Today, I’m taking you on a journey back in time through the history of the Odyssey Pavilion at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT.
So what exactly is the Odyssey Pavilion and where is it?
The Odyssey is a mostly unused building at the left rear of World Celebration. It is the one that you walk by on the bridges over the pond on your way to Mexico in the World Showcase. It was once a Quick Service restaurant in the early days of EPCOT’s history, that today is mostly used as a “booth” location during EPCOT’s many festivals.
The Odyssey Today
As mentioned just above, beginning in 2016 the Odyssey is now mostly used as a food and adult beverage location, just like the temporary booths around World Showcase, during EPCOT’s festivals.
The counter area near the entry doors serve as a food booth during festivals, and the dining area is a great place to sit in the air conditioning and enjoy your food and drinks. During some festivals, the Odyssey has also had a merchandise shop with festival items.
The  EPCOT’s Baby Care Center and First Aid Station have always been located here and still are. These are located on the side of the building that faces the World Showcase. There are also bathrooms located on this side of the building. All of these locations are accessible without entering the main restaurant portion of the building (which is locked when not in use).
History of the Odyssey – The Restaurant
The Odyssey restaurant opened its doors when EPCOT opened in October 1982. It was a typical lunch time counter service location for that Disney theme park time period, serving hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, and fries. But for dinner they served beef stew, fried clams, and sweet and sour chicken for dinner.
The restaurant featured a stage for live entertainment. Live music such as a 2 man band that played and sang, later on Mickey’s Rockin’ Celebration with live characters ran from the late-80s until the restaurant’s closure in July of 1994.
On the rear, back stage, non-park side of the Odyssey Disney operated the World Premier Cafe, the main cast member restaurant for EPCOT cast members (note – all Disney parks have back stage cast restaurants and snack bars, where can buy and eat discounted food for their lunch break). When I worked in the Magic Kingdom they had 2 restaurants (one under Fantasyland called the Fantasyland Dining Room and one in the Admin building by the cast parking lot as well as a snack bar in Tomorrowland (run out of what at the time was the Plaza Pavilion but is now called the Tomorrowland Terrace).
During its operation, Outdoor Foods was run from the Odyssey. Outdoor Foods in Disney parks is the group that runs the ice cream, soda, and popcorn carts throughout the parks.
Later Years – Post 1994
Besides the previously mentioned EPCOT Festival use, The Odyssey has also bee used for many exhibitions. Here are a few.
2000 – Millennium Village – which celebrated cultures from around the world with a global smorgasbord of foods and exhibits.
2017 – EPCOT 35 Legacy – was an presentation concept drawings, artwork, and photography of the Past, Present, and Future of EPCOT as well as a gift shop.
2019 to 2022 – Â the Odyssey housed the EPCOT Experience Center, a preview space for the park’s massive, multi-year expansion project.
Disney also allows guests to rent the Pavilion for special events, such as wedding receptions, corporate meetings, and large group dinners or events.
The Future of the Odyssey
Who knows what the future holds for this slightly out of the way pavilion.
Disney is known for its ability to adapt and transform, as well as bring locations that have been unused for many years back to operating status, often in very new ways. So it’s always possible that the Odyssey still has a role further in the future.
For Example:
In the Magic Kingdom the Mickey Mouse Review sat unused from 1983 to 2009 (except for cast meetings) after the audio animatronic show was shipped to Tokyo Disney. The location now houses Mickey’s Philharmagic.
Also in the Magic Kingdom, the Adventureland Veranda closed its doors in 1994 and did not reopen as the Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen until 2015.
In Closing
So, there you have it, the Odyssey Pavilion at EPCOT, a place that has not only tantalized taste buds but has also played a pivotal role in EPCOT’s mission to educate and entertain. Next time you’re strolling through the park, keep an eye out for this hidden gem, and who knows what surprises it might have in store for you!
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EPCOT Overview Pages:
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- Disney World Theme Park Overview
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This MDT Post By: Steve Bell Steve is the Military Disney Tips Founder. He is a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! He has been writing about Disney for the US Military Community here for 18 years. Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way possible. See Steve and His Family's Content |
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