[size=+1]Lets hop on the monorail and head off to Epcot
'Ooh look, its the tron-orail'
Our plan today was to get to Epcot ahead of opening time and hit the big attractions in Future World as we hadnt spent much time there on our previous Epcot day
I grabbed my usual coffee and snack from the hotel lobby and soon we were on our way
By the time we got to the (virtually empty) Epcot parking lot it was pouring with rain so we ran from the car to the turnstiles and handed over $16 for two plastic bags with holes in the sides
Now I have to admit I am not the biggest person you are likely to meet but these ponchos are HUGE
I was seriously thinking of checking out of our hotel and pitching up at Fort Wilderness with it for a few nights
So there we were, two mad English folk, dressed in oversized garbage bags in the pouring rain, laughing hysterically and waiting for the park to actually open when a friendly cast member came over to chat to us
He told us that we deserved a special treat for standing around in the rain and proceeded to take us through the turnstiles for a little surprise.
At this point there was probably about 20 or so other people waiting in the rain and he allowed everyone through the turnstiles and asked us to wait under cover at the edge of the gates.
The park still wasnt due to open for 30 minutes when suddenly around the corner we saw 5 or 6 CMs dressed in Soarin uniforms approaching us
Our little bit of Disney Magic was that we were all going to be taken directly to Soarin for a ride before the park opened
Needless to say we loved it and were so happy that we had made the early drive in the rain today.
By the time we left Soarin the park still wasnt officially open but as we made our way over to Mission Space, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy & Pluto were all waiting in the Character Meet & Greet building for us.
We got loads of pictures and still ended up being the first group onto Mission Space
Sorry for going off the food topic but it was such a cool start to the day I wanted to share
The rain cleared up and the sun began to shine by about 10.30 am so we packed up our ponchos and finished visiting all of the attractions before heading over to World Showcase to get some lunch
DH really wanted to try the Lotus Blossom Café but when he looked at the menu he went off the idea. I was secretly quite pleased as I really wanted to check out Morocco so thats where we headed
Oooh I should mention
. I stopped off in Italy for a Rosa Regale on the way (well its a long walk
)
As someone who doesnt eat meat, the menu at The Tangierine Café really appealed to me so we got a nice table outside under an Orange Blossom Tree (the smell from the blossom was divine) and tucked into our lunch
Here is DHs meal
Lamb Specialty Wrap - served with Tangierine Couscous salad and Lentil salad
DH really enjoyed this. This was a generous serving of lamb and it was very tender. The yoghurt sauce that it was served with was also very good. He isnt a fan of Lentils so he didnt even try them (double helping for me) After trying a little of the Couscous he said it was OK but didnt wow him
Heres my lunch
..
Vegetable Platter - falafel, tangierine couscous salad, hummus, tabouleh, lentil salad and marinated olives
This was the perfect lunch for me. I love couscous, olives, hummus, tabouleh etc and if ever anyone tells me that theme parks are just about hamburgers I will show them this picture.
The bread was wonderfully fresh and my only complaint was that I would have preferred a bigger piece to eat all of my hummus with. All of the salads were great and certainly tasted freshly made.
The only real let down was the falafel. They were rock hard and overcooked but Ill let that one slide as the rest of the dish was so yummy
Overall a big thumbs up from both of us for the Tangierine Café and it has made me want to go back and try Restaurant Marrakesh at some point (love to hear reviews if anyone has tried it)
No great surprise with the rating then
.
out of
Next up
. A sweet treat more than worth the walk[/size]
...can you order one when you are eating at Kona (or O'hana), or do you have to get it from the bar?
I agree, they are so strong, aren't they? I couldn't finish mine last time we were there for lunch so I gave it to my bf. And even though I didn't drink the whole thing, I still was a bit dizzy! 
You actually had a Lapu Lapu AND another cocktail! Wow! You're my kind of girl! 
Especially all the pastries (yes Joh! I'm talking about you too!
I am sure you will love Artist Point on your next trip. 
It shows a lack of attention to detail and you know what they say? ....... you eat with your eyes 
Sorry if I mislead you but there isn't a Cheesecake Factory on Disney property. The one we went to was at the Mall At The Millenia. It is worth a visit if you are shopping there
