Epcot - Fast Tips

Epcot, at almost twice the size of Magic Kingdom, was Disney’s vision of a future of innovation and dreams paired with an international bazaar. The front half of the Park, Future World, consists of large themed pavilions centered around an attraction. Each pavilion contains the main attraction with smaller themed areas to explore and learn. Here is a list of the pavilions:

• Spaceship Earth – a ride through the history of human communication and knowledge inside the big “golf ball”
• The Seas with Nemo – a huge aquarium merged with Nemo and his friends
• The Land – an exploration of man’s use of his environments and farming – Ride Soarin’ (FP+)
• Journey into Your Imagination – join a purple dragon for a ride through your imagination
• Universe of Energy – learn about the creation of fossil fuels on this moving theater ride with life size animatronic dinosaurs
• Mission Space – train to pilot a mission to mars on this space simulator (FP+)
• Test Track – design a custom vehicle and ride in through a test course (FP+)
• Innoventions – two pavilions dedicated to rotating exhibits of various themes

The back section of the Park is the World Showcase. This is a collection of pavilions representing 11 different countries including America, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Morocco, Japan, Italy, Germany, Norway, China, and Mexico. This half of the Park opens at 11am, although you can eat breakfast in France starting at 9. Each location is beautifully detailed with architectural styles representing its region. Every section has a restaurant featuring great foods and drink found in the Country that has been recreated. Several Countries have attractions, live bands, and street performers that are not to be missed.
 

Tips:

• Spend the morning exploring Future World and the evening strolling around the World Showcase
• Get a FP+ for Soarin’ and ride Test Track first thing to beat the rush
• Visit Turtle Talk with Crush for an interactive visit with Nemo’s sea turtle friend
• Innoventions is a great place to visit during a rainy afternoon
• See the Voices of Liberty and watch the American Adventure for a dose of Patriotism
• Great sit down restaurants: Coral Reef, Le Cellier, Via Napoli, and La Hacienda de San Angel
• Make sure a stay for the nighttime show around the World Showcase Lagoon, Illuminations
• Starbucks is adjacent to the fountains behind Spaceship Earth
• Play the Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure. Pick up a secret phone to follow clues to save the Tri State Area from the evil Dr Doofenshmirtz. You are sent throughout the various countries on this interactive scavenger hunt.
• There are great street performers and musical acts everywhere grab a beer in Germany of wine in Italy and watch.
• Use rider swap when you have children who don’t meet the height requirements. See the cast member at the attraction entrance and request a rider swap pass, send the older kids with one parent and wait for their return. Once they are back, switch out and enter the FastPass line. Your pass is good for 4 people so the big kids can ride twice! (rider swap is available at all the Disney Parks)

*FP+ - These are rides I recommend using FastPass+ for.

Check back soon to see Fast Tips for the other parks! If you liked this article please read Epcot Quick Service Restaurants.

 

Dining Favorites Series: Epcot Quick Service

Epcot has the most diverse restaurant choices both for quick service and table service of any Disney World theme park. Because of the World Showcase you have the chance to experience an international assortment of foods and spirits. One great aspect of many of the Epcot counter service restaurants is they sell small items that are easy to stroll and munch on. Another plus is that they all serve beer, wine, or cocktails based on the country they represent. So be sure to pair an Oktoberfest beer with your bratwurst in Germany!

Yorkshire County Fish Shop (United Kingdom) - This place is a must visit every trip for me. They serve fish and chips (fries) English style. Grab a basket and head in the UK to listen to British Revolution in the rose garden.
Drink pairing: Bass Ale

from waymarking.com

la Cantina de San Angel (Mexico) - Fresh Mexican food on the World Showcase Lagoon. Tacos or Nachos? One of the hardest choices you'll make all day. Also, churros for dessert, super yum! TIP: Try one of the Paletas instead of the churritos you're in for a frozen treat!
Drink Pairing: Dos Equis Lager

from easywdw.com

Boulangerie Patisserie (France) - Who doesn't love French pasteries? This restaurant has a huge assortment of pasteries, tarts, quiches, sandwiches, and desserts. Everything is made fresh daily. Boulangerie Patisserie was recently expanded and has added a large seating area. TIP: This counter service option is open for breakfast at 9 am. Walk through the world showcase before it opens and enjoy a chocolate croissant in Paris!
Drink Pairing: Cappuccino

Tangierine Cafe (Morocco) - Take your appetite to Morocco and try the flavors of Northern Africa. They serve many unique dishes here that you won't find anywhere else. If you are open to trying new things go for a Shawarma platter.
Drink Pairing: Tangierine Cocktail

Liberty Inn (America) - Can you think of a better place to have an All-American meal than at the Liberty Inn? This restaurant may be for you if you're tired of touring the world. Burgers, barbecue and apple pie, it doesn't get any better than that!
Drink Pairing: Sam Adams Lager

from allergyfreemouse.com 

Sunshine Seasons (Future World) - Located within the Land pavilion this counter service restaurant offers several stations for dining options. You can pick from the grill, bakery, soup/salad, sandwiches, or Asian noodles. You will be able to find something for everyone here, even your most picky eaters. TIP: Some of the food served at Sunshine Seasons was actually grown or harvested in the Land greenhouses. Ask your chef for details.

Sommerfest (Germany) - Buy yourself a traditional bratwurst and a pretzel from a person wearing lederhosen in this German restaurant. Here is another must visit location for me. The sell souvenir beer steins too.
Drink Pairing: Altenmunster Oktoberfest or a shot of Jagermeister if your feeling it.



A perfect meal at Epcot - from tripadvisor

Electric Umbrella (Future World) - This Future World location is a typical burger and nugget restaurant similar to Cosmic Ray's at Magic Kingdom.

Lotus Blossum Cafe (China) - This restaurant is way better than your local Chinese takeout joint. Order the orange chicken and wander around this beautiful pavilion.
Drink Pairing: Tsing Tao beer

Katsuru Grill (Japan) - This recently remodeled restaurant serves traditional Japanese fare. The sushi is amazing and the teriyaki combo meals are huge. Eat outside on the patio overlooking a wonderful Japanese garden for a great break from the crowds.
Drink Pairing: hot Saki

A great ambiance ouside at Katsuru Grill - from disneyparks

There are many more kiosks and walk up eateries at Epcot that were not covered in this post. I encourage you to review the menus before your visit and try some new and wonderful flavors at this park. I will caution you to limit the number of drink parings so you don't have too much fun strolling around the World Showcase!

Awsome Epcot Photo

Awesome Spaceship Earth picture courtesy of HDR Photography.
  

Waffles

Everyone knows that Disney has these waffles:

BUT, did you know they had these waffles??

A Nutella Berry Waffle at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments in Magic Kingdom



from DisneyFoodBlog

A Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle at Sleepy Hollow in Magic Kingdom

DisneyFoodBlog

 

 

Lingonberry Jam Waffles at  Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe in Norway at Epcot

DisneyFoodBlog

 

 

Bananas Foster Waffle at Roaring Fork in the Wildnerness Lodge

DisneyFoddBlog

RIGHT?!? Ok so I'll pull the car around, you throw the mister fans in the back and we'll be there before the fireworks. See you in a few.......

Disney Rumors

If you are visiting Epcot between now and the Christmas holidays, be sure to visit one of my favorite attractions Journey Into Imagination. Why, you might ask?

The Imagination pavilion as it looks today - courtesy of wdwforgrownups

Rumors around the Disney fan community say the Imagination pavilion will close for a year long refurbishment on 1/4/14. The rumors also suggest that this "re-Ferb-ishment" will give us a whole new attraction staring Phineas, Ferb, and Dr. Doofenshmirtz. You will help Phineas, Ferb, and Perry defeat one of Dr. Doofenshmirtz's evil innators in an all new attraction.

Are Figment's day numbered? - courtesy of disneyparks

So, you have until the end of this year to see Figment and the ride in its current form. If you're a Captain EO fan you need to visit the 3D theater next door to Figment, because the King of Pop is leaving as well.

Disney has not yet officially announced the closure of Imagination or announced a new attraction for the pavilion. So, everything is still just rumors, but I expect to see something happen at this pavilion soon.

Lastly, expect big changes coming to Disney's Holloywood Studios. There are several rumors circulating that mention Carsland and Star Wars Land. I'll cover those in our next rumors post.

Needing A Disney Drink Fix?

I'm not sure where you live, but where I am it is HOT! Perfect time to dream of cold Disney drinks!

Citrus Swirl at Adventureland

LeFou's Brew at New Fantasyland

Grand Marnier Slush at Epcot

The beloved Dole Whip from the Poly (or Adventureland)

Months away from your next Disney fix? Put on your Mickey ears, turn on your fan, and make an at home version of these Disney treats! Here is a favorite from http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2013/06/05/dole-whip-recipe-bring-disney-to-your-kitchen/

Homemade Dole Whip Recipe

• 2 cups frozen pineapple
• 1/4 cup milk of choice (Try canned coconut milk for piña colada soft serve!)
• 1/16 tsp salt
• pinch pure stevia extract, or 2 tbsp sugar of choice
• scant 1 tbsp lemon juice

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Scoop out with an ice cream scoop, or squeeze through a pastry bag, yonanas machine, or a plastic bag with an edge cut off. (If your blender is not super-powerful like a Vita-Mix, you may need to add a little more liquid and then freeze a bit before serving, or churn in an ice cream maker.) For soft-serve that holds its shape longer, freeze the swirled dole whip at least 20 minutes prior to serving. Makes 3 servings the size of the pineapple whip in the photos.

**Note: The Dole Whip and all of the variations (strawberry, mango, etc) are Vegan, yay!**

Now Boarding.....

Have you ever dreamed of flying in a hang glider? At Disney's Epcot, Soarin' is an awesome attraction that feels like you are really hang gliding. You "fly" over some of California's most notable attractions like beautiful orange groves (you can actually smell them!), surfers hanging ten, beautiful national parks, and of course Disneyland. On a dreary day like today I could use a pick me up and a flight over California's orange groves to get me back on track. Have a nice flight! **BONUS TIP: Make sure you get a Fast Pass or Rider Swap for this attraction as lines can get fairly long.  Also, while you wait with little guys for the rest of your family to finish their flight, you can take a cool boat ride through the backstage of Epcot's garden area**