Kristen Stiles – WaltExpress.com

Exciting Things To Do With Kids In Every Epcot Country

Kristen Stiles — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 11:00:06 +0000

You already know that Epcot is a great park for adults (drinking around the world, anyone?). But you may not be aware that it’s a fantastic park for kids, too. There is so much to do for kids in Epcot, from character sightings to rides. Today I’ll let you in on things to do with kids in every Epcot country.

Things To Do with Kids in Every Epcot Country

A lot of people have the mindset that Epcot is just for adults! Seriously, there is SO much for the kids, too! Take a peek at my list of exciting things you can do with your kids in every Epcot Country!

All Countries: Kidcot

In every country within the World Showcase, there is a Kidcot Fun Stop. At this location, kids can meet a cultural representative from that country and receive a fun stamp, sticker or drawing from each country. While the experience has been altered for COVID-19 for safety, it’s still a great opportunity for kids to learn more about each country. And the best part – it’s free!

Mexico: The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros

This boat ride is inside the pyramid in the Mexico Pavilion and is a great way to keep your kids entertained. As an added bonus, it’s indoors and a great way to escape the Florida heat. The ride takes you through scenes of Mexico and features Donald and the caballeros. After the ride, stick around and explore the Mexican pyramid. They have a Mexico Folk Art Gallery with art inspired by Coco that your kids are sure to love.

Norway: Frozen Ever After

If your kids are fans of Ana, Elsa, and Olaf, there’s no better place than Norway to stop and get your Frozen fix. The Norway pavilion features Frozen Ever After, a boat ride featuring scenes from the films. Even the line for the ride is fun, with great Frozen theming. Plus, it’s indoors so it’s a great way to beat the heat.

China: House of Good Fortune

One of my daughter’s favorite places in Epcot was the House of Good Fortune. This is an enormous shop located in the China pavilion. The shop had authentic treasures from China, and we spent a solid hour just looking through the store. There are tons of souvenirs that are great quality and within a child’s budget (meaning, lots under $5!) which is hard to come by at Disney World!

Germany: Miniature Village and Train Set

Just on the outskirts of the Germany pavilion, there’s a miniature village and train set that will capture your kids’ imagination. It’s intricately built and has so much detail that my kids and I stood and just watched it. It’s typically not as crowded there as the heart of the pavilion, so it’s a nice break from the crowds, too.

Italy: Gelato from Gelati

By this time, you’ve likely made your way halfway around the World Showcase and it’s time for a treat. Gelati has treats for the kids and wine for the adults, which makes it a great stop for families. Kids can try the famous gelato sandwiches, and will love the bright colors the gelato comes in.

The American Adventure: Concerts & Live Entertainment at the American Gardens Theater

The theater is located in the American pavilion and backs up to the water. There is live entertainment scheduled throughout the year, particularly during the festivals. You can enjoy the music without needing to be in the theater itself. One of our favorite things to do is grab a funnel cake from the stand near the theater, and enjoy the cake and music for a while.

Japan: Pick-a-Pearl at Mitsukoshi

At the Pick-a-Pearl station, you get to select an oyster from a tank inside the shop. The cast member will open the pearl in front of you, and the pearl inside is yours to keep. Kids love the idea of selecting their own oyster and seeing the pearls inside. For added fun, you can turn the pearl into a necklace or other keepsake jewelry within the shop.

Morocco: Aladdin merch

During COVID, the majority of Morocco has been closed but the shop Souk Al-Magred is still open and is one of the best sources for Aladdin merchandise. Also take a peek at the Race Against the Sun exhibit, where kids can learn about the modern day races taking place in Morocco.

France: Beauty and the Beast Sing Along

Stop in at the Beauty and the Beast Sing Along where your kids can sing and get a new take on what happened in the movie. And bonus: it’s air conditioned and has comfortable seats. Mom and dad are happy and comfortable, and kids are entertained by the show.

United Kingdom: Character Sightings

This is one of the locations within Epcot where you’ll spot some favorite characters at the gazebo. Mary Poppins and Alice will pop in throughout the day and wave and greet guests from the gazebo. The gazebo makes for a great photo op as well!

Canada: The Totem Poles

These were an absolute hit with my kids. They loved looking at all of the totem poles, and especially loved the photo cut-out totem poles where they could put their own faces on a totem pole. They still talk about these!

Something for Kids in Every Epcot Country

As you can see, there are tons of things to do with kids in every Epcot country, and plenty of ways to entertain kids throughout the park. It’s definitely not one to miss on your next trip! Ready to learn more about Epcot? Check out our post on the snacks you don’t want to miss and the best quick serve restaurants in Epcot. And when you’re ready to book your trip, we’ve got friends at Walt Express Travel who would love to help! We also have a Facebook group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE, that has tons of tips about Epcot and ALL THINGS DISNEY!

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Our Favorite Snack & Dining Options In Magic Kingdom (Currently Open)

Kristen Stiles — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 11:00:26 +0000

One of the best parts of a Disney World trip is the FOOD! You’ve probably seen a million pictures of Instagram-worthy sweets and treats, but there’s so much more to eat at Disney World. And there’s still plenty of places to grab amazing eats at Disney World right now! Today we’re going to take a look at those dining locations currently open at Magic Kingdom and review our favorite snack & dining options.

Favorite Snack & Dining Options In Magic Kingdom

We are going to break down the dining locations currently open based on snacks and meals! As of right now, the dining locations that are currently open in Magic Kingdom include the following. Keep in mind, this list can and will change.

First up: SNACKS!

Can you imagine a trip to the Magic Kingdom without a Mickey pretzel, hot fresh popcorn, or a turkey leg? I know I can’t! Here’s our top 3 snack picks in Magic Kingdom that are currently open right now, along with recommendations on where to save and where to splurge:

Dole Whip from Aloha Isle

For a treat to cool you off in the Florida heat, stop on over at Aloha Isle where you’ll find Dole Whip – that incredible mix of vanilla and pineapple flavored soft-serve that can only be found at Disney World. I personally stop here every time to grab Dole Whip, it can’t be beat!

Save: Pineapple Dole Whip Cup, $4.99
Splurge: Get it in the souvenir Tiki Bowl! $9.99

Cinnamon Rolls from Gaston’s Tavern

These are not just your average cinnamon rolls. No, these are as large as the man the tavern is named for. These are EXTRA large, ooey gooey, melt in your mouth cinnamon rolls. Countless make-at-home recipes abound, but there’s nothing like having the real thing at the park. Pair it with a glass of LeFou’s Brew for a truly over-the-top sweet treat.

Save: Cinnamon Roll, $5.99 – big enough to split!
Splurge: LeFou’s Brew in the Souvenir Stein, $12.99

Waffles at Sleepy Hollow

If your sweet tooth really needs a fix, try any of the waffles or funnel cakes from Sleepy Hollow. My personal favorite is the fresh fruit waffle sandwich, which comes slathered in chocolate hazelnut spread and stuffed to bursting with fresh fruit. Totally indulgent while also getting your daily fill of fruits.

Save: Mickey Waffle with Powdered Sugar, $5.79
Splurge: Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich, $10.49

Just looking for a quick place to nab a to-go snack or a coffee? Head to Main Street Bakery (better known as Starbucks) for some familiar favorites, or stop at the Liberty Square Market for a quick to-go snack to tide you over between meals.

Next up: FULL MEALS!

Sure, we’d all love to fill our bellies full of cinnamon rolls, pretzels and Dole Whip, but at some point you’ve gotta have a real meal! Magic Kingdom has plenty of great quick service and table service restaurant choices that are open right now. The best news? It’s now much easier to get into table service (i.e. sit down) restaurants since crowds are at an all-time low! Here are our favorite picks of the restaurants that are currently open at Magic Kingdom:

Tony’s Town Square Restaurant

Named for the restaurant where Lady and the Tramp had their famous spaghetti-kiss moment, Tony’s has a wide variety of Italian food that’s sure to please your entire group. There’s a little something for everyone, and even the pickiest of eaters are likely to find something they like!

Liberty Tree Tavern

If you’re really hungry, stop in and try the Thanksgiving-themed family-style meal at Liberty Tree Tavern. All dishes are served family-style (one large portion brought to the table), and are bottomless. This was some of the best pot roast I’ve had in my life, and their mac and cheese was perfect after a long day of walking the parks!

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café

Pecos Bill is underrated, and therefore less crowded, than other restaurants. You’ll find a southwest-style menu along with some traditional American favorites like burgers. They’ve also got some great Halloween-themed specials going on right now that will definitely bring some seasonal flare to your meal!

Favorite Snack & Dining Options TIPS

Looking for a quick bite without the fuss of a full service restaurant? Head on over to Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café or settle in for the great theming at Pinocchio Village Haus.
PLEASE NOTE: For the most up to date information on dining location availability, see Disney’s Know Before You Go page.

If this is making you hungry, you’re not alone…just writing this had me seriously craving some fresh-popped popcorn in a cute souvenir bucket! And if you’re wondering how to stretch your dollars even further without a meal plan, be sure to check out our 6 tips on doing Disney without a Dining Plan. Need some tips on how to manage eating and drinking with those pesky masks? We’ve got you covered.

Now who’s ready to book a trip and eat some Dole Whip and Cinnamon Buns? ????

We have an amazing Facebook Group with tons of great tips and information. Just click DISNEY EXPRESS LANE and join us! Did you know that we also have friends over at Walt Express Travel that can help you with the planning process? ALL for free, of course!

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10 Things To Pack When Traveling To Disney World With Kids

Kristen Stiles — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 11:00:25 +0000

Let’s face it: traveling with kids, especially young kids, can be hard work! Between diaper blow-outs and tantrums, you may find yourself gritting your teeth while trying to make it through the airport or Magic Kingdom. After a little prep and planning, and a lot of experience, I’ve pulled together a list of the 10 Things To Pack When Traveling To Disney World With Kids.

Traveling To Disney World With Kids

Of course, we’re all going to pack the toothbrush, clothes, and shoes, as well as the essentials for this new normal. Here are a few more things you might want to consider packing!

Pop Up Laundry Hamper: I always pack this, and it helps keep things organized in your resort room. We pop this thing up in a corner of the closet and pile in all of the dirty clothes. It also makes repacking easier since we already know what’s dirty and needs to be separated from everything else. It folds flat, so it hardly takes up any room in a suitcase!
Ziploc bags in multiple sizes or grocery bags: or you can bring your reusable zip bags! We use these for everything! Parcel out snacks while at the parks, bag up food the kids didn’t finish and will inevitably want in 15 minutes. They can also contain wet or dirty clothes, hold phones while on a water ride, and MORE!
Extra clothes: for everyone, including yourself! Pack at least one change of clothes for everyone in your party in your carry on. Also consider bringing a spare shirt for the adults while at the parks. The weather can change abruptly in Florida, so a hot afternoon can make way to a chilly evening. It’s always nice to have something dry handy.
Travel-sized bag of medical necessities: nail clippers (can be used for more than your nails!), acetaminophen/ibuprofen/benadryl, lip balm, hair ties, travel-sized Tums/Dramamine or other stomach medicines, band aids. I keep a small bag with me and leave it fully packed at all times. I can pop it on my carry on for the plane and move it to my backpack for the parks. This will save you a trip to the First Aid stations in the parks, which are often out of your way. This also saves you the up-charge of buying these items at the parks!
Snacks GALORE: Both for the drive or flight, as well as for the parks. Disney World allows outside food and beverages into the parks, so we usually pack a few rounds of snacks to keep those HANGRY tantrums at bay. Even the adults get HANGRY!
Diaper wipes, even if your kids are not in diapers: They’re helpful for so much more than diaper changes!
Portable Sound Machine: I swear by these for the hotels. We pack a small sound machine, put it on the nightstand in the middle of the two beds, and crank that puppy up. Our kids are younger and have an early bedtime so this drowns out the noise from hallway traffic. It also gives mom and dad enough noise cover to hang out in the room while the kids are sleeping.
Reusable totes: particularly the kind that fold up small or lay flat. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve pulled these out and it’s saved my sanity. These are helpful to keep your hands free when you’ve acquired one too many things while you’re out and about.
Entertainment for attraction lines: waiting in line for a ride can be excruciating if you don’t have a way to keep the kids occupied. I know this from personal experience after we waited 70 minutes for 7 Dwarfs Mine Train with a 2 and 4 year old – it was a melt-down disaster. You don’t necessarily need to pack anything, just think ahead. Try having snack time or breakfast while waiting in line. Maybe playing a mobile version of popular games like Headbanz or Heads Up would keep your crew occupied. Maybe it’s as simple as naming all of the Disney characters you can think of, or blowing bubbles. Whatever it is, have a plan, and download your apps before you hit the parks!
Patience: OK, OK, you can’t really pack patience, but it takes a hefty dose of this stuff. It also takes a few deep breaths to make it through Disney World with kids.

Don’t Forget!

Don’t forget the face masks. Click that link for some very helpful tips on children, face masks and Disney World!

Hopefully these ideas have helped you think through how you can travel easier with your family so you can be happy in the most Magical Place on Earth. Let’s be real – a happy parent means a happy family and more magic to be shared at Disney World! What are some of the “must haves” that you bring on every trip? Hit us up over at our Facebook page: DISNEY EXPRESS LANE, and let us know!

Happy packing!

Thank you to our Disney friends, Vince and Tammy, for sharing their “magical” pic with us!

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