Disney World To Abandon Beloved Restaurant Again, Will Close in July

If you’ve been enjoying a rare slice of peace and perks in EPCOT’s Morocco Pavilion lately, here’s your heads-up—it’s all about to disappear.

Disney World is once again preparing to shut down the temporary Annual Passholder lounge inside Restaurant Marrakesh, leaving the beloved (and often forgotten) restaurant empty… again.

This isn’t the first time Disney has left Marrakesh sitting idle, and based on past patterns, it might not be the last either.

A Cool Perk That’s Winding Down

Over the past several weeks, Restaurant Marrakesh has been home to an exclusive Annual Passholder lounge as part of Disney’s V.I.Passholder Summer Days promotion. The space has offered complimentary bottled water, light snacks, phone charging stations, and that all-important blast of air conditioning during those hot Florida afternoons. Plus, guests could snag a free Passholder button and take part in some fun PhotoPass opportunities—making it a nice little oasis in a busy park.

But here’s the catch: the lounge officially closes on July 13, 2025. After that, it’s not just the end of the perk—it’s a return to silence for a restaurant that has long been caught in Disney limbo.

What Happened to Restaurant Marrakesh?

For years, Restaurant Marrakesh offered unique North African cuisine, live entertainment, and a culturally immersive experience that stood out in EPCOT’s World Showcase. But when the pandemic hit, Marrakesh was shuttered, and it stayed closed long after other dining locations reopened. Many fans had hoped it would make a proper comeback. Instead, it’s been repurposed off and on—mostly as a lounge or event space—without ever returning to its original restaurant roots.

With this latest closure, it feels like Disney still isn’t quite sure what to do with the space. And that uncertainty is frustrating for guests who miss the atmosphere and unique flavors Marrakesh used to offer.

What’s Next for the Space?

That’s the million-dollar question. As of now, there’s no word on what will happen to Restaurant Marrakesh once the lounge ends. Will it sit empty again, collecting dust and disappointing fans? Or could Disney finally have plans to reinvent the location entirely?

There’s been no official announcement about the restaurant’s long-term future. But if the past is any indication, it could be quite a while before anything meaningful takes its place—if ever. Considering how much love EPCOT has been getting with major updates and reimagined spaces, this corner of the Morocco Pavilion feels like it’s been forgotten.

The Bigger Picture for Passholders

The end of the Marrakesh lounge also signals the winding down of other limited-time Annual Passholder perks. The 40% dining discount at select restaurants ends July 31, and exclusive meet-and-greets like the one with Dopey in the Germany Pavilion are wrapping up soon as well.

So if you’re a Passholder hoping to soak in the last of these bonuses, now’s the time. After July 13, the lounge will be a memory—and Restaurant Marrakesh will once again fade into EPCOT’s background.

Whether you’re nostalgic for the old Marrakesh or just bummed to see a quiet corner of EPCOT go unused (again), one thing’s for sure: Disney World has no shortage of spaces that feel like they’re in limbo. And sadly, this one may be staying there a little longer.