EPCOT never really sits still, and this fall’s proving that all over again. One of the park’s most unique restaurants just shut down for a refurbishment, and it’s honestly just one piece of a much bigger shakeup happening across the park right now. Here’s everything going down, from an underwater dining room closing up to a whole showroom glow up at Test Track.
Here’s the full lineup:
- Coral Reef Restaurant’s closure and the planters blocking the door
- What made eating dinner next to sharks such a big deal in the first place
- The brand new lineup of cars waiting for you after Test Track
- Every other spot in EPCOT quietly getting a facelift right now
Coral Reef Just Closed, Planters and All
Coral Reef Restaurant at EPCOT officially shut down for a refurbishment, with rolling planters now blocking off the entrance. The closure kicked off September 8, and the Walt Disney World website says it’s “expected to reopen later in 2026,” which honestly isn’t much of a timeline to go on right now.
Those rolling planters suggest there might be some actual exterior work happening too, since the restaurant sits right along The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion. Also worth mentioning, Coral Reef already cut back earlier this year, ending lunch service before this closure even hit, so this refurbishment is stacking on top of changes that were already in motion.
Dinner With Sharks Swimming By Your Table
If you’ve never been, Coral Reef built its whole reputation on one seriously unique gimmick. The menu’s built around Florida Coastal Cuisine, described as “ocean-fresh specialties and other classic favorites crafted with Florida flair,” but the real draw has always been the view. Disney describes it as getting to “marvel at the multicolored magnificence of our living coral reef, all while you dine,” with panoramic windows giving every single table a direct look into the underwater world of The Seas with Nemo & Friends.
And that underwater setup isn’t small either. The Seas is one of the biggest man made ocean environments on the entire planet, holding enough water to fill 54 Olympic sized pools. Marine scientists actually designed the whole habitat to support around 2,000 sea creatures across more than 60 species, meaning you could genuinely watch sharks, sea turtles, and rays swim by while eating dinner.
Coral Reef’s had its ups and downs over the years, but a recent visit tied to a Candlelight Processional Dining Package left a pretty solid impression, good food and that same unbeatable view. With so many places to eat around EPCOT, Coral Reef’s always been one worth keeping in mind, at least until it comes back.
Test Track’s Exit Just Got a Serious Upgrade
Coral Reef’s not the only thing changing at EPCOT this year though. Test Track’s been through a bunch of different versions since it opened, and the newest reimagining changed the whole vibe, moving away from the futuristic look it used to have and leaning more into transportation history and the original World of Motion attraction that used to sit in that spot. Longtime fans got something nostalgic out of it while still keeping that signature high speed finale everyone loves.
Now the General Motors showroom at the exit got refreshed too. Most of the cars on the right side got swapped for a new lineup, mostly 2026 models, plus one car giving an early look at a 2027 release. The left side stayed mostly the same, but there’s one wild addition, a vintage Impala from the 1990s just sitting there among all the new cars.
Right now you can find the Cadillac 2027 Vistiq Platinum, Chevrolet 2026 Silverado 1500 Crew RST 2WD, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 running about $221,000, the GMC 2026 Sierra 1500 AT4X, Chevrolet 2026 Suburban Z71 AWD, that vintage Impala, the Cadillac 2026 Escalade Platinum Sport 4WD, and the Chevrolet 2026 Traverse Z71 AWD. GM employees are actually standing around in there to answer questions, and if you’re seriously thinking about buying one, you can talk pricing and specs right there on the spot.
World Showcase Is Getting Its Own Makeover Too
This isn’t just a Test Track and Coral Reef thing either, World Showcase is seeing plenty of action too. Both the Germany and Canada pavilions have construction happening right now, adding to all the visible work you’ll probably notice while walking laps around World Showcase Lagoon.
Mexico’s got its own change too, the wood shop that used to be inside the pyramid is completely gone now. But it’s not all removals. Over in France, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure actually picked up some new props recently, way smaller than everything else happening around the park, but it shows Disney’s still tweaking existing stuff even while the bigger projects roll on.
Planning Around All This EPCOT Chaos
If you’ve got an EPCOT trip coming up soon, adjust your plans around a few specific spots. If Coral Reef was on your dining list, you’ll need a backup, since “later in 2026” is all Disney’s actually said about reopening. If you’re curious about the new Test Track showroom, plan on spending a few extra minutes there after the ride, especially if you want to check out that vintage Impala or the newest GM lineup.
Walking through World Showcase, expect construction around Germany and Canada, and don’t be shocked if the Mexico wood shop you remember isn’t there anymore. None of this is going to wreck your day at EPCOT, but knowing about it ahead of time beats finding out the hard way once you’re already there.
Ever eaten at Coral Reef Restaurant, or checked out the new Test Track showroom lately? Let us know in the comments what you’re hoping changes once Coral Reef reopens, and tell us about any other EPCOT stuff you’ve noticed changing recently.
