A pair of announcements out of Walt Disney World Resort on Thursday have answered a long-standing mystery at EPCOT and introduced a brand-new way to experience the park's iconic nighttime spectacular.
The Refreshment Port Mystery, Solved
For months, guests passing through the World Showcase near the Canada Pavilion have encountered construction walls with no explanation. The closure of Refreshment Port, a Quick-Service kiosk that had been a go-to stop for poutine and soft serve, dragged on with no reopening date and no comment from Disney… until now.
Walt Disney World Resort announced Thursday that it is partnering with Air Canada to transform the former Refreshment Port space into La Poutinerie, a fully reimagined Quick-Service dining location dedicated to Canadian cuisine and theming. The rebrand folds the snack stand into the Canada World Showcase Pavilion and expands its presence at EPCOT.
Some of the specialty poutine menu items that guests knew from the original kiosk are expected to carry over. An opening date has not been confirmed, though Walt Disney World Resort has indicated the location will debut “soon.
A New VIP Perk Select Air Canada Passengers at EPCOT
Walt Disney World Resort also announced that Air Canada Aeroplan Members can now redeem 1,000 points for access to a private viewing area for Luminous The Symphony of Us, the fireworks and multimedia spectacular that takes over the World Showcase Lagoon each night.
The exclusive viewing spot sits at the China Overlook, a vantage point along the lagoon near the China Pavilion. Reservations open for May 9 and must be made in advance, with capacity kept intentionally limited to preserve the VIP feel of the experience.
Valid EPCOT admission is required to enter the viewing area, and guests whose ticket types require a Disney Park Pass reservation should confirm their EPCOT access before booking through Air Canada.
Third-party partnerships have been a fixture of EPCOT since the park opened in 1982, with several World Showcase Pavilions originally constructed with support from the countries they represent. The Air Canada arrangement is just the latest installment in that long-standing Walt Disney World Resort tradition.
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