WWUD? Epcot

[Zuriamira]

It’s my daughter’s 7th birthday 3/24/18, flower and garden will be happening (I don’t know anything about what this entails...?). Probably should try to be back at the resort for a decent bedtime (EMM at MK at 7:30 the next day or we’d be all in on FEA dessert party-I’m very sad I have to choose between them ) We have breakfast at akershus at 8:15 (considering moving to 10:30 ish and RDing frozen instead) and dinner at Via Napoli at 4:30. I thought it would be fun to go to beaches n cream but not sure if we should do it midday (2:30ish) or after dinner (6:30 ish). I thought it might be fun to snack about WS for ‘lunch’ so leaning towards after dinner but... ??

 

[Kaytie]

Sounds like too much food. Skip Via Napoli. Or skip snacking around the world; just pick one location and get something light.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

It’s my daughter’s 7th birthday 3/24/18, flower and garden will be happening (I don’t know anything about what this entails...?). Probably should try to be back at the resort for a decent bedtime (EMM at MK at 7:30 the next day or we’d be all in on FEA dessert party-I’m very sad I have to choose between them ) We have breakfast at akershus at 8:15 (considering moving to 10:30 ish and RDing frozen instead) and dinner at Via Napoli at 4:30. I thought it would be fun to go to beaches n cream but not sure if we should do it midday (2:30ish) or after dinner (6:30 ish). I thought it might be fun to snack about WS for ‘lunch’ so leaning towards after dinner but... ??

If you really want to keep all of those reservations, I would do the 8:15 Akershus, 4:30 Via Napoli and 6:30 pm B&C, but you will literally be taking up your entire afternoon with eating. I would pick, max, two of those ADR's. We really enjoyed Flower and Garden last year (DS10 especially liked the mural painting) and they will probably add more activities this year. The "must-see" is the Broadway performers in the evening. They were unbelievable. Literally the best performance I have ever seen in WDW (and I've pretty much seen them all, LOL!). I would definitely incorporate it into your plans if your daughter enjoys Disney music.

 

[bigbabyblues]

If you are doing 4:30 Via Napoli and 6:30 B&C, you may be going pretty much from VN to B&C. The walk to BC isn't that far, but if dinner takes an hour, you won't really have time to do much between eating and leaving the park.

I would only do two of those reservations in one day.

 

[Colleen27]

I would drop Via Napoli. Have your breakfast with the princesses, enjoy the festival booths for lunch & a light dinner, and then head over to Beaches & Cream for dessert. That will give you more time to explore the festival and fit in any must-do rides that are on your list.

Flower & Garden is mostly the floral displays. There are concerts on the weekends (I think it was Fri to Mon last year?) as well as gardening demonstrations and seminars in the festival center. For kids, the main points of interest are the character topiaries, the scavenger hunt (you buy a little booklet and add stickers as you spot each country's egg), and the themed playgrounds that pop up around Epcot for the event. It is by far my favorite time to go - everything is so pretty, the food at the festival booths is good but doesn't draw the crazy crowds that Food & Wine does, and the weather is usually lovely.

 

[hsmamato2]

I think you should switch to the later breakfast ADR and the Frozen ride early to avoid long lines, then just snack etc and do beaches and cream later in evening...Epcot has tons of wonderful snack options to keep you full all afternoon,esp. after a big brunch.

 

[Zuriamira]

Thanks for the responses. BnC was more of a dessert plan than anything. I only really anticipated getting DD a sundae, and a Guinness float for Mom n dad.... originally planned on leaving after 4:30 Via Napoli and heading back to the resort. BnC was a little bit of an afterthought for dessert. So I think I should RD frozen, get a 10:30 ish akershus, midday will stay at Epcot/ride rides/check out FnG, and either Via Napoli dinner, BnC dessert and resort or skip VN and do BnC for dinner and dessert. I must say DH and I were definitely looking forward to Via Napoli...

 

[BFD]

Via Napoli is one of my favorite places at Epcot, if I had to cut something, it wouldn't be that. I don't see why your original plan won't work. Late breakfast, early dinner, snacks in between if needed. Swing by for dessert on your way back to resort, if it's important to fit it in. If you did the earlier breakfast, I'd consider VN for lunch, then snack for dinner, that would make your timing for dessert and getting back to the resort more flexible.

It does sound like a lot of food, but, it's Epcot. It's not every day.

 

[Haley R]

We did Beaches and Cream this year for the first time and loved it! We were both so full to the point of being sick. We ate dinner and tried the Kitchen Sink for the fun of it so that explains why we were so full. I don't think I would do dinner at Via Napoli and then walk all the way over to BnC for dessert. I would decide which one sounds more fun to you and do that one. I will say that the grilled cheese with the tomato bisque at BnC was delicious!

 

[disneyvoice]

I'm just curious as to why you chose Epcot for her birthday. Specifically for Frozen and Akershus? Those are both great fun but when my son was that age Epcot was his least favorite park (he only started to like it when he was about 10-11 and they came out with Agent P - then he was ALL about Epcot!). He always wanted to do MK for his birthday. Do you have park hoppers? If so I would suggest doing your Akershus breakfast and then Frozen but then head over to MK for the rest of the day. Epcot in general tends to be the least fun park for young children, but maybe you got lucky and have a kiddo who enjoys doing more than rides and shows at WDW. It sure would have been nice if my son enjoyed Epcot more when he was young since my DH and I LOVE Epcot!

 

[Zuriamira]

I'm just curious as to why you chose Epcot for her birthday. Specifically for Frozen and Akershus? Those are both great fun but when my son was that age Epcot was his least favorite park (he only started to like it when he was about 10-11 and they came out with Agent P - then he was ALL about Epcot!). He always wanted to do MK for his birthday. Do you have park hoppers? If so I would suggest doing your Akershus breakfast and then Frozen but then head over to MK for the rest of the day. Epcot in general tends to be the least fun park for young children, but maybe you got lucky and have a kiddo who enjoys doing more than rides and shows at WDW. It sure would have been nice if my son enjoyed Epcot more when he was young since my DH and I LOVE Epcot!

No park hopper. We were going to do MK on her birthday. But... it seemed like it would be hard to fit in her princess breakfast (CRT) and not miss out on park time. We did Epcot so she can get her princess breakfast, frozen, meet A&E, ride TT, soarin, etc AND potentially get pizza and ice cream and still go swimming before bedtime without feeling like she was missing out on too much. She will love the flowers though, my little nature child Plus it ended up being a great choice since we got EMM tickets for our MK day- the next day (that’s why I’m skipping the FEA dessert party ) and now will be able to have that special experience too! We’re going on peak spring break so are mindful of high crowds. MK day we are doing EMM, BOG lunch and dessert party. If hours are extended (I’ve heard it’s likely) then we will probably take a break after lunch and then come back before the dessert party and then stay till closing or close to it.

 

[KbEgbs]

I ran into a similar issue for our upcoming trip. We're doing Garden Grill for breakfast and I really wanted to try Via Napoli for dinner. I ended up dropping our dinner reservation, though, because there are so many amazing snacking options in the world showcase!

 

[Shellyb84]

I would keep VN, it's our favorite so far in Epcot. BNC is cute, but honestly I don't think it's worth walking over there just for a sundae. The ice cream at Ample Hills is much better, or there are plenty of dessert options in Epcot. The ice cream in France is really good.

 

[Zuriamira]

I would keep VN, it's our favorite so far in Epcot. BNC is cute, but honestly I don't think it's worth walking over there just for a sundae. The ice cream at Ample Hills is much better, or there are plenty of dessert options in Epcot. The ice cream in France is really good.

Good to know!! Kinda thinking that’s what we will do. Just wanted a special birthday dessert for her and I’ve seen BNC come up so often I thought...

 

[dancin Disney style]

I would do the breakfast at which ever time that you prefer. Then snack in WS as needed and then go to BnC to finish the day off. My 18yo DD wanted BnC as her special birthday ADR last year.

 

[disneyvoice]

we got EMM tickets for our MK day- the next day (that’s why I’m skipping the FEA dessert party )

Definitely the right choice!! We did EMM and LOVED it. Personally I think the dessert parties are over-rated. There are many more interesting dessert options in WDW for a lot less money. We have never had a problem finding a great spot to see Illuminations so I don't see the need for spending money to sit in a special area.

Have a fun trip and happy birthday to your daughter!

 

[Zuriamira]

Any thoughts on FEA waits after a PPO akershus vs right at RD? Don’t want to rush out of akershus at her birthday princess breakfast but then also not planning to hang out longer than normal.

 

[Zuriamira]

Definitely the right choice!! We did EMM and LOVED it. Personally I think the dessert parties are over-rated. There are many more interesting dessert options in WDW for a lot less money. We have never had a problem finding a great spot to see Illuminations so I don't see the need for spending money to sit in a special area.

Have a fun trip and happy birthday to your daughter!

Thanks!!
To me the upsetting part is more that we will be skipping illuminations to get enough rest for EMM the next morning...the dessert party would have been for the convenience of saving a T1FP —and the theming too if I’m honest. She’s 6 and loves everything frozen