The interior of Connections Cafe in Epcot has always intrigued me. Especially the ceiling. It’s formed by interlocking slats angled downward. Knowing Disney’s penchant for design metaphors, I’ve made it a bit of a challenge for myself to figure it out. 

A few weeks ago, we were grabbing some Starbucks at Connections Cafe when a thought hit me.

“Didn’t Connections used to be the Electric Umbrella?” I asked Mrs. Jotter.

“Yes, I think so. Why?” she replied.

“Doesn’t the ceiling look like the underside of an umbrella? The slats looked like the folding metal support rods of the umbrella canopy.” (I’ve since looked it up and they’re technically called “ribs”.)

“Could be.”

I checked to see if there was any support for my theory online. If there was, I couldn’t find it.  I even asked Chat GPT about the cafe’s architecture and interior design and it mentioned something about symbolizing a “global gathering.”

But we’re regulars at that Starbucks (it’s Mrs. Jotter’s routine to get one as we leave the park) so today I had another chance to take a better look.

The epiphany came after my eyes drifted to where the ceiling meets the wall, which is covered by vertically oriented, rippling tiles. It looks like water streaming down the surface.

Could it be that the interior was designed to make patrons feel like they’re sheltering under an umbrella in the rain?

I looked around for more clues.

Were the seats shaped like umbrella handles? I stepped back to get a broader view. Maybe?

What about the exterior?

As I exited the building, I turned back to look at the overhanging edge and ribbed facade, only slightly changed from pre-makeover. It sure made me wonder.

Disney is known for incorporating features from past attractions into their replacements. There’s a picture of Mr. Toad in the Pooh ride that replaced it. The queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has multiple rabbits, foxes, and bears, referencing Splash Mountain. So why not Connections Cafe? 

In the end, whether my theory about the umbrella-inspired design holds water or not, it’s clear that Disney’s attention to detail and love for hidden nods keep us all guessing and engaged.

Every visit to Connections Cafe now feels like a mini adventure, a chance to uncover more of the magic woven into its very structure. Next time you’re there, take a moment to look up, look around, and maybe you’ll spot something new that adds to the story. After all, that’s the fun of Disney – there’s often more than meets the eye.