Then and Now - WDW Comparison Photos

WDWtraveler

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Forty-eighth set of photo pairs. France Pavilion at Epcot. Remy's Ratatouille Adventure addition.

Then: March 2018. Before the Ratatouille attraction was built, the right side of France was a quiet courtyard that led to a backstage gate.

France 11 March 2018 (1).JPG


Now: June 2022. The pathway was enlarged and an entrance to the Ratatouille attraction was added.

IMG_3717.JPG


Then: March 2018. From across the canal, as viewed from the Epcot resort's International Gateway, the first construction fence appeared and many of the existing trees were removed. This was a backstage area for the France pavilion.

IMG_0304.JPG


Now: June 2022. From the same viewpoint, portions of the Ratatouille attraction can be seen as well as other new buildings. Most obvious is the addition of the Skyliner tower and transportation system.

IMG_3719.JPG
 

WDWtraveler

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Forty-ninth set of photo pairs. Tron Lightcycle / Run at the Magic Kingdom.

Then: July 2017. View from the PeopleMover looking at Tomorrowland Speedway and the Space Mountain gift shop.

IMG_9846 July 2017.JPG


Now: July 2023. The view has changed considerably. The roof of the Tomorrowland Launch Depot (gift shop) seems rather plain now. Note the rectangular speaker box on a pole is still there.

IMG_3872 July 2023.JPG


Then: July 2017. Ground level view between the Tomorrowland Speedway and the Space Mountain gift shop. Note the effects that gave the pavement "character."

IMG_9833 July 2017.JPG


Now: July 2023. Gone are the benches, planters, and the building buttresses that would impede traffic flow.

IMG_3846 July 2023.JPG


Then: July 2017. This view from the PeopleMover is recognizable because of the two light poles that still remain in place. In the below photo, the only features that stand out are the train tracks and the pathway to Fantasyland.

IMG_9841 July 2017.JPG


Now: July 2023. The same view as in the above photo shows the same two light poles, but Tron Lightcycle/Run fills the view. The realigned train tracks are hidden inside the tunnel and behind the tall landscaping.

IMG_3862 July 2023.JPG


Then: July 2017. As viewed from the PeopleMover, the recognizable feature below is the staircase inside the Tomorrowland Speedway track. The background was a large area of trees with a partially hidden pathway to Fantasyland.

IMG_9840 July 2017.JPG


Now: July 2023. The reworked staircase is still in place, but the view is dominated by Tron Lightcycle/Run.

IMG_3858 July 2023.JPG


Then: December 2018. Finally, a view from Fantasyland of the pathway along The Barnstormer and train tracks that led to Tomorrowland.

IMG_0928 Dec 2018.JPG


Now: July 2023. The same view of the pathway to Tomorrowland. The train tracks are well hidden by tall landscaping, which also hides the box building of Tron Lightcycle/Run. Note the extended queue line poles for The Barnstormer in the current photo.

IMG_3875 July 2023 2.JPG
 

Robbiem

Well-Known Member
This thread has brought back so many memories of happy family vacations with people no longer here. Thank you to everyone for sharing

I‘ve not been to Florida for 24 years so I’m amazed by so many of the changes like no sparking lights in the Magic Kingdom trees and Dinosaur Gerty being closed (I remember when she had big letters spelling ice cream on her back)
 

WDWtraveler

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
50th set of photo pairs. Epcot main plaza behind Spaceship Earth and Communicore Hall. With the current dense landscaping (trees, etc.) in the plaza, only a few building landmarks were visible to line up these photo pairs.

Then: September 2013. The main plaza behind Spaceship Earth, as seen from the entrance walkway on the right side. Looking towards the large fountain in the center, you can see in the distance the end of the MouseGear gift shop building.

IMG_2088 Sept 2013.JPG


Now: August 2024. The only thing recognizable in the new photo is in the center, the end of the same building that housed MouseGear, which is now the Creations Shop.

Aug 2024 main plaza.JPG


Then: August 2019. View from the plaza fountain (silver railing on the left) towards the Starbucks Fountain View coffee shop. To the right of the coffee shop is the green passageway to The Land pavilion.

IMG_1706.JPG


Now: August 2024. Same general view from the center of the plaza. The opening to the right of the building leads towards The Land pavilion.

Aug 2024 Fountain View.JPG


Then: August 2019. The end of the West Innovations building housed the original Club Cool. The Fountain View coffee shop is on the right. The silver railing on the left surrounded the central fountain in the plaza.

IMG_1707.JPG


Now: August 2024. While the West Innovations building is gone, this is the approximate view of where the original Club Cool was, which is now the outdoor stage near Communicore Hall.

Aug 2024 Club Cool.JPG


Then: August 2019. View from the rear door of MouseGear gift shop looking across the plaza to the end of the West Innovations building. The low circular structure on the right side is the outdoor stage at the back of the central fountain. The landmark for this photo was the Imagination pavilion pyramid to the left of West Innovations.

IMG_1714.JPG


Now: August 2024. The same view from the rear door of the Creations Shop (same building) looking across the plaza. The Imagination pavilion pyramid building is on the left, but mostly hidden by the newly planted trees.

Aug 2024 end of bldg.JPG
 
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Simba's Mom

Well-Known Member
All these photos are fascinating-I wish I had some to show. Last time I was at the Le Halles Bakery in France, I took my tray out to the courtyard area to eat, the open area surrounded by the Doorway to the ice cream shop, the France movie, where there used to be tables and chairs. No tables and chairs there now-just one big open area. I'd like to think that maybe everything had been cleared out to wash the area, and they hadn't put the stuff back yet, but I suspect that's not the case. Too bad-there's little enough seating there as it was.
 

Nunu

Wanderluster
Premium Member
All these photos are fascinating-I wish I had some to show. Last time I was at the Le Halles Bakery in France, I took my tray out to the courtyard area to eat, the open area surrounded by the Doorway to the ice cream shop, the France movie, where there used to be tables and chairs. No tables and chairs there now-just one big open area. I'd like to think that maybe everything had been cleared out to wash the area, and they hadn't put the stuff back yet, but I suspect that's not the case. Too bad-there's little enough seating there as it was.
I too, remember those tables and chairs in the courtyard. Haven't seen them for quite some time, unfortunately. Getting a table at Les Halles is like hitting a jackpot, lol.
 

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