We got some new information on Spice Road Table, the exciting new waterfront restaurant coming to the Moroccan World Showcase Pavilion in Epcot! I wrote a story for Chip & Company with all the details! You can check it out HERE. I can’t wait to see the new restaurant, how do you feel about it?
What comes to mind when you think of the gorgeous China Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase?
Sure, China has lots to offer. The pavilion is decorated with serene ponds, crossed by fantastic bridges, and is dominated by a replica of the Temple of Heaven. Here you will also find Reflections of China, a Circle-Vision 360° movie – and there is a museum containing several ancient Chinese artifacts. You don’t see that every day.
China’s Nine Dragons is one of the most beautiful restaurants in all of World Showcase, and the Lotus Blossom Cafe has some of the best orange chicken in town. Shopping at Good Fortune Gifts and House of Good Fortune is a wonderful air-conditioned past time in the hot Florida summers.
Agent P World Showcase Adventure? Check. Dragon Legend Acrobats? Yep – China has those too – and what visit to China would be complete without actually meeting Mulan and Mushu? Speaking of Mulan, did you know Epcot’s China Pavilion served as a backdrop for the music video “Reflection,” performed by Christina Aguilera? You may recall that “Reflection” was from Mulan’s 1998 film – and nobody knew who Christina Aguilera was back then.
But what is China’s BEST kept secret?
To me, it is a wonderful little thing called the Lucky Combo – located right here at the Joy of Tea kiosk – only found at Epcot’s China pavilion.
It’s not new – it’s just that the The Lucky Combo has been hiding from me
(in plain sight).
For just $9.98, The Lucky Combo includes a Chinese BBQ Pork Bun, a Curry Chicken Pocket and an Egg Roll with your choice of a canned soft drink and a pretty generous serving of ice cream.
No…for real…this is an actual thing.
I had to take a picture because I couldn’t believe my own eyes.
The extra ice cream you see pictured here belonged to my dining companion. We got one of each option – Strawberry Red Bean and Caramel Ginger.
Trust me – you need to try them BOTH.
But wait – there’s more!
Tea here comes in all forms – hot, iced, spiked or slushie – and it is the only location in Epcot that carries real brewed tea instead of pre-made tea beverages.
Not a fan of hot tea? Here’s another little secret:
The extremely friendly cast members that staff this location will gladly provide you a cup of ice to make your own iced version. They will also offer you a tasting of any (non-spiked) beverage, if you want to try before you buy.
Even though it’s hard for me to look past the Lucky Combo, here are more details on the menu, in case you want to plan ahead:
Sweetened Iced Teas: Peach Oolong and Mango Green (both $4.25 or one snack credit)
Hot Teas: Ginseng Oolong, Jasmine, Dragon Well, Green (all $3.19 or one snack credit)
Soft Drinks: Soda ($1.59 or one snack credit); Bottled Water ($2.50 or one snack credit)
Alcoholic Beverages: Mango Gingerita w/vodka and rum ($7.50); Canto Loopy w/vodka and cantaloupe juice ($7.50); Peach Snap w/Schnapps ($7.50); Green Tea Plum Slush w/plum wine ($7.50); Tsing Tao Beer and Tsing Tao Pure Draft Beer (both $5.75); Plum Wine ($4.99); Tipsy Ducks in Love ($8.50 or non-alcoholic $5.50)
Ice Cream: Strawberry Red Bean or Caramel Ginger (both $3.25 or one snack credit)
Snacks: Chinese BBQ Pork Buns ($4.50); Curry Chicken Pockets ($3.99 or one snack credit); Pork and Vegetable Egg Rolls ($3.99 or one snack credit)
So what are your thoughts? Do you agree that the Lucky Combo might be one of Epcot’s best kept secrets?
March 6 – May 19, 2013 is the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival where you can celebrate the great outdoors!
Every weekend during this special time you can catch a Festival tradition, the Flower Power Concert Series. Head over to the Festival Center, where you can experience a demonstration led by HGTV personalities or get tips from Epcot gardening experts. Be sure to visit Festival Center located in Innoventions East for all the details!
Don’t want to look at a map? Let someone else be your guide!
The Gardens of the World Tour is only offered on select days during Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival
Everywhere you look at the Walt Disney World Resort, the trees, shrubs and flowers play a vital role in setting the stage for recreation, entertainment and beauty. Disney landscaping has become a recognized show in itself, providing color and enjoyment throughout the year. Did you know that only during the Flower and Garden Festival – you can book a tour of all this beauty?
The Gardens of the World Tour gives participants the chance to study the various gardens of Epcot with one of the experts responsible for helping maintaining it all.
Your “horticultural instructor” will turn Epcot into a living classroom. Discover how seeds are planted and design ideas take root to produce extraordinary botanical backdrops, imaginative themed areas and topiaries of some of your favorite Disney characters. Your guide will describe the basic process of plant design and how it is incorporated in the landscape for the World Showcase pavilions. Find will even find out how you can design and theme your own home gardens.
Here’s more about what will happen on the tour.
You will:
The beauty of each country’s traditional landscaping makes this tour an extraordinary introduction to the World Showcase nations!
Prices are subject to change, but this year you can take the tour for $63.90 including tax. That price also includes a pin and a poster for you to take home.
Book online or call (407) WDW-TOUR or (407) 939-8687 for exact schedule.
Please let us know if you will be taking this very special tour!
Do you remember seeing these on your last visit to Epcot’s World Showcase? Perhaps you or your family members have climbed inside and posed for photos?
Even if you’ve never been to Epcot at all, you may have heard about the phone booths. So where exactly are they? You will find them in the United Kingdom pavilion located close to the restrooms. These restrooms are on the right as you come into the pavilion from the Canadian side. There is also a lesser-known Canadian phone booth.
Here’s how to find that one:
On the way up the stairs at the Canada pavilion, you can see the coat of arms of the “Canadian National Hotels.” Just a few more steps and you’ll see that elusive Canadian phone booth. It looks very similar to the ones in the UK.
Did you know they are working phone booths? They really are! Some sources say you can make outbound calls from them and some say you can not. One thing is for sure…you can make an inbound call to the phone booths when ever you’d like.
Are you missing Disney and need to add a little magic to your day? Give the phone booths a call! Sometimes you will hear a busy signal or a fax machine. Other times a Disney guest will pick up and be so shocked to hear your voice on the other end that they just hang up. However, there are lots of great stories about Epcot visitors who will talk to you about everything from the Florida weather, the restaurants, crazy drivers, and maybe even local places to find great frozen yogurt. If you reach ME – I promise to talk your ear off.
Locals and other guests taking a day trip to Epcot sometimes enjoy using their cell phones to play jokes on their friends. Tales abound about calling other members of their own party to surprise them with their best Goofy or Donald impression! Give it a try! You know you want to.
I just met you, and this is crazy, but here‘s the numbers – call them maybe?
(Sorry — I couldn’t resist! Here’s the video if you don’t get the joke.)
Have you called before? How did it go? Do you plan on calling?
Please share your story!
Holidays Around the World at Epcot – going on NOW through December 30, 2012!
Here is your Disneyways list of top 5 events to enjoy for Holidays Around the World at Epcot this year. These wonderful events are known to get even Scrooge MdDuck in the holiday mood.
(See…look how happy he is!)
World Showcase, America Gardens Theatre – 5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.
One of the most beloved holiday traditions at Epcot® is the Candlelight Processional – a joyous retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a glorious mass choir. Read more important information about Candlelight here.
Future World Fountain Stage – Daily: 1:15, 2:15, 3:15 and 4:15 p.m
Joyful! uniquely blends the soulful expressiveness of Gospel and Inspirational music with the sounds of Jazz, R&B and urban music. The music will touch, uplift and inspire you! Click here to see some video and enjoy this music right now!
World Showcase Lagoon– Nightly: 9:30 p.m.
The World Showcase Promenade comes alive nightly with the brilliance and splendor of music, lights, lasers, water fountains, and custom pyrotechnics in the signature nighttime spectacular, llumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Disney presents a unique finale to celebrate the season ONLY during Holidays Around the World! With the song “Let There Be Peace On Earth” at its center, this special musical finale features the voice of Walter Cronkite who offers a special message of peace and good will.
World Showcase – Daily: 11/23 – 12/29
Throughout the holidays, World Showcase comes alive with the legends and lore of the season. Come listen to the stories of France’s Père Noël, Italy’s LaBefana, and the United Kingdom’s Father Christmas. You will want to pick up the Times Guide, once you are in the park, for show times.
Tis the season for Gift Giving. Don’t forget friends and family as you stroll through World Showcase. Each pavilion is filled with unique gifts; there is something for everyone on your list whether you are looking for fragrances, chocolates or specialty dolls. Be sure to stop by Santa’s Village in The American Adventure where you can get your favorite gifts from toys to stocking stuffers and all your Christmas tree trimmings. No matter where you go in Epcot® you just might find the perfect holiday gift. Click here to see some recommended gifts from all over the resort.
For more on happenings at other parks throughout Walt Disney World Resort click here.
Do you have some favorite holiday memories that you enjoyed at Epcot? Please post them in the comments below!
Hot news from Disney for the week of December 8th to 15th 2012!
Here you will find some of the hottest Disney news from all around the web, as well as some fun stuff from Disneyways. We hope you enjoy getting it all right here in one place!
Earlier in the week we shared our most popular story EVER in Disneyways history (To all of you, our faithful readers, THANK YOU!!) Here it is again for your enjoyment:
Top 5 Things You Won’t Want to Miss in New Fantasyland.
Ooh la la! Bistro de Paris Gets a New Name! Monsier Paul made it’s offical debut on December 11th.
We responded to questions and rumors with our post Solving the Mystery surrounding the Rapunzel Tower in New Fantasyland on December 13th.
We shared New Year’s Eve events back in October but details from around the web were all the buzz this week too!
Just to mix it up a bit for you, we posted awesome videos and historical information about Living with the Land, as well as some current information about the “Behind the Seeds” Tour you can enjoy there.
December 15th we shared Christmas decoration photos from inside the attraction that were taken just this week! We hope it makes you feel like you were actually there with us.
Finally, we want to share a link to the official news from Disney about Comedy Warehouse returning for the holidays!
That about does it for this week! Stay tuned, because coming in just a few days, we will have details about the new Splitsville and lots of other fun surprises to share.
We want to hear YOUR Disney hot news! Please share your thoughts, comments and stories in the comments section below OR contact us directly!
Food and Wine is here and if you’re like me, you want to make the most of every precious minute you have to spend in Epcot!
To help you with your Food and Wine plans here is a link to the Disney Food Blog’s page. This will show you where each World Showcase tasting station is located, the menu items from each one, prices, and some even with pictures and reviews of the food and libations! Click HERE to check out all of their guides.
Before you head to World Showcase, I want to recommend that you find the top 5 items that you really have your heart set on trying. Sometimes the lines are long and people are blocking the menu boards – so just knowing where you want to go and what you want to get when you get there can save you a ton of time!
Another time saver is to get a Disney gift card before you go. You don’t even have to wait until you get here, you can get them online! It’s fun just to check out all the different designs there are! This will help you stick to your budget and there’s no fumbling with cash or change at the kiosks. They do have special gift cards at the festival that you can attach to your wrist with a rubber band – but other then that – they don’t do anything that a regular old Disney gift card can’t do. You can reload them as many times as you want. Below is a video showing the gift cards that attach to your wrist – only these were at the Flower and Garden Festival.
If you do have extra time (and money) however, you will want to read up on the special events and possibly make a reservation or two for those. There are wonderful low cost seminars and food demos too!
One other tip. If you can spare the time, take a minute to find the festival welcome center and grab a free passport. It’s a wonderful (FREE!) souvenir and you can get each country stamped by a cast member when you visit the kiosks! These have menus but not pricing, so doing your homework if your on a budget is still a good idea. If you take just a few minutes to check out the festival welcome center while you’re there – you could meet a TV star from HGTV, get a free chocolate or wine sample, do some shopping, and definitely enjoy the air-conditioning.
Do a little planning before you go and you will find there is so much more to the festival that you may not have gotten a chance to experience otherwise. If you have any questions or maybe your own tips for saving time at food and wine please post them in the comments section.
Have a magical day and CHEERS everyone!
Navigating Disney crowds can be crazy some times. Here’s an idea that might help when you are in Epcot!
Take the Future World East & West Pathways to World Showcase!
These pathways are visible to several guests, but for some reason many guests choose to go back through to Future World Plaza and take the main path at the center of EPCOT connecting Future World to World Showcase. If you have a Fastpass for Soarin later in the day it’s great to get to there via these pathways. If you simply want to leave Future World East or West you can get to World Showcase bay taking these peaceful and tranquil pathways. Both provide great scenery of EPCOT, especially during EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival – going on right now! These pathways do get narrow at certain points and therefore can get congested. Still, I think this is a great tip! Anything to get us to the frozen Margaritas in Mexico a little faster – right?
Disneyways 