Connections Café and Eatery was first announced as coming to EPCOT during last November’s Destination D23, and now we have a look inside at the menu, the murals, and even what Starbucks has to do with this new quick service food location.
Connections Eatery is a new fast-casual quick-service restaurant, and Disney says the menu is influenced by delicious cuisines from across the globe.
Sandwich selections include the French Bistro Burger with caramelized onions, bacon, and brie; the Southwestern Burger featuring a roasted chipotle-corn salsa and guacamole spread; the Vietnamese-inspired Banh Mi Burger; and the Greek-inspired Mediterranean Burger.
It looks like the burgers come with the option to choose fries or a side salad.
Speaking of salads, meal-size options include the French-inspired Niçoise-style Salad, packed with potatoes, white and green beans, and olives drizzled with a delicious Dijon vinaigrette, and the Asian-infuenced General Tso Chicken Salad, featuring ingredients like broccoli slaw, red bell pepper, mandarin oranges, and crispy wontons.
Pizzas run from the classic Meatball Pizza to the Asian-inspired Curry Spice Pizza, which is topped with carrots, potato, peas, and lime “yogurt”…I have no idea why they put yogurt in the quote marks, unless this pizza is plant-based and the yogurt is actually not dairy.
For kids, the menu includes dishes like Grilled Chicken Bao, Chicken Nuggets Basket, and a Cheeseburger.
Save room for dessert, as the menu includes the Liege Waffle, a waffle topped with strawberry, chocolate, and whipped cream, as well as creamy shakes to enjoy with your meal, or after.
Two of the unusual shake options are the Mango-Coconut Milk Shake topped off with a pomegranate molasses drizzle, and the Apple Pie Gelato Shake, topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon.
Connections Eatery will offer alcoholic drink options, like the Cucumber and Thai Basil Cooler, or guests can opt for the non-alcoholic Watermelon-Mint Agua Fresca.
And for those who need their coffee fix, Connections will put the Cafe in their name by being the new home for Starbucks at EPCOT. Disney says that like other Starbucks locations inside the theme parks, this Starbucks will be designed to fit the theme of its surroundings.
While we’re on the subject of surroundings, I have to point out the beautiful mural that is being hand-painted along the back wall of Connections Eatery.
It stretches 160 feet, and according to Walt Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley is titled “Global Gathering.”
He further states it is “a celebration of various food and beverage staples from around the world, and how we are all connected by enjoying a meal together. Highlighting eight distinct regions of the globe, this vibrant installation depicts people cultivating or gathering around food, such as potatoes from the Andes Mountains in Peru or black pepper from the Malabar Coast of India. The piece also evolves from sunrise in the east to sunset in the west across the full span of the eatery – culminating in one of the largest art installations Imagineering has created.”
There is no opening date listed for Connections Café and Eatery at EPCOT, but considering how far along they are, it shouldn’t be but another month or two. We’ll let you know as soon as we hear of a definite date.
It is located in the park’s new World Celebration neighborhood, in the spot that formerly housed the Electric Umbrella restaurant.
Are you looking forward to Connections Café and Eatery opening? This section of EPCOT definitely needs a quick-service location, right? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.