EPCOT - My Favorite Disney Park (Info & Tips)

If I had to pick a favorite park at Walt Disney World, it'd have to be EPCOT. We go back to it again and again! We love walking around the countries. Also, we love the Living with the Land ride in The Land - my boyfriend always wants to go on it, because it's about growing your own food. It's a dorky ride for sure! Soarin' is really cool...you must ride on the top row...must, must! And get a fast pass! The Seas is nice, also. We aren't too into the "big" rides (Test Track and Mission to Mars) they have there and only ride once in a while.

Back to the countries - we enjoy walking around and pin trading w/ cast members - ONLY cast members. I do not want someone to ask me for 3 for 1, no way. Cast members trade 1 to 1. If they have a green lanyard - they only trade with kids 12 and under. It can get addicting trying to find pins - but it's part of the fun of only trading w/ cast members and we never know what we'll find. Some days nothing, some days personal gems. I am into it more than my boyfriend is. Also, there are little spots in a lot of the countries to stop and wine taste or grab a beer. Italy and Germany both have nice wine tasting spots. In Mexico there is a freaking amazing tequila bar...amazing...they have so many many many kinds of tequila there! If you sit down and chat a while with one of the bartenders...tell them what kind of tequila you like and they will bring you something amazing. And what does suck, is that you can't always buy the tequila they let you try! Seriously, they are amazing at their jobs. We always have to stop in and try to see our favorite tequila bartender - Francisco...we're pretty sure he doesn't remember us, but he always acts like he does - maybe he sort of does, but lol he had asked us last time if we were from California and we were like no...Orlando! LOL. O'well..he's awesome! He's let us have some leftover avocado frozen margarita before for free...so tasty (another visit I bought one) :) And just has a great personality!

The picture is of the 3 very cool tequila bartenders in Mexico! ;) Taken Memorial Day weekend 2011.

I should mention that they have a great Disney character picture spot in Future World...a lot of characters. The Coca Cola Cool Spot - has some interesting sodas to try from around the world. Innovations is neat if you want to play the interactive games. I like the upgrades that they made with the ride in the ball (Innovations Earth). EPCOT is always decorated nicely...love the Flower & Garden Festival in the Spring and Food & Wine Festival in the fall (this year it's Sept 30 - Nov. 13th). Food & Wine can get rather pricey...depending on your appetite and thirst!

Coca Cola Cool Spot Options.

 La Coq Au Vin from France Pavilion at 2011 Food & Wine Festival.

 First Mixology Beverage Seminar of the Food & Wine Festival 2011 - it was a lot of fun!

The ride in Norway is so cute and fun with the Trolls! Test Track is fun. Mission to Mars is not for everyone...esp if you are claustrophobic, but it is fun. The Nemo ride in the Seas is super freaking cute. Turtle Talk with Crush is really cute, especially if you have children with you.

Restaurants in the World Showcase are pretty tough to get into. So, if you see something you want to eat at, I do recommend calling before you visit (a month or more) and make a reservation...Germany and Japan are probably the best bets w/ no RSVP, but do expect wait time depending on when you go..even if it's not when you think dinner time is. I've eaten at the sit down in Paris - it was good but nothing amazing. I think we ate at Italy, but...I don't recall. The new pizza place that opened is RSVP only, and they are pricey...I'm tempted by it b/c is it amazing pizza or overpriced? Oh that's the question! Japan is good at the sushi place or Teppan Edo..seriously good food. I haven't eaten in Morocco...or the US...or Norway, nor in China either....Germany has a buffet that is pretty good...better prices for lunch. Haven't eaten at the nice restaurant in Mexico either b/c always full. We never make RSVP...but have noticed this past year that you really can't eat anywhere in EPCOT that is the table service w/o one unless it was Japan or Germany. Tsk tsk EPCOT. Oh, haven't eaten at the Rose & Crown or Canada's sit down either.

If you are looking to drink, you can find most countries sell alcohol somewhere that's a walk up! Oh Japan has a Saki bar in the WAAAAYYYYY back ... it's pretty neat - I found I like sweet chilled Saki this way! Otherwise, I don't care for sake...

Ok, that's all I can think of for the quick of it! :) Hope you enjoy EPCOT when you go! EPCOT is a great park for adults...and children! So much to do and a variety of activities!
I have noticed the more you pay for food at Disney, the better the quality it is. The cheaper...well you get it...but hey it's cheap and filling!

Theme Parks

I'm a member of Crowdtap and they have discussions that we can join and give our insight with the potential to become a Top Performer and win cash. There was a discussion called, "Theme Parks" last month and I was one of three that were Top Performers. I realized that I went to theme parks A LOT...that I had a lot of knowledge on the subject and a lot to share. Since my blog is about sharing, I thought I would share those posts I made on Crowdtap that won me a Top Performer! This was the first:

 

Pete & I outside of Germany at EPCOT

The themes parks I've been to are Sea World, Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Wild Adventures (if you can call it a theme park). Living in FL over 20 years, I somehow never got over to Tampa for Busch Gardens....weird. I've had many experiences at theme parks...from my first time to Magic Kingdom in 8th grade, to first time at EPCOT in 11th grade...and then again to Magic Kingdom at Grad Night (lived in Ft. Myers area)...and then Spring Breaks in college to all the parks (lived in Tallahassee)...and then to living in Orlando and getting season passes. Mostly all good experiences! Though with heat and lines there's always cranky moments and imperfect moments! I've probably been the most to EPCOT, Sea World, and Magic Kingdom, and less to Hollywood Studios (it was always MGM Studios until some time while we had passes...it just changed...and temporary signs were everywhere), Animal Kingdom, Universal, and Islands of Adventure.

I've had a 3 month pass to Universal/Islands of Adventure. I've had 2 Silver year passes to Sea World. And I've had 3 seasonal year passes to Disney. All while living in Orlando...lived there for just over 5.5 years. Woo...passes. LOL. I did overlap Sea World & Disney once...and yes...there were some months with no passes. Theme parks are absolutely amazing to have nearby. When you want someplace to go with fun things to do and lovely scenery...it's so great to have passes and drive on over. We lived about 30 mins from Sea World and 45/50 mins to Disney...not too bad to go spend a day or even 2 hours!

Seriously, so worth it. But, now I can't stand in a line for more than 20, maybe 30 minutes at Disney...seriously some fun rides there, but NOTHING is worth standing in line FOREVER! When the Toy Story Mania ride came out..first time we went by 220 min wait...what? Next time 160 min wait...uh no. 120 min wait...seriously? Next time, 90 mins....no thank you. One magical day...it said 30 min...we went in...and in 20 min we were on the ride. Oh it's so fun...but no way would I ever have been happy to stand in line for 4 hours. Living nearby, you know...and you know when to go...you learn..and with having passes...it's OK to skip and go back another time. I understand if you can't go back another time...but keep in mind...check back later or get fast passes for the rides you really want on early in the day (as they run out of them). I remember a time when fast passes didn't exist...lol... Sea World seriously had a lot less issue with line waiting than Disney does. Universal/Islands also had less issues, but wonder now w/ Harry Potter (want to see, haven't seen, now live in SC).

 Pete & I w/ Cinderella's Castle in the background.

This picture was taken last fall during Thanksgiving weekend. I can't even express how beautiful Disney does it up for the holidays and it starts the week before Thanksgiving...so don't feel like you have to wait for Christmas...go sooner than later...because it only gets busier that week of Christmas to New Years. Seasonal Pass members have black out dates for a reason! :)

I highly recommend going to check it out during the holiday season for their decorations. Animal Kingdom is my least favorite, as they are more subdued and outdoorsy, favorite is Magic Kingdom for their decorations. My golly...that castle! EPCOT and Hollywood Studios do it up nice, also. And then of course check out all the hotels - that's free! They are all decorated differently and gingerbread houses in Boardwalk and Grand Floridian. WOWSA. The first time I saw was 2 yrs ago. So, even someone going a lot, new things can be found, with so much there. Disney is absolutely beautiful for the holidays! The week before Thanksgiving through the beginning of Jan. :)

**Don't get me wrong Disney isn't cheap! Do expect to spend money! Tips in will be in another post. **