News Space 220 Restaurant dining experience at Epcot's Future World

[MisterPenguin]

I seem to remember saying there would be a "preshow" for this restaurant with a space elevator taking you to the restaurant. I assume these will be mechanically identical to the star wars cruiser and similar in vein (but reverse idea) from the old hydrolators?

That was the plan. Pray COVID doesn't alter the plans.

 

[RSoxNo1]

On the latest Jim and Len show, Jim said a fall 2021 opening... seems late, no?

 

[RememberWhen]

On the latest Jim and Len show, Jim said a fall 2021 opening... seems late, no?

Yes. It does, but it would be a nice “look at this awesome new restaurant we’re opening for the 50th” situation for them.

 

[techgeek]

On the latest Jim and Len show, Jim said a fall 2021 opening... seems late, no?

Perhaps there are some unique considerations that prevent Space 220 from operating with Covid distancing and capacity restrictions in play.

 

[LastoneOn]

Looking back I definitely agree that the "table" is extremely small, however, I definitely do think it has to be a mounting plate for a bigger tabletop that has yet to be installed.

Booth tables generally hang a bit over the seats whereas the current system has a substantial gap between the chair and "table"

View attachment 513486
For reference

Well, if its not a mounting plate they sure have decided to accommodate the "pooh sized" guests haven't they.

 

[Rteetz]

 

[nickys]

On the latest Jim and Len show, Jim said a fall 2021 opening... seems late, no?

I think the timing is down to Patina. They must be taking big hits elsewhere, maybe they can’t afford to hire a chef and staff to run it at the moment.

 

[mhochman]

Any updates on this project? Possible timeline to completion? Anyone heard anything?

 

[Lunchb0x48]

I'm hearing March

 

[dmw]

Maybe we guess on a 2/20 date again?

 

[Rteetz]

 

[mhochman]

Cars there. Must be ready to open! Kidding, but I hope it at least means they're actively inside prepping/finishing/planning menus. I feel like this is vaporware (which I realize isn't fair to say given everything going on).

 

[ToTBellHop]

On the latest Jim and Len show, Jim said a fall 2021 opening... seems late, no?

Should be open by summer.

 

[rle4lunch]

updates? Is Patina still looking for a head chef?

 

[mhochman]

updates? Is Patina still looking for a head chef?

I don't think I've ever seen so little info about a project this far into its progress.

 

[IveBeenJack]

Found this patent for what seems to be the digital "space window" technology used in the Galactic Starcruiser (Bridge) and the Space 220 restaurant. It was published on August 13 2020, which makes sense as patents for technology that is used within Disney projects are only usually published after the project has opened. And in the case of Space 220, it was originally targeting a late 2019 opening and then was pushed back to Early 2020... but then COVID hit.

 

[_caleb]

Found this patent for what seems to be the digital "space window" technology used in the Galactic Starcruiser (Bridge) and the Space 220 restaurant. It was published on August 13 2020, which makes sense as patents for technology that is used within Disney projects are only usually published after the project has opened. And in the case of Space 220, it was originally targeting a late 2019 opening and then was pushed back to Early 2020... but then COVID hit.View attachment 530645
View attachment 530644View attachment 530646

Thanks for posting these!
Anyone care to explain the function of the ”concave, transparent mirror” element (other than to look through as a window)? That seems like a very expensive part (maybe the part that was rumored to have been broken upon installation?), but what does it do that a regular sheet of glass couldn’t?

 

[IveBeenJack]

Thanks for posting these!
Anyone care to explain the function of the ”concave, transparent mirror” element (other than to look through as a window)? That seems like a very expensive part (maybe the part that was rumored to have been broken upon installation?), but what does it do that a regular sheet of glass couldn’t?

So the collimated mirror element that is transmissive of light, means that Imagineering can control the opacity of the mirror from certain angles, thus creating a great projection surface for the reflected imagery from the convex "projection screen" above. Whilst at the same time appearing transparent from the viewing gallery, making it seem as if it's floating in mid-air.

I am definitely not an expert on collimated displays, so maybe someone with more experience could look into the patent more. But Collimated displays are mainly used for flight simulators to create an "infinite planes of view" that is similar to a pilot's view from the cockpit. There was a pretty good "how it's made" on flight simulators which I'll attach, along with the video I did on the patent from yesterday.

 

[wdwmagic]

Found this patent for what seems to be the digital "space window" technology used in the Galactic Starcruiser (Bridge) and the Space 220 restaurant. It was published on August 13 2020, which makes sense as patents for technology that is used within Disney projects are only usually published after the project has opened. And in the case of Space 220, it was originally targeting a late 2019 opening and then was pushed back to Early 2020... but then COVID hit.View attachment 530645
View attachment 530644View attachment 530646

I could see this working on something small like Starcruiser, but I'm not sure if this is the system that will be used in Space on its 250ft display. I suspect it may be a simpler projection.

 

[IveBeenJack]

I could see this working on something small like Starcruiser, but I'm not sure if this is the system that will be used in Space on its 250ft display. I suspect it may be a simpler projection.

Yeah, you could be totally right as there isn’t much room for the glass layers in Space 220. Then again we heard that there was trouble with a glass pane cracking, maybe it was relating to the mirror element.

Anyway, still interesting technology.