I Can See Epcot From Here! ~ A November Trip and Dining Report ~

[Mndisneygirl]

Great updates Shelly!
We have seen that entertainer at BW too. He wore the same purple coat! Did he do a thing where the boy was supposed to find money under his bed the next morning?

We did the campfire thing at BC in July - there was no singing at all! We just chatted with the CM and had marshmallows.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Oh I plan on visiting the BW I already checked out a map and seen there the walkway to the BW runs right down from the Villas

You know the best part of changeing our ressie today besides saving $, now I don't have to keep hopeing for that 40% off pin everyone has been getting, since the villa's are 40% off. I thought for sure DH would pick the BW when I told him it was up to him to choose.

That's true, you already got the 40% off!!

Had a funny experience this afternoon and the first thing that popped in my head was your TR.
I went to sit down on the floor with the kids and my most favorite pair of worn out jeans split on me! They were about 8 years old but so worn in and comfy that I felt like I was wearing sweats when I wore them. First thing I said to myself when it happened "I guess that's a sign that I shouldn't try making the Tonga Toast at home."

Thanks for sharing, that is hilarious!!

(sorry about the pants!)

I have to tell you that I am so glad I found your trip report. Around the time of our last trip (which was our first family trip) I read your TR about CBR, that's were were going in May now.

On that May trip we are planning on spending an afternoon/evening on the Boardwalk for an ADR and it’s so fun to hear of some of the activities they have out there. After seeing your pictures of the resort I’m ready to book an additional trip to stay there.


Oh... and to the previous poster - sorry about the pants!

Welcome! I'm glad you're here!

Congrats on the May trip to WDW & CBR! We will be back at CBR at the end of August!

I hope your family has a very fun evening on the BW. Where are you eating?

Great updates Shelly!
We have seen that entertainer at BW too. He wore the same purple coat! Did he do a thing where the boy was supposed to find money under his bed the next morning?

We did the campfire thing at BC in July - there was no singing at all! We just chatted with the CM and had marshmallows.

We had seen him before too and I think he always has that coat on! He is so funny. No, didn't see the money trick. Although at one point he did say we could throw money at him!

I think they should change the name to just "Campfire" then and drop the Sing-along part if they aren't going to sing!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Day 6 – Thursday November 11


Today was a rope drop day. But we still got to sleep in! We got up around 7:45 and started to get ready. There was no hurry since there was no bus or boat to catch. At about 8:35 we strolled out of the BW and casually made our way to the back entrance of Epcot. It was a beautiful morning and we left without our jackets!

In no time we were at Epcot and stood there for about 3 minutes and they started letting people in. There weren't that many people at the back entrance. It was nice!

We walked through the UK and Canada and to the front of the park.

We got up front and right to the rope. It was amazing to have left that late and been in the front row for rope drop!! We could see the huge crowd on the front entrance rope drop side.

Pretty soon the characters started coming out and they did their little opening thing.

All the characters went to the front entrance rope, except for Donald!

And pretty soon the rope was dropped and the Soarin stampede had begun.

We got right on Soarin and then grabbed some fastpasses afterwards for later!

Next we were headed for Test Track. We got over there and the stand-by time said 20 minutes. So we walked in and I said – there's no way this is 20 minutes!! The line was empty!

We walked right through and got right into the preshow room!

And had an awesome ride!

With no wait we decided to go again!!

When we got back to the entrance the wait time still said 20 minutes, but when we walked in the line was HUGE! It was clear into that blue room. I don't know what it is called, but the lights are blue. We've waited from that point before and it's well over 20 minutes. So we decided to forget that idea and get out of there. On our way out just as we were going from inside to outside (in the entrance line) I saw what appeared to be fastpasses sticking out of the wall, where the wall meets the entrance/exit frame. So I looked around and there wasn't anyone there so I pulled them out. There were 5 of them and they were good for TT right now!!! No way!! We couldn't believe it. So now we were holding fastpasses for Soarin and Test Track!

So we went again!!

Up Next: Mission Space, Lunch at Electric Umbrella, and World Showcase

 

[JoBird]

What a wonderful morning !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG-- how great that was! Everything was working out perfectly for you guys.

I love that picture of Donald as he is walking towards you. He looks like he's saying here I come!! Love him best of all anyway with his lil' duck tail feather in the back. He's just so funny.

In all the years of going to Epcot I've never been to the opening show. Shocked, I know. We never make it there on time. We're always a few minutes after it opens.
The difference in crowd size on the two RD's is crazy!!

And oh my goodness why would someone put those FP's there? Must have been a big sprinkling of PD!!

Great day so far!!!!!

 

[T*Bird]

I think the most special thing in the world is seeing the parks empty!! You feel like you have the whole world to yourself (if only for a litle bit!) I love the pics you took walking from WS to the front of Epcot. Being able to just walk over to the back entrance is such a perk of staying in one of the Epcot resorts!

Awww......Donald got a hug from BOTH boys! In Disney you're never too old or too cool to hug the characters!

How great to be able to ride Soarin and TT with no waits, and then get FP's for later!


And yay for finally getting pretty AND warm weather!

 

[Luvmepluto]

Lucky you on the fast passes!!! I have to say that is one of the things I dislike about the fast pass system........but, I guess I see why they have it set up like that.

I have to say.......I have yet to make it to a rope drop. I don't know why.......we are always up early.

 

[sjs314]

You picked the right day to head to Epcot for rope day. I remember using the International Gateway when we stayed at YC and how kewl it was walking the the countries with no one around.
What fantastic luck finding the fast passes, talk about a lil pixie dust

I have to tell you seeing DS(9) in the first test track pic, I thought he looked less than enthused about the ride, but he is braver than me, he rode it again
Not me I sat that one out last trip too.

 

[mickeystoontown]

What a great morning! I can't believe that you beat the stampede and were able to ride Soarin' and Test Track in so little time. Oh and on finding the Fastpasses!

 

[Practically_Perfect]

That sounds like an awesome morning! Now I'm wondering how I can swing easily entering Epcot from the International Gateway for Rope Drop...but since I'm either staying at Pop or ASMusic, I'm not sure how I can make that happen.

Love the pics of Donald. Don't get me wrong, I love the Mouse, but Donald's so much fun!! I love telling him that he's my favourite - he has the best reaction to that!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

What a wonderful morning !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG-- how great that was! Everything was working out perfectly for you guys.

I love that picture of Donald as he is walking towards you. He looks like he's saying here I come!! Love him best of all anyway with his lil' duck tail feather in the back. He's just so funny.

In all the years of going to Epcot I've never been to the opening show. Shocked, I know. We never make it there on time. We're always a few minutes after it opens.
The difference in crowd size on the two RD's is crazy!!

And oh my goodness why would someone put those FP's there? Must have been a big sprinkling of PD!!

Great day so far!!!!!

Thanks!

I had a feeling you would like this update! Epcot

I can't believe you have never been to Epcot RD. You better get there early this time if the kids want to ride Soarin & Test Track with no wait!

Donald was so sweet. He came right to the boys. I was so happy to finally get a character picture!

I have no idea why someone would put those fastpasses there! Maybe they figured they didn't need them when there was no line. I don't know. If it were me and I didn't want/need them I would have just handed them to someone. Oh well, it sure made our day! We kept looking around to see if anyone was watching us, we thought maybe we were on a hidden camera show or something!

I think the most special thing in the world is seeing the parks empty!! You feel like you have the whole world to yourself (if only for a litle bit!) I love the pics you took walking from WS to the front of Epcot. Being able to just walk over to the back entrance is such a perk of staying in one of the Epcot resorts!

Awww......Donald got a hug from BOTH boys! In Disney you're never too old or too cool to hug the characters!

How great to be able to ride Soarin and TT with no waits, and then get FP's for later!


And yay for finally getting pretty AND warm weather!

It is a wonderful feeling to see the parks empty! Too bad it never stays that way for long.

Yep, both the boys were happy to see Donald!

It was a beautiful day and we were very lucky that morning with no waits!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Lucky you on the fast passes!!! I have to say that is one of the things I dislike about the fast pass system........but, I guess I see why they have it set up like that.

I have to say.......I have yet to make it to a rope drop. I don't know why.......we are always up early.

I know, that was lucky!! It was nice to be holding 2 sets of fastpasses!

You should try to make RD, it's fun!

You picked the right day to head to Epcot for rope day. I remember using the International Gateway when we stayed at YC and how kewl it was walking the the countries with no one around.
What fantastic luck finding the fast passes, talk about a lil pixie dust

I have to tell you seeing DS(9) in the first test track pic, I thought he looked less than enthused about the ride, but he is braver than me, he rode it again
Not me I sat that one out last trip too.

We love going to Epcot on Thursday mornings. It's never too crowded! And being able to walk there was even better.

After DS9's RNRC ride he didn't seem to enjoy other things as much. He was too scared. He wouldn't go on BTMRR the day before and then was even a little scared on TT, which he normally loves. I hope he gets over it before the next trip! I know I will never ask him to ride RNRC again.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

What a great morning! I can't believe that you beat the stampede and were able to ride Soarin' and Test Track in so little time. Oh and on finding the Fastpasses!

It was a great morning!

I still can't believe I spotted those fastpasses!

That sounds like an awesome morning! Now I'm wondering how I can swing easily entering Epcot from the International Gateway for Rope Drop...but since I'm either staying at Pop or ASMusic, I'm not sure how I can make that happen.

Love the pics of Donald. Don't get me wrong, I love the Mouse, but Donald's so much fun!! I love telling him that he's my favourite - he has the best reaction to that!!

Hmm. . . The best way would probably be to take a cab to the BC and walk over. But if you wanted to do it by Disney transportation you could maybe take a bus to MK (or DHS) on a day it is open early for EMH and then wait at the BW or YC/BC stop and take the bus to one of those resorts and walk over. That could take some time, but it might be fun!

Donald was fun that day! Usually at RD the characters just run by and pat the kids on the head. That day he stopped for hugs and high-fives!

 

[seacrestpromo]

Shelly! Awesome pics today!

The weather looked so nice in Epcot.

Congrats on the FP score too. Definitely got some PD that day!

I have never made a RD at WDW yet. (Heck, I think I have only done RD twice at DL - what's wrong with me?) Gotta make a RD at MK in May or Aug.

Can't wait to read more of your adventure

Sea

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Rope Drop rocks!! You can get so much done before the crowds really start to build. Score on finding those FPs! What great luck!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Hey Shelly! All caught up on your TR now!!! What a GREAT trip you guys have had so far! What a total SCORE on those Fastpasses!!! I have actually heard of CMs doing stuff like for lucky families to find!!! I am curious to know how you liked Electric Umbrella - I have head mixed reviews on it but we are curious to try it in August!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

How sad is it that I didn't even know they did "rope drop" at Epcot. I thought it just opened. AND THAT'S OUR FAVORITE PARK!!! I'm sad that we're going to miss RD at MK this trip (that's my favorite little show), but REALLY excited to do CP before opening and have Main Street USA all to myself (well, myself and the other 100's of people there for breakfast) . I may just have to make a little trip over there on an off-day, just for the opening!

 

[drakes]

Sorry

It seems okay-ish, up until the QUART of oil you have to cook it in. I wonder if you could achieve similar results, but cooking it more like french toast or pancakes. Maybe just enough oil/cooking spray to lightly coat the bottom of the frying pan, then cook on both sides. It wouldn't have that "deep-fried" taste, but maybe good enough to avoid some of the guilt??

On a different topic, I've been debating about starting a little pre-trip report. It's just me on a solo trip, but would I get some readers?? I'd need some advice on catchy titles (hint, hint JoBird ) and fun little hidden things to do while in the World...

We toast ours in the oven on a baking sheet

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Shelly! Awesome pics today!

The weather looked so nice in Epcot.

Congrats on the FP score too. Definitely got some PD that day!

I have never made a RD at WDW yet. (Heck, I think I have only done RD twice at DL - what's wrong with me?) Gotta make a RD at MK in May or Aug.

Can't wait to read more of your adventure

Sea

Thanks Sea!

You better get your behind to a RD at WDW!!

Rope Drop rocks!! You can get so much done before the crowds really start to build. Score on finding those FPs! What great luck!

Rope Drop does rock!! It seems like the real crowds start rolling in around 10-11. By then you can have all your favorites done!

 

[drakes]

Great updates! I am all caught up!
So far an excellent day at EPCOT!

I am curious to hear about Electric Umbrella as well.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hey Shelly! All caught up on your TR now!!! What a GREAT trip you guys have had so far! What a total SCORE on those Fastpasses!!! I have actually heard of CMs doing stuff like for lucky families to find!!! I am curious to know how you liked Electric Umbrella - I have head mixed reviews on it but we are curious to try it in August!

Hey Kim (Can't wait for August! ) Glad you're all caught up again.

I wonder if a CM did do that then. . . That is very cool if they did. I will definitely keep my eyes open for things like that again!

Electric Umbrella is okay. We've been there before, so we knew it wasn't great. It's just okay and gets the job done. It's your usual WDW burgers and chicken you can get many places.

How sad is it that I didn't even know they did "rope drop" at Epcot. I thought it just opened. AND THAT'S OUR FAVORITE PARK!!! I'm sad that we're going to miss RD at MK this trip (that's my favorite little show), but REALLY excited to do CP before opening and have Main Street USA all to myself (well, myself and the other 100's of people there for breakfast) . I may just have to make a little trip over there on an off-day, just for the opening!

They do a little RD show at all the parks!!!

I think it's better to get inside MK for CP before RD than to see it. I guess I've never really cared for the MK RD too much. I think because the characters are up on the train station and they don't come out right in front of you. And if you want to be one of the first ones in MK you have to stand off to the left or right anyway. I know a lot of people love it though!