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Is It the End for This Beloved EPCOT Restaurant?

Restaurant marrakesh
Credit: Disney

The Moroccan pavilion was once home to some of the most vibrant experiences at EPCOT. It fell on hard times, however, in 2020 and hasn’t been able to bounce back from the Covid-19 closures. The pavilions restaurants took out a PPP loan to stay afloat but that didn’t seem to be enough to help the struggling restaurant group. In fact, Disney sued the pavilion’s restaurant owners over unpaid debts they owed.

Now it seems one of those restaurants may be gone forever. Restaurant Marrakesh, one of the most authentic restaurants at Walt Disney World, will soon become a lounge sponsored by Florida Blue Medicare. This change is confirmed by signage spotted outside the restaurant by theme park enthusiast and content creator @ExpThemePark.

Resturant Marrakesh

Credit: Twitter/@expthemepark

The reaction on Twitter to this change is pretty unanimous- everyone hates it. One user, @holland_rj, stated, “when I think about how much work went into that space I could cry”.

Restaurant marrakesh

CREDIT: Disney

The restaurant once served up authentic Moroccan cuisine while belly dancers entertained diners. It was easy to suspend reality and imagine you were actually in a Moroccan palace as part of a royal banquet.

Restaurant Marrakesh

Credit: Jill Bivins

It’s not currently known whether this change is temporary or permanent. We hope it is temporary, this space is too beautiful not to be open to the public! However, it has been 2 years since Disney reopened after their closure for Covid-19 and this restaurant has remained shuttered which doesn’t bode well for its eventual return.

Restaurant marrakesh

Credit: Jill Bivins

In January of this year permits were filed for construction in the space.The work permits seemed to indicate electrical work was being done inside the restaurant. Hopes were high that it meant Restaurant Marrakesh would soon return, or at least a replacement restaurant. Now, however, it seems those permits may have just been work to convert the space into the new lounge.

Time will tell if this lounge is here to stay or simply a way to utilize the space while plans for its permanent use are finalized. As always, we’ll keep you updated on developments as they happen.

 

 

About Jill Bivins

Jill Bivins has been visiting Disney Parks since she was 2 years old and loves sharing her Disney adventures with the world. She likes to say Disney is in her blood and writing is in her bones — so any time she has the opportunity to combine these loves she is one happy camper! She has a deep abiding love for Epcot and as a die hard Star Wars fan has a serious love for Hollywood Studios as well. When she isn't exploring or writing about Disney Parks, Jill is homeschooling her 8 year old son, playing with her brand new baby son, or pretending to be a farmer on her family homestead (despite being unable to keep even a cactus alive). Find Jill on Instagram @minnieonmain.