The countdown to the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is getting shorter, and preparations are beginning to change what guests encounter around the park.
One of those changes has now arrived near World Showcase.
The playground and picnic area along the rose walk between the Imagination! pavilion and World Showcase is currently closed to guests. Disney hasn’t announced a reopening date or confirmed exactly what will happen to the space.
However, the timing points toward preparations for the upcoming festival.
The 2026 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival begins August 27, giving Disney only a few weeks to finish getting the park ready.
Guests Can No Longer Access the Playground
Anyone walking through this portion of EPCOT will notice something different.
Temporary potted trees have been positioned at the entrances to the playground and picnic area. Guests can no longer enter the space.
Interestingly, there doesn’t appear to be any major construction happening inside.
There are no obvious signs that Disney is removing the playground or making permanent changes. Instead, the closure may give crews time to transform the area before Food & Wine begins.
That wouldn’t be surprising considering how Disney has used the playground in the past.
The area was originally constructed in 2025. Since then, Disney has been able to change its props and appearance for different EPCOT festivals.
That makes the space more than just a standard playground. Disney can adjust its presentation depending on what’s happening around the park.
Harvest Hollow Could Make a Comeback
Food & Wine guests who visited EPCOT last year might remember what happened in this same location.
Disney transformed the area into Harvest Hollow.
The nature-inspired setup gave the playground a different look while connecting it more closely with the Food & Wine Festival.
Disney hasn’t confirmed that Harvest Hollow will return in 2026.
It’s possible the company could bring back the concept with similar decorations. Disney could also use the opportunity to introduce something different this year.
Right now, there aren’t many clues.
With no obvious work visible inside the playground, guests may have to wait until preparations move further along before discovering what Disney has planned.
Another playground elsewhere at EPCOT could potentially receive similar treatment. The WALL-E playground may also be rethemed, although Disney hasn’t confirmed a change there either.
Food & Wine Returns August 27
Whatever happens with the playground, Disney doesn’t have much time remaining before the festival begins.
The 2026 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival runs from August 27 through November 21.
As usual, food will be a major part of the experience.
Global Marketplaces will give guests plenty of opportunities to sample different dishes while making their way around EPCOT. However, eating and drinking won’t be the only things available.
Emile’s Fromage Montage and Remy’s Hide & Squeak are among the returning festival offerings. Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit will also be available.
Disney is adding a new interactive cheese exhibit to the lineup this year as well.
Festival merchandise will give guests another reason to explore, with Disney already sharing an early look at some of the items planned for the event.
For now, the playground closure is one of the first noticeable changes guests may encounter as preparations continue.
Disney hasn’t revealed whether Harvest Hollow will return or something new will take its place.
What we do know is that the playground is unavailable, Food & Wine is approaching quickly, and EPCOT is beginning to look a little different as August 27 draws closer.
