Chirp chirp... chirp chirp...
I hear crickets. Anyone still out there?
It was our last full day and we started doing some cleanup. I took a photo of our DVC tree exchange tree before dismantling it (yes, it's a little crooked up top!)
Today's day began with breakfast at Kona Cafe, mainly for the legendary Tonga Toast. This meant again taking a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then taking the resort monorail to the Polynesian. When we got there, we told our waiter that we would use it, and he said "you know that it's not a very good value for breakfast, right?" Sure, we did, but what the heck. I asked a couple questions about if we could get certainly things, and everything was answered with a "yeah, sure." He took our order, went in the back, and came back a few minutes later telling us that we
only get a drink and entree. That's it.
That really
is a lousy use of a table service credit! After some discussion, we decided to pay out of pocket and try to visit the Turf Club Bar and Grille at Saratoga Springs that night, since it probably wouldn't require a reservation.
The food was fine at Kona but the service was mediocre. We weren't impressed with the waiter saying yes to everything then telling us otherwise (at least he told us before the final order went in), then he disappeared for a long period of time. All in all, I'm not sure that we'll be returning any time soon. Jack did love the chairs near the Tambu Lounge, though!
We hopped on the monorail to head over to the TTC...
...then on to Epcot to finish up there.
One of the first things we did was Mission Space.
Again I'd forgotten my Dramamine and this is a ride that kicks my butt pretty good. I've done it 2-3 times in the past and it was always more of an "endure" than "enjoy", but my wife can take it in stride, even though she can't do Tower of Terror or Expedition Everest (neither of which bothered me in the least.) It's that "get shook around while watching a movie" thing that really kills me.
So, we decided to do the "wimp" version that doesn't spin. I have to say, it's still a fairly intense ride, even without the spinning! You still get all the same movements, it's just that the g-forces aren't quite as high. Your cheeks don't start flapping but it's still definitely a thrill ride. Overall, I was surprised that it was as close to the full-bore version as it was.
Next, we did Test Track. Here's a sort of "hidden Mickey", on the top shelf of the cabinet... (the color balance is really strange here, I just couldn't get anything that looked natural.)
The ride was still fun...
...and it must be the trial location for the new setup of having ride photos put on your Photopass card.
I would expect that in the next couple years, all the rides that take your picture will have this setup. You have a certain amount of time (there's a countdown on-screen) to insert your Photopass card, which you'll then be able to take to any of the photo locations around the park, or visit online when you get home, to view your photos. This seems like a fairly good idea, as long as there's still some humans around in case you don't get a chance to put your card in the slot in time.
While we're talking Test Track... GM ought to be really embarrassed at the post-show area. It is, by
far, the most shameful self-promotion of any ride sponsor on property. First you're surrounded by GM cars complete with window stickers, then you've got tons of GM-related souvenirs they want you to buy... granted, the "bird and robot" show after World of Motion was a bit of a snoozer, but it's better that just seeing a car on a platform. I dunno, the whole thing just makes me uncomfortable, it's not appropriate for a WDW post-show environment IMHO.
We wandered around the stores a little...
Here's another one where you can see me if you look
really close!
Here's one of the more bizarre popcorn carts on property.
Over to Imagination, which is getting longer in the tooth every time we visit. This pavilion could use an overhaul, and bring back Dreamfinder while you're at it! And get rid of the skunk smell!
However, the dancing fountains are fine and should remain no matter what else changes. Jack certainly loved them!
(No, that's not Jack in this picture, even though he's got the same backpack!)
We headed up towards World Showcase to make a couple quick visits...
We headed back to Future World and had lunch at Sunrise Seasons, then headed back out of the park.
...arriving at the Magic Kingdom as it was starting to get dark.
Next... last night at MK!
) But a neck strap might be OK, too. At one point in our trip, my wife tried hanging her small PnS off a small neck strap that was originally an old Epcot water bottle strap, but I think it hung it down too far and it swung around too much.
You can tell what her big weakness is... 
