Howdy! Today was a beautiful day in EPCOT. There was the chaos and fun of Pin Tuesday, new World Showcase shirts, and even a surprise visit from some characters we rarely see.
Good Morning from EPCOT
Good morning from an already toasty EPCOT. I was on a mission to get the new Disney Dining pin this morning, so I didn’t hang out long, but it is good to see some progress has been made in Celebration Garden. The lights still look pretty rough up close, though.
Pin Tuesday!
This week, the Stitch 626 pins and the Casey’s Corner pin were released. I heard that the mini jumbo and jumbo Stitch pins were in Disney Springs, but they sold out quickly. Unfortunately, they were not brought to the parks. Don’t quote me on that sellout, it’s third-party information, but I wouldn’t doubt it. The Stitch fans are dedicated, and the pin people are even more dedicated.
My favorite pin this week was the Casey’s Corner pin. Let me know in the comments below if you have a favorite from this week. For more details on these pins, please visit our website.
Canada Photo Op Refurbished
I was stoked to see the Canada photo op has returned, even if the paint is still wet. The refurbished work looks great. Before the refurbishment, the painted masks were starting to bleach out in the sun. It’s always nice to see Disney taking care of these little details.
Morning Stretches with Pooh
When I was shopping in the United Kingdom pavilion, I noticed Pooh Bear was doing his morning stretches before meeting adoring fans today. This is an important reminder to stretch before your park days. Even Winnie-the-Pooh does it.
New World Showcase Shirts – $34.99 each
The new adorable World Showcase shirts are available in World Traveler and will sell well. I love that this time, Disney designed showcase shirts with the characters in mind that would fit each country. I especially love the basic showcase shirt, the Donald from Norway shirt, and the Morocco shirt featuring Genie. Let me know in the comments below if you have a favorite.
I also found a Disneyland sweater hidden in the shop. I always find it funny when the West Coast merchandise sneaks in.
Was Linguini Fired?
Linguini’s bike has been missing for a few weeks now. I am starting to think that he may have been fired, but maybe he’s on vacation. It’s good to see that Collette is still showing up. She drives the black bike.
Hot take — I think Collette and Edna Mode from “The Incredibles” are somehow related. They look too similar not to be linked somehow in the Disney universe. Let me know if you think I’m reaching on this in the comments below.
France Light Poles
This is a weird one. I noticed that every light pole on the walk to Les Halles has a different base, but I don’t think it’s always been that way. These are just different fixes by different folks over the years. It is funny, though, once you notice it.
Morocco Pavilion Updates
In the Morocco pavilion, not much has changed. The car in Race Against the Sun is still missing the chair, but that doesn’t stop the kids from crawling up there, so it’s not a huge deal, just sorta looks funky.
The Kidcot has moved inside the gift shop by the lake, which seems a strange change to me.
Italy Pavilion Light Poles
In the Italy pavilion, more glass has gone missing on the lamp posts outside La Gemma Elegante. A few weeks ago, the lamp posts closer to the lagoon were replaced as well, so perhaps this is just a continuation of a “light refurbishment”.
See what I did there? Because it’s light and it’s a small project? I think I am funny today.
Germany Pavilion – Jill and the Tiny Village
In the Germany pavilion, I met a new friend named Jill. I really did laugh way too hard at the flamingo named Jill. It caught me off guard that she would have such a human name.
In the tiny village, drama continues. Our tiny friend continues to wave her white handkerchief, the boy has fallen again, but luckily not under the cart this time, and farmers are working hard with their cattle.
There is a question as to whether or not Granny was pushed off the ledge or if she fell, but either way, the dude could get up and help. Alas, he remains seated, just watching her lie there in a fetal position. Weird dude.
Washout in Africa Outpost
The decor on the Amani Village Traders is almost entirely washed out, and it only looks worse next to the vibrant art added to the garage doors. Even the Giraffe mask is losing its spots.
Calm Moment in the China Pavilion
This small heron was just chilling in the small pond outside the China pavilion this morning. I couldn’t help but take a moment just to watch the small creature exist. Just before this, I watched two crows fight over a chip, so this was a much more relaxing bird experience.
Axel Otto and the Mexico Pavilion
Work continues in the Mexico pavilion. The concrete work is expansive and throughout the pavilion, so I have to believe that may be what is happening behind that wall where Donald used to meet.
Meanwhile, inside the pyramid, Axel Otto is holding it down.
Surprise and Delight
When I was walking to The Land, a crew of characters came flooding out of ImageWorks. I saw Stitch, Meeko, Eeyore, King Louie, and Launchpad McQuack. It’s always fun when the characters randomly descend upon an unsuspecting crowd. Enjoy the chaos!
Have you ever been surprised by a Disney character? Tell me everything in the comments below.
Mermaid is Gaining Weight
On my way out, I had to check on my favorite sea creatures. I was so excited to see that Mermaid is gaining weight. I still think it’s a wild choice to put Mickeys at the top of Emaciation, but maybe I’m being sensitive. The point is, Mermaid is doing very well.
SCUBA Diver Fun
When I walked to the observation area of The Seas, I saw a SCUBA diver take a moment from cleaning the tank to play with some of the guests on the other side of the glass. What a cool moment for everyone. I loved it when she blew a kiss to a little girl like a real-life mermaid.
Ciao From EPCOT
I hope you enjoyed our day at EPCOT. I enjoyed catching one of the SCUBA divers cleaning the tank and interacting with the kiddos. I think that is incredibly cool for the guests, and it didn’t cost Disney anything extra.
Let me know in the comments below if you had a favorite moment or find from today’s adventure.
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