- Joined
- Jul 13, 2005
Friday 3rd September
We were woken by our neighbours again more screaming, crying and banging at 7am. I was really fed up as wed only had 5 hours sleep and we had tried to be really quiet when we came in that morning so as not to disturb them. Oh well, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. We were up now so we may as well go to Epcot! After listening to the neighbours scream at each other the whole time we were getting ready, they then congregated in the hall right outside our door and started shouting there too. Eventually, I opened the door and explained that we had tried to be considerate at 2am and it was a shame they couldnt afford us the same consideration, to which the Mother responded that you shouldnt expect people to be quiet at 9 oclock in the morning. Gary appeared behind me and said Yes, youre quite right, but we have been listening to this for the last 2 hours!!!
Anyway, not wanting to let it ruin our day, we stepped outside into the gorgeous (and already blazing hot) sunshine. The plan was to conquer Future World, do a bit of World Showcase and then return later for Illuminations and stay for evening Extra Magic Hours. We walked down the Boardwalk and entered the park through the International Gateway. I just love coming in to Epcot this way. I think it is because it is so quiet and such a beautiful walk, especially on a gorgeous day like today was.
It was already 9.15 so we headed straight for The Land and got Fast Passes for Soarin, with a return time of 9.57-10.57,, then joined the standby line. There was a short wait and we were on the ride in no time. I have said it before and Ill say it again this is my absolute favourite non-thrill ride at Disney. It is so amazing and still gets a round of applause at the end, even after its 6th year at Epcot.
I was definitely suffering from tiredness today and people were irritating the heck out of me. I commented to Gary that there seemed to be more whiny and annoying kids around, to which Gary responded that maybe there were just two tired, less tolerant adults
We went on Soarin again, using our Fast Passes, then got some breakfast from Sunshine Seasons. Apple Danish and Diet Coke the breakfast of champions! After lining our stomachs, we went to get Fast Passes for Test Track and then went on Mission:Space. We had a look in Mousegear and couldnt find the purse that Natalie had asked me to get for her but I did manage to replace my (broken) 4-parks key ring that Id bought the previous year. Test Track was showing a 40-minute wait but, with our Fast Passes, it was more or less a walk on. Everything else, at this point, was only a 5 or 10 minute wait. It really was very quiet this morning.
We walked back towards World Showcase, taking the decision to start our tour at Canada and work anti-clockwise around the park. Did this decision have anything to do with the fact that it was almost 5 oclock somewhere and the Grey Goose Citron Slushie in France was calling my name? You decide.
We saw OCanada for the first time. How have we been on 7 trips to Disney World and never seen this before?
Next stop the UK. Time for fish and chips from the Yorkshire County Fish Shop, which we shared.
And we bumped into a friend of Rhiannon's from the previous year.
In France, I had my picture taken with Aurora who was very approving of my choice of pink top. We popped into Boulangerie Patisserie for something sweet. Gary had a pain aux raisins, which he said was a tad dry. And I chose the chocolate mousse, which was lovely but incredibly rich and quite sickly. I couldn't even manage half of it.
And then I had to just had to, you understand have a Citron Slushie to wash down lunch.
We sat for a while and watched Server Amusant while I sipped my rapidly melting slushie. Bliss!
We took loads of pictures in Morocco
Including one of my favourite pictures from this trip
We watched the drummers in Japan
We really wanted to see Voices of Liberty at the American Adventure but they werent on until 2, so it was on to Italy where we went to have a nosey at the new Via Napoli restaurant and had some pictures taken by the Photopass photographer.
Gary also tried his hand at something more artistic
We did have a little giggle at this couple, too, as the guy spent ages setting up a tripod to take pictures of his posing partner. They were acting as though it was a professional photoshoot, much to the amusement of a small crowd who had formed to watch.
We were ready to leave now so we caught the boat from Germany across to Showcase Plaza
We left via International Gateway and strolled back round the Boardwalk. I just love the Epcot resort hotels for their proximity to the park. In fact, this trip was probably the one where we began to truly appreciate what a great park Epcot is. Back at the hotel, we decided to go to the pool. The main pool was absolutely packed so we hung out at the quiet pool for a while. Gary swam while I read my book.
Continued in the next post...
We were woken by our neighbours again more screaming, crying and banging at 7am. I was really fed up as wed only had 5 hours sleep and we had tried to be really quiet when we came in that morning so as not to disturb them. Oh well, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. We were up now so we may as well go to Epcot! After listening to the neighbours scream at each other the whole time we were getting ready, they then congregated in the hall right outside our door and started shouting there too. Eventually, I opened the door and explained that we had tried to be considerate at 2am and it was a shame they couldnt afford us the same consideration, to which the Mother responded that you shouldnt expect people to be quiet at 9 oclock in the morning. Gary appeared behind me and said Yes, youre quite right, but we have been listening to this for the last 2 hours!!!
Anyway, not wanting to let it ruin our day, we stepped outside into the gorgeous (and already blazing hot) sunshine. The plan was to conquer Future World, do a bit of World Showcase and then return later for Illuminations and stay for evening Extra Magic Hours. We walked down the Boardwalk and entered the park through the International Gateway. I just love coming in to Epcot this way. I think it is because it is so quiet and such a beautiful walk, especially on a gorgeous day like today was.
It was already 9.15 so we headed straight for The Land and got Fast Passes for Soarin, with a return time of 9.57-10.57,, then joined the standby line. There was a short wait and we were on the ride in no time. I have said it before and Ill say it again this is my absolute favourite non-thrill ride at Disney. It is so amazing and still gets a round of applause at the end, even after its 6th year at Epcot.
I was definitely suffering from tiredness today and people were irritating the heck out of me. I commented to Gary that there seemed to be more whiny and annoying kids around, to which Gary responded that maybe there were just two tired, less tolerant adults
We went on Soarin again, using our Fast Passes, then got some breakfast from Sunshine Seasons. Apple Danish and Diet Coke the breakfast of champions! After lining our stomachs, we went to get Fast Passes for Test Track and then went on Mission:Space. We had a look in Mousegear and couldnt find the purse that Natalie had asked me to get for her but I did manage to replace my (broken) 4-parks key ring that Id bought the previous year. Test Track was showing a 40-minute wait but, with our Fast Passes, it was more or less a walk on. Everything else, at this point, was only a 5 or 10 minute wait. It really was very quiet this morning.
We walked back towards World Showcase, taking the decision to start our tour at Canada and work anti-clockwise around the park. Did this decision have anything to do with the fact that it was almost 5 oclock somewhere and the Grey Goose Citron Slushie in France was calling my name? You decide.
We saw OCanada for the first time. How have we been on 7 trips to Disney World and never seen this before?
Next stop the UK. Time for fish and chips from the Yorkshire County Fish Shop, which we shared.
And we bumped into a friend of Rhiannon's from the previous year.
In France, I had my picture taken with Aurora who was very approving of my choice of pink top. We popped into Boulangerie Patisserie for something sweet. Gary had a pain aux raisins, which he said was a tad dry. And I chose the chocolate mousse, which was lovely but incredibly rich and quite sickly. I couldn't even manage half of it.
And then I had to just had to, you understand have a Citron Slushie to wash down lunch.
We sat for a while and watched Server Amusant while I sipped my rapidly melting slushie. Bliss!
We took loads of pictures in Morocco
Including one of my favourite pictures from this trip
We watched the drummers in Japan
We really wanted to see Voices of Liberty at the American Adventure but they werent on until 2, so it was on to Italy where we went to have a nosey at the new Via Napoli restaurant and had some pictures taken by the Photopass photographer.
Gary also tried his hand at something more artistic
We did have a little giggle at this couple, too, as the guy spent ages setting up a tripod to take pictures of his posing partner. They were acting as though it was a professional photoshoot, much to the amusement of a small crowd who had formed to watch.
We were ready to leave now so we caught the boat from Germany across to Showcase Plaza
We left via International Gateway and strolled back round the Boardwalk. I just love the Epcot resort hotels for their proximity to the park. In fact, this trip was probably the one where we began to truly appreciate what a great park Epcot is. Back at the hotel, we decided to go to the pool. The main pool was absolutely packed so we hung out at the quiet pool for a while. Gary swam while I read my book.
Continued in the next post...