A lot has changed in Disney World over the past two years and though some things have returned to how we remember them, others have taken on a new form entirely.
El Diablo
There are five POPULAR EPCOT spots that still haven’t gone to their pre-2020 norms. It’s unclear whether they ever will, but we want to make sure you know what to expect when you’re getting your lounge on in World Showcase. Let’s take a look!
We’re talking about five very popular EPCOT lounges that might look REALLY different if you haven’t visited in a while. Here’s what to expect!
First up, we’re swinging over to the Mexico Pavilion to talk about the ways that La Cava del Tequila has changed. This margarita-focused spot has a lot of fans and you’ll typically wait a bit to snag your sip — but the way you’ll wait has changed.
La Cava Del Tequila
Prior to the 2020 park closures, La Cava del Tequila operated under a different system. When you arrived, you’d walk up to the host podium and put your name down for a table. When a table was available, you’d be seated.
La Cava Del Tequila
Now, if you want a table at La Cave, you’ll need to wait through the entire margarita line. At the front of the line, you can put your name down with the hostess. This adds a LOT of time to your wait, but typically also means it’s easier to get a table.
Our next stop is Weinkeller in the Germany Pavilion. This spot is popular for its variety of German wines and liqueurs. Pre-2020, this spot had a big community table in the middle of the room where guests could socialize and imbibe.
Weinkeller
Now, there is no seating and the middle of the room features merchandise — great for shopping, not for having a seat and a sip. We’ll, of course, keep an eye out for seating to return but for now, you’re snagging that drink to go.
Heading into the Italy Pavilion, we gotta talk about a lounge that might be the most changed of ANY. Tutto Gusto is attached to the table-service restaurant Tutto Italia and used to be a great tucked-away spot to have a glass of wine and take a break from the crowds.
Tutto Gusto
A trip to Tutto Gusto used to mean grabbing a glass and snagging a first-come-first-serve table in the bar area. Tutto Gusto also had its own menu where you could order small plates for a delightful break on your World Showcase day.
Tutto Gusto
Now, Tutto Gusto serves the Tutto Italia menu and a Cast Member told us you have to get a full meal to be seated in the bar area. If you won’t be getting a full meal, you must get your drink from the stand-up bar and take it to go.
Mitsukoshi Sake Bar
Mitsukoshi Department Store is a very popular merchandise location in the Japan Pavilion. If you’ve only visited recently, you might be surprised to learn it even used to feature a sake bar!
Japan Pavilion
Prior to the pandemic, guests could head to the back of the store to pick up various sakes. However, this spot constitutes the biggest change on our list…the sake bar no longer exists!
Sake Bar
You can still purchase bottles of sake in Mitsukoshi, but if you’re looking for a drink, you’ll need to head outside to one of the walk-up quick-service locations.
Rose & Crown Pub in the U.K. Pavilion is a table-service/lounge hybrid but we’ve seen change over on the pub side. Prior to 2020, this spot had seating where you could grab a pint and listen to the piano player tickling the ivories.
Rose and Crown Pub
When the pub reopened, the seating was removed. Instead, you had to head up to the bar, order, and then take your drink to-go. Interestingly enough, this spot is at least partially changing back.
Rose and Crown pub is open
Some of the tables have returned but you’ll still have to head out to the back of the U.K. Pavilion to hear that piano player play!
As you can see, the lounges of EPCOT look pretty different now. Hopefully, this guide helps you to navigate them on your next visit! As always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney World updates.
Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!
Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!
With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!
With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.
Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today!
Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. 
Got questions about your EPCOT day? Ask them in the comments!
The post The BIG Way These 5 EPCOT Lounges Have Changed first appeared on the disney food blog.
Disney Just Dropped TONS of EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Items Online!