Returning to EPCOT? How to find retro park magic for your family

Heading back to EPCOT after the massive redesign? Here is how to find retro 80s and 90s park nostalgia now that CommuniCore Plaza and World of Celebration are in full swing.

Photo Credit: Brian McGowan via Unsplash

If you haven't stepped foot inside EPCOT in a few years, or if you're taking your kids for their first trip you are in for a state of shock. I know I was when I recently saw the finished undertaking of CommuniCore Hall, World of Celebration and Connections Eatery. It took a while to complete, but Imagineers reimagined what the heart of Future World should look like. Where we once saw those iconic purple carpets, neon wall sconces and the faint, but delicious smell of chicken strips from The Electric Umbrella, are now replaced with sleek glass architecture, crisp lawns and clean modern lines. But if you're looking to relive your glory days and share a slice of retro EPCOT with your family, don't worry the spirit of the park hasn't vanished. From secret heritage pavilion logos, to classic synth pop music loops and legacy rides like Living With The Land, here's your ultimate guide for finding old school EPCOT magic inside the modern park today.

• Spot the "Secret" heritage logos around the pavilion: You can still find the original 1982 ring medallions embedded in the ground to reignite those childhood memories. Which I know might be small and silly, but what's life without a little silly. Plus you should get a sense of comfort inside of CommuniCore Hall because they used those iconic geodesic patterns from Spaceship Earth to continue the message of a bigger and brighter tomorrow.

• Trade The Electric Umbrella Nostalgia for Garden Grill: This one hurt me a little. Gone is the classic fried fanfare of chicken strips and fries. But can still find that old school EPCOT magic at Garden Grill as it rotates around part of Living With The Land, plus eating there and immediately after letting your food digest on Living With The Land is basically like riding the best boat ride in Disney twice, so I don't see any problem with this plan.

• Synth Pop Soundscapes: You can still hear those retro synth melodies around Spaceship Eart and Journey Into Imagination if you want to unlock core memories you tucked away.

• Nighttime Nostalgia Found: You can catch a cool nighttime transformation at Dreamers Point. Sitting by the Walt The Dreamer statue at dusk to watch the Spaceship Earth Beacon of Magic. Suddenly you'll see that iconic globe light up with classic EPCOT musical scores. And it's a subtle nod to those really cool tiles that had twinkly lights inside them from back in the day.

• Legacy Rides: Take your kids on the Journey Into Imagination with Figment, I did this with my husband, who's never been to Disney... let's just say it unlocked some forgotten memories and might have had me question my entire existence. Plus we can't forget about Living with The Land and it's safe to say we can Add Soarin to the list. Not to mention the true kings of the park Spaceship Earth and Test Track 3.0 (which reopened earlier this year with a new design honoring the original 1982 World of Motion).