Another Trip Report

[SeanWM48]

appreciate the report! i was there the same week and this kinda inspires me to draw one up myself

 

[cruising spud]

I loved reading your trip report. There haven't been many reports posted here recently. Glad you had a chance to experience Disney.

 

[Bishoparc]

Voices of Liberty singers in the American Pavilion?

They've been performing for the last couple of months at the American Gardens Pavilion - https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/epcot/voices-of-liberty/

Mary Poppins

She's been out doing socially distanced meet and greets as well as Pooh Bear, Joy, and others.

 

[huggypack2112]

Was there any live entertainment during your Epcot visit? The Chinese tumblers? The Italian juggler? Voices of Liberty singers in the American Pavilion? The Japanese drummer? The French mime? Mary Poppins? The English road play? Canadian bagpipers? Jammitors? Most of these were let go/not renewed/not replaced. IMO these made World Showcase worth visiting. Any true cultural representation of the country that wasn't just "Mickey in a Kilt" type thing?

Carry on.

Bama Ed

All I saw was the Mariachi band at the theater/stage in America. I didnt see much in the way of cultural reps (maybe in China I saw 1-2). It was disappointing, I always enjoyed trying to strike up conversations with people from all the countries. Seeing people from Orlando staffing stores/shows in Japan and China didnt feel right. I understand it, but still took away from the experience.

PS Oh yeah, the model train next to Germany was running

 

[huggypack2112]

She's been out doing socially distanced meet and greets as well as Pooh Bear, Joy, and others.

I did see Pooh, no poopins.

 

[JFDIS]

Thanks for sharing! I’ve really enjoyed reading your report!

 

[bama_ed]

I did see Pooh, no poopins.

Thanks, huggypack2112.

Less live entertainment is disappointing in World Showcase. It was what I always enjoyed the most. But thanks for the eyes-on update.

Also, the website www.wdwent.com has been a resource for me for decades, literally, and it tells me what is running currently in the way of live entertainment in the Disney parks. I was interested in what huggypack2112, as a routine daily visitor like myself might be, encountered on his day around Epcot. We can't all hit 10-out-of-10 acts who happen to be performing so I was interested in his take was on what he DID encounter.

The German model train layout, which I strongly suspect relies heavily on LGB rolling stock, is a favorite of mine. I love trains, particularly steam trains, of any size (live steam, HO, G scale [garden scale which is the size in the Germany pavilion]) so I always pause for several minutes to watch their layout run. There are other German brands than LGB but they are a founder of that size.

Bama Ed

PS - as a kid I was a YUGE fan of the Mary Poppins movie (well, and Julie Andrews).

I also thought the recent MP movie, Mary Poppins Returns, did a faithful job to the character and Emily Blunt did a fine job of being both strong and gentle.

Waiting for other park updates of yours.

 

[huggypack2112]

Friday (1/29) was another Hollywood Studios day. Got up at 6:45 and got RotR Boarding Group 32 (my best of the 2 weeks). Got to the park about 9AM. RotR didn’t start calling until about an hour after normal.

The first ride we went on was Mickie and Minnies runaway rail ride. Line was maybe 25 minutes. This was my first time on the ride, and I had high hopes. The ride was cute, and some of the technology was good, but I have to admit I would rather have the Great Movie Ride Back (side note, I must have ridden tGMR maybe 15 times in the past, and NEVER got the cowboy scene. It was always the gangsters).

DS and I then did Rock-n-Roller Coaster. I miss the Aerosmith pre-show (Saw Aerosmith for the first in1980 or 1981 at the Tangerine Bowl (now the Citrus Bowl, I think) in downtown Orlando). There was also a youngster in the line that complained that the rock music (which I loved) that was being played in the line was “Lame”. I guess it will soon be the Rock-n-Taylor Swift coaster (I am a massive classic hard rock and heavy metal fan). I also did not see any Aerosmith merchandise in the store there. Also, there was concert poster in the que for Quicksilver Messenger Service and Chicago Transit Authority (who would become just "Chicago", one of my early favorite bands). I told my son we had to somehow sneak that poster off the wall and out of the park. He thought I was serious (and maybe I was )

We then headed to Galaxys Edge and just explored for quite a while. It was getting close to lunch reservation at Sci-Fi diner, so we headed out but hit the Muppet show first. I love the sci-fi diner theming. Then it was on to RotR. I noticed a lot more this time, especially in the hanger bay. Still very impressed. After more exploring, Smugglers Run was next, and I got to be a pilot. It is hard to steer that thing with just up or down or left to right. But, you do get to see more in the pilots seat.

After Smugglers, we found the back path to Toy Story Land. We did Toy Story Mania, and my darn son beat me yet again (stupid video game generation). On the way out of Toy Story Land, we visited the Disney Animation exhibit and watched the movie (good to get off my feet for 15 minutes).

We hit Star Tours and more stores before we hit the exits. Stopped at a Chi-Fil-A drive thru before
heading to the RV.

I did see a couple of little mini-parades during my visits, but I miss the street performers I had seen in the past

As a side note, I tried to track my distance walked with the sports tracker app on my phone – we did about 8 miles, although the GPS would get squirrely when I was inside buildings.

 

[huggypack2112]

Saturday was an off day for us. We went to Melbourne Florida via 192 to look at my old college campus (Florida Institute of Technology - had not been there since graduating in 1983). Found all my old dorms, but man has that place changed. Almost looks like a real college now.

Then it was to Kennedy Space Center. Pricey. Also, the difference between Disney and NASA were very pronounced. NASA did not do much to enforce their mask and social distancing policies. Many of the employees were also rather grumpy. We did get to see the shuttle Atlantis. I was lucky enough to be on base when the first shuttle went up, and saw both Challenger and Columbia launch. It was an impressive display. We needed more time at Kennedy to see everything. Did see some alligators in canals on the way out.

We did have a bad experience leaving in the AM with kids on bikes and motorized scooters screaming through the loop (without masks on). We almost hit one backing out of the space, and again coming around a corner (glad I was going slow). We were told by another camper they had been doing it for a while. Where are the parents?

Our trip home included a stop at an outlet mall. My son wanted to look for something (like they dont have the same stores in North Carolina ). Then home to the RV.

 

[huggypack2112]

Sunday (1/31) we went back to Epcot. We were able to hit test track before the line to long. Then mission space. Headed through towards Mexico. On the way in whatever the building is between TT and Mexcio, there was a show about the future of EPCOT, but it didn’t really show much. Then it was to Mexico and the 3 Cabrillo’s (sp). Saw some artisan in the Mexico building doing carvings – pretty cool.
Then we went to Norway and looked in the shops. The Frozen Line stretched to China (bring back Malstorm please). In China, we did the 360 theater show (wish they had seats), and hit some more shops.

In Germany, we look in more shops, and then my wide lost her phone (trip lost phone total – 1 for me, 1 for DW). We got the phone back at guest services on the way out later in the evening. We had lunch somewhere in the area (don’t remember where). We then decided to not complete the look since we had seen the other countries earlier, and rode the ferry back across (I had never done that before – got some beautiful views).

We then did the figment and soarin. For the first time ever, we got the center seats, and nothing on the screen was tilting. After some dinner in the Land Pavillion, we did more sightseeing and then hit Spacehip Earth. We were going to try and do TT one more time before closing, but the ride was down, so one last ride on Mission Space.

Then, on the way out, we couldn’t find my car – it was in a lot farther over than we thought. After we finally found it, I realized I had been tracking distance walked on my Sports Tracker App, and the app would have shown me where the car was. Stupid me.

I do hope that EPCOT will soon be restored to its potential. Also, the biggest thing out of the entire trip that I missed out on because of Covid was the space restaurant. I really wanted to see that. Oh well.

 

[bama_ed]

I miss the street performers in DHS too (and everywhere else for that matter).

Also a huge Chicago fan. Still going to their concerts whenever they come within 300 miles.

Glad you got the phone back.

In its current state with the foreign CM's sent home, whacked entertainment, construction and closed/refurbed rides, Epcot is a mess right now. I think the 40th anniversary of its opening is coming up in a year or two and Disney will shoot for that window of time to have everything open and ready for people when they can travel more easily.

But when they pull it together, it should be a sight to see again.

Great job on the TR.

Bama Ed

 

[Sjm9911]

Besides the trip report, i am amazed you lost and got back 2 phones. That in itself is a win! Rock and roll , lol. It was the devils music when i was younger, now its played at sporting events and digitized for elevators. Areosmith will be there for a bit untill they get cancled, but they may be too old for there younger antics. Sounds like you had a good time! Thanks for sharing.

 

[huggypack2112]

On Monday Feb 1, we were back to Hollywood Studios for a third day visit. My app messed up at 7AM and I didn’t get a boarding pass. I knew I could probably get one at 1PM so I wasn’t worried. It was really cold, overcast and windy this day. I think we hit Galaxy’s edge to look around, then went to Toy Story Land. I did my first ever ride on the Alien Saucer ride. It was cute and I didn’t get sick . We then did Toy Story Mania, and as always my son beat my score by a lot.

Rock-n-Roller coaster was next (my son loves this ride – my wife has never tried it.). The line at ToT was too long, so we went back and hit Star Tours. This time we got an original trilogy ride with Vader and the planet of Hoth, and DW was really happy (she wants to see more original trilogy star wars stuff). It was then getting time for lunch and to find a good place to get a 1PM boarding pass.

Ordered lunch at backlot express. We hit that we were there on the app. The app kept showing that the meal was being prepared. After quite a while, the app then switched to saying that since we had not shown up, we were going to be charged. Again, the app never indicated that the food was ready. A cast member was able to call back and let them know that we were there, and we went back and got our food. However, the food had been sitting for a while and had gotten cold. We did not make an issue of it then, but I did let Disney know about it when I filled out a survey when I got home. Have not heard a response back.

While we were eating, we got ready to try and get a boarding pass. Two other family’s sitting next to us were doing the same. We got 95, and the other family’s were in the 110’s. I felt like an expert.

We did Smugglers run before our BG got called, and then hit RotR. Still picking up little details during the trackless vehicle part. I am very impressed with that part of the ride. Still having trouble seeing the front screen in the first ride vehicle before the landing bay.

We were getting worn out by then, so we did one more Rock-n-Roller Coaster ride and headed out at about 5PM, hitting some more stores along the way. When we got to the RV, there were 5 deer right behind our RV. They stayed there for about 20 minutes before moving on. Later, I was heading to the comfort station for a shower and do so laundry, and I saw more (or the same) deer, along with about 5 turkeys, in the woods right next to the station. I really love seeing the wildlife everywhere at the fort. I even saw one bunny rabbit later in the week.

Another day’s report tomorrow evening after work. Thanks for indulging me on these reports. Its fun to be able to re-live some of these days.

 

[huggypack2112]

Sorry Folks,

Long day at work trying to finish a report, and I have to head in early tomorrow. I am going to pass on doing a new update to the trip report. I will kick it back in tomorrow.

Just a couple of random observations from my trip

-Yoga pants seemed to be a very "IN" fashion statement this year.

-More Ohio State gear observer than any other school. Bama was in the top 5 (put that in for Bama-Ed).

-Saw someone walking two pigs in the dog park.

 

[bama_ed]

-Yoga pants seemed to be a very "IN" fashion statement this year.

-More Ohio State gear observer than any other school. Bama was in the top 5 (put that in for Bama-Ed).

Yoga pants in the winter and Nike shorts in the summer. And both in between. Yep.

Yankees are bailing out of Ohio in the winter. As someone born and raised in northeast Ohio, I can't fault them for getting out of the Lake Erie winters and heading for central FL.

If the Bama folks hold true to form, they're in the Caribb and USVI working on their tans for the Spring A-Day game on April 17. Although personally I like the BVI - that's where the memories are.
Work comes first so no worries - we'll still be here.

Bama Ed

 

[huggypack2112]

If the Bama folks hold true to form, they're in the Caribb and USVI working on their tans for the Spring A-Day game on April 17. Although personally I like the BVI - that's where the memories are.

Many years ago (sometime in the 90's?), The Crimson Tide rolled into Raleigh, NC to play my NC State Wolfpack. Other than the Fort, I have never seen so many motorhomes in one place in my life. And, as is usual with my Wolfpack, we lost a close game

 

[bama_ed]

Many years ago (sometime in the 90's?), The Crimson Tide rolled into Raleigh, NC to play my NC State Wolfpack. Other than the Fort, I have never seen so many motorhomes in one place in my life. And, as is usual with my Wolfpack, we lost a close game

Or Bama fans could be down at Panama City Beach.

Tailgating/the-RV-army is big in the SEC. We're starting baseball season this week and the toughest ticket for the SEC baseball tournament in May is not for any game but for a spot in the RV park next to the stadium ....

ED

PS - I have two aunts/uncles (one set from Ohio and one from Illinois) who bail out of winters for FL for anywhere from two weeks to several months. Not unusual to see college gear at WDW from up north this time of year.

 

[huggypack2112]

Tuesday (2/2) was our second at Animal Planet. It was also the coldest morning of our trip (low 40’s). We slept a little late, but were still able to ride Flights of Passage 2 times first thing. The lines were only about 15 minutes. I really love that ride. Also, I am a big guy, but have no problem fitting in the ride chair. The line for Navi River was pretty long, so we passed on that. After the ride, we went into the store and bought my wife a jacket she wanted.

Next we headed to Africa and got on the safari ride with out a 10 minute wait. Many of the animals were not about due to the cold, but it was close to their feeding time, so some of the ones that were out were near their gates waiting for food. Some of the gazelles (sp) were almost chasing a ranger vehicle, knowing that is where their treats come from.

My wife then spent some time looking for a shirt she had seen earlier. The store staff were very friendly and helpful, but the shirt she had seen was gone (or at least the size she was looking for). My son then wanted to do Everest, so we headed that way. Again, almost no line. DS and I rode once, then I sat outside while he rode 3 or 4 more times by himself. AND, they have to fix disco Yeti!

It was then time for our lunch reservation at Rainforest Café. I am not the biggest fan of that restaurant, but there isn’t much else in Africa that appealed to the family. We took our time eating, and then we decided we could either walk back into the park (the restaurant is at the park entrance), or call it day and head home. By this time, we were pretty worn out (except for our son), so we called it a day and headed home.

Later that evening, we went out and got some dinner at a fast food place, and then went to a local Walmart to get groceries and some other supplies. Horrible customer service (lines were way long, and only two cashiers open).

The next day was another off day where we were heading to Disney Springs, so we stayed up a little later. The Disney Springs report will come tomorrow.

 

[huggypack2112]

Oh yeah, the security scanners they had work really well. My charger brick and wife’s glasses case kept setting it off, so I had to go and have my bag searched. Well, someone along the way told me to take those two items out of the bag and hold them in front of me when walking through the scanner. It still set the scanners off, but the guards could tell what was setting it off and let me go without a search.

 

[huggypack2112]

Wednesday Feb. 3. The trip is getting close to the end. This was an off day for us. We slept in and then headed to Disney Springs. We parked in the orange garage, and there was a long walk to the only entry point where they took our temps (we passed!).

I have to say, Disney Springs has lost a lot of its Disney charm compared to the first time I went in 2014. It seems more and more like a bid fancy shopping mall. There were a few stores that I liked. The M&M’s store was a dream come true (so much chocolate it was overwhelming). DW and DS went to the Star Wars outlet (I think that is what it was), and the marvel store. We hit several stores along that end of the place, then we were ready for lunch. My son suggested That Chicken Guy – which was actually pretty good, especially considering the price. Then, it was on to more shopping. We bought some Christmas presents for friends for next year. We also got a 2021 christmas ornament and a couple of pins at the pin store. I do love the displays at the Legos store (I love legos, especially when you can just build whatever your imagination wants).

Here are a couple of pics from the Legos Store

We eventually walked all the way to the other side of the Springs and back (tracked at about 4 miles). We then decided to head back and take it easy.

Later that night, one of my favorite things. We walked down to the Beach and saw the Electric Water Pageant, which is a real hidden gem, and its free.