Updated with the full menu, below
The Disney theme park that once upon a time didn't have any Disney characters in it just can't stop adding them. Over the years at Epcot, Disney has added its characters to the Land, Living Seas, Imagination, Mexico, and Norway pavilions, and it recently announced plans for the addition of IP to the United Kingdom and France pavilions in World Showcase and the former Universe of Energy and Wonders of Life pavilions in the soon-to-be-renamed Future World.
Now, you can add World Showcase's American pavilion to that list.
No, Disney characters are not taking over The American Adventure animatronic show. But a Disney character is getting a starring role at the pavilion's newly refurbished restaurant.
As part of its transformation of Epcot, Disney had announced that the Liberty Inn restaurant would be redesigned into the Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue. But today, Disney revealed just who that "regal eagle" exactly is. And it's not some generic bald eagle from the back of your dollar bill.
It's The Muppets' Sam Eagle.
Sam gets his face on new logo for the restaurant, which will be themed to "Sam’s Centennial Cook-Off: A Salute to All Cook-Offs but Mostly Barbecue." Disney previously revealed a menu of regionally-inspired barbecue for the restaurant, but still has yet to give us a specific opening date.
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Update: Here is the complete menu, with prices for Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue.
American Platter (choice of three meats): $18.99
Memphis Dry-rub Pork Ribs: $15.99
Kansas City Smoked Half-Chicken: $13.99
Barbecue Burger (1/3 lb Angus Burger on Garlic Toast topped with Barbecue Pork and Fried Onion Ring): $13.49
Sliced Texas Beef Brisket Sandwich: $12.99
North Carolina Chopped Smoked Pork Butt Platter: $12.49
South Carolina Smoked Sausage Sandwich: $11.49
Power Greens Salad (Mixed Greens tossed with Fresh Citrus Fruit, Sunflower Seeds, Dried Cranberries, and Radishes in a Fresh Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing topped with Chilled Pulled Chicken): $11.49
Plant-based
Barbecue Jackfruit Burger: $12.99
Sides (choice of one included with each meal above. A la carte: $4.99)
Beer-battered Onion Rings
Burnt-end Baked Beans
Creamy Coleslaw
French Fries
Garlic Toast
House-made Pickles
Macaroni & Cheese
Kids' Meals
Barbecue Chicken Leg: $7.99
Chicken Salad: $7.49
This is gonna make that barbecue chicken awkward.
I just threw up in my mouth. Why, Disney, why abuse this magical Jim Henson creation for a food barn. Give Muppets back to Henson Studios to keep your dignity.
Well, again, it could be worse. They could have named the restaurant The Regal Beagle and had Larry from Three's Company as the mascot. That show is an ABC IP after all.
How about putting in the Muppets history show that was yanked from Liberty Square?
Very nice, EPCOT could use more character infusion, and Sam Eagle is a real pisser!
The Muppets history show was back for the holidays. It never was permanently yanked - only moved to seasonal status.
OT - "Jim" Henson. Not John.
&
NCPete - Great 1970s Sit-com trivia reference!
Ehh, the American pavilion has been using characters for some time. Don't forget when Barbie first crashed the pavilion back in 1994 (yes folks, that was a real thing).
Come on Robert. You are a veteran Disney watcher you know seasonal status is usually a march toward closure
Yay, Muppets. And Three’s Company wasn’t ever owned by ABC. At that time, the networks couldn’t make or own the shows they aired, they had to rely on others. Still less of a mistake than John Henson, though I assume that one was a typo.
Let's hope it fares better than the PizzaRizzo makerover did.
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Oh, why not?