Day 8: Epcot
Today was the day I was most looking forward to- a whole day at my favorite park, Epcot! I waited a tiny millisecond before tapping my LL selection at 7am and obtained the TT LL at the time I wanted- 9:45am. That way, we had plenty of time to rope drop Remy, eat breakfast, and walk to TT at a leisurely pace.
We arrived at International Gateway around 7:30am for Early Entry at 8am. The crowds weren’t as horrific as I was expecting considering the additional influx of guests via the Skyliner. We were allowed through the turnstiles before 8am and joined the already long line for Remy. At 7:50, the end was already past the bridge and starting in the UK. Even though it took almost 40 min to reach the ride vehicles, the wait didn’t feel bad as we were almost constantly moving, the weather was nice, and everybody was refreshed and in a good mood. We all liked the ride but didn’t feel the need to purchase an ILL for a repeat ride.
I was surprised to see that both the table service and counter service creperies weren’t open for breakfast. But what really shocked me was that Les Halles wasn’t opening till 9am. Early Entry started at 8am and that’s a LOT of hungry guests leaving the Remy ride without any nearby food options. Even Kringla opened earlier at 8:30 and I would assume that there are way more guests rope dropping Remy as opposed to FEA.
As we were waiting for Les Halles to open, we took a few photos around the France fountain and topiaries and then browsed the shop adjoining Les Halles. I blinked and a 10 person line suddenly formed at the gates to Les Halles proper so I quickly joined, too. At 9am, they opened…with only TWO cast members taking guest orders. The rest were at the registers or doing other duties. I was shocked because in pre-COVID times, there were easily 8 or more cast members simultaneously taking guest orders. TWO??? Needless to say, the line to order food moved SLOWLY. I was doubly glad at that point that my TT LL was for 9:45-10:45. It took 30 min for us to order our food. Yikes.
We split the Croissant Jambon Fromage x2 (Ham and Cheese on a Croissant), Apple Crumble Pastry, and the Roule aux Fromage (Bacon and Cheese Roll). All warmed up, of course.
As we left France and proceeded to Future World, I was dismayed to discover that all the Eggs from the Eggstravaganza were gone. I know Easter had passed but was hoping they would keep the eggs around for a bit longer. The Type A part of me was devastated (an incomplete scavenger hunt sheet!!! 
).
As soon as we tapped into our TT LL, I grabbed a LL for SE for 10:20. However, the Sunshine Griddle and Farmers Feast kiosks (near TT) opened up early at 10:30 (whoohoo!) so we grabbed food from both menus.
Sunshine Griddle’s Avocado Toast, Fried Cinnamon Roll Bites, and Joffrey’s Coffee Cold Brew Cocktail
I really enjoyed the Avocado Toast but the Bites were way too heavy. The Cold Brew cocktail wasn’t great either.
However, DH loved his Herb Crusted Spring Lamb from Farmers Feast
DS10 burned off some energy running around the nearby Play Area as the adults ate. The various Play Areas scattered near the food booths were such a great idea! After our second breakfast, we proceeded to SE and listened to the dulcet tones of Dame Judi Dench. I am so not in a hurry for Disney to change SE as I love her voice.
After we tapped into SE, I initially scored a 1:25 LL for FEA at the 11:32 drop. (Thank you, Liners!!) However, it really made more sense for us to make use of LLs within the vicinity AND closer return times. So I let Elsa go (hahaha) and grabbed a LL for Living with the Land at 11:50 instead.
We took the Tiny World Magic shot and Super Zoom shot in front of SE before moving onto the Land Pavillion to ride LwtL. Following LwtL, I obtained a LL for Figment at 1:10. We had some time to kill so…Mickey Pretzel break (again)! And of course, more festival food:
Flavor Full Kitchen’s Corn on the Cob and Strawberry Mousse
After riding Figment, we had a non-alcoholic Honey Peach Freeze
Speaking of honey, my eagle-eyed kids also found a few Spike the Bees throughout our travels. My Type A personality was very happy to fill up more spaces on the Scavenger Hunt sheet.
We also had Trowel & Trellis’ Chocolate Cake with Whipped Cassis Mousse, Raspberry Gelato, and Fresh Raspberries along with another serving of the yummy Boneless Impossible Korean Short Ribs.
We then proceeded to Mexico to eat at Jardin de Fiestas. We had Taco Vampiro, Tostada de Chorizo, and a Poppy Flower Margarita. The kids also had Cantina Slushies (strawberry). I still think it’s stupid that they replaced the Paletas with Mickey Bars at this location. I love Mickey Bars but Paletas (Mexican frozen fruit pops) fit the theming better, no?
After Mexico, we passed Norway (where I shed a single tear for my released FEA) and visited a few of China’s Zodiac topiaries and the bamboo garden. In Germany, I had Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market’s Toasted Pretzel Bread while DH got a beer flight.
DH swore he wasn’t going to overdo it with food this day but he could NOT pass by Germany without having another bratwurst from Sommerfest. 
While he happily ate his brat, I got some Caramel Popcorn from Karamell Kuche.
After his bratwurst, DH proceeded to further not overdo it by having the Pretzel Bread Pudding. 
(This man LOVES bratwurst and bread pudding).
In Italy, we went on a merry hunt for Spike the Bee. DD13 finally found him and we celebrated with a Frozen Wild Cherry Slushy and Root Beer Float from Fife & Drum Tavern in the adjoining America Pavillion.
DH also got the Wildberry Wonder Refresher from the Joffrey’s near the American Adventure. All the Refreshers from Joffrey’s looked almost exactly alike. Tasty and refreshing indeed though.
And since we’re near the Funnel Cake kiosk anyway…
While my family relaxed in the America Pavillion, I met some Characters in training that came out of a corridor near America. I saw Tigger, Geppetto, Worthington Foulfellow, a bear from Country Bear Jamboree (Is he lost or something? He’s in the wrong park! ), and Goofy. After America, we browsed the Mitsukoshi Dept Store in Japan for an hour and bought a ton of fun items. Ramen slippers! Nuff said. While in Japan, I had the kids try the Frushi. They gave it an “ok”.
By this point, it was 5:30pm and my family was TIRED. They graciously waited while I stood on a very slow line at Les Vins des Chefs de France for a Grand Marnier Orange Slush and Citron Slush for DH and myself. As I finally moved to the front, I realized why- the poor cast member working the register was also dispensing the drinks. While the sole other cast member stocked boxes. And then left. I really don’t understand the logic of how Disney is staffing their France counter services.
As we left Epcot, we stopped by World Traveler at the International Gateway to redeem our incomplete hunt prizes. Even though we technically had another Epcot morning (on our departure day) to look for the last 2 Spikes, we wanted to start packing as much as possible this night to minimize the stress on our last night at Disney. We returned to the hotel around 6:30pm. The kids and DMIL settled in for the night and DH and I started the arduous task of packing. At 9pm, we finished as much packing as we could and my incredibly patient DH indulged my craving for Todd English’s Bluezoo. Helpfully, it was located right in the Dolphin lobby. We were lucky enough to nab a booth seat in the lounge without a wait.
The dark lighting made it hard to take good photos but here is our bounty:
Crab Nachos (crazy huge portion)
Tempura Green Beans
The Signature Clam Chowder
Risotto “tots”
We also had a Serenity and New Fashioned for our drinks. If I had known how big the Crab Nachos were going to be, I think I would’ve ordered just that dish. 
Onto our last full day! 
), I joined my family in shopping. I also dragged my kids to the the Photopass center for more photos. (They were quite horrified that Photopass existed even in DS. 
). After second breakfast, we walked the quiet path around the Tree of Life again and took a few special Earth Day Magic Shots at the AK entrance before Lyfting to TL.
Once I realized I couldn’t use certain ones, I released them to make other people happy.
people…
