Meeko's Walt Disney World Trip 2004
After a morning in EPCOT, it was time to finish out my visit to World Showcase before spending an evening at Downtown Disney.
By this time I left France, it was still raining very lightly. It was so light that it actually felt pretty good, keeping the temperature cooler than usual in the summer and not being hard enough to need a poncho. When I got to Japan, I noticed a new exhibit called Tin Toy Stories in the gallery. I hadnt heard anything about it, so I wasnt sure what to expect. It was pretty interesting and very kitschy. After that, I took some time to explore the department store and gardens and listen to the drummers perform a little.
Skipping American Adventure this trip, I walked to Italy. By now, the rain had stopped altogether and the weather was very pleasant. After looking through the shops briefly, I noticed that the World Showcase Players would be performing soon. I had never seen them perform in Italy before, so I stayed and watched them. They performed Kiss Me Shrew, a sort of farce version of Taming of the Shrew. It was the usual Players type of show with plenty of audience participation.
After the show, it was on to Germany. Snow White was doing meet-and-greets with Dopey so I met her and got her photo. After that I spent some more time in Germany, looking at the railway garden and the shops. Before heading on to the rest of the pavilions, I paused for a short while in the Outpost while the bridge was up to let a few of the Illuminations barges through.
Next up, I bypassed China and headed straight to Norway with the logic that if the line was long on Maelstrom, I would grab a FastPass as look around Norway and China before the time window came up. The line wasnt bad at all though so I just got in the standby line, did the Viking boat ride and saw the movie. Next, it was back to China to see the gift shop and a bit of the acrobats routine.
The last stop for the day at EPCOT would be Mexico. I looked a little around the marketplace inside and then paused for a little break on one of the benches near the fountain. I also checked out the new Casa Mexicana exhibit which was pretty cute; defiantly a nice addition to the pavilion, especially for kids. Having finished up World Showcase, it time to leave EPCOT and head back to Port Orleans French Quarter. After coming back and relaxing in the resort (including watching the Top 7 Must Sees show yet again), it was off to the dock to board the Sassagoula River Cruise to Downtown Disney. Its such a relaxing and pleasant ride, plus I always seem to learn new bits of trivia every time I ride it, like that Sassagoula means Little Mississippi or that the areas near the former treehouse villas are designated wetlands.
When I reached the Marketplace, I headed over to the new Earl of Sandwich restaurant. I ordered a Hawaiian Barbeque sandwich and got an outdoor table. The sandwich was delicious. This place has got to be one of my favorites at Marketplace now- defiantly recommended. Got a table on the outside patio and enjoyed the sunset. After dinner, it was time for a little shopping.
The first shopping stop of the evening would be the new Disney Pets store over by Pooh Corner. Lots of pet toys, treats, and accessories were for sale, as well as a lot of merchandise and toys themed to Disney cats, dogs, fish, and even Stitch (I guess he's a pet). Next, it was off to World of Disney which was just as busy as usual. Next, it was that, off to the Pin Tradders shop and Once Upon a Toy for a quick look-around. I ended with a look through the Art of Disney and Scrapbooking store. After it was back onto the boat to Port Orleans. Illuminations at EPCOT was just starting by the time the boat started pulling away and you could see the fireworks rising over the trees. It was so much more pleasant and spontaneous that it proved to be a wonderful ending to the day.
Next in the trip report, a day at Disney's Animal Kingdom. 
