One of the worst kept secrets at Disney World is that you must visit Club Cool when you are at Epcot.  This Coca Cola sponsored attraction provides a break from the Florida sun and a chance to sample FREE soft drinks from around the world.  Best of all they have just revamped their line-up of drink offerings for the first time in many years, so you need to check it out.

Club Cool at Epcot

Club Cool - Flavors Around The World

Epcot regulars know that Club Cool is the place to go on a hot day to get some free soft drinks and re-hydrate.  It is located in the central plaza of Epcot past Spaceship Earth and Innovations West.  Coffee fans will know that it is located just past the new Starbucks in Epcot!


Club Cool is relatively small, but never appears to be over-crowded.  Even on days when it is busy, you do not have to wait long to sample the free Coca Cola flavors from around the world.  There are 3 multi-sided kiosks where you can serve yourself to try the soft drinks.

As mentioned earlier, the flavors have changed.  For many Club Cool fans they had their favorite that they would fill up on during each visit.  My favorite was the Mezzo Mix from Germany that tasted like an Orange flavored Coke.  My wife always enjoyed the Watermelon flavor from China.  Universally people always got a reaction from the Italian aperitif called Beverly.  It's bitter taste caught the unsuspecting off guard and was always good for a initiation of first time visitors.  The good news is that Beverly is the only holdover from the old flavors, so you can still place tricks on the newbies if you enjoy that sort of thing!

New Line-Up Of Coca Cola Beverages From Around The World

 Here are your new Club Cool choices:

• Beverly from Italy - With its bitter flavor, it is a popular non-alcoholic aperitif that is a traditional part of Italian refreshment centers.
• Fanta Pineapple from Greece - One of over 90 Fanta flavors served in over 180 countries.  It made its European debut in the 1940s and was introduced to the USA in 1960.  Fanta Pineapple is caffeine-free and features a sweet pineapple taste.
• Fanta Melon Frosty from Thailand - Fanta is the number one soft drink of Thailand.  With a fun melon flavor, this carbonated beverage is beloved in Thailand's sunny, tropical climate.
• VegitaBeta from Japan - originally launched in Japan in 1992, VegitaBeta is a non-carbonated beverage with apricot and passion fruit flavors and is rich in beta-carotene that contributes to its unique yellowish-orange color.
• Bibo DJ Kiwi Mango from South Africa - Originally created in 1998, Bibo is a fruit flavored line of juice drinks popular in South Africa.  The brand features fun characters such as Johnny Orange, Taka Strawberry, and Paolo Peach.
• Spar-letta Sparberry from Zimbabwe - A raspberry flavored cream soda, Sparberry launched in Africa in 1955.  It is exclusively available in several countries in southeast Africa.
• INCA KOLA from Peru - Known as "The Taste of Peru," this soda has an unusually sweet fruity flavor that many compare to the taste of liquid bubblegum.  The name refers to the Quechua words for king and queen.
• Guarana Kuat from Brazil - It is a  guarana berry flavored soft drink first launched in 1997.  The word guarana comes from the Guarani word guara-na, which translates to "fruit like the eyes of the people."

Sampling Soft Drinks from Club Cool at Epcot!

Time To Try Them And Find Your New Favorite!

Everyone knows that a memorable Disney World Vacation can be very expensive.  What people may not know is that there are some great activities that can be done for FREE at Disney World.  They are available to anyone staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, but do not require any tickets or admission.  When your friends say that Disney World is too expensive, be ready to counter them with these Top 6 FREE activities.

Disney World Top 6 FREE Activities


6.  Exploring and Touring Disney's Wilderness Lodge - Disney World Resorts are attractions in their own right and Disney's Wilderness Lodge is certainly one of the most impressive.  This homage to the great National Park Lodges of the Northwest is amazing!  There are free tours offered most days to give you the in depth knowledge or you can explore on your own at any time.  Use Disney Transportation from any Theme Park or Downtown Disney to get to the Wilderness Lodge.  As a special treat take the boat launch at night from the Magic Kingdom to the Wilderness Lodge for an extra special experience.




5.  Sanaa or Jiko and Boma Restaurant Tours - The Disney World Resorts are not the only areas worth touring.  At Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge there are two different daily tours of their unique restaurants.  One is located at the Kidani Village Building for Sanaa and the other is located in the main Jambo House building for a tour of Boma and Jiko.  Each tour takes you through the restaurant and points out the history and cultural traditions that are represented through many amazing artifacts.  As a bonus you are treated to a FREE sampling of the African Breads and dipping sauces.


4.  Watching Wishes Fireworks and Electrical Water Pageant From Polynesian Resort Beach - Did you know that Disney World's Longest Running Parade is actually The Electrical Water Pageant that cruises the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake each evening?  If you travel to the Polynesian Resort, you can walk down to their sand beaches or boat dock to get a great view of the Wishes Fireworks Display and the Electric Light Parade.  No tickets required to watch this beautiful night time show.


3.  Exploring and Touring Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - The Grand Floridian Resort may be the most luxurious resort, but Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge takes the cake for most incredibly themed and amazing experience for visiting.  The building itself is structurally appealing with its African design and artifact filled lobby, but this resort has its own Savannah  filled with Giraffes, Ostriches, Wildebeests, Ankole Cattle, and other wonderful animals.


2.  Disney's Boardwalk Night Time Entertainment - Great magicians, jugglers, and other entertainers are FREE to enjoy each night at Disney's Boardwalk.  For about 3 hours each night entertainers perform along the Boardwalk in an up close and personal manner that makes it all the more enjoyable.  Often they include the bystanders (especially children) in their acts as volunteers.  Don't forget to have your cameras with you!


1.  Chip 'n Dale Sing Along at Fort Wilderness - Old school wholesome family fun can still be had at Fort Wilderness and it is FREE for any Walt Disney World Resort Guest to enjoy.  Each evening there is a campfire where marshmallows are roasted (bring your own or purchase there), then Chip 'n Dale, the fun-loving chipmunks join in for a sing along of family friendly songs and a meet and greet and photograph session.  Afterward a Disney Movie is shown on the outdoor screen in an outdoorsy pseudo drive in movie fashion.  The entertainment is totally free and the environment is all about relaxing with families.

To get there either drive to the main Ft. Wilderness parking lot or take a bus from one of the parks or Downtown Disney to Ft. Wilderness. Then board one of the Yellow line internal buses to the 1500 area Bus Stop.

If you don't remember the stop, tell the bus driver that you are going to the Chip 'n' Dale Campfire and they will let you know where to go.


During the campfire phase of the program starting at 7:30 pm, you may roast marshmallows that you brought with you or you may purchase them from the Chuckwagon.



At 8:00 pm the Sing-A-Long starts. A guitar playing cowboy led the crowd in a number of old favorites and then he was joined by Chip 'n' Dale. During the program Chip 'n' Dale went through the audience allowing each family to meet with them, take pictures, and sign autographs.



After the sing-a-long ended things got prepared for the movie to start at 9:00 pm. During the night we attended Bolt was the movie for the night. A schedule was posted and there was a different Disney Movie playing each night of the week. Show times may change during different times of the year, so please check for exact times while you are visiting the Walt Disney World Resort. Also remember that this event takes place outdoors, so dress appropriately.




Disney World Is For Families
The setting and the entertainment wasn't fancy, but it was good wholesome family entertainment. The trip to visit Ft. Wilderness Resort and the show was definitely worth doing for an evening.

This is a good way to slow down and relax, doing something different. It is also great that this is an evening of FREE entertainment (unless you don't bring your own marshmallows and choose to purchase them there.)

Despite all of the luxury entertainment options that you can indulge in at Disney World, it is the simple, family pleasing attractions like Chip 'n Dale's Sing-A-Long that bring families back to Disney World again and again, year after year.