We wake up bright and early. It is ELECTION day in FLORIDA! I somehow feel connected to politics since election day in Indiana usually doesn't mean SQUAT!!
The wake up call came at 6:45, sure wish they had a variety of wake up calls, not the same one every day. Wouldn't it be nice to have Cinderella politely asking you to wake up from your dream... that's a wish your heart makes. Or maybe Lightning McQueen can tell you he's gonna race you to the bus stop today! How about Buzz and Woody arguing over who gets to wake you today... just some thoughts!
We packed up our stuff and were ready to go by 7:30. Amazing how fast you can get ready and packed when it's just the two of you. We headed to the lobby to check our baggage and check in for our flight. We didn't realize Air Tran was one of their pre-check-in airlines, but Matt asked and it was. That is ONE HECK of a SWEET convenience, let me tell you!! We were so free to meander over to the airport whenever we were ready, and not have to check in, or get our luggage screened. A+ for that service!!
We drove over to BCV again and were in Epcot by 8:15. Had a lovely walk through empty UK and Canada.. one of our favorite times of day.. early morning in WS.
Soarin' was our mission this morning.
We snagged FP then waited for about 15 minutes in standby. Finally got up the nerve to ask for top and center seats. Holy cow.. it was so easy. They didn't even roll their eyes at us. We just had to wait through an extra 'flight'... which is TOTALLY worth it, let me tell you. I will NEVER, EVER ride on the bottom row again.. EVER!
ALWAYS ASK FOR TOP CENTER WHEN YOU RIDE SOARIN'.... ALWAYS, PEOPLE!!
The ride was superb as usual. Just love the feeling as the 'gliders' pul back down at the end of the ride. I always try to turn around as I'm exiting the ride to look at the MASSIVE mechanism that was just holding me in the air. It's quite a sight, I recommend checking it out.
Our tummies were rumblin' so we grabbed a little snack at the Land food court. I snagged a banana and a hot chocolate (Diet Coke for DH, of course). We rested and enjoyed the atmosphere while waiting for our FP.
On our next Soarin' adventure, one of the CM's obviously acted on a dare and recited the pre-boarding show spiel as fast as possible. It was hilarious! He had the whole thing memorized and just rattled it off at lightning speed. Good fun!
After we had our fill of California, we headed to Mission:Space for another training for a Mars flight. Seriously, I have been trained many times now. You'd think Gary Sinise would recognize me, and let me go straight to the REAL Mars mission, eh?
We basically walked right on to the orange side. I smiled extra big at the "slingshot around the moon" part.. which is my favorite sensation, followed closely by the liftoff. G FORCES ROCK!!! I was worried about Matt, though. He gets a little woogitty on the orange side.. but he did alright!
I wanted to ride TT... Matt, not feeling it. So I, once again, used the blessed single rider line and enjoyed that 65mph rush that I love so much. Just wish we didn't have to go through all of that other stuff to get there... I'm impatient!
It was nearing our ADR time at CR, but I could NOT get there early. The divers didn't get into the tank until 12:30, and our ADR's were for 11:40... so I had to delay a bit. "Hey honey.. the sun feels so warm today.. let's just hang out by the Fountain of Nations and soak it in.. how's that sound?"
FABULOUS!!!!
Just FABULOUS!!!!
Then, I remembered it!!
Sweet! Time to torture somebody with the Beverly. Some poor, unsuspecting fool...
ME...
Okay.. it was gross, and I really would not buy it for myself.. but it wasn't as horrific as everyone says..
Now, Matt on the other hand
he didn't like it so much...
Here were my faves:
Okay. Enough time has been killed. Let's go eat!!
I thought the restaurant was gorgeous. Tucked away behind Nemo and Friends, I had NEVER seen it! The atmosphere is stunning and intriguing. I was totally excited to get this meal on the road!
Debi, the manager that worked with me a bit on the 'surprises' personally escorted Matt and me to our table. She put us right next to the tank, then handed us our fish guide, then (I was so excited).. the menu!!
HUH?!?!!? Where are the pictures I sent? Where was the little verse I wrote for my husband of 10 years?! I was so disappointed in the menu... I just smiled, though.. I didn't want Matt to think anything had gone wrong. He thought it was pretty darn sweet that it "Happy Anniversary" on it... so why ruin that?!
Our WONDERFUL waiter showed up with this:
Yes, carbs! He also offered us a complimentary glass of champagne. We declined... again.. weird looks. But he said he'd surprise us later.
We gorged on the bread and butter.. it was delish.. and enjoyed the beautiful sea life.
Mr. Ray coming to say hi:
Our waiter took a lot of time in between visits, and I knew exactly what he was doing. MILKING the meal for as long as possible to make sure the divers got in. I ordered BBQ salmon.
Can you even guess what Matt ordered. Come on.. you can do it! Yep... STEAK!!
MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Right on cue, at 12:30, Matt says, "Oh cool! There's the divers!" They plopped down into the tank and headed STRAIGHT towards us. Matt notices this, along with the paper in one of the divers hands. He looks at me, incredulously, and says, "This is for us, isn't it?" It was priceless.. he was so cute and excited!
The diver came right up to the window with the sign:
Everyone around us was so excited for us. They gave words of congratulations and a few asked how we got that done! I didn't want to give the secret away... only for DISers, right?
Then the diver took handfuls of shells from the bottom of the tank and threw them into the air. They fell around the sign like perfect confetti. It was the COOLEST moment. Matt was grinning from ear to ear!
Sorry the pics aren't very good... I was trembling...
Thirty seconds after the divers left, our amazing waiter came to our table with a GORGEOUS dessert plate, compliments of the restaurant.
This dessert plate was California Grill calibur. And, I forgot to mention, the food was stellar as well. It was the PERFECT way to end our 10th Anniversary celebration. I would recommend it to anyone!
I know... I've been wearing that dang hoodie the entire trip!!
I did stop and talk to Debi quickly about the menu. I told her I had emailed pictures and a poem to put in it. She said Reginald (the other manager that I emailed the stuff to) probably didn't get the email, or couldn't open it. Okay.. why didn't he contact me, then?! Oh YEAH.. he has a restaurant to run. I should've been the one to confirm that the pics were received.
NOTE TO Y'ALL: IF YOU USE THE PERSONALIZED MENU AT CORAL REEF.. CALL, CONFIRM, HARASS THE MANAGERS TO MAKE SURE THEY GET YOUR STUFF!!
So what could add to our already perfect day? No, we didn't get to see Illuminations again, silly.. we had to catch a plane before that....
How about Voices of Liberty... how about Voices of Liberty in the front row for 4 straight sets? How about a personal dedication by the Voices of Liberty?
You wanna hear about it.. don't you.......
and that castle at DTD......we saw one like it last year in the shop that's at the bottom of the castle at MK and couldn't believe the price! 
sure.....let me just pull out my change from dinner. 
anyway, looking forward to playing catchup and reading more about your trip!
I love this - one of my favorite things at WDW. What a perfect, lovely last 
night!
Hope you've been able to get caught up! Looking to finish this thing up by the end of April...
i need to keep a journal when i comment on posts.
So sweet!!!!
