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Refurb Underway at Disney’s EPCOT

Posted by: Steven Wilk May 11, 2023

Exterior of Spaceship Earth
Credit: Disney

The Walt Disney World Resort always has a ride, restaurant, Resort hotel, or something else being refurbished. It can be disappointing when it ends up being something that affects your vacation such as a refurb of Splash Mountain at the Magic Kingdom or the Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios. However, it’s Disney’s dedication to upkeep that makes it a theme Park industry leader.

RELATED: Refurbishments Are Underway at ANOTHER Disney Resort

One of many theme Park areas that often get refurbished are the pavilions in EPCOT’s World Showcase.

Morocco Disney World Showcase

Credit: Disney

Move Over Marrakesh

The Morocco pavilion has been undergoing refurbishment over the past couple of years. Located between the Japan and France pavilions, the Morocco pavilion opened in 1984. In 2020, after a legal dispute with the pavilion’s operators (Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant, LLC), Disney took over ownership of the pavilion. However, the Moroccan Embassy and Morocco Tourism Board have continued their involvement with the pavilion as cultural consultants.

RELATED: New Table Service Dining Coming to EPCOT

Since then, there have been various projects underway throughout the Morocco pavilion. The central courtyard and fountain were refurbished in 2021 and a permit was filed for work on Restaurant Marrakesh (the restaurant has been closed since March 2020).

restaurant-marrakesh

Credit: DisneyTips

Ongoing Refurbishments

Souk-Al-Magreb, the pavilion’s main shop, went through a series of closures, finally reopening in May last year with Aladdin-themed merchandise.

The Tangierine Café serves as a Marketplace Food Booth for EPCOT’s festivals and remains fully operational despite ongoing roof construction.

Throughout the Morocco pavilion’s buildings, sections of the roofs are behind scrims and waiting for paint.

It’s curious to see what other changes Disney may make to the pavilion now that they currently own and operate that entire section.

RELATED: 2023 EPCOT International EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Dates Confirmed

One wonders if it could see the addition of an Aladdin dark ride or show, as has been the norm in many EPCOT countries (Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in France and Frozen Ever After in Norway).

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure

Credit: Disney Tips

Who knows?

RELATED: 5 Similarities Between EPCOT’s Frozen Ever After and Marc Davis’ Enchanted Snow Palace

 

About Steven Wilk

Steven has a complicated relationship with Disney. As a child, he visited Walt Disney World every few years with his family. But he never understood why kids his age (and older) were so scared of Snow White or Alien Encounter. He is a former participant of the Disney College Program (left early…long story), and he also previously worked in Children’s publishing, where he adapted multiple Disney movies and TV shows. He has many controversial opinions about Disney…like having a positive view of Michael Eisner, believing Return of the Jedi is superior to The Empire Strikes Back, and that Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge should have never been built (at least not at Hollywood Studios). Every year for the past two decades, Steven has visited either Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Aulani or went on a Disney Cruise. He’s happy to share any and all knowledge of the Disney destinations (and he likes using parenthesis a lot…as well as ellipses…)