Hi Mel, and welcome to planDisney!
Your great adventure exploring one of my favorite theme parks, EPCOT, is just around the river bend. It’s so close that you can probably taste it! And speaking of tastes, you are definitely in for some culinary delights because you’re arriving just in time to experience the final days of the
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival! I’d love to share some of my suggestions for visiting both EPCOT and Magic Kingdom Park.
First, consider park hours and events for both theme parks during your stay. Magic Kingdom Park closes a bit earlier on November 16 and 17, 2023 because of
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. There will be no fireworks for guests without a party ticket that day, but the early closure isn’t a bad thing! Many people avoid visiting on those days because they want the longer hours, which means fewer people in the attraction queues for those who do visit. Woohoo!
Because Magic Kingdom Park closes a bit earlier during your visit, and if your theme park tickets have a
Park Hopper Option, take a Monorail ride over to EPCOT so that you can enjoy the festival and attractions again at night. And let me just say that
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is a beautiful walkthrough, interactive experience that is absolutely gorgeous once the sun sets!
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will still be in full swing when you arrive, so I’m happy to hear that that will be a part of your itinerary. I highly recommend downloading the
My Disney Experience App, and then scrolling down to “EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.” Select “Learn More” to dive into all of the Global Marketplaces and merchandise available at the fest.
My personal must-do attractions at Magic Kingdom Park are Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (it’s a classic Disney thrill ride) and Pirates of the Caribbean. And Mel, you have to enter the Grid at
TRON Lightcycle / Run, but you’ll want to register for a spot to experience it via the My Disney Experience App’s Virtual Queue. The Virtual Queue opens at 7 a.m. (get on the app a few minutes before that to confirm your party) and again at 1 p.m. (but you must be inside the theme park for that launch).
At EPCOT, a must for my family is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. The randomized songs will make you want to ride 500 times just to hear them all! You’ll also want to check out the World Showcase. There are so many fun attractions and foods inspired by our friends from all over the globe.
AN EXTRA GEM: Check out my friends Amy C. and Jessica’s
planDisney podcast all about the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival! It’s like listening to two buddies chatting about all of the best eats and drinks of the fest.
If you have any other questions, Mel, please revisit us here at planDisney.
I’m all ears! Magic always,
LeAndra