Te Fiti Scale Model on Display at D23 Expo, Developed for EPCOT Journey of Water Moana Attraction

Hi everyone!

A beautiful Te Fiti scale model developed as a design tool for EPCOT’s upcoming Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana walk-through attraction is on display this weekend at the Disney D23 Expo. The model can be found in the Disney Parks and Experiences Wonderful World of Dreams pavilion. The final Te Fiti will be 16′ tall! This figure is comprised of 3200 pieces of scenic foliage, and has over 180 feet of vines.

Photos by Denise Preskitt, Mousesteps

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana “will immerse guests in a lush environment where the story of our global cycle of water is brought to life.” Guests will explore an outdoor trail, and will be invited to play and interact with water “as it travels from our skies, to our oceans and back again”.

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is currently being built in the World Nature neighborhood of EPCOT.

The display shares a look at how the Imagineering team worked with the Walt Disney Animation Studios to finalize the pose and size of Te Fiti. Digital models created by animators during the filming of Moana were used to verify details.

Imagineers used maquettes to study the proportions of Te Fiti, and used sketches and photographs to “study the ways the figure could embody the idea of protecting water”.

Here are a couple more photos of Te Fiti at the Disney D23 Expo.

There has been no date announced yet for Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana to open.