The former Refreshment Port building near the World Celebration entrance to the EPCOT World Showcase is barely recognizable at this point. Here’s the latest update on the transformation of the former Quick-Service dining kiosk.
What’s Visible Above the Walls This Week
On Thursday, WDWNT reported that hand-pieced stonework has appeared on two supporting pillars on the exterior of the building currently being transformed into La Poutinerie. The irregular stone pattern gives the structure an entirely different character from the kiosk that previously occupied the space, and crews are expected to seal the stonework before the restaurant opens to guests.
The roof has also been finalized. After testing both copper and gray paint options on the surface, Disney landed on gray, and that color is now in place across the newly repainted roofline. With the paint decision made and applied, crews moved on to removing the last remnant of the building’s former identity: the Refreshment Port signage is gone, stripped from the structure entirely.
Walt Disney World Resort has not announced an opening date for La Poutinerie.
From Refreshment Port to Canada World Showcase Pavilion at EPCOT
Refreshment Port closed in January 2026 after years of drawing guests to its DOLE Whip soft serve and specialty poutines near the World Celebration entrance to the EPCOT World Showcase. No replacement was announced at the time, leaving the building behind construction walls for months without explanation.
That changed in May, when Walt Disney World Resort confirmed that La Poutinerie — a new dining concept developed in partnership with Air Canada — would take over the former Refreshment Port footprint. Beyond just changing the menu, the project will integrate the building into the Canada World Showcase Pavilion, giving the pavilion a more prominent presence in that stretch of the EPCOT World Showcase than it has ever had.
La Poutinerie will focus on specialty poutines and other Canadian-inspired fare. Whether the new location will carry forward any of Refreshment Port’s other existing menu items, like DOLE Whip, hasn’t been confirmed.
The Air Canada partnership doesn’t stop at the restaurant. The airline is also sponsoring a new reserved fireworks-viewing area in the China World Showcase Pavilion, giving Aeroplan Members exclusive access to premium sightlines for Luminous The Symphony of Us.
What do you think about the concept art for La Poutinerie at EPCOT? Share your opinion with Disney Dining in the comments!
