Interact with water in a whole new way with Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana (pictured, photo by Amy Smith/©Disney), a new experience coming to EPCOT® at WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort.

Ready to see how far you’ll go? At Walt Disney World® Resort, experience the newest attraction at EPCOT®: Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana. This new, interactive exploration trail gives your whole family the chance to play with magical water while learning about the water cycle and the importance of water conservation. Based on my visit, the experience is a testament to EPCOT’s mission of taking you on adventures that both educate and entertain, and fits perfectly into the park’s World Nature neighborhood alongside The Land and The Seas with Nemo and Friends. See what to expect ahead of your next visit.

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Inside Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana

At Destination D23 2023, it was announced that beginning Oct. 16, 2023, Walt Disney World Resort guests visiting EPCOT will be able to 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. The new walk-through attraction is located in the World Nature neighborhood of EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Amy Smith, Photographer)
Photo by Amy Smith/©Disney

I had the opportunity to attend one of the Annual Passholder Previews held for the attraction and was immediately blown away by how immersed I became in the world of water. It felt like a relaxing and beautiful oasis right in the heart of EPCOT.

Inspired by the blockbuster animated feature Moana, the walkthrough attraction features several sections themed after different parts of the water cycle and various bodies of water such as rain, lakes, and the ocean. Each section features unique ways to interact with water. Some elements allow you to play right with the water, from various fountains and a splash pad to streams of water leaping above you.

Travel tip: If you are traveling with young children who may enjoy running through the splash pad, pack them a change of clothes.

At Destination D23 2023, it was announced that beginning Oct. 16, 2023, Walt Disney World Resort guests visiting EPCOT will be able to 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. The new walk-through attraction is located in the World Nature neighborhood of EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Amy Smith, Photographer)
Photo by Amy Smith/©Disney

Other features require you to perform an action to get the water to respond. For example, jumping in one marked spot results in a gush of water shooting up into the air. Another element encourages you to wave your hand through several streams of running water to trigger harp sound effects, with each stream of water playing a different note. Symbols and signage throughout the experience guide you to each of the unique interactive elements and instruct you on how to cause the effect. 

One of my favorite aspects of the attraction was how it encouraged you to work together with fellow guests to create even bigger water effects. For one interactive element in particular, the greater number of guests that you had perform the motion, the greater the height of the wave that you all can cause to erupt! 

At Destination D23 2023, it was announced that beginning Oct. 16, 2023, Walt Disney World Resort guests visiting EPCOT will be able to 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. The new walk-through attraction is located in the World Nature neighborhood of EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Amy Smith, Photographer)
Photo by Amy Smith/©Disney

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana features lovable characters and symbols from the movie etched into the beautiful landscape of the attraction. Throughout your journey, you can search for Moana, Maui, Pua, Hei Hei, and more. And, at 15 feet tall and made with 3,000 pieces of foliage, Te Fiti sits amongst the picturesque scenery. As you travel through the trails, you’ll also hear familiar songs from the popular movie soundtrack.

What I love most about this new attraction is how it combines beloved characters, exciting and interactive learning moments, and Disney magic into a totally unique experience. Unlike some of the other attractions in the park, you can experience Journey of Water at your own pace. Take your time and enjoy all of the incredible details and try out new ways to play with the water around you.

How to Experience Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana

At Destination D23 2023, it was announced that beginning Oct. 16, 2023, Walt Disney World Resort guests visiting EPCOT will be able to 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. The new walk-through attraction is located in the World Nature neighborhood of EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Amy Smith, Photographer)
Photo by Amy Smith/©Disney

With surprises around every turn, each trek through the experience is unique. You can choose whether to take the dry paths or the wet paths, and can spend as much time as you would like in each area. You can also experience the attraction during the day or at night, with colorful lighting adding an extra touch of magic to the water elements after dusk. I highly recommend visiting the attraction during both the day and night, as each experience provides a unique viewpoint of the water elements.

During my experience, I witnessed guests of all ages immersing themselves in the world of water. From toddlers splashing in the puddles, families reading the engaging signage to learn about the water cycle, and teens taking advantage of the photographic backdrops and characters, this attraction adds a whole new element of fun to the park. This attraction is also a perfect way for you to cool down during your next park visit. Next time you are in EPCOT, make sure to check it out!

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana opens at EPCOT on October 16, 2023. Moana will also begin meeting guests at EPCOT on this date, sharing hugs and stories of her journeys.

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