Coming up on Episode 13: Conquering the Classics and Biscuit has a Breakdown.
Previously on Biscuit’s Grand Adventure, there was a song of annoyance, some attractions of cheese and it was the day The Plan died. We left the park (but didn’t drive our Chevy to the levee) and headed to lunch. I am unsure as to the name of the restaurant, but it was one of those all you can stuff in your gullet type places. This of course meant one thing to Pete and I…FOOD CHALLENGE!
After consuming everything in sight, we waddled back to the van and returned to our “resort”. My grandparents were not interested in going back to the park that afternoon, so they kept the younger kids at the motel. This was good for us, as not having to worry about over-taxing a four year old allowed us to return sooner than we would have otherwise.
We arrived back at EPCOT Center around mid-afternoon and resumed our tour of Future World. This time, we went left and began with the Universe of Energy. About all I can recall is Pete at one point screaming “I WANT OFF,” which was definitely much more entertaining than anything the attraction had to offer.
Our next stop was the Wonders of Life Pavilion. I was looking forward to this particular pavilion thanks to its advertising. The Disney Channel had been running specials on it and I was anxious to take a ride on Body Wars.
May I just mount a soap box for a moment?
Am I the only one who misses the Disney Channel specials they used to run anytime a new attraction came to The World? I understand the reasoning behind having the Travel Channel do the Walt Disney World specials now, I really do. It’s substantially cheaper and easier to have someone else pay for the production costs and programming. (Plus who doesn’t love Samantha Brown?)
Okay, fine, I get it. But you know what? We are not asking for a blockbuster Hollywood flick here. I’ve done video production on a budget. It’s not easy but it CAN be done. And would the world really suffer if one less re-run of Hannah Montana was aired every week? Seriously! If it’s just too hard to figure out, call me. I’m sure I could persuade Philadisney and a couple of other production minded DIS’ers to team up with me, shoot it on the cheap and still make it a quality show. I am now dismounting my soapbox.
Thank you for your time.
I suddenly have an odd craving for fajitas, which has nothing to do with this TR, yet remains a fact nonetheless.
I seem to have been ranting again. Where was I? Oh yes, the golden dome of anatomical education. When we got in line for Body Wars, a cast member handed us a card with a time written on it and asked us to hand it to the cast member loading the ride.
That’s how I came to remember that we stood in line for an hour and 20 some odd minutes. Was it worth it? Not really. But it was still an entertaining ride and I’m glad I was able to do it this once.
For me the surprise attraction of this pavilion was Cranium Command. I LOVED that show; so much so, that Pete and I went through twice. I don’t know what there was about it that was so enjoyable, it was just a fun show to watch.
These are the only two attractions we actually partook of in the Wonders of Life pavilion. (On our second time through CC, my dad took Lynnlee over to the area with the sports stuff where you did things such as riding a stationary bike “through” the Magic Kingdom and playing virtual Baseball and Golf. )
Savoring our newly acquired knowledge of the complex inner workings of the human body, we decided to check the queue for Spaceship Earth. Finding it to be acceptable, we hopped aboard and went up, down and all around.
Literally.
Here’s where the buffet lunch from earlier comes into play. My parents and sister were hungry and went off in search of sustenance. Pete and I were still full from our lunchtime eating marathon and decided to keep going as the lines in Future World had thinned out greatly.
We headed over to Horizons to get a glimpse of our future. It’s hard to say how much of my memory from this attraction comes from this one and only ride I took through, and how much comes from the video clips I’ve seen of it online. I DO remember the orange grove with its olfactory stimuli and that the entire thing reminded me of the exit queue for Space Mountain. (Albeit on a much grander scale.)
We next took a trip through World of Motion. I have absolutely no memory of this attraction at all. The only thing I really remember was the concept car display at the end. Pete and I spent quite a bit of time in there. Long enough for my parental units and sister to finish eating, ride Horizons and join back up with us.
We decided at this point to take a gander at World Showcase and walked past Mexico to Norway. After all, we’ve been to Mexico a butt load of times and can head down for a day trip whenever we want. For reasons unknown we felt it would be a good idea to ride Maelstrom, despite its long wait. It’s not something I’m proud of, but it was a learning experience. Overjoyed at avoiding a watery vortex of death, we poked around the pavilion a bit. After weighing our options, we decided not to go any further. It was getting late and the fireworks would be starting soon
As we headed back towards the iconic orb of joy, I started to get a headache. By “started” I mean I was suddenly hit with shafts of searing pain rocketing through my sunbaked flesh. In an instant, it was as if some malevolent apothecary had dosed me with ill humors. It was not fun.
At ALL.
I needed to take a break but didn’t want to alarm my mother (thus risking involuntary park departure) so I waved the family on to score a spot for fireworks and went to get a drink. I wound up in a restaurant in Communicore West which was either Pasta Piazza or Sunshine Terrace. (I’m not sure what it was called at the time, but it had Pizza so I’m guessing the former, which was actually the latter occupant of said location. If that makes sense you should seek medical attention.)
I expected to have a short wait due to the time of day, but as luck would have it, I wound up in line behind…you guessed it, a Brazilian Tour group. (And as near as I could tell it was the same one we had encountered twice the day before.)
It was kind of funny because everyone ahead of me ordered their drinks without ice. I always find it fascinating to see the differences between cultures. When I went on a missions trip to central Mexico, the nationals thought it was hilarious that we Americans sprinkled sugar on our strawberries at breakfast at our hotel
My original intent was to just get a drink and sit for a few minutes, but as soon as I smelled the pizza, my stomach nearly crawled through my belly button and leapt onto the counter. I hadn’t thought about being hungry, but when I did the math, it had been over 8 hours since lunch and I’d been walking in the Florida summertime heat all day.
When my “It’s a Small World” moment was finally over, I told the cast member at the counter to give me the biggest drink they had, WITH ICE, and some of that heavenly smelling pizza. (I think they talked me into some sort of combo that had bread and salad, but I could be mistaken.)
I carried my tray to an empty table, took a hearty swig of soda, and took a bite of the pizza. Stars began to shine above my head. My taste buds danced in perfect harmony around on my tongue. A shaft of light beamed onto my table and a chorus of angels began to sing.
To this very day I remember that moment as the BEST pizza I have ever had in my life. Having since had time to analyze the situation, I am fairly certain that it was the extreme hunger and fatigue that made it so yummy.
No doubt if I were offered the same slice today, it wouldn’t be nearly as glorious as it was then. But on that night and in that moment, I was experiencing pure culinary bliss.
By the time I was done eating, my headache was gone and I was once again strong like bull. I walked outside and headed towards our pre-arranged meeting spot and the fireworks started as I was about half way back to the lagoon. I finally located the rest of my clan and watched the closing show.
All-in-all this had been a great day. Though different from what I thought it would be, I still really enjoyed EPCOT Center. Like my first visit to the Magic Kingdom, I had managed to take in several attractions which are no more. The original Living Seas, Kitchen Cabaret, Captain EO, the original Journey, Communicore, Universe of Energy 1.0, Body Wars, Cranium Command, Horizons, World of Motion and the original Spaceship Earth.
Though EPCOT has changed beyond recognition, in those moments it was a wonderland, a tapestry of futures that I, boy on the cusp of growing older, was privileged to glimpse. Which is really how I think Walt wanted it to be.
I’m glad I experienced those attractions and I enjoyed them greatly. But I’m also looking forward to this summer because in way, it will be like visiting EPCOT for the very first time.
If you infer from my last statement that this was my one and only romp through this park, you would be MOSTLY correct. There was a momentary walk through on trip six. But only one pavilion was visited and as it would turn out, it would lead to my WORST Walt Disney World memory of all time. But that’s getting ahead of myself.
We exited the park and headed back to the van boat. (I THINK this was the night that none of us could remember where we parked and much aimless wandering ensued.) Finally reunited with our vehicle, we returned to the motel.
The next day was our non-park day, but it was definitely not going to be lacking in adventure. If you are still wondering how the lunch buffet once again came into play, well, you’ll just have to tune in Monday to find out.
Coming up - a Minisode! Assault in Tomorrowland!
Until my next bi-weekly rant, peace out! 
Take care. 
And to quote Delswife, Love ya, Mean it! 
I followed you over from Mrstheking TR. also know you from ZZUBS. 
keeping hubby happy? thats just a bonus for him. 
Glad to have you along for the ride. Those are some mighty big acts to follow! While I can't fill their shoes, I'll do my best to inform and entertain. Don't stay up too late. 
In fact I think I'll take my own advice and hit the proverbial hay.
Glad to have aboard. I should have the next episode up sometime tomorrow.
My DH and sister both swear it was stale and the ham was questionable but I was in LOVE!!! 
waiting to see what happens next!!
It was hysterical! 
