What’s New in EPCOT: Connections Eatery Soft Opens and Nighttime Lighting at Guardians Coaster

Hello again from EPCOT!

Connections Eatery

There are some seriously exciting updates to share, including the official opening date for Connections Cafe and Eatery April 27th! After a surprise soft opening, we wondered what other news awaited us in the park. It’s time for another look at what’s new in EPCOT!

EPCOT Construction Updates

Connections Cafe and Eatery

Connections Cafe and Eatery surprised us all by opening up its doors for the first time on April 24th!

Connections Eatery food

The official opening date is set for tomorrow, April 27th.

Click Here to See Our Review of Connections Eatery!

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Attraction previews have begun for select guests who have the chance to ride this new coaster before it opens! We got to see the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion lit up at night behind the construction bushes that replaced the temporary walls!

What do you think?

Looks like there’s quite a bit of action going on behind the scenes, and we can’t wait until we finally get to ride the attraction, which opens to the public on May 27th.

See What the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion Looks Like without Walls

Moana: Journey of Water

The first rock formations have begun to take shape over at EPCOT’s water-inspired walk-through attraction!

Journey of Water construction — Late April 2022

We had previously only seen some structural beams and concrete buildings come to life in this construction zone, so this is an exciting step towards being able to see what the attraction will actually look like!

More structures going up!

Disney is staying quiet on when exactly we will be able to experience Moana: Journey of Water, so be sure to stay tuned for updates.

Take a closer look at the construction on the Journey of Water attraction here! 

Liquid Layers Water Play Area

The water misters and benches have been removed over at the Liquid Layers splash zone area!

We’re keeping an eye on this area for updates

We’re not sure what Disney has planned for this area, or if it’s just undergoing some maintenance, but we’ll be keeping an eye out.

EPCOT Merchandise Updates

Creations Shop

Show your pride with Disney’s new Pride Tumbler! It’s $24.99 and features bright neon colors on a black background.

PRIDE tumbler

Still missing Disney World’s 25th Anniversary Birthday Cake Castle? Don’t worry, the Birthday Cake Castle Mug is here to save the day! Get it for $22.99.

Remember when?

How adorable is this Turning Red Figurine Set? It comes with characters you know and love from the film including Panda Mei, and can be yours for $29.99.

We loved this movie!

There’s some new 50th Anniversary merch around! We spotted this Grey 50th Anniversary Polo for $69.99. 

Look stylish while letting people know what you’re really about.

Let your love of Disney be known at all times with this swanky shirt.

Disney Traders

Avengers, assemble! Or at least your kiddo can pretend they’re one of Earth’s mightiest heroes with this Avengers Assemble Youth Tee.

Avengers, assemble!

Start saving the world for just $19.99.

Art of Disney

There is some incredible new art at EPCOT’s fine art shop! First up is the Pirate’s Life for Me Print, which is available matted for $39.99, or you can get it framed for $399.99!

Yo ho, yo ho!

Get ready for the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind with this Awesome Mix Print for $39.99.

Awesome Mix print

Choose your destiny with this Merida Print! It’s also available for $39.99.

We love the colors of this one!

There are also two new pins available here, a Merida pin and an Aurora pin as well!

New princess pins have arrived

Each pin is available for $34.99.

Mitsukoshi

We spotted some new My Hero Academia dolls for $19.95 each!

My Hero Academia dolls

Need a gift for a video game loving friend? Check out this Playstation Gift Set for $64.95.

What more could anyone want?

You can always be sure to find a unique Disney World souvenir in Mitsukoshi.

Pin Traders

There were two new pins when we strolled through Pin Traders recently — a Gargoyles Pin and a Rescuers Pin!

We might be obsessed.

You can get the Gargoyles Pin for $9.99 and the Rescuers Pin for $12.99.

Gateway Gifts

Protect your scalp from the scalding Florida sun with this Minnie Mouse Fedora Hat!

New Minnie hat

It’s $29.99, and we’ve also spotted it in Creations Shop.

The Fjording

There’s a new Helly Hansen Bathing Suit in the Norway Pavilion.

Perfect for summer swims!

Just in time for summer Disney World fun! Get it for $55.

World Traveler

Flower and Garden lovers, these next items are for you! We’ve previously spotted a Figment version of this, but now there are two more designs — first up is the Orange Bird Planter Mug for $19.99…

Orange Bird mug

… and the Mickey & Minnie Roses Planter Mug which is also $19.99.

Heya, pals!

Looking for a new pair of garden clogs? Look no further because you can get a pair of plain White Crocs for $49.99.

Just some Crocs being Crocs.

Keep your hair pulled back on those hot summer days with this Stitch Scrunchie!

Hopefully Stitch will keep your hair from looking chaotic.

It’s available for $14.99.

Check Out Disney’s Latest Designer Jewelry Collaboration

That’s all we have for EPCOT updates right now! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB as we’re always on the look out for everything NEW in the Disney parks!


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The post What’s New in EPCOT: Connections Eatery Soft Opens and Nighttime Lighting at Guardians Coaster first appeared on the disney food blog.