As noted previously (in the Rosewalk Widening thread, I think?), it looks like they're removing more of the original pink pavement and replacing it with a light tan color. This also matches the color they've used in the new main entrance plaza.
Given the locations we've seen so far, it's safe to assume that the entire central spine will have the new tan sidewalks, if not all of Future World as well. With the challenges of replacing this much pavement in an active theme park, it will likely take years to complete the entire patchwork process from beginning to end, as various other projects are undertaken along the way.
While this change isn't an inherently bad thing (though the lighter color is more prone to stains and visible wear, as seen in MK's hub), it is a clear departure from one of Epcot's few park-wide unifying design elements, and one that has become quietly iconic and instantly recognizable over the years. The reasoning for the original color choice is now obsolete (color quality on Kodak film), but it was a careful decision nevertheless, and one that surely influenced other color pallets throughout the park. Given the expense and complex logistics of such a massive undertaking, I can only hope that the new color was chosen with similar care, and will similarly serve to unify a park full of seemingly-disparate ideas.
Interestingly, it appears that they're leaving the curb around the planter as the original color. Perhaps this will be replaced during a future phase, when they have more time to replace the guardrail, or perhaps this will be another example of modern WDI getting a big idea and overlooking some of the details required to fully complete it.
Ultimately, time will tell how this eventually plays out, but it's worth keeping an eye on in the background of all these other projects.
blogmickey.com
