You have probably seen the beautiful Venetian Masks in the Italy pavilion or you might have possibly bought one. Now you can paint your own unique mask!
You can choose either a resin mask or a papiermache mask. Your parents can join in on the fun too!
The Italy Pavilion has lots of great snacks!
The masks take 15-20 minutes to dry when you have finished painting. Snack break!!! How about some delicious gelato? If you don’t want to wait for your mask to dry you can always have them delivered to the front of the park or delivered to your Disney resort. This activity sounds awesome!
Every year Disney World changes something about their parks. Here is a list of some of the changes happening to Epcot.
So many new surprises at Epcot!
Now let’s talk about the pavilions. Over in the France Pavilion, Disney is building Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, but it won’t be open until the spring of 2020. This ride is actually open in Disneyland Paris already. Also in the France Pavilion there is going to be a Beauty and the Beast Sing-a-long. It will alternate with Impressions de France, the show that is currently in the France Pavilion. In Canada, the show “O’ Canada” is going to be getting a makeover. In the Japan Pavilion, Disney is opening another table service restaurant.
First of all, the Disney Skyliner will open in the Fall of 2019. It will be a transportation network high in the sky that will take you from Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach and the upcoming Disney Riviera resort to the International Gateway at Epcot and Hollywood Studios. I’m excited! Illuminations unfortunately is being replaced by Epcot Forever, a new night time show that will be playing 80’s music.
Calling all Mission Space fans! A space themed restaurant is opening near Mission Space in 2020.
Mission Space!
I am really excited about these updates and am looking
forward to seeing the rides, restaurants, skyliners and Epcot Forever this year
and 2020!
Al no longer needs a stroller, this picture is from three years ago.
Do you have any younger siblings in strollers? If so, then you may want to pay attention to this blog article.
Disney announced they are banning oversized strollers. They have to be no larger than 31 inches wide and 52 inches long. Stroller wagons are also banned. This new rule is also for Disney water parks and the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Florida.
If you’re going to Disney World between these dates then you will see the beautiful Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. The Flower and Garden Festival shows some outstanding garden work that makes the plants look like Disney characters: Lightning McQueen, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Pluto are all found at the entrance, Buzz Lightyear is at Mission Space and The Three Caballeros are at the Mexico pavilion.
Woody…
The Garden Passport is free and helps you find the Outdoor Kitchens and has scavenger hunts. It’s really cool! The Outdoor Kitchens are all around the World Showcase Lagoon. They have food for you while you’re at the Flower and Garden Festival.
… and Buzz Lightyear (in front of Mission Space)!
The Garden Rocks Concert now performs nightly! Best part? It’s free with Epcot admission!
Scenes from The Lion King!
The Egg-stravaganza Scavenger Hunt takes place April 5-April 21. You can buy a map and stickers and look for Disney character eggs.
Bambi and friends!
The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is definitely something worth seeing. Don’t forget to take lots of pictures!
The United States of America pavilion is a very interesting pavilion since it has two shows.
Food: The USA pavilion does not have any table service restaurants, but it does have a counter service restaurant. Liberty Inn has chicken tenders, fruit, hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, and for dessert apple pie or ice cream. Fife & Drum Tavern has hot dogs, smoothies and turkey legs. Funnel Cake stand literally has funnel cakes. Delicious!!!!!
Shopping: The Heritage Manor Gift Shop has pins, toys and art. Hint! Outside of the shop is the Kidcot Fun Stop.
Voices of Liberty
Entertainment: The USA pavilion has a show called The American Adventure. Before the show starts, stop by early and hear the Voices of Liberty. They perform patriotic songs inside in the air conditioning. At The American Adventure, Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain tell you about American History. At the end, they play a catchy song! Also inside the USA pavilion building is the American Heritage Gallery, with American Indian art. Across from The American Adventure show is the America Gardens Theater. It performs different shows and concerts.
Who knew that Norway could be so warm? Norway is a popular destination since you can meet and greet Princess Anna and Queen Elsa from the movie Frozen. Norway looks just like a Norwegian town square.
Food: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is the perfect place for princesses! Here you can meet princesses for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You should probably have a dining reservation because it gets crowded here so don’t be surprised to be waiting for a while. You can also find sandwiches and pastries at Kringla Bakeri og Kafe. I would recommend trying the School Bread from here.
Entertainment: The Norway Pavilion has a popular ride called Frozen Ever After. This line is REALLY LONG!! First, you will see Olaf and Sven decorating for the Winter Festivals. The grandfather troll tells the tale of how Anna and Kristoff meet. Towards the end of the ride Elsa is singing Let It Go, then the ride starts going backwards! What a pleasant surprise! Afterwards, you can go meet Princess Anna and Queen Elsa at the Royal Sommerhus.
Shopping: The Wandering Reindeer has Frozen toys, clothes and much more! Curious and Collectibles has interesting books on trolls, Vikings and much more such as clothes and toys.
United Kingdom is full of cobble-stoned streets that makes you feel like you’re in the United Kingdom.
What’s not to love?
Food: On my last trip to Disney World I went to Rose & Crown Dining Room. We always sit outside which has a ceiling. I recommend siting outside because you get a great view of the World Showcase Lagoon. I had the English Trifle. It has layers of strawberries, vanilla custard, graham crackers, and whipped cream with Mickey Mouse sprinkles. Yum!!
Shopping: In the Toy Soldier shop you will be able to buy basically anything that has to do with a soldier. Such as swords, shields, real feather quills, children books and movies from the UK. Hint! The Toy Solider store has the Kidcot Fun Stop. The Queen’s Table has books and music from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. If you like books like me, you will be interested in this store. Calling all soccer fans! The Sportsmans’ Shop has everything to please soccer and rugby fans with jerseys, balls, books, and hats. My brother who is a big soccer fan loves this store! If you love tea, biscuits, and candy The Tea Caddy is for you!
You can meet Mary Poppins!
Entertainment: The UK pavilion does have a band called British Revolution that draws crowds with their great songs. They also have a four-person group called Quicksteps that plays the fiddle, flute, highland bagpipes and an Irish frame drum. You can also take a picture with Alice from Alice in Wonderland or with Mary Poppins.
The France Pavilion is a great place to relax. It is a great pavilion to visit because there is so much to do.
Chefs de France is behind the acrobat show.
Food: Chefs de France is one of the first restaurants you spot in the France Pavilion. The other restaurant is called Monsieur Paul. It is only open for dinner. Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie has croissants, mouthwatering eclairs, mousse, and much more! When I went there I tried the macaroons. They are outstanding! L’Artisan des Glaces is an ice cream shop. It is very popular. Update: La Crêperie de Paris is a restaurant that serves sweet and savory crepes.
Shopping: Souvenirs de France has many classic French souvenirs, such as berets, t-shirts, mini Eiffel Towers and many books about cities, the language, and French artists. This is a store worth checking out.
The acrobat show is awesome!
Entertainment: The France Pavilion does have a show called Impressions de France. Unlike the shows in the China and Canada, you get to sit and watch it like at a movie theater. The show is a little outdated but it’s still a great show. Update: Impressions de France has been replaced with Beauty and the Beast Sing Along. Belle from Beauty and the Beast is available in France for autographs and photos. There is also an acrobat (Serveur Amusant) that performs most of the afternoon. It is a fun and exciting show! France is also getting some new attractions. Ratatouille: The Adventure will be similar to the ride in Disneyland Paris. Chef Skinner will chase guests through Gusteau’s Parisian restaurant on a trackless ride. Can’t wait! Update: Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opened on October 1, 2021.
The Germany Pavilion has a small village area with shops and restaurants. In the middle of the plaza, a statue of St. George slaying a dragon is shown (look at the picture above). Don’t forget to check out the model train! It’s really cool!
Inside Biergarten.
Food: The Germany Pavilion has two restaurants called Biergarten and Sommerfest. At Biergarten, you sit with another family. It feels like you’re outside because of the black ceiling. Biergarten is a buffet with potatoes, breads, chicken, sausages, German Cheesecake, and much much more! I had lots of different foods that tasted delicious! While you eat, a live band plays as well. Sommerfest is a quick service restaurant.
Shopping: Germany has lots of places to shop. Der Teddybar is a toy shop with finger puppets and, you guessed it, teddy bears. Volkskunst has felt hats, famous books, cukoo clocks, and awesome hand painted eggs. Das Kaufhas is full of soccer balls and jerseys that are perfect for soccer fans. Karamelle-Kuche sure has a lot of food! This store has caramel apples, caramel corn, fresh caramel, cookies, brownies, cupcakes, fudge, and marshmallows.
Entertainment: Marget Almer and The Bavarian Band perform 5 days per week outside at the pavilion. You can also meet Snow White in Germany.
The Italy Pavilion has a HUGE bell tower that is so tall you can see it from the other side of the pavilions. (Yes, that tall!) The Italy Pavilion feels and looks like your in Venice with bridges and gondolas that are beside the World Showcase lagoon.
The ovens are named after volcanoes that are found in Italy.
Food: The Italy Pavilion has two restaurants called Tutto Italia Ristorante and Via Napoli. Last time I went to Tutto Italia was when I was two so I do not remember the restaurant. I heard the food is good. The other restaurant, Via Napoli, I have been to as well. If you go there you can watch them cook the pizzas in huge stone ovens. I had the Pizza Margherita and the Ruota di Carretto on the kids menu when I was nine. The pizza was really good! The Ruota di Carretto is vanilla gelato (Italian for ice cream) cookie sandwich. Update: Gelateria Toscana is a stand that sells gelato. At Pizza al Taglio, you can order a slice of pizza, that is also served at Via Napoli, at a walk-up window.
It was AWESOME!!
Shopping: The shopping in the Italy Pavilion could be, in my opinion a little better. You can buy expensive Italian perfume, Venetian masks, and handbags. Not much for kids.
The Kidcot Fun Stop is next to this fountain.
Entertainment: Unfortunately, the Italy Pavilion does not have much entertainment. They do have Sergio the juggler and mime who performs juggling tricks with his soccer balls.
