13 Day 7 Epcot, MGM Fantasmic
Friday, December 12, 2003
Today was originally scheduled as a rest / off-site shopping day, but as a result of wanting one more day in the Kingdom yesterday, we sacrificed the down time for a day at Epcot today, followed by Fantasmic this evening.
This is not an EMH day at Epcot but its so big that it shouldnt be an issue just means we can sleep in!! And we start a little later but after yesterdays 3-park adventure thats not necessarily a bad thing.
By now you know that sleeping in for us while on a Disney vacation is 7:00 or so.
You take what you can get
We enjoy our breakfast of muffins, juice, milk and cereal in the room, as we prepare to face the day. I make my usual trek down to the foodcourt with the three mugs, which lets me check the weather firsthand, and get a feel for the day. Not to mention a hot beverage
Ds watched cartoons and ate his cereal I miss those vacation-packages of cereal we used to only get them when we went camping as kids. You know the ones, tear open the side of the mini-cereal box, fold back the waxed paper and pour in the milk Ahh nostalgia
DS pours his cereal into a plastic cup with milk
Were all a little tired this morning, but its sunny outside and thats always a great way to start a park-touring day. Its only 52* outside right now, but its probably 15* back home
Out to the bus by 8:25, and were off. We stop at ASMu but not at ASMo I still cant figure how they determine these pickups?? Does it pay to stay at ASSp because youre first? Or are we being skipped over just as much as the others??
After that lengthy Epcot walk from the bus stops, we enter the park just after 9:00. DW goes to pick up the stroller (again we comment on this park not seeming Disney-like) on the left side after entering I know its just us but it still feels strange to go that way first I grab a times guide and take the obligatory photos of the Golf Ball and son' while dissuading the Disney photographer that I dont really need his professional shot of DS and I Im doing just fine now that Ive figured out this whole camera thing, thank you very much.
The Christmas character bus is parked just behind Spaceship Earth, but weve met everyone there except Minnie. Her line is short, so DW and DS join her for a meet and greet photo and autograph.
Our plan is to visit the kid-friendly areas of Future World West this morning, and then the World showcase after 11:00 on our way around to Morocco for our lunch meeting at noon. I would love to ride Test Track and Mission Space but theyll have to wait for another trip as we want to leave with happy memories and DS is a big part of how those memories get remembered
So we decide on The Living Seas first we all really want to see the aquariums, and then The Land either Food rocks or Circle of Life (DS loves the Lion King characters) and if time Imagination. But wed like to be in Norway just after 11:00. (Only in Epcot can you say things like this and not sound ridiculous.) Ride Maelstrom, then backtrack to Mexico for El Rio del Tiempo, before lunch in Morocco. The afternoon will be spent in the other countries, and back in Future World depending on what we like and how we feel.
Into the Living Seas we go. No lines, so we dont really look at the exhibits in the queue area. Into the briefing area and we watch the show. DS will later (as in back home a month after) ask about the earth forming and the lava running into the water etc., so I think its safe to say he learned something from it.
From here we enter the Hydrolaters and descend into the Living Seas! We enjoyed the aquariums, and all the fish and other sea creatures. There is a lot to see and take in during your time in this exhibit, you need to pace yourself, or decide what youre willing to pass up. DS liked the manatees, and wanted a better look, as the railings and bars were blocking his view, so he climbed up as best he could to see. DW was afraid for his safety and well being and told him to get down. She was afraid he might somehow fall in.
Well, he didnt like being told to get down (he just wanted to see better) and ran out of the manatee area back to one of the aquarium window-seat areas.
Now hes sulking and angry, and trying to be independent.
DW is upset at his behavior, and would rather have a dog than a child right now.
Im trying to distract him and change his focus, so I take him to look at some other exhibits. Mom and Auntie K decide to go down stairs to look around some more, and come to find us and let us know where theyll be. DS is itching for a fight, and blows up at DW as soon as he sees her again.
Hes trying to prevent her from going down the escalators now.
If you dont want to be with her, then why are you stopping her from leaving? I told you we were tired
He and I stay upstairs for a awhile, then make our way down to rejoin the group, as time is moving on. We look around - and I mean it this time we looked everywhere, and asked a CM if she had seen them, which she hadnt she thought they had exited, so we look around again then decide to see if they left the aquarium area to take a break and wait.
So we pass through the exit doors and
I didnt know the exits took you right outside the building
Now were outside. They arent here. My phone is ringing! Hey maybe were in luck!
Nope. Its Richard calling to say that Brenda and Eston wont be joining us for lunch as Eston is sick, so itll just be him and Thea meeting us at Morocco at 12:00.
Okay poor kid Sick at WDW? Thats no fun. We wait some more, and decide to walk around to the front of the building, hoping to see them sitting and waiting for us, but theres nobody there but us.
Sigh. Thats nice! Oh Tinkerbell? I need some Pixie Dust PDQ!!
I can feel the stress starting and am trying my best to go with the flow but its only helping slightly. What should we do? Sit and wait, or go back in and look?
Now with the clarity that a couple of months after the fact brings to a situation like this, would tell me to sit and stay put. Isnt that what we teach the kids? If you find yourself separated from the group, stay put, and theyll find you.
What if youre not sure which of you is the group or which one of you is lost and should stay put?
Is it bedtime yet?
In a moment of utter stupidity, I decide to go back into the exhibit with DS and try to find them again.
Mental note did you think about the briefing area and the wait to board the hydrolaters?
No.
Should you have?
Yes. Thank-you Dr. Einstein
So we wait for the briefing show, and enter the hydrolaters. And then the aquariums. We still cant find them!! Look around again. Still no sign. Arrrrghhh!!
Back outside once more.
We find Auntie K sitting outside the entrance this time. Alone.
Is this day ever going to end???
They had gone to the washroom. Together. Thats why we couldnt see them. These women and their washroom issues
Count to 10
They came out couldnt find us, so they went outside to look.
Didnt see us, so they split up. They could do that; we couldnt.
Auntie K stayed here, DW went back in.
This is where we are now, waiting for DW to realize were not in that God-forsaken over-sized fish-bowl and that we have indeed left the building.
Can you say dog chasing its tail?
Finally we all hook up. Its almost 10 oclock!!
We regroup and walk to The Land. Were thinking its time for something upbeat and fun so maybe Food Rocks, or The Circle of Life? Circle is 30 minutes, Food rocks is 10, but DW wants a muffin, and maybe a break first will do us good, so we walk down to the food court area, and sit.
DS is okay with DW being back, so the two of them go to get a muffin and some juice. I should have gone. They have a go about muffins! Shes ordered carrot he wants the lemon poppyseed? We didnt know he liked lemon muffins? Weve never made them before!
Have I said we arent really loving Epcot?
We eat and decide to ride Living with the Land, since its a ride and its loading right now. Its interesting, but, I dont know, too educational? Ill likely appreciate what I saw much later, but I need fluff right now; some escapism; some Disney Magic
Its past 10:30, and we want to see Norway at 11:00, so we forego anymore of Future World and walk over to Norway. We pass Mexico well see it after.
Understatement of the day Were Stressed! We had high hopes for Epcot this morning, but its just not happening. Its not the parks fault (at least not all the parks fault) were to blame for expecting something, and for being tired. It feels like we would have been better off staying home today, and thats unfortunate.
We pass Mexico and are about to turn into Norway, when I ask DW and Auntie, Margaritas?
They start to laugh! Yeah, like thats what we need right now! Well be half-cut for lunch!
They stop laughing when they realize Im serious. Id seen the kiosk opening as we passed by. We need something to change this day
Really? they ask in disbelief. And then after a short pause to consider the idea, and mull the fact that they are on vacation, it is after 11 oclock, and what the heck, margaritas are yummy, they join in. You betcha!!!
Hey Its five oclock somewhere, Right?
DS and I play on the Viking ship , while DW and Auntie step over to the kiosk and purchase three expensive, very strong, but very much needed margaritas. Im sure they were $7 each and strong but mmmmmmm
I know the first step is to admit you have a problem. And we did Epcot
Link to Part 14
Friday, December 12, 2003
Today was originally scheduled as a rest / off-site shopping day, but as a result of wanting one more day in the Kingdom yesterday, we sacrificed the down time for a day at Epcot today, followed by Fantasmic this evening.
This is not an EMH day at Epcot but its so big that it shouldnt be an issue just means we can sleep in!! And we start a little later but after yesterdays 3-park adventure thats not necessarily a bad thing.
By now you know that sleeping in for us while on a Disney vacation is 7:00 or so.
You take what you can get
We enjoy our breakfast of muffins, juice, milk and cereal in the room, as we prepare to face the day. I make my usual trek down to the foodcourt with the three mugs, which lets me check the weather firsthand, and get a feel for the day. Not to mention a hot beverage
Ds watched cartoons and ate his cereal I miss those vacation-packages of cereal we used to only get them when we went camping as kids. You know the ones, tear open the side of the mini-cereal box, fold back the waxed paper and pour in the milk Ahh nostalgia
DS pours his cereal into a plastic cup with milk
Were all a little tired this morning, but its sunny outside and thats always a great way to start a park-touring day. Its only 52* outside right now, but its probably 15* back home
Out to the bus by 8:25, and were off. We stop at ASMu but not at ASMo I still cant figure how they determine these pickups?? Does it pay to stay at ASSp because youre first? Or are we being skipped over just as much as the others??
After that lengthy Epcot walk from the bus stops, we enter the park just after 9:00. DW goes to pick up the stroller (again we comment on this park not seeming Disney-like) on the left side after entering I know its just us but it still feels strange to go that way first I grab a times guide and take the obligatory photos of the Golf Ball and son' while dissuading the Disney photographer that I dont really need his professional shot of DS and I Im doing just fine now that Ive figured out this whole camera thing, thank you very much.
The Christmas character bus is parked just behind Spaceship Earth, but weve met everyone there except Minnie. Her line is short, so DW and DS join her for a meet and greet photo and autograph.
Our plan is to visit the kid-friendly areas of Future World West this morning, and then the World showcase after 11:00 on our way around to Morocco for our lunch meeting at noon. I would love to ride Test Track and Mission Space but theyll have to wait for another trip as we want to leave with happy memories and DS is a big part of how those memories get remembered
So we decide on The Living Seas first we all really want to see the aquariums, and then The Land either Food rocks or Circle of Life (DS loves the Lion King characters) and if time Imagination. But wed like to be in Norway just after 11:00. (Only in Epcot can you say things like this and not sound ridiculous.) Ride Maelstrom, then backtrack to Mexico for El Rio del Tiempo, before lunch in Morocco. The afternoon will be spent in the other countries, and back in Future World depending on what we like and how we feel.
Into the Living Seas we go. No lines, so we dont really look at the exhibits in the queue area. Into the briefing area and we watch the show. DS will later (as in back home a month after) ask about the earth forming and the lava running into the water etc., so I think its safe to say he learned something from it.
From here we enter the Hydrolaters and descend into the Living Seas! We enjoyed the aquariums, and all the fish and other sea creatures. There is a lot to see and take in during your time in this exhibit, you need to pace yourself, or decide what youre willing to pass up. DS liked the manatees, and wanted a better look, as the railings and bars were blocking his view, so he climbed up as best he could to see. DW was afraid for his safety and well being and told him to get down. She was afraid he might somehow fall in.
Well, he didnt like being told to get down (he just wanted to see better) and ran out of the manatee area back to one of the aquarium window-seat areas.
Now hes sulking and angry, and trying to be independent.
DW is upset at his behavior, and would rather have a dog than a child right now.
Im trying to distract him and change his focus, so I take him to look at some other exhibits. Mom and Auntie K decide to go down stairs to look around some more, and come to find us and let us know where theyll be. DS is itching for a fight, and blows up at DW as soon as he sees her again.
Hes trying to prevent her from going down the escalators now.
If you dont want to be with her, then why are you stopping her from leaving? I told you we were tired
He and I stay upstairs for a awhile, then make our way down to rejoin the group, as time is moving on. We look around - and I mean it this time we looked everywhere, and asked a CM if she had seen them, which she hadnt she thought they had exited, so we look around again then decide to see if they left the aquarium area to take a break and wait.
So we pass through the exit doors and
I didnt know the exits took you right outside the building
Now were outside. They arent here. My phone is ringing! Hey maybe were in luck!
Nope. Its Richard calling to say that Brenda and Eston wont be joining us for lunch as Eston is sick, so itll just be him and Thea meeting us at Morocco at 12:00.
Okay poor kid Sick at WDW? Thats no fun. We wait some more, and decide to walk around to the front of the building, hoping to see them sitting and waiting for us, but theres nobody there but us.
Sigh. Thats nice! Oh Tinkerbell? I need some Pixie Dust PDQ!!
I can feel the stress starting and am trying my best to go with the flow but its only helping slightly. What should we do? Sit and wait, or go back in and look?
Now with the clarity that a couple of months after the fact brings to a situation like this, would tell me to sit and stay put. Isnt that what we teach the kids? If you find yourself separated from the group, stay put, and theyll find you.
What if youre not sure which of you is the group or which one of you is lost and should stay put?
Is it bedtime yet?
In a moment of utter stupidity, I decide to go back into the exhibit with DS and try to find them again.
Mental note did you think about the briefing area and the wait to board the hydrolaters?
No.
Should you have?
Yes. Thank-you Dr. Einstein
So we wait for the briefing show, and enter the hydrolaters. And then the aquariums. We still cant find them!! Look around again. Still no sign. Arrrrghhh!!
Back outside once more.
We find Auntie K sitting outside the entrance this time. Alone.
Is this day ever going to end???
They had gone to the washroom. Together. Thats why we couldnt see them. These women and their washroom issues
Count to 10
They came out couldnt find us, so they went outside to look.
Didnt see us, so they split up. They could do that; we couldnt.
Auntie K stayed here, DW went back in.
This is where we are now, waiting for DW to realize were not in that God-forsaken over-sized fish-bowl and that we have indeed left the building.
Can you say dog chasing its tail?
Finally we all hook up. Its almost 10 oclock!!
We regroup and walk to The Land. Were thinking its time for something upbeat and fun so maybe Food Rocks, or The Circle of Life? Circle is 30 minutes, Food rocks is 10, but DW wants a muffin, and maybe a break first will do us good, so we walk down to the food court area, and sit.
DS is okay with DW being back, so the two of them go to get a muffin and some juice. I should have gone. They have a go about muffins! Shes ordered carrot he wants the lemon poppyseed? We didnt know he liked lemon muffins? Weve never made them before!
Have I said we arent really loving Epcot?
We eat and decide to ride Living with the Land, since its a ride and its loading right now. Its interesting, but, I dont know, too educational? Ill likely appreciate what I saw much later, but I need fluff right now; some escapism; some Disney Magic
Its past 10:30, and we want to see Norway at 11:00, so we forego anymore of Future World and walk over to Norway. We pass Mexico well see it after.
Understatement of the day Were Stressed! We had high hopes for Epcot this morning, but its just not happening. Its not the parks fault (at least not all the parks fault) were to blame for expecting something, and for being tired. It feels like we would have been better off staying home today, and thats unfortunate.
We pass Mexico and are about to turn into Norway, when I ask DW and Auntie, Margaritas?
They start to laugh! Yeah, like thats what we need right now! Well be half-cut for lunch!
They stop laughing when they realize Im serious. Id seen the kiosk opening as we passed by. We need something to change this day
Really? they ask in disbelief. And then after a short pause to consider the idea, and mull the fact that they are on vacation, it is after 11 oclock, and what the heck, margaritas are yummy, they join in. You betcha!!!
Hey Its five oclock somewhere, Right?
DS and I play on the Viking ship , while DW and Auntie step over to the kiosk and purchase three expensive, very strong, but very much needed margaritas. Im sure they were $7 each and strong but mmmmmmm
I know the first step is to admit you have a problem. And we did Epcot
Link to Part 14
