Connections Cafe and Eatery

[Disone]

Good to hear! The flavor was decent, I must say, but it was tough. I couldn't easily cut it and integrate it with the meager greens.

My son had the pizza, which was, well, it was ... pizza at Disney.

Our chicken was just fine. Normal Chicken Tender with appropriate texture, and sauced just right. Not tough at all.

We did not have the pizza, but your comment it odd. visibly it is a clear departure for the normal "Disney Pizza" of overly doughy frisbee like personal pizzas. These were two slices of a entire pie which by itself already made it look way more appealing. We have heard positive things about it being better then the norm on property, but still not amazing. We didn't try it ourselfs.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Our chicken was just fine. Normal Chicken Tender with appropriate texture, and sauced just right. Not tough at all.

We did not have the pizza, but your comment it odd. visibly it is a clear departure for the normal "Disney Pizza" of overly doughy frisbee like personal pizzas. These were two slices of a entire pie which by itself already made it look way more appealing. We have heard positive things about it being better then the norm on property, but still not amazing. We didn't try it ourselfs.

Connections pizza is awful. Connections burgers are good.

That is all.

 

[solidyne]

Our chicken was just fine. Normal Chicken Tender with appropriate texture, and sauced just right. Not tough at all.

We did not have the pizza, but your comment it odd. visibly it is a clear departure for the normal "Disney Pizza" of overly doughy frisbee like personal pizzas. These were two slices of a entire pie which by itself already made it look way more appealing. We have heard positive things about it being better then the norm on property, but still not amazing. We didn't try it ourselfs.

Funny you say this, because I originally wrote "Disney pizza" and changed it to "pizza at Disney." Didn't want anyone think it was Pinocchio-level!

 

[wdwmagic]

Here is a look at the CM controlled entry into the seating area during peak crowds.

Connections Café and Eatery crowd control measures - June 2022

Connections Café and Eatery crowd control measures - June 2022

www.wdwmagic.com

 

[solidyne]

Here is a look at the CM controlled entry into the seating area during peak crowds.

Connections Café and Eatery crowd control measures - June 2022

Connections Café and Eatery crowd control measures - June 2022

www.wdwmagic.com

It's hard to tell from the pics what measures are actually being taken. Are they roping sections off and trying a one-in/one-out kind of thing?

 

[MisterPenguin]

It's hard to tell from the pics what measures are actually being taken. Are they roping sections off and trying a one-in/one-out kind of thing?

Physical stanchion and belt blocking access with a CM gatekeeper.

 

[DCBaker]

It's hard to tell from the pics what measures are actually being taken. Are they roping sections off and trying a one-in/one-out kind of thing?

You'll need to have food with you before you can enter this specific eating area.

 

[Casper Gutman]

You'll need to have food with you before you can enter this specific eating area.

I’m no big city theme park designer, but it seems to me that this is all a pretty good argument for another large quick service in the area, maybe attached to Test Track? Or how about in the other side of Communic… oh… nevermind

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I’m no big city theme park designer, but it seems to me that this is all a pretty good argument for another large quick service in the area, maybe attached to Test Track? Or how about in the other side of Communic… oh… nevermind

Yeah, if only there was a nice cafe, and a pizza place on the other side of a fountain. And then an additional food court in the old wonders of life pavilion, man... if only.

 

[bpiper]

What I can't understand is where are all these customers coming from? Electric umbrella did not have as much seating nor as much customers. For this place to be mobbed then some other place has to be dead or their cannibalizing a little bit of business from each of the other food places in Epcot. How is sunshine seasons doing? Maybe they are cannibalizing business off the table service restaurants and world showcase.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

What I can't understand is where are all these customers coming from? Electric umbrella did not have as much seating nor as much customers. For this place to be mobbed then some other place has to be dead or their cannibalizing a little bit of business from each of the other food places in Epcot. How is sunshine seasons doing? Maybe they are cannibalizing business off the table service restaurants and world showcase.

I'm a little bit curious about this, too. Maybe they genuinely underestimated the demand for Connections based on the performance of Electric Umbrella and the other places in the Innoventions buildings. It could be just bad planning, but I didn't get the impression in the past that many people hung around to eat in this part of the park.

 

[J4546]

Maybe it's still cause it's new and shiny

 

[Disney Analyst]

When a place is aesthetically pleasing, and then also has good varied menu items, it attracts people.

 

[MisterPenguin]

To me, EU looked horribly uninviting. And the burger I had was also horrible. So, I can see why EU didn't do gangbuster business.

Connections is open and breezy and inviting. It has a Starbucks. And the burgers are good (do *not* get the pizza!). So, I get why it's suddenly popular. It's a victim of being actually good.

They could put more outdoor seating with umbrellas on the Cosmic Rewind side.

At least the construction walls are preventing them from the temptation to put back more outdoor seating in the hub to increase its congestion.

Funny thing is people would say how that area needed a good food joint, even though EU was right there.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Electric Umbrella was plenty busy during lunch time. I would often go in to refill my ice water since they had open coke machines. (I don’t drink soda so no I never stole any soda, put the pitchforks down!).

EU also had a very good amount of seating. There was the outdoor shaded seating, the indoor seating in the circle at the front, the rows of seating along the breezeway, and then the balcony seating above that.

 

[UNCgolf]

Electric Umbrella was plenty busy during lunch time. I would often go in to refill my ice water since they had open coke machines. (I don’t drink soda so no I never stole any soda, put the pitchforks down!).

The last time I was at Disney we ate lunch at Electric Umbrella (solely for nostalgia) and it was packed.

I also think Connections is getting a boost from being brand new. I'm sure it will always stay relatively busy, but I'm guessing the crowds will die down a bit after it's been open a while.

 

[correcaminos]

To me, EU looked horribly uninviting. And the burger I had was also horrible. So, I can see why EU didn't do gangbuster business.

Connections is open and breezy and inviting. It has a Starbucks. And the burgers are good (do *not* get the pizza!). So, I get why it's suddenly popular. It's a victim of being actually good.

They could put more outdoor seating with umbrellas on the Cosmic Rewind side.

At least the construction walls are preventing them from the temptation to put back more outdoor seating in the hub to increase its congestion.

Funny thing is people would say how that area needed a good food joint, even though EU was right there.

The pizza wasn't that bad! Not special but not gross at least. Compared to Sunshines which has been in massive decline for years, this is a great spot (pizza included) comparatively.

My kid had a thing for Electric Umbrella (don't ask) and it was always very busy at lunch. I expect this to be as well.

 

[MisterPenguin]

The pizza wasn't that bad! Not special but not gross at least. Compared to Sunshines which has been in massive decline for years, this is a great spot (pizza included) comparatively.

My kid had a thing for Electric Umbrella (don't ask) and it was always very busy at lunch. I expect this to be as well.

I'm a NY-area pizza snob, tho!!

If one wants pizza, go to the Italy pavilion.

 

[correcaminos]

I'm a NY-area pizza snob, tho!!

If one wants pizza, go to the Italy pavilion.

To each their own, but no thanks. Theirs is far overpriced for what you get. I mean it's like a decent mom and pop shop, but the cost? Nah. I'm a midwest pizza snob who appreciates NY style over Chicago by miles, but I even have my limits on what I'll pay.

Not all pizza has to be phenomenal. Connections is passable for me. I do prefer a thicker than NY style crust too so connections is okay enough. I'm not a red meat eater so I appreciate having decent pizza for when I want my carbs.

 

[bhg469]

To each their own, but no thanks. Theirs is far overpriced for what you get. I mean it's like a decent mom and pop shop, but the cost? Nah. I'm a midwest pizza snob who appreciates NY style over Chicago by miles, but I even have my limits on what I'll pay.

Not all pizza has to be phenomenal. Connections is passable for me. I do prefer a thicker than NY style crust too so connections is okay enough. I'm not a red meat eater so I appreciate having decent pizza for when I want my carbs.

Thin crust down here is so tough. I have yet to eat a pizza down here that didn't feel like i was exercising my jaw.