Guests Say EPCOT Has a Serious Problem and It’s Getting Worse

When Walt Disney World opened Connections Eatery in April 2022, the goal was to create a modern, global-inspired dining space that fit seamlessly into EPCOT’s reimagined central hub. Years later, the result has become one of the park’s most divisive experiences—and fans are calling for change.

The quick-service restaurant was introduced as part of Disney’s ongoing transformation of EPCOT, a project that’s seen excitement turn to disillusionment for many longtime fans. What began as a bold reimagining of the park has, due to delays and cutbacks, slowly unraveled into a piecemeal rollout that’s left some guests wondering what exactly happened to the original plan.

EPCOT’s Transformation Has Left Fans Divided

Disney announced the EPCOT overhaul in 2017, promising to make the park “more Disney, timeless, relevant, and family-friendly.” Initial concept art teased a revitalized Future World, new attractions like a Mary Poppins ride in World Showcase, and a reimagined Spaceship Earth. Guests had high hopes about EPCOT’s future, but then came the pandemic – and with it, budget cuts, delays, and quiet cancellations.

Several proposed additions never materialized. Others, like CommuniCore Hall and World Celebration Gardens, have opened to underwhelming guest response. Amid that landscape, even smaller additions are under scrutiny. For many, Connections Eatery—located at the heart of the new World Celebration area—is emblematic of the larger issues with EPCOT’s makeover.

Marketed as a sleek, casual dining spot offering international flavors, Connections Eatery promised to blend global cuisine with accessible favorites. What guests got, however, feels far less polished.

What Guests Are Saying About This “Appalling Experience”

Connections Eatery has come under fire for its crowding, layout, and seating policies—or lack thereof. In one widely shared Reddit post, a Disney guest described the restaurant as “the worst experience ever.”

“Mobile ordered as travelling with two disabled adults,” the post read. “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.”

Other guests point to what they see as a design flaw: the restaurant’s proximity to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. With no designated indoor waiting area for that ride, guests often end up loitering inside Connections Eatery, taking seats without ordering food.

“Solution is to have some sort of waiting area for people not riding Guardians,” another parkgoer wrote. “Test Track and Mission: SPACE both have air-conditioned post shows. Guardians does not. Why they designed this ride without an indoor large post-show baffles me.”

Even more concerning are recurring reports of motion sickness. Guests with emetophobia—fear of vomiting—have been actively warned about the eatery due to the volume of Cosmic Rewind riders who become ill immediately afterward.

“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 guest noted. “It was very triggering and I hope this warning might help prevent panic attacks.”

The Broader Question: Who Is EPCOT For?

The backlash against Connections Eatery is part of a larger conversation surrounding EPCOT’s identity. What was once a park focused on global culture and innovation has shifted toward character-driven IP, with mixed results.

While attractions like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Frozen Ever After have been embraced, other areas – particularly the central spine of the park – remain contentious.

With Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios all receiving big upgrades in the coming years, the future isn’t exactly sparkling for EPCOT. Fingers crossed for more updates to the park soon.

Are you a fan of Connections Eatery?