Howdy! Happy Mardi Gras! Today was certainly the calm before the storm, literally and figuratively. I spent the day in EPCOT, where I found new exclusive pins, Flower and Garden Festival final setups, and more.
Good Morning from EPCOT
Like any good day at EPCOT, I started my day with a roundtrip loop on the EPCOT monorail. This turned out to be a poor decision for rope drop; by the time we made it back, so had a bunch of other guests. The weather was so fantastic today so I can’t blame them for coming out, especially with the rain coming in tomorrow.
Flower and Garden Festival Eve
The Flower and Garden Festival begins tomorrow, so most of the topiaries, flowers, and booths are already in place. I was stoked when I was assigned EPCOT today because for the opening day of the festival tomorrow, the weather is supposed to be pretty yucky with cold rain most of the day. But rain makes the flowers grow.
Pin Tuesday!
I went into Pin Traders first to see what new pins were released but was surprised to see that they are still keeping the limited edition pins in the Celebration Garden kiosk. I did find some new open edition pins from ‘Alice in Wonderland’.
All of these pins are available in Pin Traders for $12.99 each. My favorite is the Mad Tea Party pin. Let me know if you have a favorite in the comments below.
Walls Down!
There were walls up at one of the exits of Spaceship Earth Project Tomorrow, but today they are gone. Initially, I thought these walls were an indication of the new Spaceship Earth Lounge teased last year, but apparently, this was just some regular maintenance.
See, the window at the top left is still blacked out, so some work must be underway.
Pin Tuesday!
Back at it with the pins. This kiosk is located in Celebration Garden just outside the Creations Shop. This week, my favorite pin has to be Fairytale Moments yet again. Let me know if you have a favorite in the comments below.
- Ithorian Group Pin
- Limited Release (12/12 in series)
- $17.99
- Fairytale Moments Pocahontas Pin
- Limited Edition of 2500
- $24.99
- Winnie-The-Pooh and Eeyore Pin (2 pins on a card)
- Limited Release
- $34.99
- Snow White Live Action Spinner Pin
- Limited Release
- $17.99
Tinker Belle Green Collection
The Tinker Bell Green Collection has arrived in Walt Disney World just in time for Saint Patrick’s Day. I think this is a classy collection featuring lots of sparkles, velvet bows, and embroidered details. Let me know what you think of this collection in the comments below.
Sorcerer Mickey Starbucks Tumbler – $39.99
Also in Creations Shop was the gorgeous Sorcerer Mickey Starbucks Tumbler available for $39.99. I love the blue and tornado design of this tumbler, but the last thing I need is another cup in my house.
Mission Space Earth Saga Continues
The Earth display at Mission Space is still struggling; now, instead of big white scratches, it appears as if the ice caps are crying into the ocean rather than melting they normally do. Seems like a dramatic interpretation.
Snow White Pandora Deal
Pandora is offering this glowing poison apple purse with any purchase of four or more Snow White themed Pandora jewelry. They also released the park-exclusive Stitch graduation charm this week. The Stitch charm is available for $85.
The most popular charm on the new charm tray was not a park exclusive charm but rather the Magic Mirror charm that only reveals itself with heat, like a mood ring.
Snow White T-Shirt – $39.99
In the Germany pavilion, I found this printed and embroidered shirt featuring the original artwork of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’. I always think it’s cool and nice when Disney makes new merchandise with their original designs in mind.
Italy Pavilion
In the Italy pavilion, I noticed that one of the gondolas had been removed, while the three in the lagoon remain untouched. I also couldn’t help but notice that the giant tower is almost entirely covered in scrim now. You can barely see the angel at the top.
My favorite topiary is now out, ‘Lady and the Tramp’. I love watching how fluffy Lady’s ears get throughout the long festival.
Garden Rocks Theater Rehearsals
It looked like the tech team was working on their lighting designs and cues for the Flower and Garden Festival lineup this season. Hopefully, the graphics team will have something more exciting for Evolution Motown tomorrow, pending the weather, of course.
Japan Dragon Topiary Moved
The Japan pavilion used to feature their topiary near the lagoon in the rocks, but now the dragon topiary has moved closer to Mitsukoshi and across from the food booth. It’s a wild experience to get so close to something I have only ever seen at a distance.
This explains why Disney recently refurbished the bamboo barrier.
Race Against the Sun Repaired
The broken window in Race Against the Sun in the Morocco pavilion has finally been repaired with white textured glass that matches the one in the opposite door. Well done, Disney.
Sacre Bleu The Leaning Lamppost
At the exit of L’Artisan Des Glaces, the ice cream shop in the France pavilion, there is a lamppost that is leaning a little extra. Upon further investigation, I noticed a huge crack at the base of the post. This, of course, means it needs a little push; it was sturdy, thank goodness. I wouldn’t test it further unless you’re looking for a lifetime annual pass. I’m kidding for legal reasons.
The Crown and Crest
The Crown and Crest is a shop in the United Kingdom pavilion where they can create your family’s coat of arms based on your last name. I love this shop because they change their decor often to whatever is most relevant. Today, there were two that stuck out to me. Pancake Day, which turns out is today, March 4, and the Flower and Garden Festival.
I hope you enjoyed our calm day in EPCOT, and I look forward to sharing the Flower and Garden Festival with you tomorrow. Let me know in the comments below if you have a favorite topiary from the festival.
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