Blasting off into Space…220.
During our super quick visit to Walt Disney World in July, we were fortunate to have at our disposal the expert tips, secret tricks and dining wisdom of an Annual Passholder who also happens to be a very good friend. That meant for the most part, we just needed to be ready when he said go. And at EPCOT that meant scoring a ride on Guardians of the Galaxy's new Cosmic Rewind coaster, hopping on Remy's Ratatouille Adventure and shuffling around the countries in the extreme heat to one of the newest dining experiences in the parks—Space 220.
The space-themed restauranted opened last September near the Misson: Space ride and it's meant to serve as a look at what space tourism could one day look like, specifically, that you'd be able to launch off into space just for lunch or dinner.
Until those plans crystallize, for now you can step into a spacecraft called the Stellarvator which gives you a look down below and up above as you blast off 220 miles into space. I(n reality, it's a slow elevator ride to the second-floor.) Once you step out of the Stellarvator, you're inside the Centauri Space Station where your dining experience awaits.
The space station is essentially a large, cavernous dining room with two levels of seating. However, all along one wall are “windows” that give you prime views of space, including earth and space tourists and astronauts doing their thing like spacewalking and space-skateboarding.
The dark effect of the restaurant is also appreciated at lunchtime, especially when it's blazing hot outside.
My drink: Stargarita
Kids Drink: Moon Rocks and Lightyear Lemonade
Onto the menu. I'm not going to detail every detail of every dish because there are other sites and influencers that do this way better than me. Plus the menu does change every so often. And perhaps most tellingly, I forgot to take any good pictures.
However, there are two things worth noting:
1. PRICING: It's a prixe fixe menu, both for kids and adults. Adults will get an appetizer and an entree. Kids get a special drink, a meal, a dessert, and some cool trading cards. As of August 2022, the pricing for lunch was $55 for adults and $29 for kids. Dinner for adults jumps to $79 but does include a dessert. “Atmospheric Spirits” aka alcoholic drinks are an additional $15-$17. (The Stargarita was excellent.)
2. PATINA: The menu is overseen by the Patina Restaurant Group, a legit restaurant operator with more than a few great restaurants in Los Angeles and New York. In short, this food is quite good (fresh ingredients, inventive dishes, great taste) and probably one of the better meals you will have at Walt Disney World. That said, it's pricey and for some, the food alone may not be worth the price. But when you add in the experience and that it is a place to retreat from the madness and heat of EPCOT, it's worth it.
BOTTOM LINE:
Book it. Make a lunchtime reservation to save a little bit of money and to rest up during the middle of the day.
