Space 220 Restaurant at Epcot: Opening Date, ADRs, Full Menus & Pricing
Space 220 Restaurant is one of the biggest new additions to Walt Disney World, coming in Fall 2021 at Epcot’s Mission Space pavilion. This covers everything you need to know: opening date, full menus for lunch & dinner, prices, concept art, when Advance Dining Reservations will be available, and more info. (Updated September 14, 2021.)
Let’s start with the Space 220 Restaurant’s opening date, as this has become a common reader questions for the last couple of years. Originally, Walt Disney World announced that Space 220 would open by the holiday season two years ago. Once it became obvious that construction was far behind schedule, Disney quietly reworded the opening timeframe to “this winter.” That was all pre-closure.
Finally, Walt Disney World has announced that Space 220 opens at Epcot on September 20, 2021! This is actually a couple weeks ahead of our predicted date, but we’re happy to be wrong about this one. Advance Dining Reservation details have also now been released, along with full menus for adults and kids at lunch and dinner, plus the lounge. All of that is covered below…
Space 220 Restaurant is run by Patina Group, and is not owned or operated by Walt Disney World. However, Patina Group is a longtime Disney partner. The company operates many other restaurants at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, including in Epcot and Disney Springs.
While construction delays were an ongoing and persistent issue with Space 220 prior to the parks closing, work long ago resumed and is believed to be finished. The entrance and marquee have both been installed, and are simply covered up with temporary wood boxes (see below photo).
Physical work is no longer the main barrier to Space 220 Restaurant’s blast off. Moreover, physical distancing is no longer a hurdle, either. Walt Disney World has gradually relaxed physical distancing throughout the parks, including at some restaurants where there’s sufficient staffing to accommodate more filled tables.
At this point, there should be no further delays. Space 220 has hired its crew, training is underway, and the culinary team is ready. In fact, we now have full lunch and dinner menus for Space 220 Restaurant. Let’s take a look!
Pricing will be $55 for the 2-course lunch prix fixe menu and $79 for the 3-course dinner menu for adults.
Kids will cost $29 at either lunch or dinner.
With the purchase of any zero proof (non-alcoholic) cocktail or children’s meal, guests will receive a pack of Space 220 Collectible Trading Cards. Designed exclusively for and only distributed at Space 220 Restaurant, these limited-edition packs of cards feature original artwork and trivia facts about space exploration, food in space, and the sky-high innovations at Space 220 Restaurant.
Here are some Space 220 stock food photos that were released along with the menus:
Space 220 will be available for walk-ins from September 20 to September 26, 2021. No Advance Dining Reservations will be available for those dates.
Advance Dining Reservations will be available——and strongly recommended——for seatings beginning September 27, 2021. ADRs for that date and thereafter can be booked starting September 20, 2021.
Next, we have some new concept art for Space 220 Restaurant’s elevators. This is not how they’ll actually look (you’re not actually going into outer space–it’s a simulation), so perhaps “story art” is the better term.
Either way, here’s how Imagineering has envisioned the Space 220 elevators.
Now, for some more details about the Space 220 Restaurant. Here’s the on-theme pitch: “Mission Control invites you to join the crew at Space 220 for an expedition like no other. The planets have aligned for you to be a part of the latest cutting-edge and out-of-this-world restaurant.”
“Help ensure a smooth departure as guests blast off to enter the International Space Station suspended 220 miles above the Earth’s surface and assist in delivering an unmatched intergalactic dining experience. With stellar views and gourmet menu offerings, Space 220 is truly ‘The Height of Dining.'”
The actual description of the dining experience sounds equally immersive. To begin the voyage at Space 220 Restaurant, guests will board a special space elevator that will ascend to the stars.
Here’s a video of that special space elevator in action:
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Along the way, viewports will give you an aerial view of Epcot as you travel high above the planet. Upon your arrival, guests will enjoy a celestial panorama from the space station, with the ability to peer out and enjoy amazing daytime and nighttime views of Earth from 220 miles up.
If the concept art is accurate, Space 220 will have tiered seating, making it like Coral Reef, but in outer space. Rather than windows into an aquarium, there will be screens and projection technology simulating outer space. (Sorry to ruin the “magic,” but it’s not actually 220 miles up. The actual building is like 3 stories high and doesn’t have windows.)
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I think this looks absolutely awesome. Coral Reef: Space Edition feels like a very apt way to put it. My expectation is that this will be even more immersive, with a themed experience and storytelling from start to finish. (Hopefully with better food!)
To me, Space 220 Restaurant also seems like an appetizer for what Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will attempt to deliver, but in a more bite-sized form that’s more accessible—from both a practical and price perspective. Not everyone is going to have the time or inclination to do the live action role playing thing for two days, but two hours is a totally different story!
Space 220 will serve breakfast (this was originally announced, but has since been removed from official updates) lunch and dinner–which is good news because being open for most of the day should help meet demand. At Space 220 Restaurant, guests will dine from a menu featuring modern American cuisine, more than 1,000 bottles of the world’s finest wines, and a wide selection of craft beer.
The Space 220 restaurant menu will feature stellar dishes and gourmet recipes, with a two-course prix fixe menu for lunch, and a three-course prix fixe menu for dinner. Rounding out the meal will be unique beverages, from fine wine to atmospheric cocktails and more. The upscale, contemporary fare will bring new meaning to “the height of dining.”
While Walt Disney World has not officially announced as much, we expect that Space 220 Restaurant will participate in the Disney Dining Plan (once that returns). Currently, the restaurant’s webpage states “Dining Plans Not Accepted.” This is simply boilerplate/placeholder language that, as we’ve previously noted, is often not accurate.
Our expectation is that it’ll begin as a one-credit table service restaurant for lunch and 2-credit Signature Dining experience for dinner. While the menu may not seem Signature, popularity is a huge key to what’s “worth” two credits. We’ve seen both Be Our Guest Restaurant and Le Cellier both make that jump. Over time, the same could happen with lunch here.
In terms of its location within Epcot, Space 220 Restaurant is an extension of the Mission: Space pavilion, tucked away between that and Test Track on a backstage plot of land. Conceptually and story-wise, the restaurant is supposed to look similar to Seattle’s Space Needle, but at a much higher elevation.
In reality, Space 220 Restaurant is a nondescript green show-building (above) that’s tucked away mostly from guest view. It’s only visible while riding Test Track or in that area–but not from Mission: Space.
Those dining at the restaurant will enter through the reworked extended queue of Mission: Space. Some modifications have been observed in this area for the last couple of months, and we’d expect signage to soon be installed off to the side of Mission: Space.
Again, this is reminiscent of Coral Reef, which has its entrance tucked away off to the side of the Seas pavilion. The difference here is that Space 220 Restaurant is in a newly-constructed, windowless building and not part of the existing Mission: Space building.
Overall, we’re really excited for Space 220 Restaurant. Well-designed, immersive environments is what differentiates Walt Disney World dining from its real world counterparts, and this could instantly be one of WDW’s best themed restaurants. We’re hopeful that this lives up to the concept art and backstory to deliver a guest experience that suspends disbelief.
On top of that, the food at Space 220 Restaurant could actually be good thanks to the partnership with Patina Group. While we love Walt Disney World’s themed restaurants, many of those venues coast on the setting and deliver subpar meals. There’s a solid chance the setting and menu will both be well-executed at Space 220, making this a rare Walt Disney World restaurant that excels at both. Our fingers are crossed!
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Your Thoughts
Are you excited for the Space 220 Restaurant at Epcot? Does the concept of Coral Reef…but in outer space…appeal to you, or will you wait and see how the menu looks? Are you exciting for Space 220 Restaurant finally opening on September 20, 2021? Do you agree or disagree with our 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!
The flat Earth people are going to be upset when they see these videos.
I keep stalking the WDW site waiting for the menu to drop! I’d love to add this to our restaurant lineup for our upcoming trip but i have a picky eater… fingers crossed and thanks, as always Tom, for keeping us up to date!
Thoughts on whether they’ll have a soft opening before Sept 20th? We’ll be down 9/15-9/18 and will definitely check to see if they do!
Honestly, no clue. My guess is, at most, one day in advance. Doesn’t hurt to plan your Epcot day at the end of the trip and hope for the best, though!
I’m hearing some interesting things on this one, and think it’s more likely than not that they won’t even be doing ADRs at first.
Lol at everyone begging for ADRs when we haven’t seen that menu (aka the $$$$ price tag) yet. I’m not judging as I’m one of them haha. But also this is why Disney is like we can charge what we want.
Sooo excited about this!! We are heading down the week of the 19th. Fingers crossed that ADRs will be available soon and that I can get us in sometime during that week!!
We’re actually going to be there when they open….thanks for the updates, Tom!! I’ll be watching for your reservations update…hopefully I will be able to get us in. Do you know the amount of seating by any chance?
Oh my goodness… my family is headed down on September 18th and our Epcot day is planned for September 20th. I really hope we can get in the restaurant that day! Now I’m super nervous… lol! I hope it works out!
Hi, do you think I will be able to get a reservation at Space 220 for 10/17?
When do reservations open? My family and I will be at Epcot on the 19th of November, and would really love the opportunity to eat here.
Again, just so excited to see how it will be. I really hope the predicted date is correct. We are coming third week of Oct. I want to be surprised and just go there to experience it. Hopefully all is in tact and working. Along with the food being tasteful
I think… it will be amazing like everything else in Disneyworld:)
How’d that prediction work out for ya, Adam!? â€â™€ï¸ Yeah it’s going to be October 2021
If I’m planning a trip early January 2022, can I make reservations now?
I noticed today that the official website opening date changed from “Opening this winter” to “Coming Soon.” Is that good news or bad news for Space 220 opening this year?
Everything I’ve heard recently suggests October. I’d expect an official announcement pretty soon!
Apparently Patina Group said “fall 2021” today, which is right in line with your predictions. Does that make it credible coming from them? Although I can only imagine how impossible it will be to score a reservation anniversary weekend when combining this with the Ratatouille grand opening. Epcot’s going to be crazy if capacity is fully lifted by then.
“Does that make it credible coming from them?”
On the one hand, Patina operates the restaurant…so yes. On the other hand, this is the third time they’ve offered an opening season, none have panned out yet, and the US is in the midst of an unprecedented labor shortage…so no.
What I would consider noteworthy from Patina is an actual, concrete calendar date. That’s when we’ll know they are actually ready to roll, and not just optimistic about a loose timeframe.
i really am most interested in just seeing a menu, to know if it’s a place i really want to try or not. i don’t know that anything has been said about type of cuisine to expect.
I completely agree to this! Knowing Disney though. They have thought this through. I suspect some metal pull down to keep the atmosphere up. Then once that screen is fixed the metal piece goes back up and running and no one would be the wiser. Just my opinion. Lol
Looking at restaurant opening timelines… You don’t want to hire staff and then pay them to sit on their thumbs for 3 months. Similarly, hard to hire hourly staff with a start date that is months away.
While an official opening of October 1 seems very possible, I’d be surprised if it isn’t at least softly open by late August or early September.
– Collecting applications now, early June
– Start interviewing and hiring late June into July
– Start onboarding and training into late July-mid August
– Potential soft opening, late August to early September
Especially as this isn’t a typical restaurant, incorporating unique “tech”… a prolonged soft open could make sense so you don’t have tons of glitches at the Grand Opening.
I have a trip 8/14-8/22… I suspect I’ll just barely miss it.
I don’t disagree with you, but all of that presupposes they’ll find staff in the next few weeks…rather than that process alone taking until August. I would be shocked if this location doesn’t get a soft opening, though. So perhaps late August or early September is within the realm of possibility there.
I’m looking forward to this new excitement…we are coming down in Oct. 2021 so i really hope they are ready to go with all windows open:) by then.
If possible please keep me informed on the updates of their opening date!!
Them listing positions is definitely a good overall sign.
And it suggests to me that they plan to be open long before October. (with the obvious caveat that plans are subject to change).
If they are listing the opening now, they could fill it by the end of March. The new pastry chef would potentially start in April… be ready to go by May, no later than June.
They aren’t going to hire someone now to sit around until October. Most restaurant-opening timelines talk about hiring staff (or at least listing positions) 8-16 weeks before opening.
So…. personally, I’m optimistic that it will open in the May-June time frame.
Epcot *could* be the hot place this summer with Ratatouille, Space 220, and Harmonious. (which also feels 2-4 months away, not 6-8 months).
How long will those large screen and projection technology start to show their age or flaws. They will need to maintain a picture perfect experience for it to remain a hit. All they need to have is one picture window to go down – do they close the restaurant to fix or ruin the experience by shutting off that one picture window. My guess Disney will shut off that one window and keep the restaurant open.
I hope Disney has already thought through what happens when a window goes down
Star scrim
Josh – i Guess your right. Thought they would have a better solutions. I wouldn’t be happy with the experience if a number of windows are down. Just having one window down I think would ruin the real life experience of being in space.
I always think the worst and this is one experience that all the windows need to be working for the guess to beleive they are in space.