We were excited to get back to the parks after our day off. We wanted to go to Epcot again, but they had Early Magic Hours. We usually don’t visit a park that has magic hours, but we decided to try it. There is hardly nothing interesting opened at Epcot at 8 am! There are no characters out, most of the stores are closed. Jason and Emily ran to ride Soarin and Test Track and Jacob and I were left to entertain ourselves.
We ended up in Mouse Gears. It’s this huge Disney merchandise store. We spent some time browsing and traded a few pins. We also found a couple penny press machines. It was enough to entertain Jacob and I got a few sovineers for our family. They give Disney Visa holders 10% off. I love a discount! I also got something really cute to giveaway on the blog. Just wait….
Jason and Emily met up with us and he convinced me to ride Test Track. I had never ridden it before and I loved it! It was so much fun and Emily was so sweet explaining to me what was going to happen next.
We also went over to ride Soarin again. Jason and Jacob snacked on a muffin from Sunshine Seasons while Emily and I rode it. We got behind the most interesting family in line. The woman sat down on the floor and began to read to her 6 and 7 year old from a very advanced novel. They were so engrossed even though she only had time to read 3 pages before we moved up in line. And praise the Lord we got the 3rd row of Soarin. I liked it much better than the top row.
After Soarin it was time to head over to the World Showcase. We breezed through Canada and the United Kingdom (we had started in Mexico last year and never made it all the way around) to make it to France before Belle’s meet and greet. We were first in line! Go us!
We then spent some time touring France. We went in the stores and the kids played a little on the fountain. We found Beast’s library in the back of one of the shops. Be sure you look for it!
When we got done browsing, we spotted Sleeping Beauty. So of course we had to wait to meet her. And then Marie from Aristocats was due soon, so we went to wait in her line. The woman with the book was in front of us! Haha! Marie was too cute. Emily had picked up a baby Marie earlier in the week and was so fascinated to meet the real one.
We had to leave and go meet Amy outside the Nickelodeon Hotel. We had left our bathing suits from the day before. We drove around and looked at a few hotels before heading back to Epcot to do the Visa Meet and Greet. But it was so crowded! We decided to come back the next day instead. I do not like to wait in lines! So Emily and Jason played the Fire game they have there in Innoventions West. It was on her to do list so she was thrilled.
We then headed back to Canada to start touring the countries. We had bought the kids a Passport book that they sell in the gift shops. $9.95 a piece. Biggest waste of money…. It’s really rather pointless in my opinion. You go to the Kidcot stations in each country and the worker writes in the Passport and stamps it. Which is great, but they also give the kids a free mask that they stamp. You take it to each country and get a new ornament for it as well as a stamp. Its difficult to do both and I’d rather do the free thing anyways. Learn from my mistake. ;)
So we went to the Kidcot station and my kids had the best time coloring their masks. They were really excited to head over to the United Kingdom to find their Kidcot station. Well we got there right as Mary Poppins and Alice were coming out! So we waited to meet them both. (Can you tell the kid’s love characters?) And then when we went to find the Kidcot Station, there was Tigger and Pooh! I had no idea that Epcot was such a landmine for characters!
We went back to France and I grabbed us a snack from the French Bakery. The wait was insane! Next time, I will just go to the food stations instead of the actual bakery. We decided to call it a night after we ate and headed back to the resort. We were so tired!
Recap
Soarin (Jason and Emily) – 5 minutes (they were on the first ride!)
Test Track (Jason and Emily) – 10 minutes
Test Track (Kristin and Emily) – used Fastpass. 10 minute wait.
Soarin (Kristin and Emily) – used Fastpass. 10 minute wait.
Belle meet and greet – 10 minute wait. First one in line!
Toured France
Aurora meet and greet – 7 minute wait.
Marie meet and greet – 10 minute wait.
Break
Innoventions West – no wait for the Fire game.
Toured Canada
Mary Poppins meet and greet – 3 minute wait
Alice meet and greet – 8 minute wait
Tigger and Pooh meet and greet – 5 minute wait
Toured United Kingdom
Snack from the French Bakery
Catch Up
Day 1 evening and Day 2 morning recap
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I can’t belive how many characters you’ve met! Last year at Epcot there were none. I guess it was because we were there in May when it rained for 2 weeks! LOL
What an amazing trip!
That sounds like a great day! I will have to put the mask thing on my list of things to do with the boys, can you take pics of their finished masks?
Thanks for the tip about the passport book. I would probably have bought one too, thinking it would enhance the fun instead of making it more difficult like it did for you. I’m so glad they’ve added a few more things for children at EPCOT. I took DS20 and DD19 when they were little and they hated it!! Now, they love it though!
I’m glad you liked Test Track. I think I will try it. I am usually scared on roller coasters but there are no hills, I believe. It’s just fast, right?
Sounds like a great day! I haven’t ridden anything at Epcot and really want to go back to explore everything more!
jeanne, I love test track and I am not a roller coaster person at all. No hills, just one uphill in the very beginning, I freaked out on that the first time because what goes up must come down. LOL
My DD loves the Kidcot stops and the mask. She could sit for hours and color on her mask.
Glenda
Thanks for the update, I enjoyed reading about day 8. Have a great day!
I love soarin… I didnt think they would have that at disney world… I only know a little Disneyland stuff… but soarin over cali. is awesome… i am super afraid of heights but it was fun with the help of the kids and joe! lol
My mouth is watering just thinking of the pastry shop in France. That is a “must do” for us on every Epcot visit.
It’s amazing that no matter how many times you’ve been to Disney, there is always more that you can learn. I’ve been wanting to try the Pastry shop in France for our past few trips, and haven’t made it. I’ve also wanted to try the crepe place as well. I had no idea that Beast has a library in France. I’ll have to go check that out! I’m very impressed by all the characters your family met, and how short you waited to see them!
Reading your trip to Disney made my day. My family lives in FL about 3 hrs from Disney and we love to go visit when we can and buy season passes every few yrs. My daughter had her 16th birthday in the castle in the magic kingdom and she loved it as well as the rest of thte family did. With kids being addicted to so many things things these days i’m so happy their addiction is something we can all enjoy as a family. At some point you need to think about the Disney Cruise on the off season (you’ll get a great deal).
I hate to sound stupid, but it there some way to know what time the meet and greets start!