Special Previews Announced For New 'Moana' Attraction At Disney World
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on August 24, 2023 at 12:30 PM EDT
A new "Moana"-themed attraction is coming to EPCOT at Walt Disney World, and fans cannot wait.
Disney World is inching closer to an official opening date as the Parks are now holding Cast Member previews for Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana.
When Will Cast Member Previews Open For Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana?
Disney previously announced that Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, will open in "late 2023″, though an exact date has not yet been released. However, Guests can anticipate the attraction to open soon as Disney announced when the Cast Member previews will take place.
The previews for Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, will take place on select dates from September 1 through September 22. This will be the second round of Cast Member previews, as the first batch ran from July 25 through August 19.
Cast Member previews at Walt Disney World allow their employees to experience new attractions and rides before they open to Guests. This also will enable Disney to hear feedback from Cast Members before their Guests experience the ride or attraction and can work out any kinks they may be experiencing. After Cast Member previews, Disney typically holds Annual Passholder previews, followed by the official opening of the new attraction or ride.
This news comes after Disney Imagineers began testing the new attraction. Walt Disney Imagineering shared photos to Instagram in June of the fresh 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 conserve our natural resources better 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, fans notice a group of Disney Guests, some with their arms up in the air, as water emerges from the rocks before their eyes. The company has referred to Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, as a "lush exploration trail" allowing Guests to "play with magical, living water."
What Is Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana?
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 unique experience to open ever since.
Disney has described the upcoming attraction: "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."
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."
The upcoming attraction, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, is based on the hit film, "Moana," which 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+.
According to the Walt Disney World website, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will open in "late 2023″. A specific date has yet to be announced.
