The First Stop was the Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow (EPCOT)

We left on a 'red eye' flight from SLC to Orlando. That meant the kids slept, but we didn't really. We arrived early in the morning and went to go get our rental car. We had one car, but as we went to drive away, the check engine light came on. We traded in for another car and got halfway across town to our hotel and realized we had left my computer bag in the other car...sigh...so we turned around and went back! 

After a quick stop at the hotel for iconic Mickey Waffles, we went off to EPCOT.

 

It opens a bit later than the other parks, so it gaves  It was a cold day for Florida, but we loved it all the same. We arrived early and were let in early. We made our way to Soarin'. That was the first introduction for the kids to Disney World. Lucky Dragon has rode it in California, but first time in Florida and Koala Bear was tall enough this time. After the ride we had Lucky Dragon's Parent Teacher Conference. We hid in a corner and had a Zoom meeting. Our 'quiet corner' ended when the elevator came and several motorized wheelchairs came out beeping in reverse. The poor teachers trying to talk with us! 

It was our first experience with COVID physical distancing with queues and character meetings. Whinny the Pooh was out on a grassy knoll and we could go interact from the fence as he caught butterflies. Elsa and Anna were willing to talk with us, but similarly it was on the other side of the fence. 

We had done our research and found that they do an EPCOT Passport Stickers. They have altered the experience to be physically distanced. You go to each country and get a card about the country and a sticker. Our two Muggles were so happy to go and find them in each country. 

We then ate our way around the World Showcase. We loved seeing all of the countries, having been to all of them, it was cool to see how detailed Disney is to representing that country and culture. There is some delicious food for us to eat! Each country has some amazing choices. We got snacks in Japan, had Sticky Toffee pudding on our list in the UK, at pastries at Le Halle in France, had lunch at a French restaurant in France...the French Onion soup was AMAZING and the boeuf bourguignon was incomparable,  and we had a rock garden in Japan. This is truly our favorite part of EPCOT. It makes us miss living abroad and appreciating culture. 

This is my favorite photo of the trip. Lucky Dragon took it by accident, but it is beautiful in so many ways. 

United Kingdom!

France

Morocco

Japan

Building our own edible "rock garden" 

Lucky Dragon was SO excited to find that Japan had a whole display for Gudetama!

Italy

Germany

China

As for rides, we rode Soarin' and it was memorable as it always is. The cinematography and the 4-D effects make it so fun to watch. We would duck when the dirt or water was thrown at us! HAHA. We then went on the technology ride. It is one of my favorite rides at Disney. To see the sustainable growth and new technology used to create ecosystems. We learn so much from the experience. We rode the ride in Mexico and the new Frozen ride in Norway. It was sad to see that they changed that ride from the Viking theme, but with technology and music it truly was a fun ride. 

Norway 

We rode Test Track and Mission Space as we left the park. Koala Bear was tired and was SURE she did not want to ride Mission Space. But as we started she stopped crying and pushed all the buttons she was supposed to...but as soon as it was over she started to wail again in protest. HAHA. She could not decide if she was excited for having fun, or wanting to prove a point. 

We were all excited to look for Hidden Mickeys through out the park. 

It was a great way to start our trip! We loved it. We ended the day eating at the Waffle House off property--shocking how cheap it was after all the food in the park!