Following the addition of the wand, Epcot stayed relativity stagnant until 2003 when Mission: Space finally opened. The new attraction was a motion simulator thrill ride which was themed as an astronaut training program for the first flight to Mars. In 2005, Another simulator was added to the park, this time to the Land pavilion in the form of the new attraction Soarin'. Initially created for Disney’s California Adventure, this motion simulator gave guests the feeling they were hang gliding over California. In 2006, The Living Seas was rethemed to tie in with the Disney-Pixar movie Finding Nemo, subsequently renamed The Seas with Nemo & Friends. The pavilion now housed a dark ride attraction (also called the Seas with Nemo & Friends), as well as Turtle Talk with Crush, and the interactive exhibits in Sea Base. Overall, the pavilion took a much more of a fantasy tone, as opposed to the previously scientific tone of the pavilion. The most recent major change to Epcot came in 2007, when the Wonders of Life Pavilion closed. The pavilion had not been sponsored since 2001 when MetLife dropped its sponsorship, and had seen a decrease in popularity. The Wonders of Life pavilion remains closed to guests, except during special events like the Flower and Wine Festival.
==Opening==
Epcot officially opened October 1, 1982 - exactly 11 years after the Magic Kingdom. On hand were dignitaries from 23 countries who poured a gallon of water into the Fountain of Nations as a sign of unity. A Grand Opening Week was held October 17th through October 27th. VIP members, key press, celebrities including Drew Barrymore and Marie Osmond, and top executives from sponsor companies were on hand for the events. On October 24th, Epcot was officially dedicated.
{{Quotation|To all who come to this place of joy, hope and friendship—welcome.
EPCOT is inspired by Walt Disney's creative vision. Here, human achievements are celebrated through imagination, wonders of enterprise and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting benefits for all.
May EPCOT Center entertain, inform and inspire and above all, may it instill a new sense of belief and pride in man's ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere.|
E Cardon Walker<br />
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer<br />
Walt Disney Productions<br />
October 24, 1982}}
Walker's dedication was followed by speeches from Florida Governor Bob Graham and AT&T president William Ellinghouse. CBS aired a television special, ''EPCOT Center: The Opening Celebration''. The special was hosted by Danny Kane and actually aired the day before the official dedication, October 23. Also on hand for the opening were marching bands and dancers who performed, “We've Only Just Begun To Dream” and a new Sherman brothers song, “World Showcase March”. Various musical acts from different countries also performed in World Showcase. At the finale of the opening, doves and balloons were released in celebration.
==Additions To Epcot Since 1982==