Disney on Broadway Exhibit: A welcome use of CommuniCore Hall
The major reimagining of EPCOT included the recreation of CommuniCore Hall which was promised to be used for all the special festivals that take place at EPCOT. It’s been a slow go for the space, which has housed food booths, merchandise and a seating area. The creation of the “Once Upon a Stage, 30 Years of Disney on Broadway” exhibit marks a significant step towards realizing the space’s full potential.
In the past Disney has used the old Wonders of Life Pavilion to host classes and seminars, as well as tasting and cooking experiences. When the new CommuniCore Hall was finished we had hope some of these special events would return to the the various festivals.
The Disney on Broadway exhibit perfectly demonstrates the ideal use for this newly reimagined space during the 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. When you walk into the exhibit you first come upon the giraffe costume from “The Lion King.” Here you can see at the base of the neck where the face of the actor will be located as well as where his legs and arms are located.
This is the only costume that has a name. It’s called Ray after Ray Mercer Ray Mercer a dancer and fight captain in the Broadway production of The Lion King. He has played the 14-foot-tall giraffe in the show for over 20 years.
To the left side once you walk in is The Lion King Mask and Puppet shop showcasing
To the right as you walk in is the Aladdin Costume Shop.
There a few photo opportunities available, including holding and rubbing the genie’s lamp from the musical and the rose from “Beauty and the Beast.”
After the photo opportunities are a look at the various costumes from the many Disney on Broadway musicals.
To the side are some items from “Newsies.”
For the first time these vignettes from the various shows have been put on display.
This is the type of exhibit that should be common during the various festivals. Hopefully this space will become a staple for the these types of exhibits and not the exception.
