Eventually we headed back to the bus stop to head back to Epcot. We had our usual tour through Riverside, and then it was off on what seemed like an exceptionally long route to Epcot. But we got there eventually!
It was now dinner time (although you wouldn’t know it by our food choices) so it was time to get eating. We tried for the Sunshine Griddle booth, but the line was still stupidly long there, so we decided nothing on their menu was that exciting and moved on to the new Mousegear, aka Creations shop or something like that. It was pretty blah. So was the merchandise. Honestly the merch this trip was really unexciting…which is probably fine. I spent enough on food this week. Didn’t need to throw high souvenir costs into the mix too!
Now it really was time for food! We hit the Flavor-Full booth where we got the strawberry mousse (delicious!) and the cookie butter worms in dirt drink. The cookie butter drink was tasty, but basically tasted like melted ice cream.
Next up? The Honey Bee-Stro. Nick apparently didn’t remember this one, but I did! We split the honey mascarpone cheesecake and it was as awesome as I remembered!
Then it was time to hit the Pineapple Promenade. We had a beautiful view while in line. Even though from that distance I probably missed the bulk of the Beacon of Magic “show” and I certainly didn’t really capture the lighting, I love what they’ve done with Spaceship Earth at night. I’m going to need to camp out closer to there in August to really see it. Anywho…I got the frozen violet lemonade, because apparently this is a big deal at this festival and I also got the pineapple dole whip with mango cream liquor. The lemonade was VERY sweet…almost candy-like. The pineapple dole whip with mango cream liquor was NOT a mistake. Good stuff!
Next up was the Citrus Blossom booth or something like that. Nick got…something forgettable apparently. There are no pictures. I think it was pork belly and key lime ale (the small one). If I remember correctly, he was unimpressed with both.
One glance at the Canada booth and it was decided that maple pound cake wasn’t THAT interesting, and the food booth march continued on to the UK for a cider flight. This was excellent. All 3 ciders were good, but the real standout was the pink lemonade cider. We would stock that in the summer at our house if it was sold locally. So good!
Time for a quick photo because World Showcase is lovely at night and the photographer looked bored!
Next? France. We got the caramel beignet here. The salted caramel topping was too salted. Nick liked the cream filling, but honestly, this went unfinished. I think when we smelled it, we both sort of regretted not getting the cheese and herb croissant from here. Oh well.
Last stop on the food booth tour? La Isla Fresca. Now in the past, this booth was down by Mexico and had some really fantastic menu items. This year’s menu was a little less exciting, but, we still found some stuff on there to try. We got two orders of arepas with queso and one coconut tres leches cake. I mean, how bad can arepas with cheese sauce be? Turns out the “queso” looked more like hardened melted cheese, and the arepas were a very dry experience. Disappointing. The cake was tasty.
And that concludes our World Showcase food tour! Now it was time to find a spot for Harmonious. Nick needed to sit, so we ended up on the rock bench/wall at the base of the building where the drummers are in Japan. I had hoped to be slightly closer to America, but all of the benches by the water were already taken, an hour before show time. I’m really not crazy about the fact that Disney created a show that really only has a handful of ideal viewpoints, in such a large park. But I could see the black hole clearly, and the floating tacos, so this vantage point would be workable. We killed time until showtime.
Harmonious was very good. Completely different from Illuminations, and frankly a little too reliant on projections, but I did like it. My view of the projections was very good. My view of the fireworks was a bit obstructed by a tree. Japan, closer to America is definitely a good vantage point. Italy would probably be fine too, again, close to America. You want a clear view of the black hole and at least one floating taco, with no trees above you. It’ll make sense when you walk around Epcot if you haven’t been in awhile.
Once Harmonious was done we sat for a few minutes until the crowds lightened up and then we headed for the exit. I really miss the old post Illuminations music!!
They had French Quarter paired with Riverside for the bus even though it was park closing so the line was ridiculous, but the buses started rolling in fast and furious, and we made it on about the 3rd bus, miraculously with seats. This bus ride was pure birth control with an overtired two year old that couldn’t make up her mind because she was exhausted, screaming and throwing things (she’ll be a softball pitcher some day!) despite her parents’ phenomenal efforts. She fell asleep just in time to be woken up by the lights turning on. Thankfully that was at French Quarter where we ducked and wove and got off that bus!
Back in the room we crashed, knowing the next day would start VERY early.
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