Guests making their way around the EPCOT World Showcase have encountered construction walls where a popular snack kiosk used to be. Unfortunately, a new construction permit filed by Walt Disney World Resort makes it increasingly clear that nobody should hold their breath for a quick return.
Three Months and Counting
Refreshment Port, situated near the Canada Pavilion in the EPCOT World Showcase, went offline on January 12 and hasn’t served a guest since. The Quick-Service kiosk is a go-to stop for poutine, specialty festival flavors, soft serve, and the iconic DOLE Whip.
Walt Disney World Resort offered minimal information when the closure was announced, and the beige construction walls that now surround the building haven’t given much away: no changes are visible above the barriers, suggesting the bulk of the work is happening inside the kitchen. Check out this photo from WDW News Today on Facebook:
A Permit That Raises More Questions Than It Answers
Walt Disney World Resort submitted a Notice of Commencement to “install set elements” at the EPCOT World Showcase location, with third-party contractor Icarus Exhibits Inc. tapped for the job. The permit was filed by Walt Disney Imagineering, separating this project from routine upkeep. Disney’s Facility Management team typically handles smaller maintenance work that doesn’t meaningfully alter the guest experience. Imagineering’s involvement points to changes on a different scale.
Making matters murkier, the permit lists no expiration date. There is no projected completion window, no target reopening, and no indication of what the finished product will look like.
The Festival Factor
The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival runs through June 1, 2026, and Walt Disney World Resort has announced no specialty menu items or poutine flavors at Refreshment Port to coincide with the event. In past years, the kiosk has participated in festival programming, making its absence from this year’s lineup a strong signal that the closure will stretch well into summer, if not beyond.
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