Walt Disney World Epcot Discussion Thread

[COASTER FREAK 11]

I do not believe it is supposed to be the space station, though they share a similar distance from Earth. The ISS sits around 240 Miles.

 

The number could come from Math though. That distance could be the sweet spot for large/heavy things to have a balance between the Earth's gravitational pull and the centrifugal movement of the object. 

OR! It's totally arbitrary!! LOL

[SharkTums]

I think it's just supposed to be 220 miles above the Earth. I'm sure when we're taking the cool space elevator they will let us know why!

 

[bert425]

1 hour ago, COASTER FREAK 11 said:

I do not believe it is supposed to be the space station, though they share a similar distance from Earth. The ISS sits around 240 Miles.

 

The number could come from Math though. That distance could be the sweet spot for large/heavy things to have a balance between the Earth's gravitational pull and the centrifugal movement of the object. 

OR! It's totally arbitrary!! LOL

NASA says ~250. .but EarthSky says 220.

(I really do think that's where the Ima gineers got that # from)

 

[bigboy]

Directly from the Disney parks blog article posted before this debate ensued:

"The Space 220 restaurant is located adjacent to the Mission: SPACE attraction, and takes fine dining to a whole new level.  Your immersive experience begins as you check in to the Space 220 Departure Lounge in Future World.  From here, you’ll board one of two “Space Elevators” that will transport you in what seems like 220 miles above Earth to Centauri Space Station."

That phrase is worded awkward as hell, but there lies the answer.

[bert425]

discussion, not debate

[KBrylczyk]

[jedimaster1227]

Today Space 220 Restaurant, the newest addition to EPCOT opened at the Walt Disney World Resort. TPR was invited to attend the grand opening ceremony and to experience lunch firsthand 220 miles above the Earth aboard the Centauri Space Station. This new dining experience offers prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner as well as lounge dining featuring an a la carte menu with an interstellar view. The restaurant is operated by the Patina Group, the restaurant branch of Delaware North that already operates a number of restaurants at EPCOT, Disney Springs and the Disneyland Resort. 

Guests take one of two space elevators to/from the space station from the restaurant lobby attached to the Mission: SPACE pavilion. Once above the Earth, a sustainable crop-farm in space and a space vineyard are the sights that tease the larger experience ahead before entering the main restaurant venue. 

Space 220 Restaurant is the newest addition in the ongoing transformation of EPCOT.

The new restaurant is located at the Mission: SPACE pavilion with the new entrance tucked in the back corner of what was formerly an extended queue space for the attraction.

The official sign for the restaurant out front. 

EPCOT Vice President Kartika Rodriguez was on hand to help ring in the grand opening.

It isn't a Disney grand opening without an appearance from Mickey and Minnie!

Space 220 Restaurant is officially open!

Time to head in!

The lobby for Space 220 is futuristic but subtle by comparison to what you experience miles above.

A look at the "stellarvator" that takes you to/from Space 220 Restaurant.

Ready to make our way up...

You're given a boarding pass for each reservation/party.

Next thing you know you're looking down on EPCOT as you are raised high into the sky...

Just as you can look down to see the Earth shrinking below, you can also look above to see Space 220 Restaurant grow nearer. 

The view of Florida from the top...

The experience concludes with the opening of the airlocks and a release onto the space station.

Very different than what you find on the ground at EPCOT.

Neat to see the crops the restaurant grows in space. 

Once inside of the main restaurant you're greeted with this incredible view.

The restaurant of the interior design is just as impressive!

The bar features a huge mirrored backdrop that allows guests to enjoy the panoramic view of space without turning around.

Notice the X2 Deep Space Shuttle from Mission: SPACE floating just outside of the restaurant. 

Just taking it all in...

The restaurant offers alcoholic and zero proof cocktails for flavor profiles of all ages.

With each kids meal a set of collectible trading cards is given.

There are three series in the deck (Earth, Venus and Mercury) along with three tech cards. Each deck comes with five cards. 

From our booth, we could see astronauts moving pieces across space for the new construction on the floor above us.

The Blue Moon Cauliflower is a tempura fried cauliflower appetizer with housemade hot sauce (buffalo) and blue cheese dust. This was fantastic!

The Centauri Caesar Salad is a delicious take on the more conservative appetizer.

A fun souvenir cup for kids to enjoy during their meal.

More pieces being sent upstairs!

I don't often rave about sides, but these Roasted Fingerling Potatoes were showstoppers and nearly the best thing we tasted during our preview... Absolutely perfect.

The Galactic Lobster Globe is the "Space Station Supplemental" option for the prix fixe menu. Available for an added $18, this  Maine Lobster Salad includes Quinoa, Bulgur Wheat, Avocado, Lettuce, Mango, Citrus Dressing and Crispy Wontons. The portion size was incredibly generous and the amount of fresh, buttery lobster was a great surprise. I would absolutely order this again!

The Lemon Mousse is incredibly picturesque and very tasty!

Taking Astro on a space walk!

This is really quite impressive.

A reassuring sign for those visiting one of the restaurant's lunar restrooms...

I thought it was pretty neat that this room is filled with bottles of wine in each of those tubes.

Our elevator is here to take us back down to Earth.

Down we go!

Upon our return to EPCOT, we found a long line of guests waiting to experience Space 220 Restaurant for themselves.

The entrance to the restaurant lobby is tucked into the corner on the righthand side of the pavilion.

Space 220 Restaurant is a great addition to EPCOT and definitely a unique experience to be had! Reservations can now be booked in advance for the restaurant, which are highly recommended given the expected demand over the next few months. 

[bert425]

the design is just as impressive as I hoped it would be.   And the food all looks fantastic. . thanks for sharing a great report.


question time tho:   about how long was the experience for you? (from entry until back out after eating).

did it feel at all claustrophobic, with no windows there?    or did the effects of the "space windows" work to counteract that feeling?

I'm wondering as I think I'd have a very tough time getting my claustrophobic Spouse to try this, as I think the "space elevators" might put him off. . but the restaurant itself seems very roomy and open.

[Satans Hockey]

Great report, this looks fun, definitely on my list of things to do whenever we get back down there. 

Not at all classy but I'd be amused by some sort of man vs food challenge, like the Mission Space Orange challenge where if you eat your entire meal and don't barf on Mission Space Orange you get a free meal or a free express pass for a ride lol

[Hilltopper39]

Very very cool, this is one of those additions that's been open for a day and already feels like it's been there for decades. Such a perfect concept and fit for the park that I'm kind of surprised Epcot didn't have something like it previously. We don't really do full service meals at the parks very often aside from an occasional character dining, but my kids would absolutely love this so might have to check it out soon.

 

[Haymaker]

11 hours ago, bert425 said:

the design is just as impressive as I hoped it would be.   And the food all looks fantastic. . thanks for sharing a great report.


question time tho:   about how long was the experience for you? (from entry until back out after eating).

did it feel at all claustrophobic, with no windows there?    or did the effects of the "space windows" work to counteract that feeling?

I'm wondering as I think I'd have a very tough time getting my claustrophobic Spouse to try this, as I think the "space elevators" might put him off. . but the restaurant itself seems very roomy and open.

The pics ive seen of the space elevators show them to be pretty big vs. a hotel size elevator. It looked to be around Haunted Mansion stretching room size.

[cfc]

Looks like a great dining experience, which I'm sure will be mobbed for sometime to come. That lobster salad looked great--as did the lemon mousse.

But where are the Space Food Sticks?

[coasterbill]

I'll let the hype die down for a few years but I'll probably check this out at some point. They had me at "Patina Group".

[dreynolds1982]

Looks gorgeous. Can't wait to try it out. Also an absolutely perfect fit and as another poster said, really feels like a proper Epcot FW addition. Sort of an old school Epcot idea with next gen tech. Should bring some renewed life and interest to Mission Space too. I also hear that you can see a ship from Guardians of the Galaxy outside of the screen (which tracks with the ride soon to be next door...)

The only "problem" with Epcot now is there are far TOO MANY awesome, fantastic food spots ha. It's like Pokemon...Gotta try em all! 

[anonymouscactus]

On 9/23/2021 at 9:30 AM, coasterbill said:

They had me at "Patina Group".

Funny I walk by a Patina restaurant every day to get from the parking lot to my job, but I've never been inside or ever even read or hear about it. (they are not open for lunch though, otherwise my boss probably would have talked about it a lot and taken me there since he is a foodie and tells me about ALL the food all around WNY lol)

https://www.patinagroup.com/patina-250/menu

I never realized it was a "thing" or that they were all over Disney until today. Might have to check it out one of these days. It has good reviews, too. Obviously it's not themed like a Disney restaurant would be, but if the food is good... that's all I care about

[Nrthwnd]

On 9/23/2021 at 6:30 AM, coasterbill said:

I'll let the hype die down for a few years but I'll probably check this out at some point. They had me at "Patina Group".

Same here, about 1) checking it out in a few years (maybe a 2024 visit?) and 2) Patina Group = Quality to me.

[tinaalsgirl]

Oh my GOD, that was beautiful!

[Haymaker]

I know Disney fans are resistant to change, and saw a lot of people say Harmonious wasnt great. I saw it last night, and have to say...

They are Out. Of. Their. Minds. 

One of the best shows I've ever seen. Glad I didnt spoil it for myself by watching on YouTube. 

[tinaalsgirl]

I hope Harmonious stays a while. I would love to see it in person. I've watched it twice on YouTube and it's brought me to tears both times!

[SharkTums]

^We just watched it again last night.  As jaded Disney locals the show is totally fine and great for normal guests!  I think my only small criticisms are the opening feels a little slow, like there should be fireworks sooner than they finally show up and the ending song seems a little out of place, the pyro is great during the ending and seems way more intense and energetic than the song.  The rest is amazing! People love the disney music and it's a lot of fun and high energy. 

[YoshiFan]

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure is switching from a virtual queue to a standby line

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/01/scurry-into-standby-at-remys-ratatouille-adventure-at-epcot/

I'm glad to see the virtual queue is gone. I did not like waking up at 6:45 am with the chance of getting early boarding group when I wasn't going to Epcot until later in the day.

[Canobie Coaster]

While I always got lucky getting boarding groups for Remy and Rise, it was a stressful experience.  I'd much rather have the option to just wait in a long line than be completely shutout from riding something because of a technological glitch or losing a game of fastest finger.

[coasterbill]

Having boarding groups for Ratatouille was absolutely dumb.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Totally agree on this.

And, are they also including Single Riders queue for Remy? Or not at all? I forget.

There was one in Paris, back in 2015, which is how I got to ride it five times in a row!

It worked fine, for myself. 

[Haymaker]

5 hours ago, coasterbill said:

Having boarding groups for Ratatouille was absolutely dumb.

They ended it because they needed the bandwith to use it for Cosmic Rewind.