Disney World Begins Testing Features At New 'Moana' Ride

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana -- the new "Moana"-inspired attraction coming to EPCOT -- was first announced in 2019. Fans have been anxiously waiting for the new experience to open ever since.

Now, it seems Disney is making waves as Imagineers are beginning to test some of the features involved with the upcoming attraction.

According to the Walt Disney World website, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will open in “late 2023". As we now near an opening date, Disney is beginning to test the features of the upcoming experience.

Walt Disney Imagineering shared photos to Instagram of the new water features up and running, writing, "As we test and prepare our next attraction to welcome guests later this fall to World Nature in EPCOT, our Imagineers have begun to teach water how to play in Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana."

The post continued, "Guests of all ages will engage with water in a variety of ways as they learn about water’s amazing “journey” around our natural world, including ways to better conserve our natural resources and protect water as it voyages throughout our natural world, connecting us all. We hope everyone feels inspired to connect with water as a friend, just like Moana did in the film!"

In the photo, we can see a group of Disney Guests, some with their arms up in the air, as water emerges from the rocks right before their eyes. The company has referred to Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana as a “lush exploration trail” which will allow Guests to “play with magical, living water.”

According to Disney officials, Journey Of Water will be the “first-ever experience inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ hit film [and] will let Guests interact with magical, living water in a beautiful and inspiring setting.”

Disney has described the upcoming attraction as, “Designed for all ages, Journey of Water will allow guests to explore and engage with water as it travels from our skies to our oceans and back again. Fans of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana” will be delighted to see familiar shapes and characters carved into the rocks and waterways throughout Journey of Water. A great example of this is Moana herself, who will be positioned proudly – celebrating water’s arrival to our ocean.”

The upcoming attraction, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, is based on the hit film, “Moana,” which is described as:

Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped, and no one knows why… Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana is about an adventurous teenager who, with help from demigod Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and save her people.

The film stars Auli’i Cravalho (Moana), Dwayne Johnson (Maui), Rachel House (Gramma Tala), Temuera Morrison (Chief Tui), Jemaine Clement (Tamatoa), Nicole Scherzinger (Sina), and others. The film is currently streaming on Disney’s streaming service, Disney+.

A live-action version of "Moana" is currently in the works as well.