Howdy! I had an amazing day in EPCOT today. I found new merchandise, including new limited edition pins featuring some of our favorite Disney faces, got the latest on all the tiny village drama that is never-ending, and a construction parade at Yacht and Beach Club Resorts on the walkway from EPCOT.
Good Morning from EPCOT
Good morning from a busy EPCOT opening. I was at rope drop this morning in hopes that the Spring Break crowds would have slowed down. I hear that they were having Spring Break on the West Coast the last few weeks, which is why it’s been so busy.
Maybe the crowds are still lingering from the Easter Holiday. Let me know in the comments what you and your family and friends are experiencing when it comes to crowds.
Port of Entry – Pocahontas Long Sleeve -$69.99
At the start of the World Showcase in the Port of Entry shop I found an embroidered and printed long sleeve button-up shirt featuring Pocahontas. Tis the season for such an earth loving princess, given it’s Earth Day today, although there’s not much to note it in the parks this year.
This shirt is available in Port of Entry in EPCOT for $69.99. I liked it until I saw the giant print on the back. That’s just not my style, but to each their own.
Pin Tuesday!
Every Tuesday Disney releases new limited edition pins, and let me tell y’all the pin trading madness is getting out of hand. Security is literally on standby for misbaving guests. The line was already out of the door at park open, meaning other guests had early entry and used it to get in this pin line.
Last Tuesday I saw grown adults cry over not getting the pin they wanted before it sold out during early entry. I can’t relate. I don’t think there has ever been anything sold much less park merchandise that I needed so badly that I would have public breakdown over, but again, that’s just me.
This week there were three new pins released, including the coveted Dining with Disney collection Chef Mickey’s pin. For more details on this week’s pins please be sure to visit our website. My favorite from this week is the Reflections pin featuring Princess Tiana. Let me know which one you like the most in the comments below.
Mexico Pavilion – Ongoing Refurbishments
The Mexico pavilion has been under some level of refurbishment for months now. I still don’t know what the scaffolding is for outside of the ancient pyramid. There have been no noticeable changes made since the scaffolding went up.
At the start of the pavilion there is serious concrete work taking place in the walkway. The scoring cuts made into the concrete suggest that this will continue deeper into the pavilion.
Side note: The lamp is still not fixed inside the pyramid either, and if you have ever been inside there you know first hand you can use all the light possible.
Germany Pavilion – Tiny Village Drama
Oh boy. If you have never read my photo report from EPCOT before, apologies. I get a bit unhinged when discussing the happenings in the tiny train village in the Germany pavilion (Wurzburg). Let’s begin with the blue house with a naked baby sitting on a bench with what appears to be two sad children behind him. What is that? An adult? What are they doing? Napping? Unacceptable.
The tiniest friend with a small teddy bear still waves her white flag for help atop the tower. The red robin is still safely sitting in the nest on the lightpole.
And then, what the heck, there is a child laborer working alongside some burly men making deliveries. Unacceptable, and strike two tiny village.
A few of the trains were not moving when I stopped by this morning. It didn’t seem to bother the passenger aboard this train. She was enjoying her morning coffee on the stopped train. I wish more Disney guests could be this patient when rides go down.
A bit of good news from the tiny village. There was a band playing music. They’re so tiny though they say only children can hear the band. The dog in the tiny village seemed to be enjoying their small performance.
Italy Updates
There isn’t much to report from Italy. Unfortunately, the tower remains under the photo-like scrim and the topiary of Lady never really fluffed because Orlando is currently under a drought. Some of us understand this dilemma all too well. I am beyond disappointed. Part of why I endure the allergies that are the Flower and Garden Festival is to watch Lady’s ears fluff throughout the season. No rain means no fluff ,means not happy.
Princess Raya
Confession. I have never seen Princess Raya’s movie. It’s on a very very long list of movies that I will watch if ever allowed to sit down that long. I have a nasty habit of putting on movies and shows I’ve already seen in the background of my life, but never really sitting to watch something. Short attention span or something like that. Anyway!
Construction Parade
At the International Gateway, the back entrance of EPCOT, I noticed that there was a miniature parade following behind me. Granted this is not the most glamorous parade I have ever seen at Walt Disney World but it was still fun. The construction team safely moving the vehicle on stage were having fun with it and would wave and smile to the guests they were keeping from being crushed.
I noticed that Stormalong Bay, the minature waterpark at Yacht and Beach Club now has sand again! This is a huge step towards finishing the refurbishment of this pool.
Jellyrolls Wraps
The last night at Jellyrolls was crazy. I didn’t go, but from what I saw online the line reached the Swan and Dolphin Resort bridge. Today I saw a team taking down the signage and awnings of the iconic piano bar. I asked one of the guys if I could have the “J” to earn brownie points with the team, but alas, I was told not this time.
Canadian Black Bear Plush – $24.99
This little black bear in a bag is available in Northwest Mercantile in the Canada pavilion for $24.99. There is nothing particularly interesting or Disney about this plush but there is something about the color scheme that yelled nineties to me. It is 100% something that I would have to have in my childhood closet.
The Seas Pavilion
There is nothing big going on at the Seas pavilion. The construction walls remain up making the space feel very tight and dark. That doesn’t seem to bother the clown fish or eels. The cuttlefish seem the most unbothered, and there are even new cuttlefish hatchlings in the nursery in a secluded tank. No joking, these guys are smaller than my pinky fingernail.
Adios! Ciao! Bslama!
I hope you enjoyed our day traveling around the world in EPCOT. The entire day was a joy after the chaos at Universal’s EPIC Universe last week. Let me know in the comments below what your favorite moment from today was. Mine was the construction parade.
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