Walt Disney’s World Epcot offers all this and more – and needless to say, it can be a bit overwhelming for first-time visitors. Today, we’re sharing 7 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid at Epcot so you can make the most of this magnificent park.

7 Rookie Mistake to Avoid at Disney World’s Epcot

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Below, I’ve listed some of the rookie mistakes that I see happen nearly every trip I’ve made. Epcot is the one park where a rookie mistake could ruin the rest of your trip. Here are some rookie mistakes to avoid at Disney World’s Epcot!

7. Underestimating the Size of Epcot

Epcot is 300 acres! That’s 227 football fields.

The time suggestions to travel between attractions are often inaccurate. Whether they are supplied by the the My Disney Experience App or many of the “top” Disney travel websites that are written by adults who don’t take small children to the parks.

According to My Disney Experience, it should take you 10 minutes to walk from Spaceship Earth to the Frozen Ever After ride in the Norway Pavillion. I can tell you honestly as a mom who is travelling with little humans with little legs, that trip is going to take you at least 20 minutes unless all the kids are buckled into strollers and you’re keeping a good pace – unhindered by busy crowds.

This is such an important thing to keep in mind when making your Epcot plans, whether you’re trying to make it to a character meeting or a dining reservation. It will take twice as long as the app suggests.

6. Not Wearing Sunblock or Good Shoes

A rookie mistake to avoid at Disney World’s Epcot is forgetting your sunscreen or sunshades.

Epcot is one of the more “wide open” parks. There isn’t a lot of shade in between the countries, and it’s usually already occupied. Can you imagine getting sunburnt the first day?

The rest of your trip would be pretty rough. Even if you’re fine in the sun, don’t forget about those kiddos in strollers. Their little legs hanging out in the sun all day could get burnt.

And when it comes to good shoes… remember how I said that Epcot is REALLY big?

Not only is it a huge park, you will spend most of your time walking rather than riding – the walk around the countries is 1.2 miles, by ITSELF! Add onto that the walk from the hotel and transportation and you will be on your feet a lot.

Your footwear is going to matter a lot at this park, and that includes your socks. I understand wanting to dress nice at some of the restaurants, but high heels or loafers are just a bad idea if you plan on visiting the rest of the park.

5. Not Digging Further

It wasn’t until my third trip to Epcot that I discovered that what I thought was just a decorative pyramid in the Mexico Pavillion actually houses an amazing shopping area styled after an open-air Mexican vendor market, the Gran Fiesta Tour ride AND La Cantina de San Angel restaurant.

The same can be said for several other areas, like the Morocco Pavillion that features a seemingly dead-end alleyway that holds several shops and even a character meet and greet.

Take your time exploring the nooks and crannies of this park to discover all of it’s hidden treasures.

4. Not Riding Soarin’

While Spaceship Earth is just a classic and everyone jostles to get into Frozen Ever After, my hands-down favorite ride at Epcot is Soarin’.

This unique 4D roller coaster often has a short wait time but it’s such a fun experience. I don’t want to give away too much but if you decide to make the time for this ride, all I have to say is “nice work, pal!”

3. Test Track Trap

I’ve been going to Disney World long enough to remember Test Track opening.

My kids absolutely love Test Track, but it breaks down a lot. This means that your predicted hour wait could easily become two. It is completely worth it, especially if you’ve never ridden it, however I recommend planning accordingly if you really want to ride this one. Don’t have an important ride or reservation booked immediately afterwards.

2. Skipping Rope Drop

A lot of people only plan half a day for Epcot, which is such a mistake!

Although the World Showcase doesn’t open until later in the morning, you really do need a full day (at least) to explore this park.

Get there for rope drop and experience everything you can in the Future Showcase BEFORE the World Pavillion opens up.

This is SUPER important if you want to ride Frozen Ever After. If you don’t get to this ride early, then expect a pretty lengthy wait.

1. Not Taking Your Sweet Time in the Countries

A major rookie mistake to avoid is not taking the time to “taste” the countries.

Disney has so many festivals throughout the year that it’s always festival season at Epcot! We’ve been lucky enough to experience several of these but my personal favorites are the Festival of the Arts and the Food and Wine Festival.

During these Festivals, there are additional attractions, vendor booths, experiences and even more dining options available to guests. Many of these are only available once – so if you miss them on one trip, you won’t ever get a chance to experience them again.

Slow down, appreciate your surroundings – and taste everything you can!

I hope this blog post was helpful in helping you learn to navigate how to get around these rookie mistakes to avoid while at Epcot!

I highly recommend looking into the food and wine festival here! Also, come join us over at Disney Express Lane on Facebook here!

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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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Weekly Roundup: Ratatouille Adventure Opening, MagicMobile Service and Disneyland Reopening

Here’s what you can expect in this Newsletter:

• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Grand Opening at Epcot

• Disney MagicMobile Service

• Disneyland Reopening

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Grand Opening at Epcot

The grand opening of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT is set for October 1 of this year! That date also marks exactly 50 years since Disney World officially opened for the first time. Chef Remy will help Disney World kick off “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” in Parisian style. Isn’t that cool? Read more about the details of this amazing attraction in Epcot! We are super excited about it, but October seems SO far away! We are looking forward to it for sure! How about you?

Disney MagicMobile Service

With the eventual phase out of MagicBands, Disney World is rolling out a new service, Disney MagicMobile Service. 

Launching in phases starting later this year, Disney MagicMobile service is a convenient and contactless way to access MagicBand features like theme park entry through the power of your iPhone, Apple Watch or other smart device. Guests will be able to create a Disney MagicMobile pass through the My Disney Experience app and add it to their smart device’s digital wallet.

We knew something like this will was coming, we just didn’t know exactly how it would work…. but now we know! What do you think about this new MagicMobile Service? Do you think it will be helpful? Read more about the Disney MagicMobile Service, HERE.

Disneyland Reopening

Well, we could see our original favorite park, the one Walt loved so much, come to life in late April. This news did not come without much excitement. The park we have all grown up with and have loved is making a return and we could not be more excited about it! Look what they posted on Instagram, just a couple of days ago…

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Disneyland (@disneyland)

What?! I am not crying, you are crying! We are so excited to see Disneyland come back to life. Are you ready? Do you frequent Disneyland? You can read more about Disneyland’s Reopening HERE. 

There ya have it my friends, not a lot of news, but BIG news, for sure! We are so excited to hear your thoughts. Comment below with your thoughts, we would love to hear what you think of all of the changes, re-openings and fun coming to all of us! 

A version of this first appeared in our weekly newsletter. You can subscribe to receive it in your inbox here. 

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Weekly Roundup: Disney Eats, Vacation Club, Epcot and A Touch of Disney:

Here’s what you can expect in this Newsletter:

• Disney Parks Best Bites
• A Touch of Disney
• Harmonious at Epcot
• Disney Vacation Club Grand Californian Resort and Spa

Disney Parks Best Bites

All of you Disney foodies will be happy to hear about some of the new and/ or improved Disney eats! Check out all of the new and best bites at Disney World in February, right here. Get ready though, your mouth will be watering after you check it out. I was personally happy to see that they are continuing the holiday celebration through Feb. 28 with the oh so popular Peppermint Bundt Cake Shake at Hollywood Scoops! Peppermint ice cream topped with whipped cream, TWO festive Bundt cakes, and peppermint bark! YUM!

A Touch of Disney

A touch of Disney will allow you to experience the sights, sounds and flavors of Disneyland with A Touch of Disney, a new, limited-capacity ticketed experience that begins March 18 at California Adventure park. Disneyland may not be completely open, but you can still experience it with A Touch of Disney. Read more about it, HERE!

Harmonious at Epcot

Once complete Harmonious will be one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever on Disney property. Although a date has not been set for the opening, but when it does Epcot will bring even more fun and embracing the magic of possibility. Read more about it HERE.  

Disney Vacation Club Grand Californian Resort and Spa

The Villas at the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa is currently scheduled to welcome Vacation Club Members once again beginning May 2, 2021. During this phase, only The Villas at the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa will be open for DVC Members. The Hotels of Disneyland Resort, including the rest of the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will remain closed. 

While Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park currently remain closed for normal operations, Downtown Disney has reopened with health and safety measures, and offers a variety of shopping and dining experiences. During the initial reopening period, most resort dining, amenities, activities and services will be modified, limited in capacity or unavailable based on physical distancing and health guidelines. 

Each week brings more fun and more news. I hope this gives you some hope that things are getting back to normal….. whatever NORMAL is. Who knows at this point! Am I right? What are you looking forward to the most. Let us know below, we would love to hear. 

A version of this first appeared in our weekly newsletter. You can subscribe to receive it in your inbox here. 

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Weekly Roundup: California Adventure, Leave a Legacy and Refurbishments

Here’s what you can expect in this post:

• Limited-Time Ticketed Experience Coming to California Adventure 
• Leave a Legacy Continues
• Disney World Refurbishments

Limited-Time Ticketed Experience Coming to California Adventure 

This past week Disney sent a letter to their cast members announcing that they will be sending 1000 cast members back to work. It read as follows: Currently planned to begin mid-March, we will debut an all-new, limited-time ticketed experience, focused on our world-famous food and beverage offerings from around the resort, the latest merchandise and unique, carefully crafted entertainment experiences…all to be offered multiple days a week. With limited capacity and enhanced health and safety measures in place, Guests once again will get to step into a magical Disney environment — an environment that will provide memorable and fun experiences our Guests are craving. This is definitely an exciting time for Disneyland and California Adventure fans. New jobs and new experiences, I know we are excited! How bout you? Tell us below! 

Leave A Legacy Goes Continues

With the transformation of the Epcot main entrance area, the original Legacy sculpture has been removed, but Leave A Legacy lives on in a a new setting just outside the park with bright new colors. The new panels are the first of many that will be installed featuring the park’s new color palette. You can read more about it HERE. It definitely looks and sounds beautiful. We are loving these Epcot upgrades. 

Have you ever slowed down long enough to stop and read and look at this part of Epcot? What did you notice or find?

Disney World Refurbishments

Disney announced a few refurbishments for Disney World this past week. So as you plan your 2021 Disney vacation keep these refurbishments in mind. 

New Disney World refurbishments are as follows: 

• From January 2022 through April 2022, the Samawati Springs Pool at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village will be closed.
• Starting in April 2021, the Contemporary Resort will begin a refurbishment to SOME guest rooms. Most resort areas and amenities will still be available for Guests to enjoy.
• Starting in February 2021, the Stormalong Bay waterslide at the Beach Club Resort will be closed for refurbishment. 

I am excited see what the news next week will bring. As I said above, the year has started out with a lot of great news. We are well into the new year and the news keeps coming. What would you like to see Disney do, change, refurbish, etc.? we would love to know. We have a running list, but what is yours? 

Weekly Roundup: California Adventure, Leave a Legacy and Refurbishments

A version of this first appeared in our weekly newsletter. You can subscribe to receive it in your inbox here. 

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Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie

This French inspired bakery offers a variety of quick service options. From lunch options to some of the best dessert on Disney World property, you need to go NOW To Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie in Epcot’s France Pavilion! It’s just a monorail ride away (or bus)!

Lunch At Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie

Fresh baguette sandwiches, pizza, crisp salads or soup. As well as some unique options like the Quiche Florentine, which my friend tried. It was packed full of spinach and goat cheese. She said it was very delicious.

I had the Bleu salade with Romaine lettuce, imported blue cheese, red onions and croutons. Unfortunately, the croutons were not allergy friendly. I especially loved the imported blue cheese! I am a cheese lover and really enjoy the specialty imported style cheeses, so this was a great salad for me. One thing to note if you have food allergies like me, the salads here are pre-made as is everything else. I just had to take the croutons off the salad before eating it which was fine because there was only a few on the top.

Sweet Stop

If you are not up for lunch but rather something sweet, you will find many options at this bakery. Popular French desserts like eclair’s, creme brulee, beignets and more are offered here at Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie.

While I was unable to indulge in the sweet goodies at this location due to my food allergy, my friends tried a couple. They had the Napoleon, a puff pastry layered with cream as well as a beignet filled with chocolate and hazelnuts. Both were delicious dessert options.

Drink Options

Boissons (Drinks) include hot gourmet coffee, Espressos, Cappuccino, Hot Tea, sodas, orange juice, water, or milk. A variety of Vins (Wine) & Biere (Beer) are also available at the small Cafe located within the bakery.

More Sweet Treats Next Door

Want a scoop of ice cream to go with your dessert? Right next door you will find L’Artisan des Glaces grab a single scoop or make it a double with 13 flavors to choose from. I am sure you can find the right combo to go with your pastry.

Available Seating

Some indoor seating is available right next to the bakery entrance. Additional outdoor seating can be found right outside, conveniently located in between the bakery and the ice cream shop.

A Few Tips

• You can use your Disney Dining Plan here. Be sure to ask before ordering or look for the dining plan symbol next to the eligible items on the menu.
• After your meal you can find some France inspired gifts at the Boutique De Cadeaux, located steps away from the bakery. Take home memorabilia to remember your trip at the World Show Case France Pavilion. Don’t worry, you will not have to carry your souvenirs around all day. You can arrange with your retail clerk to have your souvenirs sent back to your resort, or to the designated pick up location in front of the park. You can pick up your package before leaving the park for the day.

Have you found this amazing spot yet on your trip around the world? If so, we would love to see your favorite treats! Join our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE!

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Let it go, let it go…OK, so now that the song is in your head, let’s talk about Frozen At Disney World. Here are five experiences that are enjoyable for both adults and children who are big fans of the movie Frozen. I love anything and everything “Frozen” especially all of the experiences that I am sharing with you. So, if it is not already cold where you live, turn down the AC and keep reading so you will get the full Frozen effect.

Frozen At Disney World

The first three must do’s for Frozen At Disney World can be found at Epcot’s World Showcase in the country of Norway. We love the Norway pavilion and spend a lot of time there on each visit.

Frozen Ever After: This exciting family friendly musical tour is a slow-moving boat ride through Arendelle. Frozen songs we have all grown to love play as we travel through different memorable moments in the first Frozen movie. This ride is very popular and snagging a Fastpass is highly recommended. The standby line typically has an one hour or longer wait time. Just a head up: this ride has backward and forward plunges down short waterfalls. You may get wet!

Royal Sommerhus, Meet & Greet with Anna & Elsa: Once you exit Frozen Ever After attraction, walk over next door and you can meet the royal sisters in their charming summer cabin. Pose for a photo, get a warm hug or even an autograph. I recently stopped in to see the sisters in their cabin. The cabin is cute and cozy. I was able to have a lovely conversation with Elsa. Since I am from a place that is always warm (Florida), Elsa invited me to join her one day in the Kingdom of Arendelle where it is much cooler. She said we will go skiing, build snowman and just have a lovely time. I am not sure how I will handle that kind of cold, but I am excited that I have a winter vacation with Elsa coming up.

Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe: After a journey through Arendelle and “chilling” with the royal sisters, you will probably need to recharge. What better way to do that then with a snack. Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe offers traditional Norwegian specialties. While it may not be all about “Frozen”, it is nestled right in the center of Norway between Anna & Elsa’s summer cottage and the Frozen Ever After ride. Sweets, sweets and more sweets can be found in this cozy little bakery including some Frozen themed goodies. You can also order sandwiches, salads, and a variety of beverages. Seating is outdoors at this location so if you visit on a cold day/night make sure you add a warm cup of Viking coffee to your order.

Some Disney Dining Plans are accepted at this location. Be sure to ask a cast member before placing your order. They will be glad to let you know what options are available with your plan.

For our Frozen must do number four and five we must head on over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The most magical way to get from Epcot to Hollywood Studios is using the Disney Transportation System. You can take a relaxing boat ride which will have three stops before making it’s way to Hollywood Studios. Another option is The New Disney Skyliner. From Epcot, you will fly over to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort where you will then disembark and transfer to another Skyliner that will take you to Disney Hollywood Studios.

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration: This one is personally my favorite. Live performers on stage telling stories and singing all the songs we know and love from the movie. Some special guest even pop in I am sure you probably can guess who seeing as how it is a Frozen Sing-Along. Sing to the top of your lungs and just have fun. As a Frozen fan, you will leave with “chills” after this performance.

A fast pass can be made for this show in advance. I recommend saving your fast pass selection for a more popular attraction in the park. Since this is a show, they can fit in many guests meaning the wait time is typically not very long.

Meet Olaf: Over at Celebrity Spotlight, Olaf can be found doing what Frozen things do best in the summer: offering warm hugs and posing for a memorable photo. I recently met Olaf and he is the warm-hearted loving snowman we all have seen in the movie. Grab a quick photo like I did or get his autograph. Seeing a snowman in Florida is quite an experience.

BONUS For Frozen Fans

These 5 must do’s can be enjoyed anytime of the year, but I have a BONUS must do for you. This one is located over at the Magic Kingdom. It can only be enjoyed during the holidays. If you happen to be on vacation during the Christmas season, you are in for an extra special treat.

A Frozen Holiday Wish. Join Queen Elsa, Anna, Olaf and Kristoff as Queen Elsa uses her magical powers to present a gift to everyone by transforming Cinderella’s Castle into a shimmering ice palace for the holidays. Seeing this show in person is a must do. Videos and pictures are beautiful but there is nothing like being right there seeing it happen LIVE! This is by far an experience you will never forget.

Are you a Frozen fan?

If so, what is your most favorite Frozen go to ride or attraction? Head on over to our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE, and LET IT GO! Sorry, not sorry!

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EPCOT During The Holidays

There is absolutely nothing like Disney World during the holidays. If you are in a “bah-humbug” state of mind, head to Disney’s Epcot and be magically transformed! Epcot is home to some pretty amazing sites, but during the Christmas season, it’s just pure bliss and magic!

1. The first magical stop in Epcot would have to be the World Showcase for The Festival of the Holidays. This was previously known as Holidays Around the World. We spent some time there last year and let me just say, it was beyond magical. Each country showcases how they celebrate the season, complete with traditional foods and festivities. For example, in the France pavilion, you will meet Pere Noel. He tells a magical story of how Christmas is celebrated in France. Of course, just like with all Epcot festivals, delicious and “yummy” food will be found at each World Showcase pavilion. Try something new this holiday season! This year’s Festival of the Holidays will run November 29 – December 30, 2019!

2. The Candlelight Processional. This holiday event tells the story of the true meaning of Christmas. A timeless classic! Click this LINK for all of the great artists you will find at this year’s Candlelight Processional. November 29 – December 30, 2019 will be the dates of this year’s event. Whoopie Goldberg and Neil Patrick Harris are just two of the many amazing narrators in the line up! Dining packages are also available for this event.

3. Santa! Well, of course, EVERYONE wants to see the Big Guy during the holidays. We love to visit Santa in the American pavilion in the World Showcase.

4. Holiday Kitchens. One of the BEST things about the holidays is the delicious food. Disney provides a taste of the season with their HOLIDAY KITCHENS. New for 2019 is the Holiday Cookie Stroll! Get your festival passport and stroll along looking for these delicious treats!

• Bavaria Holiday Kitchen at the Germany Pavilion: Linzer Cookie
• American Holiday Table at the America Pavilion: Gingerbread Cookie
• Yukon Holiday Kitchen at the Canada Pavilion: Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie
• Feast of the Three Kings near the Mexico Pavilion: Chocolate Crinkle Cookie
• L’Chaim Holiday Kitchen between the Morocco and France Pavilions: Black-and-White Cookie

5. EPCOT FOREVER is Epcot’s newest nighttime fireworks show! Watch for the “spark of imagination” that started it all!

Bonus Tip:

For a little more excitement, be sure to watch for Chip and Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree, a fun and interactive scavenger hunt. Maps are $6.99 plus tax, and are available throughout Epcot while supplies last.

As you can see, Epcot is the place to be for the holidays. What is your favorite part about the holidays in Epcot? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Find out what the Magic Kingdom has going on during the holidays right here: MAGIC KINGDOM DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Head on over to our Facebook group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE, for more Disney holiday fun and information!

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Dining at Disney World can be an overwhelming thing. There are tons of options in the parks and throughout the resorts. There are so many options between dinner shows, character meals and dining themes. My family recently visited Coral Reef At Epcot. We have never dined there but we had heard good things so we decided to give it a try.

Coral Reef At Epcot

I carefully reviewed the menu prior to making reservations because I as well as my kids aren’t big seafood eaters and I wanted to make sure there would be options for us. Looking at the menu, I wasn’t super excited, but I still wanted to give it a try. So I booked my advanced dining reservations and hoped for the best!

On our way to the restaurant I was a little worried, again with the non seafood options being sparse. However, when we walked in, I was in awe at how beautiful it was. We checked in and we were seated within a few minutes. We got a nice booth facing the huge aquarium that is inside the restaurant. It’s basically an entire wall of water, it was a nice view. Our server was amazing. She was funny, friendly and great with the kids. She explained what was included in the dining plan and what would be extra. They have add on options that are not available on the dining plan, such as the Snow Crab Legs and the Crab Oscar.

My husband ordered the Shrimp and Grits and finished his entire plate. My son and I opted for the steak. I don’t usually order steaks when we go out but I was starving after all the walking we did that day and I wasn’t really in the mood for chicken. My littlest ordered the chicken nuggets and corn for her meal. I also ordered the Magical Star Cocktail. Our drinks came quickly and our server spent a lot of time with our table, I don’t think we laughed so hard at a meal in a long time. Especially never at a restaurant! She was very entertaining, the kids loved it every time she visited our table.

Once the food came out I was pleasantly surprised, my steak was cooked perfectly. It was seasoned, it was a very good piece of steak. The steak was paired with mashed potatoes and bacon. It was easily one of the best meals I had the entire vacation. My husband agreed that his food was just as good. We were stuffed, the kids ate all of their food too which is rare for them! 

Desserts: Coral Reef At Epcot

Before our food even came out, our server asked what we would like for dessert and we placed the orders. So after our meal was finished we were served our dessert. We ordered the Key Lime Tart, the Angel Food Cake, the Bailey’s Almond and Jack Mousse. I tried them all! The key lime tart was just that, very tart. It was good but it was a bit more tart than I like.  The meringue on top was excellent and added sweetness to the tart lime. The strawberry shortcake was very good, it was not exactly what my son thought it was going to be and as a picky eater he wasn’t overly thrilled, but my husband and I thought it was fantastic. The Bailey’s mousse was also very good, something I would get again!

We did use the dining plan for our trip and we were a party of two adults and two kids. However, my son is 10 so Disney considers him an adult, meaning he orders off the adult menu. 

All around our visit was amazing. It was definitely one of our favorite dinners this trip and a return restaurant for us! If you are thinking about trying something different I would absolutely look into a visit to Coral Reef!

BONUS: The Seas with Nemo is right next door!

Have you visited Coral Reef At Epcot? We would love to hear about your experience! Join our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE, and let us know about it!

The post Coral Reef Dining Experience At Disney World’s Epcot May Surprise You appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

Hacks For Epcot’s Food and Wine

If you have been around our blog for long, you know we LOVE Epcot’s festivals. The Food and Wine Festival has been around for quite some time now and it only gets bigger and better ever year! This year’s festival will run from August 29th until November 23, giving you plenty of days to sample everything they have to offer! And believe us, you will want to try it ALL and go back for seconds and thirds!

We have some pretty amazing hacks for Epcot’s Food and Wine festival that will help you make the MOST out of your experience!

Go EARLY in the week. Monday through Thursday is usually considerably less crowded than the weekends, when locals tend to visit more.

AVOID the weekend, if possible. I know, sometimes this may not be an option. If you have to visit on a weekend, keep reading to learn how to still make the most of your experience! You will STILL have a blast!

World Showcase OPENS AT 11 am and you need to be there! Take advantage of extra magic hours if you are staying at a Disney World resort.

Plan TWO DAYS to take in everything the festival has to offer! When Epcot is hosting a festival, we like to spend one day exploring the World Showcase and another day in Future World. On our second Epcot day, we go back to our favorites from the festival!

Get a DISCOUNT on seminars and more. Yep, if you are an annual pass-holder or DVC member, you can score a little discount for Food and Wine seminars and more!

NO extra park ticket is required. That’s right! Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival is INCLUDED in your admission to Epcot. NICE, I know!

BEGIN at the Festival Port of Entry. Everyone asks where to begin this delicious journey and we think the best spot is at the official Port of Entry. I mean, you don’t want to miss anything, right?

ALLERGY FRIENDLY options are available at many of the refreshment ports. Check the signs and ask if you are not sure!

Grab BREAKFAST in Future World! Booths in the Future World open when the park opens, usually at 9 am. Grab breakfast there and be ready to hit the World Showcase at 11 am, when it opens. Make that fast pass for Soarin’ or Test Track at 10 am!

Bring PONCHOS! You KNOW this one! Don’t even chance it!

DISNEY GIFT CARDS can be a HUGE money saver during the festival! Purchase them in advance at a discount and use for your food purchases during the festival.

Stay on-site at an EPCOT RESORT! There are several resorts on Disney World property that offer direct access to Epcot’s World Showcase! This provides easy access to all of the yumminess and is very convenient! Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort all offer direct access to the World Showcase through the International Gateway. The Disney Skyliner will also allow transportation to Epcot from the following resorts: Disney’s Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century Resort and Art of Animation.

WATER, WATER and even more WATER. If you plan on drinking around the World Showcase, you will definitely want to drink a lot of water! This will keep you hydrated in the Orlando heat! Remember that most quick service restaurants will give you a free cup of ice water.

Do NOT make advanced dining reservations. I mean, if you really want to, go ahead, but don’t say we didn’t warn you! With all of the dining options during the Food and Wine Festival, you could literally have a 20 course meal! Even picky eaters will find a favorite!

MAXIMIZE that Disney Dining Plan! Here is where is gets good. Listen to what I am saying. GET THE DINING PLAN when you visit Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival. There will be a menu at each marketplace and you will see the little emblem below. That means it’s a snack credit on the Disney Dining Plan! One quick service meal will also convert to three snacks! You could sample something from each country and even have a dessert.

• The Disney Dining Plan is only available to guests staying at a Disney World Resort.
• A table service credit on the Disney Dining Plan will also convert to three snack credits, but I do not recommend this, as it is not a money saver.
• Look for this little purple and white emblem and you will know right away that it’s a snack credit!

BONUS TIP-If you are staying on site at a Disney World resort, you have the option to have any purchases sent to your resort! So, you don’t have to lug around all of the goodies that you purchase at the Food and Wine Festival! Believe me, there will be a ton of merchandise that you will not be able to resist. Well, you might can resist, I sure could NOT!!

Hacks For Epcot’s Food and Wine

If you are planning on visiting this amazing festival, be sure to check out 2019 FOOD AND WINE GUIDE for every little detail you will need to know about for this year’s festival!

Head on over to Facebook and join our group: DISNEY EXPRESS LANE!

A big THANK YOU to our friend Vince for sharing some of his Food and Wine treats with us!

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