Howdy! Today was a whirlwind of park hopping between Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. There was just so much going on today, but I spent most of my day in EPCOT.
Good Morning from Disney’s Hollywood Studios
I’ll be honest, the fog was THICK this morning and it was giving Silent Hill vibes or spooky vibes for those not familiar. When I got to Hollywood Studios in hopes of the PizzeRizzo Pin releasing today I was met with almost immediate disappointment and was told that it would be released this month, which we already knew.
I was happy to see not only the Anxiety mug, but the Gertie tumbler and mug, and the Sam Eagle Stanley look-a-like were restocked as they sold out quickly.
Skyliner Ride in the Fog
I took another spooky ride in the Skyliner this time. I am already a nervous Nelly in this flying gondola, and the fog does not help. Secretly it reminds me of when Willy Wonka takes Charlie in the flying glass elevator. Anyway.
When flying over Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort you can usually see EPCOT out in the distance. Not today.
Good Morning from World Showcase
I grew up staying in the Swan and Dolphin resort, so the back entrance of EPCOT feels like home to me. Let me know in the comments if you have ever used the back entrance of EPCOT before.
Morocco Pavilion – Race Against the Sun
There hasn’t been any progress made on the damage to the left door of Race Against the Sun in the Morocco Pavilion in EPCOT. It’s just the opposite, the door is now more damaged than before. Previously the broken window was the only damage, now the left door is missing its door handle.
Germany Pavilion – Tiny Village Drama
The tiny German village continues to be chaotic. There is a miniature man drowning in a small pond, luckily they seem to have turned off the water wheel. More folks have joined in on the hangout at the small red house up the hill. There was some rogue track left to the side, reminds me of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishments in Magic Kingdom.
In the main town square, a roof has blown off, luckily there were no injuries to the small people. The church crowd continues to wait, but the cop just in the distance makes me think something more fishy may be at foot. Of course, our smallest friend since the start continues to wave her white handkerchief for help, while a new man sits on the exposed edge only a few centimeters from her.
Equatorial Africa Pavilion – Refreshment Port
There used to be a Coca-Cola truck in this spot in the Refreshment Port in the Africa area. I hope it’s just a simple refurbishment and that the fun and different photo op will return. There isn’t much going on this pavilion in the first place, so any loss is a big loss.
Mexico Pavilion Refurbishments
The Aztec Temple look-a-like in the Mexico Pavilion still has scaffolding up on the left side. There doesn’t seem to be any obvious work being done yet, but as always stay tuned to our website for more details soon.
Expression Section Final Mural
The Festival of the Arts just started and we have already started working on the final mural advertised. I love this free opportunity and how active and inclusive it feels.
I also noticed on my walk over to The Seas that the scrim has been put up hiding what is suspected to be the butterfly inclosure for Flower and Garden Festival coming up later this year.
Cuttlefish Fun in The Seas
The Seas is still a grim place compared to what it was. The construction continues in the tanks, the up escalator remains behind walls, there are no dolphins, and there are no manatees, but there are some cuttlefish. I went into the nursery upstairs and found a small tank holding new cuttlefish hatchlings as well as some that are a little bit older.
Club Cool
Club Cool is missing a few flavors at all of the machines, but Moldova is still available so all is well, and you will still have fun.
Happy Pin Tuesday!
Happy Pin Tuesday! Today I’m reporting the exclusive Disney pins from my favorite spot in Pin Traders in EPCOT, but these pins will be available at multiple locations across the property. My favorite is the Fairytale Moments pin featuring Dumbo, his mom, and Timothy Q. Mouse. Let me know which is your favorite in the comments below.
- Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet Pins (2 pins on a card)
- Limited Release
- $34.99
- Fairytale Moments Dumbo Pin
- Limited Edition of 2500
- $24.99
- Spring Stitch Pin
- Limited Edition of 3000
- $22.99
- Spring Break Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck Pin
- Limited Edition of 1500
- $22.99
Spaceship Earth
Sometimes I am still wowed by the absolute engineering marvel that is Spaceship Earth. What a strange and beautiful accomplishment. It’s just really cool. Thank you for indulging a Disney Adult.
Monorail Updates
It isn’t a trip to EPCOT until you ride the monorail. There was a ton to see from the monorail today. The refurbishment of Test Track is still steadily moving, at least from the outside. Crews were present today adding more structural supports to the roof above the entrance.
I also saw what was a new flex space with corn hole games, connect four games, and benches in shade blocked by scrim from the ground. I assumed then that was just for storage space for the festival, but no I have been played. My own assumptions were tossed when I spotted crews setting up what looks like a new playground.
I also feel pretty confident about the butterfly garden from earlier after seeing the grass cleared behind the scrim.
Bus to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
After my roundtrip ride on the EPCOT monorail, I took a bus from EPCOT to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It was a nice quiet bus ride, as most people rope drop Disney’s Animal Kingdom because the animals are most active in the morning.
Hello from Animal Kingdom
If you have read my photo report before you know how much I love this park, but that third park feeling is starting to hit and I could use a nap or maybe a detour to visit some bugs.
Tiger Trek
I persevere for now and go check on the new baby tiger, Bakso. Bakso has recently started popping up in view with his mom, Siri, and the people LOVE THE BABY. Cast Members were telling me well over 500 people are showing up in the mornings just to catch a glimpse of the young tiger. He is adorable and I totally get it, and consider myself lucky to have seen him on his second day.
They did have some cool props educating guests on the Sumatran tiger. It is also precious to see the giant black Kong toy out there that Bakso has played with inside during Tiger Tuesdays. My pup has a smaller Kong at home.
It’s Tough to be a Bug
I caved. The show is closing in a month and perhaps deep down somewhere in my traumatized childhood memories I’ll miss it. I was shocked when instead of glasses turning me into a bug I was turned into a muppet. Now I live most days as a muppet but this was not the time.
For some unknown reason the MuppetVision 3D glasses are being handed out at It’s Tough to be a Bug instead of the normal black bug-like 3D glasses. I was disappointed and the show is looking a bit rough but the water feature works very well, too well. I was soaked.
Back to Hollywood
I took a chaotic bus ride back to Hollywood Studios to get my car wherever it was left in the fog this morning.
I hope you enjoyed our day at Walt Disney World. I had a lot of fun jumping in between parks but it all happens so fast it all blends. Let me know in the comments if you are a fan of park hopping in Walt Disney World or if you prefer to take in each park individually.
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Where was the Sam Eagle insulated mug? I stopped into the Celebrity 5 & 10 on Sunday evening, they said they were out of stock. Or do they just run out of stock every day?