Discover Space 220 Restaurant
Walking into Space 220 Restaurant feels like sneaking onto a futuristic space elevator and blasting off from EPCOT. I’ve eaten here twice now while visiting friends in Orlando, and both times the illusion was so good that my phone stayed in my pocket for a full ten minutes. That almost never happens. The location at 1382 Avenue of the Stars, Orlando, FL 32836, United States is easy to spot once you’re inside the park, but nothing prepares you for the transition from a quiet waiting area to a dining room that looks like it’s floating above Earth.
The whole experience is built around a digital launch sequence that takes about a minute. Cast members, who are basically performers in this case, walk you into a small elevator-style room. The screens slowly transform the floor-to-ceiling walls into a soaring view of the planet below. It’s not just a screen saver loop either. Disney Imagineering has said in interviews that the animations are custom rendered in real time, and you can see satellites drifting past, astronauts waving, and even space stations rotating in the distance. According to Disney Parks Blog, the system uses multiple synchronized 4K displays, which explains why the movement feels fluid instead of jerky.
I went for lunch on my first visit and ordered the short rib sliders and a “Mission to Mars” cocktail. The menu leans upscale American with playful names, and portions are more filling than the sci-fi theme might suggest. A registered dietitian friend of mine later pointed out that many of the entrees hover around 700-900 calories, which is actually moderate for a theme park table-service spot. The second time, I splurged on the filet mignon and a dessert flight, which came with tiny versions of cheesecake, chocolate mousse, and a lemon tart. Watching Earth drift below while eating chocolate cake is a weird flex, but I was there for it.
One of the things that surprised me is how consistent the food quality is despite the restaurant’s popularity. I spoke with a server who mentioned that the kitchen follows a centralized prep process used across several Disney signature dining locations. That means sauces, stocks, and base recipes are developed by a corporate culinary team trained under chefs who’ve worked with organizations like the American Culinary Federation. You can taste the structure in the dishes. Nothing is slapped together, even on busy days.
Reviews online back up my experience. Most guests praise the immersive atmosphere first, then the menu variety, and finally the service. The only recurring complaint I’ve seen is price. Entrées typically start in the mid-$30 range for dinner, and specialty drinks can run $18 or more. It’s fair to say you’re paying for the show as much as the steak, and that’s a limitation worth acknowledging if you’re on a tight budget.
From a practical standpoint, reservations are almost mandatory. I tried once to walk up around 2 p.m. and was quoted a two-hour wait. Using the My Disney Experience app to snag a table a few days ahead is the method I’ve found most reliable. As for seating, there’s a lounge area and a main dining room. The lounge is slightly cheaper and perfect if you want to share plates, while the dining room gives you the best uninterrupted view of the digital windows.
Between the animated orbital views, the polished menu, and the sheer novelty of the experience, it’s easy to see why this place has become a must-do for EPCOT visitors. It isn’t everyday dining, but it’s the kind of restaurant that sticks in your memory long after you’ve left Orlando.
