After spending the morning and early afternoon running through the 1-day touring plan, we’ll take a walk through World Showcase to see if anything new and of interest pops out.

World Showcase is typically a little busier on national holidays as locals visit for $17 jug margaritas, but things are still more than doable here as we head towards Mexico just before 1pm.

Wider: https://i2.wp.com/easywdw.com/reports13/showcase.jpg

It’s a good thing they don’t require a license to make panoramas or mine would be taken away.

Daisy Duck continues meeting in Duffy’s old spot to short lines.

I usually recommend bypassing La Cantina de San Angel, Mexico’s quick service arm, for something a little more interesting. Here we have an extended queue with a cast member directing guests into the appropriate line. They do offer a mean plate of very shareable nachos if you’re in the market though. I don’t think the various tacos offer a lot of value.

In drink news, Mexico dropped the $14.25 Pomegranate on the Rocks in favor of a Guava Margarita, which is pre-made and the same as what was served at last year’s Food and Wine Festival:

The Fiesta Tequila Flight is $4 more expensive and now comes with named tequilas. $11.25 is waaaaaaaaaay too much to spend on Beso Del Sol sangria, which is served out of a box. Three liters would set you back $19 at the store.

A preview of what we’ll see in China as the Temple of Heaven is behind tarps.

It’s going to be kind of funny when the entrance to the Anna/Elsa Royal Sommerhus meet and greet is “literally” 15 feet away from a margarita stand. I guess mom and dad will need to pick up supplies in front of what will likely be long waits.

You can’t see a whole lot of what’s going in here, but it is growing taller.

A scrim over the front of what was once Maelstrom. *crying*

Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe is Norway’s quick service establishment, probably best known for School Bread and other treats.

The menu here has been reduced overall.

The Roast Beef Sandwich is no longer available.

The Salmon and Egg Sandwich is not listed on the menu at the location or online.

But it’s still in the case. I’m not sure if it’s being phased out or not.

The display of the sweets has also changed. They’re now lined up similar to the setup in France.

You used to peer in at them on a variety of raised platforms. Only the latest, greatest breaking news here guys.

Otherwise, what you see is what you get as a lot of the more unique items have been substituted out for things like cinnamon rolls and “carrot whoopie pies.” But favorites like the school bread, lefse, troll horn, and berry cream puff remain.

I had mentioned the addition of the $7.49 Traditional Kjøttkake – Norwegian Meatballs in an update last month, but didn’t have an opportunity to give them a whirl until today. Your money buys you two meatballs on a bed of mashed potatoes with gravy and lingonberry jam. The portion size and pricing are reminiscent of a little more than you’d expect to receive from two Food and Wine Festival samplings. The “meatcakes” were flavorful and hearty, spiced up with what is likely some ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. The jam provides a fruity component that sets them apart from your typical meatball.

Altogether, they were very good and likely superior to what you’d receive at Akershus (pictured above) across the way. Obviously you’re paying for the characters, ambiance, and buffet portion over there, but dinner will set you back over $57 per adult with tax. On the downside, Kringla really doesn’t offer any ambiance at the moment with the construction walls up and the serving is scooped up into an unattractive paper carton in back, so the meatballs here don’t exactly make for a great overall experience. If you’re interested, I think the Kjøttkake are best shared as a hearty snack with plans to pick up some other goodies further along. They would likely do good business if they were to cut the serving in half and charge $4 or a snack credit.

In related news, I don’t think there’s anything tourists love more than harming ducks by feeding them scraps of food.

As previously referenced, tarps are up in China. It would be pretty spectacular if they could print scrims to make it look like the Temple. I’m not sure how extensive the refurbishment is. You may remember that we often see these kinds of things on Main Street USA at Magic Kingdom, where Disney “literally” rips off the facades and rebuilds them.

Walls are up on the walk to Germany in preparation of converting it to Flower and Garden Marketplace space.

I think they usually stick Florida Fresh back here with the beer flights that go along with it.

The Warsteiner draft and Konig Ludwig Weissbier bottle aren’t available from the other Germany beer outlets. You’d have to go to Sommerfest in the back of the Pavilion.

M’lady.

Drinks have become stupid expensive at Tutto Gusto and what on earth is organic tomato vodka. $11 for a Yuengling is gross.

On the other hand, I’m interested in trying the Meatball Sliders, which I’ve heard good things about. Maybe next time. These first three shirts are relatively new, I think:











The last two have been around for a while.

The store attached to the Enoteca wine store now serves these beers in bottles.

They are potentially a little more interesting than Peroni, which is what used to be available. Other outlets here all sell horrifically priced Moretti.

Feels crowded.

“Not Your Father’s Hard Root Beer” looks to be a permanent addition to Fife & Drum Tavern. You may remember that we saw them added to the nearby Block & Hans kiosk last month. B&H has been closed recently for whatever reason – maybe there’s not a lot of money in $10 bottled beer.

A pretty, cool day in World Showcase. This is easily my favorite time of year. I don’t have a lot of opportunities to wear pants.

Check out the Kawaii post in case you missed it.

Morocco Coffee & Pastries is back in the baklava business. They had originally tried serving ice cream, which as you might be able to guess, doesn’t go well when your product is sitting directly in the Florida sun most of the day. And it goes worse when you’re trying to compete with L’artisan in France. There is still no juice to be had.

Tangierine Cafe is back to serving wraps after moving to that $18 Saffron Chicken menu for the holidays. Unfortunately, I think quality has come down here a lot.

Spice Road still isn’t working. The location on the water is pretty, but you’d sooner find me at Marrakesh for the food.

That’s what’s going on at Epcot. Things aren’t particularly interesting at the moment, but we will probably be thrown for a loop once the Frozen ride and new version of Soarin’ debut.