Walt Disney World Resort guests are demanding change for one of EPCOT’s most divisive experiences.
It’s an undeniable fact that hardcore Disney parkgoers are a tough bunch to please. Disney World’s most ardent fans have high standards, with new and old experiences alike placed under high scrutiny.
While some fans are hesitant about any change at the resort (case in point: the closure of Tom Sawyer Island, the Rivers of America, and Muppet*Vision 3D), others are more amenable to new additions at the theme parks.
EPCOT’s Lackluster Transformation
When Disney announced major plans to make EPCOT “more Disney, timeless, relevant, and family-friendly” in 2017, many fans were enthusiastic about the prospect of Disney World’s second-oldest park getting a revamp. The reality, however, turned out to be far from optimal, with dwindling budgets in the COVID-19 pandemic leading to a much more minor transformation than originally teased.
Not only was the idea of Spaceship Earth’s makeover quietly abandoned, but Disney also axed plans for a Mary Poppins attraction in World Showcase, as well as significantly adjusting the additions that did make the cut for EPCOT 2.0.
Fans have not stayed quiet about their displeasure with CommuniCore Hall and Plaza or World Celebration Gardens (which has faced recurrent issues since the days after it first opened).
Now, they’re sounding off another lackluster addition to EPCOT: Connections Eatery.
What’s Wrong With Connections Eatery?
First opened at the theme park in April 2022, Connections Eatery serves up dishes inspired by Italian, French and Asian cuisines.
But guests are far from impressed with the way the restaurant is currently run, with one taking to Reddit to declare it “the worst experience ever.”
The guest went on to explain that the root of the issues at Connections Eatery (not to be confused with the park’s Starbucks, which operates under the name Connections Cafe) is the long wait times paired with limited seating capacity and no rules about who can sit down or when.
“Mobile ordered as travelling with two disabled adults,” they wrote. “No tables, 30 min wait to collect a mobile order. People sitting at tables with their tap water and empty chairs, refusing to let people take one chair despite them being empty. No policy on having to have food to sit down, can stay as long as you like.”
After summarizing that the restaurant was an “appalling experience,” the parkgoer recommended that EPCOT introduce a system where guests prove their mobile order before they sit down.
Others have suggested that the restaurant primarily suffers from guests who use it as a waiting area while the rest of their party rides nearby Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
“Solution is to have some sort of waiting area for people not riding guardians,” they wrote. “Test track and mission space both have air conditioned post shows. Guardians does not. Combined with the height requirement + penchant for making more sensitive riders ill, why they designed this ride without an indoor large post show baffles me. People end up sitting there inside connections waiting for their party to get off the ride.”
This isn’t the only time guests have warned others against Connections Eatery. Last year, some guests advised those with emetophobia (AKA the fear of being sick) from dining at the quick-service restaurant due to the sheer number of guests who drop by and vomit after riding Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
“On our visit a few weeks ago, while entering through the doors that open out to Cosmic Rewind, there were multiple people vomitting in the bushes/on the grass, as well as in the Connections Eatery restroom,” one warned. “It was very triggering and I hope this warning might help prevent panic attacks for other members of the group that struggle with emetophobia.”
What are your thoughts on Connections Eatery?
