Day 7 - Epcot / MGM / Honey, we leave tomorrow.
Cast:
PoohFanKC, 39, dad and husband (me);
DW, 39, lets me do the planning, but has veto power;
DD, 11; DS, 9; DS, 7.
Dates: June 1 - June 8, 2002
Resort: Port Orleans Riverside (Dixie Landings)
Trip: Second trip for all of us, first was in 2000.
Our last day at WDW. We wanted to end the day at MGM with Fantasmic! and had several more things to see at Epcot. After one last trip to commune with the Mug Zombies at the food court in the early morning, we were ready to head to Epcot. We were there before rope drop, reviewing the entertainment schedule while we waited. At rope drop, everyone in the place made for Test Track. We grabbed FPs and got in line. After watching several incidents of cruelty to test dummies while in line (those machines hit pretty hard!), we were in the pre-show within about ten minutes. We had a car to ourselves (they apparently dont start the single rider line up right away) and rode twice. One of two things happened: I suspect that the ride camera malfunctioned the first time, so we were sent around again so that we could have an opportunity to buy a picture, or alternatively, there was a holdup in the pre-show (there was no one waiting in the loading area when we completed the first circuit). DD said something to a CM about riding again, and next thing I know, we are riding again. Well, that reduced the need for FPs to ride again (or so I thought).
We headed next to Wonders of Life. We explored the interactive displays and took in Cranium Command. It was fun watching my 11 year old DD watch the workings of the 12 year old boys mind. She thought some of it was funny and some of it was stupid. I think that sums up her view of a typical 12 year old boy. The FP window for Test Track was closing and DD wanted to go one more time. DD and I headed there vowing to meet the others at the Universe of Energy afterwards. We gave away the three extra FPs and rode quickly. After looking around a bit for the family, we found them outside between Life and Energy. On to the Universe of Energy show - not bad, but it lasts 45 minutes. Mission Space is coming along. It looks like the building will be interesting. We wandered some and caught part of the Jammitors act before heading to WS.
We took a boat to Italy and went counterclockwise from there, continuing DS7's quest by picking up the stamps and decorations for his mask. [Personal aside: I was proud of DD and DS9 for going along with DS7's quest. Neither of them wanted to do their own masks, but waited patiently with him as we revisited every country, and showed interest in the end result. Even after a week in the heat and humidity, with all of the over-stimulation that WDW offers, (and the semi-commando mode that we had taken), they were still kind and caring.] We shopped as we went toward Mexico. DD added to her personal elephant collection in China. I toyed with buying the cologne in Norway - the brand name is a variation on our last name. No one could decide on lunch - Chinese vs. Mexican vs. going back to POR, or even if they were hungry. After much indecision, we headed back to FW.
We toured Innoventions East and West. I told DW that we needed to at least walk through them since we had skipped both buildings entirely on our last visit. Aside from the video games, we didnt find a lot that struck our fancy. Before leaving, we located a second talking drinking fountain (outside near MouseGear) and a talking trashcan near the electric Umbrella (its inside). The kids liked these extra touches. We said our goodbyes to the big golf ball and headed back to POR.
After naps we planned on grabbing some food at the food court and eating it before/while swimming at the main pool. By the time naps were over, lightning and thunder had started up. This was nothing like a good old Kansas thunderstorm, but WDW wisely closed the pool until it passed. We ate a pizza at the food court - actually a very good deal considering the size of the pizza. The rain let up for a while, but the pool didnt reopen. We opted to return to the room and get ready for our last night at WDW. We were going to see Fantasmic!, rain or shine.
As we were heading into MGM, the masses were headed out. The precipitation switched from a sprinkle to light rain while we were walking between the bus stop and the front gate. We donned our ponchos (translucent orange so they stood out - we got lots of comments from CMs on them) before we entered the park. We hoped that with so many people leaving that we would be able to have a relatively uncrowded evening - we were right. We headed for Millionaire and just made it in for the 6:15 show. I was in second place after five questions before crashing and burning on a Latin question. DW knew the answer. With the second contestant I was still in the top ten when the show ended. I like this game!
.
The rain let up somewhat while we were inside. We next headed to Rock n Roller Coaster. The FPs were gone and the wait was 60 minutes. Instead of waiting, we did Star Tours (no wait), the Great Movie Ride (even less wait, if thats possible) and looked under the big hat. I saw another pin on a CM lanyard and suggested DS7 trade for it. Deal done. DW went for snacks while the rest of us did Star Tours again. We took a self guided tour of an empty New York Street in search of the Singing in the Rain umbrella. We found it, but did not fully experience the effects, as it was already raining. We walked past Indiana Jones to pull the rope at the well. We wandered through some of the shops on Sunset Blvd. At 8:30 or so we headed to Fantasmic! and found seats. It was raining pretty consistently and those without ponchos were getting pretty wet. The show was good, even in the rain. I didnt remember it as well as I thought for two years before. DS9 was happy that we saw it.
We left with the masses and were carried off to POR very shortly after reaching the bus stop. It was an excellent time for the bus to pull up right when we needed it! The kids dried off and went to bed. DW and I packed almost everything and went to bed.
Best Experience of the Day: A feeling of accomplishment, as we had seen all of the attractions that we wanted to (and more) and taken time to just feel the magic.
Worst Experience of the Day: The Rain
Next Report: Reflections and Recommendations.
Cast:
PoohFanKC, 39, dad and husband (me);
DW, 39, lets me do the planning, but has veto power;
DD, 11; DS, 9; DS, 7.
Dates: June 1 - June 8, 2002
Resort: Port Orleans Riverside (Dixie Landings)
Trip: Second trip for all of us, first was in 2000.
Our last day at WDW. We wanted to end the day at MGM with Fantasmic! and had several more things to see at Epcot. After one last trip to commune with the Mug Zombies at the food court in the early morning, we were ready to head to Epcot. We were there before rope drop, reviewing the entertainment schedule while we waited. At rope drop, everyone in the place made for Test Track. We grabbed FPs and got in line. After watching several incidents of cruelty to test dummies while in line (those machines hit pretty hard!), we were in the pre-show within about ten minutes. We had a car to ourselves (they apparently dont start the single rider line up right away) and rode twice. One of two things happened: I suspect that the ride camera malfunctioned the first time, so we were sent around again so that we could have an opportunity to buy a picture, or alternatively, there was a holdup in the pre-show (there was no one waiting in the loading area when we completed the first circuit). DD said something to a CM about riding again, and next thing I know, we are riding again. Well, that reduced the need for FPs to ride again (or so I thought).
We headed next to Wonders of Life. We explored the interactive displays and took in Cranium Command. It was fun watching my 11 year old DD watch the workings of the 12 year old boys mind. She thought some of it was funny and some of it was stupid. I think that sums up her view of a typical 12 year old boy. The FP window for Test Track was closing and DD wanted to go one more time. DD and I headed there vowing to meet the others at the Universe of Energy afterwards. We gave away the three extra FPs and rode quickly. After looking around a bit for the family, we found them outside between Life and Energy. On to the Universe of Energy show - not bad, but it lasts 45 minutes. Mission Space is coming along. It looks like the building will be interesting. We wandered some and caught part of the Jammitors act before heading to WS.
We took a boat to Italy and went counterclockwise from there, continuing DS7's quest by picking up the stamps and decorations for his mask. [Personal aside: I was proud of DD and DS9 for going along with DS7's quest. Neither of them wanted to do their own masks, but waited patiently with him as we revisited every country, and showed interest in the end result. Even after a week in the heat and humidity, with all of the over-stimulation that WDW offers, (and the semi-commando mode that we had taken), they were still kind and caring.] We shopped as we went toward Mexico. DD added to her personal elephant collection in China. I toyed with buying the cologne in Norway - the brand name is a variation on our last name. No one could decide on lunch - Chinese vs. Mexican vs. going back to POR, or even if they were hungry. After much indecision, we headed back to FW.
We toured Innoventions East and West. I told DW that we needed to at least walk through them since we had skipped both buildings entirely on our last visit. Aside from the video games, we didnt find a lot that struck our fancy. Before leaving, we located a second talking drinking fountain (outside near MouseGear) and a talking trashcan near the electric Umbrella (its inside). The kids liked these extra touches. We said our goodbyes to the big golf ball and headed back to POR.
After naps we planned on grabbing some food at the food court and eating it before/while swimming at the main pool. By the time naps were over, lightning and thunder had started up. This was nothing like a good old Kansas thunderstorm, but WDW wisely closed the pool until it passed. We ate a pizza at the food court - actually a very good deal considering the size of the pizza. The rain let up for a while, but the pool didnt reopen. We opted to return to the room and get ready for our last night at WDW. We were going to see Fantasmic!, rain or shine.
As we were heading into MGM, the masses were headed out. The precipitation switched from a sprinkle to light rain while we were walking between the bus stop and the front gate. We donned our ponchos (translucent orange so they stood out - we got lots of comments from CMs on them) before we entered the park. We hoped that with so many people leaving that we would be able to have a relatively uncrowded evening - we were right. We headed for Millionaire and just made it in for the 6:15 show. I was in second place after five questions before crashing and burning on a Latin question. DW knew the answer. With the second contestant I was still in the top ten when the show ended. I like this game!
.
The rain let up somewhat while we were inside. We next headed to Rock n Roller Coaster. The FPs were gone and the wait was 60 minutes. Instead of waiting, we did Star Tours (no wait), the Great Movie Ride (even less wait, if thats possible) and looked under the big hat. I saw another pin on a CM lanyard and suggested DS7 trade for it. Deal done. DW went for snacks while the rest of us did Star Tours again. We took a self guided tour of an empty New York Street in search of the Singing in the Rain umbrella. We found it, but did not fully experience the effects, as it was already raining. We walked past Indiana Jones to pull the rope at the well. We wandered through some of the shops on Sunset Blvd. At 8:30 or so we headed to Fantasmic! and found seats. It was raining pretty consistently and those without ponchos were getting pretty wet. The show was good, even in the rain. I didnt remember it as well as I thought for two years before. DS9 was happy that we saw it.
We left with the masses and were carried off to POR very shortly after reaching the bus stop. It was an excellent time for the bus to pull up right when we needed it! The kids dried off and went to bed. DW and I packed almost everything and went to bed.
Best Experience of the Day: A feeling of accomplishment, as we had seen all of the attractions that we wanted to (and more) and taken time to just feel the magic.
Worst Experience of the Day: The Rain
Next Report: Reflections and Recommendations.
! Seems like you didn't let the rain spoil the fun on your last day.
