EPCOTNews

Disney World Blocks off EPCOT World Showcase Area, No Reopening in Sight

The former Refreshment Port near the Canada World Showcase Pavilion at EPCOT has been behind construction walls since March. New activity at the site suggests the transformation into La Poutinerie is finally well underway.

From DOLE Whip to La Poutinerie

child wearing mickey ears and holding dole whip at disney world
Credit: Disney

The closure of Refreshment Port came quietly in early March, with construction walls going up around the building and Walt Disney World Resort saying nothing about its plans. That silence broke in early April when Disney and Air Canada jointly announced that the Air Canada-sponsored La Poutinerie would replace Refreshment Port, effectively folding the space into the Canada World Showcase Pavilion.

The concept for La Poutinerie centers on “a Canadian classic with a twist.” Refreshment Port already serves standard and specialty poutine, so how the new menu will differ from its predecessor remains unclear. Concept art released by Walt Disney World Resort shows visible aesthetic changes — new signage, a refreshed color scheme, and figures of Canadian geese — though the full menu hasn't been revealed.

Night Work Picks Up

La Poutinerie food stand concept art
Credit: Disney

On April 29, WDWNT reported that construction lights had appeared above the plywood barriers surrounding the former kiosk — a sign that crews have shifted to nighttime work to push the transformation forward. The addition of lighting equipment typically indicates a project entering its heavier construction phase.

Walt Disney World Resort has not announced a grand opening date for La Poutinerie. The current operational calendar runs through June 27, and the location has no posted operating hours on that date — leaving the timeline open-ended for now.

Follow Disney Fanatic for updates on the Refreshment Port transformation and other construction projects around Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park!

Are you sad to lose Refreshment Port at EPCOT? Share your thoughts with Disney Fanatic in the comments!

Jess Colopy

Jess Colopy is a Disney College Program alum and kid-at-heart. When she’s not furiously typing in a coffee shop, you can find her on the hunt for the newest Stitch pin.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles