PamNC
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 19, 1999
- Messages
- 4,597
PamNC Day 3 July the 4th @ Epcot
Cast of Characters: PamNC, 43 & Uncle Albert, 35
This was a great day! I couldnt imagine a better 4th of July holiday. It was early entry for Epcot, and since we were staying at the Beach Club, what a stress free trip that was. We arrived at the World Showcase entrance around 8:15-ish and once in we quickly made our way to the Land Pavillion. For what you wonder? Well, Soarin of course. I suppose we got to the Land around 8:30 or 8:40 and the line for Soarin was already 25 minutes. Thats saying something since the park hadnt even opened. We got a fastpass and then got in line. May sound crazy, but we wanted to ride it twice. We were sat in the front row, which is absolutely awesome. Lets all give Disney a round of applause for this atrraction. And that is just what happened after it was over, all the guests applauded. We were blown away excuse the pun.
We hadnt had breakfast so we decided to grab something at Seasons. Let me take this opportunity to give another round of applause for the newly renovated Land pavilion. What a change for the better. Its much lighter and modern. I didnt feel like I was stepping into the early 80s. Finally! I got a delicious chocolate croissant and Uncle Albert had, of all things, sushi for breakfast. It was then time for our fastpass for Soarin, so what we did was grab a fastpass for the Living with the Land boat ride first. Then, we rode Soarin again. This time we got the 3rd row. Very nice, but certainly not as good as the front row. You can see the edge of the screen and you see feet dangling. I would highly recommend everyone request a front row at least once. After our second flight over California, we took a breather and it was soon time for our fastpass of Living with the Land. We love this attraction. As we came out we smelled the most delicious smell I mean super delicious. We concluded that it was the Garden Grill and I remembered that they had changed their menu. It was about 10:50 by this point so we went to see if we could get a PS for lunch. Couldnt get one except 11:10, and we didnt want to eat that early, so we declined.
After spending a good part of our morning at the Land, and enjoying every minute of it I might add, we went to Test Track to get a fastpass. It was a 2:30-3:30 return time. The standby line was already 60 minutes. Remember my rash??????? As we were walking to TT, we noticed 2 people with the exact same rash on their legs. Very strange. Anyway, we wanted to ride Spaceship earth, but the line was 30 minutes so we opted to head for World Showcase, one of our favorite things at WDW. We started with Mexico. We checked out the animal carvings and wondered into the marketplace area. We collect these beautiful blue-topped hand-blown glasses, we have 6. We found a matching water pitcher but we decided not to buy it until after we road the boat ride. On the boat ride, I caught a whiff of San Angel so we both decided that was what we wanted for lunch, IF we could get in. No problem a 10 minute wait. We bought our water pitcher and arranged to have it sent to the room and by that point our table was ready. Weve dined at San Angel a couple of times and found that although we loved the atmosphere, the food was just pretty good. Not the case this time it was FABULOUS. We ordered off the menu, asked for vegetarian offers. My DH is a vegetarian now, since 3 months ago and Im a semi-vegetarian, meaning I practice it about 95% of the time, but I do cheat at times. Especially on vacation. We do eat fish, eggs and dairy. So, were not total vegans. I got a veggie burrito which was outstanding and a cheese enchilada with a wonderful green sauce. DH got a cheese enchilada with the usual red sauce and rice. The salsa was excellent and our margaritas were STRONG!!!! Whew! On a scale of 1-10, I would give the food a 9+ and the service a 10. We had a wonderful experience and San Angel is now on our list of must-dos. After lunch, we wanted some Mexican entertainment but to our disappointment Mariachi Cobre wasnt performing. There was another group though, Los something, the names escapes me. They were excellent. The band consisted of 4 men, wearing cowboy hats and playing guitars and an accordian. Of course they were singing and there was a young lady out in front dancing and encouraging people to dance along. There was the cutest little boy who joined in. He was dancing but to his own tune. I cant explain it in words, but I think its something that the Wiggles do. It didnt go with the music at all, but he didnt care, he was in his own little world.
After our Mexican experience, we visited Norway and Chnia for a little bit and then headed over to Test Track for our fastpass. The standby was about 75 minutes at this point. Get this: even with a fastpass it took us 50 minutes to get through this attraction. Very annoying. And, at the part where youre headed around the bend and it appears youre going to run into the truck .it was messed up. It didnt honk and the effect of it coming towards you wasnt there. Then, the car stopped and was stuck for a new minutes. Needless to say, we were irritated at this point. I like Test Track, I really do, but its such a pain in the rump. Slow loading, and sometimes I think its not worth the effort. I think Ill put it on my list of try to do instead of must do. Oh well. We went to check out the line for Spaceship Earth much better. 10 minutes. So we rode it and loved it as usual. While in line I saw yet another person with the mysterious rash now I was beginning to wonder if the First Aid CM at MK was right when she said it was common around here and comes up from the ground. My rash was beginning to disappear by this point, thank goodness.
It was hot! And the fountain was going off, so we allowed it to drench us while we enjoyed its majesty. We decided it was time to take a mid-afternoon break so we headed for the WS gateway. It was July the 4th, so we were concerned that the park would hit capacity so we asked a CM about it on the way out. Apparently the MK had hit capacity by noon. She explained that it was possible, but if we got back by 5:00 or 6:00 we should be okay. It was around 4:00 by this point, so we opted not to take a swim but to simply relax in the room. We did just that and it was a wonderful break. We had PS at Flying Fish @ 5:30 but we had eaten so much for lunch, we just werent hungry enough. So we headed back to Epcot and got back in with no problem. I think it was about 6:00 at this point. Illuminations wasnt until 10:00. We stopped in France and watched Bubble Nicholas. It was a great show although the poor guy had to get out of the bubble and perform due to the heat. Lots of funny audience participation. We made our way to the America Pavillion and watched these adorable young female cloggers. Let me tell you it was HOT! We didnt make it through the whole show. Instead we went inside to wait for The American Adventure, another one of our favorites. My DH literally laid down on the floor to cool off. He said the tile was nice and cold. It was wonderful to see the show on our countrys birthday. I even got a lump in my throat. After the show we shopped some in Italy and China. I guess I should say we looked because we actually refrained from buying anything. It was 1 hour and 40 minutes until Illuminations and folks were lining up like crazy. I still wasnt hungry, but my DH was so we stopped at Norway and he got an open faced salmon sandwich. I just didnt have it in me. Earler in the day @ Mexico, a CM had told us that the fireworks were going to be fantastic and that at the end, they would be shot off from behind the American Adventure pavilion. Armed with this info, we decided to grab a spot between Norway and China. It was packed!!!!!! But we were just 1 row back from the front so I was happy. These people in front of us were totally grossing my DH out as he ate his semi-raw fish. The husband thought that the rest of Epcot just had to see his stomach, so he lifted up his shirt to expose his belly. Another person was proudly displaying his butt-crack. Amazing! My DH actually took pictures of these spectacles. It seems people think you want to see their body parts.
Illuminations was incredible! The 4th of July tag was awe inspiring. Not only did fireworks shoot from the AA pavilion, but they added a huge display in the center of the lagoon. Unlike anything Ive ever seen. It was the best 4th of July display I have ever seen anywhere!
It was a slow walk through the massive crowd back to the WS entrance. But we were so pumped up with excitement, we didnt care. My husband is tall, so hes good at making his way through crowds. I just get behind him a little, take his hand, and let him lead the way. Another couple realized we were making good headway through the crowds, so they followed us. I was glad we could help. J
What a great day this was, our our tired exhausted feet could take no more. Off to sleep we went in anticipation of another Disney day.
Stay tuned for Day 4.
PamNC
Cast of Characters: PamNC, 43 & Uncle Albert, 35
This was a great day! I couldnt imagine a better 4th of July holiday. It was early entry for Epcot, and since we were staying at the Beach Club, what a stress free trip that was. We arrived at the World Showcase entrance around 8:15-ish and once in we quickly made our way to the Land Pavillion. For what you wonder? Well, Soarin of course. I suppose we got to the Land around 8:30 or 8:40 and the line for Soarin was already 25 minutes. Thats saying something since the park hadnt even opened. We got a fastpass and then got in line. May sound crazy, but we wanted to ride it twice. We were sat in the front row, which is absolutely awesome. Lets all give Disney a round of applause for this atrraction. And that is just what happened after it was over, all the guests applauded. We were blown away excuse the pun.
We hadnt had breakfast so we decided to grab something at Seasons. Let me take this opportunity to give another round of applause for the newly renovated Land pavilion. What a change for the better. Its much lighter and modern. I didnt feel like I was stepping into the early 80s. Finally! I got a delicious chocolate croissant and Uncle Albert had, of all things, sushi for breakfast. It was then time for our fastpass for Soarin, so what we did was grab a fastpass for the Living with the Land boat ride first. Then, we rode Soarin again. This time we got the 3rd row. Very nice, but certainly not as good as the front row. You can see the edge of the screen and you see feet dangling. I would highly recommend everyone request a front row at least once. After our second flight over California, we took a breather and it was soon time for our fastpass of Living with the Land. We love this attraction. As we came out we smelled the most delicious smell I mean super delicious. We concluded that it was the Garden Grill and I remembered that they had changed their menu. It was about 10:50 by this point so we went to see if we could get a PS for lunch. Couldnt get one except 11:10, and we didnt want to eat that early, so we declined.
After spending a good part of our morning at the Land, and enjoying every minute of it I might add, we went to Test Track to get a fastpass. It was a 2:30-3:30 return time. The standby line was already 60 minutes. Remember my rash??????? As we were walking to TT, we noticed 2 people with the exact same rash on their legs. Very strange. Anyway, we wanted to ride Spaceship earth, but the line was 30 minutes so we opted to head for World Showcase, one of our favorite things at WDW. We started with Mexico. We checked out the animal carvings and wondered into the marketplace area. We collect these beautiful blue-topped hand-blown glasses, we have 6. We found a matching water pitcher but we decided not to buy it until after we road the boat ride. On the boat ride, I caught a whiff of San Angel so we both decided that was what we wanted for lunch, IF we could get in. No problem a 10 minute wait. We bought our water pitcher and arranged to have it sent to the room and by that point our table was ready. Weve dined at San Angel a couple of times and found that although we loved the atmosphere, the food was just pretty good. Not the case this time it was FABULOUS. We ordered off the menu, asked for vegetarian offers. My DH is a vegetarian now, since 3 months ago and Im a semi-vegetarian, meaning I practice it about 95% of the time, but I do cheat at times. Especially on vacation. We do eat fish, eggs and dairy. So, were not total vegans. I got a veggie burrito which was outstanding and a cheese enchilada with a wonderful green sauce. DH got a cheese enchilada with the usual red sauce and rice. The salsa was excellent and our margaritas were STRONG!!!! Whew! On a scale of 1-10, I would give the food a 9+ and the service a 10. We had a wonderful experience and San Angel is now on our list of must-dos. After lunch, we wanted some Mexican entertainment but to our disappointment Mariachi Cobre wasnt performing. There was another group though, Los something, the names escapes me. They were excellent. The band consisted of 4 men, wearing cowboy hats and playing guitars and an accordian. Of course they were singing and there was a young lady out in front dancing and encouraging people to dance along. There was the cutest little boy who joined in. He was dancing but to his own tune. I cant explain it in words, but I think its something that the Wiggles do. It didnt go with the music at all, but he didnt care, he was in his own little world.
After our Mexican experience, we visited Norway and Chnia for a little bit and then headed over to Test Track for our fastpass. The standby was about 75 minutes at this point. Get this: even with a fastpass it took us 50 minutes to get through this attraction. Very annoying. And, at the part where youre headed around the bend and it appears youre going to run into the truck .it was messed up. It didnt honk and the effect of it coming towards you wasnt there. Then, the car stopped and was stuck for a new minutes. Needless to say, we were irritated at this point. I like Test Track, I really do, but its such a pain in the rump. Slow loading, and sometimes I think its not worth the effort. I think Ill put it on my list of try to do instead of must do. Oh well. We went to check out the line for Spaceship Earth much better. 10 minutes. So we rode it and loved it as usual. While in line I saw yet another person with the mysterious rash now I was beginning to wonder if the First Aid CM at MK was right when she said it was common around here and comes up from the ground. My rash was beginning to disappear by this point, thank goodness.
It was hot! And the fountain was going off, so we allowed it to drench us while we enjoyed its majesty. We decided it was time to take a mid-afternoon break so we headed for the WS gateway. It was July the 4th, so we were concerned that the park would hit capacity so we asked a CM about it on the way out. Apparently the MK had hit capacity by noon. She explained that it was possible, but if we got back by 5:00 or 6:00 we should be okay. It was around 4:00 by this point, so we opted not to take a swim but to simply relax in the room. We did just that and it was a wonderful break. We had PS at Flying Fish @ 5:30 but we had eaten so much for lunch, we just werent hungry enough. So we headed back to Epcot and got back in with no problem. I think it was about 6:00 at this point. Illuminations wasnt until 10:00. We stopped in France and watched Bubble Nicholas. It was a great show although the poor guy had to get out of the bubble and perform due to the heat. Lots of funny audience participation. We made our way to the America Pavillion and watched these adorable young female cloggers. Let me tell you it was HOT! We didnt make it through the whole show. Instead we went inside to wait for The American Adventure, another one of our favorites. My DH literally laid down on the floor to cool off. He said the tile was nice and cold. It was wonderful to see the show on our countrys birthday. I even got a lump in my throat. After the show we shopped some in Italy and China. I guess I should say we looked because we actually refrained from buying anything. It was 1 hour and 40 minutes until Illuminations and folks were lining up like crazy. I still wasnt hungry, but my DH was so we stopped at Norway and he got an open faced salmon sandwich. I just didnt have it in me. Earler in the day @ Mexico, a CM had told us that the fireworks were going to be fantastic and that at the end, they would be shot off from behind the American Adventure pavilion. Armed with this info, we decided to grab a spot between Norway and China. It was packed!!!!!! But we were just 1 row back from the front so I was happy. These people in front of us were totally grossing my DH out as he ate his semi-raw fish. The husband thought that the rest of Epcot just had to see his stomach, so he lifted up his shirt to expose his belly. Another person was proudly displaying his butt-crack. Amazing! My DH actually took pictures of these spectacles. It seems people think you want to see their body parts.
Illuminations was incredible! The 4th of July tag was awe inspiring. Not only did fireworks shoot from the AA pavilion, but they added a huge display in the center of the lagoon. Unlike anything Ive ever seen. It was the best 4th of July display I have ever seen anywhere!
It was a slow walk through the massive crowd back to the WS entrance. But we were so pumped up with excitement, we didnt care. My husband is tall, so hes good at making his way through crowds. I just get behind him a little, take his hand, and let him lead the way. Another couple realized we were making good headway through the crowds, so they followed us. I was glad we could help. J
What a great day this was, our our tired exhausted feet could take no more. Off to sleep we went in anticipation of another Disney day.
Stay tuned for Day 4.
PamNC
I am hoping maybe you can give me some insight on some things disney 
First do you drive down to disney if so I am looking for a nice place to stay about half way down. This will be our 3rd trip we go in Oct. we always drive but didn't want to make the whole trip in one day this year, I have a eight year old son and husband so we have an extra day to travel. Second question since you are from Winston Salem I know you are familar with Cozumel Mexican Restraunt in Clemmons? We love mexican food, but I have never seen anything on the menu from the mexican restraunt at Epcot that sounded like anything that I have eaten, kinda scared to pay that much money for food I don't know if I can eat. Also you mention going to the land and riding a boat, I am not sure where this is I guess we have missed it what is this exactly? We have spent alot of time at the Magic kingdom in the past and have not got to explore Epcot as much 
