The Ervings Return to WDW– Epcot
Epcot was divided over two days using our Park Hopper tickets. The first day was a short visit hop between Hollywood Studios via the Skyliner, with the main destination being Space 220. After dining we took some time to walk through the World Showcase. On this busy Saturday night the lines for the Festival of the Arts Kiosks were exceptionally long, and we were thankful that we were returning on Monday to check them out.
On our second day at Epcot, we arrived at 4pm from our Lightning Lanes for Soarin’ and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and to see Harmonious just before Park closing. For dining, we planned to hop around the Festival of the Arts Kiosks.
With massive construction underway, the pathway between attractions in FutureWorld is divided by temporary wall structures, so finding our way around was a bit of a challenge.
Festival of the Arts
Through February 21, 2022
Our second Epcot favorite festival (after the International Flower & Garden Festival) is the Festival of the Arts. The kiosks feature artistic desserts made for social media sharing, and interactive art displays are scattered through both Future World and World Showcase. In the American World Showcase Pavilion guest Broadway performers sang showtunes from both Disney shows and other popular musicals.
Like other years, there were opportunities to place our family in famous works of art; some were staffed with Photopass Cast Members and others were self- serve (or is it selfie-serve?).
Space 220
On the Friday we arrived in Orlando I was shocked to find a Space 220 reservation available for the next day and quickly snatched it up. It didn’t take long to see why this has become one of the most popular dining locations. Quickly after our arrival, we boarded our “space elevator” and watched Disney World grow smaller as we ascended to the space station. The restaurant’s tables are well spaced (pun intended), so it didn’t seem as crowded as many other dining locations. Throughout our meal (which is a fixed price for lunch of $55/adult for an appetizer and entrée and $30/child for an entrée and dessert), surprise spaceships and astronauts (light saber battle!) floated past the window.
There were multiple vegetarian options for the appetizer (I chose the Big Bang Burrata salad) and one for the entrée, a Terra-Bolognese made with a corn-based pasta.
Future World
After eating at Space 220 we visited The Seas Pavilion; Alice’s one must-do for Epcot. Our little science enthusiast was granted Pixie Dust after monopolizing a cast member with aquarium-related questions. We were invited to see the tanks from above on a private 15-minute tour.
Day 3 in Epcot Timeline
4:00pm Rode Soarin’ (Lighting Lane)
4:15pm- Purchased drinks and food from the Deconstructed Dish and Pop Eats stands and Port of Entry Kiosks section of the Festival of the Arts. During most festivals, this area offers multiple stands in close proximity and plenty of nearby seating, so if you are considering making an entire meal out of visiting Kiosks this is a great location.
4:45pm Rode Figment of the Imagination (Lightning Lane)
5:00pm Walked along the Festival’s Chalk Art Sidewalk.
5:15pm Visited Walt Disney Imagineering Presents: The EPCOT Experience in the Odyssey Events Pavilion; this show doesn’t have a set start time and shows the future of Epcot with projections on a circular screen and a miniature park model.
5:45 Rode The Gran Fiesta Starring the Three Caballeros in the Mexico Pavilion. Learned that if it the weather has cooled down on a sunny day the walls of the Temple will be very warm still.
6:15pm Took photos with PhotoPass Cast Members and Festival of the Arts locations in the Italy and Germany Pavilions
6:30pm Purchased a vegan bratwurst from the Refreshment Outpost
6:45pm Purchased a slushie spiked with moonshine at Block and Hans in the American Pavilion and briefly watched Disney on Broadway.
7:15pm Shopped in the Japan Pavilion
7:30pm Shared a “Sangria for two” and relaxed at a table in the new snack cart in Morocco Pavilion (this area was previously just shopping, but the drink cart and tables nestled in the “market” are a fun new addition.
7:45pm Visited France Pavilion
8:00pm Visited England & Canada Pavilions
8:15pm Rode Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in the expanded France Pavilion
8:45pm Returned to the Norway Pavilion to find a spot for the fireworks; purchased a dessert from the Kringla Bakeri og Kafe in Norway for Alice and Margaritas from the quick service stand in Mexico
Watched Harmonious
World Showcase
We have must-do family traditions in the World Showcase (mainly The Three Caballeros ride and the Mexico Pavilion market), but this year we added the new Sangria stand in the Morocco Pavilion. We always found it odd that it was hard to find good coffee in World Showcase. We can now skip Joffrey’s and go to the La Gelateria Tescana in Italy for espresso drinks!
1 thought on “Epcot at Walt Disney World, January 2022”