Space-Themed Restaurant in Epcot Location Revealed; Epcot Entrance Hotel Work to Begin Soon

Space-Themed Restaurant in Epcot Location Revealed:

Last summer, during the D23 Expo a Space-themed restaurant was announced for the future of Epcot but no other details were announced. For months rumors have been swirling about two possible locations for the restaurant. One location was the former Wonders of Live pavilion which has been being worked on for the last few months and the other location being in between Mission: Space and Test Track.

Today, the Disney Parks Blog confirmed that the location for the space-themed restaurant will in fact be located in Future World in between Mission:Space and Test Track. The restaurant will be developed in a brand new area between the two attractions. 

Once completed, the restaurant will invite guests to travel to space for an amazing dining experience in the stars. The new restaurant will be operated by the Patina Restaurant Group, led by Nick Valenti, which operates several other restaurants around Walt Disney World Resort, including Tutto Italia and Via Napoli at Epcot and Morimoto Asia and Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante at Disney Springs.

There is no official completion date or even a name as of yet for the Space-themed restaurant in Epcot. 

Source: Disney Parks Blog

RUMOR: Epcot Entrance Hotel Work to Begin Soon:

According to WDW News Today, reports are that the hotel that is not officially announced for the entrance of Epcot, will begin construction soon. An official location is not confirmed but 27 permits were filed today for a project near the entrance of the theme park.

All the filings today are under the same name, 'JPEC8060', and all the same address for the Avenue of Stars. This will be around the perimeter road in the backstage area that encircles Epcot. With that many filings though the Epcot Entrance Resort certainly fits that description.

We still await Disney to officially announce the resort.

Source: WDW News Today

'Black Panther' Slashes Box Office for Fifth Straight Weekend; Imagineering Job Opens for Wonders of Life Pavilion

'Black Panther' Slashes Box Office for Fifth Straight Weekend:

One of the quickest films ever to top $1 billion globally, "Black Panther" slashed its way to number 1 at the box office domestically for the fifth straight weekend. The film is expected to bring in another $27 million this weekend topping Warner Bros. "Tomb Raider" which is intended to rack in $22 million for the weekend. 

Since its release in mid-February the film has brought in $605 million domestically and $1.183 billion worldwide. It is the first film since "Avatar" to top the box office for 5 straight weeks, in which that film topped the box office for 7 straight weeks in 2009. 

"Black Panther" is playing on 3,834 screens in the United States. There is no telling when "Black Panther" will relinquish its hold on number 1 at the box office. 

Source: Forbes

Imagineering Job Opens for Wonders of Life Pavilion:

Just a few weeks ago, Walt Disney executives and Imagineers were seen looking at the former Wonders of Life Pavilion. It was then later discovered that the pavilion which has housed many of Epcot's Festival Centers for years since the pavilion/attractions closed would no longer be home to the Festival Center. Over the last few weeks, rumors have been swirling about what could possibly be going in the pavilion. 

Yesterday, a job in Imagineering for the interior of the Wonders of Life pavilion opened. Requirement for the job titled “Interior Designer – EC Wonder of Life" include, 3 years experience with Walt Disney Imagineering or another architecture or interior design firm and commercial design experience primarily in the Retail or Hospitality sectors. 

One of the main responsibilities of the job will be the “design and production of a shop/restaurant or attraction” under the direction of a Senior or Principal Interior Designer. Additional responsibilities of the job will include the development of varied Interior Design project work at all stages of assigned projects from concept, feasibility or schematic design, through the preparation of construction documentation in accordance with established departmental and divisional quality standards. The candidate will also support the implementation of the design intent as a member of the project design team, and ensure that the interior design intent is achieved by successfully integrating design with allied disciplines, such as architecture, lighting, graphics, structural engineering, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing.

Whether we are going to be seeing the development of the space-themed restaurant that was announced at D23 in July or even a rumored Black Panther-themed pavilion (a mini Wakanda), something is happening in the former Wonders of Life pavilion. We just may soon find out what is actually going in there. 

Source: WDW News Today