even after Walt Disney World limited their levels well below organic demand. In this case, organic demand is lower–but it’s going to be unchecked. Total shot in the dark, but I’m guessing more APs show up each day for the Moana’s Journey of Water previews than did for Cosmic Rewind or TRON Lightcycle Run.

To that point, demand for Moana’s Journey of Water previews is going to be at its highest on the morning of September 24, 2023. This is an incredibly easy prediction to make even though it’s a Sunday when Pixie Passes are blocked out. The basis for this is quite simple–it’s a weekend when many locals are off work, and there are tons of diehard Walt Disney World fans who want to be “first” for everything.

Following that, September 25 in the morning will be very busy for pretty much the exact same reason, with the lack of Pixie Pass blockouts further fueling elevated demand. To be clear, those entire days will be bonkers, but the mornings will be especially bad.

After that, I’d expect it to be reasonably busy most of the time, perhaps with lower crowds in the mornings on subsequent days and higher crowds in the evenings after work and school. In general, “best” and “worst” are relative terms, as it’s likely that lines will be lengthy pretty much no matter when you go during the preview period.

We won’t be able to attend these previews for Moana’s Journey of Water, but if we could, we’d target the mornings of September 28 or October 3. Depending upon how chaotic the earlier dates are, we might even do Early Entry and make a beeline for Journey of Water. I’d probably also return for evening on either or both days, hoping that demand had died down a bit. (This assumes each AP can attend multiple times; if not, I’d go only at night and just deal with whatever the crowds might be.)

To each their own, but I personally do not see the point in trying to be “first” for a preview of Moana’s Journey of Water. For one thing, you won’t be first–there’s already been over a month of Cast Member previews. For another thing,  who cares? Are the bragging rights of being first-but-not-really that great? Is it worth fighting what will undoubtedly be colossal crowds?

The answers for me are an unequivocal “no,” and I say that as someone who blogs about Walt Disney World. (You’ve probably heard the saying, “it’s better to be the best than the first.” That also applies to being a fan and enjoying things for fun rather than having bragging rights in being first.)

For those who are wondering, this potentially leaves the door open to soft openings for Moana’s Journey of Water. My guess is that the walk-through opens after Columbus Day in order to miss the worst of the fall break crowds. If that’s accurate and the official date ends up being October 16 or later, I could see Journey of Water doing wider soft openings as something of a release valve for regular guest demand.

As always, we’ll be paying close attention to what happens with both the official opening date for Moana’s Journey of Water and any (additional) preview or soft opening opportunities. If you’d like a heads up when an announcement is made or soft openings begin, you can subscribe to our free email newsletter for instant alerts .

Ultimately, we are 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. In the near-term, I have a lot of concerns and unanswered questions about how Journey of Water will “work” until demand dies down.

Between its capacity and the new attraction smell, I anticipate a number of unavoidable operational issues that are going to frustrate fans–including those who were previously pissed off about being shut out of previews completely. Personally, I think opening the floodgates is an interesting approach for AP and DVC previews and a “good” way to stress test for what demand will be like and how Moana’s Journey of Water will handle regular guest demand once it officially opens. But in fairness, I say this as someone who won’t have to endure the long lines myself, and can watch it play out from afar!

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 attend an Annual Passholder or Disney Vacation Club member preview? Will you try to do one of the dates 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

We had early entrance Sept 25, took a little while to get to Moana due to cast members telling us the wrong location for the line (I should have just gone with Tom’s description; its right in front of/across walkway from Seas building) & got there pretty close to 9:00 and walked right in, no wait. We all had fun playing with the water, using hands/arms to make it rise and fall and make music and jump, and it was lovely. People just need to know it is a minor attraction and set expectations accordingly.

I miss the simple days of buying an admission ticket and riding the ride of your choice. Guess I am getting old.

We will be down for the week before it opens and in Epcot on October 9 and 13. We are not AP or DVC. Do you think there is a chance we will be able to see it in a soft opening?

We just got back from EPCOT a bit ago. We booked our date for the AP preview when it was announced and strolled over around 6pm to experience this in the evening. You can imagine our disappointment in finding out there was a virtual queue put in place without any notice. The line at 6 was very long and they told us they weren’t sure if they would take walk-ups for the evening. We decided to check out the 4 new food booths, get our AP magnet, and ride Soarin over CA! After Soarin we went back over to a now empty Journey of Water and they let us in at 8:45 pm. We were able to stroll through at our own pace with maybe 10-20 people in the trail. I agree with you though. How could they not know the demand for this? they have access to their AP inventory which is sold out. I already questioned how this would work without a registration and it didn’t.

I still have no clue what this is, other than maybe fountains and waterfalls?

I think Tom meant that first link to be to his review. Here’s it is: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/moanas-journey-water-review-photos-video/

Haha, indeed I did. Thanks!

One “Devil’s Advocate” reason to be among the first to experience the attraction is to make get in and see it before some of the features break down and/or are phased out because they are too unreliable for consistent operations. See: underwater mermaid light effects, Pirates of the Caribbean. It might also behoove one to see the attraction in its mint in box state, before all of the grubby guest hands trash all of the real and fake plant life and leave chewing gum all over the rock work…

This is a fair enough point…or would be, if Journey of Water were currently in ‘mint’ condition. As far as I know, they’re still in test & adjust and haven’t had all of the effects working most days. So it might be one of those things where the ‘sweet spot’ is November through March 2024, rather than right away.

I do agree that there’s a good chance at least some of the interactivity will be put on timers–that’s a concern we raised in our review.

Is anyone else frustrated with Disney? Moana’s water walkthrough construction began 2021 completed end of 2023. Small walkthrough not a big people eater. Then you have Universal building a whole park, started 2021 set to complete 2025. Disney is driving your average family away with its all to over the top planning vs easy going fun that Universal offers. Disney stockholders better pay attention.

This technically started back in 2019; they just paused for most of 2020. Pretty ridiculous, either way.

I don’t think the average family cares how long construction took once it’s open, but I still take your overall point.

I wonder if WDW delayed implementing the VQ for today’s previews just so they can say “See? THIS is why we need virtual queues! Now get off our back about TRON…”

I know a lot of people want to believe Walt Disney World is playing 4D chess with certain decisions, but trust me, they are not.

If this were part of some grand scheme, they wouldn’t have affirmatively indicated there would not be a virtual queue. They also wouldn’t have scrambled to roll one out morning-of.

Yeah, the thinking was probably more like “We won’t need a virtual queue for passholder previews, because it’s not like every passholder who made an Epcot reservation is going to try to rope drop it.” But I do hope somebody there is saying “I told you so” today.

We’re AP and direct DVC and have ZERO interest in this. It is randomly placed out of place in an education park and blocks the iconic “golf ball” as my little one calls it. The fake imagineers should have created a Polynesian Pavilion and built it in the world show case circle. If Iger and Mark Parker sells to Apple we are selling our DVC at a loss and cancelling our APs, I don’t care. That company is circling the drain. I hope Disney goes bankrupt and they repo Iger’s stocks, yacht and golden parachute.

I don’t understand. I thought Journey of Water is an area of the park, a path, a themed section, rather than an attraction. There will be lines? Can you walk through to avoid the longer construction routes through Epcot without waiting on line?

So, my adult son and I (who are both annual passholders) have had an EPCOT reservation Sept 25 for months, but we are also taking my 13 year old nephew as a special treat, and he is of course not an AP. So even though we reserved this day months ago and are coming from out of state (we’re not locals who can drop by a couple of weeks later), we are not going to be able to do the preview because we have a non-AP child with us??

This is from another comment below in case you missed it, “ David Z September 7, 2023 We just got the DVC email (we joined three weeks ago!). Dates are the same as the AP dates – noon to 5PM each day. Up to four guests per member”. So looks like you’ll be Ok!!

I’m looking forward to this and think it will be a nice respite from the heat. But good Lord, open it up already. You’d think they just spent the last half decade building a rocket to to Mars with all the cast member previews and testing. Just open it.

I’m actually looking forward to this attraction! I love Moana and I think a low key walk through attraction can offer a nice respite during a busy day in the park(s). My kid is no longer little, but it will be nice for families with small children who are too young/small to go on many rides yet. I hope it will be open for everyone by the time we visit in early November. All that being said, I hope they do build a Moana ride at some point as well. My son thinks a Moana ride where you battle Te Ka and Tamatoa would be excellent

I think that’s the right attitude to have, and once the hype burns off and this settles into normal operations, it’ll be a nice little addition for families with small children…or anyone who wants to cool off on a hot day at EPCOT (which is most days).

Walt Disney World needs more additions like this, not less. They just need to find a way to build them faster, more cost-effectively, and without marketing them to an absurd degree.

Well, I will already be down there then and I have missed out on every other preview…so I will do this. I’m letting my Pass expire this year so I can finally have some financial recovery time, so if I get in I can finally check off ‘passholder preview’ as something I experienced. I guess all my passholder luck these past few years has been Star-Wars based, which is honestly fine for me (though I am still bitter about being shut out for Guardians.) Not looking forward to the heat, but that is what my umbrella and neck fan are for~

“Not looking forward to the heat, but that is what my umbrella and neck fan are for”

That’s what this is for, too! 🙂

Have fun and enjoy the preview. Hopefully my predictions about crowds turn out to be inaccurate doom and gloom!

Thanks… as I was reading this, I got the DVC invite: Disney Vacation Club Member Preview: Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, When: September 24 – 29 & October 1 – 4, 2023, Time: From park open through 5:00 p.m. Where: Check-in will take place at the Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana entrance, across from the Coral Reef Restaurant in World Nature. Who: Eligible Members with a valid EPCOT® theme park reservation and valid admission to EPCOT® on a preview event date.

Thanks for the heads up–neither of us got that email!

We just got the DVC email (we joined three weeks ago!). Dates are the same as the AP dates – noon to 5PM each day. Up to four guests per member.

Unlike many I’ve been a big supporter of this project from the moment it was announced… just hoping that it lives up to its potential as a natural respite from Epcot’s original version of the future as a sea of concrete.

I wish Tom & Sarah could be there for these previews (as I’m anxious to hear their thoughts), but I’m so happy for what I presume is their reason to stay home. It’s also poetically apropos that this attraction and the Bricker family might simultaneously experience downtime because the water breaks.

Well, I will be doing Destination D23, so it’s possible that I will end up getting a sneak peek at Journey of Water via other means.

After that, your presumption is correct. Trying to attend any of these previews would be cutting it too close for comfort.

I think the bigger issue is that many still think this is a ride versus a walkthrough attraction. That is where the frustration will come in after waiting in line the realize you walkthrough it and probably most of the interactive parts won’t even work due to high volume usage during the previews. More bad press coming for WDW I fear.

That’s absolutely an issue, and what I was referencing when saying that the ship has already sailed on setting expectations.

As I frequent photographer of construction walls, I can safely say that guest expectations are all over the place for this based on what I’ve overheard. In general, guests and fans are expecting it to be more than it is. (Same deal with San Fransokyo Square at DCA.)

Meanwhile, many guests think the replacement for Splash Mountain is a restaurant thanks to the “Tiana’s Foods” construction walls.

I love walking through beautiful gardens so I see it as a welcome addition. But being first? It was fun to be part of the early AP thing for Ratatouille but this? I can wait.

I’ll be honest. I have a hard time getting excited about this new “attraction”. It does seem to be more in line with the overall original focus of EPCOT, so there is that. But overall it seems to me to be no more exciting than walking through Pandora or through the Swiss Family Treehouse. But maybe I’m a skeptic.

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Disney Gives First Look At New Moana Attraction Coming To EPCOT

• News and Tips
• Travel News

Walt Disney Imagineers are sharing the first look at a new attraction coming to EPCOT. In celebration of World Princess Week, we’re seeing some design details within “Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana.” When it opens, this will be the first-ever attraction based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios film Moana .

“We were also inspired by Moana’s fierce determination to protect her environment,” said Reid Ekman, lead concept designer for Walt Disney Imagineering, in a blog . “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.”

Journey Of Water, Inspired By Moana

Designed for all ages, the new attraction will allow guests to explore and engage with water as it travels from the sky to the ocean and back again. Guests will see familiar shapes and characters from the film carved into rocks and waterways throughout the attraction. 

Walt Disney Imagineering partnered with artists and cultural consultants from Walt Disney Animation Studios to bring the experience to life and capture the beauty of a natural water cycle. 

“As part of our design process, Imagineers create models, mock-ups, and maquettes to bring our beloved characters and stories into the parks in sometimes unexpected ways,” said Ekman.

The Park’s Design

Photos on the Disney Parks Blog show the early stages of the design process before painting and other details have been finished. The experience is inspired by Moana’s friendship with water and her devotion to protecting the environment.

Sculptors add detail and texture until the emotional expression of the character’s carving is just right. Then, they do a paint study and create full-scale samples to test the final materials and carving techniques. This way, the production and creative vision come together.

One photo shows a sample from the mountain-like forms that will be the entrance to Journey of Water. Fans will be excited to see Moana’s iconic spiral!

“Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will be brought to life within World Nature — the EPCOT neighborhood dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty, awe, and balance of the natural world,” said Ekman. “Moana is the perfect role model to inspire us to protect and conserve water and guide us through the Journey of Water.”

Creating The Rockwork 

On Instagram , Zach Riddley, creative portfolio executive with Walt Disney Imagineering, explained the craft of creating the rockwork at the attraction. He described it as a blend of art and science.

“Seeing this carving and sculpting progress live is one of the things I love most about my role as an Imagineer,” Riddley said in a post. “The range of textures are inspired by real-world formations — all the way down to the tiniest details and variation that, when finished, should be impossible to distinguish from the real thing.”

Journey Of Water Opening

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana was announced in 2019 with an opening date slated for 2021, but construction was delayed because of COVID-19. With construction underway, a confirmed opening date isn’t expected until sometime in 2023.

Read more about EPCOT and Walt Disney World, including:

• 9 Incredible New Things At Walt Disney World The Whole Family Will Love
• My 9 Favorite EPCOT Restaurants I Enjoy Every Time I Visit
• Walt Disney World Announces Its Holiday Plans With The Return Of Many Fan Favorites

Allison spent almost 20 years of her career as a TV news anchor. She’s covered everything from political conventions to Super Bowl LV to hurricanes and, most recently, the pandemic. She is a two-time Emmy award-winning journalist. She's been recognized for her work nationally and regionally by organizations including the Associated Press, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists.

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Any updates on Moana: Journey of Water opening dates? I know Cast Member Previews have started but we're so impatient and hoping it will open during our trip! Thanks! (or should I say, "you're welcome?") ”

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Cooperative Extension: 4-H

Northern maine children’s water festival at umaine.

Join Scarlett, Melissa, and the 4-H Science and Engineering Learning Center as they explore organisms found in the ocean. Kids get a chance to touch, hold, investigate, and explore species found in the Gulf of Maine. This free, hands-on, learning festival is geared towards 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. The event will be filled with a variety of water resource professionals that promote the value of clean water and healthy habitats, as well as provide teachers with materials and lessons they can use in their own classroom.

Date: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 Location: University of Maine, Orono

For more information visit the Children’s Water Festival website .

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

Safety, Accessibility and Guest Policies

Times for journey of water, inspired by moana – new.

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Zelda Tears of the Kingdom: Full Water Temple walkthrough

• Author: Dave Aubrey

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has traditional dungeons! Well, kind of. Things are still very wide and open for players to flex, but there are more traditionally titled and themed dungeons, in which you’ll be set upon a more linear path than in Breath of the Wild’s Divine Beasts.

But some parts open up, and can be just as complicated as a traditional dungeon, with a more open layout. That’s why we’re writing up everything you need to know to get through the Water Temple in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom .

This temple rests high above Zora’s Domain, and is complicated to get inside – check out our Clues to the Sky quest guide for more on that.

Once you’ve ascended to the sky and passed through the Igoshon Shrine , you should find yourself within the Water Temple with Prince Sidon. Everything you need to get through this challenge is below – good luck!

For more Zelda guides and tips, like how to find and activate all Skyview Towers , or an explanation of all Zonai Devices , make sure to read our full Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom walkthrough .

Water Temple, Four Faucets – Zelda TOTK

When you enter the Water Temple proper and activate the terminal, you’ll discover that you need to turn on four water faucets in order to get enough water to wash away the sludge that has been plaguing Zora’s Domain. You can complete these in any order, but it’ll be easier to follow our order below.

First Water Temple Faucet – Zelda TOTK

First we’re heading Southwest, up the floating pieces of ruin that clearly used to be a walkway. Up here we’ll have to take down some tough Construct enemies. 

On the Northwest corner of this platform up here, there will be a water orb generator covered in sludge – you can use Sidon’s water attack power to clear it. 

Then you can grab the large puzzle orb floating in the pool here and place it in a water orb to send it up to the next area.

You need to drain this pool of water. On the East side of this platform there’s a water sluice gate you can open – attach a nearby floating Zonai platform and power it to hold the sluice open.

Then, place the large orb in the slot at the bottom of the drained pool. This will open the cafe to the first faucet, which you can activate using Sidon’s power.

Second Water Temple Faucet – Zelda TOTK

Next, we need to get up onto the platforms on the far East side of the Water Temple, as there are two faucets up there. You can pull some shenanigans with water orbs to get up – as is likely intended – but you can also Paraglide over from the highest point over the Water Temple’s entrance. Freedom.

Once again you’ll need to clear the enemies out as you explore. Head to the Northern platform first, as that’s easiest. Again, climb a wall, and you can Paraglide over from here. 

The waterwheel next to the waterfall needs to turn in order to power this area. You can attach the two stone slabs near the waterwheel in order to make it start turning.

Next, follow the electric connection and see it comes to a stop at a wall. Use Ultrahand to drag a nearby water orb between the gap, and it’ll open the gate to where the faucet is.

Third Water Temple Faucet – Zelda TOTK

You can get back to the previous island using the waterfall here that the waterwheel uses – it’s easy to Paraglide from the top.

In this area you need to hit the stone which is inside of the spinning structure. 

Use the floating platforms and Water Orbs to get some height, and then you can aim a bow in mid-air to slow time. In slowed time, aim an arrow inside of the spinning structure and hit the stone.

Once you do find a way to hit the stone, the water will drain, giving you access to the third faucet.

Fourth Water Temple Faucet – Zelda TOTK

The fourth faucet is a tricky one. Head back to the center of the Water Temple and climb down the West side of the temple to find the stairs which lead down to it. The front door is covered in flames. You can use a floating platform to block the flames as you walk under – you can either take one from the previous area, or use Ultrahand to reach inside the room and pull one out from within.

Once inside, there’s a small puzzle orb on the far side of the room across some spikes. You can Paraglide over to it, and then simply throw it back over the spikes thanks to the low gravity. From there, use a floating platform to place it fairly high up, and then climb up the wall and grab the orb from there.

The orb’s slot is on the wall – you can either hold the orb in place and then use Recall to open the gate up, or you can attach the orb to a floating platform that will hold it into the wall. 

Whichever way you do it, it will open up the gate for the fourth and final faucet.

Mucktorok Water Temple boss fight – Zelda TOTK

Mucktorok is basically a big sludge shark, but inside he’s not all that tough.

Your main goal should be to hit Mucktorok with a water attack – whatever you have available to you. That might include pulling out a Zonai Hydrant, or perhaps even attaching one to your shield, or just relying on Prince Sidon’s water attack. After Mucktorok is hit with water in shark form, the weaker enemy inside will be revealed.

Mucktorok isn’t too tough, but it is tenacious. Use Prince Sidon’s water attack to clear the battlefield of sludge and attack Mucktorok as often as possible. As long as you have enough health and meals to eat during the fight, you will come out on top.

When the weaker enemy starts moving quickly, it’s a good time to pull out the arrows. Good luck!

Once Mucktorok is down, the Water Temple will be complete. Make sure to pick up your Heart Container as a reward!

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