our trip to Japan… and Canada… and 9 more countries…

Dec 17, 2021

Epcot (my 2nd favorite park) is home to the World Showcase where you’ll find lots of shops and eateries. There are 11 pavilions that represent 11 countries positioned around a reflective lagoon. They are: UK, US, France, Morocco, Japan, Italy, China, Norway, Mexico, Germany and Canada.

Canada is where you can find my favorite restaurant on the planet — Le Cellier. Best. Steak. Ever. (Sorry Dad.) My more adventurous traveling partners love the Japan pavilion — both for food and for shopping. Even when we visit Japanese restaurants close to home, I’m the only one at the table with a fork. I’m no fan of sushi.

sushi from World Showcase

There’s not been one visit to Disney that we’ve left the Japanese pavilion unscathed. Who knew blue crocks are the perfect compliment to a kimono? 😉

We’ve gotten counter food at every pavilion at one point or another with the exception of Morocco. Not sure why, but we pass it up every single time. We typically have one sit-down meal in the China pavilion — Nine Dragons. It was closed due to COVID for over a year and just reopened a couple months ago. There was not a reservation to be had almost a month in advance. 🙁

While Epcot has around 40 attractions, there are only 10 rides — including the new one where you get to be a rat — Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Currently, there’s a virtual queue to ride it. Our assigned group was projected to board at 1:00 PM, but that got pushed to 4:30 PM – and then to after 5:00 PM. Good thing the “in line” wait was short. It’s a cute ride but not one I would wait over 40 minutes in line to ride.

Ratatouille adventure

Directly after the ride, we stood in line FOREVER to get crepes from La Creperie de Paris because they’re said to be amazing. People who claim that lied. Blech!

Mission: Space is a good ride, and I still love Soarin’ even though it was a bajillion times better before they upgraded the visuals. Although Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind is coming in 2022, it’s going to take more than that to pop Epcot to the top again in my book.

Good bye for now, Epcot…

bye Epcot

Only “one more” for the nice list – sure hope it’s me!

Santa's list from Epcot

Tomorrow’s post will be… drum roll please… Animal Kingdom. While Epcot has my favorite restaurant, Animal Kingdom is home to the best ride on the planet. Period. No room for negotiation!