Here is the thing, the intention was to do Magic Kingdom on the 1st. Did it end up going this way? No. After seeing all the special things released the day of and in Magic Kingdom, am I a little jealous that we didn’t end up going?! Yes. However, I heard quite a few horror stories both from friends that were in attendance as well as from select Cast Members who although did not speak poorly on the day did say that guests went a little out of control and that it was mainly from adults without children.
When I did our park reservation eons ago, Magic Kingdom was full. Since the capacity sometimes gets played around with and people change their reservations there was availability later on to switch parks, but our reservations were already at Epcot. We decided to keep it status quo as we thought it was the safer choice with the kids and it really came down to that I was nervous that if I dropped one that I wouldn’t be able to select the other so we didn’t mess with it and boy was I glad. I am sorry, but there is no amount of merch that I need that would be worth what I heard was a four hour wait at Starbucks and a stampede in the Emporium (literally).
Epcot was divine. The park opened early, we did pictures, visited with Goofy and Pluto and then headed to the new Creations store to pick up a few 50th things.
My mom and I did a girls day with EV the weekend before (drove up and back on a Sunday) just to get some of the merchandise that had released early and do a few rides (and by some merchandise I mean we did a lot of damage).
Who would have thought that there would be more to get…
I mean silk 50th jammies are obviously an essential right?!
Unlike the Emporium, Creations had a well developed line that was being directed by a good amount of cast members. Everyone was really nice in the line minus the woman behind us who was REALLY itchy to get into the store and was basically hopping from one foot to the other anxiously trying to dart around our stroller. The line moved quite nicely and for as far back as we were, we were only in line fifteen minutes maximum. What I am not going to mention is how I had the October 1st ornament in my hot little hands (did not realize it was dated) and because the lines were long and I am an idiot and didn’t think of cashing out on my app, I figured I would come back later and get it. Want to know the ONE thing that was not in the store when I returned?! Ding ding…the ornament…I think I complained and brought it up every chance I got that weekend lol.
If you have not ever used your My Disney Experience to shop and cash out in the selected stores (Creations and World of Disney), then you are totally missing out. It is quite literally the BEST way to shop and you are in and out in a matter of moments.
From the My Disney Experience app you select Shop In Store-Now Testing and choose the store you are in.
For now, there are only two selections, so obviously while in Creations that is the one we selected.
Once it recognizes that you are in the store, you are now able to start selecting your purchases. Fun fact: You have to be in the store and the item that you want has to be in hand. Meaning that it is not like you can shop for the item in store and purchase it without you having it on you in some way or fashion.
You basically scan the UPC Code on the back of what you are purchasing (even drinks and snacks) and if your credit card is already attached, you choose the one you want to use (we have two on file), or you can add it if you are uncomfortable having your credit card number on an app and then you just complete the purchase. There is a QR code that is generated at that is what you show as you are leaving. Another fun fact: if you accidentally close out when you go back to Select Store right underneath in small letters it says Purchase History (as seen above) and that is where the QR code will be. This is also helpful if you make a purchase, find more stuff and make another purchase and therefore another separate QR code would be generated. At the exit of the store, a lovely Cast Member is there with an IPad to scan the QR code(s) and it tells them how many items you have, they check everything and you are out the door. They even have bags there for you to throw everything into. As EV would say easy peasy lemon squeezy.
Did I mention there was NOONE in Epcot for almost the entire day…it was like a ghost town and quite literally one of the best days we have ever had there. Empty park, meant empty lines for the food stalls, rides, for Rose & Crown (most importantly), for Photopasses and for just all around milling around the park without a care in the world. I think the longest line Sean and I stood in was for the new Photopass experience at Ratatouille (see below) and it was a 100% worth it especially since we had planned to hit this stop while the kids were napping and it worked out perfectly.
Sometimes it is nice just to get the “us” shots without having to wrangle kids and yell “Sheriff Callie!” Anyone else have to use a certain oddball phrase to get your kids super amped and smiling for pictures?
I mean it was totally worth the twenty minute wait and it being the ONLY thing we really waited for, I consider that a win…especially considering the shenanigans taking place in the Emporium during this time.
I had every intention of trying all the 50th food and snacking around the park, but often as it is with toddlers, the best laid plan sometimes doesn’t cut it. We ended up doing reservations at Via Napoli and as by the images below you can see for one it was a hit and for the other, all the “stuff” on the pizza could have been done without.
By this point, the kids were a little anxious, we had promised to do “fish” (Finding Nemo) after lunch so eating was kind of out the door at this point and getting us to quickly eat and to said fish was now their one and only mission. We took the long route because we are awful people and we wanted to see the Japanese drummers as they are finally back and as per usual, they did not only not disappoint, but everyone around us was cheering and so excited which made the moment even more magical.
EV loved it and loved the area with the koi behind it even more as you can tell. Secret discovery coves are my kids jam and this place is filled with all sorts of fun hidden gems to discover.
The excited faces says it all!
Sometimes you just need to rest your heavy head against your “sissy”.
Finding Remy was a REAL favorite
If you need a good shaded spot to let your kids explore and allow them time to stretch their legs from the stroller, this is the place. Especially now that the Ratatouille spot is now inhabited by droves of Remy fans.
EV is a HUGE fan of the ‘fish’ ride and even more of the scavenger book that they give you at the end. Her and the Commodore love finding all the sea life and pretending they are on an adventure later on in the day. Parent tip: If your kids are into adventures, exploring, maps, etc. I highly suggest you snag a couple of these for your bag (they are bound to lose the ones in their hand). Although there is a Cast Member handing these out, there is also an area to the right when you get off the ride that has a bunch there too. I always take a small handful and pop them in my purse as well as the park maps that are at the front of the park. I use the extras at home when we do our pirate themed nights or safari’s. They provide endless conversations, stories and entertainment when at the table.
Granted we still bring the Kindle as our hail mary, but it is always nice to have these as something else to occupy them, plus sometimes I hate getting the judgy looks from parents when I take the Kindle out.
EV’s favorite part of any day in the parks is getting refillable popcorn for $2 and I think it is one of the best deals in the park, plus the buckets are great for disney movie nights at the house as well.
Just to give you an idea of the enjoyment it brings the kiddos.
The boats going across Epcot were up and running and with Commodore loving any kind of transportation, we took the boat from Morroco back towards Canada whereupon he yelled “boat” any chance he got. Best. Boatride, Ever. Of course we did more pictures since Photopass was in full swing and seemed to be everywhere. I heard later on that they offered free pictures the entire day to guests which I thought was great, but again with it being the 50th, I just expected more fun magic shots. However the pictures we did get were great.
My absolute favorite Magicshot!
We routed back to the front where Mickey and Minnie were now frequenting and took more pictures both with Spaceship Earth and the main mice. You know what EV’s favorite ride ended up being? Spaceship Earth. My history loving husband was over the moon. Visiting the ‘disco ball’ is now EV’s most favorite thing and as a lover of Epcot, I couldn’t be more excited about her newfound excitement and obviously Commodore’s since he is of the “you love it I love it” variety.
EV loves being told to turn around and smile as you can tell here…
They had new fisheye pictures they were testing out…I am kinda on the fence about it.
If I had a regret of the day, it was not trying enough food (good thing we have two more visits planned), but you know what, the Beef Pho from the Noodle Station was INCREDIBLE with a capital I (I actually had it twice) and the crispy pig ear (don’t judge me) salad from the Swanky Swine was to die for and I do not even like onions. I feel that these two dishes alone made up for the regret food and for this Food and Wine Festival lover that my friend is saying alot. Let’s just bask in the amazingness of my Pho for $5.50 and yes, it tasted just like the traditional Vietnamese Pho you would get at your local Pho restaurant. It was quite a big portion and definitely a stomach filler so if you are on a budget, want to try something that will fill you up so you can snack accordingly, this is it!
The kids were exhausted and with Harmonious not starting until 9:45pm we just enjoyed the rest of the night by Spaceship Earth and watched it light up and by we enjoyed, I mean mainly the Commodore and EV. Were there more pictures? You betcha.
Spaceship Earth lit up for Harmonious was every bit as magical as I had imagined. I loved how it took on both modern and vintage Epcot touches and it allowed you to enjoy it before Harmonious started, which was great for our kids since they broke down prior to the fireworks.
I loved how vintage Spaceship Earth looked here
EV’s awe face is my favorite as well as the Spaceship Earth lit up this way…as you can also tell from my face! Also….it was really hot…as you can tell from all of us…
More fish lens…what is with the veins in my forehead?
I do like that Disney allowed for the other parks to get a feel of the 1st without making people feel as though they HAD to experience it in Magic Kingdom. I loved our day in Epcot and do not feel that other than experiencing other people dressed up and soaking in the magic and a few of the commemorative items, that I missed out on anything. Honestly, if I had witnessed any of the craziness it probably would have ruined the whole day for me, so I feel like we won out in the long run.
Anyone experience the craziness? Or did you do what we did and experience it in another park? Or did you experience it through a livestream and comfortably in your own home? I love myself some ResortTV and LakeBuenaVisitors so this would have been how we spent our day had we not been there ourselves.
