Credit: DisneyEPCOT is currently undergoing significant changes, with multiple construction projects happening simultaneously throughout the park. This transformation began years ago with the major reimagining of Future World into three distinct areas: World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature.
Guests navigating the park are encountering construction walls at various locations, which block off areas where Disney is likely making improvements, replacements, or entirely new offerings. The constant presence of these barriers has become frustrating for regular EPCOT visitors who wish to enjoy the park without visual obstructions and the operational limitations that construction creates.
The Norway Pavilion at EPCOT underwent a transformation from the beloved dark ride Maelstrom, which celebrated Norwegian mythology, to Frozen Ever After in 2014. This transformation made Norway a key destination for Frozen fans, featuring experiences with Anna and Elsa, but disappointed those who appreciated its original cultural focus. Despite purist concerns, the attraction has been very popular with families.
The Norway Pavilion is currently hindered by construction walls, particularly near Anna and Elsa’s Royal Sommerhus, affecting character meet-and-greet experiences. These walls have been in place since September, initially blocking access to the pavilion’s restrooms, which are among the cleanest at Disney World. Although the restroom pathway has reopened, construction remains throughout the courtyard area.
What the Construction Reveals For EPCOT
Recent observations at the construction site offer clues about what Disney might be building, although no official announcements have been made yet. The construction walls enclose a large area near the location of a previous beverage cart that sold alcoholic drinks and ice cream bars. Above the barriers, a grass-covered roof structure is visible, indicating that Disney may be incorporating traditional Norwegian architectural elements rather than opting for a generic modern kiosk design.
Given the location and the visible features, it seems likely that Disney is constructing a permanent snack stand to replace the temporary cart that previously occupied the space. A dedicated structure would provide greater operational capacity, better protection from the weather for both cast members and products, and enhanced theming that aligns with the overall aesthetic of the pavilion, as opposed to simply being a portable cart.
This development aligns with EPCOT’s ongoing evolution and Disney’s strategy of improving food and beverage infrastructure throughout World Showcase. Permanent structures generate more revenue than temporary carts, offer better guest experiences through enhanced ordering systems and product variety, and contribute to the theming of pavilions in ways that generic carts cannot.
If Disney is indeed building a snack stand with a grass roof and Norwegian architectural details, it signifies a substantial investment in the long-term operations of the Norway Pavilion, rather than merely maintaining existing temporary solutions.
The Restroom Situation
The construction initially blocked the most direct path to the Norway Pavilion’s restrooms, forcing guests to walk entirely around the barriers past the Sommerhus to access facilities at the pavilion’s rear. This detour added unnecessary distance and confusion for guests unfamiliar with the pavilion’s layout who simply needed restrooms and suddenly found their expected path blocked.
The pathway has since reopened, restoring direct access to the restrooms even though construction walls remain throughout the courtyard. This suggests Disney completed whatever work was required to block that specific route or adjusted construction staging to minimize guest impact. The reopened pathway significantly improves the guest experience, particularly for families with young children or guests with mobility challenges who require the shortest possible routes to restroom facilities.
Additional changes include the removal of shrubs outside the Stave Church, with fresh pine straw laid where plants previously existed. These modifications could indicate landscaping updates, preparation for future construction phases, or simply routine maintenance that coincidentally happened during the larger construction project.
Frozen Ever After Closure at EPCOT
Beyond the courtyard construction mystery, the Norway Pavilion is set to undergo another significant change in January. Frozen Ever After will close January 26, 2026, for refurbishment expected to last through February with no confirmed reopening date. Disney Imagineering is upgrading the animatronics for Kristoff, Elsa, and Anna, replacing the current system that uses 3D projections to create character faces with new, fluid animatronic faces.
This represents a substantial technological improvement that should enhance the attraction’s visual quality and eliminate issues that sometimes occur with projection-based systems. However, the closure timing means one of EPCOT’s most popular attractions will be unavailable during what’s typically a busy period. Guests planning late January or February EPCOT visits should prepare for Frozen Ever After to be closed and adjust their touring plans accordingly.
The combination of courtyard construction and the upcoming closure of Frozen Ever After means the Norway Pavilion is undergoing considerable change simultaneously. For Frozen fans who make Norway their primary destination in World Showcase, these disruptions affect the pavilion’s appeal and accessibility in ways that may influence their touring decisions.
The Pattern Across EPCOT
Norway’s construction fits into broader patterns across EPCOT, where Disney continues refining the park through incremental improvements rather than just announcing major new attractions. Construction walls appear, projects progress behind barriers, and eventually completed work reveals itself without the promotional fanfare that accompanies new rides or major pavilion additions.
This approach maintains operational flexibility and avoids creating expectations for specific completion timelines, but it frustrates guests who want transparency about what’s being built and when construction disruptions will end. The mystery surrounding Norway’s courtyard project exemplifies this, with fans speculating based on visible clues rather than having official information about Disney’s plans.
What Guests Should Expect at EPCOT
For guests visiting EPCOT in the coming weeks, the Norway Pavilion will continue to feature construction walls throughout the courtyard area, even though restroom access has reopened. Whatever Disney is building will presumably be revealed when construction completes, though no timeline has been announced. The grass-covered roof visible above the barriers suggests that completion might be approaching, given that exterior architectural elements are already in place; however, Disney could still be working on interior systems, equipment installation, or finishing details.
Frozen Ever After will remain operational through January 25, 2026, providing current guests with the opportunity to experience it before the refurbishment closure. Once the ride closes for animatronic upgrades, the Norway Pavilion’s appeal will depend primarily on Anna and Elsa character meet-and-greets, the Stave Church gallery, Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe, and whatever is being constructed behind those courtyard walls.
The Norway Pavilion construction represents one piece of EPCOT’s ongoing evolution, with guests waiting patiently to see what emerges when walls finally come down, and Disney reveals whether the finished product justifies the months of construction disruption that have impacted one of World Showcase’s most visited pavilions.