Let’s take a lap around Epcot, shall we? It’s only a couple of miles…

Future World

These mysterious construction walls are up just behind Spaceship Earth.

It’s probably just concrete or utility work. We’ll see what happens.

When one is at Epcot, one must go to Club Cool. This is a steadfast rule I’ve lived by for many, many years.

Enjoy it while it’s still here, we’re not sure how long until the replacement shows up.

With this entire building being decommissioned soon, I’m curious if they’re going to bother fixing things when they break. This automatic door was out of order today.

Will it stay like that until Innoventions West closes? We’ll see!

I found this in Mouse Gear. Apparently they’re worried about people stealing 20-year-old CD releases.

I’ve noticed that ImageWorks has been having trouble with its “Make Your Own Figment” PCs recently.

I run into one that’s out of order almost every time I’m here. This one has… a disturbing number of shortcuts to the recycle bin.

They drained the pond out front of Imagination! again, presumably for the ongoing pathway work.

The pathway appears to be right on track. I think the majority of it will be open in time for the Food and Wine Festival at the end of the month.

The Flavors from Fire got some decorative flags to go with its hanging lights.

World Showcase

Remember when Epcot had a parade? This is about as close as we’ll get to that again: 30 something Cast Members being trained in Festival procedure.

The Cast Members in Italy were also getting the rundown on their booth today.

More of these Merchandise booths are popping up. This second one near Germany showed up today.

There’s also one in The American Adventure now, adjacent to that pretty new brickwork.

Liberty Inn will be closed for some time as it becomes The Regal Eagle Smokehouse.

The old sign is still up, though. I miss it already!

Maintenance

O’ Canada is closed, and they’re deep into some facade refurbishment at the moment.

Just as I feared, they’re filling in the planters that used to house live trees.

The park needs more trees, not fewer!

Also, this lamp has been missing for months now.

I guess they just assume no one will notice. Well, I noticed.

A little bit of refurbishment is happening at the back of the UK pavilion as well.

They’re doing some minor work to these fence pillars.

Mitsukoshi Department Store

Now for your semi-regular Mitsukoshi Dept Store update. Do you like fat cats?

Well, here you have several to choose from.

Are dogs more your preference?

This is Kuroyanagi San. She loves nap time.

Don’t like cats or dogs? How about eggs?

Set sail on a course for adventure with Captain Gudetama and his Polynesian friend.

Characterpalooza!

One of my favorite surprises to find in Epcot is a “Characterpalooza”, aka training day for characters and attendants. You never know who you’ll meet, but you need to be fast––it ends just as suddenly as it begins.

I hadn’t seen Mr. Penguin (from Mary Poppins) in a very long time.

That’s everything from Epcot for today! Thanks for reading. Stick with us and we’ll keep you in the loop on all things Epcot!

 

Henry Taylor