We were at EPCOT Saturday, December 5, 2020, Walt Disney’s birthday by the way. The park was busy, we later learned all 4 parks reached their 35% capacity Saturday. We had a great day hearing 3 of our favorite musical acts Joyful! in the World Showplace, the Jammitors as the Jammin’ Chefs at the Mill Stage in Canada, and The Voices of Liberty-The Voices of the Season in the American Gardens Theater.

We thought we’d try something new and try and complete Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition. I told you about this new fun add-on last month when I shared the overview of the Taste of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, and we decided to check it out. EPCOT has had a few of these scavenger hunts available during the different festivals, but we had never done one before.

Olaf’s Frozen Adventure

The storyline for this scavenger hunt around World Showcase comes from the 22 minute film Olaf’s Frozen Adventure which was released in 2017. This holiday film finds Olaf, Anna, and Elsa searching for their own holiday traditions. Olaf goes door-to-door across Arendelle asking families how they celebrate “That Time of Year”.

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition

To get started on Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition, you purchase your map and stickers for $7.99 at either Mouse Gear,  Port of Entry, World Traveler at International Gateway, and at the merchandise cart in Canada.

On the map there is a clue for each country in World Showcase, plus World Showplace, and the L’Chaim Holiday Kitchen. Once you locate Olaf in each location match the sticker with whatever Olaf has on his sled from that location. When you complete the hunt, bring your map to Disney Traders, Mouse Gear, or World Traveler at International Gateway where you will receive a completion sticker and a prize. I’m not going to share what the prize is because I want you to enjoy the surprise.

I hate spoilers but I will give you a few hints.

• Look high
• Look low
• He is not in attractions
• He is not in stores

Ron and I succeeded in completing the hunt! We enjoyed searching throughout each country as well as giving and receiving clues from cast members and other guests as we went about our quest.

Even as a couple with no kids this activity was enjoyable. Many families and others traveling without kids were on the hunt as well. I recommend giving it a try if you are visiting EPCOT between now and December 30, 2020.

The post Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition appeared first on The Mom Maven.

About Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire

“Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” immerses guests in a 23-minute royal musical celebration on the Cinderella Castle stage at Magic Kingdom Park. Mickey Mouse and his pals unite in a tale of friendship featuring songs and characters from Disney’s contemporary classics “Princess and the Frog,” “Tangled” and “Frozen.”

“In ‘Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire,’ 15 Disney characters from different stories come together to showcase how diversity and the discoveries you make through friendships shape who you are,” said Show Director, Walt Disney World Entertainment, Tara Anderson.

From the land of the bewitching bayous, Goofy has invited Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen to add a little spice of New Orleans jazz to the party.

Donald Duck brings some new friends he met in the land of the enchanted woods, where Daisy Duck introduces us to her special guests, Rapunzel and Flynn. Finally, Mickey Mouse shares a surprise with Minnie Mouse, as he has traveled to the land of the mystic mountains to invite Olaf, Princess Anna, and Queen Elsa, who swirls a blast of her icy magic.

The celebration culminates in a grand dance, marked by a magical daytime fireworks finale.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed the Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire, as did the rest of the audience around me. It is nice to see a show with characters from newer Disney movies mingling with the Fab 5. The storyline is engaging and relevant without being preachy. I love that there are “thugs and ruffians” helping to represent “Tangled” along with Rapunzel and Flynn (Eugene). Of course, any time guests get to see Anna, Elsa and Olaf, the crowd goes wild. The show is performed several times a day. Check your times guide or My Disney Experience app for showtimes.
If you can’t get to the Magic Kingdom any time soon, my friend, BigFatPanda has a wonderful video of the entire show. If you would like to see the show in person, Email me. I am a Certified Disney Vacation Planner with Destinations to Travel, an Earmarked Disney Travel Agency. My planning services are free to you!

Have a Magical Day!

The post Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Usually I don’t visit Disney in June, July and August because of the unbearable heat. This is the 3rd year in a row that I have had to visit in June because of new attractions or shows. Oh my goodness it was so hot, 89° when I arrived at 11:15am with a feels like temperature of 99°. Later in the afternoon the temp soared to the upper 90s. This is why I don’t recommend visiting in the summer. The heat is unbearable, even for Floridians.

Frozen Ever After

My Frozen Ever After Fastpass was for 12:20-1:20pm. I had checked the My Disney Experience app before heading to World Showcase and it said that the ride was temporarily closed. I wandered back anyway and spoke to a cast member who said that when/if the ride was running again later in the day, expired Fastpasses would be accepted. I headed off for lunch. When I returned to Norway at 1:10pm, the ride was up and running again! The standby line said a wait time of 120 minutes. I got in the Fastpass line and within 10 minutes, I was boarding a boat to Arendelle!

Frozen Ever After is an amazingly beautiful, whimsical and well done attraction. I can’t wait to ride again in September without a camera in my hands so I can truly absorb everything this ride is about. I hate spoilers but, I know many of you don’t currently have plans to visit Walt Disney World. IF you want to watch a video of the ride, here is on from my friend John.

The Royal Sommerhaus

The Royal Sommerhaus is the new meet and great location for Anna and Elsa in Epcot. Located in Norway, this is a beautifully themed setting for meeting Arendelle’s royalty. Unlike Princess Fairytale Hall in the Magic Kingdom, where wait times are always over an hour, both times I checked Royal Sommerhaus the wait was less than 30 minutes! One of the reasons for this is there are up to 5 meet and greet rooms that can be available at the same time. This keeps the line moving and wait times down. Meeting Anna and Elsa is a treat for all ages, they are one of the best meet and greets on property. Each family gets a few minutes with each character and they both have a lot to say to you.

If you have Frozen fans in your family, I recommend you get your Fastpasses for Frozen Ever After right on your 60 day mark. You don’t want to miss this wonderful attraction. If you need help planning your Walt Disney World vacation, Email Me I’m happy to help!

The post Frozen comes to Epcot appeared first on The Mom Maven.