Posts Tagged ‘World Showcase’
Character Reference – Pinocchio
VITAL STATISTICS
Name: Pinocchio
Current Address: the home of Geppetto
Previous Address: Geppetto’s workshop
Interests: becoming a real boy
Qualifications: brave, truthful, unselfish
Facebook Friends: Geppetto, Jiminy Cricket, Blue Fairy, Figaro, Cleo
CHARACTER COORDINATES
Remember, the appearance of a specific character is never guaranteed. Some of the locations below have regularly-scheduled appearances while others are occasional. Always check the Times Guides for the most up-to-date information, and be prepared for possible substitutions at character meals.
Meet and Greet
- EPCOT, World Showcase, Italy
- Magic Kingdom, Town Square
- Magic Kingdom, Toontown Train Station
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sorcerer’s Hat
Shows
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic!
Parades
- Magic Kingdom, Celebrate a Dream Come True
- Magic Kingdom, Spectromagic
Miscellaneous
- Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland, Pinocchio’s Village Haus Restaurant
Character Reference – Mary Poppins
VITAL STATISTICS
Name: Mary Poppins
Current Address: Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane, London, England
Previous Address: where the West Wind blows
Interests: tea parties, singing, feeding the birds, an element of fun
Favorite Food: sugar
Prized Possessions: carpetbag, umbrella
Facebook Friends: Bert; Jane, Michael, John, Barbara, and Annabel Banks; Uncle Albert
CHARACTER COORDINATES
Remember, the appearance of a specific character is never guaranteed. Some of the locations below have regularly-scheduled appearances while others are occasional. Always check the Times Guides for the most up-to-date information, and be prepared for possible substitutions at character meals.
Meet and Greet
- EPCOT, World Showcase, United Kingdom
- Magic Kingdom, Toontown Hall of Fame
- Magic Kingdom, Main Street Exposition Hall
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sorcerer’s Hat
Character Dining
- EPCOT, World Showcase, Norway, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Princess Storybook Dining
- Magic Kingdom, Cinderella Castle, Cinderella’s Royal Table
- Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, 1900 Park Fare
Attractions
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Great Movie Ride
Parades
- Magic Kingdom, Celebrate a Dream Come True
- Magic Kingdom, Spectromagic
Miscellaneous
- Downtown Disney, featured on the Characters in Flight balloon
Character Reference – Winnie the Pooh
VITAL STATISTICS
Name: Winnie the Pooh
Current Address: tree (the former home of Mr. Sanders), Hundred Acre Wood
Interests: creating hums, playing Poohsticks, spending time in the Thoughtful Spot
Favorite Food: hunny
Facebook Friends: Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Owl, Rabbit, Gopher, Christopher Robin
CHARACTER COORDINATES
Remember, the appearance of a specific character is never guaranteed. Some of the locations below have regularly-scheduled appearances while others are occasional. Always check the Times Guides for the most up-to-date information, and be prepared for possible substitutions at character meals.
Meet and Greet
- EPCOT, World Showcase, England, Toy Store
- EPCOT, Holiday Character Bus
- Magic Kingdom, Toontown Hall of Fame
- Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland, Pooh’s Playful Spot
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Discovery Island boat landing
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Camp Minnie-Mickey
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Mickey Avenue
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sorcerer’s Hat
Character Dining
- Magic Kingdom, Crystal Palace
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, 1900 Park Fare, breakfast
Attractions
- Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Shows
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animation Courtyard, Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage
Parades
- Magic Kingdom, Celebrate a Dream Come True
- Magic Kingdom, Once Upon a Christmastime
Venetian Viewpoint
The campanile soars above the Plaza del Teatro at the beautiful Italy pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase. Drawing inspiration from the art and architecture of Venice, the complex is a symphony of sculpture, from the Lion of St. Mark to the Neptune fountain.
Columns and arches draw the eye down graceful walkways and along the buildings’ façades, frosted with intricate detail.
There are Italian treasures to be found in the shops, which include the lovely Il Bel Cristallo offering a colorful array of jewelry, leather goods, and decorative accessories.
Formal plantings surround the courtyard and vines climb towards the sun. Citrus and olive trees soften the stone; flowers froth from containers.
Visitors can dine beneath the coffered ceilings of Tutto Italia enjoying Italian cuisine in a restaurant filled with old world charm. Outside, Sergio the Juggler and the World Showcase Players entertain passersby.
Just across the way, a graceful bridge leads to a terrace overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon, where gondolas bob amid colorful poles.
Tucked between the pavilions of Germany and the U.S., Italy is a favored locale for a Disney wedding. Stroll around and admire the statuary, sit in the warm sunshine enjoying the flowers and this small glimpse of the glories of Venice.
Mulan’s World
Step through the Paifang Gate and into the land of dragons and emperors. While it might not be geographically correct, in EPCOT’s World Showcase, the China pavilion is located between Norway and Germany.
The beautiful Temple of Heaven is a masterpiece of color and detail and stands reflected in a serene lily pond. Inside, the ceiling mesmerizes as guests move through the open space to enter the Circle-Vision 360° theater and enjoy Reflections of China, a spectacular movie showcasing the wonders of this extraordinary country. The pavilion is also host to several exhibits, including replicas of the terra cotta warriors unearthed in Xi’an.
One of the unique characteristics of the Temple is its acoustics. A visitor can stand in the middle of the interior and hear his own voice reaching his ears from outside rather than from within!
The Dragon Legend Acrobats delight audiences with five daily performances, and Si Xian brings the sound of authentic instruments and traditional music to the Temple of Heaven several days a week.
The area is intimately linked to the Disney animated feature Mulan. The movie sound track features the song Reflection and Christina Aguilera’s video performance was filmed here. Expect meet and greet opportunities with both Mulan and Mushu throughout the day.
Stroll the lovely gardens and walkways to visit the colorful Yong Feng Shangdian Department Store or grab a bite to eat at Nine Dragons or the Lotus Blossom Café.
Bring a camera and spend some time seeking the many photo opportunities that China has to offer.
Character Reference – Snow White
VITAL STATISTICS
Name: Snow White
Current Address: The Prince’s Palace
Previous Address: Cottage of the Seven Dwarves, The Forest
Interests: cooking, sewing, knitting, keeping a tidy home
Favorite Food: apples
Facebook Friends: Huntsman, Dopey, Doc, Happy, Bashful, Grumpy, Sleepy, Sneezy
CHARACTER COORDINATES
Remember, the appearance of a specific character is never guaranteed. Some of the locations below have regularly-scheduled appearances while others are occasional. Always check the Times Guides for the most up-to-date information, and be prepared for possible substitutions at character meals.
Meet and Greet
- EPCOT, World Showcase, Germany
- Magic Kingdom, Toontown Hall of Fame, Princess Room
- Magic Kingdom, Main Street Exposition Hall
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sorcerer’s Hat
Character Dining
- EPCOT, World Showcase, Norway, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Princess Storybook Dining
- Magic Kingdom, Cinderella Castle, Cinderella’s Royal Table
Attractions
- Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland, Snow White’s Scary Adventure
Shows
- Magic Kingdom, Castle Forecourt Stage, Dream-Along with Mickey
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic!
Parades
- Magic Kingdom, Celebrate a Dream Come True
- Magic Kingdom, Spectromagic
Miscellaneous
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animation Gallery, The Art of Snow White
Evening in Mexico
It’s twilight in the village and the sky has turned a deep cobalt blue. A Mayan pyramid looms close by and in the distance, a volcano glows and smokes. In the courtyard just beyond the cheerful evening marketplace, colorful tables and chairs beckon hungry shoppers to sit by the river and enjoy the local fare. The beautiful San Angel Inn, located inside the Mexico pavilion at the World Showcase in EPCOT, serves lunch and dinner in south-of-the-border style.
Review: This restaurant always garners mixed reviews for its highly Americanized and recently pared-down menu. While certainly a cut above the local fast-food offerings, many of the items, although arguably more authentic, will seem bland to lovers of true Mexican cuisine. The popular Plato Mexicano has been removed from the menu, and a very nice ceviche is only available intermittently.
The atmosphere is truly stunning but the dining experience is marred somewhat by tables which are far too close together, making it difficult for the wait staff to move through some areas, and for diners to enjoy a private conversation. Service seems very hit or miss; sometimes outstanding, sometimes slow and uninspired.
While many refer to the ambience as “very romantic,” there’s nothing romantic about the constant camera flashes near the front of the restaurant from those hoping to capture a photo of the beautiful interior. Arrive early for your reservation and request a table by the river to enjoy the boats drifting by.
San Angel Inn
Mexico, World Showcase, EPCOT
Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Dinner 4:30 p.m. to park closing
Park admission required
