Welcome to Epcot

, where the future is now, and you can travel the world in about a one-mile-long stroll! We’re bringing you What’s New from the Park, including a brownie you’ve got to see to believe, construction progress that’s creeping along, and a view from the literal future!

What’s New in Epcot Dining

First things first, we reported recently that Electric Umbrella will be closing later this year. Click here to see all the details!

Over at World Showcase’s Refreshment Outpost, the Frozen Coke machine is finally back in action after being down for months.

And in case you’re looking for a secret menu item: we were able to order the Frozen Elephant, a mix of frozen Coke and Amarula Cream Liqueur. This used to be a staple on the menu here, so we’re happy to report it’s still available by request! (Note that your mileage might vary!)

At the Joffrey’s stand near Disney Traders in World Showcase Plaza, we had a peek at (and a taste of) the available pastries.

We spotted the famous, gigantic Joffrey’s donut (see why we think this rocks here!) as well as a Chocolate Pecan Honey Bun that we also recently saw at Animal Kingdom.

We saved the best for last, though. This Peanut Butter Brownie is the bomb.com! We reviewed it yesterday (click here — but wait until you’re not hungry because PB&C), and we’re still thinking about it today. So this is love…

What’s New in Epcot Construction

We can’t top the brownie with another dining update, so we’re moving on to construction. Below you’ll see progress on the space restaurant. Can you tell what’s new?

Now? No? Good, we can’t either. Just know that construction work continues on the exterior, and the restaurant opens later this year. 😉 Click here for the most recent update, including info on the chef tapped to head this immersive, outer space-inspired restaurant!

Guardians of the Galaxy coaster construction progresses as well, with lots of exterior work still apparently underway. The reworked face of the former Universe of Energy building still appears far from completion.

We spotted the Flavors from Fire food booth from the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival behind some construction fencing. Construction has been on-going in this area for a while, but this is the first time we’ve been able to see the food booth in place. Possibly it’s been there all along, as the walls previously were higher and blocking the view. We’ll expect to see a lot of action in the coming weeks as the Festival gears up to start on August 29. Be sure to check out the FULL LIST OF BOOTH MENUS and food photos here!

In pseudo-Festival news, Taste Track, a snack kiosk near Test Track, had previously been on Festival food booth lists. But recently it hadn’t opened since the end of Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival, and it was removed from the list of booths for Food & Wine Festival. Now, the entire structure is gone.

For guests looking to enjoy a cronut, which were previously found at Taste Track, Electric Umbrella has one on the menu (although our recent one was dry), and the Joffrey’s stand near Disney Traders has one on the menu, too, from time to time!

Takumi-Tei in the Japan Pavilion is a signature restaurant set to open this summer, and we spotted signs up yesterday. Click here to read about it!

Exterior work and landscaping is apparently complete or very nearly so. Movable hedges are in place to block the entrance and views of the restaurant.

What we believe is the entrance has simple design details in keeping with the style of the pavilion, including lanterns and a gateo-style tile awning over a heavy wooden door.

This is the view of the restaurant’s entrance from above. Pesky hedges, mostly, but it provides some scale for the space.

Over in Canada, tan-covered scaffolding remains up. No official word on what’s going on, but we expect exterior maintenance.

What’s New in Epcot Merchandise

Yesterday we shared the news that Epcot’s prime shopping location — Mouse Gear — will relocate this winter in order for its present location to be reimagined. In the meantime, you can find ears to celebrate another closure at Epcot: the end of IllumiNations on September 30.

We gave you all the details in this post yesterday — click to see how much these’ll cost ya!

Also at Mouse Gear: a Spider-Man MagicBand ($34.99). So while you won’t see the webslinger himself at the Parks of Walt Disney World (find out why here!), at least you can wear him on your wrist!

And hey! Breaking news! At Epcot, it’s 2020! Time to buy your calendar! 😉 This 16-month calendar will get you through the end of 2019 (didn’t it just begin?!) and into the new year! At $12.99, it’s actually reasonably priced!

Mouse Gear has this new-to-us Dante shirt from Coco. We’re loving the pup’s scraggly, happy expression.

And even though Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge won’t be opening in Walt Disney World for a while (August 29), you can wear your allegiance to the franchise with this The Empire Strikes Back tee, also at Mouse Gear.

At the Africa Outpost in World Showcase, find a selection of The Lion King merchandise, all ready for the live-action movie’s release on July 19.

And that’s it. We go on to the next What’s New, so hold tight as your DFB ride vehicle will be rotating backward to bring you another stroll through the Parks and Resorts of Walt Disney World and Disneyland soon!

Which of Epcot’s changes are you most looking forward to seeing? Which has you upset? Let us hear it in the comments!