Epcot Drink Around the World: How We Celebrated Gracie’s 21st Birthday
The nest is empty now. My girls are grown and living their own lives, in completely different states from me and from each other. Most days I’m proud of that. Some days I’m sad about it, if I’m being honest. So when Gracie invited me to spend her 21st birthday with her doing Epcot’s Drink Around the World, there was absolutely no way I was letting that pass me by.
Quick trip summary: We stayed at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, did Epcot’s Drink Around the World starting in Canada instead of the recommended Mexico start, hit 9 of the 11 pavilions, got the Epcot photo package, added an extra day at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, and flew into Orlando International this time, though we’re switching to Orlando Sanford International from now on. Full drink-by-drink breakdown below.
Flying In and Where We Stayed
I drove to Lauren’s place first so we could fly down together, and I loved every minute of that extra time on the plane with her. Delta (do not forget to sign up for the SkyMiles program) is my go-to, hands down my favorite, with Southwest and Allegiant both as close seconds. Gracie flew in separately on Southwest. Then I got to watch Gracie walk off her own flight and I could not have been more excited. My girl, turning 21, and both of my girls in one place. That’s not something that happens every day anymore.
We stayed at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and it was absolutely the move for an Epcot trip. It’s a short walk to the Skyliner, and the Skyliner takes you right into Epcot. If you’re staying there, just stay on it the whole way, don’t try to get off early and walk it. Trust me.
The first night we got in, we just relaxed by the pool and ate some really good food close to the resort. Easy, low key, exactly what you want after travel.
Doing Epcot’s Drink Around the World for a 21st Birthday
The next day was Gracie’s actual birthday, so we spent the entire day at Epcot drinking our way around the world. And I have to say it now because it’ll make the rest of this make sense. None of us are big drinkers. Most stops it was one drink split three ways, three straws, one glass. I am one hundred percent a lightweight and not even a little ashamed of it.
Here’s the other thing nobody tells you before you go. Mexico is the recommended place to start, and for good reason. Mexico is fully indoors and air conditioned, so you get to cool off before the heat hits, and the drinks there are heavy, we’re talking tequila and serious margaritas. You want those in you early, not at the end of the day when you’re already worn out. Starting in Mexico also means you finish the loop in Canada and the UK, where the drinks get lighter, beers and ciders, easing you out instead of slamming you at the finish.
We did not do that. Because we always to the more difficult path! We started in Canada. Someone at the park actually stopped us to tell us we were going backwards. We laughed and kept going anyway. Backwards worked just fine for us, and Canada turned out to be a real favorite to kick things off with.
The Full Drink Around the World Lineup, Country by Country
Here’s exactly what we had at each pavilion, in the order we hit them.
- Canada: Ottawa Apple, plus popcorn from the cart. A real standout.
- UK: The Leaping Leprechaun
- France: Grand Marnier Orange Slush
- Morocco: Red sangria. This one genuinely surprised me, so good.
- Japan: Sake cocktail flight, the sweeter, fruitier kind. We sat down, ate a real meal, and it sobered us up a little before we kept moving. If you only do one sit-down stop on the whole loop, make it Japan.
- Italy: Peach Bellini
- Germany: Skipped this one, no beer for us
- China: Kung Fu Punch
- Norway: Frozen Viking Coffee
- Mexico: The Fiesta Margarita, a frozen layered drink and a strong way to close it out
- American Adventure: Skipped, honestly we can do American food and drinks any day of the week
Gracie’s Fave 21st Bday Shirt
Gracie found this one on Etsy for her 21st birthday trip to Epcot and it was the hit of the whole day. Cast members and total strangers kept stopping her to compliment it. If you’re doing a milestone birthday at Disney, this is exactly the kind of shirt that gets you noticed everywhere you go.
The Shirt and the Photo Package Were Both Worth It
Gracie’s birthday shirt was the hit of the entire day. She found it on Etsy and cast members and total strangers kept stopping to compliment it. If you’re doing a milestone birthday at Epcot, get the shirt. It matters more than you’d think.
And don’t be shy about the birthday pin. Disney gives them out free at the resorts and all over the parks, you just have to ask. Grab one the second you check in and wear it the whole trip. Between the shirt and the pin, Gracie got recognized everywhere we went.
We also got the Epcot photo package, and it was absolutely worth it. Make the time to stop at each pavilion for a picture, even when you’re tired or ready to move to the next stop. I am so glad we did. Those photos are the thing I keep going back to.
It was hot, we laughed the entire day, and it was everything a 21st birthday at Epcot should be.
We Planned an Extra Day at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios
We had already planned an extra day, and it was so worth it. We did Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. The rain rolled in and turned part of the day into a bit of a mess, but even soaked, it was still a good time.
Dinner at STK in Disney Springs
We also went to STK in Disney Springs for dinner. The food was genuinely good, but heads up, the music is loud. Like club loud. It wasn’t really the low key vibe we were going for after a long day at the parks, but the food made up for it. Just go in knowing what you’re walking into.
Fly Into Sanford, Not Orlando
One more thing I have to say. We flew into Orlando International, MCO, this time, but I am done with that from here on out. From now on it’s Orlando Sanford International for me. The airport itself is so much easier, and we used Ace Luxury Transportation to get where we needed to go. Our drivers were top notch, professional, on time, no headache at all. Worth every bit of the difference.
“Doing Disney with your adult daughters instead of small kids is allowed. You might feel a little guilty about it. Do it anyway.”
Mandy
The Empty Nest Mom
Doing Disney Without Kids
This was a girls trip. No kids, no husbands, just me and my two daughters doing Disney exactly the way we wanted to. I know that’s not the normal way people picture a Disney trip, and I get it, most people go with little ones in tow. But I’m here to tell you, do it anyway. Don’t feel bad about it for one second. I cannot recommend it enough. We had an absolute blast, and it reminded me that the nest being empty doesn’t mean the moments stop. They just look different now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should you start Epcot’s Drink Around the World? Most people recommend starting in Mexico, since it’s indoor and air conditioned with heavier drinks like margaritas, ending the loop in Canada and the UK with lighter beers and ciders. We actually started in Canada, going backwards, and it worked out great.
How much does the Epcot Drink Around the World cost? Costs vary by pavilion and drink, and add up fast if you’re getting a drink at all 11 stops. I would not go in with less than three hundred extra dollars for drinks. Splitting drinks between multiple people, like we did, is an easy way to try more without the cost or the buzz stacking up.
What is the best drink at Epcot’s Drink Around the World? For us it was the sake cocktail flight in Japan, plus the Ottawa Apple in Canada and the red sangria in Morocco. Taste is personal, but those three stood out most on our loop.
Which resort is best for an Epcot trip? Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is a great pick because the Skyliner takes you straight into Epcot with no driving or bus needed (do not get off on the first stop, stay on).
Should you fly into Orlando or Sanford for Disney? We flew into Orlando International, MCO, this time, but we’re switching to Orlando Sanford International from now on. We preferred the idea of it over MCO and expect an easier airport experience overall.
moRE aBOUT mANDY
I’m Mandy. My girls are grown and living their own lives, so I filled the quiet with travel, my grandkids call me Mimi, and a whole lot of saying yes. This is where I write about solo trips, girls trips, grandparenting, and midlife on my own terms.
“Say yes more.” That’s the whole philosophy.
