Skip to content

epcot

Disney Dedicates Katsura Grill in EPCOT’s Japan Pavilion

Katsura Grill is the name of the remodeled Yakitori House. The quick service location inside the Japan Pavilion in EPCOT has been open for a few weeks, but was officially dedicated on the 17th. The grounds outside feature gardens modeled after the historic Katsura Imperial Villa near Kyoto, Japan. While the inside features a new modern look and seating for a variety of party sizes.

The ceremony was attended by Erin Youngs, vice president of Epcot; and Hideaki Morooka, general manager International Business Operations for Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd., partners with Disney in the Japan Pavilion. (Pictured at above.)

Read More »Disney Dedicates Katsura Grill in EPCOT’s Japan Pavilion

Test Track to get makeover, sponsor change

EPCOT’s popular Test Track attraction will be getting an updated theme to go with a new sponsor. Rather than General Motors sponsoring the ride, it will change to Chevrolet. Chevy is, of course, a GM brand, but the company wanted to focus the new experience on just one brand.

Plans call for closing the current GM Test Track in April 2012, with an anticipated opening of Test Track Presented by Chevrolet scheduled for fall 2012. A few months ago updated cars were spotted testing on the track, they’ve obviously been working on this for a while already.

With the credit crisis of 2007-08 sending GM into bankruptcy, there was a question if the 10 year #10 million sponsorship would continue. But Disney and GM worked out a series of arrangements that allowed them to keep their name on the ride until finances could be lined up to renew the arrangement.

The new theme reminds me a little of how the ‘Sum of all Thrills’ attraction works. But the execution will have to be different to keep the capacity of the attraction moving at a quick enough clip.

Read More »Test Track to get makeover, sponsor change

Polaroid Disney World

Eastman Kodak, longtime sponsor of Disney’s domestic theme parks, is reportedly considering bankruptcy any day now. It’s not clear what this means for the parks, Kodak is still the sponsor of the guidemaps that 1o’s of thousands of guests pick up and use every day… Read More »Polaroid Disney World

EPCOT Foodie Shirts

EPCOT has recently been rolling out some world showcase country specific merchandise, most specifically mickey ear hats and t-shirts. They also have a great tradition of a new EPCOT Food & Wine Festival t-shirt every year. But this is the first pair of shirts related… Read More »EPCOT Foodie Shirts

Merchandise Update – Hats, Tees, and Ears to You

Due to popular demand, I’m back with another photo update featuring some of the latest merchandise to hit the shelves at Walt Disney World. In addition to all the great new items, I’ve also noticed that the emporium style stores are really working on organization and flow. There are fewer big displays blocking views across the store and a lot more signage to help guests find exactly what they’re looking for. Great job there.

Alright then, on with the show!


New Year’s Eve merch is starting to show up.


A terrific pair of Mickey Mouse Ears for New Year’s Eve.

Plenty more below the jump, come along:

Read More »Merchandise Update – Hats, Tees, and Ears to You

An EPCOT Christmas Walkabout

I’m sitting inside Innoventions at EPCOT tonight waiting for some friends to join me for Candlelight Processional and wishing there was a certain innovation called Wifi available to me whilst I wait. Wifi would make uploading the following a lot easier, not to mention faster.

This is my first time seeing the holiday decor during the day. So I took a few pictures to share. I’m going to walk around a bit and then upload some more pictures later.

image
Those are big ornaments on a big tree.

image
Joyful it was not as the last show was over at 4:15, too early for us evening guests.

image
A lovely floral hidden mickey (not really hidden, is it). I wish they’d do more with this view.

image
Look at those wait times at 4:45pm on a Monday.

UPDATE: more photos below the jump.

Read More »An EPCOT Christmas Walkabout

The EPCOT Song

There are rare moments in human history when you must pause and marvel at the amazing things humanity can create. For many Disney Fans, the ideals, dreams, and hard facts behind EPCOT Center represents the peak, the pinnacle, dare we say, the zenith of human… Read More »The EPCOT Song

EPCOT’s House of Innovention to get new Sponsor, Green Message

The out of date and infrequently open House of Innoventions inside EPCOT’s Innoventions exhibit hall is due to receive an extreme makeover and a new set of sponsors. The new version will have a more eco-friendly bent with a focus on helping homeowners reduce their… Read More »EPCOT’s House of Innovention to get new Sponsor, Green Message