We’ve been anxiously awaiting the day we can finally enjoy an out-of-this-world meal at Space 220!
Space 220 Concept Art ©Disney
At this new EPCOT restaurant, guests will board an elevator that takes them into orbit as they travel to the Centauri Space Station above the Earth. While dining 220 miles above the Earth’s surface (hence the restaurant’s name!) guests will be treated to a full panoramic view of space!
Sounds incredible, right?? And our anticipation is further piqued because Space 220 was originally slated to open almost a year ago! While the opening date was once listed as “Winter 2019,” the restaurant has since experienced a series of complications and delays.
Space 220
Early signs of trouble began in November of 2019 when the previously-announced executive chef of the location, Theo Schoenegger, stepped down and the search for a chef to head the restaurant had to be reignited. Around the same time, the projected restaurant opening date was changed from Winter 2019 to February 2020 in Patina Group (the company that runs Space 220) job listings.
Space 220 Concept Art ©Disney
Of course, the February opening did not end up happening, and shortly after, Disney World began a monthslong shutdown in response to the global pandemic. During the shutdown, all construction projects were paused, including work on Space 220. But there is a glimmer of hope — it appears that construction was pretty far along when the shutdown began in March.
Space 220 Construction
With all of these setbacks and delays, we wanted to know whether our readers think that they’ll be able to dine in outer space by the end of the year! So, we asked our followers on Instagram, “Do you think Space 220 will open by the end of the year?” And it looks like most people are NOT expecting to be cleared for launch anytime soon — 89% said probably not, while 11% said for sure!
Pie Chart of Our Readers’ Responses When Asked If They Think Space 220 Will Open by the End of 2020
And with over 23,000 votes received, that’s a pretty overwhelming number of people who are expecting to wait until at least 2021 before their first opportunity to dine in space! But, given the number of setbacks poor Space 220 has already experienced, we can’t blame them!
We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more signs of construction work on the restaurant, as well as any official word from Disney on an anticipated grand opening date, so stay tuned for the final countdown to launch!
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I don’t feel the Disney Company will be putting their money and energy towards this project at this time. They seem to be focused on new attractions and the Star Wars themed resort with the immersive experience. Those experiences will bring in the crowds. Restaurants don’t appeal to everyone (menu, prices, etc.) Personally, I am more interested in when the Ratatouille ride is opening. I am enjoying watching the Tron lightcycle progress. This restaurant is a low priority to me; we may not be able to afford to eat in it.
My concern is the Patina Group as they run several restaurants in Disney Springs and Epcot Italy, none of which every rise to expectations. Despite multiple visits to the restaurants, prices remain high for Applebee’s level food (and I am no fan of ABs).
I would like to see Space 220 open but under the Disney flag, not pawning it off to some 3rd party to keep costs down. Disney is becoming an internal franchise operations, happy to rake in profits with little risk or financial exposure. This leaves guests with a less than magical experience. Under Bob C I don’t see this getting any better and that is concerning.
Right now… during these low crowd park days would be the optimal time to do a soft opening. To work out any of the kinks before the crowds get back to normal. Instead of waiting for full crowds to figure out something’s wrong.
When Covid-19 is concoured by a Vaccine, we may expect WDW to return to Normal and close quarters venues such as this to go into operation. We should all be behind the push for a Vaccine, and resist the politics that surround it!
My thought is probably after there’s a vaccine available, my guess would be opening Q1 2021. I hope not too far beyond that. We’re “planning” (as much as it’s possible to plan right now) a July 2021 trip and that’s something I hope we’re able to do while there.
So much for “Space 2020”!
I suspect it won’t open in 2021 either. Disney will not continue this project before attendance returns to (almost) normal, and perhaps not even then. It will take several months after the project is resumed before it opens.
If you watch DSNY newscast, you’d know that a section of the screen/window was broken during construction and the replacement section had to be special ordered. With the pandemic the remaking of the section is going slowly. So it probably depends on how quickly that section can be remade and then how much additional work has to be done once that section is in place.
As much as I would have loved eating “220 miles above Earth”, I don’t think that will happen in my lifetime, nor will a ride in a trackless rodent car. I didn’t get excited about Tron or Guardians because I’ve outgrown roller coasters but the EPCOT neighborhoods would have been nice, as well as an expanded France Pavilion. How much do you want to bet that in 2023, the China Pavilion is turned into a Mulan Experience. After my October trip, I’m done with Disney! I can’t afford it any more, especially when I’ll be living on Social Security in a few years.
Why ask the readers? We have no control over what Disney decides to do or when.
Disney has built all these new hotels to keep people on property and while the hotels do have table service restaurants the parks are woefully lacking in enough table service restaurants to accommodate all the guests who choose not to eat burgers and chicken nuggets.
It’s true, Disney Dining conceptually is a good idea, but the pricing and quality of the food has always been lacking on Disney property. I think you will be lucky if this 2020 dining experience sees the light of day in 2021. High priced dining and low quality is the norm at Disney and realistically the guests do not need this eatery to make the day. It is just another place to park a few hundred guests for an hour or two. I to am past the roller coaster offerings and prefer the world educational experience at Epcot. Oh well,