EPCOT just changed in a major way — and it isn’t just because the 2026 Food & Wine Festival finally kicked off, either!
Germany construction
Of course, the Food & Wine Festival is a big deal at EPCOT — with tons of limited-time eats and drinks, entertainment, shopping, and so much more — but over in the Germany Pavilion, things are looking quite a bit different than they normally do. What started as just some minor construction has grown, so let’s take a look at the latest before your next visit.
The Germany Pavilion bathrooms have been closed and under construction at EPCOT for a while now, but that construction has now expanded to other parts of the pavilion as well. In addition to the bathrooms, the roof of Das Kaufhaus is being replaced, but we also noticed that the exterior of Stein Haus has been covered by scrim and construction bushes as well. Luckily, the shop itself is still open, but it looks like Disney is working on some exterior repairs to this part of the pavilion.
Stein Haus
Not only that, but part of the interior of Volkskunst is also currently closed as Disney works on the nearby bathroom construction, so this is something to keep in mind if you’re planning on shopping for souvenirs in the Germany Pavilion shops. The only section of the store that is currently open is the area near the exit with the Christmas decor. We spoke with a Cast Member who told us that it’s closed because work is being done on the backstage bathrooms. We saw tables and chairs set up outside the store’s entrance. Note that this is the store that has the German cuckoo clocks.
Volkskunst
If you’re heading to EPCOT during the Food & Wine Festival, make sure you stop by the Germany Pavilion’s Tiny Train Town! Typically, for the festivals at EPCOT, Tiny Train Town gets themed banners to match the ones around World Showcase. Those are back this year, but they’ve also leveled up the festival celebrations significantly.
Teeny Tiny Food and Wine Festival Food Booths
We’ll be on the lookout for additional updates you need to know about in EPCOT and beyond. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more!
Check out more EPCOT Food & Wine Festival news at the links below!
- NEW Food & Wine Festival Exhibit Coming to EPCOT Next Month
- This $30 EPCOT Splurge Is Becoming a Yearly Tradition for Me
- Disney Reveals FIRST Look at EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Souvenirs
- Going to the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival? We Need to Have a Chat.
- Could This NEW Disney World Permit Be For The 2026 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival?
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
When are you planning on heading to EPCOT next? Let us know in the comments below!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Sounds like every home repair job, starts out small and keeps getting bigger as the contractor finds more issues!