EPCOT's Mary Poppins Attraction Revival Stalls Amid Spaceship Earth Update

Disney's plans to update Spaceship Earth at EPCOT have been in limbo since 2019, when they were initially canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, during the recent D23 Ultimate Fan Event, Disney announced that the project will be revived and revamped to focus on human communication and connection. The ride's new iteration will still retain its classic EPCOT feel.

While this news was unexpected, it got us thinking about another abandoned EPCOT project from the same period: the Mary Poppins attraction in World Showcase. First announced at D23 Expo 2019, the indoor teacup-style ride would have been themed within a recreation of Cherry Lane from the film series.

Concept art for the attraction was released, and it was featured in the park's EPCOT Experience preview center. However, when work on EPCOT resumed after the pandemic closure, the Mary Poppins attraction remained absent, with Disney confirming that development had been postponed due to the ongoing evaluation of long-term project plans.

The scuttled Poppins plan isn't the first time a ride has been planned and canceled for the U.K. pavilion. During the 1980s, Imagineers designed a full-scale water ride that would have taken guests on a cruise down the Thames and featured London landmarks.