World Showcase - EverythingMouse

Epcot Illuminations:Reflections of Earth

January 30, 2013 by Alison 1 Comment

Epcot Illuminations Reflections of Earth celebrates it’s 25th year anniversary today. The spectacular fireworks, laser and pyrotechnics show debuted on 30th January 1988. Illuminations:Reflections of Earth is one of those ‘must see’ experiences at Walt Disney World. Weather permitting the show runs nightly at the Epcot World Showcase Lagoon.

Photo by armadillo444

What is Illuminations:Reflections of Earth? IT is a little difficult to describe as it will be unlike anything you have ever seen before. More than just fireworks the 12 minute long show combines lot of different effects and an inspiring sound track to produce this amazing show.

Where is the Best Spot to View Epcot Illuminations:Reflections of Earth?

Photo by expressmonorail

Where is the best place to watch Illuminations? There are many good spots and only a few bad ones (make sure that a tree is not blocking your view). One of my favorite places is in the Rose and Crown restaurant. There you are very close to the side of the lagoon – it is noisy and can even get quite warm when the pyrotechnics really start! The timing of your reservation is important here. Try and snag a reservation at the Rose and Crown for around an hour before the start of the show. That should mean that you are just about starting the desserts when the show starts. Be aware though that you are not guaranteed a view. Even if you have a reservation you have to ask for a lagoon side table and these are of course the most popular.

Viewing is also possible from La Hacienda the restaurant in the Mexican Pavilion. There are some tables with a great view of the lagoon – but also many with not much of a view at all.

If you aren’t able to get a restaurant reservation then another fine spot is on the bridge between the United Kingdom and France. This also has the advantage of being close to the World Showcase exit if you are leaving to go to an Epcot or Disney Boardwalk location.

Another one of my personal favorites is on the platform of the Japan Pavilion. This has a good central location and of course also has the different perspective that height will give.

How far ahead do you need to stake out your viewing spot? At busy times this can be 2 hours before the show for a prime spot.

Another important thing to think about when picking a viewing spot is how important to you is it that you exit quickly out of the park when the show is over? This may seem like a strange point but remember that tens of thousands of people will be leaving the park at the same time as you are, and there are bottle necks created at certain points, and it is a long way back to the main entrance and parking lot! This can be a lot to deal with, particularly if you have young children with you. At very crowded times it can be better to wait just 5 or 10 minutes to let some of the crowds leave first.

If you want to plan a quick getaway then the viewing areas between Mexico and Canada are the best from this point of view. The bridge between the UK and France is a great choice too, particularly if you are leaving via the World Showcase Exit.

Epcot Illuminations Cruise

There is also a very special way to see Illuminations – on a boat! $325 plus tax for up to 10 guests.
You can hire a pontoon boat for up to 10 people for an Illuminations cruise and costs from $325 plus tax. Price includes pontoon boat, driver, water, soda and bagged snack. You can order private dining too for an additional charge.

.Getting a reservation for an Illuminations cruise does need planning well ahead. As you can imagine demand exceeds supply. To reserve call 407-WDW-PLAY, between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m EST up to 90 days in advance. You have to give a credit card guarantee and your card will be charged unless you cancel 24 hours in advance. You get an amazing view of the fireworks underneath the International Gateway Bridge and you will get an amazing view of Illuminations. If you want a unique special experience then this is one that most say is well worth it.

For more pictures and discussion go to Epcot Illuminations

Where is your favorite viewing place for Epcot Illuminations:Reflections of Earth? Leave me a Comment!

Filed Under: Disney Parks, EPCOT, Restaurants, Rides and Attractions, World Showcase Tagged With: earth, earth photos, epcot, epcot illuminations, epcot world showcase, experimental prototype community of tomorrow, fireworks, france, illuminations, illuminations: reflections of earth, japan, lagoon, mexico, millennium celebration, reflections of earth, walt disney parks and resorts, walt disney world resort, world of motion

Epcot Candlelight Processional 2012

October 22, 2012 by Alison 1 Comment

The Epcot Candlelight Processional is one of the most beloved and popular of all the Walt Disney World Holiday traditions. Every year this musical Holiday celebration is staged in the America Gardens Theater in Epcot World Showcase.

Every night a different guest celebrity narrator is featured and the music of a huge choir and 50 piece live orchestra is played. In 2012 the dates are Nov. 23 – Dec. 30, 2012 with three performances nightly: 5:00, 6:45 & 8:15 p.m.

The Epcot Candlelight Processional 2012 narrators are:

Nov. 23 – 25; Geena Davis
Nov. 26 – 29; Neil Patrick Harris
Nov. 30 – Dec. 1; Whoopi Goldberg
Dec. 2 – 4; Andy Garcia
Dec. 5 – 7; Blair Underwood
Dec. 8 & 9; James Denton
Dec. 10 – 13; Jodi Benson
Dec. 17 – 19; TBA
Dec. 20 – 22; Trace Adkins
Dec. 23 – 25; Gary Sinise
Dec. 26 – 28; Amy Grant
Dec. 29 – 30; Marlee Matlin / Jack Jason

All schedules are of course subject to change. We have seen many of the narrators at the Epcot Candlelight Processional before and they are all fabulous.

The event is free for all Epcot guests. It can be very difficult to get a seat as it is such a very popular event. It is standard for the lines to start forming 2 hours before the Candlelight Processional starts, particularly for the busy dates and popular speakers.

You can ensure that you get a seat if you purchase an Epcot Candlelight Processional Dinner Package.

The later shows are my favorite as they have a little more atmosphere simply because they are in the dark and it seems easier to get into the Christmas spirit!

Even if you are not interested in seeing the Epcot Candlelight Processional it is good to be aware when they are scheduled. The one down side of the event is that it gets incredibly, and sometimes scarily crowded around the World Showcase Theater. Plan your visit to World Showcase accordingly and be aware that there may be a big crowd in from of the United States of American Pavilion which is difficult to get past!

Hotels Near Epcot

March 23, 2012 by Alison 3 Comments

If you want to stay in one of the hotels near Epcot you have an excellent choice of luxurious resorts. All of these Walt Disney World hotels are within easy walking distance of the Epcot World Showcase entrance. Each has it’s own very distinctive style so here is out guide to the Disney Epcot hotels.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Photo by alvez

This magnificent hotel on the shores of Crescent lake has, yes, you guessed it, a nautical theme. It is located right next to it’s sister hotel the Beach Club and they share what is generally seen as the very best Disney resort hotel swimming pool, Stormalong Bay.

The Yacht Club has 621 rooms most of which are a standard 380 square feet in size. Not the largest luxury hotel rooms in Walt Disney World but still a good size. The decoration is a tasteful nautical theme of navy blue and white. Most of the rooms have 2 Queen beds and can sleep up to 5 guests comfortably.

The best views in the Yacht Club are the water views which can be either of the swimming pool or Crescent Lake. All have either patios or balconies.

All of the Epcot hotels are within very easy reach of many excellent restaurants located in the resort hotels, on the Boardwalk or in Epcot itself. The Yacht Club also has the Yachtsman Steakhouse and Captain’s Grill.

Stormalong Bay is the hotel swimming pool which is located between the Yacht Club and the Beach Club. The pool area is a 3 acre water playground with something to appeal to everyone. There is a lazy river where all you have to do is float around and relax. Everyone will love the water slide, water falls, shallow beach entry for paddling, deeper areas for swimming. If all you want to do is relax then there are plenty of loungers around the pool.

As will all of the Epcot resorts you can easily walk to Epcot. There is also boat transportation to the World Showcase entrance and Disney Hollywood Studios. If you want to get to the other parks then transportation is by Disney bus.

Here is our complete guide at

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Photo by expressmonorail

This is the sister hotel to the Yacht Club which is slightly smaller with There are 576 guest room. There are also 282 Beach Club Villas which are part of Disney Vacation Club, but which can be booked by anyone, not just DVC members.

The rooms are a similar size to the Yacht Club at an average of 381 square feet. They sleep 5 and have either 2 doubles, 2 queens or 1 king bed. Most of the rooms have a balcony or patio. The top floor rooms have enclosed balconies with limited views. As with the Yacht Club the best views are the water views.

A great feature of the Disney Beach Club is of course Stormalong Bay which is shared with the Yacht Club.

The Beach Club has the very popular Cape May Cafe which hosts the clam bake dinner buffet, and a character breakfast buffet. Many other restaurants are within easy walking distance.

For our complete guide you can see:

Disney Beach Club

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

Photo by BestofWDW

This hotel is in a great location within easy walking distance of both Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios. If you don’t want to walk you can take the boat. All other parks are accessed by Disney bus transportation.

The very elegant Disney Boardwalk Inn is modeled after a 1920s and 30s Atlantic coast boardwalk design. It is relatively small with just 378 rooms. They are a standard 371 square feet and sleep up to 5 guests. Most rooms have 2 Queen beds and a sleeper sofa.

The Boardwalk Inn is right in the center of the Boardwalk restaurants and shopping. This means it is convenient but some rooms can be noisy if they are located at the front of the building with views of Crescent Lake. If you want a quieter room ask for one at the back of the building.

If you are looking for larger accommodation ranging from studios to 3 bedroom villas then consider the Boardwalk Inn Villas. These are connected to the Inn and although they are part of the Disney Vacation Club they are available to be booked by non DVC members.

The Boardwalk Inn and Villas do not have a restaurant within the building itself but there are plenty of choices just a short stroll away.

The pool area of the Boardwalk Inn and Villas is called Luna Park. There is an excellent 200 foot long water slide named Keister Coaster which is sure to be a big hit with the kids.

Transportation is either by walking or boat to World Showcase in Epcot and to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. All other resorts and parks are accessed by Disney bus transport.

Here is a guide:

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotel resorts are hard to miss. You will see the 47 foot swan and the 56 foot tall dolphin for miles around. Big is certainly beautiful in these hotels which are owned by the Westin and Sheraton hotel group but which are conveniently located on Walt Disney World property a short walk from Epcot. Guests of the Swan and Dolphin have most of the privileges of a Disney resort guest. One exception is that they do not have Disney charging privileges, and also there is an additional (and annoying) charge for parking. You will get free parking at the Walt Disney World parks but not the hotel parking lot.

The distinctive design of the Swan and Dolphin is the work of distinguished architect Michael Graves. The Dolphin has 1509 rooms and 136 suites. Most rooms have 2 doubles although some have King beds. The Swan is smaller with 756 rooms and 55 suites. Most of the rooms here have 2 Queens or 1 King bed.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resorts share some very impressive recreational facilities. The swimming pools are some of the nicest of any on Disney property. The grotto pool is a lot of fun with a water fall and a slide. There are also 2 lap pools and a children’s wading pool. There is a large sandy area with lounge chairs. The hotels also share a health club, playground, tennis and a spa.

There are lots of dining options. The restaurants in the Disney Swan and Dolphin resorts often tend to be less busy that the other hotels and resorts so always think about getting a reservation there whether you are a hotel guest or not.

You can walk to the Epcot World Showcase entrance from the Swan and Dolphin. They are the furthest away of all the hotels though so you may prefer to take the boat. There is also a boat to Disney Hollywood Studios. For all the other parks and resorts including Downtown Disney guests can use the Disney transport bus system.

Whichever one of the hotels near Epcot that you choose you will be sure to have a luxurious hotel with all the benefits of being a Walt Disney World guest. Which one is your favorite? Leave me a Comment below.

Epcot Countries

February 5, 2012 by Alison 2 Comments

There are 11 Epcot countries in the World Showcase part of the park. Each has very unique architecture, dining and shopping. All of the Epcot countries are located around the World Showcase Lagoon. The saying goes that what Epcot really stands for is Everyone Comes Out Tired and it is true that it can certainly be a challenge to take in everything that Epcot has to offer in just one day! Most of the countries have been there since Epcot opened on 1st October 1982 but some have been added since that time, and of course there is always speculation that one day there will be additional countries added to the existing eleven nations which are represented in World Showcase.

So let us take a tour around the World Showcase Lagoon to get a flavor of the Epcot Countries.

Photo by stuckincustoms

Epcot Canada

This is the first country you will encounter if you take an anti clockwise tour around the lagoon and enter from Future World. The architecture is certainly imposing and is designed to make the guest think of the great Canadian outdoors. Beautiful gardens, cascading waterfalls and magnificent totem poles great you in the Epcot Canada Pavilion.

There is an excellent attraction here. O’ Canada is a circle vision movie presentation which takes you on a journey around the diverse landscape of this huge country. Yes the narration by Martin Short can be a little cheesy, and you do have to stand for the whole performance but this is one of those not to be misses World Showcase experiences.

The one disappointing feature of the Canadian Pavilion in Epcot is the shopping. There is now just one store since the upper level shopping venue closed a few years ago due to low revenue. The remaining store just doesn’t seem as interesting as most of the others in World Showcase.

It is here that you will find one of the most popular restaurants in the whole of Walt Disney World, Epcot Le Cellier Steakhouse. This traditional steakhouse is one of the most difficult to get Advance Dining Reservations for.

Epcot United Kingdom

The United Kingdom Pavilion displays a very varied selection of British architectural styles. From Tudor to Georgian and Regency style to Victorian England this is certainly a mix but it all works really well together. Sadly the United Kingdom does not have an attraction or ride, but the shopping and dining opportunities are well worth a look.

The shops offer a wide selection of British goods. Want some tea, fine china, soccer shirts, Beatles themed items of even your own family heraldic crest? This is the destination for you!

The full service dining Rose and Crown offers traditional British pub food fare including the famous dish of Fish and chips. The Rose and Crown is one of the best places to view the Epcot Illuminations fireworks which are staged every evening at the World Showcase Lagoon.

Epcot France

Photo by Wyscan

The first thing that you will notice of course is the one tenth scale replica of the Eiffel Tower which dominates the Parisian style architecture of Epcot France. This is a very stylish place to be with excellent shopping and high quality dining. It is also a great place to find Disney Princesses Belle and Aurora.

The shops sell great selections of wine, household goods and of course perfume. Epcot France also has the only stand alone Givenchy store in the US.

The Impressions de France is one of my favorite Epcot attractions. This 18 minute movie, although very dated, has beautiful music and shows the diverse and beautiful scenery of France.

Dining in France is of course of excellent quality. If you want fine dining head to the Bistro de Paris and if you want something also of very good quality but rather less formal then choose the Chefs de Paris. If you just want a quick snack then the Boulangerie Patisserie is a great place to stop for a French cake or pastry. No they don’t quite taste like the real thing but they are good quality and the cafe tables offer a great place to rest for a while before you head off again around World Showcase.

Look out for the excellent street entertainment in France. Serveur Amusant is well worth waiting for and draws a large crowd.

Here is our complete guide to the Pavilion:

Epcot France

Epcot Morocco

This is one of the most recent additions to the World Showcase part of Epcot (it was added in 1984). It is designed to look like an authentic Moroccan city and The King of Morocco even sent some of his own artisans to work on the project to ensure the highest degree of attention to detail.

Restaurant Marakkesh is one of those hidden Epcot gems. It is located at the back of the Pavilion and many people either don’t realize that it is there or are deterred by it’s unfamiliar menu. Take a chance and see if you like it and you will likely be rewarded with one of the best Epcot restaurant experiences. The food is good and reasonably priced for an Epcot restaurant. Everyone will love the belly dancing entertainment and you can even join in if you are brave enough.

The shopping is also a lot of fun in Epcot Morocco. Here you will find authentic jewelry, clothes and Moroccan ceramics. The Cast Members here are amongst the friendliest in the whole of Epcot.

Morocco also has one of my favorite quick service dining destinations in the park. Tangier has great authentic food at reasonable prices. It is particularly good if you are vegetarian. Just don’t drink the wine!

Epcot Japan

The architecture here is stunning, the food is excellent and the shopping is amongst the best in the whole of World Showcase. The huge red torri gate is one of the most imposing and memorable features of the World Showcase Lagoon. The very tall pagoda also dominates the skyline. You will find that this is one of the most tranquil places in World Showcase. Make sure that you spend some time in the large courtyard and just look at the attention to detail and the beautiful spaces in this wonderful Epcot Pavilion.

There are 2 excellent restaurants here. Tokyo Dining has all the traditional times you would expect such as sushi and bento boxes on the menu. It is also one of the best restaurants for exceptional service in the whole of Epcot. Teppan Edo is also a lot of fun with excellent food. This traditional teppanyaki dining room offers entertainment as well as excellent food. The Yakatori House which is slightly hidden away is also a great place for quick service dining.

Miyuki is one of the best of the street entertainers. She practices the ancient and rare art of making animal shapes out of candy. Her show is very entertaining and you can see this in the courtyard at scheduled times on most days.

The shopping here is amongst the best in Epcot. The Mitsukoshi Department store is huge and has everything from traditional Japanese clothes, Japanese dining items including some very fancy chopsticks, jewelry, and lot of toys.

As you can probably tell the Japanese Pavilion is one of my very favorites. Definitely plan to spend some time here so that you can experience the very special ambience of this Pavilion.

Epcot United States

Photo by Brian and Kathy Mickle

The United States Pavilion in Epcot is the largest space and has the most imposing building – a huge colonial style mansion which houses the American Adventure attraction. This is one of the most technologically advanced attractions in the whole of Walt Disney World and it tells the story of American history using a mix of movie footage and animatronics. All of the US Presidents are represented on stage – it is a very memorable and thought provoking attraction.

It is also home to the large American Gardens Theatre which is an outdoor theater which stages many live events such as the Eat to the Beat concerts and the Holiday Candlelight Processional features.

Sadly the American Pavilion lacks a full service dining venue. The only food available here is in the quick service location. If you want traditional American burger and fries this is the place to be. For funnel cakes there is also an outside small kiosk. The shopping is also strangely limited here. There is a small store selling books, clothes and other items but really most guests will be expecting something more. The focus here is on the American Adventure attraction – and whilst this is spectacular I really do wish there was a little more offered here.

Epcot Italy

Photo by Brian and Kathy Mickle

Of course Epcot Italy is one of the most relaxing and stylish of the World Showcase Pavilions. Great dining and shopping and people watching. Just pick a spot on one of the tables in the square and watch the world go by for a moment.

The architecture takes it’s inspiration from Venice, Rome and Florence. Epcot Italy has 2 restaurants. Via Napoli is a traditional pizza restaurant with a huge wood fired pizza oven dominating the space, and Tutto Italiana has a good (if pricey) selection of pasta and traditional Italian entrees.

As you would expect, the shopping is also great in Italy. Everything from excellent wines and high quality kitchen items, to perfume, jewelry and clothes.

Epcot Germany

Photo by Jalsoli

This Pavilion seems to be particularly beautiful at night. All of the lights and music just seem to work even better after dark. The theme here is Oktoberfest. The architecture is exactly what you would expect to see in a traditional medieval German town.

Germany is home to one of the most fun of all of the Epcot dining experiences. The Biergarten offers traditional German food in an all you can eat buffet. The real attraction here is the entertainment. Guests are seated at huge tables and are entertained by a traditional German ‘oompah’ band wearing the national costume of lederhosen! Certainly an experience not to be missed (although the food is not the best in Epcot).

The shops offer lots of interesting items. It is Christmas year round here and they store sells some great Holiday decorations including the traditional Pickle. The wine cellar offers some excellent German wines. There is a large selection of glassware, traditional toys including the Stein bear, and a large selection of cuckoo clocks.

Epcot China

Another visually stunning and imposing Pavilion, Epcot China offers great shopping and a very watchable movie attraction. Unfortunately the dining is the most disappointing in the whole of the Epcot park.

Reflections of China is a very entertaining movie showing the diverse culture and history of China. Like O’ Canada this is Circle Vision 360 but it is a continuous image projected all around the room (the Canadian movie is repeated images around the room not one continuous one). Whatever the technical details this is a movie to to be missed. Be aware though that guests to have to stand for the duration of the movie.

There are excellent shows throughout the day in the courtyard which showcase the talents of young Chinese acrobats. Check your daily schedule for details. Also see the schedule for appearances by Disney Princess Mulan.

The Yong Feng Shangdian store is one of the largest in World Showcase and has an excellent choice of clothes, home goods, jewelry and toys. Particularly popular are the parasols and the puppets which are sold in one of the kiosks in the courtyard.

The quick service dining venue is the Lotus Blossom Cafe which serves good Chinese favorites. Unfortunately the Nine Dragons restaurant is one of the most disappointing in the World Showcase. Average food and average service.

Epcot Norway

This is home to one of the most popular dining venues and one of only 2 rides in Epcot World Showcase. Epcot Norway is the place where the Disney Princesses are found in Restaurant Akershus. If you are looking for a great character dining location where you get quality time with the Princesses then Disney Princess Storybook Dining is the place for you. The food may take second place to the character greetings but this is still a great choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

The Maelstrom water ride is a lot of fun for all ages (but beware it is a dark ride so may scare the younger ones). Take a boat ride through Viking Norway to the present day on this water ride. There is one small drop and the ride seems really short but it is worth a visit if the lines are not too long. A Fast Pass is also available if the wait times seem to much to deal with. There is a short, and very outdated movie at the end of the ride. Most people skip this but if this is your first visit then take some time to watch it. Norway is an amazing country with beautiful scenery and I wish that more people would take the time to watch the movie – incredibly outdated though I know it is!

The store is rather disappointing. A large part of it is devoted to traditional Norwegian clothes which although high quality (and high priced) somehow seem out of place in the Florida sun. The store also offers some toys (think Viking helmets, swords) and a lot of trolls! There is jewelry and perfume too but nothing particularly exciting here.

Epcot Mexico

Photo by spreadthemagic

As you would expect Epcot Mexico is vibrant and lively. The Pavilion is the only Pavilion to be mostly housed inside a building (a replica of a Mayan Temple). Step inside and you will be captivated by the sights and sounds of a traditional Mexican market place. It truly is beautiful.

The Grand Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Cabelleros is a fun, but slightly strange boat ride though Mexican historical sights with Donald Duck as your companion. Sounds strange? It is slightly but is nonetheless worth a visit.

The dining here is very good with 2 choices of restaurant. The San Angel Inn is a candle light dining venue at the side of the ‘river’ of the water ride. The food here is good (but pricey) Mexican fare. There is also a very popular outside restaurant at the edge of the World Showcase Lagoon – Hacienda de San Angel. Again the food is good but one of the main attractions here is the view. If you can snag a lagoon side table later in the evening you will get one of the very best views available of the nightly Epcot Illuminations fireworks show.

The shopping in Mexico is also very good. Here you will find traditional Mexican crafts, pottery, and clothing is good value.

Another very popular spot in Epcot Mexico is the La Cava de Tequila bar. Go here for speciality tequilas and of course very good margaritas!

There are so many Epcot countries to explore you do need to make sure that you devote at least a day to touring both Future World and World Showcase. If you can spare 2 days then you really will get the most out of your visit to Epcot.

Top 10 Walt Disney World Must See Rides and Attractions

January 26, 2012 by Alison 14 Comments

What are the must see Walt Disney World rides and attractions? This is of course a very difficult question to answer. There are so many things to see and do at Walt Disney World that to choose just a few that you absolutely must do is rather a challenge. But of course I am never one to walk away from a difficult task so here is my own personal Top 10 Walt Disney World must see rides and attractions. They are in no particular order – choosing a Top 10 is difficult enough, putting them in order would have been impossible!

All of the amazing photos are by expressmonorail

Disney Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams Fireworks

No visit to Walt Disney World is complete without seeing the Wishes Fireworks at Magic Kingdom. This spectacular fireworks show debuted in 2003 and has been enchanting guests ever since. The show is hosted by Jiminy Cricket and The Blue Fairy and is a classic tale of good against evil. It is a magical mix of fireworks, music and lighting effects. Watch out for Tinkerbell flying across the skies!

Which is the best viewing spot for Disney Wishes fireworks? There are many to choose from but some of my favorites include on the platform of the train station at the end of Main Street, sitting at one of the tables outside at the Plaza Restaurant, various spots in Fantasyland (which is less crowded but you can’t see Tinkerbell) and of course California Grill restaurant in the Contemporary Resort.

Be careful to check the schedule for times and dates of showings for Wishes as these do vary.

Disney Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

The thing about Disney attractions is that they are just so amazingly themed – and Disney’s Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is one of the best examples of this anywhere in Walt Disney World. Want to drop 13 stories in an elevator? This is the Disney attraction for you!

Disney is the master of theme park story telling and every great ride has a back story. The Hollywood Tower Hotel has a history. It opened in 1919 and soon established itself as one of the places to be for the movie crowd. But on October 31st 1939 five guests enter the elevator of the hotel just as lightning strikes. The child star, her nanny, two young starlets and the bell hop vanish . All the other hotel guests run from the building leaving their belongings behind.

The attention to detail in the line is exceptional. It looks just as though you would imagine it would if it had been abandoned in 1939. The Cast Members play their part brilliantly, all adding to the anticipation of the ride.

The Tower of Terror is not for the feint of heart. It is a thrill ride and has a height requirement of 40″. It is very popular so make sure that you use a Fast Pass or arrive very early in the morning.

For more on this amazing attraction visit

Disney Twilight Zone of Terror

Star Tours The Adventure Continues

If you are a fan of Star Wars (and even if you aren’t) this motion simulator ride is one of the best Disney World attractions. Located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios this classic ride has a complete overhaul in 2011. You will see all your Star Wars favorites including your accidental pilot C3PO who will take you on a journey which has 54 variations. This new technology means that you never know quite which direction your journey will take.

Kilimanjaro Safari

Not many of us will get to experience a real safari in Africa but The Kilimanjaro Safari in Disney’s Animal Kingdom park is a great substitute for the real thing. Walt Disney himself always wanted to have a theme park which allowed guests to see real live animals and Animal Kingdom was the realization of his dream.

Guests board an authentic safari type vehicle as they are taken on a tour of the 100 acre African savanna. The ride is also authentically bumpy so take note of those warnings! The very best time to take the safari is in the early morning. This is not just because the lines are likely to be shorter but also because this is the time when the animals are at their most active.

There is a great commentary by the tour guide who will help you to see as many of the animals as possible. Some of the most popular sitings are of elephants, zebra, giraffe, rhino, hippopotamus and of course the lions (don’t worry they are kept out of your reach by some very clever discreet Disney landscaping). You may even be lucky enough to see the Cheetah (they are often quite difficult to see). Also on the savanna are warthogs, gazelle, flamingo, ostrich, okapis and wildebeest.

As with all popular Disney attractions make sure that you get a Fast Pass or ride early in the morning. It will cut your time waiting in line.

It’s A Small World

This classic Disney ride is one of the original attractions which was over seen by Walt Disney himself. Disney World has seen many changes over the years but this cheerful musical boat ride remains true to the original ideals of Walt himself. The theme is quite simply world peace through global understanding. Hundreds of animatronic dolls representing many countries around the world sing the unforgettable It’s A Small World theme song. Guests board a slow moving boat and sail around watching the brightly colored moving dolls sing their happy message. You know you will never get that song out of your head, but somehow it is worth it!

Epcot Test Track

Another very original Disney World ride, Epcot Test Track is a theme park ride unlike any other. The story is that guests are needed to test the cars just like the crash test dummies do! Guests board a 6 passenger vehicle which will take them on a journey through various tests. These tests include braking, heat and cold tests, hair pin bends and of course the final speed test. Your test Track vehicle will reach speeds of up to 65 mph before bringing you back to the testing facility.

This one is a lot of fun and is a truly unique ride. It is thrilling without being scary so a lot of guests who don’t usually enjoy thrill rides like roller coasters will enjoy Test Track. It is of course very popular so use the Fast Pass or if you don’t mind riding without the other members of your party the Single Rider line will save you a lot of time.

For more details visit

Epcot Test Track

Epcot Illuminations Reflections of Earth

This is another must see fireworks event at Walt Disney World. Illuminations: Reflections of Earth is a unique fireworks, lights, pyrotechnics and music spectacular which is shown every night (weather permitting) around Epcot’s World Showcase Lagoon.

Most places around the World Showcase Lagoon give a good view of the show but do be aware that trees can block your view so choose your viewing spot carefully. At busy times you do need to reserve a place at least an hour ahead of the show. Some of the best places to view are the bridge between the United Kingdom and France, on the platform just outside the Japanese restaurants, and if you can get a reservation, the outside viewing area in the restaurant at the Rose and Crown Restaurant.

For more information about this amazing fireworks show:

Epcot Illuminations

Soarin

Located in Disney’s Epcot Future World, Soarin’ is a must see attraction. It is a ride which simulates flight, rather than a flight simulator! Another very unique experience only available in Disneyland, where it originally debuted, and Disney’s Epcot.

Guests board a huge structure which has rows of seats in front of an extremely large screen. The seats are then lifted up into the air and have gentle motion which feels like flying. The movie Soarin Over California is then projected onto the huge screen so guests feel as though they are flying over the state. The movie is beautifully filmed and seems to fly you over many destinations including Yosemite, The Wine Country, San Francisco, Palm Springs, San Diego and of course Disneyland.

Pirates of the Caribbean Ride

This is another classic Disney ride which originally debuted in Disneyland in 1967. This was the last attraction which Walt Disney personally supervised and participated in it’s design. Guests board a slow moving boat which will plunge down a (very small) waterfall and then take them through a series of dark scenes with animatronics, pyrotechnics, and explosions all to the tune of Yo Ho It’s a Pirates Life For Me!

Most guests these days will be very familiar with the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and they will be pleased to see that Jack Sparrow appears in the ride more than once.

Fantasmic!

Make sure that you arrive early for this Disney Hollywood Studios night time spectacular. Even though the auditorium has seats for 6,900 guests and standing room for 3,000 more it does reach capacity. To get the best seats you do have to be there 60 to 90 minutes before the show starts.

Once again the theme is good against evil, with Mickey Mouse dressed as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice battling the Disney villains. The show is spectacular. Expect pyrotechnics, a huge dragon, images projected onto water, fire which seems to be right in front of you, fireworks and an epic musical score. This show seems to have every special effect known to Disney World thrown in! Of course all ends well for Mickey and at the end of this 25 minute show many of your favorite characters sail past you on the water in front of the set.

Never under estimate how popular this show is – arrive as early as you possibly can to get a good seat. This can be a long wait if you have young children or if it is cold out at night. The only way to beat the crowds is to book a Fantasmic Dining Package which you can reserve ahead by calling 407 WDW DINE. You then reserve a meal at one of the Disney Hollywood Studios restaurants and get a place is the reserved seating area for Fantasmic. This is a reserved area, not a reserved seat so you do still have to be there around 30 minutes before the show.

It is very difficult to pick a Top 10 Walt Disney World must see rides and attractions but here are my personal favorites. Which ones have I left out? Which have I included that you really don’t enjoy? Leave me a Comment below!

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Disney World Character Dining

Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney Top 10, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Rides, Rides, Rides and Attractions, World Showcase Tagged With: disney world rides, must see disney world attractions, top 10 disney world rides, Top 10 Walt Disney World Must See Rides and Attractions, walt disney world rides

Epcot United Kingdom

July 23, 2011 by Alison 2 Comments

Experience the history, sights, sounds, shopping and dining of the United Kingdom in this Epcot World Showcase Pavilion. Epcot United Kingdom is located close to the World Showcase entrance of the park next to Epcot France.

The architecture is a suprisingly pleasing mix of styles from Tudor, Georgian, Regency and Victorian England. Picture the idea that you have of how a perfect scene in a perfect English town looks and this is probably it. You can imagine Mary Poppins (in fact you can see Mary Poppins) walking down a quaint London Street.

Take the time to stroll around the back of the Pavilion and you will find a great place to just sit down on a park bench in the typical English garden square and people watch.

Also don’t miss Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. This is a replica of William Shakespeare’s wife’s cottage in Stratford Upon Avon.

Even though this is quite a large area for a Pavilion unfortunately there is no show or ride attraction. But you can still take some time exploring the shops or enjoying a pint in the traditional British Pub.

Epcot United Kingdom Dining

The Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room serves traditional British foods and oc course offers a great selection of beers from the United Kingdom. The Rose and Crown offers dining inside and out. The interior is designed like a very traditional Victorian pub – cosy and with a huge bar at the back of the room.

The Rose and Crown serves lunch and dinner. Both menus are essentially the same but the dinner prices are higher. The Rose and Crown is a popular place and not many tables are offered so it is essential that you make Advance Dining Reservations if possible. It is very popular in the evening when diners attempt to snag one of the outside tables – it is one of the best places in World Showcase for watching the Illuminations fireworks. Always ask for a fireworks view if you are going to still be seated at around 9pm when the fireworks start.

So what is on the menu at The Rose and Crown? You can try Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash, Shepherd's Pie (a vegetarian version is also available) or opt for a traditional Sunday Roast. Entrees are priced from around $12 to $25 at lunch and $16 to $27 at dinner.

The best food on the menu at the Rose and Crown has to be the desserts. The Sticky Toffee Pudding is a favorite. The Bakewell Tart and Chocolate Scotch Cake are also good options.

Whilst you are in the United Kingdom you really should sample one of the excellent local beers. Guiness Stout is a popular one well worth a try. You can get this at the restaurant and pub or there is also a beverage stand outside at the front of the Rose and Crown. A yard of ale is particularly popular.

I have to confess that The Rose and Crown is not top of my list when thinking of which Epcot restaurant to dine in. Being a United Kingdom native but living in the US for many years, I do sometimes get nostalgic and want to dine there. Unfortunately when I do I am usually disappointed by the quality of the food. The atmosphere is good, and the service is good too – much better than you would get in your average pub in the United Kingdom! But the quality of the food is pretty average.

Another dining option in Epcot United Kingdom is Yorkshire County Fish and Chips. This is a counter service venue and has outside dining only. If you want to sample the great British traditional fish and chips then this is a good place. The kiosk only serves fish and chips (at $8.19), a side of chips (at $2.69) and shortbread which is a typical English sweet biscuit. You can also get Bass Ale or Harp Lager. This is a good value option for a quick service meal. The lines can get pretty long but they generally move pretty quickly.

Epcot United Kingdom Shopping

As a Brit I do enjoy looking at the shops here because it does remind me of home. The Cadburys chocolate is always a particular favorite for me.

If you are looking for traditional English tea and excellent chocolate then browse around The Tea Caddy. This leads into The Queens Table which sells linens and fine china, including some very fancy teapots. You will also find books which are usually a selection of tourist guides and generally some British Royal Family books. The Magic of Wales has a small selection of jewelry, pottery and candy.

If you are looking for your family crest then look no further than The Crown and Crest. Most names are available and you can have your own family crest as a keepsake. If you want some pub memorabilia then the beer mats are a good value. Fancy a pint glass? Of course you can buy them here. There is also Beatle related merchandise. The themed chess sets are always tempting particularly the Alice in Wonderland set but they are also pretty pricey.

Fancy Good For Lords and Ladies is the place for perfume and body care products. It is also usually the least crowded area of the United Kingdom Pavilion!

The Sportsman Shoppe sells British sports related items, mainly clothing. So if you want your soccer shirt or even a Scottish kilt this is the place to find it.

Children and adults will enjoy The Toy Soldier which has a good selection of British toys with favorites such as Winnie the Pooh, British children’s books and play swords and castles. The back of the store has the Kidcot Fun Stop. This is also the place where character greetings are held. Look for the huge and very comfortable easy chair just at the bottom of the steps which is a great place to sit down and just relax for a few minutes.

Epcot United Kingdom Entertainment

For many years The British Invasion, a Beatles Tribute Band played in the United Kingdom Pavilion. Unfortunately after 15 years of entertaining Epcot guests they have now moved on. They have been replaced by The British Revolution who play such diverse UK music as The Beatles, The Who and Led Zeppelin.

The World Showcase Players are also well worth seeing. They perform at the front of the Pavilion.

The United Kingdom at Epcot is also a good place to meet characters. You can sometimes find Winnie the Pooh and his Friends Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore. Mary Poppins, and Alice in Wonderland often make an appearance at the front of the Pavilion near Anne Hathaway’s Cottage.

The United Kingdom Pavilion in Epcot, although lacking a ride or show is a great place to spend some time when visiting World Showcase. It has great shopping, all those choices of beer and of course the greatest fish and chips in Disney World.

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