Day 4 June 4th
We had originally planned on Animal Kingdom for today, but decided that after a late evening seeing Illuminations, that we would head for the much slower paced (for us) Epcot. My BIL and his family were also going to be at Epcot, but we planned to meet for lunch since his kids are older, and mine dont particularly love everything at Epcot!
The only bad bus ride of the trip came on this morning as the driver took every back road he knew to get to Fort Wilderness, and then got stuck in the automatic gate system at the bus stop there. I believe he took 10 minutes to get through a gate that wouldnt open for him. It ONLY took nearly an hour to get to Epcot on this morning!
Through security, into the gates, and I told DW to take the kids to the Wonders of Life pavilion while I got fastpasses for Test Track. The return time was well over an hour later, so we had lots of time. DS and walked right onto Body Wars, which he thoroughly enjoyed. DD and DW watched one of the kiddie Goofy movie/shows and we walked around the exhibits for a while. We were learning our kids didnt really care for the exhibits in most of the pavilions. Theyre still a bit young I guess. We went over to Innoventions next, and they did like that. It was getting close to Test Track time when we bumped into BIL and family. My DD had decided she WAS NOT going to ride Test Track, so she stayed with BIL while DW, DS, and I went to ride. Unfortunately, we were seated in our car and the ride broke down. They actually emptied the ride and made everyone in line turn around and walk out even if you were next to get on! Since we were in the loading area, the teens in front of us got out, and DW asked why I hadnt gotten out already. She found out when the CM came to help us out of our car and handed us front of the line passes. One lady became very irate because she saw us get them and asked why she hadnt. The reply was You didnt follow the directions to remain seated until someone arrived to help you. You broke the rules, Im sorry.
So, we set off to meet up with the extended family for lunch. Counter service fare for everyone. My chicken nephew, who hated most rides, decided hed like to ride Test Track. My DW offered him her pass since she had ridden it before. After lunch, the two boys and I headed for Test Track again, with plans to meet the group at the UK for the British Invasion show. Well, we got there and it was STILL broken down with no anticipated opening time. We hiked back to UK and caught the British Invasion show, which is pretty good. However, they are NOT the best music act on World Showcase. That title belongs to the next show we saw .. Off Kilter! I have heard and read lots of good things about these guys, and they are all true. Excellent show, except for one thing: its too short!
The boys and I hiked BACK to Test Track again while everyone else shopped. This time we finally got on after some technical difficulties with the ride threatened to spoil it again. The boys loved it, so it was worth it. But, the three of us sure got our extra walking in today.
We rejoined the group again in UK, where the moms were starting the kids on the KidCot stations and passports. My DD loved doing this, and was probably her favorite thing in all of Epcot. We circled the World Showcase (with a stop for my DW favorite pastry in France and kids shaved ice in Japan) and ended up tired, very hungry and no dinner plan. YIKES! So, being the only semi-seasoned vet in the group, I said follow me and we walked to the Boardwalk for dinner at ESPN.
It just so happened to be the night for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, so we got there just before the big crowd and got to see a live interview with Ray Ferraro. Im a big hockey fan, despite living in Houston and never having seen an NHL game, so this was a treat for me. My nephew even got to ask a question! Dinner was good. I really like the food at this place. I also recommend it in a pinch because they dont take PS!
Time to head home, so the most efficient way was to stroll the Boardwalk and take the boat to MGM. From there we hopped our bus to the lodge. We were welcomed back to our room by our very first towel animal. Our mousekeeper had left us a cute little bunny made from a washcloth.
Well, a very long day, and lots of walking for the kids, but not one complaint out of my two! I was really proud of them sticking it out at Epcot all day without a mid-day break. Tomorrow is Typhoon Lagoon for a few hours in the morning and MGM in the afternoon for our Fantasmic dinner package.
Trip Pictures...Click Here...select Day 4 to go with this report
We had originally planned on Animal Kingdom for today, but decided that after a late evening seeing Illuminations, that we would head for the much slower paced (for us) Epcot. My BIL and his family were also going to be at Epcot, but we planned to meet for lunch since his kids are older, and mine dont particularly love everything at Epcot!
The only bad bus ride of the trip came on this morning as the driver took every back road he knew to get to Fort Wilderness, and then got stuck in the automatic gate system at the bus stop there. I believe he took 10 minutes to get through a gate that wouldnt open for him. It ONLY took nearly an hour to get to Epcot on this morning!
Through security, into the gates, and I told DW to take the kids to the Wonders of Life pavilion while I got fastpasses for Test Track. The return time was well over an hour later, so we had lots of time. DS and walked right onto Body Wars, which he thoroughly enjoyed. DD and DW watched one of the kiddie Goofy movie/shows and we walked around the exhibits for a while. We were learning our kids didnt really care for the exhibits in most of the pavilions. Theyre still a bit young I guess. We went over to Innoventions next, and they did like that. It was getting close to Test Track time when we bumped into BIL and family. My DD had decided she WAS NOT going to ride Test Track, so she stayed with BIL while DW, DS, and I went to ride. Unfortunately, we were seated in our car and the ride broke down. They actually emptied the ride and made everyone in line turn around and walk out even if you were next to get on! Since we were in the loading area, the teens in front of us got out, and DW asked why I hadnt gotten out already. She found out when the CM came to help us out of our car and handed us front of the line passes. One lady became very irate because she saw us get them and asked why she hadnt. The reply was You didnt follow the directions to remain seated until someone arrived to help you. You broke the rules, Im sorry.
So, we set off to meet up with the extended family for lunch. Counter service fare for everyone. My chicken nephew, who hated most rides, decided hed like to ride Test Track. My DW offered him her pass since she had ridden it before. After lunch, the two boys and I headed for Test Track again, with plans to meet the group at the UK for the British Invasion show. Well, we got there and it was STILL broken down with no anticipated opening time. We hiked back to UK and caught the British Invasion show, which is pretty good. However, they are NOT the best music act on World Showcase. That title belongs to the next show we saw .. Off Kilter! I have heard and read lots of good things about these guys, and they are all true. Excellent show, except for one thing: its too short!
The boys and I hiked BACK to Test Track again while everyone else shopped. This time we finally got on after some technical difficulties with the ride threatened to spoil it again. The boys loved it, so it was worth it. But, the three of us sure got our extra walking in today.
We rejoined the group again in UK, where the moms were starting the kids on the KidCot stations and passports. My DD loved doing this, and was probably her favorite thing in all of Epcot. We circled the World Showcase (with a stop for my DW favorite pastry in France and kids shaved ice in Japan) and ended up tired, very hungry and no dinner plan. YIKES! So, being the only semi-seasoned vet in the group, I said follow me and we walked to the Boardwalk for dinner at ESPN.
It just so happened to be the night for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, so we got there just before the big crowd and got to see a live interview with Ray Ferraro. Im a big hockey fan, despite living in Houston and never having seen an NHL game, so this was a treat for me. My nephew even got to ask a question! Dinner was good. I really like the food at this place. I also recommend it in a pinch because they dont take PS!
Time to head home, so the most efficient way was to stroll the Boardwalk and take the boat to MGM. From there we hopped our bus to the lodge. We were welcomed back to our room by our very first towel animal. Our mousekeeper had left us a cute little bunny made from a washcloth.
Well, a very long day, and lots of walking for the kids, but not one complaint out of my two! I was really proud of them sticking it out at Epcot all day without a mid-day break. Tomorrow is Typhoon Lagoon for a few hours in the morning and MGM in the afternoon for our Fantasmic dinner package.
Trip Pictures...Click Here...select Day 4 to go with this report
