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Credit: Greg Goebel, FlickrThe first day of EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival is usually a celebration of flavors, music, and cultural flair. Guests arrive ready to snack around the world, sip unique beverages, and soak in the festival energy. But today’s kickoff was met with more than just long lines and excited crowds, as multiple major closures put a damper on the opening-day spirit.
Instead of being greeted by smooth operations, many festivalgoers who haven’t been keeping up with the news were surprised to find that one of EPCOT’s most iconic attractions, Spaceship Earth, was closed. On top of that, the Moana parking lot—one of the park’s busiest—was blocked off for ongoing work. For many, it felt like the wrong kind of plot twist on a day meant to focus on food, fun, and celebration.
Spaceship Earth Goes Dark
Spaceship Earth is EPCOT’s crown jewel, a ride that has welcomed millions of guests since the park opened in 1982. But, Disney confirmed that the attraction is now down for a multi-month refurbishment. While officials are calling it a “routine” closure, no firm reopening date has been given. Instead, Disney simply says it will reopen “later this year.”
That uncertainty has guests frustrated. For many, riding Spaceship Earth isn’t just tradition—it’s the heart of their EPCOT experience. Families who come every year often start their day with that slow-moving trip through the history of communication, guided by the famous geodesic sphere towering over the park entrance. To walk in today and see “Currently Not Operating” signs at the base of the structure was a real disappointment.
Adding to the confusion, hedges have been placed around the entrance, and even the post-show area known as Project Tomorrow is closed off. Crews were spotted on-site before park opening, reportedly wearing advanced safety gear, suggesting that work is already underway inside.
For festivalgoers who only get to visit EPCOT once in a while, the closure felt like a missed opportunity. It’s not every day you travel to Walt Disney World expecting to taste the best food in the world and then find out that one of its most iconic rides is suddenly off the menu.
Parking Woes in the Moana Lot
As if losing Spaceship Earth wasn’t enough, drivers arriving for the festival ran into another headache. The Moana parking lot, one of EPCOT’s primary lots, remains closed for resurfacing.
On a normal weekday, this might not be a big deal. But on the opening day of Food & Wine, when thousands of extra guests flock to EPCOT, every available parking space matters. Instead, frustrated drivers were redirected to alternate lots, adding to arrival delays and congestion.
Disney has advised guests to build in extra travel time if they’re driving, but that’s a tough sell for visitors who already woke up early and mapped out a detailed festival strategy. Between buses, Skyliner crowds, and now reduced parking options, transportation felt more like an obstacle course than part of the magic.
Festival Excitement Overshadowed
This year’s Food & Wine Festival runs from August 28 through November 22, 2025, giving guests nearly three months to indulge. With more than 35 global marketplaces, returning favorites, and brand-new booths—including a Guardians of the Galaxy-inspired option—the event promised to start on a high note.
Menus this year feature everything from Lump Crab Cake at Coastal Eats to inventive dumplings at the new “Gyozas of the Galaxy” booth. There’s also the return of Emile’s Fromage Montage, where guests collect stamps by purchasing select cheesy dishes before redeeming a prize at Shimmering Sips.
The Bigger Picture at EPCOT
Of course, EPCOT is no stranger to construction and refurbishment. The park has been in the middle of a massive multi-year transformation, with new lands, attractions, and festivals redefining the guest experience. Test Track 3.0 just debuted with an ambitious redesign, and Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, remains the newest walk-through attraction in EPCOT’s lineup.
As far as the Spaceship Earth closure is concerned, Disney did not provide a specific reopening timeline for the attraction beyond a vague “later this year,” leaving fans to speculate whether the downtime could stretch beyond the festival’s run. If that’s the case, many families may go their entire 2025 trip without experiencing EPCOT’s most iconic ride.
For now, guests can only hope the magic of the festival shines brighter in the coming weeks, and that closures don’t overshadow what should be the most flavorful season of the EPCOT calendar.
If you’re planning a visit to EPCOT in the coming months, you should be aware that Spaceship Earth will likely remain closed for quite a while. In addition, parking can be a little hectic if you’re trying to come to the Disney park right now, particularly as work continues on the Moana parking lot area.