A section of seating inside Connections Eatery at EPCOT is now unavailable and blocked off unless guests already have their food.
This section of seating is surrounded by walls. Stanchions now block the three entryways and Cast Members are there to let guests in and out.
As such, many guests are waiting next to the walls for their party to finish ordering and picking up their food.
There is an entrance at each end of the rectangular section and one in the center.
We’ve seen similar systems at some quick-service restaurants before as Cast Members attempt to curb capacity and make sure guests with food actually get a table.
It was getting crowded while guests waited for their food so they could sit down.
Once guests have their food in hand, they can enter the seating area and find their own table.
A Cast Member was at this entrance too, but it was also partially blocked by a new structure.
This giant rectangle is blank right now, but it may become a menu board.
Seating is not restricted in the attached Connections Café, so guests could always walk to that side if they need a seat.
There are also now tables and chairs in the breezeway outside Connections.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
It’s not that way in The Land. We often have to split up so that we have a table to go to when we have our food. We had to eat standing at Pecos Bill in March 2022 due to a torential down pour (there were no seats or tables available). People finished with their meals and were not leaving (waiting out the storm) or they were taking seats without eating there.
That’s a fantastic policy. So irritating walking around with a tray of food past tables are “saved” by people whose party is still ordering or waiting for food. Wish they would do this at more locations (especially Pym’s in California Adventure.)