Journey of Water new Moana attraction at EPCOT

Journey of Water inspired by Moana is the newest attraction to open at EPCOT. And today we have a passholder preview to experience the attraction before it opens to the public on October 16th. Find out everything you need to know about Journey of Water!

Journey of Water Basic Information

This new attraction is an interactive water feature inspired by the movie Moana. If you’ve seen the movie, you know how important water is. And this feature explains how water connects us all taking us through 9 areas of the water cycle.

Before you start the experience here are a few things to know:

• Journey of Water is located in World of Nature – Basically follow the big ball to the right and you’ll see it before the Living Seas.
• The attraction is open during park hours – This means it’s open all day from park open to park close. Check EPCOT hours.
• The max capacity is 151 – If really busy this attraction may require a virtual queue to enter. Check the Disney app for more info.
• The water is recirculated – This means do not drink the water unless you want the chance of getting sick.
• No food or beverages are allowed – The only exception is bottled water, but only on the wet deck. No glass is allowed.
• Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult -And diaper age children must wear swim diapers. Think water playground.
• A restroom is located within the experience – Not only is the restroom conveniently located, but could be a good place to change.
• Expect to get wet – You can stay dry if you want, but expect your children to get wet. They can’t help it.

For more information check out the official site at Journey of Water | Inspired by Moana | Walt Disney World Resort.

Walking Through Journey of Water

Today it is raining off and on which is why we have raincoats and ponchos. You do not need a raincoat, but you may want to plan to have a change of clothes for children. In fact, it’s better to have the kiddos in shoes that can also get wet. We are with our daughter and our friends Jack and Lisa and their kids. And even though our daughter has a raincoat on, we’ll see how it goes.

As we mentioned, Journey to Water is inspired by Moana and you can find familiar shapes in the rocks. But the experience is about the water cycle that connects us throughout the world. There are signs in each section where It truly follows the journey of water from rain back to the sky.

Rain

The journey of water starts with rain. And there are some rocks with water flowing down them like rain. But just past is the 1st interactive feature.

There are a few “strings” of water where a sign invites you to touch them. If you do, they play music like stroking a keyboard or piano keys. The kids have fun before heading to the next area.

Stream

The Journey of Water continues as the rain runs over the ground coming together to form a stream. And past the Stream sign is the 2nd interactive water feature.

This time another sign directs you to stand on specific spots marked on the ground. Once at the right spot, you can wave to the stream in front of you and watch the water move. Some water shoots from left to right just like you waved it to do so.

Wetland

The next area is Wetland where the stream spreads out and soaks the soil. And just past the sign is the 1st time we get a choice where to go. You can take the dry path to the left or walk through a wetland.

The wetland is basically a little bridge where water is flowing over it. It’s not much water, but enough to get the kids’ shoes wet. At least it’s not raining right now.

Spring

When the water soaks into the ground, it can move underground creating a spring. And here is another interactive water feature similar to the last where you have to stand on a specific spot.

However, unlike the last one where you waved at the water, here you hold your arm out. When you move your hand up or down, the water moves also. The kids are having a blast and so are the adults around them. And look out for another familiar face in the rocks nearby – Pua the pig.

Land

You might wonder how land is part of the water cycle. Well, land shapes water’s movement and water shapes the land. Makes sense. Here we see another choice to choose a dry path or not.

Of course the kids chose the wetter of the 2 options. If you move slowly, a waterfall might open on your head as you walk through. Remember if there’s a dry path, and you don’t take it, there’s a good chance you’re getting wet. Though it’s still raining off and on anyway. Just past the waterfall we see the path for the restrooms, but we continue on.

Lake

The journey of water continues to a small lake. We can see a waterfall though water comes from different sources to accumulate in the lake. And probably the coolest feature at the lake is the recreation of Te Fiti. The goddess of creation from Moana stands 16 feet tall.

The rain is really starting to come down again, but people are taking turns posing for pictures here. Though if you follow the fence around you can get a closer view. Though it’s raining, I stop for a quick picture with Te Fiti. She’s amazing to see even in the rain.

River

From the lake we journey to a river which spreads through the land providing water to people, plants and animals. And after the sign, it pretty much goes into the ocean area. However, there is a splash pad perfect for the kids to get wetter.

Like other splash pads, water jets pop out water while kids are standing over them. There’s even water falling from overhead here. Not sure why our daughter put her rain jacket back on because she’s soaked.

Ocean

The journey of water continues to the ocean and another interactive water feature. But the thing that strikes us here is the smell. It actually smells like the ocean, but not in a good way. I think they added a little seaweed for the authentic smell.

But the interactive water feature here is probably one of the best. Again you stand on a specific spot and raise your arms. And it’s better if you have multiple people to create a mighty ocean wave.

Sky

And the journey of water ends where it began, in the sky. The water evaporates creating clouds ready to be start again as rain. Now we have come full circle from the sky to the ocean and back.

Here you can stand in the mist of water returning to the sky. After sky we are at the end having spent about 20 minutes walking through Journey of Water.

Journey of Water Summary

Journey of Water inspired by Moana is a fun new experience at EPCOT. If it wasn’t raining, I could see this being a nice place to go on a hot Disney day. But the opposite is also true. If it’s a cold day, this might not be as much fun. But the kids could have played here for much longer if we had let them. Our daughter got completely soaked, but loved every minute of it.

The consensus is all smiles and we look forward to coming back on a sunny day. For more of our Disney adventures, check out Disney World Archives – Working Family Travels.