FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Epcot construction is in full swing now, with large walls now up around the park's entrance and much of the central area of Future World. And though Epcot's transformation has already begun with the openings of The Epcot Experience and Epcot Forever, there is so much to look forward to in the coming years, including one last attraction that should be open before the end of the year...  

1. Space 220 (Late 2019)

Image: Disney

Though Space 220 might seem like a strange name for a restaurant at Walt Disney World, the number actually refers to the number of miles above Earth diners will have to "travel" to get to this new dining location, which will be opening later this year at the Mission: Space pavilion.

Though Disney hasn't shared all the details yet, guests who show up to the entrance of this new restaurant will be able to board a special elevator outfitted with windows that let guests take in the views of the earth below them as they blast off into space and travel from Earth to this out-of-this-world dining location. 

Then once guests step into the dining room, they will be able to see amazing views of space with intergalactic scenery in the background, including a space station and a friendly astronaut floating nearby. Diners will be waited on by an international crew, and then, once their meal has concluded, will ride the elevator once again to return to Earth from their space dining experience. 

No specific details on the menu have been made available yet, but we do know that this dining location will will offer internationally-inspired cuisine courtesy of Executive Chef Theo Schoenegger (who previously worked at Maria & Enzo's Ristorante) as well as over 1000 bottles of wine and craft beer will be available when Space 220 opens before the end of the year. 

2. Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue (Late 2019)

Walt Disney World has announced a new fast-casual barbecue restaurant that will replace the Liberty Inn quick service restaurant in the American Adventure pavilion, which closed permanently earlier this year onJuly 8. This new location, which will be named Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue will open later this year. Here's the official description of this new establishment:

The new location will be a modern barbecue smokehouse, with all the accompanying sights, sounds, smells and flavors you love – including a large smoker preparing fine food every day right on the pavilion’s promenade. There will also be a redesigned patio.

3. Awesome Planet (January 2020)

Image: Disney

Earlier this yearDisney announced Awesome Planet, a brand new original film especially designed for Epcot, which will be coming to the Land Pavilion in the space formerly occupied by Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable. Here's the official description: 

An on-screen exploration of the realm we call home, showcases the spectacular beauty, diversity and dynamic story of our earth with all the grandeur guests have come to expect.

With spectacular nature photography, immersive in-theater effects, and space sequences created by none other than Industrial Light & Magic (which provided the cinematic foundation for the Star Wars franchise), “Awesome Planet” will stir Epcot guests and deliver an environmental message that will resonate far beyond its final scenes.

Of course, this description is fairly general and vague, but the concept behind this new film still sounds really interesting and the ecologically-friendly message in Awesome Planet is definitely something that will align with the overall theme of the Land Pavilion, but will hopefully feel more up-to-date than its Lion King-themed predecessor. We're also excited about the prospect of the Harvest Theater being upgraded to facilitate the special effects detailed above in the description of the new show. 

4. Canada: Far and Wide (January 2020)

Image: Disney

The current O Canada circle-vision attraction closed in August 2019, and will be replaced by an all new Circle-Vision 360 movie at Epcot's Canada pavilion, which will open in January 2020. Using all new seamless digital technology, the new 360 movie, Named Canada: Far and Wide, will include new scenes, story and music.

5. Beauty and the Beast Singalong (January 2020)

Image: Disney

Last year it was announced that a brand new new Beauty and the Beast sing-along attraction would be coming to Epcot's France pavilion, and will play in the Palais du Cinéma (the theater that houses Impressions de France). This location is now closed for refurbishment as work begins on getting this space ready for the Beauty and the Beast Sing-a-long, which will play in addition to the French film, and is being created by Don Hahn, producer of the animated and live-action Beauty and the Beast film. This new addition will debut early next year. 

 
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Add new comment

About Theme Park Tourist

Theme Park Tourist is one of the web’s leading sources of essential information and entertaining articles about theme parks in Orlando and beyond.

We are one of the world’s largest theme park guide sites, hosting detailed guides to more than 80 theme parks around the globe.

Find Out More About Us...

Plan Your Trip

Our theme park guides contain reviews and ratings of rides, restaurants and hotels at more than 80 theme parks worldwide.

You can even print them.

Start Planning Now...