Walt Disney World - Epcot

Before I post about Disney World, I wanted to share with you this little devotional thought about worrying:

“Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere.” - Glen Turner

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matthew 6:25-26

Now......on to Epcot!

In yesterday's post, I told you that my daughter and I went to Walt Disney World in a different way this past weekend. Different meaning it was only us two and that we stayed on Disney property. It was also different in that for the first day, instead of going to Magic Kingdom, we went to Epcot. The main reason we did this was because of the Extra Magic Hours.

If you're not familiar with what those are, it is extra hours - either in the morning or at night - that Disney Resort guests are able to be in the parks when the general public is not. One of the four main parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, or Hollywood Studios) has either extra morning or extra evening hours every day. It's a great way to get to do more within each park and for us, during this time of year, made it where the lines weren't as long (they really weren't bad anyway, since September is typically a "down" month).

Another different thing about the trip was that my husband bought us a Disney Dining Plan (known as DDP).  The DDP was very simple. Our plan included a table service meal, a quick service meal, and a snack.  In the past our family had only done character meals (where the dressed up Disney characters come to your table while you eat and sign autograph books and pose for pictures) and just quick meals.  Having a rental house, many of our meals were cooked/eaten in the house.  But not this time!

Our very first table service meal was at Epcot's "Via Napoli".  Neither my daughter or I were sure what to order, but we just decided on something that 'sounded' good.  Let me tell you:  It was DELICIOUS!  The pictures don't make a big statement at all....just looks like regular Italian food, but the taste was anything but regular and simple.  So very flavorful!  We both thought the dishes were great!

Lauren got spaghetti and meatballs, which were probably called something else on the menu (pictured below).

I ordered some kind of cream sauce (didn't say Alfredo, but it was close) with Rigatoni and chicken.  YUM!

Dessert was good, as well.  Lauren got a pistachio, lemon gelato with an almond brittle cookie thing.  She really liked it, though it wasn't anything I would have ordered.

My dessert was an Italian cream soda with vanilla gelato.  So delicious!  What a super first meal using the DDP! 

Epcot is beautiful in the day time, but it is even more beautiful at night.  Just look as the ball is beginning to reflect on the pond.  Isn't that pretty??

An the nighttime spectacular showing of "Illuminations" is a must see on a trip to Epcot.  The music, fireworks, videos, and other special effects are magical.  This summer my sister and her family asked if I thought it was worth staying for.  I insisted that it most certainly was.  Afterwards she agreed.  It was one of their favorite parts of their trip, too!  So, if you're heading to Disney World anytime soon - don't skip Illuminations!

Next post:  Hollywood Studios!