I had planned on updating yesterday, but I had an eye exam and trying to type with dilated pupils is an impossibility. Therefore, I apologize for the (once again) long time between posts.
The Final Epcot Post!
Alex and I figured we needed to grab a bite to eat after the CP, so we went inside Liberty Inn and split a chicken strip basket, and here is a fun fact for everyone reading along: I
love honey mustard sauce.
I eat it with almost everything. And I have to say, the one at Liberty Inn was pretty good.
Better than I expected, actually.
After I ate my half of chicken and fries, I began to regret not getting my own meal. The food itself wasn't earth-shattering, but as far as CS goes, I'd eat there again in a heart beat.
With dinner knocked out, I suggested we go inside to the American Adventure, because I knew it would be warm. With the sun gone and the wind having picked up, it was pretty darn chilly out. My poor wet feet were screaming at me, "Heat! These little piggies need heat!!!"
The waiting area provided us a nice place to relax, sit down, and stare at the various decorations.
Ten or fifteen minutes after we found our cozy spot, the CMs released the rope and let us inside the theater.
It was about six thirty, so there was only about two dozen other people filing in to watch the show.
Alex and I found a seat right in the middle, about seven rows back.
I looked around.
The theater was so big.
The seats were so comfy .
The curtains were so heavy.
Everything looked so warm and cozy.
UH OH!
I caught myself stifling a yawn.
Stop that, you've got five more hours to party left.
Then they cut off the lights...
NO NO NO NO
Mark Twain started talking, and his southern twang somehow caused my eyes to become heavy.
Concentrate, Alicia
I sat up straighter in my chair, hoping my fatigue would disappear with good posture.
I might've made it, too, if DBF hadn't decided to put his arm around me. Instinctually, I slouched back down and laid my head on his shoulder.
Hmmm, maybe I could close my eyes for a second...
The next thing I knew, the big finale song was playing, and DBF was looking at me.
"Have a nice nap?"
....
"Yes."
We both left the attraction laughing uncontrollably. I could not believe I had just fallen asleep during a show.
I asked DBF how he knew I was sleeping. I mean, if I was going to doze off, the least I could have done was be covert about it.
He explained to me that his arm was starting to fall asleep, so he was going to pull it back, but when he looked over he noticed my eyes appeared closed.
"I placed my hand in front of your face and held it there for a couple seconds, and you didn't notice at all."
Oops.
Still laughing, we strolled along the WS until we made it to a nice spot between France and the UK. There was an empty viewing area for IllumiNations.
It was only 7:30 (the show wouldn't start for another 2 hours) but I could not walk another foot.
We parked ourselves in front of the railing and tried to get comfortable on the concrete.
I was missing the American Adventure chairs. We passed the time by making bathroom runs, calling our loved ones and catching up, and playing games on our phones. And, naturally, we took pictures.
The only downside to sitting on the concrete next to the water was how cold it was. DBF had double layers on, so he was not that uncomfortable.
I was a popsicle.
I took DBF's poncho and sat on it.
I took mine and used it as a blanket. It did not work very well, but it was better than nothing.
9:30 arrived and IllumiNations began.
The show was wonderful. From our seats, we couldn't hear the music, but the lights and fireworks were enough to entertain us.
I forgot from when I watched it six years ago how enthralling the fire on the water and the laser lights are.
I also forgot how
big the finale is.
The fireworks just kept going.
And going.
And going.
Just when I didn't think they could add any more bang and boom, they shot off one more set...for good measure.
As soon as the show was over, we joined the after-IllumiNations mob and headed towards the exits.
A quick photo while leaving the WS:
Big mistake # 2 of the day/night occured as we made it to the exit. It was late, late, late by this point (somewhere between 10:30 and 11:30) and I was zombie walking.
I didn't even notice when DBF dragged me to the bus area
wayyyyy far away.
DBF thought there was a SoG bus.
He stopped a CM and asked where it was, and then he was informed the only way to get back to our resort was the monorail. If I was even partially awake, I would've forewarned DBF that this was the case, but my mind was only thinking about my soft bed awaiting me.
DBF herded me against the masses migrating to the buses and back to the Epcot entrance, where the ramp to the express monorail was.
Unfortunately, our little setback landed us right in the middle of the monorail crowds.
We waited five or ten minutes for an open monorail, and when we did get one DBF was thrilled it was the TRON one.
This is the best pic I got. Blame weariness.
We made it to the TTC and waited another fifteen, twenty minutes for a SoG bus.
It was really crowded on the bus, but DBF and I discovered a valuable life lesson on this ride.
We needed to cherish being young and alone.
Every time we needed to hop on a bus or monorail, we could do just that...hop on.
I looked over at DBF.
"You see those parents with the two kids? Remember that...when we start bringing our kids here, the days of jumping on and off buses and not having to worry about keeping up with everything will be over."
I felt bad for families using WDW's transportation system. Even if the adults had the stroller folded up, they had to play the juggling act of holding onto it, holding onto the child, and holding onto their bags.
I saw a lot of parents struggle with their children, especially at night. The kids loved to play the "I DON'T WANNA GET ON THE BUS" game.
I felt guilty being able to just wait for the doors to open and step right up, no worries. But at least I had the good sense to appreciate every moment of it, because I know the day's coming when I am going to lose those extra seconds of time.
Returning to the bus...DBF and I got bumped and moved around for all of three minutes. Then, we were deposited on the front steps of SoG.
Home at last!
With Epcot over, we speed walked our way back to our room. I knew if I slowed down for a second, I'd fall asleep standing.
(A quick side note- If you can remember, in one of my earlier posts, I went on and on about a waterfall staircase SoG had that led to and from the bus stop. Well, those wonderful stone stairs are refreshing first thing in the morning, when you are bouncing down them, perky and attentive, envisioning the attractions that await you.
But when it's 11:30 at night and you've been walking for fifteen hours...climbing up that staircase is a cruel and torteous task.)
DBF and I made it back to our room, plugged our dead camera batteries into their chargers (ensuring there was no blinking light this time), and prepared for bed. My camera battery lasted until halfway through IllumiNations, and DBF's lasted the entire time. Apparently, those low battery icons cannot be trusted. That or we managed to obtain an extra dose of pixie dust that day.
Up next...We start off the morning with another mistake which unintentionally turns into a big payoff at HS.
That sucks that it was rainy on your first day in the parks but soarin' as a walk on is awesome!
