Ok today was all planned around Epcot. During my initial investigations way back in March/April when we started planning this trip, I'd thought that 1 day was more than enough for here, but all my advisors on DIS said no, at least 2 maybe more. This was to be our first of 2, possibly 3, days in Epcot. Had an ADR for Coral Reef at 5:50 and an Illuminations cruise booked for 8:30pm that night. Turns out it was an unexpected AM EMH, but thinking that nobody would want to be up and about early on the 26th we decided that we would be the ones, and what a great decision, place was practically empty at 8:00am.
Did Soarin, Mission space and Test track multiple times with no wait at all. Got 2 FPs for Soarin for later also. Mission space was so-so, whole family reckoned that once was enough (did both green and orange), Test Track was pretty good, definitely worth another go, Soarin, well the whole tribe just wants to move in and setup camp on that ride, myself included, great idea, great details and more than just a 'ride' it's an experience.
After that it was getting bitterly cold so we did a few of the smaller attractions before heading back to the hotel to layer up some more. Nemo & Friends is ok, Turtle Talk with Crush is fab, probably a once per visit type of thing, but if you've kids into Crush, they will love it, Living with the Land is interesting, but a once only again, Captain EO, hmm, best thing to be said about this is remembering that the 80's weren't that bad......
When we got back to the Poly we decided to have a rest for a while so only made it back to Epcot in time for dinner in Coral Reef. Now, lots of people will probably disagree at this point, but I'm afraid the dining experience in Disney is getting to be repetitive, and not in a good way! Firstly the dining room itself was a big let down. Now in fairness, most of this is probably due to my mis-understanding of the many photos I had seen, but I really expected more than just one wall to be the aquarium. But the main issue again, was the kids menu. Cmon Disney, Pizza, Chicken and 1 other choice, where have we seen that before, How about some variety for the kids, something with a little imagination, or at the very least allow a credit of the kids meal against a main course on the adults menu. Asides from that the service was slow, had quite a 'fake' waitress, seemed all bubbly and interested, but really wasn't.
So finished up the meal and trekked through the artic conditions to have the illuminations cruise. Thank god, they had blankets, it really was that cold, and bear in mind that we had barely escaped from snowbound Dublin with temps dropping to -15o C a few days before. The show is fantastic, would watch it many times over. Don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't seen it, but it's all in the name. Go and see it, you will not be disappointed.
Ended up getting a taxi back from the Yacht Club as the kids were exhausted and it was just too damn cold!!!
Off to bed, thoughts
Florida what is going on with the weather, 20o to 3o in 1 day???? We didn't barely make it out of Ireland to put up with this, sort it out.
Disney, I know it's early days, but I cannot see us ever doing
DDP again, unless it's free
Crush, you are tootttallly sweeet dude
Soarin' the best
Epcot, more to do
Illuminations, best fireworks show so far
). By the time we got back there wasn't a lot of time left andf DW was a bit peckish. "No problem", says I, off to the CL lounge and pick up a snack or two. Nope, wasn't going to happen, poor choice and 'real' snacks only coming out at 5:00pm, too late for us as dinner set for 7:20. So far, CL a real let down and definetly not worth the money. Thanks to the DIS I gave them all the reservations that I had made (10 days before they could thanks to the old 180+10 glitch, again courtesy of the DIS), food not up to scratch, can't take advantage of the alcohol as unless there is a CM there you can't get it. So, early days, but so far not recommended
