Construction walls at Disney parks, including EPCOT, can be one of the most frustrating aspects of vacation planning and the onsite experience. Nothing dampens the magic quite like arriving at your favorite snack stand or attraction, only to find it hidden behind temporary barriers decorated with concept art or generic Disney theming. For guests who meticulously plan their visits around specific food items, beverages, or experiences, encountering unexpected construction can genuinely affect their overall vacation satisfaction. The disappointment of not being able to access something you’ve been looking forward to for months is a real experience, one that Disney guests universally understand and discuss online.The Garden House sake kiosk in EPCOT’s Japan pavilion has been one such site affected by extended refurbishment, remaining behind construction walls since July. This fan-favorite spot was particularly known for serving Violet Sake, a distinctive purple-colored beverage that gained popularity on Instagram and developed a dedicated following among EPCOT regulars and festival enthusiasts. When the kiosk closed for refurbishment, Disney temporarily relocated the Violet Sake to Katsura Grill, allowing guests to still enjoy their beloved drink during the closure. This move helped ease the disappointment for visitors specifically coming to the Japan pavilion seeking that particular beverage.Construction Walls Down From Refurbished Garden House Sake Kiosk in EPCOThttps://t.co/ckcl6Z3JIO— WDW News Today (@WDWNT) December 16, 2025Now, after months of waiting, the construction walls have finally come down around the Garden House, revealing significant changes to the small structure. The refurbishment was not merely a simple refresh or cosmetic update; Disney made substantial alterations to the building’s design, functionality, and appearance, transforming how guests will interact with the kiosk when it reopens. Whether these changes will enhance the guest experience or simply represent aesthetic updates remains to be seen. However, the physical transformation is dramatic enough that regular EPCOT visitors will immediately notice the differences.What Changed During RefurbishmentThe most significant change involves a complete reconfiguration of how guests access the kiosk. Instead of having doors at the front of the small building, there are now windows. The two former windows on the sides of the building have been converted into doors. This marks a fundamental shift in how the structure will operate and how guest flow will be managed upon reopening.The stonework at the base of the building was modified to accommodate the new door placements and to close off the front where the doors used to be. This required more extensive work than simple cosmetic updates, indicating that Disney likely had specific operational or guest flow reasons for making these changes, rather than merely refreshing the existing design.The decorative wood elements that previously adorned the area below the windows were removed during the refurbishment. The entire kiosk has been repainted, giving it a clean and fresh appearance for its reopening. Signage and decorations were taken down, but it remains unclear whether this is a temporary measure pending reopening or a more permanent change.The straw roof, which adds distinctive Japanese architectural character and helps the kiosk blend in with the overall aesthetic of the Japan pavilion, remains intact. This was likely a crucial consideration, as replacing or significantly altering the roof would have extended construction timelines and costs considerably.The Violet Sake at EPCOTGarden House has gained significant popularity in recent years for serving Violet Sake, a visually distinctive beverage that photographs beautifully and offers a unique taste compared to the standard sake available elsewhere in World Showcase. Its purple color makes it Instagram-worthy, while the flavor appeals to guests looking for something different from the typical beer, wine, or cocktail options.first drink at epcot: Violet Sake pic.twitter.com/PXd8YcrKzw— halloween whore lexx (@hhnlexx) March 29, 2025When Garden House closed for refurbishment in July, Disney temporarily relocated the Violet Sake service to Katsura Grill, a quick-service restaurant also located in the Japan Pavilion. This arrangement allowed guests to continue enjoying the popular beverage during the closure, ensuring that this signature offering remained available.Credit: DisneyThe question now is whether Garden House will include sake on its menu once it reopens, and if so, whether Violet Sake will return. Disney has not made any official announcements regarding reopening dates, menu offerings, or whether the location will retain the Garden House name.The Uncertainty FactorThe absence of official information from Disney regarding the future of the Garden House raises uncertainty for guests planning upcoming visits to EPCOT. Questions linger: Will it reopen as a sake kiosk? Will it serve different beverages? Could it become something entirely different? These inquiries remain unanswered, and without clarity from Disney, guests can only speculate based on the visible changes now that the construction walls are down.The shift from front doors to side doors suggests that there may be operational changes in addition to aesthetic updates. This new layout could improve efficiency for cast members working at the kiosk, better accommodate guest queuing and ordering patterns, or address accessibility concerns that existed with the previous configuration. Without an official explanation, all of this remains guesswork.The removal of decorative elements and signage might indicate that Disney plans to rebrand the location entirely, or it could simply mean these elements will be reinstalled closer to the reopening date once other work is complete. At the very least, the fresh paint job suggests that Disney is investing in making the kiosk look appealing and well-maintained, rather than allowing it to deteriorate or remain closed indefinitely.What This Means for EPCOT GuestsFor guests planning to visit EPCOT in the coming weeks and months, it’s important to note that Garden House remains closed, even though the construction walls around it have come down. No reopening date has been announced, so visitors should not assume that it will be operational. If you’re interested in trying Violet Sake, Katsura Grill is currently the confirmed location where it is available, provided that this temporary arrangement remains in place until Garden House reopens.The good news is that the removal of the construction walls has improved the overall appearance of the Japan pavilion. Extensive construction barriers can detract from the enjoyment of Disney parks, blocking sightlines and creating areas that guests can’t access. With the walls gone, the visual flow through the pavilion is restored, even if the kiosk itself is not yet open for guests.Additionally, a new gashapon kiosk opened near Garden House earlier this year, adding another interactive element to the Japan pavilion. Gashapon machines dispense small toys or collectibles in capsules, highlighting a popular aspect of Japanese culture that guests can now experience. This new offering complements the pavilion’s existing activities, providing visitors with something engaging to explore while they are in the area.Credit: Jeremy Thompson, FlickrThe Construction Wall Experience The extended closure of Garden House underscores a larger issue that construction walls pose for Disney guests. Planning a Disney vacation often takes months, as guests research specific food items, beverages, and experiences they want to prioritize. When they discover certain attractions or offerings are unavailable due to refurbishment, after having already committed to their vacation dates and making dining reservations, it can lead to genuine disappointment.Disney does maintain refurbishment calendars and typically announces closures; however, not all refurbishments are publicized equally, and timelines sometimes extend beyond initial projections. Even guests who conduct thorough research can be caught off guard by unexpected construction.The Garden House refurbishment lasted several months, resulting in a prolonged period where guests could not access the original location or enjoy the experience as intended. While Disney relocated popular Violet Sake to Katsura Grill, demonstrating that they recognize the negative impact of removing beloved offerings, this temporary solution didn’t completely replicate the experience of ordering from the dedicated kiosk in the charming setting of the pavilion.Now that the construction walls have been removed, guests are left waiting for Disney to announce reopening plans, menu details, and whether Garden House will continue serving the famous Violet Sake that EPCOT regulars have come to love. In the meantime, guests can appreciate the Japan Pavilion without construction barriers obstructing their views and diminishing the visual appeal that Disney has carefully crafted throughout the World Showcase.The post Disney Transformed EPCOT’s Violet Sake Stand With No Reopening Date appeared first on Inside the Magic.