10/17 Epcot Solo Trip Up at 5 AM. I made some serious misjudgments
as to how long it would take to get from the hotel to the airport to acquire my rental car so I ended up arriving at Epcot at 7 AM, (yes, 7 AM)! I did save the $11 parking fee
and was able to park with most of the employees. I took a ride on the mono-rail until 8 AM and then waited for the ticket booths to open, which was at 8:20. I was 2nd in line thru the turnstiles and hurried to the rope drop. At 8:55 the Soarin personnel showed up, and at exactly 9 AM they escorted us to Soarin, at a safe pace. What a good idea to keep people from running over each other. After reading this forum, I knew what most Soarin fanatics did to maximize the Soarin fast-pass. I immediately got my 1st fast-pass at soarin and went to the stand-by line. About a 10 min. wait. Soarin was all I read it would be, Best ever ride at Disney.
I knew I would have to see it at least 2 more times to see all the scenery. WOW, just incredible, wish it were a 15 min ride instead of 5. Walked (very fast) to test-track
, 10 minute wait. Upon exiting, picked up a fast-pass for a later ride on the test-track. Went over to Mission Space, waited about 20 minutes in line because of some sort of incident (probably sickness) in the group before ours. I am 50 years old, done hundreds of rides in my life, always wanted to do rides multiple times, Mission Space is the 1st ride I will never go on again. Long story-short, my head did not straighten out until late afternoon!
Wobbled outside, sat down for 10 minutes and proceeded back to soarin for my 2nd ride. It was just as amazing as my 1st ride. Exited soarin, and obtained another fast-pass for soarin. It was now about 11:30 and the soarin fast-pass return time was 2:40 3:40. Again, from reading these forums, I knew that Disney overlooked the fast-pass times as long as you werent early for them. I planned to be at the World Showcase the entire afternoon and use the soarin fast-pass after 7 PM. Headed to the World Showcase, did the Canada 360 film
beautiful, every time I see it. I tried to do a walk-in to the Steakhouse, no luck. So, I went to England and had lunch at the Rose & Crown fish and chips
outside by the lake perfect in every way. French film next
, followed by the American Adventure
, picked up a fast-pass for the Viking boat ride since the wait was 30 min, and then did the Mexican Boat ride
. Went back to Norway and stood in the stand-by line since they were not allowing fast-pass users. The line was 20 min, the longest of the day. What a huge disappointment regarding this ride
. I expected so much more. Walked back to do Ellens Energy Adventure
, only maybe 100 people on our group. Did some shopping for relatives, and then did soarin for the last time
. Saw some mountain climbers on El Capitan as we soared by that I missed the first 2 times amazing as ever! Back over to the World Showcase to see the China 360 film
and then on to dinner. I had reservations at the new Italy restaurant, but really wanted to do the Japan Tappan-Edo. Worked my way to the hostess, explained I was solo, and asked if there were any single place settings coming up. To my amazement there was a table of 7 that had room for 1 more. I was immediately introduced to the 7 strangers and had 1 of my top 10 dinners I ever had
. Perfect in every way. The chef was fabulous. I did totally miss the fireworks
, which I will see again in years to come. I also missed all 3 shows of Little Richard
, but I had my priorities of what I wanted to do and see. I finished the night off with a slow stroll around the Showcase Lake
and exited Epcot at 10:30, a very satisfying and perfect day. There is nothing like doing Epcot solo at your own pace, if it were not for feeling funny dining alone. The stroll around the lake at night would have been better with my spouse; I guess Ill have to bring her along next time
! Thanks to all you posters for helping me plan all I did.
