Tarheel Tink
Cosmos mariner-destination unknown
- Joined
- Aug 21, 1999
- Messages
- 1,766
21st Anniversary Trip- Day 3 Tuesday 5/1/01 Epcot, Marrakesh Restaurant, E-ride Night at Magic Kingdom
Our early entry for Epcot started with a sluggish husband (go figure after the margaritas!) who delayed us and the
poor decision to travel light without the backpack. Cloudy skies at the start of walk to the bus turned to a light
sprinkle as we started the drive into a full downpour as we exited the bus. I mentally cursed my travel light
executive decision, thinking longingly of the 5, count em, 5 ponchos and 2 umbrellas back at our room. Luckily,
the DIS website had prepared me to purchase the 99 cent disposable ponchos that we each had on us so we
whipped them out of our respective waist pack/shoulder bag. The saran wrap-like thin plastic does do its job pretty
well; from the knees down we were out of luck, buy hey, life happens and at least it isnt cold!
Plans for riding Test Track were shelved due to the weather, so we did Spaceship Earth again (no problem for me,
I could happily ride this attraction daily) and then headed to the Wonders of Life Pavilion to look around and play
some for a while until the 9:00 opening to Ellens Universe of Energy next door. We got choice front seats and had
our usual great time on it. Afterwards, we went across Future World to The Land getting fastpasses for Living
With the Land since there was a 30 minute wait already (that rain shuffled us all to the same places) and watched
the film during the wait time and shopped some in the garden shop.
We zipped past the 30 minute line with our fastpasses; Im discovered an ugly side to my personality that I need to
definitely work on- I really enjoy walking past the waiting people, how sick is that? Living with the Land is
another favorite of ours that we never tire of- I love gardening and the Flower and Garden Festival is one of the
reasons we are here.
The Living Seas is the next stop- we just want to get to the end and not view the film. There was a long line and
we didnt see anyway to get there without going through the film also (does anyone know if there is a way?) so we
backed out and took the rose walkway to a garden lecture, sharing a Goofy bar along the way (chocolate ice cream
with caramel, coated in chocolate).
The lecture was fun and informative, lasting about 30 minutes; it was on making hypertufa trough gardens. I
couldnt pass by the garden vendors without buying some things. We walked through Canada and the United
Kingdom, doing some window shopping, photographing the gardens and listening to a bagpiper. In France we
browsed some more and checked out the pastry shop for possible future stop.
Our next stop was for lunch in Morocco at Restaurant Marrakesh. A gorgeous (drat!) belly dancer was performing-
she got a toddler to dance with her- so adorable. The same little cherub had been hurling bread in a 6 foot diameter
around his high chair so all concerned were relieved he got into the dancing. We had never been here before and
loved the spacious and cool interior of this place- the service was prompt and accurate (compared to other
restaurants was not as personable, but friendly enough). We both got the Berber Feast- starting with a salad
sampler of a cucumber and tomato mix and a pepper salad. We were served a marvelous round of bread- warm and
delicious and then immediately received a large plate with a slice of seasoned slice of lamb, vegetable couscous,
and a marinated chicken kabob along with more bread. We enjoyed all and had no sooner finished than our plates
were removed and replace with a soup bowl-sized bowl of fruit salad mix (apple, honeydew, cantaloupe, oranges,
grapes) that seemed to be lightly drizzled with lemon juice with a whisper of cinnamon I could taste but Earl
didnt. Very refreshing!
We left and took the Friendship boat to World Showcase and stopped at Innoventions on our way out. We emailed
a photo postcard and attended a demonstration of a Home Theater (incredible ending!). If we had that system in
our home, I doubt we would ever see sunlight or go to work! Imagine a huge (10-12 foot wide??) flat screen with
DVD and surround-sound system!
We took the bus to Riverside and found our Eeyore beanie greeting us from our mound of pillows and another
mound of Mickey soaps and shampoos. I had left a note the first day asking for some and had gotten plenty. Now
we have riches of shampoos and soaps! We napped for a few hours and got a wake up call to get us up to get to the
Magic Kingdom for E-ride Night and some dinner. We get to the main gate and take the train to Frontierland to
get our E-night wristbands at Splash Mountain photo pick up. The CM tells us that is a light attendance this night
which proved true in comparison to the last one we attended. I had called earlier both the Disney Information line
and the front desk to find out what ride would take the place of Timekeeper; both told me Timekeeper was open
(big sigh, dont they read the boards at DIS?). It turns out the Tomorrowland Transit Authority is the replacement
ride for one the 9 attractions open. Before the park closes and E-night starts, we go to Columbia Harbor House
for dinner. I was pleased with the fish/chicken strip basket with fries that Earl shared with me since his clam
chowder bread bowl was less than filling. Earl is a true chowderhead and rated it as pretty good but skimpy- more
bread than he cared for and he guessed at about 4-6 ounces of clam chowder.
We then ventured through a packed Fantasyland and Toontown to the train depot to ride back to Frontierland. We
were seated behind an exhausted family whos wailing baby was desperately in need of a diaper change. When I
mention we were seated behind them that means that we were downwind of them also- whoa!
We went to Adventureland as closing time approached and rode Pirates of the Caribbean and then lucked into the
final Jungle Cruise of the night. Safari Steve was not there, but Skipper Erin had a very witty spiel that we enjoyed.
At the end of the cruise the park had closed to the public so only the lucky wristbands were on the rides. We started
out with our cheapo ponchos from yesterday and rode Splash Mountain twice, turning down a 3rd go round
without getting out since Earl felt he had had enough of the laughing place and that he was damp enough for the
night. We tossed our ponchos in the trash and I just had to get a Brer Frog beanie sent to the room. We then rode
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad 4 times straight- great at night and the last seats in the train are the best! From
there we went on to the Haunted Mansion- extra spooky at night.
We stopped at Caseys Corner to share a hot dog and then got some ice cream. On to Tomorrowland to ride Buzz
Lightyears Ranger Spin twice and then on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority to put our feet up and enjoy the
great night weather, comfortable in a T-shirt and viewing the lit up park from our elevated angle.
A weird/neat thing happened on our second circuit. I had noticed that the usual audio announcements made as you
enter certain sections were missing which made it extra relaxing. On the second go round in one of the dark tunnel
segments, Mickeys voice came out of nowhere out of a speaker in a high-pitched Helllllooooooo!. We looked at
each other dumbfounded- saying What?! Again, Hellllooooooo! in that unmistakable squeaky voice followed
by Say hello back!. Obediently, we both managed to call out Helllloooo! in startled voices. In response,
Mickey said Thank yoooooouuu! Now wave at me! With bulging eyes and snorting with laughter, we obeyed and
waved. Thank yooooouuu! Ive been so lonely tonight!
Has anyone ever heard this? We loved it! Earl wouldnt stop trying to get more out of him by calling out
Helllloooo! several more times but that was it. It was great! We slowly exited the park by way of the rose garden,
watching the castle change colors and just enjoying the park and the great weather. We rode a full bus back to the
resort, stopping at the lounge for a margarita and enjoying piano player/singer/comedian along with the very
appreciative group, all of us singing many oldies. Back at the room, I optioned to go for a swim at the deserted pool
for a very relaxing time and made for a great nights sleep.
Tomorrow- MGM Studio, Sci Fi Diner, Ohanas, Pleasure Island
Our early entry for Epcot started with a sluggish husband (go figure after the margaritas!) who delayed us and the
poor decision to travel light without the backpack. Cloudy skies at the start of walk to the bus turned to a light
sprinkle as we started the drive into a full downpour as we exited the bus. I mentally cursed my travel light
executive decision, thinking longingly of the 5, count em, 5 ponchos and 2 umbrellas back at our room. Luckily,
the DIS website had prepared me to purchase the 99 cent disposable ponchos that we each had on us so we
whipped them out of our respective waist pack/shoulder bag. The saran wrap-like thin plastic does do its job pretty
well; from the knees down we were out of luck, buy hey, life happens and at least it isnt cold!
Plans for riding Test Track were shelved due to the weather, so we did Spaceship Earth again (no problem for me,
I could happily ride this attraction daily) and then headed to the Wonders of Life Pavilion to look around and play
some for a while until the 9:00 opening to Ellens Universe of Energy next door. We got choice front seats and had
our usual great time on it. Afterwards, we went across Future World to The Land getting fastpasses for Living
With the Land since there was a 30 minute wait already (that rain shuffled us all to the same places) and watched
the film during the wait time and shopped some in the garden shop.
We zipped past the 30 minute line with our fastpasses; Im discovered an ugly side to my personality that I need to
definitely work on- I really enjoy walking past the waiting people, how sick is that? Living with the Land is
another favorite of ours that we never tire of- I love gardening and the Flower and Garden Festival is one of the
reasons we are here.
The Living Seas is the next stop- we just want to get to the end and not view the film. There was a long line and
we didnt see anyway to get there without going through the film also (does anyone know if there is a way?) so we
backed out and took the rose walkway to a garden lecture, sharing a Goofy bar along the way (chocolate ice cream
with caramel, coated in chocolate).
The lecture was fun and informative, lasting about 30 minutes; it was on making hypertufa trough gardens. I
couldnt pass by the garden vendors without buying some things. We walked through Canada and the United
Kingdom, doing some window shopping, photographing the gardens and listening to a bagpiper. In France we
browsed some more and checked out the pastry shop for possible future stop.
Our next stop was for lunch in Morocco at Restaurant Marrakesh. A gorgeous (drat!) belly dancer was performing-
she got a toddler to dance with her- so adorable. The same little cherub had been hurling bread in a 6 foot diameter
around his high chair so all concerned were relieved he got into the dancing. We had never been here before and
loved the spacious and cool interior of this place- the service was prompt and accurate (compared to other
restaurants was not as personable, but friendly enough). We both got the Berber Feast- starting with a salad
sampler of a cucumber and tomato mix and a pepper salad. We were served a marvelous round of bread- warm and
delicious and then immediately received a large plate with a slice of seasoned slice of lamb, vegetable couscous,
and a marinated chicken kabob along with more bread. We enjoyed all and had no sooner finished than our plates
were removed and replace with a soup bowl-sized bowl of fruit salad mix (apple, honeydew, cantaloupe, oranges,
grapes) that seemed to be lightly drizzled with lemon juice with a whisper of cinnamon I could taste but Earl
didnt. Very refreshing!
We left and took the Friendship boat to World Showcase and stopped at Innoventions on our way out. We emailed
a photo postcard and attended a demonstration of a Home Theater (incredible ending!). If we had that system in
our home, I doubt we would ever see sunlight or go to work! Imagine a huge (10-12 foot wide??) flat screen with
DVD and surround-sound system!
We took the bus to Riverside and found our Eeyore beanie greeting us from our mound of pillows and another
mound of Mickey soaps and shampoos. I had left a note the first day asking for some and had gotten plenty. Now
we have riches of shampoos and soaps! We napped for a few hours and got a wake up call to get us up to get to the
Magic Kingdom for E-ride Night and some dinner. We get to the main gate and take the train to Frontierland to
get our E-night wristbands at Splash Mountain photo pick up. The CM tells us that is a light attendance this night
which proved true in comparison to the last one we attended. I had called earlier both the Disney Information line
and the front desk to find out what ride would take the place of Timekeeper; both told me Timekeeper was open
(big sigh, dont they read the boards at DIS?). It turns out the Tomorrowland Transit Authority is the replacement
ride for one the 9 attractions open. Before the park closes and E-night starts, we go to Columbia Harbor House
for dinner. I was pleased with the fish/chicken strip basket with fries that Earl shared with me since his clam
chowder bread bowl was less than filling. Earl is a true chowderhead and rated it as pretty good but skimpy- more
bread than he cared for and he guessed at about 4-6 ounces of clam chowder.
We then ventured through a packed Fantasyland and Toontown to the train depot to ride back to Frontierland. We
were seated behind an exhausted family whos wailing baby was desperately in need of a diaper change. When I
mention we were seated behind them that means that we were downwind of them also- whoa!
We went to Adventureland as closing time approached and rode Pirates of the Caribbean and then lucked into the
final Jungle Cruise of the night. Safari Steve was not there, but Skipper Erin had a very witty spiel that we enjoyed.
At the end of the cruise the park had closed to the public so only the lucky wristbands were on the rides. We started
out with our cheapo ponchos from yesterday and rode Splash Mountain twice, turning down a 3rd go round
without getting out since Earl felt he had had enough of the laughing place and that he was damp enough for the
night. We tossed our ponchos in the trash and I just had to get a Brer Frog beanie sent to the room. We then rode
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad 4 times straight- great at night and the last seats in the train are the best! From
there we went on to the Haunted Mansion- extra spooky at night.
We stopped at Caseys Corner to share a hot dog and then got some ice cream. On to Tomorrowland to ride Buzz
Lightyears Ranger Spin twice and then on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority to put our feet up and enjoy the
great night weather, comfortable in a T-shirt and viewing the lit up park from our elevated angle.
A weird/neat thing happened on our second circuit. I had noticed that the usual audio announcements made as you
enter certain sections were missing which made it extra relaxing. On the second go round in one of the dark tunnel
segments, Mickeys voice came out of nowhere out of a speaker in a high-pitched Helllllooooooo!. We looked at
each other dumbfounded- saying What?! Again, Hellllooooooo! in that unmistakable squeaky voice followed
by Say hello back!. Obediently, we both managed to call out Helllloooo! in startled voices. In response,
Mickey said Thank yoooooouuu! Now wave at me! With bulging eyes and snorting with laughter, we obeyed and
waved. Thank yooooouuu! Ive been so lonely tonight!
Has anyone ever heard this? We loved it! Earl wouldnt stop trying to get more out of him by calling out
Helllloooo! several more times but that was it. It was great! We slowly exited the park by way of the rose garden,
watching the castle change colors and just enjoying the park and the great weather. We rode a full bus back to the
resort, stopping at the lounge for a margarita and enjoying piano player/singer/comedian along with the very
appreciative group, all of us singing many oldies. Back at the room, I optioned to go for a swim at the deserted pool
for a very relaxing time and made for a great nights sleep.
Tomorrow- MGM Studio, Sci Fi Diner, Ohanas, Pleasure Island
