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Welcome back to another edition of ParkSpotting. Today I will take you on a trip “around the world” at our favorite local park Epcot. Since the holiday season is over and done with and we are still a couple of weeks away from the Flower and Garden Festival, Epcot is in a bit of a lull but I’m sure we can find something fun to look at.
Lets start with some Disney food news. The little Promenade stand, located right before Canada, has a very revolving menu and has just changed from having some holiday specialties to a more generic menu. I can’t really say I visit World Showcase for a hot dog but the Gourmet Hot Cocoa with toasted marshmallow syrup does sound good and would go perfectly with a cronut.
In the Canada Pavilion I found some cute new details like these totem pole animals in the DVC booth. I really appreciate that if Disney is going to put DVC booths everywhere that they at least theme them appropriately.
These Canadian cast members happily modeled their new costumes that they say was a huge improvement over the last ones they had. I think they look pretty smashing.
The Canadian Lumberjacks show replaced the much loved Off Kilter band and so far it seems like they are having a bit of an identity crisis with trying to figure out what the show is actually supposed to be. As you can see in the picture they have not amassed a huge following of Disney fans.
Their latest show now feature a water element and log rolling. Haven’t had the pleasure yet to view this show but never having seen Canadian log rolling before I guess I have to put this on my to do list.
Strolling into the UK pavilion I saw a tons of people enjoying the red telephone booths, laughing and making jokes while they called. Small details like this is what makes World Showcase so much fun, you just have to make sure to seek them out.
The Rose & Crown Pub was so packed so my plan to go in to check the updated bar menu was quickly shut down as I couldn’t even get in the door.
Epcot may not be the first park you think of when thinking about meeting Disney characters but I will tell you now, it should be! World Showcase has tons of character opportunities, both permanent and visiting characters. Rarely do I visit Epcot without seeing a character like Cinderella or Aladdin out for a training visit in World Showcase. Unfortunately though the training visits are never scheduled so you just have to keep your eyes open for them.
In the France Pavilion I was delightfully surprised over all the Ratatouille merchandise they had available for sale. Some may feel that character merchandise has taken over the more authentic country merchandise but I think as long as it fit that pavilion it is a great idea.
L’artisan des Glaces is always a popular spot in the France Pavilion because of the scrumptious ice cream they serve. They also have their own take on the popular ice cream cookie sandwich: a macaron ice cream sandwich. They usually have one macaron ice cream sandwich that changes with the season and today they featured a strawberry one.
Morocco is another pavilion that not too long ago had some entertainment changes. They seem much more popular than the lumberjacks in Canada though.
In the Italy Pavilion I again found some adorable country-specific themed merchandise with Mickey and Minnie reenacting the popular spaghetti scene from Lady and the Tramp.
Reaching Germany I just had to pop into Karamell Kuche, like I do on every visit. The incredible smell of caramel in this store makes it really hard to walk out without some goodies. You can find tons of different Werther’s candy but I would definitely recommend some of the treats they actually make there like the caramel apples or caramel popcorn. Whatever you decide upon, make sure not to miss this shop!
Outside in Germany a long line was forming for one of the fairest princesses of all, Snow White. Disney Princess abound at World Showcase, representing the country where their story originated.
Heading into Norway it is with a sad face I watched hopeful guests being informed that the Maelstrom attraction is no more. It has been down for a long time now, to be reimagined into a Frozen attraction, but still there is a need to have cast members stationed in front of the ride informing clueless guests of this.
The section of the Puffin’s Roost store where the Frozen sisters used to have their meet and greet, is now back to being a shop again. Of course, the store features tons of merchandise with Anna and Elsa.
Here is another small little World Showcase detail that you may miss while walking around the park, the “Norsk Kultur Inspirationer for Frozen” exhibit. This adorable exhibit features some of the items and inspiration that animators used to create the lovely tale of Frozen. I love how they use this authentic Stave church to combine both a cultural and Disney movie experience.
As you can see in this picture, authentic traditional wear doesn’t always look the same as in the movies. I think I prefer Anna’s more colorful look.
That is it for this edition of ParkSpotting! With the Flower and Garden Festival coming back to Epcot March 4th, I’m sure I will be back again soon. I hope you enjoyed my little trip around World Showcase and come back next week for even more adventures in the parks!