When Barry and I were here in April 2014 we only had a couple days to do all four of the Disney parks with the park hopper feature. I believe that is why Epcot was not a “favorite” of ours. Yes, I thought the different countries were cool, and luckily they did have a couple good rides, but that seemed to be about it. However, since we purchased a ten-day pass to use over a 14-day period for our time in Orlando, and we were only visiting a single park each of the ten days, we were able to more fully enjoy what Epcot offers. Being here in December was special with the holiday decorations for the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays. I do like how the countries border each other as you walk the loop around the lake.
We of course made sure we got Fast Passes for what we considered to be the best rides there: Mission Space (Orange Mission-Mars), Test Track, and Soaring. Since Test Track has a single rider line, we switched it out for the Holiday Candlelight Processional. When we saw how early people were camped out in both the Fast Pass line and the Standby line for the Candlelight Processional, we decided to skip it. We were not willing to waste two hours sitting on the ground or curb for it regardless what “star” may be that night’s narrator.
Mission Space 
Test Track
Having time to take in additional attractions and entertainment really added to our enjoyment of Epcot. The following were some of those attractions.
Living With The Land was so cool. I had no idea that Disney grows so much of their own vegetables to be used at many of their onsite restaurants. This ride has you travel through various greenhouses to see much of what they grow and see the innovations to make the most of small spaces with vertical gardening.
We enjoyed some 3-d experiences such as Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival, Journey Into Imagination with Figment, explored the aquarium area where we saw manatees, and went on a couple rides like The Seas with Nemo & Friends.
We enjoyed our leisure journey through the various countries. It was fun to enjoy entertaining artists in various country plazas. This does not take the place of actually visiting any of these countries, but if you aren’t likely to get to any or all of them, Epcot helps you get a feel and “taste” of the area. I cannot tell you how any of the food was because I don’t eat wheat and we avoid added sugars, and we weren’t interested in spending $50 a person. Therefore, we brought our own food each day. I especially enjoyed Germany and reminiscing being there with my parents and various things throughout my childhood. It is fun when you’ve been to one of the countries featured at Epcot because you recognize things they’ve done and a particular city, city feature or site.
France was under construction as they create an experience from the Disney movie “Ratatouille”. As per Walt Disney, Epcot was to always be evolving. This is unfortunate when an area is closed when you visit, but amazing when you visit and a country or other portion of the part has been so well updated for a better interactive experience.
Germany was of course a favorite of mine. My parents spent a lot of time in Germany when my dad was in the US Army. My brother was born there, and later I went to kindergarten there. When Richard was just 6 weeks old we all went as a family (including my parents) to have Christmas in Germany with my brother and his family who were stationed there.
The Octoberfest restaurant in Epcot smelled divine. Unfortunately it was a buffet at $50 a person, and I knew most of what would be offered I wouldn’t be able to eat due to wheat being used.
While Barry got a beer, I went in the shops. So much just made me smile as items immediately stimulated childhood memories and warmed me with my parents’ presence. My mom used a cowbell to call Larry and me in from the neighborhood for dinner or for the evening.
The toy shop had Steiff animals! This quality brand is synonymous with Germany. The original styles were of course super expensive (3-digits), but the one that touched my heart was the bear pictured in the slideshow below. He was SO soft and cuddly! The paws have beading of some sort inside that naturally makes you gently rub/massage them between your thumb and fingers in such a soothing way. THIS is what we will get Isaac! I think it will give him a nice transition from his lovey, as well as be played with, and be a comfort piece for him. If not, well, it can be for me. LOL
Italy has always been a favorite place of mine. When I was young and living in Germany, we would go to Italy for Easter. I returned to Italy for a college January interim to study the arts. Below shows typical piazzas, and a good Christmas witch storyteller.
Morocco had a group of very entertaining music performers. Loved the great architectural details. We ate in a restaurant here in 2014 that was really good, but this time we just got a little something at the Sapphire Holiday Kitchen.
Sapphire Holiday Kitchen: Spice up your life with the exotic flavors of North Africa—visit the Morocco Pavilion for intriguing cuisine. We had the “Confit of Chermoula Chicken Drum with Cinnamon Granny Smith Apple, Toasted Almonds, Brussels Sprouts and Pinot Noir Glaze”. It was the perfect amount of food for only about $9 each.
Mexico– A mayan relief sculpture is found outside the Mexican pavilion. When you enter the pavilion you find yourself in an “open air town plaza full of vendors. Store fronts and a tequila bar are along the outer edge of the plaza. A restaurant is at the far end.
To the left of the restaurant is where you get on the slow and gentle boat ride “Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros”. Highlights of the ride are pictured in the slideshow below.
China:
Jeweled Dragon Acrobats
Japan was fun. The first store area was a bit much with all the Hello Kitty items, but I certainly thought of Erika (our daughter-in-law). The other store area were traditional Japanese items such as tea sets, chopsticks, rice bowls, chopstick rests, etc. It was very cool though to see authentic kimonos, happy coats, obis, footwear and parasols for sale. More nostalgia for me. 🙂 Appearing several times a day are the Maturiza Drummers. These are traditional Japanese drummers who perform “intricate musical arrangements on giant Taiko drums—in a dazzling display of pure physical stamina.” You will know when they are performing because the thundering sounds of these drums carry a long way.
Unfortunately, our visit to both Canada and England were after dark. The gardens would have been much to have photographed during the daylight. Canada used to have a 360 degree show of the country, but it is no longer available as they update to a similar or possibly a completely different type of experience. England is a major renovation as they recreate Cherry Tree Lane which would of course include Admiral Boom’s house. May have to come back some time to see that. 🙂 Missed seeing any of the Poppins characters during their scheduled times in England, but saw Alice in Wonderland a couple of times.
The American Adventure was a cool show of audio animatronics that takes us through significant American history events. Near this very American “people’s mansion” was Santa and Mrs. Claus!
Fabulous Santa!!
Miscellaneous photos of Epcot
Epcot sure has changed in the 20+ years since I’ve been! With our traveling, Germany and Italy are my most favorite countries. So much so we’ve been to Italy 3 times and Germany twice! Great pictures!
Thank you! I would like to share Germany and Italy with Barry some day–and add Greece for both of us. 🙂