Thursday, March 19, 2009

The Best Restaurants for Quick Food - Part 1

I love food, and have eaten everywhere in EPCOT.  With so many choices it's hard to know where you should go for that quick bite to eat. You don't want to spend all your time walking around deciding on where to go. This list will give you an idea of where to eat when you just want to get in line, get your food, sit down and eat it. First off, let me say that if you are vacationing the last week of September to the First week in November, Eat at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. You can find the most interesting things to eat, and its just wonderful. I'll write more about it on a later date. Back to the list.
  1. Sunshine Seasons - Located inside The Land pavilion, next to Soarin', this quick service restaurant is set up cafeteria style. You first pick up your food and then you pay.  There food is on the pricier side of all the other quick service locations, but the food is of a better quality. No burgers and fries here. Different types of salads, soups, sandwiches, and desserts; along with an Asian cuisine stand, and fire roasted chicken and beef. If you are on the dining plan, you will definitely get your money's worth here. If you are paying for it, well vacationing in Disney World = spending money.
  2. La Cantina de San Angel - Located in the Mexico pavilion, if you like Mexican food - this is the place to go. They have different combination plates, and seating is outside around World Showcase Lagoon is a relaxing way to spend the afternoon.
  3. Tangierine Cafe - Located in the Morocco pavilion, this is where you can find great lamb gyros and other Moroccan cuisine. You can sit outside and eat to some authentic Moroccan music and dancing.
Check back for more locations to eat at EPCOT, I just love EPCOT food.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Look at the Big Golf Ball... It's Called Spaceship Earth

My biggest pet peeve is when people entering EPCOT through its main gates refer to its icon as "The Big Golf Ball." If you want to really sound intelligent, then refer to it by its name, Spaceship Earth. It's something science fiction writer Ray Bradbury wrote about, how we are all flying through space on our spaceship, Earth. Its amazing to stand underneath it and to see how its just a bunch of triangles. *Interesting fact: There are 11,324 triangles that make up Spaceship Earth, and the special material they are made of is self cleaning. So when it rains, Spaceship Earth is being cleaned. 

Inside this monstrous architectural marvel, is a decent ride that takes you through the history and future of communication on our planet. Its lines are usually long in the beginning of the day because it is the first ride people see as they walk in,  just keep moving. By the later part of the day (just make sure you won't miss Epcot's Illuminations) you should be able to walk on, or at least have a shorter wait. 

It has recently been renovated and features a captivating narration by Dame Judi Dench. They also have added a cool interactive aspect to the ride, making it harder to fall asleep during it, unless you really don't want to be amazed. It also lacks the heavy musty stench, and now just has a few areas were you get an essense of its age. Afterwards you are let out and have to walk through a room full of different technologically advanced and experimental games and activities.

If anything its worth going on to get away from the heat, relax, and be able to tell people you had been inside Spaceship Earth, and when they look confused, you can say "The Big Golf Ball."