Help with my Epcot plan!

1m1b

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Sep 13, 2016
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-Voices of Liberty at 4:15 followed by American Adventure at 4:30--Does that work? Are they really close together?

-Biergarten with 5:20 res or 6:30? Will there be a 15-20 minute wait typically? I was trying to time it for either the 5:55 or 7:00 oompha band. We normally eat at 5:30, but the 6:30 would work better with the schedule. Does Biergarten get much busier or noisier or anything then? Is one or the other preferable?

-It looks like I need to do the 6:30 dinner at Biergarten to get in both American activities before dinner to avoid backtracking. Is there a lot to do in American? That's the main one I think my men in the group will like, so I wanted to plunk there. How long should I allow?

-It's supposed to get dark at 6pm on that day. (I checked online.) What happens to Epcot in the dark? Is it harder to walk in or scary or more of a drinking environment at that point? I'll have a wobbly senior and an 8 yo boy in the group, so I'm concerned about basics like not falling, staying together, etc. I thought if it got dark while we were in the restaurant, it would be natural to slowly walk out, doing China and Mexico on the way out.

-Does anyone know if Illuminations indeed is being changed in January?

-Did I read somewhere that the rule of thumb is allow 1/2 hour per country in WS?

-Will it be odd if we go from Imagination (Nemo, Crush, etc.), go around and up to America, and just kind of SKIP everything along the way? Is there a short cut for that? A tram? No tram, sigh. Anything brilliant there? I think my dad would love the Biergarten and America, but that's a LOT of walking to get there. Lines is saying to plan 31 minutes from the Seas Main Tank and Exhibits to Voices of Liberty. Now granted, I have it set at Relaxed walking pace, because with this group that's probably as fast as we can go. How will that come across? Will it be pleasant? Would there maybe be something sort of half way there, going from Seas Main Tank to VOL to sort of break it up and let him sit? It seems like everything you could stop at is still STANDING.

I know my times sound odd. What I'm trying to plan is a split itinerary, where we go to the park for the 8 am EMH while Dad sleeps in. During that we do the half he can't do (Test Track, etc.). Then, when he comes in around one, we do the other half (Soarin, Nemo, etc.), America, Biergarten, and around to leave. That's why the plan sounds a little odd. I'm not attempting to go *in* any of the countries before America and Biergarten as we walk around, because one no time and two I'm going in them by myself the day before while the guys fish.

Does Soarin' go up in the air? Am I seeing that correctly in the pictures, that it leaves the ground? Do they wear some kind of coaster style harness? I'm trying to decide if my dad, who is sort of wobbly, would feel comfortable in this and think it was really cool. I *think* he might! It's right on the edge. I think the Frozen ride would overwhelm him. Some of these are so hard to guess!

Thanks for any suggestions! :)
 
Hold it, I just found a thread saying there's a BOAT!!! Be still my soul! There really is? What is it called? I need to find it on the map or put it in Lines!!

I found them! They're called the Friendship boats, and they run Canada to Morocco and Mexico to Germany. So if I'm at the Nemo/Crush/Tanks and I want to get to Germany while minimizing walking, which is better?
 
Be aware, the bots may take longer than walking and they don't always run both routes. It's kinda hit and miss.

The Voices of Liberty is basically a pre-show for The American Adventure. It takes place in the waiting area for the show and after they are done they will open the entrance to the theater area.

Soarin' lifts you up in a canvas seat. It doesn't really move after that (just a gentle tilt). The top row goes very high, but you never really look at the floor. There are only seat belts and a loop between the legs for smaller riders (or if you just feel safer with it). It is very secure for anyone riding it.

I feel like you could really benefit from the maps in this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/wdw-maps-by-robo.3545729/page-3#post-56529528

All thanks to Robo.
 
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I thought the seat was metal.

No, it's like a heavy nylon weave type seat. There's metal all around the frame, and where the belts buckle, but the bottoms of the seats are a mesh-type thing.
 
No, it's like a heavy nylon weave type seat. There's metal all around the frame, and where the belts buckle, but the bottoms of the seats are a mesh-type thing.

OK, it's been awhile since I've been to WDW and when you said "canvas", I was envisioning something very flexible, which isn't what I remembered at all.
 
OK, it's been awhile since I've been to WDW and when you said "canvas", I was envisioning something very flexible, which isn't what I remembered at all.

Yeah, it's not really canvas I guess. It's very strong, but does have a little give.
 
My daughter and I took my Mom to WDW years ago. We had such a good time. She was 78 years old and could get around pretty well. However, I knew that she would get tired and I also knew that she would not be very accepting of a wheelchair or scooter. So, I got a little creative. I got a wheelchair (wish I had gotten a scooter - but I knew that would be a hard sell) and told her that I got it for my daughter. My daughter had surgery on her knee a few months prior. I can't tell you how that saved me. Yes, I had to push it up and down a lot of hills. You would be surprised how many hills there are at WDW, those monorail ramps are pretty steep. There is no way we would've had the magical time we had were it not for that wheelchair.

I don't know how wobbly your Dad is and I don't want to assume anything, just want to share my experience and give you a tip. It is a long way around the lake at EPCOT. If it makes the trip more enjoyable and less stressful, you might consider renting a scooter at the front of the park or you can rent one and have it delivered to your resort. It will help you keep on your schedule and your Dad won't get as tired. Seems easy I know but convincing them is another thing. Now my Mom talks about how wonderful that trip was and how glad she was to have the wheelchair. She says she wouldn't have been able to see all the wonderful things if she hadn't had it - like it was her idea. What a memory we have too!!! We pushed her all over the parks and resorts - fun fun fun. If I had it to do over again, I'd get the scooter!!!
 
A scooter is not for "the faint of heart". I have needed one my last 2 trips and I can say unequivocally that it is exhausting. You need to concentrate every minute and watch out for those that dart into you or stop short in front of you etc. it is as if you are invisible.
Good luck
 
I didn't realize I could rent one right there at the park! I'll definitely keep it in mind, thanks!
 
Good news! Dad decided he was onboard with a scooter! :yay: That makes it a LOT easier to let him have fun without wearing him out. Apparently the last time he walked a 3 mile trail with us, he was wiped out for a week! So now that he knows this is even MORE walking, he's totally onboard with an ECV.
 
ooohhh, I didnt know that there's a voices of lliberty show before The American Adventure show. Could someone verify this. And could someone provide an October map of all the times of activities for World Showcase please. Or how do I view one.
Much thanks!
 
Voices of Liberty are often the preshow for American Adventure. However we showed up in November to find a different pre show and the time for Voices of Liberty was actually an extend show on the stage across from the American adventure. It was 30 minutes I think. So just check the times guide.
 
Yippee, I think everyone will have a more enjoyable time. Yes, navigating in crowds can be tricky, but when you truly need assistance it is a great help. I would try to rent one as soon as you enter the park. They can run out. Or you could rent one from an outside company and have it delivered to your resort. I have never had one delivered. I'm sure someone on the boards has done this and can give you recommendations. HAVE FUN!!! We leave in 5 days!!!
 
ooohhh, I didnt know that there's a voices of lliberty show before The American Adventure show. Could someone verify this. And could someone provide an October map of all the times of activities for World Showcase please. Or how do I view one.
Much thanks!

Steve Soares updates the schedules each Sunday for the upcoming week
http://www.wdwent.com/
 


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