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Welcome back to the final post of the Disney Den! Today we will be talking about a magical vacation, however, it won’t be at Disney. This is because we are exploring another fun theme park located in Central Florida – Universal Studios! Although I absolutely love Disney World, I have shared so much about each park, event, and food item on this blog and thought that it was about time to share the other Orlando theme park that holds my heart.

So, if you’re in the mood for a different kind of magic (Harry Potter, anyone?) keep reading for your guide to Universal Studios Orlando.

Wait – they’re not the same place?!

No – Disney and Universal Studios are both owned by different companies (The Walt Disney Company and Universal) and both own and showcase different franchises in the parks. This is why you will find Pixar, Disney princess, and Star Wars themed attractions in Disney World, while you will find anything from Despicable Me, to Minions, to Jurassic Park, and even Harry Potter in Universal Studios. There is just so much to explore in each park!

Map of Universal Studios (and Islands of Adventure)

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Although Universal has a City Walk shopping area (very similar to Disney Springs) and an entire water park, today we will solely be focusing on the two theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.

Universal Studios Florida

There is so much to do in this park, and in this post I will share my favorites. If you are looking for a one day itinerary of how to best spend your day in the park, check out this link!

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My Favorite Attractions:

• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

This is a 4D simulation ride that is located very close to the front of the park. Guests get to join Gru, his daughters, and the Minions on a ride where you are recruited to become a Minion; however, like most adventures, it certainly does not go as planned.

I enjoy this ride a lot, since it is very immersive and the queue is so detailed. However, the lines have been so long lately that I haven’t been on this attraction in a few years. My best suggestion is if you truly want to ride, get there early, or buy an Express Pass to skip the line. Otherwise, I have found that it is not worth it.

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• TRANSFORMERS: The Ride 3D

This is also a 4D simulation ride that is located close to Minions. In this ride, Megatron and his Decepticons are fighting for the AllSpark, and it is up to the guests, Optimus Prime, and Bumblebee to keep it away from him. It’s a fun battle that “blurs the lines between fiction and reality.”

I think the longest I waited for this ride was 75 minutes, and that was just because it was having some technical difficulties. I don’t like waiting a long time for rides (for me that’s probably an hour or more), but the special effects of this ride are so fantastic that it was definitely worth it. Ride this attraction if you can!

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• Revenge of The Mummy

Revenge of the Mummy is by far my favorite ride in all of Universal Studios. It is a thrilling indoor roller coaster where guests flee from the evil Mummy Imhotep (inspired by “The Mummy” movie). It is just so fun and it’s almost impossible to tell what is going to come next.

I love this ride, and fortunately for me, it seems that not many other people like it as much as I (by that I mean that the line is not usually very long). If you are a roller coaster lover like myself, take advantage of this attraction and ride it several times in a row – you never know if you’ll have the same luck with the wait times later!

• Hogwarts Express – King’s Cross Station

The Hogwarts Express is a slow moving train ride (and yes it is a real train!) that takes guests from park to park (between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure). Since there is only one train, the wait can be lengthy, but it helps to save time when traveling between parks, and is also a genuinely fun ride!

In order to ride this attraction, you do need Park-to-Park tickets, however, it is so fun. You get to see a different storyline out the “window” depending on what direction you are traveling in (to Diagon Alley/London or Hogsmeade/Hogwarts). You even walk through Platform 9 3/4! This attraction is definitely a must-do.

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

This attraction is an exhilarating mix of a thrilling roller coaster, motion simulation, and a 4D experience. Guests are able to journey deep underground and explore the vaults of Gringotts, while encountering Voldemort, Bellatrix, trolls, and other creatures that stand between a safe return to Diagon Alley.

I adore this attraction – it is the perfect mix between an engaging simulator ride and thrilling coaster. It is on a track, as you are supposed to be riding the carts at Gringotts, and features so many different characters. The line can get quite long, so I suggest making this one of your first or last stops of the day to avoid the crowds; however, it is definitely worth the wait!

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Islands of Adventure

While Universal Studios hosts themed areas and attractions based on Transformers, The Mummy, Despicable Me, Harry Potter, and Men in Black, Islands of Adventure offers more thrilling rides based on different franchises (with most of them focused on the water element of the park). In Islands of Adventure, guests can go through Cartoon Lagoon, find their favorite superheroes in Marvel land, see dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, stroll through Seussland, and see another side to the Harry Potter world. If you are looking for a one-day itinerary of what to do in this park, check out this link!

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My Favorite Attractions:

• The Incredible Hulk Coaster

This is one of the fastest and most thrilling roller coasters in the park, with a launch of up to 67 miles per hour as Hulk-like power propels you upside down into a zero-gravity roll. The story behind this ride is that guests are volunteers in a science experiment based on Dr. Bruce Banner’s research, where, you guessed it, they become Hulks.

This ride is so fun! When I rode it, we waited for maybe 30 minutes or so, in a queue that was not very interesting (so it made the waiting harder). I don’t think I would wait over an hour for this ride, but it is still a perfect option for those who seek a thrilling coaster.

• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

This is one of the most underrated rides in the park, but definitely one of my favorites. It is a 4D simulator (very similar to the Transformers ride in Universal Studios) that takes guests on a “high-flying adventure” as Spider-Man soars above the streets of New York City to rescue the Statue of Liberty. One of the best things about this ride as well is that, like every Marvel movie, Stan Lee makes a cameo – so keep your eyes peeled!

For me, this ride is always a must-do. The attraction itself is spectacular and the line is usually short – making it a win-win situation to ride.

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• Jurassic World VelociCoaster

The VelociCoaster is the newest ride in Universal Orlando – and definitely the most thrilling. Guests board their vehicle for a high-speed dash through Jurassic Park’s raptor paddock, and can feel the rush of the hunt as they race alongside the predators and above the water. This coaster reaches a height of 155 feet and a maximum speed of 70 mph.

Although I have only ridden once, I had a fantastic time on this attraction! I waited about 40 minutes, and the ride was well worth the wait. It is not a long ride, but it is so thrilling that your heart will be racing for a long time afterwards. If you have the opportunity to ride this coaster, take advantage!

• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure 

Hagrid’s is the second newest attraction in Universal Orlando, and like the VelociCoaster, is also a thrilling roller coaster ride. Guests are able to join Hagrid on his magical motorbike and fly deep into the Forbidden Forest on a ride that “plunges into the paths of some of the wizarding world’s rarest magical creatures.”

This coaster is ground breaking, for several reasons. First, there are animated versions of Hagrid himself, as well as so many life-size creatures throughout the ride. The coaster also travels backwards (still at high speeds) and even features a drop onto a lower track. The line, however, can get to be very long (even upwards of 5 hours!) so I would advise either going early in the morning or later in the evening.

• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade

There is just so much to do in Hogsmeade that I thought I would make it one attraction. There are so many fun shops to check out, shows (such as Hogwarts Frog Choir and the Durmstrang students), and attractions. My favorite shop is definitely Honeydukes, where guests can buy all sorts of wizarding candy such as lemon drops, peppermint toads, fizzing whizz-bees, and the famous chocolate frogs.

The two attractions here (apart from Hagrid’s) are also spectacular. Flight of the Hippogriff is a short, but still fun, coaster that sits right across from the Hogwarts castle, where guests can learn how to train and fly on Buckbeak himself. Secondly, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey takes place in the Hogwarts castle itself, allowing guests to explore famous spots in the queue, and take a soaring adventure with the original trio themselves – Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

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In conclusion … there are so many fun theme parks to visit and activities to do when in Orlando, it all just comes down to what your group prefers and what works the best for your party. Both Disney World and Universal Orlando have so much to offer – and the price points for tickets and skip-the-line passes are comparable. I enjoy both parks a lot, but usually end up spending more time in Disney World (simply because it is bigger).

Thanks for following along with the Disney Den this past year, and I hope that you were able to learn something fun from any of my blog posts! Like Mickey Mouse says, see ya real soon!

 

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Welcome back readers to part two of “How to Slay Epcot’s World Showcase!” In today’s post, we will be covering the second half of the countries around the lake! By the end of this article, I hope that you will be well equipped with all the tools you need to make your time at Epcot worthwhile, and enjoy what the World Showcase has to offer!

Map of the World Showcase

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During part one of this post, we traveled through the countries of Mexico, all the way through the American Adventure to discuss the best food, rides, picture spots, entertainment, and shoppings spots. Today, we’ll pick up right where we left off: the Japan Pavilion!

 

Japan

The Japan Pavilion in Epcot certainly offers some of the most breathtaking scenery (including plants, gardens, and architecture alike), food options, and merchandise stores! Although there are no official rides or attractions in this Pavilion, it makes up for it easily with places to eat, drink, and shop. The first option for food is the Kabuki Café food kiosk, offering Japanese snacks such as edamame, kakigōri, and Japanese shaved ice. The quick-service restaurant, Katsura Grill, serves everything you could dream of: sushi, ramen, teriyaki chicken, Japanese style curry, and so much more!

The different table service restaurants here are top-tier. Firstly, there is Teppan Edo, a traditional Japanese steakhouse that offers plenty of options and fun entertainment provided by hibachi chefs. Secondly, Tokyo Dining offers an impressive sushi selection and views of the Epoct’s World Showcase Lagoon. Lastly, and certainly not least, there is Takumi-Tei, which is arguably the best restaurant in Epcot and one of the nicest on Disney World property. This restaurant hosts a peaceful setting, a multi-course menu, and elevated dishes that make this dining experience unlike any other.

In terms of shopping, the Japan Pavilion hosts one large shop: the Mitsukoshi Department Store, which contains a wide array of items, from Pokemon plushies and anime-themed socks to authentic kimonos and Japanese food and sweets.

Personally, I have never dined at the restaurants in the Japan pavilion, but the Mitsukoshi store is always a must-do when visiting the park, simply due to how wide the selection is! Even though I don’t usually buy much, it is so fun to browse all of the Japanese items.

 

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Morocco

The Morocco Pavilion is under the guidance of the Morocco Tourism Board and the Moroccan Embassy, and was designed and built by some of the Kind of Morocco’s own artisans, making it the most immersive and authentic of the pavilions. Although there aren’t any rides or entertainment options, the architecture and artwork that are embedded into the Pavilion are absolutely breathtaking – making wandering through the Pavilion and taking time to admire the different shops, restaurants, and scenery the best way to truly enjoy it.

The snack stand, Oasis Sweets and Sips, is the perfect place to snag a quick beverage or Moroccan dessert. Spice Road Table is a waterfront lounge with Mediterranean-inspired small plates, a sizable drink menu, and beautiful views of Epcot’s World Showcase Lagoon and the Epcot fireworks shows. The quick-service Tangierine Café serves fresh Mediterranean dishes like shawarma and tabouleh. Finally, Restaurant Marrakesh, hidden in the back of the pavilion, hosts not just beautiful setting, but also a delicious and authentically Moroccan meal.

Since the pavilion is designed to resemble a Moroccan marketplace, the shopping options are spread throughout, and seem to blend together. Throughout the pavilion you can find stores selling woven baskets, sheepskin wallets, beautiful Moroccan housewares, stacks of carpets, lamps, fez hats, colorful ceramics, and jewelry.

Although my time in the Moroccan Pavilion has been limited, I have enjoyed so much of their food from the quick-service locations, and have to say that it is definitely a must-try, especially as someone who lives in an area without much Mediterranean cuisine!

 

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France

The France Pavilion is probably one of the most popular World Showcase Pavilions at the moment, since it boasts delicious food options, plenty of shopping spots, and the new ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. It was designed to resemble a picturesque Parisienne neighborhood with the Eiffel Tower in the background. Some of the most fun attractions here are the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along and the 4D attraction Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (taking guests through Gusteau’s restaurant with a mouse-eye-view).

Apart from attractions, France also offers many dining options. Les Vins des Chefs de France sells an assortment of wine for guests to enjoy, and La Crêperie de Paris serves light and flaky crêpes stuffed with tasty fillings. Chefs de France is one of the table service restaurants, which serves French classics such as Ratatouille and Boeuf Bourguignon. Monsieur Paul serves exceptional French cuisine with a modern twist, and there’s even a dress code! For those craving ice cream, check out L’Artisan des Glaces, and for those who are looking for an authentic French grab and go lunch (and some delicious French pastries and breads), try Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie. For shopping, France offers Les Vins de France for wine by the glass and bottle, Plume et Palette for fragrance and fashion, high-end cosmetics at La Signature, and signature Paris and Disney souvenirs at Souvenirs de France.

When I visit the France pavilion, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is always a must-do; however, the line gets long quickly, so I recommend going either early in the morning or later at night. I also highly recommend trying a crêpe, anything from Les Halles, and some ice cream on a hot day! Based on my experience, you can never go wrong with any of the food from the France Pavilion.

 

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United Kingdom

The United Kingdom Pavilion at Epcot hosts charming English gardens, a pastoral cottage, and even traditional phone booths! It is designed to resemble a quaint village, making it adorable and fun to visit. Although the United Kingdom pavilion does not have any rides, there are opportunities to meet characters such as Alice in Wonderland, Mary Poppins, and Winnie the Pooh! The fun food options include: Yorkshire County Fish Shop (a quick-service kiosk that offers tasty Fish and Chips) and the Rose and Crown Dining Room (a table service location that serves British pub-fare and is an excellent location to watch the Epcot fireworks).

In terms of shopping, there are many great options, making exploring this pavilion an absolute must-do! The Tea Caddy offers everything you need to make a delicious cup of tea, The Queen’s Table sells beautiful table settings and other kitchen-ware, and Lords and Ladies hosts a plethora of perfumes and handmade soaps. Lastly, The Toy Soldier sells everything pop-culture in England, from the Beatles to Doctor Who!

Although I have not tried any of the food options in the UK pavilion, I always love to check out the stores. There are so many adorable Winnie the Pooh merchandise options, and I usually always leave the pavilion with something new!

 

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Canada

Last, but certainly not least, is the Canada Pavilion! Although Canada does not have any rides or attractions, the Pavilion itself is gorgeous and certainly worth exploring. At the back of the Pavilion is a wondrous waterfall, as well as beautiful buildings, a river, bridges, and gardens. Canada does not have a lot of food options, but the ones they have are absolutely delicious! The Popcorn Cart serves Maple Popcorn, a fan favorite for Epcot guests, and Le Cellier Steakhouse serves authentic Canadian cuisine such as Cheddar Cheese Soup and buttery Filet Mignon.

Canada only has two shops: Northwest Mercantile and the Trading Post. Northwest Mercantile has NHL apparel, lumberjack shirts, and all things Canada and maple syrup, while the Trading Posts sells hand-carved wooden gifts (and even more maple syrup!).

Whenever I visit the Canada pavilion, I always explore the back part that is hidden if you are just walking by, since, in my opinion, that is the most beautiful part! I love to walk past the waterfall and feel the cool spray as I walk on the bridge over the clear river. During the Epcot festivals, the Canada Pavilion is my favorite place to grab something to eat, specifically the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup, which in my opinion, is a must-try!

 

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And that’s a wrap! Thanks for journeying with me as to explore the entire Epcot World Showcase, from the Mexico Pavilion all the way to the Canada Pavilion! I hope you were able to learn something fun about the Epcot World Showcase, and that next time you are in Epcot, you get to try the best food, entertainment, and shopping options from every pavilion!

 

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Welcome back to the Disney Den! Today’s post is diving straight into the one and only Disney property where you can literally “eat around the world” – Epcot’s World Showcase! There are many countries across the showcase, with lots of options for food, rides/attractions, shopping, merchandise, and entertainment offerings, and so much more! By the end of this article (well, the end of the second part of it), however, instead of being overwhelmed on your next visit to Epcot, you will most definitely be able to slay the World Showcase!

Map of the Showcase

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While there are many great debates about which side of the showcase is acceptable to start/finish with, where I start usually just depends on whether I want to ride the Three Caballeros ride in Mexico, or whether I want to take the Skyliner back to the hotel (and therefore head towards Canada). For the sake of this article, let’s start with Mexico!

Mexico

The Mexico Pavillion is adorned with a breathtaking Mesoamerican pyramid towering above the showcase. Inside the pyramid, however, is where the real action is: it sets the scene of a small Mexican pueblo (village) on the water, with La Cava De Tequila, an entire indoor market, and the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros! Don’t miss the spectacular Mariachi Band that performs multiple times each day right outside the pyramid, singing Coco classics as well as Mexican favorites!

In my opinion, the Mexico Pavillion is for those who are in need of a break from the hot sun (the pyramid does have AC!), for those who want to try some tequila and/or margaritas, as well as for those who want to ride an entertaining attraction that rarely has a wait time (cue the Three Caballeros!). The outside of the pyramid itself is also fantastic for picture taking, and the inside market is where I “adopted” my very own Doñaldo of the Three Caballeros.

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Norway

Norway is an adorable pavilion, filled with cute cottage-like houses and buildings, a meet and greet with Anna and Elsa of Frozen, a Norwegian bakery, Norse gods, viking emblems and props, and the attraction Frozen Ever After. Although the Norway Pavillion is not exactly a hang out spot, it spawns enormous popularity due to Frozen Ever After. There is a cute store to shop at at the end of the ride that supplies coats and other authentic Norwegian clothing for the cold days (though you don’t need to ride the attraction to access the store), however the main attraction is still Frozen Ever After!

My advice when visiting this pavilion is to visit the bakery – Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe– for some delicious custard-filled School Bread, Eplekake, Kringla, or a Troll’s horn! Although I like Frozen Ever After, it is definitely a bit overrated, a very short attraction (especially for such a long wait), and always filled to the brim with crowds (since it is a newer ride and everyone loves Frozen). If you are planning to ride, my best advice is to either secure a Lightening Lane Pass, or to go during the down times (right at park opening, during fireworks, right at park closing, etc.).

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China

Although the China Pavillion does not have any attractions, it does have so many fun merchandise and dining opportunities that guests should take advantage of! The Pavillion itself is gorgeous – adorned with gardens, a river, and a beautiful pavilion (which are all incredibly picture-worthy!). Lotus Blossom Cafe is the best for quick-service food, which offers standard Chinese takeout options, and Joy of Tea serves all sorts of standard drinks and cocktails, as well as a wide array of bubble teas!

My best recommendation for those visiting is to check out the lengthy and varied House of Good Fortune shop, filled with all sorts of traditional Chinese foods, toys, goodies, clothes, plushes, Good Fortune Cats, and so much more! It’s so fun to just wander around the pavilion for pictures and to check out the merch, even if you don’t plan on purchasing anything.

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Germany

Although Germany does not have rides inside the pavilion itself, it is full of adorable shopping and dining options that are impossible to miss! There are many carts around the pavilion that sell different types of German beers, as well as giant Bavarian pretzels that are delicious – and bigger than your face! Germany contains a mini train village which is usually decorated for whatever festival Epcot is celebrating, and if you time the visit right you get to see the Glockenspiel mark the hour!

My best recommendations for this pavilion is to check out all of the stores: Karamell-Küche (which sells delicious Werther’s caramel creations such as caramel apples, truffles, chocolates, and the famous caramel popcorn), Die Weihnachts Ecke (the German Christmas shop that’s open year-round), Stein Haus and Kunstarbeit in Kristall (for beer steins and delicate jewelry/crystals), and Der Teddybar (full of German teddybears and other traditional toys).

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Italy

The Italy Pavilion, like Germany, is well known for its fantastic food, stunning architecture, and captivating shopping experiences. While much of the Pavilion is designed to resemble Venice (with St. Mark’s Square, the Campanile bell tower, Doge’s Palace) there are nods to other Italian cities as well (the Neptune Fountain resembling Rome’s Trevi Fountain). In Italy, Tutto Italia Ristorante is a relaxing spot for linch and dinner, while Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria transports guests straight to Naples with their pizzas!

My favorite things to do in this pavilion are to grab a delicious gelato at the Gelati stand, and explore the shops! Il Bel Cristallo is full of beautiful (imported) Italian goods such as Murano glass, silk scarves, jewelry, and more, while La Gemma Elegante hosts perfumes and designer handbags. Across the square, La Bottega Italiana is full of Italian cookware, food items, and a plethora of Italian wine.

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The American Adventure

Commonly known as the “halfway mark” of Epcot’s World Showcase, the American Adventure Pavillion is home to a couple stage shows, as well as lots of delicious food! The American Adventure is a 30-minute long show complete with audio-animatronics which highlight moments from the country’s past, while the Voices of Liberty consists of a troupe of performers who sing harmonies that celebrate the American experience. For food offerings, the pavilion hosts Regal Eagle Smokehouse, which serves regional BBQ favorites, while the Funnel Cake stand serves all sorts of funnel cakes (usually with a seasonal rotating flavor).

To be completely honest, I don’t usually spend too much time in the American Adventure Pavillion (mainly just because I already live the “american experience” daily). It is certainly a fun place to explore American history and eat BBQ dishes, but the only thing I usually do is stop inside the main building to see what the museum exhibit is at the time (the exhibits are always rotating as well!).

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In conclusion … that’s the end for now! We’ve officially reached the halfway mark of Epcot’s World Showcase. I hope you were able to learn something fun about the food, entertainment, and shopping options available at each location, and be sure to look out for part two, where we explore the second half of Epcot’s World Showcase in depth!

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Welcome back to the most magical blog on Earth! Today we’ll be diving deep into a topic that isn’t as often explored when discussing Walt Disney World: the events that occur after park closing! This includes holidays spectaculars such as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Today I’m going to cover all the basics: what these events are, the benefits of attending, and on how to make the most out of your night at Disney if you decide to attend! So without further ado, let’s dive right in to these “not-so-secret” Disney World parties!

 

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

This after hours event is a seasonal ticketed event that takes place after park closing in Disney World to celebrate- you guessed it- Halloween! Like the other after hours events, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party requires a separate ticket to enter the park, and is exclusively hosted in Magic Kingdom. Guests are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes (bonus points if they’re Disney themed!), and can even meet their favorite Disney characters- who are also dressed uo for Halloween. There are many parts that make this magical event shine, including food, trick-or-treating, a parade, fireworks, and a Hocus Pocus themed show!

Trick-or-Treating

Trick-or-Treating is offered at many stations throughout Magic Kingdom, usually illuminated by a blow up candy corn icon. At each location, guests of all age are allowed to splurge their sweet-tooth by going through the trick-or-treating pathway at each location (or waiting in line on busy nights) and then receiving some holiday cheer from Cast Members at the end. When I attended the party back in 2019, we found that there were different candy offerings at each trick-or-treating station, making it worthwhile to travel throughout the park. We received gold coins near Pirates of the Caribbean, and delicious applesauce squeezers in front of the Carousel of Progress in Tomorrowland!

Apart from Trick-or-Treating sweets, there are deliciously spooky food offerings that can be found throughout the park- just in time for Halloween! Most of these are exclusive to the Halloween Party (meaning you can only get them at the event), and change from year to year; so, if you want to know what special food is being offered if/when you attend the Halloween Party, I would recommend checking the My Disney Experience app or asking a Cast Member!

Boo-to-You Parade

The Boo-to-You Parade occurs twice every evening of the party, and features all of the favorite Disney characters (dressed up in their favorite Halloween costumes!). Typically the shows occur at 9:15 and 11:15 pm, and wind through the “normal” Magic Kingdom parade route- wrapping through Frontierland, Liberty Square, and finishing by walking up Main Street. Although the entire parade is impressive, the show-stopper is certainly the Headless Horseman who leads the parade!

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Ride Overlays

The most popular ride overlays for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party are Pirates of The Caribbean and Space Mountain. While Pirates of the Caribbean hosts live pirates each night of the party to interact with guests throughout the ride, Space Mountain turns all of its lights completely off for a spooky ride. I was able to ride both overlays when I went to the Halloween Party, and I will say that Pirates with so much more fun with live pirates throughout the ride, and Space Mountain was a lot more frightening completely blacked out!

Mickey’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular

This fireworks show has to truly be the most spectacular one I have ever seen (and I am not saying that lightly!). This 15-minute feature showcases projections on Cinderella’s Castle, breathtaking fireworks, and even appearances from Jack Skellington himself! The projections on the castle range from candy, to dancing skeletons, and even feature a Halloween story with the Fab 5 (Mickey, Donald, Daisy, Mini, and Goofy- and Pluto of course)! The fact that Disney was able to pull off so many special effects to create an amazing show- and tell a separate story within that show- makes this a truly must-see fireworks spectacular.

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Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular

Even though I only got to see half of the show (they had to cut it short due to incoming weather), I loved it! This show features catchy songs, favorite Disney villains, and of course, the Sanderson Sisters! The song and dance numbers combined with hilarious acting from the Sanderson Sisters make the Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular an amazing and worthwhile show to watch.

 

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

This after hours event takes place in the weeks right after the Halloween Party ends, usually from the beginning of November to the start of January. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is very similar to the Halloween Party in what it offers, although it centers around a completely different holiday. Though I’ve never been able to attend this party myself, it is definitely something that I would love to try in the future!

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show

This fireworks show is usually only shown once per night, around 10pm. Similar to the Halloween show, this show features both dazzling fireworks and projections onto Cinderella Castle! Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show stars Minnie herself, hence the name, as she shares what she loves about the holiday season, and features classic holiday songs such as “Carol of the Bells” and “Deck the Halls”.

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Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

This parade, similar to the Halloween counterpart, is shown twice an evening, at 8:30 and 11pm. Similar to the Halloween parade, this parade is completely themed to the Christmas holiday season, featuring toy soldiers, reindeer, a plethora of candy, fan-favorite characters dressed in their best holiday fits, and even candy-girl baton twirlers. The grand finale to finish the parade is, of course, Santa Claus.

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration

This show is a stage show that is performed in front of Cinderella Castle and occurs several times per night- 7:40pm, 9:25pm, 10:35pm, and 11:55pm, usually. This show features favorite Disney characters (such as Minnie and Mickey), dancing reindeer, as well as two soloists who perform holiday carols. As each carol changes, so does the plot, as the show contains “mini stories” within each carol; however, there is no overarching plot, the point of this show is to experience Christmas carol classics performed by Disney characters.

Cookies and Cocoa

Similar to the trick-or-treating that occurs during the Halloween Party, there are numerous station set up throughout Magic Kingdom that tell guests where they can get complimentary holiday cookies and beverages. These stations are marked by blow-up candy-cane patterned beacons, and guests can walk through (or wait in line if it is busy) to get their holiday treats. Depending on what station guests visit, they can be treated to either eggnog, apple cider, or hot cocoa. The cookie flavors vary by location as well, featuring sugar cookies, snickerdoodle, gingerbread, buttercream-frosted gingerbread cookies, and chocolate chip cookies.

Like the Halloween Party, the Christmas Party also features unique treats that can only be purchased during event hours; however, since they rotate and are updated from year to year, the best place to find what treats are offered is through the My Disney Experience app or by asking a Cast Member.

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Ride Overlays

There are actually more ride overlays for the Christmas Party than the Halloween Party! Tomorrowland Speedway becomes adorned in fun holiday-themed lights every evening, Space Mountain features flashing holiday lights and snazzy Christmas Carols, Mad Tea Party also features holiday lights and fun Christmas tunes, and Jungle Cruise becomes “Jingle Cruise” for the season- adorned with festive decorations throughout the ride and holiday-themed jokes from all of the Skippers!

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In Conclusion … the holidays seasons at Walt Disney World are a ton of fun! Although tickets can be pricey (ranging from $100-$200 depending on the night), each night of the parties is full of opportunities for exclusive shows, parades, firework spectaculars, ride overlays, and free food! Even though the events technically start at 7pm, guests with tickets can enter at 4; my best advice is to get there as early as possible and enjoy everything that you want to from the party (and everything that you can!). Since these events permit a small amount of people (compared to everyday crowds) into the park, it is the perfect time to take advantage of the short lines (especially with the more popular attractions) and ride as many rides as possible. No matter what you end up doing with your night, however, you are sure to have fun, and celebrate the holiday spirit at Disney World.

 

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Welcome back everyone! In this post, it is time to explore something outside the parks that is just as engaging and fun: Disney Springs! Disney Springs is an outdoor shopping center, full of Disney-themed stores and stores with featured Disney items (only in Orlando!) alike. It is often overlooked and ignored by guests visiting Disney World, simply because it is not one of the parks, and exploring an outdoor shopping area isn’t always the most popular with families who need to entertain their small children.

After visiting Disney Springs myself, however, I will argue that it is one of the best activities for those who want a break from the parks, who are tired of waiting in lines all day, who want to spend less money than you would for a park ticket, who want to explore more of Orlando, who want to find a fun souvenir, and so much more! There is just so much to Disney Springs that makes it such a unique and engaging experience, and I plan to give an overview of all that it offers in this post!

 

Dining

There are a plethora of restaurants that adorn the strip of establishments throughout Disney Springs. Although I’ve only dined at a few, there are so many wonderful options for almost every type of cuisine.

According to Disney Food Blog, the top four table-service restaurants in Disney Springs are: Morimoto Asia, Raglan Road, The Boathouse, and Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’.

 

Morimoto Asia

This beautiful table-service restaurant features food across pan-Asian cultures (Chinese, Japanese, and Korean options), including fan favorites such as: dim-sum small plates, meat plates, noodle bowls, Japanese Wagyu Beef, and so much more! If you don’t want to sit down, you can also order food from the “Morimoto Asia Street Food” counter for even more options. The few cons of this restaurant, however, are that it is not for kids or picky people and it is expensive. I have never dined here myself, but it is definitely on my bucket list!

 

Raglan Road

This is the perfect place to go if you’re in search of an upbeat and authentic Irish pub experience. It features live Irish music and dancing (only on select dates), as well as a wide array of Irish food, such as fish and chips, bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, bread pudding, and so much more! Even some of the furniture and decorations that adorn the inside of the restaurant are authentically Irish – imported from Ireland to the restaurant itself! Although the food is delicious, the only con is that it can get loud (so only go if you’re looking for that loud and lively atmosphere). I also have never dined at Raglan Road, however, I have been able to experience some of the live performances, and they were spectacular!

 

The Boathouse

This establishment is by far the go-to place for seafood in Disney Springs. Some of their many food options include: fish tacos, market fresh fish, Maine lobster tail, shrimp and andouille mac and cheese, and delicious key lime pie! The Boathouse also features amphicar water cruisers (cars that can also function as boats) which guests can take on a 20-minute guided tour of the lake (for an extra fee of course!).

I have been able to dine here a couple of times, and would definitely recommend it. Although expensive, the portions are large and delicious. I would recommend trying to eat outside on the patio area, since it is quieter than the inside seating and right on the lake (with an absolutely beautiful view).

 

Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’

This restaurant features Southern cuisine that is inspired by local Florida wildlife and agriculture. They serve lunch and dinner all week long, and add on a delicious Southern brunch on the weekends! Some of the fan-favorite dishes featured here are: Chef Art’s famous fried chicken, thigh-high chicken biscuits, cuban sandwich, and hummingbird cake!

I was able to dine here for brunch a few years back, and it was absolutely delicious. Apart from what we ordered, we were given complementary grits and hummingbird cake (both were delicious!). The only cons are that some of the food can be expensive, so be careful what you order, and it is hard to find a reservation, so make sure to plan early. Despite those cons, however, you will never leave Homecomin’ hungry or unsatisfied!

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If you’re not in the mood to sit down for a long meal at Disney Springs, there are wonderful counter-service options to choose from as well! Some of the fan favorite restaurants are: The Polite Pig, Earl of Sandwich, Chicken Guy, and D-Luxe Burger. Click on those links to check out their menus and learn more about each location!

 

Shopping

Almost everything in that is not dining in Disney Springs is shopping, and there are so many options to choose from! Guests can chose to shop at Disney-affiliated stores such as: The Art of Disney, DisneyStyle, The Marketplace Co-op (featuring a Disney tech accessories store, a Disney pet store, a Disney houseware store, and multiple Disney apparel stores- all in one building!), Star Wars Trading Post, and Super Hero Headquarters (Marvel-inspired store).

Some of the featured non-Disney-affiliated stores are: Anthropologie, Coach, Fabletics, Free People, Kate Spade, Levi’s, Lilly Pulitzer, lululemon, M&Ms store, Sephora, Tommy Bahama, Zara, and Vera Bradley- all with their own featured Disney items, of course!

If you’re looking to get delicious Disney candy, sweets and treats outside of the parks, be sure to check out Disney’s Candy Cauldron, and Goofy’s Candy Company!

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Must-do Activities

Apart from the beloved dining and shopping experiences scattered throughout Disney Springs, there are definitely a couple must-do activities and shops to visit!

 

Gideon’s Bakehouse

Gideon’s Bakehouse is a coveted, gothic-themed bakeshop located in the heart of Disney Springs. There are often long lines to get in, which are moderated through an online-line system, meaning that some people wait many hours to taste their precious cookies! My sister and I once waited in the mobile line for about 2-3 hours, and went to grab dinner while we waited for our turn. My best recommendation is to go early- in the middle of the day and during the week- for the shortest waits. The last time I went, I did just that and probably only waited 10 or so minutes to get inside.

The cookies at Gideon’s are 1/2 a pound, and are absolutely delicious! They are fun to try at least once, and if not the cookies, then try the cake or cold brew (I love the cold brew). Although a bit expensive (cookies are $6 each), it is worth to try it at least once!

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World of Disney

World of Disney is the premiere stop for Disney merchandise in Disney Springs. It is probably the largest store in the area, complete with a plethora of different sections dedicated to different themed merchandise. Although it can become overcrowded and overwhelming at times, it is the best place to go if you want to see all of the current Disney merchandise in one spot (give or take a few items that are only sold in the parks).

Amorette’s Patisserie

Amorette’s is a wonderful and small bakeshop located directly next to World of Disney. They sell a limited number of French baked goods, ranging from eclairs, to creme brûlée, and so much more! Although delicious, the pastries sold here are on the expensive side, so whenever I visit my family usually only buys a few to snack on throughout our vacation. On the plus side, the treats are almost all Disney-themed (like the Mickey mousse!), and they even feature specialized Disney cakes for releases of new movies and TV shows! You can even order cakes from here to be delivered to your hotel room for a birthday (or other celebratory) surprise.

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Although there are so many things to do at Disney Springs, this is a list of all the most coveted and beloved activities, shops, and dining locations. I always encourage Disney World guests to visit Disney Springs, even if it is just for an hour or two, just so they can explore what it has to offer and experience the ambiance and live entertainment! Thanks for sticking around, and see you all next time 🙂

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Welcome back everyone, and Happy New Year! It’s so exciting to be able to continue to share my Disney experience and knowledge with you all for another semester, and I cannot wait to see what topics we can dive into in the next couple of months.

To start the year off strong, I decided to focus on the most underrated parts and activities of Disney World. While the majority of my blog posts in the past have focused on the most central, popular, and new parts of the parks, there is so much more to do that is just as amazing- or even better- than the main attractions!

So without further ado, here are my most favorite underrated Disney World attractions (in no particular order):

1. Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover – Magic Kingdom

Lovingly nicknamed the PeopleMover, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is the perfect ride to catch the sun setting across Magic Kingdom, give your feet a break from the miles upon miles of walking, or just to get a more aerial view of the park. The PeopleMover essentially is an omnimover attraction (a Disney term!), meaning that the ride never stops- except for emergencies, maintenance, etc.- so guests board the moving vehicle. The PeopleMover is located in Tomorrowland, as the name suggests, and actually brings guests into the buildings of the Buzz Lightyear Space-Ranger Spin attraction, the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor attraction, and actually lets guests view Space Mountain from the inside. Apart from being able to glimpse into these Tomorrowland attractions, the PeopleMover also showcases Walt Disney’s original prototype for what would later become Epcot; at the time he called his town the “City of Progress”.

Although the PeopleMover is not the most exciting ride, it is a Disney World Classic. It is always a must-do attraction whenever I visit, as it is always a good way to rest my tired legs and experience a beautiful view of the Magic Kingdom Park. If you want to get a glimpse into the ride itself, click here to watch a video of it straight from Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

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2. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress – Magic Kingdom

This 20-minute show is revolutionary, for a couple of key reasons. Firstly, the theater itself revolves, meaning that the seating area rotates around the stage as the show progresses, so that the audience can view each scene; however, the stage stays put. Secondly, the show is performed entirely by animatronics: a family that lives through the progress of the 19th century- all the way from ice boxes to video games on a flatscreen TV. Thirdly, this show was designed by Walt Disney himself for the 1964/65 World’s Fair to show a new and unique style of show that illustrated progress through the years (one of Walt Disney’s favorite things). What makes it even more interesting is that the final “present day” scene of the show is actually updated every once and awhile: the clothes and dialogue change slightly, and sometimes even the appliances are updated. This all helps viewers reflect on how much things have changed over the years, and helps the ride to stay true to its original theme: progress.

It is very disappointing that many park-goers decide to skip the Carousel of Progress when visiting the parks. Personally, I believe this is because the ride is not as themed as the rest of the park: it almost blends in to the rest of Tomorrowland, so some guests might not even realize that it is a ride, or that it is there at all. Secondly, it is also tucked away into the back of Tomorrowland, out of the more popular and foot-trafficked areas of the Magic Kingdom park. Lastly, most parties turn away from the fact that the show is 20 minutes long; even though it is a great opportunity for a break from walking and to enjoy the AC, most families with children are worried about being able to control their children in such a show, while older guests might avoid it to spend time waiting for the thrill rides instead. Whatever the reason, park-goers are certainly missing out when deciding to skip this attraction. The impressive animatronics and rotating seats, captivating scenes and themes, as well as catchy soundtrack, are certain to ensure that you and your party have a “great big beautiful tomorrow”. (To watch the amazing-tech in action, click here!)

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3. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room – Magic Kingdom

Honestly, I’m not sure how underrated the Enchanted Tiki Room is, however, I know that many people skip the show in order to wait for the more mainstream, thrilling attractions. This attraction is actually one of the “Opening Day Attractions,” meaning that it was one of the only attractions that still stands in Magic Kingdom today that opened with the park in 1971. It is also one of the few attractions in Walt Disney World to have been designed by Walt Disney himself, though his original idea was to have a themed restaurant with live birds. Once that idea was vetoed, however, it was decided that instead there would be a musical show where the entire room comes alive to entertain the guests. Now, the Enchanted Tiki Room sports over 225 animatronics: ranging from the birds, to the plans, and even the tiki faces in the building’s columns.

This 15-minute show flies by (literally) before you know it, and it is always a hit with a younger and older crowd alike. Personally, I love the history behind this ride, and always enjoy seeing the whole room come to life with song. The songs are extremely catchy as well, which makes the Tiki Room and even more memorable experience.

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4. Living With the Land – Epcot

Living with the Land is an incredibly underrated attraction, and it is hidden away inside the same Epcot pavilion where Soarin’ resides. This is another relaxing attraction, and is actually a boat ride that takes guests through the Disney World greenhouses- letting guests get a sneak peak into all of the fruits and vegetables that are grown right on Disney property. A fun fact about this attraction is that the restaurant above the attraction (Garden Grill) gets all of their fruits, vegetables, and other produce from these gardens, and uses them in a variety of the dishes throughout the restaurants menu.

This attraction is always a great way to take a break during a busy day at Epcot, and I always enjoy getting the behind-the-scenes tour of all of the amazing produce that is grown in Epcot everyday.

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5. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros – Epcot

The Gran Fiesta Tour is honestly one of my all-time favorite attractions throughout Walt Disney World. Though it is a mellow boat-ride attraction, it gives guests a small glimpse into Mexico and Mexican culture, while introducing guests to a special performance by the Caballeros themselves (including Donald Duck of course) at the end for “the big finale”. Like most other attractions on this list, this ride has an upbeat, catchy song that will be sure to stick in your head for the rest of the day. It is fun, easy to follow, and is another great way to take a break from walking all day.

Whenever I visit Epcot, I make sure to visit this attraction at least once (along with Spaceship Earth, of course) so I can enjoy the vivid and detailed scenery, and sing along with the Caballeros at the end. Be careful: this ride almost never shows up on the “My Disney Experience” app since there is almost never a wait time- another reason why this ride is a definite must-do!

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6. Sea Base – Epcot

While not an official “ride,” the Sea Base in Epcot is a great way to take a break in the cool AC while experiencing something new and engaging. The Sea Base is actually a large aquarium in Epcot that also includes the “Turtle Talk with Crush” attraction and “The Seas with Nemo and Friends” attraction. There are many fun ocean animals to be spotted here, such as: sea turtles, reef fish, rays, sharks, dolphins, and more! The larger marine animals are on level two of the Sea Base to view, and there are many marine biologist Cast Members who are more than happy to introduce you to the animals, as well as answer any questions that you may have about the animals, or the Sea Base itself.

Epcot’s Sea Base is always fun to explore, especially when the weather is hot, the wait times are high, and you need something else to keep you and your group cool and engaged for a bit. It is fun to be able to see all of the animals that Epcot takes care of, and if you happen to be there around 10 am or 3:30 pm, you can see the Cast Members feed the fish!

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7. Star Tours: The Adventures Continue – Hollywood Studios

Last, but certainly not least on the list, is the Star Tours attraction over at Hollywood Studios. The reason why I added this attraction to the list was because since the creation of Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios- the entire land themed to Star Wars- this ride has become almost obsolete. Star Tours is often ignored nowadays simply because people chose to visit Galaxy’s Edge to experience the shopping, rides, characters, and food there instead (and I can’t blame them, Galaxy’s Edge is fantastic). As cool and new as Galaxy’s Edge is, however, I still completely believe that visiting Star Tours is a must-do when visiting Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. This is because the storyline in the ride is always different: the ride system contains all sorts of different storylines- which continue to update as more Star Wars movies and series are released- and are randomized to put together a story for each ride. This simply means that you most likely will never experience the same storyline twice; you could fight Darth Vader the first time, accompany the Mandalorian the second, train with Luke Skywalker the third, fight with Rey and Finn the fourth, so forth and so on- the opportunities are endless!

I particularly enjoy this ride for that reason- the fact that each ride will be different- and also the fact that it is always possible to be the rebel spy (something that doesn’t change with the randomization). Since it is less popular nowadays in the park, the wait time is usually shorter than many of the other rides in Hollywood Studios, making it even more appealing to give it a try!

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In conclusion… don’t be afraid to try some of the more underrated attractions across the Disney World theme parks! They usually have a shorter wait time compared to other attractions, are engaging and impressive, and will leave you with some new catchy songs! In my opinion, these rides are always worth riding, especially during the down time when your party is tired and needs a nice, cool break.

Thanks for reading, and see you all in the next blog post!

My sister and I in front of Cinderella’s Castle (Photo taken by author)

Congrats everyone on making it to the last post! After explaining almost every Disney World concept in the book, I wanted to take the last post to share a little bit about my own Disney vacation experiences, both the good and the bad. I hope if you learn or remember anything after reading this post, it’s that even me (a person who knows so much about how to plan Disney World vacations) has not ever had “the perfect vacation”. There will always be a point in which your vacation plan falls short, or something happens that doesn’t allow you to complete your step-by-step itinerary exactly as you had hoped. It is your response during obstacles like these, however, which determine how great your vacation is- not the fact that there was on obstacle in the first place!

February 2020 Trip

This trip was taken right before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. I had somehow convinced my parents to take a trip to Disney World for my “Sweet 16”, and so this was the first trip that we took to Disney World together since February 2016. Since this was my first Disney Trip where I was old enough to help with all of the planning, I took it as my civic duty to plan every Fastpass, dining reservation, and so much more for the trip. Something we did not expect to happen, however, was days before the trip I fell prey to one of the worst fevers I have ever had. Each day I suffered from something different, from a running nose one day, to endless coughing another, and loosing my voice on the third.

Although this did not prevent us from taking our trip, it did force us to modify a couple things so that I could get better. Firstly, we decided to cancel the majority of our meals out so that we could prioritize making food in our hotel room; secondly, we decided to sleep in instead of prioritizing rope drop; thirdly, we decided to limit our park time each day and be sure to space out our time with plenty of break times in between. In total, these breaks helped me to feel good enough so that I was able to enjoy every ounce of park time I had, and the Fastpass reservations helped to ensure that we were able to ride more attractions than we would have been able to otherwise.

My sister and I on the Disney Skyliner on my “Sweet 16th” birthday (Photo taken by author)

February 2021 Trip

During this trip, my family and I decided to splurge with an entire week of vacationing in Walt Disney World, instead of our past 3-4 day adventures. At that point we had joined Disney Vacation Club, so we were able to save more money on our hotel room, making it easier to stay for longer trips. Something we weren’t exactly expecting when traveling to Central-Florida, however, was visiting in the middle of a cold front. While the crowds were still dwindling as a result of 1) the winter months, and 2) the COVID 19 pandemic, in the winter months of Florida the temperature still usually lingers around the 60-70 degree mark. S0, when the “highs” for the day ended up being around 45 degrees while on vacation, my whole family was in shock.

Thankfully, we had packed enough warm clothes to last the week, and we even ended up buying hats, gloves, and even a winter coat, from the Disney World parks. Although the weather certainly did put a damper on our trip, we were still able to enjoy all the rides we wanted to with limited wait times, find time to enjoy our wonderful hotel room, and stay warm with what we brought and what we bought. Plus, it warmed up enough for the last couple of days that we were finally able to wear some of our warmer outfits!

My sister and I staying warm in Universal Studios Orlando (Photo taken by author)

June/July 2022 Trip

This trip was planned as the biggest graduation gift a person could receive! My parents were kind enough to let my sister and I take a (partly) solo trip down to Disney World as a celebration for graduating from high school. Since this was a special trip, I spent so long planning it (once again!), booking restaurant reservations, planning out which rides to ride and when, and even coming up with a strategy to booking Lightening-lane passes each day! It seems that karma struck when it was least expected, however, since I caught COVID 19 (for the first time!) right before the trip. Thankfully, I tested negative before flying; however, my symptoms of sickness persisted through almost the entire trip. I once again had a fever and everything that came with it: runny nose, scratchy throat, tiredness, you name it.

Thankfully, my sister and I had ordered groceries and had enough nutritious things to eat that we were able to eat foods that would help me to get better, as well as canceling the majority of dining reservations so that I would have more time to rest. Unfortunately, as soon as I was better, my sister got sick! Since I now had experience being the sick person, we essentially switched roles as I became the caretaker, telling her when to rest, setting up a medicine schedule, and making sure her temperature was low enough before going to the parks each day. It was certainly an eventful trip, but without our periods of rest and Lightening-lane strategies, it could have easily been a whole lot worse.

My sister and I after riding “Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind” in Epcot (Photo taken by author)

In conclusion…

It is always important to keep in mind that there is always a possibility that things could go wrong. No matter how much research you put into something, or how much time you spend planning your vacation, simple things like sickness or the weather can throw your plans completely off balance. The best thing to do when things aren’t exactly going your way is to remember that 1) you can still have a great time on vacation, and 2) you can always adapt to your new circumstances! In all three vacations that I just discussed, something did go wrong; however, I was still able to have amazing and memorable vacations since I adjusted my plan to the new circumstances, instead of getting frustrated and giving up. I am so glad that I was able to find ways around my obstacles, and hope that if you ever encounter obstacles on vacation, you adapt to your new situation instead of letting your challenges ruin everyone’s mood!

I hope you have enjoyed my Disney World blog, and with that being said…

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As discussed in the previous blog posts, traveling to Walt Disney World is a marathon. It takes many hours of research, planning, and coordination to plan your dream vacation in the most magical (and one of the most complicated vacation spots) on Earth. Since there is so much to do in Walt Disney World, and only a limited time to do it all, many guests either miss out on trying the activities they were looking forward too as a result of trying to do everything. Most of the time, every single activity in Walt Disney World is not built for all different shapes, sizes, and interests of the variety of visiting parties that vacation there each year. Today, I will provide you all with an up close and personal look at my list of dos and don’ts to have the best time during your vacation at Walt Disney World!

Do – make a daily itinerary

Making plans for each day, even if it is a loose outline of certain events, is extremely helpful on a Walt Disney World vacation. With so much to do each day, and so many time and money-saving shortcuts, there is a lot of strategic planning to figure out before you start your trip!

My best advice is to first decide which park you would like to visit each day, especially so you and your party are able to obtain a park-pass reservation for the park of your choosing for that day. Although some may argue otherwise, I personally don’t think it matters what parks you start and end your trip with; my only advice is to choose what works best for you. Based on my experience, Animal Kingdom and Epcot take the least time to enjoy, while Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom are more of a full-day adventure. When I plan my days, I usually like to start my day early with Animal Kingdom (to skip the large crowds and see the animals before it gets too hot), Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios (both to rope-drop popular rides). For Animal Kingdom, I usually plan to park-hop in the afternoon/evening to parks like Epcot or Magic Kingdom where they are open late and have many activities to do.

It takes a lot of work to come up with even a loose itinerary, but my best advice is to experiment when creating one and mess around with park-hopping, different parks, and when is the best time to take a mid-day break (if you decide to take one). My itineraries take awhile to come up with for each trip, but it always pays off!

 

Don’t – skip visiting Disney Springs!

Disney Springs is the local outdoor shopping center located within Disney property, and accessible from Disney busses at all of the resorts and parks. I didn’t actually visit Disney Springs f0r a couple years, since I never seemed to be able to find the time to go. After my first visit, however, I am sure to squeeze in a trip during every Disney World vacation.

Disney Springs is comprised of a plethora of commercial stores, restaurants, Disney shops, and so much more. The infamous “World of Disney” store is located here, as well as other fan favorites such as Sephora, various Marvel and Star Wars themed stores, Amorette’s Patisserie, and so much more! My biggest advice is to come here for either a sit-down meal, my favorite is lunch, and then spend some time to wander around and explore the shops. For me, visiting Disney Springs is a great activity to explore on the day you arrive in the afternoon/evening time, or when you have the time for a large mid-day break in between visiting parks (for me, this is usually after visiting Animal Kingdom early in the morning, and not planning to visit another park until later in the evening).

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Do – make dining reservations!

Dining is something that is highly coveted among Disney World park-goers. Even though the majority of sit-down restaurants have the option to join a walk-up waitlist, the waitlist can quickly fill up, and you can end up waiting hours for just to sit down for lunch! Guests can make dining reservations 90 days beforehand (for example: if you want to make a reservation for December 4, you can book it starting on September 4). My best advice is to find one or two sit-down restaurants in the parks, maybe explore an option at your resort or a new one, and lastly find a fun restaurant to try in Disney Springs.

Whenever I visit Walt Disney World, my family tends to order groceries and pack some lunches, try a couple mobile orders from quick-service locations, and maybe one or two sit-down meals. My best advice on this topic is to explore your options and consult your group, what works for my group might not work the best for yours!

 

Don’t – expect to do it all

This is a hard point to take in, especially since it costs so much to take a vacation to Disney World. There are so many options of activities to do, food to eat, rides to try, and so much more spread across all the Walt Disney World properties! There is so much to do, with so little time to do it, that it is virtually impossible to complete every single activity on your to-do list.

Whenever I visit and am unable to “do it all”, I remember all the things that I was able to do, and remember that there is always a next time (no matter how far in the future that “next time” may be). My advice: prioritize the top activities you want to try during vacation, plan ahead, and don’t stress if you aren’t able to do everything! It is a vacation after all, take some time to relax and enjoy it!

 

Do – make the most of those extra hours!

Each guest who stays at a Disney World resort are able to take advantage of early entry to the parks each day, and are able to stay late at certain parks on select evenings as a part of the “Extra Magic Hours” program. Arriving early (earlier than the beginning of the early entry period) allows you to get to the front of the line and ride many attractions before the general population of guests are allowed to enter and make the wait times longer and longer throughout the day.

The early entry program allows resort guests to enter the parks 30 minutes before their official opening, but Cast Members are known for letting resort guests in up to 45-60 minutes before park opening. I usually try to get to the park 45 minutes before opening, which after waiting in line to enter the park, allows my sister and I to ride 1-3 rides before the park officially opens (a deal for sure!).

Extra Magic Hours, however, are extremely varied. Disney schedules certain evenings each month where certain parks are open for a couple hours after their official closing time, but only for Disney World resort guests. During my last trip to Disney World, Magic Kingdom had Extra Magic Hours one night; my sister and I took advantage of these by visiting the park later in the evening after taking an afternoon break, and staying almost until midnight to ride attractions without much of a wait!

If you aren’t a Disney World resort guest, I advise you to arrive about 20-30 minutes before park-opening to participate in “rope-dropping”, which means waiting behind the actual rope Cast Members hold to prevent guests from entering the park until the minute the park opens: when all chaos breaks free. This is the best way to ride the most popular attractions without the longest wait each morning, and allows you to have a nice break mid-day while the lines are the longest. I also advise staying late, and especially riding attractions during the fireworks; that is how I have been able to beat the lines during even the busiest times!

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Don’t – forget to come prepared!

Making sure you are prepared to handle every Central-Florida circumstance is extremely important in Walt Disney World. You never know when it could start sporadically pouring, when a sudden heat wave could strike, or when you’re absolutely starving – but stuck in the middle of a two-hour line! While it is hard to prepare for every single situation, I have a couple of suggestions of what to pack in your park bag to make your days at Disney World a little less stressful.

Things to pack: a reusable water bottle (it’s important to stay hydrated in the heat!), a portable phone charger (you will be using your phone for everything: mobile ordering, wait times, show times, etc., it’s important to keep it charged), snacks that won’t melt (my favorites are applesauce pouches, bars, crackers/cookies, and trail mix), sunglasses/sunscreen/hats to protect against the sun, a rain jacket and/or umbrella, Minnie Ears (if you like to wear them in the parks), wallet/hotel card/magic-bands, and a light jacket if you are going out in the night-time or during a colder day.

 

Do – ride attractions at night!

Riding attractions at night is one of the best experiences I have had while visiting the parks for several reasons. Firstly, it is usually when the crowd levels in the parks start to die down, so you will usually see progressively shorter wait times for attractions as the night gets later. Secondly, in some parks you can see the fireworks while riding attractions at night (if you time it correctly!); this is a great opportunity to ride popular attractions with the lowest waits possible, while also experiencing a fireworks show from the ride! I personally love riding the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Magic Kingdom during the fireworks.

Thirdly, it is usually cooler at night; so if you are looking to take a break from the Florida sun, nighttime is the perfect time to visit the parks. The colorful lights that brighten certain monuments, attractions, and shops throughout the parks every night and beautiful as well, and perfect for pictures! Lastly, for Disney World Resort Hotel Guests, there are usually Extra Magic Hours at night on certain evenings in certain parks; this allows resort guests to ride all sorts of attractions with the minimum wait time during these nights, as only resort guests are allowed to attend these evening events.

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Don’t – forget to take breaks!

Last, but certainly not least, don’t forget to take breaks each day! It is extremely important to give yourself and your party a designated time to take a break from walking in the hot, central-Florida sun each day. My best suggestion is to hit the parks in the early mornings and later in the evenings if possible, and to give yourself a break mid-day when both the crowd levels and temperature in the parks are at their highest points. You can cool off in the resort pool, take a nap, take a shower, sit down to eat at a restaurant, etc.; I recommend doing whatever you would like to have a good time and enjoy your vacation while giving yourself and your group a good couple of hours to relax and recharge. This may seem counterintuitive since you are spending so much money to visit Walt Disney World to begin with, so you want to make every hour of vacation count, but trust me: your group, feet, body, and legs will all be thanking you for taking a break on those late nights running from attraction to attraction to squeeze in as many rides as possible!

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In conclusion … It is important to put in lots of preparation if you would like to have the smoothest Disney World vacation possible. Although reading about hotel rooms, food, rides, the different parks and events, money saving activities, and Disney dos and don’ts might feel like a waste of time, the hard work always pays off during vacation time! Overall, I hope that you were able to learn something that could help you during your next Disney World trip, and I cannot wait to share my Disney World experiences in my next post. Happy Halloween!

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With only 24 hours in a day, about 12 hours of parks being open each day, and hour long lines, it’s hard to decide which rides to enjoy and which to skip. In Disney World, time is money, and planning is necessary when deciding which rides to try out each day. Many different people and blogs have different favorite rides, and at the end of the day you and your party have to chose which rides work for everyone.

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom has the largest selection of rides and is overwhelming simply because of the number of options to choose from, so budgeting time is extremely important in this park. If you decide to purchase Genie+, it is important to use this tool smartly to reserve Lightening-Lane passes for the most popular rides each day. My personal recommendations are to secure a Jungle Cruise pass first, then one of the mountains (splash, thunder, or mine train), then choose the other “more popular” rides of your choice as the day progresses (Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan’s Flight, It’s a Small World, etc.).

My favorite thrill-rides in Magic Kingdom:

Splash Mountain (picture of the ride at the top of this post!)

Splash Mountain, which will soon be retimed to the movie “The Princess and the Frog”,  has always been one of my favorite rides at the park. This ride takes about 10 minutes in totality, and features a mix of indoor musical scenes with animatronics of the Br’er animals: especially Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Fox, and Br’er Bear. There are several small drops within the inside of the mountain in darkness, which culminate into the largest 49-foot drop at the end.

This is by far my most favorite ride in Magic Kingdom because it features so many different elements in one ride: music, characters, the classic “Splash Mountain smell”, and the thrilling drops. Even though I’m extremely nervous every time I ride, the anticipation before each drop makes this ride extremely thrilling and fun!

Space Mountain

Space Mountain, for me at least, is the scariest ride in all of Magic Kingdom. It is an “Opening Day Attraction”, meaning that it has been around Disney World since the beginning, and was a part of the attractions available since the opening day of the park (hence the name). Even though it is a mild roller-coaster ride with small vehicles (the rocket ride vehicles hold a maximum of 6 people), the entire ride is completely in darkness. This is the aspect that is most thrilling to me, and why I am always extremely nervous to ride. Overall, the ride itself is a mild roller-coaster perfect for people who have just started riding thrill rides, plus it’s a classic! Just be prepared for a thrilling space adventure through darkness.

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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Thunder Mountain is another classic “Opening Day Attraction” in Magic Kingdom, and an old-fashioned wooden roller-coaster. It is themed to a western mine, featuring mountain goats, geysers, and a trip inside the coal mine itself! It is a very fun coaster that usually sports high wait times, and can be a bit jerky due to it being a wooden roller-coaster. I really enjoy this ride, especially the theming, but it can be hard to wait in the hot Florida sun for long spans of time while waiting. If the line is long and you do not have a Lightening-Lane pass, I would recommend coming back at night to ride; plus, they have fun lights that make the landscape of the ride even more colorful after the sun sets!

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Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

This is the newest, and therefore the most popular ride with the longest wait times, in Magic Kingdom. It is a mild roller-coaster (perfect for people who have just started riding thrill rides!) located directly behind the Cinderella Castle, making it the best ride to be on to get a spectacular view of the nighttime fireworks! It is themed to the movie “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, and features a trip inside the mine, as well as Snow White’s Cabin. The tech used to create this ride is amazing, but unfortunately it is hard to wait for hours for this coaster in the Central-Florida sun.

My recommendation is to ride this coaster later at night closer to park close, since that is when the lines are the shortest. If you don’t mind missing the fireworks show, my favorite time to ride is during the fireworks. Although this requires a bit of strategic timing when it comes to when to get in line, the wait time is extremely low during this time, and the view of the fireworks on this ride is one of the most memorable Disney World experiences that I’ve had!

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My favorite chill rides at Magic Kingdom:

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates is a beloved “Opening Day Attraction”; it is an indoor boat ride which takes guests through some fun pirate scenes, featuring the infamous Jack Sparrow of course. Since this ride is what inspired the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie series (and not vice versa), it is fun to delve into the mind of Walt Disney and explore his creativity through the ride. I love paying Pirates a visit each time I visit the parks, and love it even more after watching the movies.

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise is an “Opening Day Attraction” as well, and is an outdoor boat ride that takes guests through jungles in different continents and countries across the world. It was started by Walt Disney as an informational tour, and a way to teach park guests about the wildlife, geography, and plants of different jungle regions. This quickly became boring for guests, however, and soon enough the Skippers (tour guides on each boat) started telling puns to keep the guests entertained. Today, most guests ride the Jungle Cruise to see just how punny their Skipper will be.

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Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion is, once again, an “Opening Day Attraction”. It came about because Walt Disney wanted to create a spooky haunted house in the park, but didn’t want it to be so creepy that it scared away the younger guests and children. So, the haunted house turned into a part spooky, part musical and fun, and part jokes. Like Pirates, Haunted Mansion is not based on any Disney movies, and therefore sports fun park-classic characters such as Madame Leota.

Peter Pan’s Flight 

Like most of the other Magic Kingdom rides here, Peter Pan’s Flight is an “Opening Day Attraction”, telling the classic story of, you guessed it, “Peter Pan”! Guests board a large flying ship (like the one in the movie!) and travel through the story of “Peter Pan”. The art and effects are incredible, considering that the attraction has not been significantly updated since it opened in 1971. Although it is a short ride that usually has a long wait time, it is definitely worth checking it out once or twice during your trip!

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Most underrated Magic Kingdom rides/attractions:

Carousel of Progress and Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room!

The Carousel of Progress first debuted during the New York World’s Fair in 1964, and was the first of its kind (created by Walt Disney himself!). It consists of four scenes, each from a different decade/time period, and the actors are all animatronics. The story follows the same family through the years as they tell the story of progress in technology and society. The theater is very interesting; this is because it moves. While the stage stays the same, the audience seating actually moves from scene to scene, like a wheel. Since the building is circular shaped, the inner circle of the stage stays the same while the outer circle rotates through each scene. Although it is a 20-minute show overall, and therefore will take a lot of time out of the day, it is honestly a fun show, and completely worth watching at least once in your life.

The Tiki Room is an incredibly fun 15-minute musical spectacular, where birds and plants come to life and sing to the guests! It is definitely incredibly underrated, since it is also a longer show that is hidden in between the big-ticket attractions. This attraction was also created directly by Walt Disney, and is definitely a fun show to go and watch!

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Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is the park with the most thrill rides, and is perfect for guests who want to emerge themselves into the worlds of Star Wars, Toy Story, or try out the Tower or Terror! This is definitely my favorite park for rides, but since it does not have as many rides as Magic Kingdom, the lines here get long fast. My best strategy (apart from using Lightening-Lane passes) is to go early in the morning, take a break midday, and then stay late at night.

Rise of the Resistance

Also known as ROTR, this ride opened in 2020 in “Galaxy’s Edge” (the Star Wars themed land in the park), and utilizes revolutionary technology, making it one of the most popular rides in Hollywood Studios, and Disney World in general. It uses wireless Bluetooth tech, where the ride vehicles use signals to communicate and determine the ride path, instead of being guided by a physical track. It is set in the “modern Star Wars universe”, following new and popular characters such as Rey, Finn, and BB8. Although the lines are always long for this attraction, it is completely worth it to try it at least once!

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Tower of Terror

Tower of Terror is the classic ride that everyone must try at Hollywood Studios. To be completely honest, I was completely scared of it and refused to ride until my mom coerced me to try it out during one of our vacations. Even though it still creeps me out every time, the drop sequence is always incredibly fun and thrilling, and I always recommend this ride to everyone who plans to visit the park. This ride is themed to the show “The Twilight Zone”, and features The Hollywood Tower Hotel, a fictional hotel in Hollywood that was abandoned after the elevator broke during a storm. The ride features a trip on the service elevators, and is a thrilling drop-style ride.

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Slinky Dog Dash

Slinky Dog Dash is a mild, but still fun, roller-coaster that is located in Toy Story Land. In this land, guests are toys in Andy’s Backyard, and get to ride on Slinky Dog for a ride on a toy roller-coaster set. This is also an incredibly popular attraction in Hollywood Studios, making the long waits in the hot sun almost completely unbearable. This attraction is always busy, however, it is worth riding at least once.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

This coaster is one of my favorites of all time at Walt Disney World. It is only 90 seconds long, and goes at speeds of up to 60 miles an hour! The coaster begins with a launch from zero to sixty miles an hour in three seconds, and is themed to guests in a stretch limo (the limo being the coaster’s ride vehicle) racing to get to an Aerosmith concert. A different Aerosmith track plays during each time riding, and it is so fun to sail around through the darkness each time. The wait times always vary for this coaster, but this is a ride that I just cannot miss while I’m there, and something that I recommend for everyone. Be careful, however, since this is a highly thrilling attraction and not a mild coaster.

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Most Underrated ride at Hollywood Studios:

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. This ride was the first Star Wars themed ride in Hollywood Studios, before the opening of Galaxy’s Edge. It is way less popular now for that reason, as even though it was revolutionary when it was released, it is “old” now compared to the newer Star Wars attractions. The ride, however, features tour from “Star Tours” through the galaxy with new scenes each time, stitching together different characters and timelines from across all of the movies. Since the wait is usually low anyways, this is a great attraction to check out during downtime!

 

Epcot

Epcot is mostly focused on food, shows, and festivals, like was discussed in the last post. There are several attractions, however, that make the park even more fun, and are must-dos during your vacation time.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

This is the newest ride in all of Walt Disney World, opening in Epcot in May 2022. I have had the privilege to ride this coaster, and have to say that it is the most fun (but not thrilling) coaster  I have ever ridden in Walt Disney World. You do not have to be familiar with Guardians of the Galaxy to ride, but it is fun if you are! It features the Guardians of the Galaxy traversing through space on another adventure, and the guests get to ride on a spinning coaster vehicle, therefore traveling both forwards, sideways, and backwards while listening to a different song on Quill’s soundtrack each time. It also features a backwards launch in the darkness, making it the most fun and thrilling to sit in the front row for the ride.

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Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

This ride is also new- opening in October 2021- and uses the same Bluetooth technology that is used in Rise of the Resistance. It was first introduced in Disneyland Paris, and was recently built in Epcot to share with the Disney World guests. In this attraction, guests become “rat-sized” and follow Remy on an adventure through the kitchen and restaurant of Gustaeu’s. It is a 4D ride, and is definitely a must-try!

Soarin’

Soarin’ is a classic Epcot attraction where guests are able to “fly” around the world using a mechanical lift system which employs artificial wind and a domed screen, giving guests the illusion that they are truly “Soarin’ around the world”. The tour features key stops such as the Swiss Alps, polar bears in Greenland, Sydney Harbor in Australia, the Great Wall of China, and more, ending in Epcot in Walt Disney World, of course! Since there are only two show rooms and it is not an omni-mover style ride (meaning you board a ride vehicle and the system keeps moving), the waits get long fast. My best advice is to go early or late in the day for the best wait times!

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Test Track

Test Track is the only thrill ride in Epcot that is not a roller-coaster, and is sponsored by Chevrolet. In this ride you get to build and test your own car as you move throughout the test courses on the “test track”. At the end of the ride, guests get to speed around the outdoor track in their cars at speeds up to 50 miles an hour, giving people the thrill they wanted. Since this is one of the only thrill rides in Epcot, it quickly racks up the long wait times. My suggestion is to either go early in the morning or later in the evening to ride with the shortest wait!

Most Underrated ride in Epcot:

Spaceship Earth! When people see and/or think of the “Epcot ball” that is the landmark of the park, this ride is inside it. It is a dark ride that takes guests back in time to the story of communication and the spread of knowledge and innovation from the Stone Age to present day. It is full of vivid scenes and the classic “Spaceship Earth smell”. At the end of the ride, guests can design their own future using an interactive program, and can send the video back to their emails to watch later. It is a fun experience featuring classic lines and creative scenes (usually with a shorter wait time as well!), making it a great ride to try out during each trip.

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Animal Kingdom

Last but certainly not least, is Animal Kingdom! Since there are many animals in this park, there are less rides and more animal walks and safari-themed tours. This park opens the earliest of them all, and I highly recommend arriving as early as possible in order to ride the safari before the line gets too long and the animals retreat in the hot Florida sun!

Expedition Everest 

This is the only roller-coaster in the park and is certainly the most thrilling attraction. It travels backwards through the dark mountain in the Himalayas at speeds up to 50 miles an hour to escape the Yeti protecting the mountains. The wait times are usually low, and it is such a fun attraction to ride, especially if you are looking for a thrilling attraction while in Animal Kingdom!

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Avatar: Flight of Passage

Flight of Passage is one of the newest attraction in Animal Kingdom, and one of the most technologically advanced. Guests get to ride a banshee from the Avatar movie, and the motorcycle-type-vehicles that guests board in the ride room expand and contract, giving the illusion that the banshee that you are riding is breathing and alive. The ride style is similar to Soarin’, except instead of actually moving, the screen and ride vehicle give the illusion of moving. This ride is hard to describe without actually seeing or experiencing it, but it is spectacular, and definitely worth the wait!

Kilimanjaro Safaris

This attraction is probably the most popular (apart from Avatar), since animals are the main attraction in Animal Kingdom. Located in the Africa area of the park, this safari features a knowledgable Cast Member who gives guests a tour of the Animal Kingdom animal reserves in a safari-style bus, while providing fun facts about all of the animals along the way. Guests are able to view hippos, alligators, giraffes, meerkats, elephants, zebras, and so much more on this ride. Just be sure to either ride as early as possible in the morning or later at night, as the animals don’t tend to spend much time out in the middle of the day when it is the hottest.

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In conclusion… Disney parks are a lot to handle at once. There is so much to do with what seems like so little time to do it! I hope someone will be able to find this guide helpful, whether you have never been to Disney World and are looking for ride recommendations, or are a seasoned Annual Pass holder. Have fun park-hopping!

 

 

 

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Have you ever desired to try cuisine from around the world? Well, you can do that and more at Epcot: Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Some know the history behind the park and the acronym of its name, others may remember the world showcase; some like to drink and eat around the world, while others remember the giant “Epcot ball” that adorns the center of the park. Epcot is certainly a park of all trades, which is shown even more clearly through its various annual festivals.

In Epcot, there are four different festivals that occur each year, each occurring around the same general time each year. These festivals are: Festival of the Arts (usually January-February), Flower and Garden Festival (usually April-June), Food and Wine Festival (usually August/July-October), and Festival of the Holidays (usually November-December). Each festival hosts a variety of food, entertainment offerings, activities and merchandise that relate to their general theme.

 

Festival of the Arts

This festival celebrates and focuses on exactly what it sounds like: the arts! Offerings at this festival center around the culinary, visual, and performing arts in a variety of ways.

Food

This festival commonly features food studios around the World Showcase in Epcot, each themed to a different cuisine from countries around the world. For the festival of the arts, each dish is delicately arranged and presented, and of course comes with a variety of bursting flavors.

Keep an eye out for the fan favorites of the fest! Fans loved the Deconstructed Key Lime Pie at the Deconstructed Dish booth, the Sushi Donut at the Goshiki booth, the Sipping Chocolate Flight (literally drinkable chocolate) at The Artist’s Table booth, and the Opera Cake at the Pastoral Palate booth. The best booth overall was found to be El Artista Hambriento (The Hungry Artist) in the Mexico pavilion, with a mix of savory flavors and complex, but delicious, drinks!

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The Festival Passport (which features all of the booths around Epcot as well as their menus) features the “Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine”: a group of 6 food and drink items from the festival; if all of the dishes and drinks from the group are bought (and your “passport” is stamped for each dish), guests are eligible to receive a sweet surprise at the Deco Delights food both!

Entertainment

As in the name, the Festival of the Arts offers many visual arts opportunities as well as live performances. One of the most notorious of the festival is the “Disney on Broadway” concert series, featuring performances by some of Broadway’s most talented actors and actresses! Be sure to also check out “Visual Art in Performance”, where guests can watch a high-energy artist painting Disney characters live and on stage in minutes!

For those who prefer to view visual art, check out all of the art booths throughout the World Showcase during the festival. I actually bought a painting from here during a trip to the festival, and it is still hanging in my room today! As you wander around the World Showcase, be sure to find the chalk art of Disney characters on the pavement, as well as on the architecture in each country’s pavilion! Chalk artists are so talented that if you stand in a certain spot in relation to the artwork (this spot is usually marked on the ground), then you can see the image come to life in 3D form!

If you would prefer to learn how to draw, be sure to head over to Disney’s Animation Academy! These are drawing classes that are taught frequently throughout the festival, in which Disney artists guide guests on how to draw beloved Disney characters. There is also a mural that is constantly being painted towards the front of the park, and is set up like a giant “paint-by-number”. Each day of the festival, guests can participate by picking a color, and painting in a couple squares with their assigned number to “paint” the mural.

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Merchandise

For those who prefer visual art, check out all of the art booths throughout the World Showcase during the festival. I actually bought a painting from here during a trip to the festival, and it is still hanging and loved in my room today!

Apart from actual artwork, merchandise from the festival is usually themed to a different character (s) and different patterns each year. This past year (2022), Festival of the Arts merchandise came in all shapes and sizes (from tumblers, to plates, spirit jerseys, pins, and more!), and featured the beloved Epcot dragon: Figment!

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Flower and Garden Festival

This festival began in Epcot in spring of 1994, and celebrates the beautiful Central Florida foliage, as well as highlighting plants, foods, flowers and flavors present in other cultures across the world!

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Food

The food in this festival is themed to “flower and garden” as well, sporting all sorts of interesting and delicious combinations. Some of the fan favorites of the fest were: the Grapefruit Tart at the Citrus Blossom booth, Coconut Tres Leches Cake at the La Isla Fresca booth, and the Avocado Toast from the Sunshine Griddle booth. The best booth of the fest was voted to be Sunshine Griddle, sporting Avocado Toast, Fried Cinnamon Bites, and a Froot Loop Milkshake!

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Entertainment

Flower and Garden festival features the infamous “Garden Rocks” concerts. In this series, popular bands (and local ones too!) take the stage in Epcot and share some of their greatest hits. These concerts are free with Epcot admission, and take place regularly all week long!

Another fun detail to look out for are the fun Disney character topiaries that are spread throughout the park. You are sure to spot your favorite Disney characters in their home countries as you stroll through the World Showcase.

Merchandise

Each year, there is usually a mix of merchandise split between the beloved Orange Bird character, and Minnie and Mickey Mouse. This year, many of the clothing sported flowers and promoted guests to “Go Green” to improve our environment and the world around it.

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Food and Wine Festival

So far we’ve discussed the first two Epcot festivals, focused on art and beautiful foliage! The third festival is the Epcot Food and Wine Festival focuses the most on the food, and caters the most expansive and delicious menu out of all the festivals. This is the best festival for those who to eat and drink around the world!

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Food

The food offered in this festival is beyond expansive! The fan favorites from the fest last year (2022) were: the Adobo Yuca Fries at The Fry Basket booth, the Paneer at the India booth, the Guava Mousse at Shimmering Sips booth, and the Corned Beef from the Flavors from Fire booth. To get a more in depth review of the many wonderful food options available at the festival, follow this link!

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Entertainment

Every year, Disney hosts a “Wine and Dine” half marathon that is open for anyone who is visiting Central Florida during that time and wants to challenge themselves to a marathon!

One of the most popular entertainment offerings is the “Eat to the Beat” concert series, featuring a mix of iconic and local bands all week long as guests enjoy their food from around the world.

Merchandise

The merchandise featured at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival usually centers around Remy, the rat and cook from the Pixar movie, Ratatouille. Remy is the star of the festival every year, and always returns with more new and fun merchandise!

 

Festival of the Holidays

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Like the other Epcot festivals, the theme of the Festival of the Holidays is in the name itself! This festival focuses on how people celebrate the winter holidays around the world, featuring different cuisines, traditions, and more from Hanukkah, Kwanza, and mostly Christmas.

Food

The food in this festival comes from various holidays celebrated by the countries represented in the World Showcase. Some of the favorites include, but are not limited, to: the Mini Pumpkin Pie Funnel Cake at the American Adventure Pavilion, the Grilled Kebabs and Almond-spiced Cake at Tangerine Cafe: Flavors of the Medina, Slow-roasted Turkey at American Holiday Table, Pastrami on Rye at L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen, and Haupia at Mile Kalikimaka. The best booth of the fest was rated to be the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen, sporting Cheese Fondue, Pork Schnitzel, and the Linzer Cookie!

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Entertainment

The Festival of the Holidays features the “Holiday Cookie Stroll”, giving guests the opportunity to earn a delicious Cookie Ornament by trying five cookies from around the world! In 2021, these cookies were: Gingerbread Cookie, Snickers-Doodle Cookie, Black and White Cookie, Chocolate Crinkle Cookie, and the Linzer Cookie!

A popular Epcot tradition is the Candlelight Processional, which is when a celebrity narrator shares the story of Christmas, accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and choir made up of Disney Cast Members and Guests. It is a truly spectacular feat that everyone should go and witness at least once!

Apart from that, there are also smaller-scale, more spontaneous shows that take place throughout the World Showcase all day. A couple examples of these entertainment offerings include: the Hanukkah Storyteller, Le Befana in Italy, Father Christmas in the United Kingdom, Los Posadas Celebration in Mexico, and the Chinese Lion Dance in China.

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Merchandise

Like the other Epcot Festivals, the Festival of the Holidays merchandise features a variety of different beloved Disney characters each year: from Chip and Dale, to various Frozen characters, back to the classic duo of Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Like any other Epcot Festival, the merchandise varies from year to year; we’ll have to keep a lookout on what’s to come in the 2022 Festival of the Holidays!

 

In Conclusion …

After learning about all the festivals at once, you must be completely overwhelmed! The Epcot festivals are each their own beasts, and have so many facets to look out for! If any of these festivals piqued your interest, please check out the Disney websites (or any of the websites where the pictures are from) to learn more.

My best advice for preparing for these festivals are to go on sites such as Disney Food Blog before your trip and look at the complete menu of the festival before even stepping foot in the park. I have found that trying to decide what to eat, flipping through the festival passport, and navigating the crowds of people is hard to do all at once! I have been able to try the best food options by doing the research beforehand, and making a list of everything that I might want to try once in Epcot.

Good luck festival-goers, and let me know if you’ve tried any of these foods or attended any of these festivals before!