Space 220 Restaurant

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Space 220 Restaurant
Space 220 logo.png
Restaurant information
EstablishedSeptember 20, 2021 (2021-09-20)
Owner(s)Walt Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products
ChefMarc Kusche
Food typeModern cuisine of the United States
CityBay Lake
CountyOrange County
StateFlorida
CountryUnited States
Coordinates28°22′26″N 81°32′49″W / 28.3738°N 81.5470°W / 28.3738; -81.5470Coordinates: 28°22′26″N 81°32′49″W / 28.3738°N 81.5470°W / 28.3738; -81.5470
Seating capacityOver 350
LocationWalt Disney World’s EPCOT in the World Discovery pavilion adjacent to Mission: SPACE
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

Space 220 Restaurant is a theme restaurant at Epcot, one of the four main parks at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida, United States. Run by the Patina Restaurant Group, It was established on September 20, 2021, as a space-themed restaurant. It is modeled after a space station and has simulated daytime and nighttime views of the earth inside the dining area. Guest are brought into the dining area via a simulated journey 220 miles (355 km) up into Centauri Space Station via a space elevator know as the "Stellarvator".

The table-service restaurant serves modern cuisine of the United States. The menu list items with themed names, such as "Space Greens" (salad), "Starry Calamari", and "Neptune Tartare" (yellowfin tuna). They serve "Atmospheric Spirits", which are alcohol beverages, that also with play on names, such as "Celestial Cosmopolitan" (vodka), "Stargarita" (margarita), and "Jupiter Fizz" (gin).

The restaurant has received generally positive reviews from critics. Most have applauded the experience, view, elevator, and theming, but some have criticized the food. Robert Pearlman said that the restaurant has changed what it means to eat with a view. Space 220 made Mashed.com's list of the best restaurants at Epcot. One critic said that it is probably only worth doing if you have kids.

History[]

Space 220, located in World Discovery adjacent to the attraction Mission: SPACE, opened on September 20, 2021, for Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary as apart of the new Epcot expansion. It was announced at the 2019 D23, that a space-themed restaurant would be coming to Epcot. It was originally supposed to open in late 2019, but was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][2] The new expansion split Future World into three different pavilions called World Nature, World Discovery, and World Celebration.[1]

Because reservations for Space 220 did not begin until after the first week of its opening, the line to get into Space 220 for the first week was around 5 hours or longer, making it a longer wait than the attractions. With the wait time being so long, Disney implemented a virtual line queue similar to that of the attraction Star Wars: Rise of Resistance, so that guest could walk around the park while waiting.[3] Before creating the "Stellarvator", a fake elevator that simulates guests’ journey into space, Seth Rose, a Disney spokesman, said that they reached out to NASA engineers asking them what a space elevator might look like.[4] The food director said that they plan to change the menu twice every year.[5]

Theme[]

Space 220 is based off of a space station. Before entering, guest are handed boarding passes and later enter into the restaurant through a simulated journey 220 miles (355 km) up into the Centauri Space Station via a space elevator called the "Stellarvator".[6][7] The "Stellarvator" has a circular viewing screen in the middle of the floor and the ceiling. Although not actually leaving the ground, guest can look through the viewing screens to see themselves lift off from Epcot in the bottom screen and into the space station from the top screen. After exiting the elevator, guest walk into a long neon hallway, that has a circular rotating vegetable garden called the "Growth Zone" with items from the menu in it. It is based off the vegetable production systems on real space stations in the wall.[8][6][9]

The hallway leads them into the dining area, where there are several floor-to-ceiling windows lined up across the exterior wall of the dining room. Through the windows daytime and nighttime simulated views of the earth can be seen alongside floating astronauts, flying dogs, other space stations, an X-wing, a lightsaber fight between two astronauts, the ride vehicle that will be used for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and spacecrafts, which includes the space shuttle from Mission: SPACE.[10][5] There are over and 350 seats with the chairs, tables, and booths being a utilitarian gray and the table settings being black.[11][12][9]

Disney imagineers tried to make the simulated view of the earth as real as possible by replicating what the view of earth looks like in real-life based of the weather in Florida.[6] The bathroom signs have space suited figures on them instead of the normal man and women. Other signs warn of dangers that are a possibility while aboard the station.[7] "Atmospheric" background music plays while guest are dining.[8] Guest exit the restaurant the same way they came in, but while exiting they will instead see themselves descend from the space station back to Epcot.[6]

Food[]

The restaurant is operated by the Pantina Restaurant Group, who work at several other Disney restaurants, which includes The Edison and the Maria & Enzo's Ristorante at Disney Springs.[8] The restaurant opens at 11:30 a.m. serving lunch till 3:55 p.m. Dinner starts at 4:00 p.m. and the restaurant closes the same time the park does at 9:00 p.m.[13] There is also a bar and lounge area, where guest can get alcoholic beverages.[6] Space 220 trading cards, which feature artwork and trivial facts about space on them, come with a purchase of non-alcoholic beverage or a kids meal.[14][15]

Created by Executive Chef Marc Kusche, the food at Space 220 is modern American cuisine with a lunch and dinner menu.[16][17] Lunch at the restaurant comes with one "Lift-off" (Hors d'oeuvres) and one "Star Course" (entées).[18] Dinner comes with the same menu, but with different "Star Courses".[19] Food at the restaurant comes with space-themed names, such as the "Big Bang Burrata", "Starry Calamari", "Blue Moon Cauliflower", "Neptuna Tartare" (Yellowfin Tuna), "Space Greens" (salad), "Centauri Caesar Salad", "Galaxy Grain Salad", "Centauri Burger", and "Terra-Bolognese".[15]

Desserts at the restaurant are called "Supernova Sweets" and come with carrot cake, chocolate cheesecake, lemon mousse, toffee pudding cake, and gelato and sorbet. Sides, named "Satellite Sides", are the same for lunch and dinner, coming with roasted fingerling potatoes, fried potato wedges, brussels sprouts, and broccolini.[20][21] There is also the "Galactic Lobster Globe", which is part of the "Space Station Supplements" for lunch. Dinner's "Space Stations Supplements" are the "1.5 lbs Baked Whole Lobster Stuffed with Jumbo Crab" and "24oz Bone in Ribeye".[21]

Alcoholic beverages are called "Atmospheric Spirits" and also come with space-themed names, which includes "Celestial Cosmopolitan" (vodka), "Stargarita", "The Nebula" (maker's mark), "Planetary Punch", "Jupiter Fizz" (Hendrick's Gin), "The Big Tang", "Red Star", and "Atmospritz".[15] There are also non-alcoholic beverages called "Zero-Proof Cocktails", which include "The Milky Way", "Moon Rocks", and "Lightyear Lemonade".[20][21] Other alcoholic beverages include cocktails, craft beer, and fine wines.[22]

Reception[]

Space 220 has received generally positive reviews from critics. Robert Pearlman, writer at Space.com, said that the restaurant has "redefin[ed] what it means to dine with a view". He also said that the subtle details "enhance the feeling that guests are aboard a space station".[7] Carly Caramanna of Insider said that the restaurant is "probably only worth it if you have kids". She said that the theming, elevator, view, and beverages were her favorite things, but said that the food were "all misses".[6] Space 220 made Mashed.com's list of the 18 best restaurants at Epcot at 16, calling it "out of this world", but said "come here for the views, not the food".[23]

Insider's Kari Becky stated, "It's definitely a hefty price tag for lunch, but the combination of the atmosphere, food, and experience, made it well worth it to try at least once."[12] Calling Space 220 "the happiest place in space", as a pun off Walt Disney World's slogan "the most magical place on Earth", Josh Elliot of Narcity stated that you will, "Eat better than an astronaut and get a great view of space without ever leaving Earth!"[24] Travel Weekly writer Tom Stieghorst said that while it was "not and E ticket attraction... For space tourism on the cheap, it can't be beat."[4]

A writer at NBC2.com said that Space 220 is the "most inspired new restaurant since Be Our Guest”. They positively compared it to Coral Reef Restaurant and called the food "light and tasty".[5] Margarida Bastos of Collider stated that the restaurant is "yet another milestone to add to the continuous transformation of this otherworldly park".[25] Declaring, "The effect is engaging, providing just a "taste" of what the astronauts on the International Space Station experience every day, just with better food." a writer at CollectSPACE applauded the restaurant.[26] The "Galactic Lobster Globe" made it on Finance Buzz's 13 foods that Disney World visitors can't get enough of.[27]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Mayer, Kathryn (August 27, 2019). "Epcot's Space-Themed Restaurant Is Opening Soon, and You Have to Be "Shot Into Orbit" to Get There". PopSugar. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  2. ^ Pearlman, Robert (August 15, 2021). "Take a sneak peek at Disney's Space 220 restaurant at Epcot ahead of its launch next month". Space.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  3. ^ Libbey, Dirk (September 21, 2021). "Epcot's New Restaurant Grand Opening Had A Line Longer Than The Rides". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on March 4, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Stieghorst, Tom (September 30, 2021). "Imagining space tourism at Epcot's new Space 220 restaurant". Travel Weekly. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "EPCOT begins to emerge as Disney World celebrates 50 years". NBC2. March 2, 2022. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Caramanna, Carly (December 11, 2021). "My party of 2 spent $150 at Space 220 lounge in Disney World, and it's probably only worth it if you have kids". Insider. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c Pearlman, Robert (September 20, 2021). "Disney opens Space 220 restaurant with (g)astronomical menu, views". Space.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Carter, Ashley (September 20, 2021). "Liftoff: Inside Epcot's new Space 220 restaurant". Spectrum News 13. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Recinos, Eva (August 17, 2021). "This Soon-to-Open Disney Restaurant Makes You Feel Like You've Left Earth". Hunker.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  10. ^ Palma, Bethania (September 26, 2021). "A New Restaurant at Walt Disney World Gives Guests a 'Space' Adventure". Snopes. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  11. ^ Storey, Ken (July 24, 2018). "Epcot's new space themed restaurant is a lot more high-tech than we first realized". Orlando Weekly. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Becker, Kari (November 2, 2021). "My family of 4 spent $280 on lunch at Space 220 in Disney World, and the experience made the price worth it". Insider. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  13. ^ "Space 220 Restaurant". Disney.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  14. ^ Poulisse, Adam (September 16, 2021). "Disney announces full menu for new Space 220 restaurant". WFTV. Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  15. ^ a b c Price, Jenna (October 6, 2021). "Disney Opens Reservations for New Space-Themed Fine Dining Restaurant, Reveals Menu". Thrillist. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  16. ^ "'Space 220' restaurant opens at Epcot: Prices, menu, and more". FOX 35 Orlando. October 7, 2021. Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  17. ^ Ushe, Naledi (August 13, 2021). "Blast Off! Walt Disney World Announces Epcot's New Space 220 Restaurant Opens This Fall". People Magazine. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  18. ^ Nunez, Kirsten (September 26, 2021). "Disney World Just Revealed the Menu for Its New Restaurant". Hunker.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  19. ^ Carter, Ashley (September 15, 2021). "Disney shares menu for Epcot's new Space 220 restaurant". Spectrum News 13. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Mates, Thomas (September 14, 2021). "Disney unveils menu for EPCOT's new Space 220 restaurant". ClickOrlando. Archived from the original on October 3, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  21. ^ a b c "Prix fixe menus released for EPCOT's Space 220 restaurant". FOX 35 Orlando. September 14, 2021. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  22. ^ Hitt, Caitlyn (September 19, 2021). "Disney Shares New Photos of Its Upcoming Space-Themed Fine Dining Restaurant". Thrillist. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  23. ^ Carly, Caramanna (December 9, 2021). "The 18 Best Restaurants At Disney World's Epcot, Ranked". Mashed.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  24. ^ Elliot, Josh (October 7, 2021). "Disney's New Space 220 Restaurant Will Make You Feel Like You're Dining in Orbit Among The Stars". Narcity Media. Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  25. ^ Bastos, Margarida (August 13, 2021). "Disney World's Space 220 Restaurant Lifts Off in September". Collider. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  26. ^ "Disney's Space 220 restaurant has hidden nods to NASA history". CollectSPACE. September 22, 2021. Archived from the original on September 24, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  27. ^ Tretina, Ket (November 12, 2021). McCraken, Rebecca (ed.). "13 Foods that Disney World Visitors Can't Get Enough Of". Finance Buzz. Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.

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