EPCOT has evolved since its 1982 debut as a permanent world’s fair emphasizing human achievement and innovation. Today, many visitors view it as a food and festival park, particularly in World Showcase, where the culinary offerings attract guests.EPCOT includes attractions like Test Track and Soarin’ in Future World, while World Showcase features pavilions from eleven nations. The park has increasingly focused on food experiences during its seasonal festivals: the Festival of the Arts in January and February, the Flower & Garden Festival in spring, the Food & Wine Festival in fall, and the Festival of the Holidays at year’s end. This festival atmosphere makes culinary experiences a main draw for many visitors.EPCOT’s food-centric design features snack stands, food booths, festival kitchens, quick-service spots, table-service restaurants, and specialty carts throughout the park. These venues offer a range of options, from full meals to unique desserts and beverages not found elsewhere at Disney or typical restaurants. The 1.2-mile World Showcase invites guests to stroll along the lagoon, sampling festival offerings and exploring various culinary options at both permanent and temporary booths. This walking and dining experience creates a dynamic pace, highlighting food’s central role at EPCOT, unlike other Disney parks, where it supports attractions and entertainment.Credit: DisneyAmong EPCOT’s dining locations, Refreshment Port near the Canada Pavilion has gained a loyal following for its specialty poutines, soft-serve ice cream, and fountain beverages. This quick-service spot offers a casual way to enjoy poutine, a Quebec specialty of french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. Often featuring creative variations, it elevates this comfort food favorite for guests looking for a taste of Canadian cuisine.The Closure AnnouncementRefreshment Port will close for renovations starting January 12, 2026. This will affect guests who rely on this spot for poutine, soft-serve ice cream, and quick drinks during their visits to EPCOT. The refurbishment is currently scheduled to last until March 3, 2026; however, this date has not been confirmed as the reopening date. Disney has not provided any official details about the closure, so guests are left to speculate about what changes might occur and whether the popular menu items will remain unchanged when it reopens.Credit: DisneyThe timing of the refurbishment is frustrating as it coincides with the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts from January 16 to February 23, 2026. Last year’s festival featured exclusive items at Refreshment Port, like Caprese Poutine and Blood Orange Cosmo. With Refreshment Port closed for most of the festival, guests will miss out on these specialty items and one less food booth option.EPCOT Festival Menu ImplicationsThe closure means there is one less menu available during the Festival of the Arts, reducing the total number of food booths and culinary options available to guests while exploring the festival. For people who plan their EPCOT festival visits around specific must-try items, create lists of booths they want to visit, and strategically navigate World Showcase to sample everything on their itinerary, losing Refreshment Port from the available options disrupts those carefully constructed plans.Menu items that typically appear at Refreshment Port during festivals may be relocated to other locations or may not be offered at all during this year’s Festival of the Arts. Full festival menus have not been released yet, leaving uncertainty about whether Refreshment Port’s specialty items will be available elsewhere or if they will disappear from this year’s festival entirely. For guests who specifically look forward to the Caprese Poutine or other Refreshment Port festival offerings, this creates frustration as anticipated culinary experiences may become unavailable.The Flower & Garden Festival QuestionThe refurbishment’s scheduled conclusion on March 3, 2026, raises questions about whether Refreshment Port will reopen in time for EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, which begins March 4, 2026, just one day after the current refurbishment end date. The extremely tight timeline between the scheduled refurbishment completion and the festival start creates uncertainty about whether the location will actually be operational when Flower & Garden begins, or whether delays, extended work, or operational considerations might keep it closed throughout the festival.Credit: DisneyIf Refreshment Port remains closed during the Flower & Garden Festival, that represents the second consecutive major EPCOT festival affected by the refurbishment, compounding the disappointment for guests who visit during festival seasons specifically for the expanded food options and specialty menus. Flower & Garden typically features its own unique Refreshment Port offerings incorporating fresh ingredients, seasonal flavors, and garden-inspired dishes that complement the festival’s horticultural theming.Why This Matters for EPCOTRefurbishments represent a necessary aspect of maintaining Disney parks, ensuring locations remain fresh, functional, and up to current standards. However, the timing of this particular closure demonstrates tension between operational necessity and guest experience, particularly at food-focused park like EPCOT, where individual locations develop devoted followings and seasonal festival menus create anticipation for specific items at specific booths.For guests who rely on Refreshment Port for poutine, soft-serve ice cream, and specialty beverages during their EPCOT visits, the closure disrupts their routines and eliminates expected experiences. The lack of clear information about the refurbishment, including potential menu changes and reopening dates, adds to the frustration, making it difficult for guests to adjust their plans.Looking ForwardThe hope among Refreshment Port fans is that the refurbishment concludes on schedule by March 3, allowing the location to reopen in time for the Flower & Garden Festival and minimizing the impact to just one primary festival season. However, Disney refurbishments frequently extend beyond initially posted dates, creating a real possibility that the closure could affect multiple festivals if work takes longer than currently scheduled.Until Disney provides an official statement about the refurbishment scope and timeline, guests can only wait to learn what changes Refreshment Port will receive and when this fan-favorite poutine stand will return to serving the EPCOT crowds who have made it a regular stop during their World Showcase journeys.The post Fan Favorite Poutine Stand at EPCOT Closing and Ruining Festival Plans appeared first on Inside the Magic.