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Odd coming from me, but I'm going to Epcot for the first time in 25 years. Any suggestions?
- Thread starter marilynfl
- Start date
One suggestion...
on the way into Epcot, where you pay for admission, make sure you get a copy of the day's activity times in each country. Each country has dances, musical engagements, drama and other enactments that really enhance the visit. If you time it right and keep up a decent pace, you can make it through all the countries getting to see the timed activities they have going on making the price of admission more worthwhile. When I was at Epcot 2 years ago there were folks who hadn't received the schedule when they entered so they were unaware of the events and missed out.
Also, we thought the food in a few of the countries was quite good, so it's worth enjoying some snacks or meals as you go along.
on the way into Epcot, where you pay for admission, make sure you get a copy of the day's activity times in each country. Each country has dances, musical engagements, drama and other enactments that really enhance the visit. If you time it right and keep up a decent pace, you can make it through all the countries getting to see the timed activities they have going on making the price of admission more worthwhile. When I was at Epcot 2 years ago there were folks who hadn't received the schedule when they entered so they were unaware of the events and missed out.
Also, we thought the food in a few of the countries was quite good, so it's worth enjoying some snacks or meals as you go along.
Soar'n! You MUST get a FastPass first thing when you get there.
The ride is worth it!
Bistro de Paris is upstairs over the regular French restaurant. Mexico has a new restaurant. I haven't been there but have heard rave reviews. The Chinese restaurant is also very good.
I have not eaten in Morocco and haven't heard anything about it.
Everybody raves about the fish n' chips in England but I didn't care for them at all...soggy with limp chips. Long John Silvers' is better.
Tempura and sushi is just so-so in Japan but Canada has a very good steakhouse.
MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!! Right this very minute...go go go to the phone or you will be grabbing a sausage in a pretzel roll in Germany or a smoked turkey leg in America.
Back? Good, now the French movie is very good...wonderful music. The American event is a lot of fun with animatronic presidents. China and Canada have 360 degree movies. I don't think any of these have changed in 25 years.
Mission to Mars has two lines: one for the iron-stomached and one for those with looser stomachs.
The ride in the geodesic ball (Spaceship Earth) has been renovated with Dame Judi Densch narrating.
The 3D movie in Imagination is Michael Jackson's Capt Eo really shows it's age. Not very good 3D effects imho.
Energey is old with Ellen and the "poop-yogurt" lady.
The ride in the Sea Pavilion is very painful unless you are 8 years-old or less. Finding Nemo
Stay for the fireworks.
GO MAKE DINNER RESERVATIONS!
The ride is worth it!
Bistro de Paris is upstairs over the regular French restaurant. Mexico has a new restaurant. I haven't been there but have heard rave reviews. The Chinese restaurant is also very good.
I have not eaten in Morocco and haven't heard anything about it.
Everybody raves about the fish n' chips in England but I didn't care for them at all...soggy with limp chips. Long John Silvers' is better.
Tempura and sushi is just so-so in Japan but Canada has a very good steakhouse.
MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!! Right this very minute...go go go to the phone or you will be grabbing a sausage in a pretzel roll in Germany or a smoked turkey leg in America.
Back? Good, now the French movie is very good...wonderful music. The American event is a lot of fun with animatronic presidents. China and Canada have 360 degree movies. I don't think any of these have changed in 25 years.
Mission to Mars has two lines: one for the iron-stomached and one for those with looser stomachs.
The ride in the geodesic ball (Spaceship Earth) has been renovated with Dame Judi Densch narrating.
The 3D movie in Imagination is Michael Jackson's Capt Eo really shows it's age. Not very good 3D effects imho.
Energey is old with Ellen and the "poop-yogurt" lady.
The ride in the Sea Pavilion is very painful unless you are 8 years-old or less. Finding Nemo
Stay for the fireworks.
GO MAKE DINNER RESERVATIONS!
Yes, it's more movie than ride. Hang gliding along the California coast.
The movie does all the action and the ride sways a bit. What's interesting is that you smell the oranges and pine as they move past you on screen.
Spaceship earth is also a slow moving ride but it does climb and you are on your back somewhat as the car moves up.
The movie does all the action and the ride sways a bit. What's interesting is that you smell the oranges and pine as they move past you on screen.
Spaceship earth is also a slow moving ride but it does climb and you are on your back somewhat as the car moves up.
colleenmomof2
Well-known member
Epcot resorts we love
Hi Marilyn, In recent years, we have been walking the Epcot Boardwalk, Beach and Yacht Club, Dolphin/Swan Disney Resort Complex (BBYDS) around Crescent Lake, with on-site entry into Epcot at the International Gateway. If you can negotiate the same deal you're getting at the Saratoga Springs (also a Deluxe Villa Resort), I strongly suggest staying at one of these Epcot resorts instead. Easy in and out to Epcot by boat (for that quick afternoon nap in the heat of the day!) For the past 20 years, we have stayed in the Epcot Resort Area at the Caribbean Beach Resort (in Aruba or Jamaica across the footbridge from Old Port Royale - great location for fireworks). Many years of going with the boys and eating in Caribbean's yummy-and-well-priced food court restaurants have made it our favorite place to stay and eat (after a long day at Disney)! We haven't been inside Disney World in years so I don't have any other great Epcot how-tos for you and Larry, EXCEPT take your car from Saratoga Springs to Epcot - don't take the Disney bus. Enjoy! Colleen
http://i968.photobucket.com/albums/ae164/skelooch/RESORTStoIG.jpg
http://i968.photobucket.com/albums/ae164/skelooch/RESORTStoIG.jpg
Hi Marilyn, In recent years, we have been walking the Epcot Boardwalk, Beach and Yacht Club, Dolphin/Swan Disney Resort Complex (BBYDS) around Crescent Lake, with on-site entry into Epcot at the International Gateway. If you can negotiate the same deal you're getting at the Saratoga Springs (also a Deluxe Villa Resort), I strongly suggest staying at one of these Epcot resorts instead. Easy in and out to Epcot by boat (for that quick afternoon nap in the heat of the day!) For the past 20 years, we have stayed in the Epcot Resort Area at the Caribbean Beach Resort (in Aruba or Jamaica across the footbridge from Old Port Royale - great location for fireworks). Many years of going with the boys and eating in Caribbean's yummy-and-well-priced food court restaurants have made it our favorite place to stay and eat (after a long day at Disney)! We haven't been inside Disney World in years so I don't have any other great Epcot how-tos for you and Larry, EXCEPT take your car from Saratoga Springs to Epcot - don't take the Disney bus. Enjoy! Colleen
http://i968.photobucket.com/albums/ae164/skelooch/RESORTStoIG.jpg
http://i968.photobucket.com/albums/ae164/skelooch/RESORTStoIG.jpg
colleen! you just saved our butts! I thought Saratoga Springs would be an
easy boat ride away from the parks and that we wouldn't need to use our car while we were there. But it turns out the "Saratog Springs Resort and Spa" is actually san Spa until April due to renovations.
That gave me a hole in the closely woven legalese of my hotel reservation to CANCEL and RE-BOOK at the SwanDolphin.
AND...because I'd already had $$ figured, we were able to get a balcony room with a view of the fireworks for the same price range.
And we can use the boats.
SCORE! Thank you, Mom of Two!
easy boat ride away from the parks and that we wouldn't need to use our car while we were there. But it turns out the "Saratog Springs Resort and Spa" is actually san Spa until April due to renovations.
That gave me a hole in the closely woven legalese of my hotel reservation to CANCEL and RE-BOOK at the SwanDolphin.
AND...because I'd already had $$ figured, we were able to get a balcony room with a view of the fireworks for the same price range.
And we can use the boats.
SCORE! Thank you, Mom of Two!
colleenmomof2
Well-known member
Outstanding! You did it!
So very clever, indeed! The Disney reservation process can be "tricky." We have been successful with booking at a "less than perfect" Disney resort (usually the All Star) and then showing up at the Caribbean to register. They have - every time but once - been able to switch our reservation.
When you check in, be sure to ask for an even better deal - they can only say no smileys/wink.gif I'm guessing you're already using the "Florida resident rate." And I understand a AAA membership will get you 20% off at some of the Dolphin/Swan restaurants!
I suggest stopping for a Mojito from Hurricane Hanna's pool bar at the Yacht Club to consume while sitting on the beach or to take back to your room. A bit pricy but quite good!
Stay away from the Boardwalk Pastry Shop - yum smileys/wink.gif Colleen
So very clever, indeed! The Disney reservation process can be "tricky." We have been successful with booking at a "less than perfect" Disney resort (usually the All Star) and then showing up at the Caribbean to register. They have - every time but once - been able to switch our reservation.
When you check in, be sure to ask for an even better deal - they can only say no smileys/wink.gif I'm guessing you're already using the "Florida resident rate." And I understand a AAA membership will get you 20% off at some of the Dolphin/Swan restaurants!
I suggest stopping for a Mojito from Hurricane Hanna's pool bar at the Yacht Club to consume while sitting on the beach or to take back to your room. A bit pricy but quite good!
Stay away from the Boardwalk Pastry Shop - yum smileys/wink.gif Colleen
colleenmomof2
Well-known member
Uh oh. Did they include free parking and WIFI at Swan/Dolphin?
Both are free with your reservation at Saratoga Springs (a Disney resort) and both are pricey at Swan/Dolphin (not Disney resorts - I didn't know this). On some of the comment sites people have mentioned an additional $14 daily charge for health club (and 2 bottled waters), also a free service at Saratoga Springs. Don't know about other differences. Colleen
Both are free with your reservation at Saratoga Springs (a Disney resort) and both are pricey at Swan/Dolphin (not Disney resorts - I didn't know this). On some of the comment sites people have mentioned an additional $14 daily charge for health club (and 2 bottled waters), also a free service at Saratoga Springs. Don't know about other differences. Colleen
Not sure..I just assumed parking came with the hotel. But it's worth it for the boat rides & easier
access to get around without a car.
I'm totally confused about this whole on-property, not a Disney property, etc issue. I thought if you crossed over the Magic Mickey Line, you were "on property" and all sorts of wonderful things happened. It's a Sheraton, but it's called Walt Disney World Dolphin on Epcot Blvd. It does have •High Speed Internet Access, but doesn't mention WiFI. Not a word about parking.
I'm gonna enjoy this.
access to get around without a car.
I'm totally confused about this whole on-property, not a Disney property, etc issue. I thought if you crossed over the Magic Mickey Line, you were "on property" and all sorts of wonderful things happened. It's a Sheraton, but it's called Walt Disney World Dolphin on Epcot Blvd. It does have •High Speed Internet Access, but doesn't mention WiFI. Not a word about parking.
I'm gonna enjoy this.