PHOTO REPORT: EPCOT 9/10/2024 (Disney Eats, Pins, & Tiny Village Update)

Happy Pin Tuesday! Today was a nice day in EPCOT. Disney released exciting new merchandise, The Cake Bake Shop has some twinkly updates, and the tiny village drama continues.

Monorail Red

A modern monorail with a red stripe is stationed at a platform under a canopy, surrounded by trees in the background.

It’s been a few days since I got to peek at Test Track’s refurbishment, so I started my day with a roundtrip ride on the EPCOT Monorail. I rode Monorail Red today, and sometimes I get lost thinking of all the guests that have been on this exact monorail since 1989 when they were last updated.

Test Track Refurbishment

A construction site with heavy machinery and building materials under a cloudy sky. Barriers with "Test Track" signage enclose parts of the area. Trees and a modern building are in the background.

There hasn’t been much change at Test Track since our last update on the refurbishment. There has been a lot of rain lately in Orlando, so what was a dirt hole in front of the entrance is now more of a mudhole. There is some structural support under the exterior track on the far left. Before the refurbishment began, where the structural support is now, there was a pole covered in scrim. I am no engineer but stay tuned to our website for more in-depth updates.

Brace Yourselves — It’s Lovebug Season

Two small black insects with orange legs on a white wall, one slightly larger than the other.

On the way into EPCOT, I noticed lovebugs flying around. If you know anything about these guys, you already know they are not dangerous but multiply quickly. Here in Orlando, you can expect to find lovebugs everywhere starting in late summer and earlier in the fall.

Do you have lovebugs in your area? Let me know in the comments below.

EPCOT Day

A large geodesic sphere structure with a textured surface, known as Spaceship Earth, stands under a partly cloudy sky. People walk around its base and trees line the background.

Besides Magic Kingdom, EPCOT is the only other park with an icon that punches you in the face upon arrival. Feel free to disagree in the comments below, but you don’t even have to run down Main Street, U.S.A. to find yourself in a perfect photo position with Spaceship Earth.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is an awesome ride, but I think Spaceship Earth will always be my favorite ride in EPCOT. Granted it is MUCH slower, but that’s so you can enjoy the ambiance and air conditioning. I’m looking forward to the new lounge Disney announced at D23 that overlooks World Celebration Gardens.

Pin Tuesday

Two hands hold Disney limited edition pins: one with Chip and Dale celebrating autumn 2024, and the other featuring Baloo and Mowgli with the text "Be Like You Tour" and "It's Showtime.

Here’s a Disney insider tip: exclusive pins are released on Tuesdays in the parks. There were two limited edition pins released in the parks today. I found these two pins at Pin Traders in EPCOT. Also, the Cast Members there are top-notch and super kind.

  • Autumn 2024 Chip ‘n’ Dale Pin
    • Limited Edition of 3500
    • Cost: $19.99
  • Showtime Poster – The Jungle Book
    • Limited Edition of 3000
    • Cost: $19.99

Club Cool

A Coca-Cola Freestyle machine features multiple beverage options on the left, and a hand holding a paper cup with the Coca-Cola logo is on the right.

I am sad to report that Club Cool still has not restocked Viva Raspberry from Moldova, but all other flavors were available at all machines this morning. I got a sample of my second favorite from Korea, the Minute Maid Joy Apple Lychee.

What is your favorite flavor? Let me know in the comments if you’re as devastated as I am that there is still no Viva Raspberry.

Disney Eats and Stitch Attacks Snacks Candy Apple Collections

Collage showing Disney merchandise: a Mickey Mouse-themed backpack, a headband with Mickey-shaped ears resembling caramel apples, and a set of Stitch and Angel pins in front of yellow backpacks.

After my little soda splurge, I went to Creations Shop next door. Inside, they had the new Candy Apple merchandise from the Disney Eats and Stitch Attacks Snacks collections. For a closer look at these items, you can read our article.

When I spoke with Cast in Creations, they assured me that the Stitch and Angel plushes are on the way, but are currently unavailable in the parks due to shipping delays. Most of this merch is already on DisneyStore.com.

Cuttlefish Friend in The Seas

A cuttlefish camouflages itself on a sandy bottom near the edge of a curved aquarium, with a cave-like structure partially visible in the background.

Earlier today, we reported that a few of our larger friends in The Seas at EPCOT are being relocated, so I made a special trip to see those animals. I also stopped by to see how the cuttlefish were taking the news. As per usual, even this one seemed unbothered but adorable.

The Land

People walking and using mobility scooters along a paved path surrounded by trees and greenery at an outdoor park on a sunny day.

The Land pavilion was closed this morning, but attractions inside still showed wait times. Cast Members assured me there was no emergency, but maintenance was working on something. They also said they expected to open at some point in the day.

DVC Lounge in ImageWorks

A sign at an indoor venue states, "Disney Vacation Club Member Lounge at EPCOT Currently Closed Today." The background shows a staircase and various display items.

Earlier this month, we reported that the Disney Vacation Lounge in ImageWorks was reopening soon. I asked around but was told there were delays in reopening the lounge. Rumor has it the elevator company is waiting on a part, and once the elevator is repaired, Disney will be able to open the lounge.

World Showcase

A central circular flowerbed with a tall abstract sculpture, surrounded by paths and buildings, with people walking under a partly cloudy sky and palm trees in the background.

Here I stand at the typical start of the World Showcase. If I go left, I’ll land in Mexico first. If I go to the right, I’ll start in Canada. When reporting, I go right, but if I’m here to relax and unwind, I go left every time. Let me know which way you prefer and why in the comments.

Alice in the United Kingdom Pavilion

A group of people, some in costume, are gathered outside a thatched-roof building with lush, green gardens in the foreground and trees in the background.

When I was in the United Kingdom pavilion, I noticed that the spot where a great tree once stood is now covered in beautiful flowers. I’m still mad that Disney removed two large trees from the U.K. pavilion, but I’m hoping there is an exciting reason for it that we haven’t heard about yet. The shade is always nice.

Alice meets here until the sun gets too hot, and then moves closer to the lagoon just past the Rose & Crown Pub, toward the Canada pavilion.

Chef Daisy Duck

A costumed character dressed as a female duck in a chef's outfit stands near a fence and waterway, with trees and a stone wall in the background.

I was on my way out of EPCOT when I saw Chef Daisy at the International Gateway. I wonder if she heard she wasn’t featured on any of the Food & Wine merchandise this year? Maybe that’s why she came dressed as a chef, ready to show her fabulous skills.

The Cake Bake Shop Construction

A person walks past a construction site with promotional images of food and desserts on a wooden boardwalk under a cloudy sky.

I am happy to report that The Cake Bake Shop is starting to look more and more like the concept art every day. More golden letters have been installed on the signs, and if you look closely at the sign on the far right, you may see little lights sparkling in the white space around it. I love this shimmery feature that brought kinetic energy subtly back to the BoardWalk. Stay tuned to our website for more in-depth updates.

Sergio the Italian Mime

A street performer in a red-striped shirt and white hat stands on a plaza, juggling balls. Bystanders watch against a backdrop of brick buildings and potted plants.

When I was in Italy, Sergio the Italian Mime was preparing his newest recruit for the next part of the show. If you have never stopped to watch the comedy of Sergio, I certainly recommend it on your next trip to EPCOT.

Tiny Village Drama

A person in a blue shirt is adjusting a model train set in an outdoor, garden-like setting. The scene includes miniature buildings and a train track with detailed vegetation.

On this week’s report of the Tiny Village Drama of the Germany pavilion, many updates await. First, I spotted a Cast Member carefully trimming the bushes. Wouldn’t it be nice to have giant horticulturalists come down from the sky to make the world more beautiful?

  • SPOTTED! A man brandishing what looks like a weapon hidden far above plotting his next move? Or protecting a treasure inside? We shall remain vigilant on the case.
  • Our tiny friend with the white handkerchief still stands strong with no railing in front of her. The man is still moving VERY slowly to her aide.
  • It appears that a horse has claimed a man’s home near the train tracks. We cannot be sure it wasn’t always the horse’s home, as we are unable to confirm with direct sources.
  • A groom still waits for his partner at the church door as two family members wait with him. Further away, there is still a panicky friend.

Stay tuned to my next EPCOT photo report to see if anything changes in the Tiny Village drama.

Stave Church in the Norway Pavilion

A wooden building with Nordic architecture features banners for Loki and Freya. A statue of a Viking warrior holding a spear stands near the entrance. The sky above is partly cloudy.

The Stave Church recently finished a light refurbishment on its roof. Today, when I was stopping by to smell the school bread and look at the merchandise, I noticed the flags for Loki and Freya were becoming untethered from the pole. Hopefully, this will be fixed soon before someone decides to make it their Walt Disney World keepsake, even if it would be a very mischievous, Loki-like thing to do.

Temptation from Choza de Margarita

A small thatched-roof shop, Choza de Margarita, serves customers. Several people stand in line at the counter, surrounded by lush greenery and tropical decor.

The Cast Members at Choza de Margarita are always working hard. It was nice and tempting, seeing that they at noon today had NO LINE. It took everything in me to keep moving forward, thus missing out on a Margarita. Even I have FOMO in the parks sometimes.

End of Day

EPCOT park entrance sign in front of lush greenery and trees.

If you are able to come to EPCOT during Food & Wine on a weekday, right as booths start to open around 11 a.m., I think you will be pleasantly surprised by your line experiences. I saw very few lines today, which is becoming a theme.

I hope you enjoyed Pin Tuesday and my trip around EPCOT! Is there anything you would like updates on from the parks that I can include in my photo reports? Let me know in the comments below.

See you next time!

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