PHOTO REPORT: EPCOT 9/4/2024 (Food & Wine, Tiny Village Update, & More)

I’m back at it again with the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, but with low crowds, it was a wonderful day at EPCOT.

More Pins

Two Disney-themed pins on display cards. The pin on the left shows Goofy driving a flying car. The pin on the right features Goofy sitting down, appearing tired. Both cards read "Disney Pins.

I found two new pins at Pin Traders, located right under Spaceship Earth. The first one I spotted was Goofy running in his handmade airplane. I also found Kuzco in llama form holding a potion bottle and smiling. Maybe it’s the cure that turns him human again? Each pin is open edition and available for $12.99 each.

DVC Lounge in ImageWorks

A sign reads "Disney Vacation Club Member Lounge at EPCOT Currently Closed Today" inside a colorful building with merchandise visible in the background.

I stopped by to see if Figment was meeting his fans, and he of course was! Then Disney released new information about the DVC Lounge refurbishment upstairs in ImageWorks. I asked around but the Cast Members I spoke with did not have any word that it would open this week. Stay tuned to our website for an opening date or a potential soft opening.

Food & Wine Chef Figment Trash Can Shaker – $14.99

A store shelf displays multiple tins of tea with a colorful, whimsical design featuring a purple dragon. A close-up shows the tin labeled "Spice of Life," decorated with the same dragon character.

I spotted a Chef Figment shaker that was unavailable on the first day! Maybe they came in late, but I have too many friends that collect these for it to be entirely missed.

We reported on the rest of Chef Figment’s Collection and the rest of the Food & Wine 2024 merchandise earlier this week. Is there something you collect from the festivals? Let me know in the comments below.

Hide and Squeak!

A small figurine of a rat holding a baguette stands on a grassy area surrounded by rocks, with bushes in the background.

The Ratatouille hide and squeak challenge is a fun way to keep the festival engaging. As a reporter, I love when Disney does things like this because, without fail, the first one I spot every season throws me off. Call it obsessive or just a keen eye, but any changes to the parks are important for us, so even the smallest Remy could give you heart palpitations — even for a second.

Bet you can’t tell which country Remy spooked me in, eh?

Ratatouille Scooter and Motorbike

A red vintage scooter and a black modern motorcycle parked on a sunlit sidewalk near a light green wall.

You know it’s a chill day in EPCOT when these two stationary beauties aren’t crawling with tiny guests. These sit at the exit of the Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ride. I always wanted to take Colette Tatou’s motorbike, on the right, for a joy ride around the showcase. A reporter can dream, right?

Princess Jasmine in the Morocco Pavilion

A person in a light blue costume is walking outdoors; indoors, there is a buffet setup with red carpet and tables; a colorful illustrated card is held up in front of a building with an arched entrance.

I spotted Princess Jasmine walking around the back of the Morocco Pavilion. She does meet in the Morocco Pavilion periodically, but this time she was just passing through to say hi to other world travelers. She did not have a spare magic carpet, unfortunately.

So no Ratatouille motorbike and no magic carpet, it’s time for a water break. Luckily in Morocco, there is currently a Florida Blue Lounge in the Marakesh Restaurant that offers free refreshments in air conditioning! So after a little water break, we continue around the world… showcase.

‘Forbidden’ by John Nadeau

A person holds a framed artwork of a dark castle. Next to it is text about John Nadeau's career as a comic artist and commercial artist in Central Florida, mentioning his work with Disney and various clients.

I found this new piece of Disney art at Art of Disney in The American Adventure. I could only find it on a deluxe print, which costs $44.99 as of this publication.

I thought it was interesting given the new Villains Land Disney announced at, *deep breath*, D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. Maleficent’s Forbidden Mountain castle stands so menacingly in the background, and that creepy dangerous pathway no one would want to take. It’s almost like a zoomed-in image of the concept art released at D23, obviously elevated artistically and not visually exact.

New Loungefly Bags from the Italy Pavilion

Two colorful Disney-themed bags are shown. One bag displays a "Viva Topolino" design with Mickey Mouse as a gondolier, and the other bag features Mickey Mouse at Epcot with a detailed backdrop.

I found two new loungefly bags in La Gemma Elegante, where they sell perfume and handmade masks. The backpack glows in the dark and is available for $89 and the crossbody purse is $75.

The designs of both bags match the Topolino collection we previously reported on. I love the three matching flowers stitched onto the purse’s shoulder strap. I also thought it was a nice touch that Spaceship Earth was featured in the background of both.

Tiny Village Drama

A collage featuring miniature train sets, small figurines, and detailed model buildings in a garden setting.

I stopped by the tiny village because the DRAMA is endless. Today, I noticed that the miniature town has started its miniature Food & Wine Festival, with banners hanging in the main square.

Our teeny tiny friend is still holding strong with her white handkerchief, but it seems the man is hopefully getting closer to save her from falling off the tower’s edge entirely. Finally, our wee friend appears to have found himself on the wrong side of the railing. Hopefully, he doesn’t fall face-first onto the rocks below (like before).

If you are catching up on the drama, here is my previous photo report from EPCOT.

Mulan in China

A person in traditional attire embraces a child in a room with red carpet and potted cherry blossom trees.

I spotted a very kind and fierce Mulan meeting with a tiny fan. One of my favorite parts about being in the parks so much is just people-watching. The child was so starstruck and excited to meet Mulan but seemed to get nervous at the moment; Same, kid. Mulan took extra time to make sure the little warrior princess enjoyed their meeting.

Muppet’s Lab Photo Op

An empty room with a large screen on the wall, various posters, and safety signs. The floor has a geometric pattern, and a clock is visible on the wall above the posters.

Okay: I wasn’t going to say anything about it, but I can’t help myself. One of my favorite parts of being in the parks is people-watching, but sometimes that can be equally frustrating.

Earlier this week, the photo op that was in the Odyssey for Muppets Brew-Wing Lab was removed. This photo-op was extremely themed with props. Reports indicate that kids destroyed the photo op so Disney removed it entirely. Now all that’s left is the spotlight, which somehow makes it more upsetting.

I am SO bitter. I never even got to see it in person, much less get a moment to take advantage of the cool setup. We as Disney fans ask for things like this, but there are always going to be bad apples that ruin it for the rest of us. Public Service Announcement: Watch how you behave in the parks, and be kind.

Moana

Two women stand outdoors near lush greenery and rock formations. One wears a costume resembling a tropical islander while the other is in casual attire. Both appear engaged in conversation or activity.

On the way out of EPCOT, I spotted Moana greeting guests. I wish Disney would let her meet at either Disney’s Animal Kingdom or EPCOT instead of having her meet at both. The EPCOT space makes more sense for her, since Journey of Water is right there next to her spot.

What was your favorite moment from today’s trip to EPCOT? I live for Tiny Village drama, and would definetly watch the soap opera of that town. Until next time!

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