These Quiet EPCOT Changes Are Coming at the PERFECT Time

There’s been a new change at EPCOT, and we kind of love it!

EPCOT

We have seen a lot of changes at Disney World this year, from big projects like Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets to small projects like new trash cans popping up. In fact, we think that even the small changes, like the new trash cans, are a small upgrade to your Disney day. Why do we bring that up? Because new ones have shown up at EPCOT’s World Showcase!

Now, before you ask why something like new trash cans would be an improvement to our Disney day, think about the ones we’re used to. The trash cans at Disney World have swinging doors that collect all sorts of food, beverages, and gross things when people toss their trash and dirty plates in them. On top of that, the open garbage can does not smell the best.

Old garbage cans

Ok, but we’re just using the garbage cans for garbage, right? We can simply just use them and walk past them? Well, we actually use the garbage cans for more than just trash disposals. In fact, a lot of regular Disney goers do. When you can’t find a table to eat at, it’s very common that we find the nearest garbage can to place our tray of food on and eat.

Trash can table!

This trend is most popular at EPCOT because of the festivals. You’re grabbing food and drinks all around the World Showcase, and it’s almost impossible to find a table. So, as much as the garbage cans have been there for us, you can imagine it’s not the nicest dining experience.

Trash can = table at Food and Wine!

Seriously though, dining on trash cans has become a true staple of an EPCOT experience. So, since those classic trash cans have been changing, it’s completely changed our makeshift dining experience.

New trash cans!

We’ve been seeing new ones pop up all around World Showcase, and now our favorite ones have arrived. They’re in a popular spot, and they have a unique design compared to others that we’ve seen. Introducing the American Pavilion trash cans!

New trash cans at the American Pavilion!

These trash cans at the American Adventure Pavilion are being added to the collection of these new solar trash cans popping up around EPCOT. Instead of using your hands to push in a swinging door, you can step on the push-down bar, and it will open the trash can so you can easily throw your things away. It’s really helped not create a bigger mess with the swinging door.

We love these!

The trash cans have solar panels on top of them to collect lots of energy throughout the day! These upgrades have come to both the trash cans and the recycling bins around the park. The slightly curved top does make it seem like it’ll be hard to dine on top of easily, but we’ll figure it out. We like that the new trash cans still feature the symbol of where they’re located.

New trash cans at Animal Kingdom

These changes are coming at the perfect time as the 2026 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival officially starts on August 27th! We’re always on top of everything happening at Disney World, big or small. Make sure to follow us at the Disney Food Blog, so that you won’t miss anything!

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Do you like the change? Let us know in the comments!