Epic 2 Parks Adventure: EPCOT And Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Intro

Our journey began as we arrived at Walt Disney World in sunny Orlando, Florida. EPCOT was our first stop, a world of imagination and innovation. We embarked on thrilling adventures, from flying through the cosmos on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to experiencing the sensation of flight on Soarin’. The EPCOT Food & Wine Festival added a delightful twist, with palate-pleasing treats like Liege Waffles, the surprising Pickle Milkshakes, and the delicious Impossible Chicken Wings.

We also met beloved Disney characters like Alice, enjoyed rides on the Skyliner and Friendship boat between the parks, and explored Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There, we encountered Slinky Dog Dash, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. As Star Wars fans we rejoiced in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and savored exotic drinks at Oga’s Cantina. Our adventures continued with shows, culinary delights like Paella and Beignets, and the enchanting EPCOT Forever fireworks.

But let me show you all that right now.

Arriving to EPCOT

I got a little late in the day to EPCOT, past the opening time, but I was hopeful to do a lot since I had been stacking a lot of Disney Genie+ Lighting Lanes since the morning. To learn more about this relatively new system go to this other post where I explain here.

Finally in front of Spaceship Earth, yay.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Since I was coming directly to EPCOT with all my luggage I had to use the lockers located by Spaceship Earth. They are not too expensive and can be used all day until the park closes, even if you park hop.

Quickly, I walked to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, since my boarding group was being called.

The lines are usually long, but they are very entertaining. I usually also just watch YouTube videos or play TwoDots while I am in line.

The ride was fun as usual, it is definitely my favorite one of the 4 parks. I feel like it is still behind Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure in Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

More EPCOT

Before I started eating like crazy during the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, I rode a couple of attractions that I got using Disney Genie+.

Including Soarin’, which I had not been able to ride in a while…

… and I also got to see some of the characters that were out and about. Really cute.

Alice was also out in the England Pavilion.

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival – Part 1

In a previous post I showed all the dishes I ate for this festival, but I was ready for more. And I really had to try the Pickle Milkshake from the Bre-Wing at the Odyssey.

I was SCARED to try it. And guess what. It was delicious!!! Omg, I thought it was just the whip cream doing some magic, but no. The actual milkshake was VERY good. I would have gotten it again. And literally everyone that saw me with this in hands would be so curious about it.

The other thing I ate was the Impossible Chicken Wings, very filling and yummy. 10/10.

Leaving EPCOT for Hollywood Studios

It was almost 2:00 pm, which means time to park hop to the neighbor park of Hollywood Studios. I had been stacking Genie Plus Lighting Lanes for the heavy hitters of this very busy park. I decided to use the skyliner to get there.

But I was thinking about riding the friendship boat next. The last time I was here both transportation methods were closed due to heavy rain.

Finally in my second favorite park and of course I had to rush to…

… Slinky Dog Dash. Lol. It was the first Lighting Lane I secured, just because it goes fast in the morning. I got it later in the afternoon but at 7:00 am, crazy!

Sunset Boulevard

Next, I went back into Sunset Boulevard, the Los Angeles in Orlando area, and got into Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster – Starring: Aerosmith, another Lighting Lane that I got earlier in the day.

The only roller coaster with a full loop in Walt Disney World, wow!

And finally, I went to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ for an afternoon pick me up in this thrilling ride.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

EPCOT is my favorite park, but the only land of Walt Disney World that I would spend all day is Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios.

60 days before this trip I got my Oga’s Cantina reservation to fell even more immersed in the Star Wars Universe.

It is always fun in there, and of course, got my Fuzzy Tauntaun drink.

But of course, I had to do the rides. For Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, I did not use Genie Disney Plus, but the Solo Rider line.

And the Individual Lighting Lane Selection I got in the morning, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is unavoidable. It’s incredible that years ago, I was never able to get on here.

Finally, a little snack from this land, the Cold Brew Black Caf from Kat Saka’s Kettle, although it had rice crispies instead of the usual coco poaffs 🙁

Leaving Hollywood Studios for EPCOT

Yes, it was time to go back to EPCOT. The day was almost over, but before that, I had to ride Star Tours, which always have a short line.

Bye bye, Hollywood Studios, always fun.

And yes, this time I got in the friendship boat to go to EPCOT. It takes forever because it stops in the hotels in between, but I had no rush.

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival – Part 2

I was waiting to have more space in my stomach to get more of this food, and the Japan booth was in my plans.

From this booth I got the Fire Taiko Roll (Sushi Roll with Spicy Tuna, Cucumber and Pickled Daikon Radish served with Spicy Sauce) and Teriyaki Chicken Bun (Steamed Bun filled with Chicken, Vegetables and Teriyaki Sauce). The roll was small, but the bun was so delicious, I needed another one on the spot.

While I was enjoying the festival I noticed some performers, and realized that there are shows scheduled as well. They can be seen on the app, and guess who was scheduled for this day: Baha Men!!!

Their show was on the American Pavilion, by the lake.

Next up, I went to the Spain booth to try the Paella with Saffron Rice, Chorizo and Shrimp. Wow, I was not expecting the spiciness of this dish. It cleared my nasal cavities lol. But it was very delicious, although I did not feel authentic, like the ones I have tried in Spain.

And finally, later in the day, I got to try the Beignet aux Trois Fromages: Warm Beignet filled with Three Cheese Blend. It was way more savory than I expected. I feel like I would prefer something else instead, but I would buy it again.

Last rides at EPCOT

The day was ending, and I still had some Lighting Lanes left, which I tried to do as many as I could.

The wait times were all over the place, but the most popular attractions had a very long line.

For the first time, I decided to go into Journey into Imagination with Figment, and it was kinda cute, although I would not go back in it anytime soon lol.

And lastly, I got to do a repeat on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, a cute ride that immerse you in this story, and in the city of Paris, which I love a lot.

Epcot Forever

Time of the nighttime show at EPCOT, and EPCOT Forever was the one this time. It feels like every time I go there is a different show, and December 2023, another show will take over.

Bye bye EPCOT. It was a fun first day in Orlando.

Universal’s Endless Summer Resort

Leaving the park and trying to take an Uber was the worst idea I had. There were no Ubers for the next 45 minutes, so after waiting for a good 30 minutes I finally decided to go back and take a bus to any hotel, in this case the luxurious Riviera Resort.

From here, I was able to get an Uber to my hotel: Universal’s Endless Summer Resort. I know, not Disney, just because I would spend more time in this other park, and this was the Halloween Horror Nights trip!

The view was so amazing.

Arriving to Orlando

I always like to share my experience flying from New York, where I live, and this time I got on a flight from JFK the night before.

The Manhattan skyline always looks so immaculate.