We woke up really early this morning considering how late we had been up last night. Although we were still very tired we knew it was our last full day and we had to take full advantage of it. While we were getting dressed DH went to finalize our rental car arrangements.
We had flown down on passes so we had to fly stand by and the flights going home from Orlando were really full. We felt doubtful that we would have a seat on any of those flights. We knew there were many more open seats leaving from Tampa. Our plan was to get a rental car and drive to Tampa tomorrow afternoon and catch an early evening flight back to Atlanta. I had contacted Alamo earlier in the week so DH was using the concierge to finalize our arrangements. The CM he dealt with was very helpful. The Alamo people would have someone pick us up from the CR at 5 pm. We did have a problem with our ADR, however. The original plan was to eat at Coral Reef at 4:30 so we had to cancel those arrangements
and decided we would play it by ear for dinner.
DH & I really wanted to see the American Experience at Epcot and I still wanted to explore the World Showcase. Then we would go to CR get the rental and then go to MK. We still had not seen SpectroMagic
which is a must do for us. Somehow, I just feel I have to end my trip at the MK.
Everything was arranged. It was an absolutely beautiful day; probably the best day, weather wise of our trip. We arrived at Epcot and the crowds seemed very low, big poufy clouds, nice breeze, low humidity
.perfect!
We had a great morning and afternoon. We did Spaceship Earth, Mission Space, Soarin, Figment and played on all the machines at the Kodak lab. We loved morphing ourselves into monkeys and tigers. We are kinda cute
dont cha think. I am saving these for show & tell with the kids future dates
hehehe
We did purchase a fun family picture that looks like we are floating in space with Goofy and Mickey. That took up quite a bit of time but it was fun. We had to remember to pick it up later in the afternoon. We made our way into the World Showcase and we were all starving at this point. We wanted to eat at the fish and chips place in England. Unfortunately it was closed .It was quickly approaching the time for American Experience and it was do it or forget it. I really wanted to see this not sure my kiddos agreed. We did make it in plenty of time. We enjoyed looking around the building. I guess it was 15 20 minutes before the show and this singing group came out. Voices of Liberty
.oh my gosh!!! They were fantastic. We really enjoyed them especially DH. He sings in our church choir so he really appreciates picking out the harmonies. We all thought they were just fantastic
It was on into the auditorium. There are several statues, approx. 18 or so, that lined the room. They are very beautiful and worth taking the time to look at. They each capture a part of the American spirit
The Spirit of
Compassion
Discovery
Individualism
Heritage
etc.
I had to take a picture of the Heritage statue since it is an American Indian woman and my ancestors are Cherokee. It touched me because all too often the Native Americans are forgotten about.
The show started soon after we were seated and we all enjoyed it very much. DD did sleep through some of it but what she saw she did enjoy. I could see younger children being bored somewhat with this but I do recommend it. At the end of the show there are many clips from our nations history
I found it to be is very moving, patriotic & inspiring.
We were now really starving so we decided to eat at the American Pavilion (sorry cant remember the name).
We shared 2 CS here and had good ol American Burgers and FF as well as smores. The food was okay
not bad
but not especially good either. We then watched a few minutes of the Drum & Fife group.
We wondered throughout the WS enjoying each country. We met a couple of characters along the way. My DS loved when Belle told him he looked strong and handsome like Gaston but she could tell he was much nicer.
We then met Gheptto:
We rode Maelstrom, shopped a bit and picked up some pastries at the Norway bakery
YUM!!!
We realized it was getting late and we must hurry to get to the CR by 5 pm. We almost forgot to pick up our picture from the Kodak lab at the Imagination Pavilion. We were very concerned with making it to get our picture and then to the monorail. Our DS volunteered to go get it because #1 he is faster than the rest of us and #2 DD was in complain mode and was in no way wanted to hurry. So Justin was off on his own.. Once I lost sight of him I began to fret. Were we crazy letting him go off alone?
The worried mommy took over my brain and the what ifs started. We had of course, set up a designated spot for a designated time but I was in full worried mode long before time for him to be back. The time came for him to be back and he wasnt
I told DH I am going to look for him. The park seemed much more crowded than earlier today and I am thinking all of the crazy thoughts that only mothers think. Then off in the distance I see a Goofy hat on an adorable kid and all of a sudden my heart felt lighter as relief washed over me.
I was so thankful to see him. He explained how busy the Imagination Pavilion was and how he had to wait in a long, slow line. We found DD and DH and all headed to the monorail.
The train was there as we started up the platform. It is so far, it is so hot; it is taking so long to get there. Will we make it? We are dragging DD and DH up the ramp
Go people
hurry!!!! We are running out of time. Aaaahhhh
. we made it. Then we realized we are getting on the WRONG MONORAIL. Oh!!! *^%@#$%^&.!!!!!
Back down the ramp and over to the next ramp running and once again dragging DD and DH. Sweating, breathing hard (or should I say barely breathing)
.Finally we made it. Yes! this is the right train.
Oh my gosh I think I am going to pass out! We are all exhausted. I think people are staring at us.
We have all gotten a little cooler and caught our breath just as we approach the CR. We make our way outside and there is no cab or Alamo vehicle for us. I call Alamo to let them know we are a few minutes late getting to CR and the rep I am talking to informs me they do not have any record of us or our reservation. WHAT!!!! No reservation! No record! You have got to be kidding me! Well, DH more or less blows up
he is furious.
He said the CM at POP called and he stood there while he made the reservation. Alamo denied any record of a phone call or reservation. He was not a happy camper
no, no, no. The NYer in my DH is coming out! DD was mortified that he was so angry and expressing himself, rather loudly and openly to Alamo in the lobby of the CR. Finally, the Alamo rep tells us she can send us a cab but we will have to pay OOP. DH is now more furious!!!!
&*:^%#$*(*&^%^%!!! He demands that they pay and she tells him it will be taken off our rental. Ok
we can live with that. After all we have canceled Coral Reef, rushed like maniacs out of Epcot and basically cut our day in half to get the car. We wait for just a few minutes and we are picked up.
We arrive at Alamo and it is 5:45 and they close at 6 pm. You realize when you enter this facility that they are definitely not part of Disney. It is Customer NO Service here
you know what I mean. They are doing you a favor by waiting on you. Well this is the part that really turns ugly or should I say dumb. Maybe the title for this day should be the Hill Family gets Dumb and Dumber ( I think that is what I will call it hahaha). We fill out all appropriate paper work and start to hand over the CC when he asks for the drivers license. Oh No, I do not have the drivers license. I cannot believe I have done something so stupid. I have left my drivers license in the room safe and so has DH.. There is no solution except have them pick us up in the morning first thing. That is how we left it. They would pick us up at 7:30 am at POP. Now, how will we get back CR or MK? They finally agree to have someone take us to the TTC. We feel like the stupid people of the world. What a waste of precious Disney Vacation Time.
We arrive at the TTC and feel completely confused as to where we are.
We are in the middle of a parking lot and everything looks completely strange. We have never seen this area before
or have we? We stand there like 4 lost puppies
where do we go? What do we do? Now I know those of you are saying what do you mean
.Where are you? For some reason we envision that we are in the parking lot of the MK (just the MK) and we could take the tram to the MK. I know
we had a case of the dumb***, as my daddy would say. We get on this tram and there are several people on with us. We think we are heading to the entrance gate of the MK. We then realize we are heading into the parking lot
not away from it. We have to get off this tram. Stop this thing and let us off. Get disembark from the tram and look at each other with the most dumbfounded looks. What the heck just happened? We are standing in the parking lot near the Minnie section and laughing like fools. We all feel completely stupid. We have had one mess up after another
what has happened to our brains? I think I know
.too much sun, too much chocolate and too many roller coasters. Oh well
we must get back to the MK. That is the goal. We start walking back toward the TCC. We saw a CM as we started to enter a walkway tunnel thingy. He was very helpful and we now realize we needed to get on the monorail. I think we finally get it.
. Makes DH 
As I was reading I kept thinking "Gosh I hope my 2 older kids are that happy when we are there"
...3 kids!!!! Just kidding.
.. he calls it an over priced working vacation....he thinks it takes a lot of work to be at Disney....
)
You can see it in their faces. These pictures make me sad all over again. 
)
We stopped to take a few pictures as we headed out.
your family for getting through it! But I'm glad to see it did get ironed out in the end and you enjoyed your evening. 
Anyway, thanks for the wonderful installments, you are doing an awesome job!!
I am looking forward to your MGM installment. 50s PTC was one of our favorites! Thanks for sharing,
