DAY 8 – SATURDAY 28th OCTOBER 2006
The dining review for this day can be found here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1305282
The Cast:
Heather – the trouble and strife – er, I mean my dear wife (mad about Winnie-the-Pooh)
Daniel – my 15 year old son (mad about Jack Skellington)
Rhiannon – my 13 year old daughter (mad about Tinkerbell)
El Tel – Me, so old I need to be carbon-dated (just mad in general)
The plan for today is to do Epcot thoroughly, well at least Future World or World Showcase. The intention is to get there early and have breakfast at the Electric Umbrella. We have an ADR for 1pm at the Biergarten and an ADR for 7.30pm at the Rose & Crown. Yes, you’ve guessed it – watch Illuminations during desert.
Another late-ish start today. I get up and shower about 8.30am. Surprisingly Rhiannon is up next. Both Heather and Daniel are a bit lethargic today. Rhiannon and I hang around waiting for them but time is marching on and they both have to shower before we are all ready. We agree that Rhiannon and I will go to Epcot for breakfast – Heather and Daniel will follow when they are ready (we will meet at 12:00 at Spaceship Earth). Rhiannon and I head off to Epcot on the bus.
On entering Future World, we headed over to Test Track to get a fastpass. We were both fortunate enough to get an additional special fastpass for Mission Space when the Test Track one was printed. With our fastpasses lined up, it was time to head to the Electric Umbrella for breakfast.
When we got to Electric Umbrella it appeared that they don’t do breakfast. We moved across to the west side to see what we could get at Fountain View. The answer was….wine, only (the Food & Wine Festival was on and it had been changed to a wine-only establishment for the event). We eventually found a much-needed breakfast at Sunshine Seasons in The Land Pavilion.
After breakfast Rhiannon and I went to Mission Space and rode the green ride (probably best after breakfast). This was great – a bit like Star Tours but you each had a family-sized ‘capsule’ for four – Navigator, Pilot, Commander and Engineer. It was a good ride for the whole family – we made a note to come back with the others.
We then used the other fastpass to ride one of our old favourites, Test Track – though Rhiannon noticed that no-one screams on it anymore (in fact looking at the ride photo you may think that the majority find the experience a bit jaded). Still, I think it is very good fun and the outdoor section still seems nice and fast. BTW, has anyone ever noticed the hidden mickey formed out of the coiled cables?
It was now mid-day, so we headed over to Spaceship Earth to meet Heather and Daniel. After hearing our rave reviews about it last night, Heather wanted to ride Soarin’ first. We headed over there but found the queue to be too long (about 40 mins) – we had an ADR at the Biergarten for 1pm – so we decided to come back later. Instead we rode another ride Heather hadn’t been on yet - The Seas with Nemo and Friends. The kids sat this one out as they had seen it yesterday. Well Heather fell in love with this ride – I can see why. Rhiannon also loved the animatronic seagulls outside the ride – with their occasional calls of ‘mine, mine, mine’. You’ve got to hand it to Disney – they know how to make every square inch magical in some way.
After this ride we headed over to the Biergarten for our ADR. Details of that will appear in the Disney Dining forum, but here is a photo of the interior to whet you appetite.
After lunch we headed back to Futureworld to ride Test Track for Heather and Daniel’s benefit. The ride was busy so we got a fastpass (scheduled for quite a bit later in the afternoon) and headed over to Ellen’s Universe of Energy. You know, I’ve heard some negative comments about this ride, but I don’t agree with them. I guess I have a certain fondness for it – when I first rode it in 2000, I was so impressed by the way the theatre seats split up and move off on their own. It was quite a contrast to the ‘attractions’ at the Millennium Dome the previous year.
We then crossed back over to the west side and made Heather happy by ridin’ Soarin’. She really loved this (despite her usual dodgy experiences with IMAXes) and who can blame her. Whilst we were in the Land Pavilion, the kids decided they wanted to watch the Circle of Life (Daniel had taken a surprising liking to this in 2000). I watched it with them but Heather wasn’t keen so she sat it out. It was then Heather’s turn to go on something so she chose Nemo and Friends (again) – so I rode this whilst the kids sat this one out. Me? I enjoy all of them.
On the way back to Test Track, Daniel said he would like to have a ride on Journey into Imagination... with Figment. Well the rest of us were willing to give it a shot too – it seems to be different every time we come. We wish we hadn’t wasted our time. I’m going to get flamed here but Figment really didn’t do much for us. I like Monty Python but Eric Idle seems to have a monopoly on this corner of Epcot now, and I don’t mind the Figment character but the whole experience is rather shallow. I know it’s not meant to be highbrow but I don’t think it is particularly entertaining either. We did spend some time emailing group photos to friends and family at the What If Labs though.
We then went on Test Track. Whilst queueing we were next to a nice lady with her young daughter. The poor child was blubbing her eyes out because she thought the ride would be like a roller coaster, which she hated – apparently she had been given some misinformation by schoolfriends. I explained that I was a coaster chicken too but that I loved Test Track and I promised that she would too. She quietened down a bit but was still scared. They got in the car behind and whilst we were riding I kept trying to look back to see if she was OK. I waited to see how she was when their car pulled in. I was relieved to see that she was grinning like the Cheshire Cat and wanted to ride again. I was so pleased that I hadn’t broken my ‘promise’. As for my family – you can see from the picture that we enjoyed ourselves. Rhiannon made a point of screaming during the outdoor section so that those outside the ride wouldn’t take it for granted.
We then headed off for World Showcase. I detoured via the new look Club Cool. I had to get my fix of Beverly. Don’t ask why: its like scratching a blackboard – I get some kind of perverse pleasure out of it. It was showing its age a bit, but I used to like Ice Station Cool for some reason. Club Cool lacked a certain novelty value (apart from the Beverly).
Well, as I said, we headed for World Showcase – Japan to be specific. We kept getting drawn to this location on this trip. The reason on this day was the pick a pearl counter. Heather had spotted this before and decided she would like some pearl jewellery. Unfortunately we had a dinner ADR at the Rose & Crown for 7.30pm and the wait was too long, or the counter was closing, I can’t remember which. We would have to go back again another day.
We had our dinner at the Rose & Crown and watched Illuminations from our table on the patio. Details of that will appear in the Disney Dining forum but suffice to say that I was disappointed that they didn’t sell pork scratchings and pints of Old Gutrot (I’m joking of course…. I prefer Old Sheepdip).
After Illuminations and desert, we headed back to AKL - satisfied with a full and fun day (though I can't claim to have done 100% of either Futureworld or World Showcase).
When we got back we found that Mousekeeping had been having some more fun with the toys.
The day was not quite over. I had to go to Walmart to pick up a few bits and bobs. Rhiannon decided to come with me. I fear that I have a trainee shopaholic on my hands.
Day 9 – Kids try out a bit of independence whilst Heather and I do the Keys to the Kingdom tour at MK. Dinner at the California Grill followed by an EMH at MK. Looks like it is going to be another long day – sack the planner (me).
Link back to Day 7 - Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Epcot (inc. Teppanyaki):
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1290362
The dining review for this day can be found here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1305282
The Cast:
Heather – the trouble and strife – er, I mean my dear wife (mad about Winnie-the-Pooh)
Daniel – my 15 year old son (mad about Jack Skellington)
Rhiannon – my 13 year old daughter (mad about Tinkerbell)
El Tel – Me, so old I need to be carbon-dated (just mad in general)
The plan for today is to do Epcot thoroughly, well at least Future World or World Showcase. The intention is to get there early and have breakfast at the Electric Umbrella. We have an ADR for 1pm at the Biergarten and an ADR for 7.30pm at the Rose & Crown. Yes, you’ve guessed it – watch Illuminations during desert.
Another late-ish start today. I get up and shower about 8.30am. Surprisingly Rhiannon is up next. Both Heather and Daniel are a bit lethargic today. Rhiannon and I hang around waiting for them but time is marching on and they both have to shower before we are all ready. We agree that Rhiannon and I will go to Epcot for breakfast – Heather and Daniel will follow when they are ready (we will meet at 12:00 at Spaceship Earth). Rhiannon and I head off to Epcot on the bus.
On entering Future World, we headed over to Test Track to get a fastpass. We were both fortunate enough to get an additional special fastpass for Mission Space when the Test Track one was printed. With our fastpasses lined up, it was time to head to the Electric Umbrella for breakfast.
When we got to Electric Umbrella it appeared that they don’t do breakfast. We moved across to the west side to see what we could get at Fountain View. The answer was….wine, only (the Food & Wine Festival was on and it had been changed to a wine-only establishment for the event). We eventually found a much-needed breakfast at Sunshine Seasons in The Land Pavilion.
After breakfast Rhiannon and I went to Mission Space and rode the green ride (probably best after breakfast). This was great – a bit like Star Tours but you each had a family-sized ‘capsule’ for four – Navigator, Pilot, Commander and Engineer. It was a good ride for the whole family – we made a note to come back with the others.
We then used the other fastpass to ride one of our old favourites, Test Track – though Rhiannon noticed that no-one screams on it anymore (in fact looking at the ride photo you may think that the majority find the experience a bit jaded). Still, I think it is very good fun and the outdoor section still seems nice and fast. BTW, has anyone ever noticed the hidden mickey formed out of the coiled cables?
It was now mid-day, so we headed over to Spaceship Earth to meet Heather and Daniel. After hearing our rave reviews about it last night, Heather wanted to ride Soarin’ first. We headed over there but found the queue to be too long (about 40 mins) – we had an ADR at the Biergarten for 1pm – so we decided to come back later. Instead we rode another ride Heather hadn’t been on yet - The Seas with Nemo and Friends. The kids sat this one out as they had seen it yesterday. Well Heather fell in love with this ride – I can see why. Rhiannon also loved the animatronic seagulls outside the ride – with their occasional calls of ‘mine, mine, mine’. You’ve got to hand it to Disney – they know how to make every square inch magical in some way.
After this ride we headed over to the Biergarten for our ADR. Details of that will appear in the Disney Dining forum, but here is a photo of the interior to whet you appetite.
After lunch we headed back to Futureworld to ride Test Track for Heather and Daniel’s benefit. The ride was busy so we got a fastpass (scheduled for quite a bit later in the afternoon) and headed over to Ellen’s Universe of Energy. You know, I’ve heard some negative comments about this ride, but I don’t agree with them. I guess I have a certain fondness for it – when I first rode it in 2000, I was so impressed by the way the theatre seats split up and move off on their own. It was quite a contrast to the ‘attractions’ at the Millennium Dome the previous year.
We then crossed back over to the west side and made Heather happy by ridin’ Soarin’. She really loved this (despite her usual dodgy experiences with IMAXes) and who can blame her. Whilst we were in the Land Pavilion, the kids decided they wanted to watch the Circle of Life (Daniel had taken a surprising liking to this in 2000). I watched it with them but Heather wasn’t keen so she sat it out. It was then Heather’s turn to go on something so she chose Nemo and Friends (again) – so I rode this whilst the kids sat this one out. Me? I enjoy all of them.
On the way back to Test Track, Daniel said he would like to have a ride on Journey into Imagination... with Figment. Well the rest of us were willing to give it a shot too – it seems to be different every time we come. We wish we hadn’t wasted our time. I’m going to get flamed here but Figment really didn’t do much for us. I like Monty Python but Eric Idle seems to have a monopoly on this corner of Epcot now, and I don’t mind the Figment character but the whole experience is rather shallow. I know it’s not meant to be highbrow but I don’t think it is particularly entertaining either. We did spend some time emailing group photos to friends and family at the What If Labs though.
We then went on Test Track. Whilst queueing we were next to a nice lady with her young daughter. The poor child was blubbing her eyes out because she thought the ride would be like a roller coaster, which she hated – apparently she had been given some misinformation by schoolfriends. I explained that I was a coaster chicken too but that I loved Test Track and I promised that she would too. She quietened down a bit but was still scared. They got in the car behind and whilst we were riding I kept trying to look back to see if she was OK. I waited to see how she was when their car pulled in. I was relieved to see that she was grinning like the Cheshire Cat and wanted to ride again. I was so pleased that I hadn’t broken my ‘promise’. As for my family – you can see from the picture that we enjoyed ourselves. Rhiannon made a point of screaming during the outdoor section so that those outside the ride wouldn’t take it for granted.
We then headed off for World Showcase. I detoured via the new look Club Cool. I had to get my fix of Beverly. Don’t ask why: its like scratching a blackboard – I get some kind of perverse pleasure out of it. It was showing its age a bit, but I used to like Ice Station Cool for some reason. Club Cool lacked a certain novelty value (apart from the Beverly).
Well, as I said, we headed for World Showcase – Japan to be specific. We kept getting drawn to this location on this trip. The reason on this day was the pick a pearl counter. Heather had spotted this before and decided she would like some pearl jewellery. Unfortunately we had a dinner ADR at the Rose & Crown for 7.30pm and the wait was too long, or the counter was closing, I can’t remember which. We would have to go back again another day.
We had our dinner at the Rose & Crown and watched Illuminations from our table on the patio. Details of that will appear in the Disney Dining forum but suffice to say that I was disappointed that they didn’t sell pork scratchings and pints of Old Gutrot (I’m joking of course…. I prefer Old Sheepdip).
After Illuminations and desert, we headed back to AKL - satisfied with a full and fun day (though I can't claim to have done 100% of either Futureworld or World Showcase).
When we got back we found that Mousekeeping had been having some more fun with the toys.
The day was not quite over. I had to go to Walmart to pick up a few bits and bobs. Rhiannon decided to come with me. I fear that I have a trainee shopaholic on my hands.
Day 9 – Kids try out a bit of independence whilst Heather and I do the Keys to the Kingdom tour at MK. Dinner at the California Grill followed by an EMH at MK. Looks like it is going to be another long day – sack the planner (me).
Link back to Day 7 - Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Epcot (inc. Teppanyaki):
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1290362
That is a fantastic photo of Illuminations!! 
Bah! Humbug! 
I think the towel animal you must be referring to is my DD's 'well loved' teddy bear. 12 years and still going strong - albeit a bit threadbare (and that goes for the teddy too 
