Tag: World Showcase

  • EPCOT’s World Showcase May be Staffed Without Cultural Representatives During Reopening

    EPCOT’s World Showcase May be Staffed Without Cultural Representatives During Reopening

    Disney World received approval from the state of Florida to reopen it’s four Orlando theme parks and along with the the new saftey measures you may notice some staffing changes in World Showcase at EPCOT.

    The cultural representatives who staff EPCOT’s World Showcase may not return to the parks right away, according to a reported agreement between labor unions representing Disney World employees and Walt Disney Company.

    Until Disney World is able to resume normal staffing, Cast Members who “do not meet the culturally authentic theming at EPCOT may be temporarily assigned to work in positions which are otherwise reserved for Cultural Representatives,” according to the agreement.

    Disney suspended it’s cultural representative program April 18 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as you can see in the tweet below:

    Disney also said that it will invite back its Cultural Representative to complete their program at “a later date.”

  • The Twinings Tea Experience at Epcot’s Rose & Crown

    The Twinings Tea Experience at Epcot’s Rose & Crown

    The World Showcase has always been a place where you can immerse yourself in cultures from around the world, but did you know that you can experience a Time-Honored British Tradition where you will learn the difference between various tea blends and the secret to making the perfect cup.

    The free Twinings tea tour in Epcot’s United Kingdom has always been one of the most popular tours at the festival. It’s still being offered, but now there’s an additional tour that’s even tastier.

    My wife, Dawn, and I recently attended the Twinings Tea Experience at EPCOT’s Rose & Crown Restaurant where a Twinings-trained Cast Member took us through the history of the brand and its flavors. The experience begins promptly at 9:45am so allow plenty of time to get to the UK Pavillion located inside World Showcase.

    No more than 24 guests are seated in the Rose & Crown dining room. There are very few two top tables so you may be seated with guests outside of your own party. This was a big plus for us as we love meeting new people and discussing all things Disney!

    The Hosts and Hostesses, some of whom work at the Twinings Tea Shop across the street, gave us a brief history of tea in the UK as well as instructing us about how to prepare a proper “cuppa” tea.

    One guest at each table was chosen to time the brewing of each tea with an adorable 3 hourglass style timer. Different teas must be brewed for different times or else they will become bitter. Also, NO microwaving your brewing water here in the UK! Microwaved water will not allow all of the tea’s flavor to be extracted during brewing.

    Our hot teas included, English Breakfast, Chai Spiced Apple, Pomegranate Raspberry Strawberry Green Tea, and Holiday Berry Herbal Tea. Side Note: The “H” in Herbal is not silent here in the UK! We were also treated to one of my personal favorites, Lady Grey Iced Tea. Yes, iced tea in the UK…the horror! The hostess was clear that icing one’s tea is simply not done in her homeland.

    Along with the wonderful teas, we were served tea sandwiches. These included, Coronation Chicken, Irish Cheddar and Branson Pickle, Egg Salad, and Cream Cheese with Cucumber.

    Of course, they save the best for last…Scones with Clotted Cream and Strawberry Jam! We were told that the jam always goes on first, then the clotted cream. Who knew?

    This is a wonderful experience to start your EPCOT day. It lasts about 45 minutes and, at $30 per person, is among the best values at Walt Disney World. It books up fast, and the price is scheduled to increase to $35 per person in April 2019, so get your reservation now by contacting one of the amazing travel specialists over at Enchanted Kingdom Vacations.

    Oh, and don’t forget to stop by the Twinings Tea Shop we mentioned earlier. You may want some tea, an hourglass timer or a beautiful “cuppa”.

    So would you care for a spot of tea on your next visit to Epcot?  Let us know in the comments below.

  • New Kidcot Fun Stop Experience Debuts at Epcot Sponsored By Ziploc

    New Kidcot Fun Stop Experience Debuts at Epcot Sponsored By Ziploc

    The Kidcot Fun Stops located in Epcot’s World Showcase now offer a new experience with a new sponsor. Presented by Ziploc, Kidcot Fun Stops now offer guests a chance to collect stamps and create a personalized souvenir at any or all 11 of these World Showcase craft stations.

    Guests with little ones who may not enjoy World Showcase quite as much the grown ups often stop at the Kidcot Fun Stops to keep the kids entertained as you explore each international pavilion or sometimes it’s simply a great place to take a load off while they color and draw.

    Drop by any Kidcot Fun Stop for a fun activity. With the art supplies provided at each station, your child can decorate and personalize a loveable keepsake of his or her Epcot experience! Guests will receive a complimentary Kidcot Ziploc brand bag (designed to resemble a traveler’s suitcase) for transporting their traveler’s cards.

    Visit the other Kidcot Fun Stops, located in every international pavilion. At each one, friendly Cast Members will share insights about their native country and give your child something representing that country to help them remember their experience. Stop by all the Kidcot Fun Stops to complete your collection!

    Where to Find Kidcot Fun Stops

    • Mexico Pavilion (near Animales Fantasticos)
    • Norway Pavilion (at The Puffin’s Roost)
    • China Pavilion (near the exit of Reflections of China)
    • Germany Pavilion (at Volkunst)
    • Italy Pavilion (outside, near La Bottega Italiana)
    • American Adventure Pavilion (outside, near Heritage Manor Gifts)
    • Japan Pavilion (in the Bijutsu-kan Gallery)
    • Morocco Pavilion (at the Marketplace in the Medina)
    • France Pavilion (at Souvenirs de France)
    • United Kingdom Pavilion (at The Toy Soldier)
    • Canada Pavilion (at the exit of O Canada!)
  • Choza de Margarita Now Open at Mexico Pavilion in Epcot World Showcase at Walt Disney World Resort

    Choza de Margarita Now Open at Mexico Pavilion in Epcot World Showcase at Walt Disney World Resort

    We are so excited to announce the long-awaited new margarita stand has opened at Epcot in Walt Disney World. Choza de Margarita is operating in the Mexico pavilion, naturally, of the World Showcase side of the theme park. And while it’s a nicer, larger building than its predecessor, it’s really just a margarita place with a few food items thrown in for good measure.

    The area includes limited built-in seating, although visitors use the walls near the exit as makeshift tables for stand-up dining.

    “Choza” is the Spanish word for “hut,” and the outdoor bar sits in the shadow of the iconic Mexico pyramid. The menu offers three hand-crafted margaritas, three frozen margaritas, three Mexican beers and a non-alcoholic Mexican fruit punch with orange, pineapple and grapefruit juices and a splash of grenadine.

    On the menu are three “signature” margaritas served on the rocks ($14-$14.50), four frozen margarita options ($10.25-$10.50) and three beers ($8.75-$9.75). There’s also a nonalcoholic conga, describes as a Mexican fruit punch made of orange, pineapple and lemon juice, for $6.

    On the solid side, the menu features tacos al pastor ($9.25) and empanadas de barbacoa ($9.75) plus a guacamole item for $7.95.

    Small bites include Tacos al Pastor with grilled pork on fresh homemade corn tortillas with green tomatillo sauce, onion, pineapple and cilantro; Empanadas de Barbacoa with beef, topped with chipotle sauce, Mexican cream and queso fresco; and fresh guacamole with mango chutney, pumpkin and pomegranate seeds, served with fried flour chicharrones and salsa Valentina, an authentic Mexican hot sauce.

    On a hot Florida day, take your pick from one of the three frozen margaritas: Lime (tequila blanco, lime sweet & sour, orange liquor and agave nectar), Wild Strawberry (tequila blanco, strawberry and prickly pear puree, violet flower liquor and lime juice), or Passion Mango (tequila blanco, orange liqueur, wild passion fruit and mango puree).

    The hand-crafted, on-the-rocks varieties include Acan Grapefruit (Casa Noble Blanco Tequila, grapefruit liqueur, elderflower cordial, lemon juice, cardamom bitters and ginger beer), Lime Cucumber (Avión Blanco Tequila, fresh cucumber, orange liqueur, lime juice and agave nectar), and Guava Pink Peppercorn (Zignum Mexcal Reposado, guava nectar, grapefruit liqueur, lime juice, Peychaud’s Bitters and pink peppercorns).

    If you’re looking for this Disney Dork, you know where to find me!  I love experiencing new drinks and snacks.

    ¡Sígueme!