
EPCOT
EPCOT is my favorite park at Walt Disney World. It is great for all ages and very easy to navigate. I love getting here early, as it is pretty sleepy in the mornings.
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Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Test Track, and Frozen tend to have the longest waits. I would hit these first thing as EPCOT tends to stay busy late due to the great food options and a later opening time. If you are coming from the main entrance, go left when entering to get to Test Track or Frozen and right to go to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. If you are coming from the World Showcase entrance, go straight towards the United Kingdom pavilion for Test Track or Frozen, go right to France for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
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Don’t miss out on all the extras in this park. There is so much to see in the countries and around the park. Explore the marine life at Seabase after the Nemo ride. Check out festival happenings and enjoy live music and shows around the World Showcase. A Journey of Water is a fun experience for all ages (make sure to bring an extra change of clothes and/or water shoes for kiddos, they will get wet!).
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Luminous is the nightly fireworks show at EPCOT. Check your My Disney Experience app for nightly times. You can view these all around the World Showcase. My favorite spots are from Mexico, Germany, France, or Italy. Also, don’t miss the light show on Spaceship Earth. Best viewing is done from the main park entrance. It is my favorite night time show right now.
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Virtual Queue for Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind:
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The new Guardians of the Galaxy ride is available via virtual queue or as an individual lightning lane.
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The virtual queue opens at 7am, 1pm, and 6pm for extended evening hours (available to deluxe resort guests only).
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For the 1pm and 6pm queue, you have to have swiped into EPCOT.
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If you want to join the queue, go on the app right before the queue opens up. It will let you edit your party so you are ready to go right at the time. The queue fills in seconds. I refresh by pulling down right when the clock on my phone switches. Hit join queue as soon as the button is available and the next screen will show where you are in the queue.
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Screenshot this screen in case something happens.
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The app will notify you when your return time is.
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CHARACTERS:
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There are so many characters in this park. Mickey is behind the Figment ride where you watch the Pixar shorts. The Frozen sisters have a permanent meet and greet in Norway. Winnie the Pooh and Mary Poppins are sometimes in the United Kingdom pavilion. Princesses have been spotted around the World Showcase, ask them if their friends will be around and they may give you hints of who will be out for the day. Other characters have been seen in the grassy area next to the Land. Make sure to check your My Disney Experience app daily for times and who will be out.
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Food:
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Seated Dining:
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Character dining
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Garden Grill features Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale in the Land Pavilion
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Akershus has princesses in Norway.
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Le Cellier - This is great for a date night or an elevated experience. Get the seasonal poutine and don't skip the ice wine flight.
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Via Napoli - This is a favorite for picky eaters
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Spice Road Table - My personal favorite, but is not picky eater friendly
Quick Service Dining:
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Yorkshire Fish Shop
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La Cantina de San Angel
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Regal Eagle Smokehouse.
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Sunshine Seasons
Favorite Snacks:
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Popcorn can only be refilled in Future World
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My kids are obsessed with the giant pretzel in Mexico
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Norway and France both have great bakeries
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For ice cream, don't sleep on the France pavilion. The ice cream shop there has great treats.
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Festivals at EPCOT:
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Festivals are included in your park ticket for EPCOT. There are four festivals every year. In between Marathon Weekend and Princess Half Marathon weekend you'll get Festival of the Arts. This is my favorite and the best for kids. From March to May, you'll see the Flower and Garden festival. August to November is Food and Wine. Finally, late November to Christmas is Festival of the Holidays. These festivals will all have pop-up kitchens with tapas style food and specialty drinks. Make sure to grab a festival passport by the maps if there is a festival when you are traveling. They are so much fun and have so many extras that will all be listed in the passport. There are normally scavenger hunts too. Just ask a cast member for help.