Teknik_DC2
Proud Red Head
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2009
That pavillion was France. This is where we ate Lunch at earlier today. And we found the Kidcot area pretty much right next to where we were eating. This is starting to feel alot like last year as by the time we got the chance to explore the france pavillion it was after nightfall. Although last year the park was technically closed already when we finally got to look around it. In addition to some fine dining located in France there is yet again another Film about the country and you can meet many different characters here starting with Belle and the Beast, Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, and Marie the Cat from Aristocats.
As we crossed the bridge into the United Kingdom people were already gathering for the night showing of Illuminations. By this point any chance of having a good spot for the show was gone. Oh well we had to get the stamps for Daniel as we didn't know if we would make it back to Epcot again. These stamps were our top priority so we were basically running at this point thruout the United Kingdom trying to find the Kidcot stand. Once we did it was basically a sprint now as we ran out to get to the final country. When your not in a hurry like we were though the United Kingdom is a fun country to explore as well. Those on the Character hunt will find Winnie the Pooh and friends, Mary Poppens, and Alice from Wonderland here.
As Daniel and I ran into the final Pavillion of Canada we were now on a frantic hunt for the final Kidcot station. We quickly moved thru stores and ran the winding pathway high into the pavillion. Only to find no Kidcot station. All ther other pavillions had the kidcot stations located in or near the shops. Where was the Canada one. Upon further inspection we finally found it. and it was nowhere close to where we were. It was located at the exit of the Film you can watch about Canada. So down we ran again (after getting my hat picture) and then made our way back in to where the station was. Upon getting it we quickly ran back out to the main walk way to where Illuminations would be starting in less then 10 minutes.
Although we finished what we set out to do before Illuminations started we were now facing another issue. Daniel was hungry and he was making it known. There was no chance we'd make it to the baby care center before the show started. And even if we did then we wouldn't be able to watch the show. So we were now looking everywhere we could in the sea of people for a spot where Kiera could sit and feed, not be noticed by the general public, and still see the fireworks. We ended up finding that spot in front of the Canada stage. She found a bench in the back corner where she could sit and feed. And nobody would notice as there attention would be on the show.
I have to appologize for not giving much details about most of the World Showcase Pavillions. Unfortunatly I don't really know how to explain them more in depth then I did. In basically each pavillion we just walked around them, looked in the shops, and then left. I'd really love to see Epcot add some more actual rides to the World Showcase. Perhaps they would when more countries ever get added. Still although I was short for words for most of the World Showcase don't think thats because we don't care for it. In fact we think the World Showcase is the Gem of Disney World and the Orlando parks in general. There is nothing like the World Showcase anywhere else. Its a unique experiance that can only be seen in Epcot. We love how authentic everything is from the merchandise thats sold to the food thats made. Even the employees are from there respective countries. It truely is an incredible experiance. Maybe its one of those things where theres just not enough words to discribe how great it is.
As Illuminations was about to start I went and got a closer spot to watch and take photos from during the show. But now I was facing another problem. The camera itself. After a long day and hundreds of photos later the cameras battery had about had it. It was blinking in the red and was about to run out of juice. Prior to leaving on vacation I had ordered a backup battery for the camera. However it did not arrive when it was suppose to so I never got it before we left. I did bring a back up camera for instances like this but I left it at the hotel. I was in trouble and with a few things I HAD to have the camera for later I had to sacrifice picture taking somewhere and Illuminations is where the cut was made. The photos i'm sharing are the only ones I took of the show tonight. I figured to cut Illuminations cause typically nighttime shows are the hardest to photograph in the first place.
As for the show itself it was Great. Last year we watched the Show from the America pavillion and watching it this year from Canada seemed to be a MUCH better viewing point. I don't know if we were really closer or not but it diffenitly seemed like we were closer to the action as last year it seemed hard to make out the images on the Globe but this year I could see them clearly. The show is showing its age though and I wish they could come up with a better set up then spending half the day moving and setting up the barges used in the show in the middle of the Lagooon as they aren't exactly the nicest looking things. The show uses a mix of fire, fountains, lasers, and fireworks with an illuminated globe in the middle. The show is really cool and the music goes perfect with it. Its good for what it is and is a do not miss but i'd really like to see it updated with new technology.
After the show was over Kiera was still feeding Daniel when it dawned on me. I Forgot to get a hat picture in the United Kingdom. While she finished up I ran back to the United Kingdom to try and get one only to find that everything was already closed up. I guess the shops don't stay open longer on normal closing nights like they do during Extra Magic Hours which was going on last year when we came. I went back to Kiera who was now done saddened that I missed it. Maybe I will get the chance to get it later in the week. Only time would tell.
Thanks to reading sites like EasyWDW.com I knew there was one last thing we wanted to do before leaving Epcot. And that was to see the Mickey and Friends characters. But wait I already said the park has officially closed for the night. Well thanks to reading the Easywdw blog I knew that with Test Track being closed that Disney was leaving the Character Spot open until 10pm. They are also keeping everything in the Land Pavillion open until 10 too although at the time of our trip Disney was not advertising ether of these. So to the Character Spot we went.