Closing at Epcot: Club Cool, Starbucks, Electric Umbrella, MouseGear, Fountain of Nations, Etc
Walt Disney World has quietly announced a slew of closures for Epcot as Future World prepares for its massive Central Spine Redesign that was announced at the last D23 Expo. In this post, we’ll take a look at the news of the closures, interim plans, and some of the past rumors about changes coming to Epcot.
Interestingly, none of this news comes from an official Walt Disney World press release or announcement on the Disney Parks Blog. Instead, individual pages on DisneyWorld.com were updated with refurbishment notices, like this one for MouseGear: “As part of the ongoing transformation of Epcot, Mouse Gear will move to a temporary home this winter while its current location is reimagined.”
Subsequent to that, the @WDWToday twitter account has been inundated by questions regarding the closures, and has provided additional details clarifying and elaborating upon what’s happening–and when. We’re guessing that Walt Disney World plans to make a splashier announcement about the future of Epcot at the Parks & Resorts panel at next month’s D23 Expo, but here’s what we know so far…
Character Spot, Innoventions East, Colortopia, Nanooze Break, Club Cool, Electric Umbrella, the Fountain View Starbucks, Art of Disney, and the Camera Center underneath Spaceship Earth will all close at various points later this year, with the earliest closures beginning in September.
As part of the ongoing transformation of Epcot, Innoventions East (which only means the Colortopia and Nanooze Break exhibits at this point) is scheduled to close on September 8, 2019. The final date of operation for this area will be September 7. Note that Innoventions West has already ceased operations.
For many Walt Disney World vacation planners, Character Spot is the biggest closure on this list. It will also close on September 8, with all of its characters relocated to new, temporary, or existing meet & greet locations throughout Epcot. Our assumption is that the permanent replacement for Character Spot will be the Play Pavilion, but that’s simply a guess.
Electric Umbrella will close at a later date, with its official DisneyWorld.com page stating, “As part of the exciting transformation of Epcot, Electric Umbrella is scheduled to close this winter. New dining options will be available in the future, featuring a variety of food and beverage selections.”
Fountain View is another closure without a set date, but we’re guessing it’ll happen on September 8. Per DisneyWorld.com, “As part of the ongoing transformation of Epcot, Fountain View featuring Starbucks will relocate to a temporary location in late Fall.” September 8 is when Fountain of Nations closes, which is the biggest loss for me, personally. I really hope something comparable will be added to Future World elsewhere.
Club Cool will also close on the same date, but Walt Disney World has indicated that its “elements will be incorporated into the new offerings as part of Epcot’s evolution!” Pin Central will also close in September, and will operate temporarily from the Camera Center (which itself will close to become a new home for Pin Central).
Nearby Art of Disney is another September 8, 2019 closure. Its official page indicates that Heritage Manor back in the American Adventure will become the new home for Art of Disney offerings. There’s no indication on Heritage Manor’s page as to when (if at all) it will close to transform into the temporary Art of Disney store.
Phew, that’s a lot of closures and relocations in Epcot’s Future World on September 8, 2019 with even more to follow beginning in the winter! (Hopefully we didn’t miss anything.)
Even though it’s going to be sad saying goodbye to some longtime Epcot favorites, much of that is for what we remember, not these areas of Future World as they exist today. There’s not much love lost for Pin Central, those Innoventions exhibits, or the mid-1990s incarnation of Electric Umbrella.
The original EPCOT Center is gone, and has been for a long time. It’s tough to completely say goodbye (see our “Why Can’t We Let EPCOT Go?“ post for our perspective on that), but it’s beyond time for something new. Only the loss of the Fountain of Nations stings here.
In piecing all of today’s announcements together, the only one of these closures that does not appear to be permanent is MouseGear. That location is “only” being re-imagined, and appears that the physical structure will survive whatever else happens. Everything else is far more up in the air. If past rumors are to be believed, many of these other buildings will be demolished entirely. (Save for, perhaps, Electric Umbrella and Innoventions East.)
Thus far, the only confirmed and announced project we have for this area is the New Epcot Entrance & Play Pavilion. As a reminder, the former project is moving along at a brisk pace, with half of the Leave a Legacy monoliths now removed. Everything else is rumor, or speculation upon the concept art at the top of this post, which has almost certainly changed in the two years since it was flashed at the last D23 Expo.
Absent from today’s announcements is the future of Spaceship Earth. As we shared in our 2-Year Spaceship Earth Closure & Reimagining rumor post from earlier this year, there are (or were?) plans for a prolonged closure and overhaul of that attraction, beginning as soon as this fall.
We have zero insight as to whether that’s still happening, and no credible rumors have emerged since then to either add further credence to that project, or to discredit it. As Spaceship Earth is the iconic attraction of Epcot, it would make sense that Walt Disney World wouldn’t quietly list a multi-year closure in a little blurb on its ride page. Expect to know one way or the other as to whether this is happening come the D23 Expo.
“We’ll see what’s actually going to happen at the D23 Expo” is probably the most sensical refrain we can offer right now. In the last two years, a ton of rumors have made the rounds for the future of Epcot, from the now-unlikely (multiple) hotels near the front of Epcot to the reemergence of the long-rumored Brazil pavilion in World Showcase.
Based upon Parks Blog statements last week, it appears Disney is trying to put a lid on the rumor mill ahead of the D23 Expo. As such, we’re not expecting much else to leak out, and are ourselves a bit more skeptical than normal of Walt Disney World rumors. It should be a fun and interesting D23 Expo, that’s for sure!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
What do you think of all these closures at Epcot come this September and beyond? Excited for Future World’s transformation, or sad to see some of these things go? Other thoughts? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I really hope Coke preserves the free sampling, and brings back the frost cave. ,(Maybe over near Canada? ;-D)
I’d love to see them make it possible to buy cans of some of the flavors (or order them shipped home). That would be a cool (sorry,,) souvenir.
Also let me add my vote to retain the sparkling sidewalks and some form of the dancing waters, possibly with a few more benches.
We visited Epcot this past month. I was severely disappointed that my favorite exhibit of Norway has been destroyed and replaced by a stupid vapid Frozen cartoon The Viking ship ride with narrative about Lief Erickson’s real life adventures well depicted the Nordic culture but it’s now been replaced by stupid fantasy cartoon characters ! If this change is any indication of future changes to this park I’m not sure I will ever want to return to Epcot
I prefer vintage Epcot to the new stuff !
Couldn’t agree more! Disney is now pandering to the lowest common denominator to make a buck – just look across the way to all the Star Wars crap at DHS.
Haha, you must be thinking of some of the people staying at the All-Stars, not Star Wars, one of the largest movie franchises ever.
I kept reading “winter” but September 8 is definitely NOT winter. Was hoping to enjoy all of these things that our closing during our trip in September.
The fountain is the only true loss for me, though club cool stings a bit because it has been a must visit ever since it opened with the ice cave entrance. Our kids were toddlers then and it was fun for them( not to mention a cool way to get out of the heat).
But the cave is LONG gone and if they put the drink fountains anywhere I will be happy.
Otherwise the area is in serious need of renovation. My memories of the original incarnation are still intact and it is now a faded reflection of its old glory. I hope they really do something imaginative.
Certainly EPCOT Center and Walt Disney’s Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow are dead, even Celebration was a dismal failure relatively speaking. With all of Robert iGers success stories, unless they really re-imagine this “Lost At See” Park, it’s losing clout and allure. I felt building the Grand California Hotel on the monorail was a fantastic lure for the entrance way.. Someone needs to create a NEW! Strategic direction for EPCOT.. Build new World Showcase Lagoons and s new Central Theme.. new Corporate Sponsors.. Showcase America . Build the World’s Fair Upfront.. as it is, it’s kind of an overpriced Disney Springs.. same thing. Needs re-imagined. Like EPCOTS “World of Disney” with four small lands up front , build the rides if yesterday if we must.. Adventure Land.. another small Magic kingdom and just admit, “We goofed” we cannot keep up with Innovation, so here’s some entertainment.. Our Superheroes represented from the intellectual property onsite.. holds a lit of promise.. personally, with the hotels in the Lagoons there like Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort and private entrance, I’d build a new waterpark adjacent it inside.. also, the Monorail issues.. now that Virgin Trains has taken over All Aboard Florida.. I think it’s time, even with the new gondola system to expand the monorail with an intermodal terminal at Disney Springs.. and into the lands.. Animal Kingdom.. I’ve been Here in Florida since 1973, gave up on http://www.Dedtination-Orlando.com and am a former CT employee at EPCOT (1980’s). If iGer needs to take a step back and look at EPCOT Center with fresh eyes.. I can help.. just ask!!! Hahaha.. Always remember one thing! It was all started..by a Mouse!!
Will they still have a fast pass to meet characters somewhere?? We did character spot as a fast pass every time to get our family picture with Mickey!
Yes, Disney has several sites to meet and greet. If all else fails, you could go to Magic Kingdom Park and get one there.
If ever you are in Atlanta, the World of Coke museum has a tasting room with the Beverly!
Thanks, good to know. I have family near Atlanta and go through the city a couple of times a year.
Do we know if the Fountain of Nations closure is a permanent one? This was my favorite section of future world (along with the light up tiles others have mentioned) and it makes me sad that it might be gone forever.
I would never want to see the great ball leave Epcot and to this I will add:
Keep the sparkly tiles that light at night
Keep some sort of musical water dancing fountain
Propel us into the future once again with Future World as did Walt
Keep Star Wars away please
I will really miss the sodas from around the world at Club Cool. Especially the Beverly… I think my husband and I are the only people in North America who LOVE it, and you can’t get it anywhere else.
Love Beverly! I will miss it also. Hopefully they will keep that experience somewhere in the park.
This makes me feel confident in skipping Epcot this year. Even with Food & Wine. When are you expecting Epcot to be finished with these changes?
Loosing the fountain is terrible!!
But if they tear out the concrete that turns colors at night I will loose it! Only place I have ever seen it and I love leaving after the fireworks and seeing the colors on the ground behind spaceship earth!
Will they relocate Starbucks into a temp location while renovations are underway? I need my morning coffee to take on Epcot with a toddler and a preschooler.
Art of Disney
..my family will miss it…maybe with all the changes its time to move on from Disney..lots of changes and about Disneys bottom line..they want more
I should know this but is Heritage Manor the museum area in the American Pavillion? If so, moving Art of Disney there makes me feel less than enthused. But again, I could be completely wrong on Heritage Manor. If it’s the gift shop area, go for it, Disney.
Next time I’ll google before I post. Answered my own question. Yeah, go for it, Disney. Heritage Manor it is.
I was worried too – th eMuseum Area? But if it’s just the gift shop – great.
What impacts? So many memories of the Character Spot when our kid was a kid, Electric Umbrella: Compared to some of the many foodie selections at Epcot during regular seasons, it doesn’t stand out, but it really had a nice menu when we went last year, and was always a reliable option for our kid aka The Burger Fiend.
Mousegears is such a massive souvenir shop that I can’t imagine that it won’t re-appear in a different guise (It’ll be interesting to see how they do a temporary store for such a huge store). It always has been one of our favorite souvenir stops.
The loss (and boy, I hope it’s temporary) of the Fountain is the one that matters most. We still have a framed picture in front of it from our honeymoon. When we went last year, there were plenty of PhotoPass photographers doing a bustling business there, getting that great shot of the Fountain with Spaceship Earth in the background. Because of that, I’m optimistic that the Fountain will be re-emerge after construction.
Completely agree with you…The only thing that makes me sad is the Fountain of Nations. One of my favorite things to do while at Epcot is to sit and watch and listen to the fountains and music for a while to relax and recharge.
I’m excited to see what the changes will be. This was long overdue.
Not Club Cool! One of my family’s favorites. Long live Beverly!
Tom..
I’m assuming the “elements” of Club Cool that will be incorporated elsewhere in Epcot will include the international beverages that we all know and love. Do you see Disney maintaining this fun (and free) experience or do you think they’ll try to capitalize on its popularity and start charging guests for the experience?
I assume Coca-Cola pays for everything related to Club Cool, and it’s part of an overarching sponsorship agreement between Disney and Coke.
Unless Coke requests something different, I doubt Disney has any motivation to mess with it. I’d expect something similar to return, and it to remain free.
These are all just guesses, though.
I’m good with it. That area needs a lot of help. I’m excited to see what the future of Future World is.
Just close all Starsucks, everywhere! Eyesores and a blight on the community, they are.
No way. Joffrey’s coffee makes me sick and (while it sounds absolutely wonderful) tastes terrible. To the point that I can’t even try it to see if it still makes me sick. Maybe just change it to be more Disney-esque.
If they just made it so it doesn’t have the foul stench maybe it wouldn’t be as bad. But starsucks on every corner is a serious neighborhood blight. I can’t stand the stink of coffee of any kind. It’s especially gross in close quarters le a queue at WDW.
Totally agree! I never liked Starbucks in the parks.
Love Joffreys coffee!
I’m excited for the future to breathe new life into the spine, but I didn’t realize the fountain of nations was going. That was a favorite of ours on our honeymoon long ago, and we still really enjoy it. It is showing its age, however, so perhaps it will be reborn as something better.
I agree. On hot Florida summer days, the misting water is refreshing to look at and you can sometimes get a mist in a good wind. It’s such a pretty thing at the front- I hope they keep a water feature of some kind to make it feel cooler.
The front of Epcot has needed help for years. I remember it when Epcot first opened. Hopefully, it will have the life and vibrancy it once did very soon.
Let’s just hope a reason for the closing of MouseGear is for the relocation of the dreamfinders ship back into Journey Into Imagination.
The only acceptable explanation! 😉
YES!!