Tony Bush
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2001
- Messages
- 677
Day 4 (Dec 6th)
Weather forecast for today 64F but clear.
We have taken to laying in bed at 6.30 watching the local news and weather on 'WESH 2' Bounced out of bed at 6.40, I can never get up this early at home but, hey, I don't have Disney to look forward to....
Drove over to Howard Johnson Gateway by Universal to leave a message for DW's niece, Jenny, who will be arriving with her boyfriend tonight for a weeks break. Popped up the road for a Sizzler big breakfast and then on to Epcot. Again I went via I-Drive and the 536 as I find it a much nicer drive than the I4.
Parked at Epcot very close to the front of the car park, only a 30 second walk to the main gate, the parks are that empty. Decided to pop over to MK to collect our photos from yesterday. Hopped on the monorail and asked the CM if we could ride up front with the driver. What a great view you get from the front - it's worth letting one or two trains go through until you can get this seat. I videoed the whole journey. Into MK, picked up the photos and bought a couple of frames as well and then back to Epcot on the monorail.
First stop had to be Spaceship Earth. As we got to the top it stopped (not AGAIN!!) However as we got to the bottom there were a couple of wheelchairs by the exit so we had obviously stopped to let them board the ride. Walked over to Test Track (DS's favourite) and grabbed a Fast Pass as there was a 40 min. wait. The park was so empty I assume the whole attendance was queing for TT at the same time!! the machine also gave us a 'Surprise FP' for Honey I Shrunk the Audience for almost straight away so we wandered over to there. didn't need them as there was a 0 minute wait !
Next was universe of Energy which we didn't do last time so it was new for us. Not a bad ride, I liked the dinosaurs as did DS.
Back to Test Track and had a 5 minute wait using our FP's. I still love this ride, it's so different from anything else and Jack says it's still his favourite. DD is still unconvinced though - take it or leave it is her view....
Did her Epcot favourite next, Body Wars, which she went on with DW, as simulators along with spinny things make me ill. DS kept me company playing on the fitness bikes, seeing what top speed we could achieve. Wandered through innoventions playing various games en route.
I had read a lot about the 'Ice Cream Social' in DIS but had never seen it advertised anywhere in Disney. Walked round to the Garden Grill to ask about it. 'Yes' said the CM, 'This is where it is but you need to book 24hrs in advance' not good as we only have a 5 day hopper. It was 2.55 and seating was for between 3.00 and 3.20 so the extremely nice CM said if we would like to wait she would get us in if there was a no-show or cancellation. YES !!!!! One no-show, so in we go. The restaurant is nice as it slowly rotates and you get to see pieces of 'Living with the Land' ride. Character interaction is first class as again there is hardly anyone around. Saw Mickey, Pluto and Chip. Pluton was hilarious as he would come round, speed off past us and then reappear after completing a complete lap, stuggling along on his knees!! kids had a ball as did me and DW. Oh, and the Ice Cream was delicious as well!!
Decided it was now getting too cold to stay for the fireworks at 9.00 as we hadn't brought coats. Stayed for the tree lighting ceremony which visually was excellent, but I wasn't overly impressed by the band or singer. Stood and watched the fountains dancing to Xmas music which was breathtaking. Videoed quite a lot of it, thinking I might look a bit daft standing there taping the fountains. I looked round and saw a host of people with video cameras mounted on tripods taping the display!! Saw the sparkling paving stones by the Epcot Ball on the way out.
Came home the right way this time - it's much easier when you can actually see where you're driving !!
In bed by 8.00 and watched TV (The Santa Clause - 'natch')
Fav's of the day :
Tony - Fountains with Xmas music - just beautiful!
Paulet - Fountains
Jack - Test Track
Chloe - Ice Cream Social (It's a MUST do)
Tony
Chip and Jack at the Ice Cream Social
The Epcot Xmas tree
Weather forecast for today 64F but clear.
We have taken to laying in bed at 6.30 watching the local news and weather on 'WESH 2' Bounced out of bed at 6.40, I can never get up this early at home but, hey, I don't have Disney to look forward to....
Drove over to Howard Johnson Gateway by Universal to leave a message for DW's niece, Jenny, who will be arriving with her boyfriend tonight for a weeks break. Popped up the road for a Sizzler big breakfast and then on to Epcot. Again I went via I-Drive and the 536 as I find it a much nicer drive than the I4.
Parked at Epcot very close to the front of the car park, only a 30 second walk to the main gate, the parks are that empty. Decided to pop over to MK to collect our photos from yesterday. Hopped on the monorail and asked the CM if we could ride up front with the driver. What a great view you get from the front - it's worth letting one or two trains go through until you can get this seat. I videoed the whole journey. Into MK, picked up the photos and bought a couple of frames as well and then back to Epcot on the monorail.
First stop had to be Spaceship Earth. As we got to the top it stopped (not AGAIN!!) However as we got to the bottom there were a couple of wheelchairs by the exit so we had obviously stopped to let them board the ride. Walked over to Test Track (DS's favourite) and grabbed a Fast Pass as there was a 40 min. wait. The park was so empty I assume the whole attendance was queing for TT at the same time!! the machine also gave us a 'Surprise FP' for Honey I Shrunk the Audience for almost straight away so we wandered over to there. didn't need them as there was a 0 minute wait !
Next was universe of Energy which we didn't do last time so it was new for us. Not a bad ride, I liked the dinosaurs as did DS.
Back to Test Track and had a 5 minute wait using our FP's. I still love this ride, it's so different from anything else and Jack says it's still his favourite. DD is still unconvinced though - take it or leave it is her view....
Did her Epcot favourite next, Body Wars, which she went on with DW, as simulators along with spinny things make me ill. DS kept me company playing on the fitness bikes, seeing what top speed we could achieve. Wandered through innoventions playing various games en route.
I had read a lot about the 'Ice Cream Social' in DIS but had never seen it advertised anywhere in Disney. Walked round to the Garden Grill to ask about it. 'Yes' said the CM, 'This is where it is but you need to book 24hrs in advance' not good as we only have a 5 day hopper. It was 2.55 and seating was for between 3.00 and 3.20 so the extremely nice CM said if we would like to wait she would get us in if there was a no-show or cancellation. YES !!!!! One no-show, so in we go. The restaurant is nice as it slowly rotates and you get to see pieces of 'Living with the Land' ride. Character interaction is first class as again there is hardly anyone around. Saw Mickey, Pluto and Chip. Pluton was hilarious as he would come round, speed off past us and then reappear after completing a complete lap, stuggling along on his knees!! kids had a ball as did me and DW. Oh, and the Ice Cream was delicious as well!!
Decided it was now getting too cold to stay for the fireworks at 9.00 as we hadn't brought coats. Stayed for the tree lighting ceremony which visually was excellent, but I wasn't overly impressed by the band or singer. Stood and watched the fountains dancing to Xmas music which was breathtaking. Videoed quite a lot of it, thinking I might look a bit daft standing there taping the fountains. I looked round and saw a host of people with video cameras mounted on tripods taping the display!! Saw the sparkling paving stones by the Epcot Ball on the way out.
Came home the right way this time - it's much easier when you can actually see where you're driving !!
In bed by 8.00 and watched TV (The Santa Clause - 'natch')
Fav's of the day :
Tony - Fountains with Xmas music - just beautiful!
Paulet - Fountains
Jack - Test Track
Chloe - Ice Cream Social (It's a MUST do)
Tony
Chip and Jack at the Ice Cream Social
The Epcot Xmas tree
.
