Opening in June 1998, Ice Station Cool was a Coca-Cola-sponsored exhibit tucked just outside Innoventions, offering guests a frosty escape from the Florida sun—and a taste of the world. Themed as a sub-arctic research station, the entrance featured a snowcat vehicle, icy mist, and a cave-like tunnel lined with freezer flaps. Inside, guests encountered a faux ice wall containing a frozen Neanderthal dubbed “Refreshus Maximus”, supposedly discovered during a Coca-Cola expedition in the Arctic.
The exhibit’s backstory was delightfully over-the-top: a team of “Coolologists” had uncovered a lost civilization obsessed with refreshment. The theming drew inspiration from Ice Station Zebra, Cold War-era Arctic research stations, and even the real-life discovery of Ötzi the Iceman in the Alps.
But the real draw? Free samples of Coca-Cola products from around the world, served in small paper cups from self-serve dispensers. Guests could try:
- Beverly from Italy – a bitter apéritif that became a rite of passage
- Inca Kola from Peru – sweet and bubblegum-like
- VegitaBeta from Japan – apricot and passion fruit flavored
- And many more rotating flavors from countries like Zimbabwe, Greece, and Thailand
In June 2005, Ice Station Cool closed for refurbishment. When it reopened on November 14, 2005, the arctic theming was gone, replaced by a sleeker, more modern look under the new name: Club Cool. The core experience remained—free samples of international Coca-Cola beverages—but the vibe shifted from expedition to refreshment lounge.
Club Cool also added:
- Coca-Cola merchandise, including apparel and refillable bottles
- A more streamlined layout with updated dispensers
- Occasional seasonal flavors and promotional tie-ins
For nearly 14 years, Club Cool remained a fan-favorite stop in Future World, especially for those daring friends who insisted you “just have to try Beverly.”
On September 8, 2019, Club Cool closed as part of EPCOT’s massive entrance and central hub transformation. Disney confirmed it would return “in some capacity,” and in September 2021, Club Cool reopened in a new location next to Creations Shop, in the former Innoventions East building.
The updated version retained the global soda sampling tradition, with eight flavors including:
- Beverly (still polarizing)
- VegitaBeta (a holdover from the original lineup)
- New additions like Royal Wattamelon from the Philippines and Smart Sour Plum from China
While the icy cave and frozen explorer are long gone, the spirit of refreshment and international curiosity lives on.
