Disney World Rolls Out Barriers to Address EPCOT's Troubled Lighting System

Walt Disney World has installed rolling construction barriers around half of EPCOT's central planter in the World Celebration Gardens. This move follows years of issues with the area's in-ground lighting system, which has been plagued by problems since its installation.

The new barriers sit on wheels and carry greenery that blends into the landscaping while hiding a work area. They block off guest access to a large portion of the central planter behind Spaceship Earth, leaving only one side of the plaza accessible.

This development raises questions about whether Disney is finally moving to permanently fix or remove the in-ground lighting system. The history of the issue is complex: the lighting briefly returned to full working order in December 2024 after nearly a year of stops and starts, but strips separated from the ground again by January 2025.

The situation has only continued to deteriorate, with mortar beneath the strips continuing to deteriorate and popped-up sections becoming tripping hazards. Disney previously blocked off a large portion of the planter in June 2025 as a stopgap measure.