Hi Brena,
I hope this message finds you immersed in your magical Walt Disney World Resort vacation. Have you noticed any "Please Pardon Our Pixie Dust" signs around? As a child, seeing these signs around the theme parks and resort areas would frustrate me because it meant Cast Members were working on something new that I hadn't seen yet. Many magical vacations later, those same signs are part of what I love most about Disney destinations. Much like Pocahontas's beloved rivers, the parks are always changing, always growing. There's always something there that wasn't there before, including at this year's EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival.
The
EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is the place for foodies young and old with over 30 Global Marketplaces at which to tantalize your taste buds. The 12-year-old in my life enjoys choices and independence, so here's my recommendation for a tween-sized festival adventure. In the middle of this year's Festival Passport, which can be picked up by the maps at the entrances or select merchandise locations, you'll find a "Choose Your Course" activity. Let your tween's taste buds be their guide as they answer questions to select a must-try food item (or more) from one of the Global Marketplaces. Savory or sweet? Forks up or spoons out? They decide!
For the next part of this culinary adventure, you could purchase a Festival-themed Disney Gift Card and let your tween chart the course to find their desired food item. Bump up the difficulty level by including a time limit, challenging them to find out where a Cast Member working at their chosen Global Marketplace is from, or asking them to eat their food item without utensils. Lean into the fun - all efforts are rewarded with deliciousness like the Curry-Spiced Crispy Cheese from India's Global Marketplace.
While not festival-specific,
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana just opened at EPCOT and is at the top of my tween's must-do list for our next vacation. Revisiting the themes of independence and choices, the Journey of Water experience is self-paced, which allows Guests the time and flexibility to choose how they interact with the watery world. Check your
My Disney Experience mobile app to see if this experience is utilizing a
virtual queue during your visit (three small lines at the bottom right of the app's homepage > Virtual Queues). If so, you can join the virtual queue beginning at 9:00 a.m. from inside the park. Journey of Water is also open during early entry and extended evening theme park hours for Disney Resort hotel Guests.
I recently overheard a conversation in which my 12-year-old explained why she visits Disney so often. It made my mama heart smile to hear her articulate the sense of novelty, familiarity, and adventure that accompany each visit. I hope your 12-year-old finds some of each on your Disney days.
Plan magic; planDisney.
Jennifer