A masterlist of the best places for pictures, show viewings, and food!
Pictures with Cinderella Castle- on the ramp in front of the castle
Viewing Festival of Fantasy- the road that runs from Liberty Square to the front of Adventureland (think in front of Country Bear Jamboree). It’s normally a lot less crowded than Main Street!
Viewing Happily Ever After- if you’re too close, you won’t be able to see the fireworks well. If you’re too far away, you won’t be able to see the projections. I recommend camping out behind Walt and Mickey’s statue, at the edge of the road, about an hour before it starts.
Viewing Mickey’s Friendship Faire- if you’re with kids, try to get as close as possible because they can interact with the characters. However, if you’re viewing the show for the aesthetic value, stand further back so that you can see everything on stage.
Quick Service Food- I recommend Pecos Bill in Adventureland (Mexican food that will fill you up without draining your bank account), Columbia Harbour House in Liberty Square (Colonial American cuisine with familiar favorites), Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square (great food, but limited options), and Pinocchio Village Haus in Fantasyland (Italian, pasta, pizza, salad, etc)
Sit Down Dining- If you can get a dinner reservation for Be Our Guest, do it!! I was never able to get in, but everyone I’ve talked to has said it’s incredible. If you’re a fan of Pirates, Tortuga Tavern is the way to go. If you dine at The Crystal Palace, you can be visited by the inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood.
Pictures with Spaceship Earth- right beyond security, to the left of the Monorail. It’s where the Leave A Legacy section used to be, if you visited Epcot before they moved it! (Creds to my friend Amie for passing on this info on to me before I left for Disney!)
Pictures around the World Showcase- I have no special tips for getting pictures in front of icons of the countries. The only one I’ve had problems with is the fountain in Italy. Normally, if you glare hard enough at the people sitting there, they’ll move eventually. You didn’t hear that from me.
Viewing Epcot Forever- Full disclosure, I never had the chance to see the full show. But, for what I know and what little I have seen, I can tell you that the best place to view the show is the Showcase Plaza, between Port of Entry and Traders.
Quick Service Food- The wonderful thing about Epcot is the enormous amount of variety you have before you. BUT, if you still want recommendations, I’ve got ‘em for you. Lotus Blossom Cafe in China, Sommerfest in Germany (next to Biergarten), Regal Eagle Smokehouse (not my personal favorite, but highly praised), and Crepes des Chefs de France in... you’ve guessed it- France.
Sit Down Dining- La Hacienda de San Angel in Mexico, you can participate in Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Norway, Nine Dragons Restaurant in China, Biergarten in Germany (the waiters are cute, trust me), Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria in Italy, Spice Road Table in Morocco, Chefs de France in France, and Rose and Crown Pub in the UK.
This is my park, so I might be a little biased.
Pictures with the Tree of Life- If you want the full tree in the background, walk down to where they hold the Winged Encounters experience. People can’t get beyond the fence, so pose there! If you want a closer up photo that doesn’t have the whole tree, walk down one of the animal viewing trails or check out the Tree of Life Garden.
Viewing the Tree of Life Awakenings- As is with Happily Ever After, if you’re too close to the tree, you won’t be able to see the full projections. My favorite place to stand is between Island Mercantile and Discovery Trading Company, but again, that’s where I worked so I’m biased.
Quick Service Food- Flame Tree Barbecue! Might I suggest Flame Tree Barbecue? Harambe Market in Africa, Satu’li Canteen in Pandora, and Eight Spoon Cafe.
Sit Down Dining- Tiffins, Yak & Yeti Restaurant in Asia, and Tusker House in Africa.
I really, really wish I could give you guys tips for Hollywood Studios, but unfortunately, cast members were blocked out of Studios for the period of time that I was there. I can tell you that Backlot Express is fantastic for quick service food.
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