France and United Kingdom and Canada - Epcot

Our week celebrating Epcot’s World Showcase has come to an end but not before we visit three countries together, France, United Kingdom and Canada. Our first stop France which is home to some lovely gardens and absolutely wonderful deserts. Really if you do nothing else at France make sure you have at least one yummy treat. But there is more to do in France. I have to admit that there are many films in the World Showcases that do not interest me. Like some of the little ones I will pass on the films but the France film (Impressions de France) is beautiful. I love the French country side and recommend this film (but kids may still be bored) to all. My favorite memory in France happened while I was taking photos of the French posters… I really love those posters. I am shooting away getting close-ups of my favorites zooming out to get the whole pole when suddenly I notice this little pair of Mickey Ears in the bottom of my shot...



Without knowing it I captured a cute little hidden Mickey in France! Let’s now move on to another set of fantastic gardens across the bridge in the UK. I love the gardens in the UK and it is even better when Marry Poppins shows up for photos! For this country my must see and my favorite moment are one in the same … The British Invasion! I just cannot get enough of these guys. Not only do they perform flawlessly the best songs of the Beatles up they also have some very cool costumes. You must see them at least once (they are there all week check the times guide for show times). And occasionally if you catch them at the right time you can get a nice shot with them to make a fantastic vacation memory…



Trust me you will have a great time if you see the British Invasion in the UK just like you will have a fun time being goofy in Canada. Canada is home to a great steak house (if you are of the meat persuasion I hear Le Cellier is a place not to miss) and some primo maple syrup. But there is also a really neat cutout that you must stick your face in and make faces for the camera…



It is so much fun to play around with the cutout that you will find all over the world. I am building quite a collection of my funny face behind Disney cutouts it is almost as fun as taking pictures with the characters.

Well I hope you have had a great time this week touring the World Showcase with me. I am so excited about the upcoming International Flower and Garden Festival and this week just helped me to realize how many good times I have had at Epcot. I would love to hear about your magical memories and must sees at Epcot.

Japan and Morocco – Epcot

Today we are going to explore Japan and Morocco together. Both are beautiful countries in Epcot’s World Showcase. Way back in time I told you about a secret in Japan the not so often visited Tin Toy Museum. It is a definite must see on your Japan list. Also make sure to see the drummers that perform at the front of Japan they are fantastic entertainers. My absolute favorite thing about Japan is the gardens. The peace lake with fish and the delicate trees and bushes are the subject of many of my Epcot photos. My favorite memory in Japan occurred during another perfect Epcot day when Norwood I were hanging out after eating at Teppan Edo (add this restaurant to your must try list). We walked out onto the large porch and watched the rain pour down as people scurried to get anywhere inside. Although the rain was causing a bit of chaos for those running through it the evening was peaceful and we stood there people watching for a long time.

Speaking of water did you know there was a water wheel in Morocco? I missed it the first couple of times that I walked through and then one day when trying to get closer to a pretty yellow flower I suddenly noticed it…



Again Disney goes all out when it comes to details. Morocco has fantastic shopping. I love their bags. If you have not yet browsed through the shops in Morocco put it on your to do list for Epcot. Even if you do not buy anything you will appreciate the color and the detail. There are so many things to do in Morocco so really just make sure you put the country on your to do list. You can meet Aladdin, Jasmine and the Genie, browse the museum with some of the most gorgeous pots and vases you will ever see and hear live music with belly dancers. My favorite moment in Morocco occurred way back in time to the first month that we began our year at Disney. The World Showcase just opened and Norwood and I were looking around in the museum when we ran into Luis an Epcot security guard who was so friendly and had so much information to share with us about the World Showcase. If I was not already hooked on Epcot I think that Luis’s excitement would have hooked me.

Italy and America – Epcot

Yesterday we talked about the wonderful details in China and how much fun it is just to walk around and take photos of the beauty today our first stop is another place that is fun to take photos of the details… Italy. Italy is home to my favorite photo spot in the World Showcase. Each time we visit Epcot I have to have Norwood take of photo of me in front of Neptune. It all started in 2000 and now a visit to Italy is not complete without a photo in front of Neptune. Neptune is a must see in Italy. Another must see in Italy are the jugglers. They are truly amazing. My favorite memory in Italy happened last year during Christmas. We walked into one of the gift shops there for the first time and I was taken aback by all the beautiful perfume bottles so I began taking photos of them…



While taking photos of the perfume bottles a sudden commotion happened so I looked up from my camera to find that someone had just proposed to a woman in the middle of the gift shop. They were speaking what sounded like Italian and although I could not understand the words the sentiment was clear she had said yes.



Let us make one more stop today on our celebration of Epcot’s World Showcase… America (The American Adventure). America is home to some pretty tasty funnel cakes, The American Adventure Show and the America Gardens. Must sees here are the American Adventure Show and one of the many concerts that happen at the America Gardens theatre throughout the year. My favorite memory from America is when I had a second chance to get my photo take with Bono! During the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series last year we went to almost every show that 2U a Tribute to U2 put on. While performing one of the early shows Paul (Bono) walked off the stage put his hat on Norwood’s head and I snapped the shot. I was so jealous and later after the show Paul was taking photos with people and Norwood grabbed a picture of me but my eyes were closed! The next day we went to the show again and once again he took pictures with fans and this time I had my eyes open!

Tomorrow we will continue our journey around the World Showcase together.

China and Germany- Epcot

Yesterday we started our walk around the World Showcase together in celebration of the upcoming International Flower and Garden Festival. Each day this week I will be sharing the things I think you must see in each country and my favorite memories from each. Today we have two countries to hit on our trip so I hope you brought your walking shoes. First on our stop is my favorite country in the World Showcase China…



As I have mentioned many times throughout our last nine months together here at Mouse Beat I love China for its beauty. One of my favorite things to do is take my camera and spend on the day there taking photos of the flowers, structures the gift shop… pretty much everything. On the top of the must see list in China is all the art. Take time to slowly browse the country. Like all the countries there are so many little details. My favorite memory in China happened one night when we in the gift shop looking for a large Happy Buddha. One of the cast members told us the story behind Happy Buddha which is the larger the belly the more happiness he will bring to your home. To obtain the happiness from Happy Buddha some rub his belly. I jokingly rubbed Norwood’s belly and then to my surprise the cast member reaches over and rubs Norwood’s belly too! We all laughed… it appeared that Norwood’s brought us all a lot of happiness that night.

Speaking of happy bellies let’s walk down to Germany for Oktoberfest…


Germany is home to a place that celebrates Oktoberfest all year long… Biergarten. Put this place on your must see list. Even if you are not a fan of German food you should see this place once in your Disney travels. It is a joyous place where you will want to get up and dance when the band comes out. Dance, eat and do not forget to try the deserts. The Biergarten has a great desert selection. My favorite memory in Germany actually takes place in the Biergarten. Norwood and I went there last year when we went to see Neil Patrick Harris narrate the Christmas Story for the Candlelight Processional. It was our first experience there and we could not have asked for a better group of people. And to make the night even more memorable we had no idea you had to get tickets for the Candlelight Processional but our waiter made sure we got two tickets. We could not have asked for better service.

Tomorrow let’s continue our journey around the World Showcase with a stop in Italy and America.

Mexico and Norway- Epcot

While enjoying a nice Valentine’s Day with Norwood I began to think about the upcoming Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. This year will be my first Flower and Garden Festival (it runs from March 18- May 31) and I cannot wait! My camera and I will drag Norwood to as many events as he can stand and I will share those photos and experiences here. But sadly it is only February 16 so we have about a month to wait! In the meantime though I thought we would spend this week walking through the World Showcase together before the blooms.

Let’s begin our journey in Mexico…


Mexico’s main attraction is the Mayan pyramid that houses a festive little boat ride with the Three Cabelleros and the San Angel Restaurant. I remember the first time I walked into Mexico I felt like I was entering another world where time suddenly had no meaning. Walking back out into the sunshine and heat later on was a shock. My favorite memory in Mexico is meeting for the first time Jackie and her family there for dinner. The one thing you must do while in Mexico is… have lunch or dinner in San Angel (try to get a table toward the water so you can wave to the people on the Gran Fiesta Tour) and then after a delicious meal walk right over to help find Donald Duck on the Gran Fiesta Tour.



After a meal and a pleasant little boat ride that end in fireworks trek the world again and head on over to Norway. Back in 2003 (which was the last time we had been to Disney World before 2008) Norway was our favorite place to eat. I liked the traditional Norwegian Food that you could get at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. When we went back in 2008 we were not disappointed but surprised by the changes. Now it truly is Royal with all the Princesses joining you in your meal and the food is slightly different. My favorite Norway moment is that first dinner back in Norway after five years. We were so shocked to see all the Princesses there and I will never forget how embarrassed Norwood was when we took a photo with Belle. But now he is an old pro at taking photos with the characters.

If you have not yet eaten at Akershus I do recommend trying to at least once but be sure no matter how many times you have been there to check out Maelstrom. I really like the scenery on this boat ride and I have to admit that each time I ride it I prepare for the trip over the falls. It is mellow but fun.

Tomorrow let’s continue our look around the World Showcase and dream of the Flower and Garden Festival that is soon to come.