This Trip Report Is Under Refurbishment For Your Future Enjoyment (UPDATED 9/13 with final bonus chapter)

Chapter 5: The Moon Ain’t As Big As That Pizza Pie


Up to this point, we’d been moving slowly around Epcot as a large group of 8 people. My mother has been dealing with a foot injury for a long time now, and it has been very slow to heal, so she was forced to rent a scooter to get around the parks. This had the effect of forcing us to move a little more slowly than normal.


Once our ride on Spaceship Earth was complete, it was time to split up. My parents had their own dining reservation to get to, and then they would be off to visit my brother and his family, who had arrived that day and were spending a few hours in the Magic Kingdom. Meanwhile, the six of us were also splitting up. The big kids and I had a Fastpass for Mission: Space. Julie is not fond of motion simulators. More to the point, she is not fond of throwing up, so she was going to take Drew on the Nemo ride. He seemed happy with that idea.


koPe-BwM01k6AHozCbmY2l_fqtrvtcPi3T9nTbOBFSGxm6qJbJ0zfF9v4cqvvqoFczEb-g3Ia2ZaYgu4a1BXNugmGtaOU_tjTKrM9u7yq4bn0xpP41GPT6CuSQce5LEp2AM6w2PlYBbWK1wTFCfhIoCMDexakNS_aVAMNtccA2BLdS60o_oRpEDqIyew5ylgRb4T5k6QeabFfX0kHJXC-p-qLodOmk9blNTA5cy0G8ygK1_N6cu_sKYnITQQf6smqZck52bdOFBLvSrIX-oqPQrq33xrAcK-SnxgtxzAPeV4SzAF8PSgaG8BjVYy1aerKfTc7tMeiP5bXJ2uMPyKkBs_Ixcb2R4DKq1dYWd0osS0bnZAUnuZcEq9-GFZUwW_2E7oo0Ebx6RpEm9O8d-OlE-pdWj95IdGe_zXI4kni_-HZPSXRxL3UIN9uWh5tT_4a4sF8GbXYh508o2YdqVyU3USZhutIBzsKmX6eRj91JVufGAP29KXDv7H5xLV3b_nEZZ8npVyayAAzltveWPSWmwumhy4-IMIU167i8B4HBnffRHVY4wY0758Gg0S58ag9vdv8b0p0aX6fCQ7ohRE12ekzOCJxUIYBF3peG_ebcleqQJQN9Ni1AEcbnI5ZrujlCZwXT2PKtnwtgCXopzJNM4QAA=w1112-h834-no



It was all fun and games until Julie fed Drew to a shark. Honestly, I can’t let her go more than five minutes without supervision.


nAbS4KKmpNpCI1iPFDzZTsld3tUf5bCpkl8IisDPdrUKS7ynAhO9r7DUXF1LZ4eO4RbAKpKys9HKBIZBfcOEpK5a4c6tbbHb1dzgWwfccpUPQ6mfsMcc_YI1Ovw5sTVf7ReH83EBHVgDw5moFecAK6C_pHHht8JySSDj3nPh36jUgQL5fxgS3jzdRRP_cjmgT65WSjt2h3GjJSzwRZJS1q8acu6BwNJpmHDNqI2r0rAH5txUqsMnCg3gUTpFVD6k553y9bviFSfIEUkSfM2qfoZLbKKoclZChjlDrJLxJgyyVWuz4ivgTitVN5u6LoBReyt9h3QkXp4yF8GSKZDU4qwm1RG3QJqwv-VYnZXeWSSK9MOUtpLY7MQM26lhobNPn5J2plXQjeA527XtRou-xgtOKsrSYAxejGOZ39YN94xkVioZeipeafMB7MfUFF3N3G8zrklh0P01euKQeVvTopMbHi5bgCGSV44aya2IwBMlV6chtQ9rlMMNKKC8qaRsnNCpe8IXudqceQwizxubKSZO4EqNejGU9vqFbyKXliMD99np7OQ4wTrUwH_eoLBOholU6tytpDPATRDuDW4202cHn-tur9iYyMTmQNW52xVj2cnKzcPTbVzvTnXMCEHgFwo1aMgIyu6vVFEbxUiRLVHM_g=w626-h834-no



The big kids and I were on the other side of Epcot, ready to see the newest version of Mission: Space. Along the way, we saw the construction walls up for the new Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster. You can barely see a piece of the building here, but I’ll have a better shot in a later update. That ride is going to be absolutely massive.


lNb232zc5zYKmQa8rHYYqiVyGuk3ukNzPTXIV8VMG9elZzq5NRrHh3qbfUX_xYNvfi7yTB06GbuP_RC3F1E9zmwbJI4DQ3TN52pxAxalLDhlikfcoIV8DNLsudv4JRf6cpOOCGbs0c_33Vlv_LE3oB1qcNsdhJ43jxqXx0sKSpzNBc5p6KPAwxcAGhwKg92JV8DoD9ojfBIx9FI3eWv7g1ddlO7hMOu1oZYh5UFfzfLM14QMQ33i31v3rpedFvCUodlXcFyk7zYDe1MWUd6bqrkbURy3SVy_eQXLQqr7h1CM2TgfyKya_sGIDnVUa-YSYnvX9S82nVcOyaRdRLdMqGAFZh3-CZjjRlZAtJFAdFnTC1M7RZRafkPR-afAfiHz4hweqsRJPw9m3GVF5bMQ49qg9w6nsiUmi2qzDPoKRwhrBuGU2xL5tRf_Y901ovIkZHVGnGXjFhCoZCvIR7GOHQ3EzQ4zHJApFPmyjF6NXDwqscC6tck65Z14hJAI88SCPsiiVnjEYmtatTxw8pvfNxcChRxzoBKmb5RzSzzjPkilLSKPLk-tFGzK7zgm1sdNx3Nw38bcJn6-04X8f6joUJ4tr-8UUqwK2rNKIrHBmcP8h_YTFyQMe6Ncc7ob1diwk9wMvh4ijySfqSDduIlbg6gS3w=w1251-h834-no



We’d always enjoyed Mission: Space on our previous trips. In the eternal Orange Team vs. Green Team debate, my family is decidedly on the Green Team, which means we are a bunch of lame-o’s. The kids might be willing to try the Orange side, but we’re all a little apprehensive about it considering this ride is the only one at Disney with vomit bags provided. I have heard many stories of visitors who ruined their Epcot day by riding the orange side. At my advanced age, I even struggle to handle the spinning teacups without needing some recovery time afterwards. So, Green Team it is. That way, none of us leaves anything Orange in the bags on the ride.


MBRg5LsDfnVg6g8ffqxHQc0Dae1Dy59uVXHTNDy1FiQ47s5al4KwjBUdEiCdLHgX7g30Isio4qs9TjmiMKH5saHyCQxAgwKat4sYkjEqZ8_3s1sxoBlcVSscwqmI_aaQU6bl_td_LbmQPVmLrHUuXTkGHJY0AvjKuAtSodYm-HskQYVa2tlrrMrcSdNl6JjG9qVY9VnWx5nAiOX60YDi2Ik0pOa9XLrSfx660enEXicGXN9Dz8x5pecOFELH2ocKGj3UswhgsnGX_vD1J-ztT89n1ECtZpAs_oa_XVh0vcdXnH7VHsyJemDsFFPd0hhn8ePC6Rraskk0-wg3tru170h7R25xJHWGUQqhTgh-UQ_qANh8k3NEtxM0eDeKBSQo1R5DH5dW_J59OTzXFbs6hoQTtTBOghmCAR1hOyLbDSb06dvGk4Y7nRvNbN3atx_UICekNbO9l1PNEYGGECX0bjjzexlOuIW3_tUZ9wRNSiCgw8jCKKXoqZhLPOjdrvW-KLTmBhfTSAZq2qYqnPl-Z-gjgzNBxjGUnJ7iJ9RNHC1C-IYT1SimgmIj0dql0kXoZmkvy3-omEBPOj6gJqEeJdKMgKc0tAkTF2sP1SWgQqvyIi8C-FFv1zgg-I1grKgoCFWhdYWdB8OYy3ABRviMi2sHWQ=w1251-h834-no



This was never a problem on the old version, as the ride was exactly the same on each side. There was some stray comment about it being a training mission, but it was easy to fool yourself into imagining you were on a mission to Mars. I always had a lot of fun giving the Navigator crap about flying us into a meteor shower.


GPSr2ZFy1b1GAClD-HnjqUgjMd5sP99hWjMT3GHaJ9sH6ZsKpuVVhyB1jdKNw3j-VwRMXA2fM5r3MhkOrL9Vc29hJBWZikxvTmVEJ6p0vqKdzwLv4UrULCR4zzh_MIDFIpclhF7Abhm8F91z8iSlKbWSvExYJQs4oGOYHD7dk17w-ht0OYBhDfcR_79xLW5c_GdxpqfHZYowSzbRpVkL67Gr7TNOnvAfJWT_vrlM6Ao_-1W6cMSwfuFXci3oj6ux4Aw6O8bARK0nDeNWsROFnD5zcGa0hPB-C7wRSEKGxglR4IyTPJJSxzDcDqBqXHuXWuSBYzTeg9QprdzAQBCi4JnG6EmQ2kYssioGodXjLxi4ZO_aXybDlNtQVZ8aKKcAOYNM1GL1LkyDYEyGlYMJDP63cGlCO1nqS79he7-u1IzJgHqarlkRQsXcJd28XYqm3D3R-CcnN6OLc_yKy0gWHFeRk7b6m9WqqaoP4e67nN0s2o4S8-7ed46GPVT6kTBVsFXDHyQkZudb-H2u8gZp3qwMhcSs5KRipRPIgnmdWstVLmheS7uc0Z0TaqhqLC9j4APuYjsOl8Bn3AgIcz9b0M1CqRb_F5YEbbG0C9buxuxQHIWcQtaTtXwxdqCA38-8s83s_FrfX_q1BhiBTyOQwlzAdw=w1112-h835-no



In the new version, the Orange Team gets to fly to Mars while the Green Team is sent on a training mission to orbit the earth. You still serve the same functions (pilot, navigator, etc.) depending on the seat you are assigned and your skill at pressing a button when it lights up is still put to the test. But I’m sorry to report that once again, we left the ride disappointed. The orbit around the earth is not nearly as inspiring as the old flight to Mars. You go through the same launch sequence as before, but then the trip basically amounts to a series of points of light on the earth indicating you’re passing by a city you’ve heard of before. Even the attempt to make it exciting (a storm pops up over your landing site) doesn’t register, because it’s hard to swallow the idea that you would take off in perfect weather and then a few hours later you’d be forced to land in the middle of a hurricane that absolutely no one saw coming.


It almost feels like Disney is penalizing you for choosing the less intense version of the ride, like you’re getting a pat on the head and told to go back to your seat at the kiddie table. Just like Soarin’, we felt the new version wasn’t as fun as the old one.


I feel like a Grumpy Old Man now. Oh, wait—I am one.


Or maybe I’m a country singer. Hey, how many country singers does it take to change a light bulb?

Five—one to change the bulb and four to sing about how much they miss the old one.


We met with Julie and Drew over at Club Cool. There we were able to at least take solace in the fact that some pleasures never change, and one of those pleasures is watching other people get their first taste of Beverly, because we all enjoy the suffering of others.

Beverly has a storied history among the DIS Dads—the word “Beverly” was bestowed the honor of being our favorite substitute curse word here on the boards in order to keep our conversations family-friendly. This should give you a window into the type of profound, lofty conversation that takes place in the DIS Dads thread.


I know what you’re thinking: What a crock of Beverly.


Back in the days of yesteryear when I had the time to run a contest as part of a cheap gimmick to get people to read my Trip Reports, I had asked readers to come up with an advertising slogan for Beverly, and the results were hilarious. There are a lot of creative people here on the boards.


Beverly Slogans


We all had fun trying the various flavors available, but the main thing you want to know is how Drew enjoyed the Beverly. Here is the reaction:


Nbb3IblB-pmEit4w-35CFZVZ7xYOCFUR5C6r3lB-ofAJqmoaAEXv1GaBkjp6uPeon5tXQIf5IH_j7gFY918xyH91sx8KK_8Pwif50sVBCQMwSn1x9gWBxdBL906_kAy3_l1K4vTjMZAlZl7NW9coixmAzlQKPdwulX4hei4BlniyHUKVgeG1GAOqO26i5dDISTz60b77aTxKIxfl2hV_VjVkvrbuweiA4U-yW5gAWpL0xQ2oc3TJnMxbJNNI2ZfcAXpAcpgvm3wsxS9ua13tTcPVhbqcU0xke8M51auevBmL7qqYDj8cx-8ntVvu4jFN1dWzt4400-498K7Nqo5IGLn7xVxcP1FqSgyTYV5umD1EIcQxh5VMG9yfkOq8LJTNirGNY1cakEKAbkRNLRJmrSHc3YRMlcMxJl3Yglb5vYP96VGaDHFR4oKQ7kFCK88F9l6Vj8pZdJKv01IS_y5_yvlkppGzs40fN8cRk-SLj24lO-YFb9qiF_Jcg3WhySF_GEePBdB88IMkdrVX4fFvRwuLicfv3MzCxOFYsiegvUvJHCJrD-qdvHsVzbHvTQM-qH8ftyQ3gN-aNn1GpEvwG5Lfcx1d0NCF1ZYUT-Cf4o_77b9KSeeCZ5DPbEK0tCY2vs3qxdB2yKbIn5eKW7x4C9N8_g=w1251-h834-no



_eTsAI7UnveK-6MgX_2ZyS90LNirA5pBlQxaE7hA88bkuyQV08owPyJMJ884pKZsgLBJJ4EES7VineJC3mLv_FyeJXSeN-VWu5l9er2MoNESIlu6TsiKx_rOMzJuno9FCRBjodVSfjAl-kvyCOqDdgqdmZtg0J3Mp30HsSk8EmE05LUqKMm9ySoRGF2b0d7l-MGroyAwIAm6c1hHE-t2mph9lY4TgD06dh0nbcmZTSy5B6j0SHKSASxoavCa8D43C1T29LrLKm6ykXzYBz9Zky7ksjaiCxoGjIEjYxQ4uSDLaJTHIg_WtjCcJZCe6wKWcK-iPkuhi_XtBkSEJj9OkKbvU8XNj6zik7sPsQzgisdYNnCMV6SkUIsVvFR-twoXFLugH6jy0zd0CAeLtK19RQc4UaPi3BNW6FXclM4lPGPMObqA0bjGfC8LrZHwGqxWy9b-n8qPc0t1CjEN8aVxwdyWcn9gCmkxbx0o1lxofDf0FD2_wcn-Q7OeVgZCLv-TsUdPEIidt2Jo5MS-KXuyihM4qt52Iyb9ArMuAWxmOSkYp2EQdT-xj25RBxiMnKlakF128Y_9IqXF1hxmpwll8yDHeqzH3skdaW14i39E-SzM9YKNGojzYt5gwJEOspzUHZTvfSZvOAES7CN0GzQxbUavSQ=w1251-h834-no



I think he knew something was up, since we were all watching him and had the cameras trained. So I do think there’s some mugging for the camera going on here. Still, he didn’t want a second cup.


We moved on to the World Showcase, where the goal was to let Drew try out some of the Agent P spy missions. These had changed slightly since our last visit in that we could now use our own phones to play the game. On the plus side, I didn’t have to spend time getting the crappy flip-phone from a kiosk. On the down side, this was a good way to use up my battery and data (since the park wi-fi can be spotty).


I think the spy missions themselves are great. If I were here just with Julie or the big kids, I wouldn’t spend any time doing the missions at all. But to a little kid’s eyes, it really transforms the World Showcase from a boring series of restaurants and shops to a fun scavenger hunt. I remain impressed at the ways the Imagineers hid so many parts of the game in plain sight. Drew really had a great time with it, and we were just content to follow him around and watch his reactions as he set off the various surprises.


sF8c5dPLak-qDtCYcFGSP81MOZTpQ-aSQbjlA0HyjFY46byyMFDdVhPow73fk_Kt_c3031gEtCEUoDGZhiFqC_i6tPEy8Q_nlRzhfFcGqttUd7MBe5_x49lxQB-31iehM6rSdRS63oCsoEBN4j_kRIUSmLUP5ZjDijXxohPXZVllQnnDT1agj7U3KudUtheMVb3Dv2FZNPcnh16GqwvakLqX5mh6hMyDH0h98R77X0bdqbr4eZSSF07XTkZ-mR0Fl-ZcqPhKMpsshGlByMqvQIrCX5fhQWWa9j_zJlvcRXKFpkOQ_tqBQ1CgzIp3Sbk3fHI4HLxkwyPPnAIv0hLhvGRtUupmslW4vqc4E5syUdrtfQyUK_ZQioZTe8vXkw5rwGfZIcFPpcwJDpckI21evO9nEkbyhzB0gVBP1ViTtsCao56z5HOwa836RVB8xpGwnHcaipzQCmJcMa7lkHfqRvOJrKBMB_NvC_j7-x1vSzY-ZaMsO9arMweRaXB1xdkS6smy5DT3R6S8DTax5vFdxbePxg3q8xvWO15qifstB7ASzXNiCn82je78BSGY8E7L-gyvrI_urJTIbPOliLQG3TMA113rQEsVm1qa3lkZrGd_Cqdx5HGaELQCZS8izaosZdAQKM5svTMzGAjXXz8ugwn8SA=w1251-h834-no



I’ve always like the interior of the Mexico Pavilion.


KCqMxslqYj5cJU2gZ-kvFzP-ib1Z-nZETxOcJjU3V4N-KZuTHLkCG8omyK5zA0j0E0UqCyKx7q5KiVBMEF3qo3QhvAJD3IFCMFeFQwVRbG0x3NEY0szET3lyoiVIG5pdwUawjkr14BUy7I5MXCifRKhcTFpqdZBJ2eL-K0OaQmTLVehWgb8OUuW35qc_C7tsxqVyJPYSkBNh32xu9-9rPMXZWacWLtF-oMd_3pWdd46vXwNuPDwQautxPlVhGF85FWcJYoGDOKou_3vSEGRVeiAPP4QI91pnVgFmpZbfu26JnBeGulviVgNvrFGi7e_QMRbhwACqPKsWZZo8uLDIEmlk1trYYDIwb-G2vA0tq8xZPIjUOzq1858hhHxK-842KZgjOxIuJJpC-87JNWbIaJG1UFnkRPHUUqX-fo37auCDYqBnsJuVsSexBnV3R66QsefAPM1h5jZj6baUpNSLz8YHUkNSKftUmXp9TCbLaajQitj4BRc3NsUwt3N4xEOB99FqQAWLJSttf9GXaLtSSVn5itQETUSReelE35YAx6ihzJAx7vDgv4y7XqN9l9f6MYovDGNThSJ7F3X6OIsbgtwxeL-s49o1a3AZ7CDH46S99lK42bDysM2h1CsQ0zQ_PiLFk4HlhSEr-fC5u6M7LFW6xw=w1251-h834-no



QJraScfCQGk1mmLu8skodPPpgRvIOWp_VKxIHpvIt1DYVeFntx6rfAPUcsxswWADZ-stm6pYWiYeWv7ZaaXOKuNu8j7JS8bjd5F-K6Sz_hHuUl17OlKl0zM0gkYjLsb6_pzXYgB-rToWTobmz9TE0-_u6AWoQATvmpInB9Ku7eP1ruUryT6U1TJAOjs_VZDeudP2tUW16gAiPGVE-vTLnLnwxlKyZX6FUOKk5BD4hzlD8BGZlqV_4dFEpGVAhHLZF4kT8LvkfomYVdLNTUzXGrLw9grS9jyinVRT-zhS_MCZAtc4enY0tf73pcWn9MQcGcwMZCaWEw1zVuDD0_MWcVG9qL4ke937uOLyENjicA4rTSrMK6UT256BSdLUkuzMR1pIZ3kcLNQZVXxSuV8SMfrgugkfg8lJ_MONif9irJvOeARxjUvDmEx_n9vzXCy0LTS0qZptGZkwIJ3m_cdvcpU6fTB_ORDoVBInmZv2jbJ82hZaNrVKQXUslDg0-Tfxiwn8_G9ErtV5IrFMWtMwAsoH87kxKAKZqUkmDqggGDfyI8Zq_zxLQ6VYONHzsskuD4R7YyrRW-o7CsPtprZ6csutGtLu_8FR0nRaAJmyXUe2ZseL8Ow4zhet1gOH9ATRfeWX5Z4IA1XTHTFKcHaPyGxT3g=w1251-h834-no



A58_VORHzOo5eBeTQ9bgNNumbY3gYvRcbMJ-JcgQd7-gu32vLQOeJiqfWYXWM4IwFYPNUbfGGmASeXUrF3u-7Yu7AgNRNMMNPFLarv1UmUtuBkX0l6_bovxIqQbgGIlQmZgkLxVqsrsnlErN22LibAXx-fyaLzT7m4LvOe1WxRARDPtSDTcHEhmROuFVJfEHEpQbEUVb9OvHbb5OFFj_B3G_yAvkIudrZNhyHKaFqwTKDMpIUq56dxVFkJm_th0a3Gcv_nW1KkFm7tMuua4F6URESM21VVYUK5Fi0Au1iapQi87jAD8bis7A6_5DQ9ieIeBG4sinRbm0MRGI1MwV4Cc0iImWUsuOzgLtc8HADN5j3NTaB14Lqv_-bRgg-Lm1NH5nGRjXuX4KhflO4AtOgkO9qbT7FPL9yzMw8lxjA_Ia0WIJpBcPiHmWO7QP1pzK2GFuk16nFdYleB_RJ-wJ0YOGN9wdQbjUCL--qjvWxfQ74FSou_XaIcw8jOpCPaZcsh0UUfVAzVre1E4OtRg3sFHHDWlYNEBuZlBV4rAeQUaPvJctXkOx9mk72jEP2-FACyM2-csU4IiP0UL8U7zvpKgfzUnpzn7qGrzcXcIMnHDDKwiiBrjZO-ZswP8zAyj4rqH_fclNTdbNANkJ2KKBxu-sJw=w1251-h834-no



There was no spy mission in Norway, but we moseyed around anyway. We’d gotten Drew one of the little Kidcot passports and he was enjoying getting stamps from the cast members in each country.


ZRgK9oiEfWQbnD60uZETbsLotYdATQImVSCA-NCcCHJ5yfxKORPslNvSSHeRxKck_AABwdZS69tcKXMMDxHYz91tD-OuwS4xs9INoXoRpWQL90n4qaID_quoxUiddHoxabfwFPogr7cuxleuZGAEV0_FLYAL4Dm9P70_7z6iaXV44BC5mTZHGxCe_ii5GpggD7uWrhW0N8MxK7KUisweZzRAsCqiuYQjjYHOxu-XfV5kEbqNTFahqPzQ1DifGsbhpOFx3fal3SkZ8jdXHe1jE8XH4FFXp_2H2OfqCtdyWczo9iFb8EGi5L40hdiuAf0ybcotMYIUZuAvxNkiV50ykblaPS_NDNd7FOJ_OAlBVGziqV8vZzsFF2N_ZPDqGm2tR0V-UfSB0eWV-BLJ-lOTzj-coxsVJK4QnzNyJSgOwUEevrJvIGf-8ycOe0YPXbBFojPsy5I2ShQmBSwV1oOkRAxreadGqKurVSybV-Do1C_vCZ_Hd_muGYJM9Oos3dHk8bLhCCODxbzHo3tGSj702GVhr9KDL7ZMWXD9vigIUdI3u_4sHjDVi5kgv3AGexXAmzP1K83I0dZ-8F2FYfumUY-mSYAp6NycrBudTNnfbDs_ZIBNXEydQd8R2tdKMc4ByyzF6mJcf_WCVh-Sp0ZeBDEA9Q=w556-h834-no



Somehow, he got the idea in his head that hit would be funny to pick the big troll’s nose. I don’t know where he comes up with this stuff. Anyway, I’m pretty sure no one has ever thought of that one before.


vlXlBaW5rTdtuJ0VWH0PqiNT-VBKhwBfM1hP289njNVShjvxlAHF1WW3WcY-hQwSlm5mHvLKhVmynEx1OYRa9WTrC2ngm-954FCtg-I8yZQ3GmgZ2BsV7zQ1Bxy-wRDaNnN8tQq_RJWbmQUJLMeVEdLQKGHaj2SPCLKcW0NHkTxtLX3IOfdHJSCTeGvGCojjFVVHU8cTpPDt5q44z6WtlT_ArqV1JbhAsd6Ga46walQ6dn0UhpSBNW8NVN2GzAafta9rXhStXjjczgo_tn6Ek7voiy6LMjyveVvyd6XDMHoC8vfIroNw--LNp6kby2JEH4wWNMxUpvmwYAbtkSvm6aciM7RVG4Xkt6YSjLRLdCQ7zQlQG3I7ldNf4lUiZMavgrVf4ytBU6DqzPfNlj8JaJzww4iPjGFpuHQG8ZxDBsOlzGOddPSRVJMxhpFn7MkpkCT60Cl1RArO39iw2TvjLxMjggEabCXphIHUztwxOFEJN85hzZ9GqDPdNIbciDndpBAk29PRKyhAb44Y3MisNjNO6MAEGw0fGaETkUSrCiw5i7vKIYDfVQX9nq1ziF_BdlExOUVbtdHY8v4UmQ__50VQ4kOxK9os5JU6lxlPgRcEvfQpXZpagtKViJbSWi8OuHS8n__LiB1Hi8tiSHKq2lkb5Q=w626-h834-no



And no visit to Disney World is complete without the requisite Gift Shop Sword Fight®.


D368CPsFcHr1qn3jycJGoG7Nkk9eYCbWiJf-b-JKSRZL9hNE1RN5tyVRLW0RejNd-iRgp89xVON76GMjbvy1Qjm-329o4S1GAD10E2U6l4k9oZS2Moj-CRKcnAUA8ypFr6HPfqe_BZEexi8B8UzdB1ctpY4rvBxv3Hw7Uo44t9YSLZD1r_xXF1RsLXqVweGsjjxYZlDJuTBfpvd7KBiEspXQtR8RIEUj9UQSfEQ9IYZtZsNNuC34rQzSQ2A_cl7MrjHLeQqWPtbPZBmllDOmAQu9BX1l7_6WaPZ0dxSIUYsq_5q9oiS080t2JZPUScAalpe835-Psn4v0igRTbVvXVTZ2QQDZKcCJMw846feqHawDm7wBm6gQOeFmLXAy-C2QKfaNaq00FlaC1J-kfoW-rmdTxJQd7lo3uKU1jFrC-gEXeopeR_6lzcoyG_MYIkr5Inw2gus7xJwRVU6oARHmnqP18kyaWWqll9kwj26ucUI701j6E_g-S3mRbwgpPAu75--Wm_fe6wOUqvpwAQb8xFiGy6aknzQufZoztFK3kI-jJPtD6IUMu8wmwxmm1dNubetiYEkMlrG7IDivK4de2qUY5LIG0OOS7BJJQrCdbtiE2hnzFxaDqB-MgFEkLKx7V6DjwzaiRUNRJCnUue1QfGm7A=w1112-h835-no



F9PABtW-icIGVoDw1DNIYDSodRZ9RpuF2Y94iWkiROnxKGJKiotT40JqmllfEgi7ReLSbW4hIZDlnZ8lv7KUTsiAFM0EUl9nOxzoLhjx7Gpb5qGa3UMV36PAv3AJeuo1SmreNrBFvSYHjGytF3ulNURt7q0SFtGSdpJx7CKVqLG2UvL2mW3oqrpJQdwJJPMF8pRI8lqkleorsMv6jiq157s66CayR7vW67aAOSABX2m2dXgAewgWyKWwiaU9fkT5Ta6rBF1AcbWFtEOr45Eo89P0LfSMHrCq5FKD7pjaOlOJX-OcUHphuckBLRb4ugto8Zd7bF6f4Q0gTbZrnGwXQQwMYLQ637yU18aaq-UyYqINwbIlcN8Gkivmtj5RUXJlz-CsK_xI9iaW43PFeSng3vaPVh22iCHKXh43U9bZLUvUz9NJ70bO6b2ecOBqpRzYiLECSy61umm35unuPFdg5ZEVgwBCvVDI3i80YlREVJUR1j7N0sAwEUBwRJyy0oQK-aCL8YT-n291_HZDcZoOCYMDpvrCxOJ-YQfSQmU0C1sPjsFozm9aINlxEzJbhEJ32YKjQQHAf8SNnkIHLI8yArifP3xSbF2-_yQt3TWw6EdLJ5mFQGxCuyNFzNQ46JF5rmzjo1PhIFx8EYZKIsj5uq1VAw=w1251-h834-no



We had a relatively early dinner reservation that day. This was the plan most days—for one thing, PB&J doesn’t keep you full very long. And two, we like to beat the rush to the restaurants—like I keep saying, the plan is all about efficiency and minimizing the waits everywhere we go. It looked like Drew was going to be a little while doing the spy mission in China, so Sarah and I left to go check in at Via Napoli.


The standard 4:00 p.m. Florida rain shower was a little late that day, but the skies were threatening.


CdNLUQ3zKlCRvAsHx0u86Wie_710_XgUrWUUO2WkurzzzIq6lHkHefg2y3ArEYCu1c_3J8fP0RB6a6sGdSMmMQkmGpRnAbnBlTAxXXe68ltBwVjFt47Fkv6YjaPQhzTbSY7EstpL0YCTNLqg8KGgraM3EgW7AeKw6468j-6mCyTe9LPPiDAM32dQ8nIAk4yShb7zwiTIqcCpSreeyElyAWKteq6vX8zXvP8NmdZ7_xWuxIUDo1T60LpZ2PO5_pbUExVztbUcvlln66UeJSNzfe4dp2HO77N2Vro0As09WT_UE5Znd7_x2HpcmiHGbIVoyqNQNhoj-UvxwphWx95Ctyx13kohvCeLcr1pAJgafAw7i-oQWa4cZQJQ0MBzClfHdxiJXMl6s4jXYWQNSZcPkU_S2bE5V-OoOx5Eu4Yzb-3h6o4dsLsLk_-M40abyF3WnJfNqQIt1oBDHBxOeDr9OwIidvG0iTPKy-U8ke-qwW8HkuzmrTVMW7BxY0Nq4j7zvynj5nuik3tEoxTvSlj8PzsSWYMP208-XBLRLCgF7VmgYtjb5iQTPUxOkaEFnCxVRlk3NLYoolYZpNKdD6gW9St3cvxuV9eHhgN8Q4EptPPY3aTgV8DSr7SzwjLKhMH6EmkhwNWa9syCBnJxcRVVy_9pCg=w1251-h834-no



fGU_zeeYUVWfUMulcq3-4z0SkcJbOS_XJpFdqPGi2Th9KTWkA4vCQmLitmIkkyssaQwpK6OsTJzHh04lHTLogBU1s-19fbx-Bnz1-czYmRRSAj55ja9g2_Vow9np5JoixGMXs_z3pp_epjN0CIuYL9V9pMPQ2SPAv2-plNcdJIIKY-sTArUh7jiGXnbxjpFSh3kSKeJD50hi7TrY52pv6_ImUHsEwt74xQ9jxPl9IPvGCVZiQ7W-G4UgCWnrQkAFj-KCmy2A7ebIHuAQog21xHJ4BtxnWC_SZBdg9y0jyeIP44VYkBqCXm9ICAu2Xz00wKdUIf6RYjIWkC7NEQLUdjQaPPUv8fSLAXOeq2LIVQcVavLWshvm6XRxvpcEqz5JYIDPiChJut36OHOFz6sEbJhQqcXwhycueshhyXDHmERfJDKr0s2DDRTs4y8mtsvqunpS6GMnanmzyvAmcLVdvTalP4CGFMlau8BhccM4hBbbKhYB2u01rqWWJWwoaN3428NLaOnFzWvz-5Xdpv4NTXnWiH_HgZxmjRv9alryXM_-iCDdlncTDjqfH8nfXMZzZkUxaTXBUhQN2Toaf89ilJqimK8nk7sPlb8koSXR99GZ_h6HqKFDjJCwi8fyjMB68mgWG8uQFD7yMUrzMC7JZTxuFw=w1251-h834-no



Sarah and I got checked in, and the rest of the family arrived shortly after. They hadn’t actually finished the China mission—the connection had gotten lost on the phone. So they’d given up and tried to beat the rain. I took the stroller and managed to clear a tiny space under an awning outside the restaurant. My apologies to whoever owned the other stroller I shoved out of the way and into the plaza.


It didn’t take long to get seated. Here’s the obligatory wood-fired oven shot:


YhHNNAfiHOSlWf6YHmhZXYW3H_9wBBr8aJskdArh-lXeEjtUr4z8KRwuFzmeXjxxRkHP9y4AKcik_IcewXRJ1vfRN2kzra9mIxFK1mpPUblIZHYVqtlZB-n9XrAHPuBO5T3Oa2NDHqbdJBI9XvgWCOhLK_zx8BwMpIzYhOBIjUXurHzRvTYRPuUyDoaTZ1kqJmlDQmbgGGal5VwSNdwVSLnwBb6uTUu9_eztv7LI_KkbDvoWWtVi4bbP_if3igGuWT2o2pMQBbODB1M2xvYrQF28HfTPX-loLC7_hkQu_ezyYpbIO92GTdIG2dWtK9lm7uXpLTzqCgieu6kj2RqErZAbLftvzj-hxH-wt21BVUnMkLBnjT3gaQsxF3Dx7DO51Y8cw0Jm3nD7BySZ1W1Y_p0D2WGspToOm3cLgWbLQz3ypKWJmlE63vBVOPkpAmqjyFo0Ut57mn2l4QaIxBpjdtwqbTfwvte8TNrF8bcIUIV_vTAcp85xWU-MRyTzX4rmjsvvMsRBas9NdWcxEPGn4dl14nzDDBnzHg4oRUSE_R8KqNwSDCPGhBdu_tydmslYEDaXcU0oeCwE5Dzzk6PEYh7hkK1GCBvGsoGSz_A5NqaiaZVtRlAEk8N7xN-cCMSMqkdn2rsQETQ3uonTtgxLwHwoBA=w1251-h834-no



And it didn’t take long after that for Drew to pass out. There’s no exhaustion like Disney exhaustion. In any case, it was nice of him to give us a place to hang our hats.


5VjRF4JAneSePq-s-eDzsFMTcCF1G95dbGsQcBdzCyvoE511Xh77GVWHtCjml1r3nsf3-A5YTpyhUN5d_FmmOCHmJfrPY3Zg0SuxDQx7TuEiFitKmR1WmM6nA7b-mgJO9OnRwXgeDmE_bnqt-p1dUNwv3H892bE3--qcOVKEJvE0SIHeTtbItLVBSgRY5wYW6NJyBjsjQMLcZ6CG9OoSshyxCjhGLvflVEs-9mQAKnf9YzQ-2wHK61fKeY5np6AToUFwMGjq92P76dwa0af3rRtzHOOymRL4i0Bze83wgTAaIzJ9wEvWCkpW4PtW9Mr_pAwnCeFBrt3VPfGKmjuLFQhzW5j89G4XBNmdjdEJvZgXAB3rDgDcE1OIFyFxilH4PZRarIOh1lRYFvUgPL7pjDhAgXHFkq2BvQaYUV05hmEdNINobTRZup4GahY0QSgD39dM_NspQt9h99DYbByj-tB04p6314T5cfajRgttmfFhQFtGqWC0EqJewigxrX2IOiqWCJxixl5vzxfNe6J1hOsjaYo-x3SDw3wnRaSnZIWJgT1JNdJWTQbcpmPogMqZomdYUVC4KQcfen4BTxzhmlKLMIOo3CNw3VdJSrVx1vvK0d3PBYorBM8VNTwtVBGl26H2amSEgmROoC-OG1y5cExaJA=w1112-h835-no



Julie and I can’t eat as much as we used to. Ok, that’s not really true. We can, but we can’t hide it like we used to. However, the kids more than make up for our calorie consumption at this point, so we ordered a large pepperoni and a “mezzo metro” cheese pizza.


i6FnbljdLD1RZ-qXQIX7JFqOqnMqkOJ27A5qWey9sZnQOvpyMaohgg2MxT34RmkUxJ48VWr8EpFWxktj79v68sknqT-fHS6p4DPLoIhrgpb5yBZ3oGU6gezeo5FZlDnAZqbteqsorIovdUvNaZQzjL0B6kvK0SW-pMiAm5BqtCEhNAVaQ7dha8v-tN1M4tDw8SU2tK1ufI203rULg-nYYyBymkAb3dg0pb_5t3upBIbuYUwLeMRbQxgh63JMJfCN3UO4YnyKBhX7n8OLNZzgfKh0ItCvR9B5mWDR4frtfgH-lQRwI6vY105tk2J1LQ3IB8wtq93tEAc-l_Dqtlm5wloYPSMld86IHmOfq-dSdEUwdznJpmsLragZ9ZDJha7xjOeo7uhnT2oam_FnsCOrH2vGIe-uIQUHDPJOstehIqV9ummubRTIOoMdFWipWASrtjM_uFbX18glKKaVa26YsgdynMSeL0ZzGuFP_RNO1OZ0Pc8TCyjEEq0s02ERl2H69po8uhR8ufKgdnN6DLpVTG5qy0_mhqOGOOkFXTSEl-7lZ6LUDF8viP_eeSdMwzVIAPS8GgU1FAIhXmD7JN_BcrevA34usDPeR1ONOfxWgBNEce4k7G6-t9NfzIar90bWujGNG8bVnA0UDJcSVGdD3PKoag=w1112-h835-no



87ZtPrJ2H1EbkIudBekyvcQp9_9Tya4e4rX0czP2vlzMibcFMA8RUOAk5Vkh-UovL1EYw6O1T7OnnG3Ti1ycHDxzvsjQost8TlQX5m3QaVmZYn82ZeI_d-pVynhYOjZglnBmUnfE1g12qJnc_UIQ0Z81HBqPsDBcYObxtes0_hopWEoYHM3tshV9M8tKrg_L8p1Vis28jiQ1-76CEevxGg4nZkQXYK_MOpgt_kyEU15OCjz99aI8c0Ea9_wI7rvoRtbTW47P2AYzFm4-7gL0Fuib0O5P7Jv9F9JEX_g8hwUx9IrRkWfACXHCdkWpwbP1QXW0Ccw6GhLybAL_ZnImQxiwpAWKjgzMxehPhBaMVMf3JotoXuBP31fb9NcKWoLKkGIejt7fvMuBY0hEmHTJyhdPwGi8E074inhuNPDIyTQrU8ln5ZT_5a6UVqx7VoR-6LFtqZ1J1ltb5a1k9fAEXSOltg6i1EIATMgaEJX1HGhH3oYHBjkEJb9zennoIBZUJ_wxbcw-kthanNg-bH_Ni2Kj9sPhacmut_APsC2P0AO_YR3Ln7hQcLxnwxso8TDW3js8Cv280gOHOfW8VkTDp5A9uwC3404VpHrwqdj0aoA0pOcHEjoE8-tUELX2zyOWk5A3paZvFulqON9XQH3w5sgBVQ=w1112-h835-no



Our server insisted on taking a “before and after” photo of us to commemorate the fact that we are pigs. We made pretty short work of the pizzas. We liked the pepperoni better than the cheese, except for the two of us who won’t eat pepperoni on pizza.


eLk5Kcj4IK9-jZfT1gtT-JiN0qo1pVGJcyu2DewA-7j1WmJEGA0lvtZjgTuImcZRTNlUYtnDlFDeExqpLQNfUNaTZeybzw6uB8vZLVtpvSnPyQFJIaXUw5-TBuIZLSrMtUMF4w3OVTpQdc1Fy2aAlu-1UaAE5nx1rdWOrSC5_ZnKDhDbBep9y5SumBwhHORiDttRV2s2kHZhRJm_QOSVG54IPK4DVA5NSAO6CbJg0kStbq63J2Wo_eTNnZDdMmtABgENc--L7eQshQSmERNUO9Px0pzLhIpSrPUkb2X1s5780M3PP_mAse0t6ZwwJtank2N0ydS6Pgf1gEKf6OcMKTDeUW0F7FnrV9mrnPTtMojYEpNPJOv5MWrKViN0BEjtZY17011yFfVWKCncfW3UCP5CXw2_vs9KxMVMxGIjDcFvGVki0mEER87YUU_7VYdqMTezp58Rc05q4hyP8ephMPf2ApTX-rApVaqBD6DpnLjf_OngSiLkc60zKxTI3Tm7pLmKXq_6CIMgwdv900-jjSilmFlYNOrjZderTeaK_l4jEZmy2h5sXfKdioA3dwcXPz4chIs0Tq60Qvh_z2jBlpBLZU9IOKVTa3YHUTqECxzIRX4R7EtQpDgHPW6kNh_1yz3U4VE0GJtZQrWFUzwF5coPxw=w1112-h835-no



MrzzsZZq-dJwt4KyjtMrq0u3G-r_1itwMsnc4zC9PbCSWv2zNvN7tgxakqmAtCH0aYmz7YrfG173LfLzeUwLtzDtLPn025CWblcUbFVInZMMVt6cRy7OW6GmWM6wyYNVDpw-MVX_yVbe1a65Z4f3zMoXNPANNtCS4cxgRCfX6clWYeWM7nFq8d0kzgj89w0A35BaUEzCZkW1I-h9I8GKp6yf9DZoo1_K1rFk05gnRYAlUkNRqpjGxzasoufjyOHeQ10ZsRf-FpkSaq8RZq4xuJ6m7JnUo-u6iOPnin7tWg8daLrYssepG0fRiWCUZ3KIWKP7qo_x3chMvHbrmjTzumoGsng6_MapOEq5EK2fMf6BkhZvTeRoTqLj5yW3ntUgw_-FfZfP0hXwUySKc13aDVn1czoNFa6GshnTTSANGB061HO0QDSfbo2oWHwJZi80sjeMdZ9wrdZBY1PAmIEzXLaeYt_lxxYwjms8TSRS5UAJ4djvAnAxoWXfo46UWPzk8Dk3JZpo5l8e41VsR5g7AZyh1izfJdvEcE7Oydb0ls8LroUvGYDe6R3hHstiiLZbF4sfA17iAgy4SSOiXI4pYQwM10D7it5g60PSJu_3_49qDu_vOg-DO2eBiTUNOloNnsd1qvN7N1EPXQPT1G9nLTSCfw=w1112-h835-no



I like Via Napoli a lot. It’s the best pizza in Disney World, which I know isn’t saying much. But it tastes great to us and is one of the more affordable ways for us to feed six with a sit-down meal at Disney. Thumbs-up all around from our crew.


The 4:00 rainstorm had come and gone, and the awning had thankfully shielded the stroller from the worst of it. However, it looked like more storms were on the way, so we’d be spending the evening dodging raindrops. We went back to China to finish the spy mission there. We barely finished the mission before the rain started again, so we ducked inside the building in China. I found one of the only electrical outlets in Disney World and plugged in my phone charger since Drew had run the battery down to Mostly Dead. The rest of the family took a seat to watch an indoor version of the acrobat show.


We found a series of displays on Shanghai Disneyland, since Disney never misses an opportunity to cross-promote.


They had a model of the ride vehicle for the Tron coaster. I can’t wait to ride this one when it opens in the Magic Kingdom. It looks so cool!


nkMLxdOCWbpn6AI12R1P5P0fNfve9nCkEOg7aHt4RHbtYWfcPuR8lbWKSVMDSYiQanjF99nvmCynxhuiX-n3B4JxkV-IeNUyTk1NKaJWfWWAbvp7-zEbam5TXWr4umjCYujMgzU8ckBNG8ORpKhk94axLqPkG9MbFbzAuIVxynsh8jaCBpcFDRVnSAr8A1-TFrbvIpJ6kCi1nmHxMUalF6-6mfUdrrFwVtCcRTXT2wOzQsA8jSwsqk738UJfCSJZ1UnrV8g6ADLYCf8GTSa_9y0b65SoK0HYgQR89AFmvRrN78V_6G2fO8ISpomfxLElLyQ1hyNLY9uKuIWDzYmLvVKcVP33n9YpcvwRte4XCMyXfoVBCyGWIeSHFvrKKT-ANUKwpLFnMzsDyrOqhokGg_xX-F0NTli4s6uz4JOaUIexDcbR1HwdWq5J6wk0on01L7Eg2oCXGPeAQqsdVHkfCzYU5gT5Hi7psJeysIezsm2cxIazv6KZXtYoPrdIWi9Zts4xPsopgWN5xyiISFT-qi5MobfXhqT_eXNCScq-uZq5QFNP0MZK2s6IJE7umlzUb0A9nPvqqLAed0lFtCcHPR1iqVk7LePOmbOjThN20byTPpxixfpfKUzS1PBCZAFiwonltnYUT92GXM-Jw54RIYrvQw=w1112-h835-no



They also had a display on the Pirates ride in Shanghai, which @Flossbolna said was hands-down the best ride in the park. I’d love to see that one in person, too. I’ve watched it on YouTube, and it looks amazing.


9SkdGImbE2HCCSmVTqPCXvHSrs6qFAUGE2t71Aync8mixUiTMAKCqJtG1FEQziuMYmPc7b-aIucz02gwX71nJMpM-L6fbgH_jwOaxJbw2Bb62gdboARQ2ivVKLCTlFBxfFQGc9cTbGGUsFeBBtNKQlCdFVsjjrFcdyU6aZePxZgdpSzr-50r1D083mYVyViXELgx90ak_onEQyBLQz5c3s2CcdDqSf9QCG1PAO5iDtJDc2t29OCeXJF4Ep-BdAlltoFOhhF2hYz8ni_RK6kJkShkNYpbVrGQlUBH0yfOZ6kMp0KwfxPP2EScCslTHsfmo4q-4fVvk8i2Y6PEoSb-5BolE2hi_tS0XgPZnRH9C5pRWldYdWV0mr-eY6V76INjnITGl0BZTMqc7mOujeS9ziMfDg7O9108KkFNmDhcB0cW6Cl8gxDOYlT4xMDcU-qcfuqvkHCluosgK2cAYDvY1THmcWqTIKVqkAEWjIrBt3jIzWbWz0QFJ0-WnUXflqpF-3txCN4eEDoQJWTVUyvC3FdoKjM4KHlD9luagB-8op5P1LMbx3xAuvDwZKQRz_vy5wfp8Bt8RkOLdQ2oyWTVTHSl5wSq0K-VCIjNy3L_YCM_WlG_DCa7hAO-wuDF2LogLhAH7K4R0_b2LC6t3FYW0bS9mw=w1112-h835-no



A Shanghai park map:


hToZhO-LePcIMZFQ0qXIyh3vQ3vnZh-IIG5I71ov3-Pxe2OeEOeA4Ri-qhEQuTfQk_--pU0HiLm5bC_XbmoaMPyh3VJoiiitcPVH6kedw9ybN5iUv-fiIJM9TuqmkCPMlhRP4TewuCGXBJWe8U37F_4WfF_qrYXHkB_fiJnGV6AIi4tqr7xC9JeokpVqWH3e223il5cSXNDR64QzUgExzx0sXDYBYPkbWiIqnvp0jqMpgqTYijVgzoTelarBefMyujJr34I1aC86qZAnZxB18ryzvlrEA4Wve5h3SorfcawU-u2ssdZPZxaHfxLh4RZG7E_Vxe47Yz2OfRhKzNgL-z4TCHUtyeRge1nXiY1Ez9Zzw96nv-isoTuO3fiywF1qnmHcEvYxNPtK7I_Mtf5Zi7DpF5CPgNbMneXA9VKM1XdpVTMpruGAy3YcUjl9x_ziadc5AjkamAbQGUs8mlOKQRlf8ZdEzmedPRKDJl_F-KaD6cI84IipwNe7f8BE_vlHynJSsDlsK6M9YNtGBcWZTnfWGPgyO8ezh4HoeViJHgx2Yo_vVWVzAN4zLc8yxxcL97PAcxn53Jx_PjEkz_gkfDqjh7KtGOT1natDxLGCLVTDU74JOjfNbKnVziY14gB2SXxNDEap9X95NbJO5-lCd55H3g=w1112-h835-no



It was still raining, so they moved a Mulan meet-and-greet indoors. We thought this would be a great opportunity for Drew to get another autograph for his book. Drew was less-than-enthused, and decided to give us another memorable family photo.


ycNOInlO0YVVqGCZqih4xX7nlKWtf4IscX4vTzDqPE8dcJZ2RnrjniPNY3Eg0OrX8uqj9hCeogmVaqOW1RrQ178vuzzHHuKyliLNeCDcW2bIqNd6TJpJaLXZEE0zexG1HQMUhN-owS4N6Bsd8tFFOU3GWeOWpSmVlejndxpSkSu0rZdvL9uVIi54aMVQ46qUIBCZquzk5sjX_roZtgX-jkz_qeaCyEW51-7RcXLsZCvrmf6JanQl9vTDVwpShfrN5l7IvakQNnMC02TX_Z9eYn7o51PNKjKozBMyP4O9X65662wgLLojQqwE6Ra7MqT-NQUUuLYg_zi5xW-QQBoHW4okXmSTiT8rk7S1EvNQz7UhSVsCGMDS5XgmFtUe6QeDZBcKQFyaVc6Q5XtREYeWe3DXEHH6-yYF6q11HY7TGxXyBD5grUWsnsTrQH3qGcut0pOibb0kpKFF_WyAi4bWEouzfpFvYCfW7YVyo0KA4_lI0541VXbAKgBeb305ASptQKFuVOCRj67iStuVanAChRnmAVdq644eLoJX3yACj4rCEKHOaPQYbiLJ6RuoNI7OQ2PzLFTGhVyCbTS0o7lev1rZT9m2RBsWRh0kXafyg7gdE6VOUTt2Yt3Izjtk-ZXTYC_mg6Q3N4NpY1Brh37Ze3tRMw=w1251-h834-no



He perked up once we got to Germany. Beer will do that for you.


hNkilZdbO-2T9f3QZxYUsMKf2ThjHbJ9ipDE9odA18vAgbGZyKveGBgTOIbHLWl6bTQkPloZhMjyG0tLa_I_DCCsGdJv2VDvEytjr7gSxPVQvMKsR7KRBV-Xg3LzEBun53QjSfCPQ7V5I1U5CXin0-Op7hJijE-Z2aMGONVulF5-SRAPWHiL81ZZckNdrZsVlc9fDta3_g-Z3wciXL9-rrU61H_0CJm1cxOJujr-Jk433F_Ul2hJ8JuRhVCCWcb7vBxzktHdWp80-zyRL2h6IkRMgIZrOi582tvvXX_j6_tGJXmVdaF0zUkPHOpyheHwR0P5UtGAGKOSsEzFlmeDwW-Ln34OHRHhR4kveRtAC-ABAf7fYz82KBFy1S0gcbVi1A_SuejYrtB2BOTtwr0kRXJsqGTMri8iVFIadN1J04WDSDC6B_U9fTjPV9JirtSBNeQkHUAsIoZX4FZV2dGCixqmMUoZVUZ1mO49FtyuHXjPWM82sjDUND-wqpgw5f1LO9NEOOlwDwv0cWUH22r4FHxUsPsSyHa7a5iE3lxze5V8EuMy0hCXJdOhSAWqUCXRkBg8osT-blV6_LSKzAB37m98oeJZepc8cGIv2UHI339UVc8IuuWS4jC83xS1VqncD_fDSqr2lvEzzhVxRg2w_Li7tg=w1112-h835-no



I’m just kidding! Wearing stupid hats is what does the trick, of course.


We made it as far as the American Pavilion (in other words, as far from the exit as possible) before another rain shower hit and we took refuge in the gift shop. We didn’t think Drew would sit through the American Adventure at that point, so we just waited out the shower. When we left, we were rewarded with a double rainbow for our troubles.


HNByAlKRLctSpbmer_L5CA6mdBvuq5hPXpCF-oGD7EZ-J0Y01GZUBIbHRsGimWLWLbvCHmK54Y8mRz9ZCPIVL4mZ5Td8Lz5LHPBfQs4KN_n_7J9jsBf7O6XGhERAAcjrL3Z0v4PWZY9moR3ViVqbSvuxQig45va7x456yJdopYMMapjAVaGkXYaYtAaoW48L4Qk0BlaEAaWQQVDLvEwiTabA1kBJ2biObJ2Vj9xmuKZstlZBZw86m15Y62-JjQCK61LA6z2gsHK7Y7bg1eSiX8j416jsjhB3v-a6ny-EJz9ndyceff-1Aai0MmUK8d_NDrAN5unaGeY6elMzVdrpIA_tLwvReB6xDNiM_J68uLcFocualI5A9YpKAZbNA_3p5JDhDZepFs80y-RPyZZUjPVsmmexK2Kijhz5jKxYL_vNRcItt7ZknCLyek0pomwzOARLafXrpyHvFe9YRBcRfzFcN36W6AsrhDdalH5gXMXzowDbgxVQgQeuYGrzE0dmPELkx6hklgVqearAcpHpi-jzHs2PALPd6Pet6Zrf7-Ufw___eYMWtrn8TlkMzUsZzrvwN7barw8xcHWvJX3zpfyF-Ajr_-iON8mH5k16KRE2PiWF5dKvPi4ywOUcKxwugd7S2_nR8DHr1IHrKhmrK0kgFQ=w1112-h835-no



At this point, we were out of ideas for activities. Test Track had been closed for the rain. Most of the other rides had wait times above 30 minutes. Amazingly, I found a Fastpass available for Soarin’ later, but no one really had much interest in riding it again. Kind of sad, really.


I ended up grabbing a Fastpass for the Illuminations viewing area later, just in case. We weren’t sure we wanted Drew to be up that late, and there were more storms coming so I wasn’t sure if the show would actually happen at all. But I figured it wouldn’t hurt.


As we made our way back towards Future World, we looked over and saw that the Anna/Elsa greeting area had only a 15-minute wait. Figuring it would never be that good again, we jumped in line. Thankfully, Drew was much more agreeable to meeting those two.


I honestly have no idea what he and Anna talked about. I may or may not have been paying attention during the process.


XoEY_1p30qOEStJebCI8C5lSPsXc0wDudm0OFiv7_DJ5j2qUm3nvnecr2egITrxOwLhS676mDcIBxUGoNdOsKiZ7X_jWccoB5I-r8jTNdhTby3K0hnZQahj9y_Vrp6GViceKcaId8BdjVXSHpAzntbYK0uciEVVQ9-wZvN7Q5tDWk5tL1H15Dotgg0THzGUzXC6hyQd4xIfLH2K7uw19DYjzNo6GiHIWM39SBlfwEuYjuaY9VeG5CG6xK8Zw4qK1DnaPGp-q77lT1O3mkEjeusEyXoF94gUthIvFEsIwPcAFpnRCdtf8FBGXNWG0-8eHiZrAn1diqJNJ7FuatlzqD-mEAGKcmD5NogUPBI1c6BVy4ff-EfGV9MZP9Bw35A6SJhJjcLL1A3QLpyF3tm76YhGynDyyFTqHe1-2Xa7xq4Xjvma78VGxNfeMA2UF7u0MHv-uWod6GeF1vLwt0wB2MzCl2Uod8knFbKdhsFwh5JF11JknUGiWNLuKk0n07fohkVbBJieLAd1xfSAtNi0Y3ecQyKEpjphnNAGV1YQd6ozSr-uidQ-sYQNHwtov5xnazWptoRZuENmktYp_AggPDviQ5k8DEDKTOYrloDQmpGkSpDiNBXGFVuhPMJwKuBr3LM1NqXs200x0fxHQ46V-6dkLPw=w1251-h834-no



OfMmLT-Ven4vyGLiIaY6LK2gLgy7s9Zno2wZT7e2Pjaz877uhWwTauSXT2YtjYGicZXKCtIVH3OyZ0re4XSAIu4BDvHNy7MNsPVC8sCwKpEh0t701VAx_Y8feTbhuyvCy8Q0ndYuZUTcrUtH4zwi-mwTCE7obg4P966j4WDwGUYbBRSrKnK2dhajYSkGJr3BY27mhm49RUSrBgSWoFI4aOlLn0K5moeMWAcJJ9ml0lCfhzI46tZRQO9pyzTbJzkAC_-_GkbRC8NoRGKapFK8NB5ZpJ5UW_0oF8BCyW1e3Nhk_mO8KjpkaAom1yJubECDOodHXJcURh3g9xmO8qRjhkcUXvuZUKyjJpUHme92Cgjk6-I99x2UeUmcK76F6e07_EmozBSXfwOFXfN9Vyldlr80tyteYClAVX4gQBeL1eCNpmRlvIt9wmg7BiYY8TmqYkOJGr3q8TOcyYjuE7ENCqcrbCmS2IxCpEmFuofhtz5QguyVuK94AcvYgEIYEeoR8hRF9um-6GQ_XJmWQrW_R2bY6EX9xHzVtT1gGBuEx3soDhFZjfTJTPVBdWVhSSIHMhDEhDXhqNZBNTIqVGPVc7C-SM1peqZ7u2ZE2a6aXMOwYL90VWFUI_Vn8aouuiE0p9dGMaWyoFipqSjEJzfqwCja_A=w1251-h834-no



Elsa mostly asked him if he would like to be one of her woodcutters. Drew said yes, but I think he was just being polite since he usually has no interest whatsoever in daily chores.


FPNsQakKl5QzBxdHW_i31YJwuTAxMS13dCP3Ozp7jM-oklqU8X9pnR_vO11bfFbeO71xEXTamNzRUKqjRIhn1-nt8kaTpoN11fR7wBvIk3vRn3A-nG5Z5b6PmQi9CE0nckYM0naaO53y7F8fC8pLIGDd42GBVNBY2cA6LpaWwx-OxeuyzIglWnx_90fK_5LFV5dWhd-nczenqd_P8IgQDXCNB0E30CSAo5Tg-614EUTbwUhcUXOmGTmJcXiUI-EG88QXAiqwofIgO28QqRyLw7C4YrHGV8ZZ_jigrBFRDqyz2yIQUuT60tjWqyaVHw0hdf5X_Wky8W0MKz7vv_bP_mLIB9ct3vpOy-y8HrrcUpK2f61pFgPEaf-HBGdGC82e4W2l-wGyBoLqCAT6iGGXF1ckFGvR8BTQD0lEN4LMslT9zmXjqgMLm2u_qXoouNwyS3BnlHB4Tiaf1wPD07-UCW5LTaYGuUcnD8yMqclzoq4RE-kWmDJgce9A3Ow2X_Wo94CbvIh2DM_Tr8elAwBpz9sIEw2Nb1XMjn5aZGGne7NE6NNN0g3OUmM1Cz7A80tHDAuV0p1LzvmUCVlTZxY99ZglHGa86xwTWOV-mPr8hnewt4Xu5AD97d4ROiP0FmoNFT8GwMVtN3f3daK9WPWxPaRqCQ=w1251-h834-no



Evening was approaching, as were the chances for more storms, and we had a choice of heading back to Coronado Springs or trying for one more ride. We were all struck with a thought (and that happens very rarely in our family): it hasn’t rained for a while. What if they open Test Track again?


We decided to give it a shot. Others had the same thought, and there was a line stacked up outside the building. We gave it a few minutes, and were rewarded with a loud cheer. Soon we heard cars racing around the building and knew the ride was re-opening. Woohoo!


It took us about 20 minutes to get to the car design room, and we were just about to enter when they announced that they were closing the ride again due to nearby lightning.


Well, crud. It was a nice try.


Checking the radar, it appeared a rainstorm was imminent, so we made the decision to skip Illuminations and head back. Drew obviously needed the sleep, and the rest of us had seen the show several times. As it turned out, we’d never see it again. Hopefully the new show will keep the awesome fire barge and ditch the boring spinning globe.


I would call our Epcot day successful in that we did everything we wanted to do. But it was disappointing in that some of the rides weren’t as fun this time around. If you polled the family, I think Epcot has now fallen from the cherished Favorite Park status. Jeff (@Terra Nova guy) put it nicely in his TR: right now, we like the idea of Epcot more than we like the park itself.


And this was a problem, because I’d planned another day in Epcot later in the week.


But hey, look! We got a halfway decent family photo!


lDF2xM81NKDId0DgGhkaq93bSTmp4nOspyl02glNtJM1uaTRNTxI7U4MD2qyV6iIEcTcngvm-w3L_Rqii0Mw1YpLVoRJRhZCcPqkFde1s-dMImzub95DjHbG_ypzn6xQYrrXrevNY-NYzbmFZHAttkfpsK5BCMnuzDND9tWEd1nhxuuJY-Y_5ghwxIh1k_Nlm6BgG9Fd4V-sqMRZbz5vxN7Xr8kkWDcRmHe9ayKUBhzW5i2v7rspm6g5OCxF1thtCHBaxh3ghILbLGgUIN5ykjK9KUy07gEQ33tRYsGszf36YcKFQ3zYKJnVV_IXk6SVAXT-Y_aYSrNVumERg9tbZ8TE0QnN9vmkz2k3qfmvBC3HLmMwWn_cKsW_8j8t1IgXUxuMpLpC8tFLsVxrp0kTvS_6Ta2rtXBecYURWcCvMVAVPlUKkP-9Y4SPxjcZ3mIKsInPSp2gxdkqopL-4ZiTqBr_EIHo1pyOI41XTaKLiOki0A_1RQ9bI8sDqUuVPLbagOXCP5wirZPJRQBQPF-2Ba-bZW-6Wk2baYKnYTFSyHUJOWfRiXS0_eZENby3H0wDE3VDEklHacUlwyO0G8aERp0j_DgIb-oK92-LQg9U4H-ivzka4BjhuNHdnoUnX_Rp1Rkgugd5O0rYf7ERQ6IxWGsPtw=w556-h835-no



7cdvXrWuOhSTq1a7A8zcnzcXjmBIXkG7cTeXnQwy_-T19ItVm0WOs_vr6G8tdqU_tVW_3Wxfk0bItsjxAixEWsSMJbq11rWYV16weNL0ocoXJmGqFVCfUEGyWPqVOMQrPHnJ_V7Yy_8eWVBXZ_M62W6x7qtADb5QvLtFn3SbhOCCLbsRXQjWFcEIzIvZQSsll2bz2v95TNNMmC0Sbb0dmSxlFnzToCXUWP_Pk2iAY8Gfy_ffuKgIVewEwq46GyfXAxXN9HccqLrWGYrQW4XmNBVL1duzRgKPATE2SrEFRPTXiINSlTyeQ5M44ZSC6bp4IrCwFb88TnV8b1GYBeHTN3LkI5VitWOClEJ3u6gF8B3sMOPw97PhqK977psjduxO7mm2z-n098f2hb9IcSDtzPVFWp4knAtyonH98WYG0zHHegTUINf7chtr4OtWVv6Rw2mnKbtU6pPddCHb1IvRFTt8YqRZL1z-VIFERQkVCFppf-woLAzxz45-QKXVII_7Lh9MVHkMZEnS7BmO_QrV6gILvwvAxTsLA7ZaDAVdmgKFUCsVM4HkqVMqEAewHHSAZK9cSEv5NMyimMkJHKc8RPPPVa9kx9FEZEfvrma9ajX7UpJO01sfUgkCPiNn102YAq14M-7XQyOPAtLV2DOmvcIsGQ=w1112-h835-no



Coming Up Next: Our first attempt at coordinating a group of 13 in a hot, crowded theme park. What could go wrong?
 
We’d always enjoyed Mission: Space on our previous trips. In the eternal Orange Team vs. Green Team debate, my family is decidedly on the Green Team, which means we are a bunch of lame-o’s.
Well, I'm right there with you. I've never done Orange. Never attempted it, for fear of ruining the day. I suppose you never really know until you try. But any ride where barf bags are in standard supply has to be questioned, especially by someone like me who finds the teacups borderline.

This was never a problem on the old version, as the ride was exactly the same on each side.
I did think it was curious they changed only one side. Trying to entice people to do both maybe?

Just like Soarin’, we felt the new version wasn’t as fun as the old one.
Yeah, I have to agree. The new Green mission was fine. Glad I did it. Wouldn't spend much time in line or go out of my way though.

This should give you a window into the type of profound, lofty conversation that takes place in the DIS Dads thread.
It's riveting stuff. I'm surprised we're still so low key.

I think the spy missions themselves are great.
I've actually never done the Agent P thing. It does seem like a bit of fun for the younger ones. If the WiFi holds up...

We’d gotten Drew one of the little Kidcot passports and he was enjoying getting stamps from the cast members in each country.
Also something I've never done.
Our trips around World Showcase generally involve jumping from one Princess meet to the next (tip: if you ever try to take on the all 11 Disney Princess Meet challenge, Epcot is the key)

Somehow, he got the idea in his head that hit would be funny to pick the big troll’s nose. I don’t know where he comes up with this stuff. Anyway, I’m pretty sure no one has ever thought of that one before.
Brilliant. He knows pickin'.
(and no, I've never seen that before....)

Julie and I can’t eat as much as we used to. Ok, that’s not really true. We can, but we can’t hide it like we used to.
::yes:: Truth. I really noticed it on my last trip. Despite the ridiculous number of calories, I normally didn't put on weight because of all the walking. That wasn't the case last trip. Four years older. Four pounds heavier in a week.

I like Via Napoli a lot. It’s the best pizza in Disney World, which I know isn’t saying much. But it tastes great to us and is one of the more affordable ways for us to feed six with a sit-down meal at Disney. Thumbs-up all around from our crew.
It's always been a hit with my family. Of course pizza is one of my girls' main food groups.

He perked up once we got to Germany. Beer will do that for you.


hNkilZdbO-2T9f3QZxYUsMKf2ThjHbJ9ipDE9odA18vAgbGZyKveGBgTOIbHLWl6bTQkPloZhMjyG0tLa_I_DCCsGdJv2VDvEytjr7gSxPVQvMKsR7KRBV-Xg3LzEBun53QjSfCPQ7V5I1U5CXin0-Op7hJijE-Z2aMGONVulF5-SRAPWHiL81ZZckNdrZsVlc9fDta3_g-Z3wciXL9-rrU61H_0CJm1cxOJujr-Jk433F_Ul2hJ8JuRhVCCWcb7vBxzktHdWp80-zyRL2h6IkRMgIZrOi582tvvXX_j6_tGJXmVdaF0zUkPHOpyheHwR0P5UtGAGKOSsEzFlmeDwW-Ln34OHRHhR4kveRtAC-ABAf7fYz82KBFy1S0gcbVi1A_SuejYrtB2BOTtwr0kRXJsqGTMri8iVFIadN1J04WDSDC6B_U9fTjPV9JirtSBNeQkHUAsIoZX4FZV2dGCixqmMUoZVUZ1mO49FtyuHXjPWM82sjDUND-wqpgw5f1LO9NEOOlwDwv0cWUH22r4FHxUsPsSyHa7a5iE3lxze5V8EuMy0hCXJdOhSAWqUCXRkBg8osT-blV6_LSKzAB37m98oeJZepc8cGIv2UHI339UVc8IuuWS4jC83xS1VqncD_fDSqr2lvEzzhVxRg2w_Li7tg=w1112-h835-no
:rotfl2:

Amazingly, I found a Fastpass available for Soarin’ later, but no one really had much interest in riding it again. Kind of sad, really.
Yeah, that is too bad. My family did do it more than once, although not on the same day.

As it turned out, we’d never see it again. Hopefully the new show will keep the awesome fire barge and ditch the boring spinning globe.
Too bad you didn't get to see it. I'm glad I got the chance to see it one last time. I do enjoy it, but admittedly it's probably time for a change.

Jeff (@Terra Nova guy) put it nicely in his TR: right now, we like the idea of Epcot more than we like the park itself.
Thanks for the shout out. Yeah, I can see me really liking Epcot as a solo traveller, doing the eat/drink around the world thing. But with my family, had it not been for the princess meets, it would have been a one day visit, if that.
 
Up to this point, we’d been moving slowly around Epcot as a large group of 8 people.

Verging on unwieldy.

My mother has been dealing with a foot injury for a long time now, and it has been very slow to heal, so she was forced to rent a scooter to get around the parks. This had the effect of forcing us to move a little more slowly than normal.

Sorry to hear that.
Although... slowing down can be pretty good too.

The big kids and I had a Fastpass for Mission: Space. Julie is not fond of motion simulators.

Julie is smart.

It was all fun and games until Julie fed Drew to a shark. Honestly, I can’t let her go more than five minutes without supervision.

:laughing:

That ride is going to be absolutely massive.

So... it's not going to be like California's then? I really have no idea.

my family is decidedly on the Green Team, which means we are a bunch of lame-o’s.

Yeah... I'm in that category too.

I have heard many stories of visitors who ruined their Epcot day by riding the orange side.

That'd be me.
Well... not the whole day. But a fair chunk of it. I have zero interest in riding orange, thank you.

That way, none of us leaves anything Orange in the bags on the ride.

Just what exactly have you been eating?

I always had a lot of fun giving the Navigator crap about flying us into a meteor shower.

:laughing:
I mean... they should know where those are by now.

In the new version, the Orange Team gets to fly to Mars while the Green Team is sent on a training mission to orbit the earth.

I'm sorry, what?
That sounds... incredibly boring.

The orbit around the earth is not nearly as inspiring as the old flight to Mars.

Gee, I wonder why.
"Well, let's see. You can do something that's never been done before. Go to a whole new planet. Or!... do what we've been doing since the 60s.

it’s hard to swallow the idea that you would take off in perfect weather and then a few hours later you’d be forced to land in the middle of a hurricane that absolutely no one saw coming.

Oh, I dunno. I think that's a fairly accurate description of today's forecasting.

Or maybe I’m a country singer. Hey, how many country singers does it take to change a light bulb?

Five—one to change the bulb and four to sing about how much they miss the old one.

:laughing: I'll have a similar light bulb joke in my upcoming chapter. If I remember. So... 50/50....40/60...

one of those pleasures is watching other people get their first taste of Beverly

::yes::

because we all enjoy the suffering of others.

Well... yes. At least according to all those youtube videos.

Beverly has a storied history among the DIS Dads—the word “Beverly” was bestowed the honor of being our favorite substitute curse word here on the boards in order to keep our conversations family-friendly. This should give you a window into the type of profound, lofty conversation that takes place in the DIS Dads thread.

Hey! Stop giving away club secrets!

Back in the days of yesteryear when I had the time to run a contest as part of a cheap gimmick to get people to read my Trip Reports,

Now who would do that???

:rolleyes1


:laughing: That was fun! Some were really good.


:laughing:
Yes, probably mugging... but still fun. :)

On the down side, this was a good way to use up my battery and data (since the park wi-fi can be spotty).

Hmm... never thought of that.

If I were here just with Julie or the big kids, I wouldn’t spend any time doing the missions at all. But to a little kid’s eyes, it really transforms the World Showcase from a boring series of restaurants and shops to a fun scavenger hunt.

That's the way I see it too. I tried Kim Possible with the kids and we had a lot of fun. Agent P, by myself.... not so much.

I’ve always like the interior of the Mexico Pavilion.

Looks like a nighttime scene in a Mexican market, no?

Somehow, he got the idea in his head that hit would be funny to pick the big troll’s nose. I don’t know where he comes up with this stuff.

Huh! Kids these days!

Anyway, I’m pretty sure no one has ever thought of that one before.

Yep. That's gotta be a first time.

And no visit to Disney World is complete without the requisite Gift Shop Sword Fight®.

Who survived?


Lady in blue shirt "Hey! Stop taking my picture!"


Nice shot! Really!

My apologies to whoever owned the other stroller I shoved out of the way and into the plaza.

:lmao:


I don't know whether to :laughing: or "awwww..."

Julie and I can’t eat as much as we used to. Ok, that’s not really true. We can, but we can’t hide it like we used to.

Yeah... tell me about it.

Stupid aging.


HOLY CRAP!!!! I didn't know they made them that big! :faint:

Our server insisted on taking a “before and after” photo of us to commemorate the fact that we are pigs.

:lmao:


You.... You... ate all of it!

I found one of the only electrical outlets in Disney World

There's an electrical outlet in Disney!?!!?

They had a model of the ride vehicle for the Tron coaster. I can’t wait to ride this one when it opens in the Magic Kingdom. It looks so cool!

Wait.... What????

They also had a display on the Pirates ride in Shanghai, which @Flossbolna said was hands-down the best ride in the park. I’d love to see that one in person, too. I’ve watched it on YouTube, and it looks amazing.

Huh! Really. Need to check that out.


Not quite into it, was he?

He perked up once we got to Germany. Beer will do that for you.

One pint for the half-pint!


Nice shot!

Amazingly, I found a Fastpass available for Soarin’ later, but no one really had much interest in riding it again. Kind of sad, really.

:sad2: Yeah. That is sad.

I honestly have no idea what he and Anna talked about. I may or may not have been paying attention during the process.

That's okay. I'm sure they never pay attention to what you say either.

Elsa mostly asked him if he would like to be one of her woodcutters. Drew said yes, but I think he was just being polite since he usually has no interest whatsoever in daily chores.

:rotfl:

It took us about 20 minutes to get to the car design room, and we were just about to enter when they announced that they were closing the ride again due to nearby lightning.


Well, crud. It was a nice try.

Dang. So close.

But hey, look! We got a halfway decent family photo!

Nice pic. :)
 
My mother has been dealing with a foot injury for a long time now, and it has been very slow to heal, so she was forced to rent a scooter to get around the parks.

Not fun.

his had the effect of forcing us to move a little more slowly than normal.

Well, there is an advantage to slowing down and having time to look around at Disney.

Julie is not fond of motion simulators. More to the point, she is not fond of throwing up, so she was going to take Drew on the Nemo ride.

I feel her pain. Although I can handle the Green side. Never tried Orange and never will because I know that would be a disaster in the making.

It was all fun and games until Julie fed Drew to a shark.

:rotfl2:

But I’m sorry to report that once again, we left the ride disappointed.

I'm glad then that I didn't wait for it in January when it had a wait time of 35 minutes. I still haven't given it a try but wasn't really didn't make much of an effort on my trips this year to get there.

We all had fun trying the various flavors available, but the main thing you want to know is how Drew enjoyed the Beverly. Here is the reaction:

:rotfl:

We moved on to the World Showcase, where the goal was to let Drew try out some of the Agent P spy missions.

This is another thing on my list that I've never tried. It keeps getting pushed to next trip.

so we ordered a large pepperoni and a “mezzo metro” cheese pizza.

Holy crap that's a lot of pizza!

They had a model of the ride vehicle for the Tron coaster. I can’t wait to ride this one when it opens in the Magic Kingdom. It looks so cool!

I'm really looking forward to this one, it looks awesome on the you tube video.

They also had a display on the Pirates ride in Shanghai, which @Flossbolna said was hands-down the best ride in the park. I’d love to see that one in person, too. I’ve watched it on YouTube, and it looks amazing.

This one looks awesome too. There was a rumor for a bit that they would be bringing this tech to WDW with a different theme and I was really excited. But it's looking like that rumor has been squashed for now. :sad2:

When we left, we were rewarded with a double rainbow for our troubles.

ooohhhhh, pretty

Amazingly, I found a Fastpass available for Soarin’ later, but no one really had much interest in riding it again. Kind of sad, really.

I had no problem getting this as a 4th FP in October. I think the addition of the third theater plus less repeat guests has made it much easier to do.
 


This had the effect of forcing us to move a little more slowly than normal.

Then I hope you took advantage of it and saw some of the things you don't normally see when touring Speed Racer Style.


He's getting so big!!!

That ride is going to be absolutely massive.

I know!! I was impressed by the size of the shell too.

he kids might be willing to try the Orange side, but we’re all a little apprehensive about it considering this ride is the only one at Disney with vomit bags provided.

Which begs the question, why are they not provided at the Puke Cups?

The orbit around the earth is not nearly as inspiring as the old flight to Mars. You go through the same launch sequence as before, but then the trip basically amounts to a series of points of light on the earth indicating you’re passing by a city you’ve heard of before. Even the attempt to make it exciting (a storm pops up over your landing site) doesn’t register, because it’s hard to swallow the idea that you would take off in perfect weather and then a few hours later you’d be forced to land in the middle of a hurricane that absolutely no one saw coming.

You think too much, Mark.



Back in the days of yesteryear when I had the time to run a contest as part of a cheap gimmick to get people to read my Trip Reports, I had asked readers to come up with an advertising slogan for Beverly, and the results were hilarious. There are a lot of creative people here on the boards.


Beverly Slogans

I remember that! That was a fun one!

(since the park wi-fi can be spotty).

Understatement of the year, right there.

Somehow, he got the idea in his head that hit would be funny to pick the big troll’s nose. I don’t know where he comes up with this stuff. Anyway, I’m pretty sure no one has ever thought of that one before.

None of us have EVER done that.

:rolleyes2

My apologies to whoever owned the other stroller I shoved out of the way and into the plaza.

:lmao:

So a lot like the parade spot crashers.

Our server insisted on taking a “before and after” photo of us to commemorate the fact that we are pigs.

Those were awesome!

I like Via Napoli a lot. It’s the best pizza in Disney World, which I know isn’t saying much. But it tastes great to us and is one of the more affordable ways for us to feed six with a sit-down meal at Disney. Thumbs-up all around from our crew.

Yay for a dinner winner!


GREAT SHOT!

I would call our Epcot day successful in that we did everything we wanted to do. But it was disappointing in that some of the rides weren’t as fun this time around. If you polled the family, I think Epcot has now fallen from the cherished Favorite Park status. Jeff (@Terra Nova guy) put it nicely in his TR: right now, we like the idea of Epcot more than we like the park itself.

Yeah, it fell from glory in my book too over the last few trips taken over by AK. 10 years ago EPCOT was epic, with tons of stuff to keep busy with. Now it's a former shadow of its once glorious self. Sad.
 
Well, I'm right there with you. I've never done Orange. Never attempted it, for fear of ruining the day. I suppose you never really know until you try. But any ride where barf bags are in standard supply has to be questioned, especially by someone like me who finds the teacups borderline.

It's a question of risk, and I'm not willing to risk spending the entire day feeling queasy just for one ride.

I did think it was curious they changed only one side. Trying to entice people to do both maybe?

I can see the appeal of trying to give people different experiences. But I wish they had been more creative with the Green mission.

Yeah, I have to agree. The new Green mission was fine. Glad I did it. Wouldn't spend much time in line or go out of my way though.

The ride is called Mission: Space. Why not actually go into space?:confused3

It's riveting stuff. I'm surprised we're still so low key.

You'd think we would have exploded in popularity by now.

I've actually never done the Agent P thing. It does seem like a bit of fun for the younger ones. If the WiFi holds up...

Drew absolutely loved it. My other kids did when they were younger, too.

Also something I've never done.
Our trips around World Showcase generally involve jumping from one Princess meet to the next (tip: if you ever try to take on the all 11 Disney Princess Meet challenge, Epcot is the key)

I can see that, definitely. I've thankfully avoided having to spend too much time chasing the Princesses around.

Brilliant. He knows pickin'.
(and no, I've never seen that before....)

You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose.

::yes:: Truth. I really noticed it on my last trip. Despite the ridiculous number of calories, I normally didn't put on weight because of all the walking. That wasn't the case last trip. Four years older. Four pounds heavier in a week.

:sad2: It's so not fair. Takes me at least a month to lose those four pounds.

It's always been a hit with my family. Of course pizza is one of my girls' main food groups.

That's universal with kids, I imagine. I really like their pizza.

Yeah, that is too bad. My family did do it more than once, although not on the same day.

If it had been the old version, we would have gotten back in line without hesitation.

Too bad you didn't get to see it. I'm glad I got the chance to see it one last time. I do enjoy it, but admittedly it's probably time for a change.

It's been going for 20 years or so. It's been a good run.

Thanks for the shout out. Yeah, I can see me really liking Epcot as a solo traveller, doing the eat/drink around the world thing. But with my family, had it not been for the princess meets, it would have been a one day visit, if that.

I just hope they keep the spirit of Epcot alive in the refurb--the idea of looking at the future and the world and the wonders they hold. I'd hate it see it turn into yet another Intellectual Property park.
 


Verging on unwieldy.

Just wait till we add 5 more people the following day!

Sorry to hear that.
Although... slowing down can be pretty good too.

Yes, it can. But we really have a hard time forcing ourselves to think that way--especially at Disney!

Julie is smart.

And yet, she married me.

So... it's not going to be like California's then? I really have no idea.

It will be a completely new ride experience. It's taking over the old Universe of Energy building, but that will lead into a massive building behind it which houses a new roller coaster. The coaster vehicles are going to be the first of their kind--they have the ability to spin while traveling on the track. Check out the video in the article (from YouTube) below:

https://ew.com/movies/2018/11/15/disney-spinning-guardians-of-the-galaxy-roller-coaster-cars/

I can't decide if that's going to be totally awesome or make me incredibly sick. In any case, the ride building will be big enough to hold 4 (!) Spaceship Earths inside.

That'd be me.
Well... not the whole day. But a fair chunk of it. I have zero interest in riding orange, thank you.

You're not the only person who's told me that, which is why I won't risk it.

Just what exactly have you been eating?

circus-peanuts-bag.jpg


I mean... they should know where those are by now.

The only problem was if I was the navigator. I solved that by yelling at the pilot for not following my directions.

I'm sorry, what?
That sounds... incredibly boring.

Gee, I wonder why.
"Well, let's see. You can do something that's never been done before. Go to a whole new planet. Or!... do what we've been doing since the 60s.

Exactly. It's called Mission: Space. I was kind of hoping we'd, you know, go somewhere in space. Like I said, it felt like being at the kiddie table. "Hey, champ, maybe next time you can go on a REAL mission!"

Oh, I dunno. I think that's a fairly accurate description of today's forecasting.

:rotfl2: I almost made that joke, and then left it out for some reason. Thanks for picking me up.

:laughing: I'll have a similar light bulb joke in my upcoming chapter. If I remember. So... 50/50....40/60...

You nailed it! Good job!

Hey! Stop giving away club secrets!

The club password is: 1 2 3 4 5.

:laughing: That was fun! Some were really good.

I remember that as being the one contest that well exceeded expectations. It was really fun to read all of them.

:laughing:
Yes, probably mugging... but still fun. :)

I'll always have Julie's reaction the first time she tried it.

3lpUuSfLkbbLcmCWpNSSEXEMvdfXeZjfs2jJGlsOjIubHYlfpu7s43tKkC9e_ActP6PAvAO3xNljoMT2gx8ovv0UKEi9jPzu3R996iMoEVddy14jimeYvZ_mBOkx8G4x8Ek8b2nvNIh2vlYt89AGyyKZtICKhrrIQeFjFq-W4SD4vG-SzdLsPM4P2BKx6If_Yul0MSa09ZUxp0eUmeeG5UTToaztpHgof-_wtm3Ml3cq6xsG2Y1AMNreDTyTUvpXms2JbTbmPLSECvFuWcGyU9lptD4m8iuElDHxLT1Hc9l8cXIH2nzxpXl63usydDU62lQNzrdVLw9S3M0KK8o8ArXX7nLoqJQ8rdsov-wAy-lwktFAZnBudwOQmRY4e4x1b88cvnNTll06Wrg6d_KgFeQ5JkMgsVb_JJqA3kgk9yqJJ0jU7FoOyZRZVXv9mWmiKMTctJPAWRXMROOMlREh_1HZVhN3tr_xqzPZbt7wpoI5_7rSGTEgDn_KREICjtKvGJHMaP7o2L_rVmK1ZMHU4e-nBHM-jf1OgkHeWgSKSTbbZQGEp3uhQXDGGsJZZIY9qCLFPzxBtK7c36E5v6yUGr8jdweTY59skKY1VkvQXVuU0nEK4D51M0zxJXJrTPWHTuUQbjRJANouThNa5LXHVvrJAw=w1251-h834-no


And Sarah's.

-31MR1O77xJjxnsl_JTVaN68o_rXSYHfUBhxMvHQ0-hZ74NpDSkc5eImNb9bhcLiN104xj14pxRJnZJzqbvj9MFg6De_td5uzitesBXCc8sUvrY3ZCQBUBRuBvjXD-ZfRyd-R6Q5V6-XCilXnbuN8jhjxIjhN9q77iNpcGGSGP7JA6DqQTBgEasfsIADn9aqOXlOH15OggYXuGsMjsluSRMU0zT0wUFsqAomUX0QKPoqn7-CmCxvbvCK4fpaXSoomyuVzlDopLGQhM51euE_sXTZjZhhdke1CHCcNjAbw59jBUfvJO4rNUAMh9SYv01Xa-oLGhNeI7zl9QBdi_Ap48FzTtCcj7ZjF5tBgUWY_SgccWb4ZCy5kPt7Fl8GSmQ6tjGjHQuiC-p0jBNw7PfNlFLQMcw0tQgmqJxzx--HxGmcSltDGrzUg3uCdr3tMcM2nOZqdukxOtBgkOiJGvXi8l1nC_67t9HyipE2FqPWatPapFrRn7F3FFW9Q-tSr3Fj-APIZ03PJUpNTxZ1W5GN8T4gHXqq4grI0Mt8cptnc2Q9QXw8ddr1qClybZSR_HBDwyRNn8f21LbcTdJKHxBZWcpBNBXu0TlRmlhs7oE_fLdteTS14nYxmwXZ9UCer0HmCLUFqB15Xzh3LeXuEAdYtAWDGw=w1251-h834-no


And Dave's.

NIDR7XxR1KfaAXwLYugmWFmllBbfzsGdTENNZQhCh8ZVA3Q_ldrG_S9Wf58puivZyHLGfNPutasWB-X7ABvJmUBaHDHx8e6Q7XcmKpKKjkZzeT1vVTmF1gYEpbqJrvr71sQRj7OpXnCedVjfgpPDZ9Mrr0vr931Pvxoopyu8hvvyecLtG_p1R0rhkAqUP1xmn1SIP-sTFGMTjHmIxPugwOPZDgWTtE9BbUwZtUGfXXy7eEZoL7cq5xDYgWwT0MzqwXJafJszxSCJphtUmYdmGPSFRtAhxuT9bbl8YMXqEAl4ClDrjrW6xBEFgXDB9YLvviXaUnLVH8IDR3GwJ_5-g9X1Q9q0PTjN3Bx3hlPQ3s0ChTV_oTjGppblV0fJotdAdJl1gR5T8WJagxr-6XpTPQewwEVMWuq2W0XQQTk7-A3prxt5s0L6Ecr2XxidE3xl5mneTGIXEa-cO9bMfSvROETzDAO3etF6WDAXxMHWfdwovhSMAGTKnz-c1pqyZ7eEwT3Qm8xvnFZ3RsO9wZoJAPcttbqxBn9t2Df9bFpZ4joLym2bDtgUXt34p6JAbLNzd6ksWiTHXLHAxj3mmUVTxzpI0qOm0BAcGqK8jfGJgUb3FOk67voTL4neqcWI2WLIqOaQ6CO9sN6jf8Od6Zz_z590Mw=w1251-h834-no


And Scotty's.

FwQVrl6V5HZR_WFI66lIfbJ6bRLI7Dwg109OXZz35yqw9YMSKqM-0a7ib9Y3GVdVtwP-49pDUTrQ7BSYGDaqzZC2Zbn_eQmQUq3oae4GzRKP1XV-bWE4osyPzO6BwwN4qiy5ieXXIdGbMtSJI8FOrvRRtapHAcLsUOZJDq-Hz62YdzqP2l0uPUxfJJkycA42O2NRFIcvROA0PGfXjJ05ABRoh6_k_EjwSAnKPIcK32Gy4867GjuroS8q6H5lXHBcXIIhwzJfVMvnrJuIntK7Y1E0eAqqVPCv648KaP5q5ZQ2S6E1N6PYjl97veHufzCwsyntoSfNuChCoxeB_wLSwWAK7CBFq91dn-Nu2V1_nY_azda_31pg4rMzWDcK-zV02uMQiMArbZiuYwfheXnq8GRjeRolgbh9qHjmVV7uzsPUJJrKruOL7QvpJVniRndRQKpjETFZn5KMQDPGCAI9tEHaWIxESOQHwNY7QX05qKb1mdOfT04yzpyYHD11azSLu2eBOnSfVNGArFXtw4ud4fRS7HPgD1M8wDHP9Agpml0ZT72EJziYdrSi6zhmuwX3RPPQEl80DTqe8LB1bZnMy-D9bh1qCTplFokqMqntud63q2l6Ja7YAhe8jdcKTgyW6cF5MF_zMkMQer3TlDJEZJUE-w=w1251-h834-no


Ok, and mine.

HGu-fQ9JiA79KsFYyXTAukgc5a0EEJdi7VifcIhW-MUDVaQNL6jReEI7s9mr5E8N3NGHhufpClv4Ggu4reTDuBV9heEbjHrC_exzJumO-6vD6Y6DodYgj7DeygqPXAHryFp5oapIngNTfGx9-Tc2r03BsimMoDmCKbMMPr7-EGUKoXsB93Ud8p1EeXpcoS-i5MFG_GxHoobC7juxg7fLRMy416ljLLhtVyn_Yr8HbDQVVYy2mbp9rHKNDbDsdmZEJ5QB4zVsHUOahfxH7QDSAj7pRLIjmjS75VP20gYAMn1sNF9Omfy39e4xlnjq2TqujrtNfQL8dkjugDZWz4hdn5RFxqlEGGMJznVn0qqVW8YubIfMTnJ_qDeZf15WmtUUYhBVOA9ul02_n2v4-m3P4ToxXlblLO1jQTaDHPSE4mxoowLm4YNPcXztCU6X4Le4GAMMzr66yJmRXm7Hp8t3BSA5XdW9l8BOtc10y8Ala4GQsexEXPUHiM5cgnWn_iWKIk6qWkoQ7c3zV9PE8aOSNTE9Ojez-qreCs6WtPy8L8-M7o81H_0ddeOMkk1bM_nFCkNtOqAoi0UQ9oL4mQpygp4gTUrIWpk7RhzWHFsvp8T2k7ojxuYpb9yKNmGNjwwWvTcf_3ustqkFu9xEO97QX9hRpg=w1251-h834-no


Hmm... never thought of that.

I didn't, either, until my phone was practically dead.

That's the way I see it too. I tried Kim Possible with the kids and we had a lot of fun. Agent P, by myself.... not so much.

The cleverness of the hidden features and the kids' reactions to them is what makes it worthwhile. Without kids to react...it's cute for a few minutes.

Looks like a nighttime scene in a Mexican market, no?

::yes:: Exactly how it's supposed to look!

Huh! Kids these days!

Yep. That's gotta be a first time.

I mean, who would think to do stuff like that?

Who survived?

We'll call it a draw.

Lady in blue shirt "Hey! Stop taking my picture!"

:laughing: At least she didn't yell at me.

Nice shot! Really!

Thanks!

I don't know whether to :laughing: or "awwww..."

You can do both. He's cute, and the rest of us are jerks. But you knew that.

Yeah... tell me about it.

Stupid aging.

It's really not fair how it takes me a month to lose 4 pounds and a day to put it back.

HOLY CRAP!!!! I didn't know they made them that big! :faint:

::yes:: We took one down in 2012 as well. I love the before-and-after photos from that one:

6a18EeqGbwctlSN4SJDdaoAwzGc4wmtJtfoLCVxoaQBn5ohMyJsO16Zj1-kzmWT0h54ubU0X7QigaITyXw_KuWpJvVj5oM0o9KHBGQAVa9JL3ObOEQNiuB_jeaUpE6SehFQZmPHIrCiYkKCIwqG6h85sszoTVshNOTKRaXBF8qVZ737pJOOQhGkCRvAvRmMg8b7TVNOJEacFkmtxTql6DNJJgzkDTULj1X8Cq7SKgtAjj_Kmurvdo8Nz_qNPsCZniAt2s01UysPrW79tCYywvxXp4Tms9H2vnFuvznuj40M1uYxShykvliLtcaHCcsFqnl-vn-Bp42NtYciJGVEisg-UFigFv2odvNRu7sPulCCspnU64dtJperzLax0NErJPAqPdSB8rEN7ZNxkBl8ynApQdhbQKYx03GXIzudZrZ1u-4NcKjH5Tss6bRSnpoMcPP9X52xp6ISiAB4DE58_bQxMxKpuYfLrMngZ6SRN8ZeE4okReTxk9Qk-IkdNWH6evwM4eLu1aw74odmLLCKLWa2H8C2tRiLWl4lzKkYDZZQt8SDLvr0yfgg_fipPJiPcinyxtWh41Rly6F7pK6fvycKAIOJePRce0X-5FKlt0kCg1cyYBPAdkTH5uV-8vfz5MXawD4nm5Isx4nP4zV_iEL1m=w1251-h834-no


7ZNQNtN_zSa2zQrhceMMt0Dwh6HdsWH1CgPQ_jl5kPtgoM8Xj5NfK3EevoiGuDzK_iqtePGM_gnuUst093cD8t0uAk8_pdI6ZALJan5I4CwbPWwPU4T1ZisxSAoJ1Sh32qApXYj4EALyABphauwBbcelCwrwG2GqkcZwRBFLPSoOOKJENd_DrBCmQi6PCBYVg41DhOqnoVvO7wLIXsFxrx2zZKcpmsxThPRJ66X5fmG56qKc68BGPNGHyGuuxsVcb8F65wotO1ZkkDoqyxVJh7TCjKXtsW0pmTq1jwLec8fx_TQ1sejyCtyY7opDFuF6AqdVphGQWGTM2RLfu1qqd_vKm_jpFt8yIMueEWlQZ4xgDnjd_ZTsZgBTSXWUFZ3kwhcL1pSHg6gOG9k6Na9pP7y5F4q5RI8wMVKca3Sa-mmrXL-R_77ubbpGR17Ll71ZuRh9x8fajmks67-7bSHBguTs5PDBopfwmRo2PjJX_46JXMlTPzahApo3FJKktck44IEMVmg31vPv7oD37h8_ZrCQMpaAM4YQy2cniipYK0-maQ8vWhFaUVGNifS_TyyaeUqjMw9miQpMJ6YrNqHtNUidhXsw3-a6F6pDuUBTkWdS7BwGy8M16MReddbQ7ug0fYxptE4IELx6D-6ewZhwExg_=w1251-h834-no


You.... You... ate all of it!

Well, we're not quitters.

There's an electrical outlet in Disney!?!!?

There is one. It's in China.

Wait.... What????

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...gic-kingdom-park-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

Huh! Really. Need to check that out.

It's worth a watch on YouTube. The effects look amazing.

Not quite into it, was he?

An understatement.

One pint for the half-pint!

:rotfl::rotfl2: Love it!

Nice shot!

Thanks! Just lucky timing.

That's okay. I'm sure they never pay attention to what you say either.

I'm the dad. I'm used to it.
 
Well, there is an advantage to slowing down and having time to look around at Disney.

Everybody keeps saying that. I wish I knew how to do it.

I feel her pain. Although I can handle the Green side. Never tried Orange and never will because I know that would be a disaster in the making.

Us too. I'll stick with the lame-o version.

I'm glad then that I didn't wait for it in January when it had a wait time of 35 minutes. I still haven't given it a try but wasn't really didn't make much of an effort on my trips this year to get there.

It was so disappointing. I hate that two rides got worse since our last visit.

This is another thing on my list that I've never tried. It keeps getting pushed to next trip.

Definitely better with kids. As an adult, it's an amusing diversion but would get old after a bit.

Holy crap that's a lot of pizza!

And it eventually became a lot of cr--I'm sorry, that's terrible.

I'm really looking forward to this one, it looks awesome on the you tube video.

::yes::

This one looks awesome too. There was a rumor for a bit that they would be bringing this tech to WDW with a different theme and I was really excited. But it's looking like that rumor has been squashed for now. :sad2:

It looks amazing. Maybe someday.

I had no problem getting this as a 4th FP in October. I think the addition of the third theater plus less repeat guests has made it much easier to do.

That's probably true. Hopefully the newer Epcot attractions will bring some life back.
 
Then I hope you took advantage of it and saw some of the things you don't normally see when touring Speed Racer Style.

It's hard to train ourselves to do that when we're so used to the opposite.

He's getting so big!!!

You're not kidding!

I know!! I was impressed by the size of the shell too.

They say they can fit 4 Spaceship Earths inside it. :eek:

Which begs the question, why are they not provided at the Puke Cups?

That...is an excellent question.

You think too much, Mark.

You know, I don't believe anyone has ever accused me of that before. :rotfl:

I remember that! That was a fun one!

It really exceeded expectations! That was a great time.

Understatement of the year, right there.

And I don't have unlimited data!

None of us have EVER done that.

:rolleyes2

I knew it! Totally original!
:lmao:

So a lot like the parade spot crashers.

Dirty rotten scoundrels!

Those were awesome!

We rose to the challenge. Not gonna lie, I was proud.

Yay for a dinner winner!

Hard to screw up pizza. Unless you're Chuck E. Cheese.

GREAT SHOT!

Everyone is smiling! Looking at the camera! I'm buying a lottery ticket.

Yeah, it fell from glory in my book too over the last few trips taken over by AK. 10 years ago EPCOT was epic, with tons of stuff to keep busy with. Now it's a former shadow of its once glorious self. Sad.

Maybe the new attractions will give it a lift. I just hope it doesn't turn into IP Center.

Dave looks less than thrilled and Scotty looks super excited.

This will become a running gag through the TR. Watch for Dave's expression in all of the ride photos.

I'm going with 'not'

Huh? Whadja say?:confused3
 
Just wait till we add 5 more people the following day!

:faint:

I have enough trouble with one.

Yes, it can. But we really have a hard time forcing ourselves to think that way--especially at Disney!

Yeah I know. All that money ... I ain’t sittin’ around!

And yet, she married me.

Everyone gets one mistake.

It will be a completely new ride experience. It's taking over the old Universe of Energy building, but that will lead into a massive building behind it which houses a new roller coaster. The coaster vehicles are going to be the first of their kind--they have the ability to spin while traveling on the track. Check out the video in the article (from YouTube) below:

https://ew.com/movies/2018/11/15/disney-spinning-guardians-of-the-galaxy-roller-coaster-cars/

I can't decide if that's going to be totally awesome or make me incredibly sick. In any case, the ride building will be big enough to hold 4 (!) Spaceship Earths inside.

Will look later, but... holy huge Batman!


Yep, that’ll do it.

The only problem was if I was the navigator. I solved that by yelling at the pilot for not following my directions.

Why? Why don’t they listen????

Exactly. It's called Mission: Space. I was kind of hoping we'd, you know, go somewhere in space. Like I said, it felt like being at the kiddie table. "Hey, champ, maybe next time you can go on a REAL mission!"

Their way of separating the hardy from the pukers.

You nailed it! Good job!

Yusss

The club password is: 1 2 3 4 5.

They still haven’t changed it?

I'll always have Julie's reaction the first time she tried it.

:laughing:
Those are great!!

The cleverness of the hidden features and the kids' reactions to them is what makes it worthwhile. Without kids to react...it's cute for a few minutes.

Yep. Pretty much.

:laughing: At least she didn't yell at me.

... much.

You can do both. He's cute, and the rest of us are jerks. But you knew that.

Nah. Just you. But you knew that already.

It's really not fair how it takes me a month to lose 4 pounds and a day to put it back.

No kidding. Must be something in the water.

::yes:: We took one down in 2012 as well. I love the before-and-after photos from that one:

6a18EeqGbwctlSN4SJDdaoAwzGc4wmtJtfoLCVxoaQBn5ohMyJsO16Zj1-kzmWT0h54ubU0X7QigaITyXw_KuWpJvVj5oM0o9KHBGQAVa9JL3ObOEQNiuB_jeaUpE6SehFQZmPHIrCiYkKCIwqG6h85sszoTVshNOTKRaXBF8qVZ737pJOOQhGkCRvAvRmMg8b7TVNOJEacFkmtxTql6DNJJgzkDTULj1X8Cq7SKgtAjj_Kmurvdo8Nz_qNPsCZniAt2s01UysPrW79tCYywvxXp4Tms9H2vnFuvznuj40M1uYxShykvliLtcaHCcsFqnl-vn-Bp42NtYciJGVEisg-UFigFv2odvNRu7sPulCCspnU64dtJperzLax0NErJPAqPdSB8rEN7ZNxkBl8ynApQdhbQKYx03GXIzudZrZ1u-4NcKjH5Tss6bRSnpoMcPP9X52xp6ISiAB4DE58_bQxMxKpuYfLrMngZ6SRN8ZeE4okReTxk9Qk-IkdNWH6evwM4eLu1aw74odmLLCKLWa2H8C2tRiLWl4lzKkYDZZQt8SDLvr0yfgg_fipPJiPcinyxtWh41Rly6F7pK6fvycKAIOJePRce0X-5FKlt0kCg1cyYBPAdkTH5uV-8vfz5MXawD4nm5Isx4nP4zV_iEL1m=w1251-h834-no


7ZNQNtN_zSa2zQrhceMMt0Dwh6HdsWH1CgPQ_jl5kPtgoM8Xj5NfK3EevoiGuDzK_iqtePGM_gnuUst093cD8t0uAk8_pdI6ZALJan5I4CwbPWwPU4T1ZisxSAoJ1Sh32qApXYj4EALyABphauwBbcelCwrwG2GqkcZwRBFLPSoOOKJENd_DrBCmQi6PCBYVg41DhOqnoVvO7wLIXsFxrx2zZKcpmsxThPRJ66X5fmG56qKc68BGPNGHyGuuxsVcb8F65wotO1ZkkDoqyxVJh7TCjKXtsW0pmTq1jwLec8fx_TQ1sejyCtyY7opDFuF6AqdVphGQWGTM2RLfu1qqd_vKm_jpFt8yIMueEWlQZ4xgDnjd_ZTsZgBTSXWUFZ3kwhcL1pSHg6gOG9k6Na9pP7y5F4q5RI8wMVKca3Sa-mmrXL-R_77ubbpGR17Ll71ZuRh9x8fajmks67-7bSHBguTs5PDBopfwmRo2PjJX_46JXMlTPzahApo3FJKktck44IEMVmg31vPv7oD37h8_ZrCQMpaAM4YQy2cniipYK0-maQ8vWhFaUVGNifS_TyyaeUqjMw9miQpMJ6YrNqHtNUidhXsw3-a6F6pDuUBTkWdS7BwGy8M16MReddbQ7ug0fYxptE4IELx6D-6ewZhwExg_=w1251-h834-no

:lmao:

There is one. It's in China.

Everything is made in China.

I'm the dad. I'm used to it.

::yes::
 
Crud…
Missed a couple chapters.

OK…
I missed everything since the introduction, but I have excuses.
Of course, excuses are generally meaningless, and this is your party, not mine, so…
what say I just kind’a skulk back in on the most recent chapter and see if I can’t keep up for a while.


…she was forced to rent a scooter to get around the parks. This had the effect of forcing us to move a little more slowly than normal.
You’re leaving out the most important details here…
How many other “guests” did she run over across the day?
That’s the real reason anyone rents a scooter.


It was all fun and games until Julie fed Drew to a shark.
Fish may be friends, but all bets are off when it comes to random young’ens.


The big kids and I…
Isn’t that a bit redundant?


In the eternal Orange Team vs. Green Team debate, my family is decidedly on the Green Team…
This is one of the few attractions that we first experienced while it was still “new”. There was no “team” distinction. All four simulators ran the same program, so we sorted out very quickly whether or not we could handle it, and the answer was: you bet’chem. But then again, simulators don’t bother me or the boy much and the added g-forces add to the experience (this is not so true for my best Gal, but that’s a longer story).


I always had a lot of fun giving the Navigator crap about flying us into a meteor shower.
That’s what happens when you put the whole crew into Hyper-Sleep.


In the new version, the Orange Team gets to fly to Mars while the Green Team is sent on a training mission to orbit the earth.
Wait…What?
When did this change, and how is it that I haven’t heard anything about it?
Have they altered the other mission as well?


Just like Soarin’, we felt the new version wasn’t as fun as the old one.
So then they’re three for three (and really, four for four) on installing downgraded upgrades to the main attractions at Epcot.

That’s not good.


I feel like a Grumpy Old Man now. Oh, wait—I am one.
Me too…

Now get off my lawn!


Or maybe I’m a country singer.
Oh, I hope not…


…because we all enjoy the suffering of others.
Humans are a mite funny that way.


I know what you’re thinking: What a crock of Beverly.
What the Tofu!
You’re givin’ away all our peanut-butter secrets.


(Brought to by our ongoing blog: Highlights in Unnecessary Censorship (the Disney Edition)


the main thing you want to know is how Drew enjoyed the Beverly. Here is the reaction:

_eTsAI7UnveK-6MgX_2ZyS90LNirA5pBlQxaE7hA88bkuyQV08owPyJMJ884pKZsgLBJJ4EES7VineJC3mLv_FyeJXSeN-VWu5l9er2MoNESIlu6TsiKx_rOMzJuno9FCRBjodVSfjAl-kvyCOqDdgqdmZtg0J3Mp30HsSk8EmE05LUqKMm9ySoRGF2b0d7l-MGroyAwIAm6c1hHE-t2mph9lY4TgD06dh0nbcmZTSy5B6j0SHKSASxoavCa8D43C1T29LrLKm6ykXzYBz9Zky7ksjaiCxoGjIEjYxQ4uSDLaJTHIg_WtjCcJZCe6wKWcK-iPkuhi_XtBkSEJj9OkKbvU8XNj6zik7sPsQzgisdYNnCMV6SkUIsVvFR-twoXFLugH6jy0zd0CAeLtK19RQc4UaPi3BNW6FXclM4lPGPMObqA0bjGfC8LrZHwGqxWy9b-n8qPc0t1CjEN8aVxwdyWcn9gCmkxbx0o1lxofDf0FD2_wcn-Q7OeVgZCLv-TsUdPEIidt2Jo5MS-KXuyihM4qt52Iyb9ArMuAWxmOSkYp2EQdT-xj25RBxiMnKlakF128Y_9IqXF1hxmpwll8yDHeqzH3skdaW14i39E-SzM9YKNGojzYt5gwJEOspzUHZTvfSZvOAES7CN0GzQxbUavSQ=w1251-h834-no
Yep…
That ‘bout sums it up, nicely.


the goal was to let Drew try out some of the Agent P spy missions.
Never toyed with any of those.
The boy was already too old for such when they started installing them in the WS.


this was a good way to use up my battery and data (since the park wi-fi can be spotty).
It’s a conspiracy I tell you.
They’re trying to prevent you from getting any additional fast-passes


I remain impressed at the ways the Imagineers hid so many parts of the game in plain sight.
They are still very good at surprising me.
(At least, when they aren’t being constrained by the current upper-management directive of “homogenizing” as many aspects of the parks as possible.)


Somehow, he got the idea in his head that hit would be funny to pick the big troll’s nose. I don’t know where he comes up with this stuff.
Well, there is the obvious Y-chromosome component to such things, but I suspect there’s at least a smidgen of learning from his elders that’s going on here.


Anyway, I’m pretty sure no one has ever thought of that one before.
Well, it actually never occurred to me before now…
but I’m more than a smidgen un-normal.


The standard 4:00 p.m. Florida rain shower was a little late that day…
Disney really needs to work on keeping their weather scheduling in sync with guest expectations.


There’s no exhaustion like Disney exhaustion.
E-very
P-erson
C-omes
O-ut
T-ired


Julie and I can’t eat as much as we used to. Ok, that’s not really true. We can, but we can’t hide it like we used to.
The awful truth for nearly all of us old folks.


except for the two of us who won’t eat pepperoni on pizza.
Won’t eat pepperoni?
That may be cause for having one’s U.S. citizenship revoked.


I like Via Napoli a lot. It’s the best pizza in Disney World, which I know isn’t saying much.
They do seem to have an odd blind spot on that particular issue.


He perked up once we got to Germany. Beer will do that for you.
Words to live by.


It took us about 20 minutes to get to the car design room, and we were just about to enter when they announced that they were closing the ride again due to nearby lightning.
NOOOOOOoooooooooo…


Hopefully the new show will keep the awesome fire barge and ditch the boring spinning globe.
According to some of the rumblings, you may actually get that wish.

Coming Up Next: Our first attempt at coordinating a group of 13 in a hot, crowded theme park. What could go wrong?
Writing that list up would be a bit like trying to resolve Pi to the last digit.
 
In the new version, the Orange Team gets to fly to Mars while the Green Team is sent on a training mission to orbit the earth.

So......Disney wants you to throw up? You think after that small rash of deaths they'd want you to ride the Green Team.

It almost feels like Disney is penalizing you for choosing the less intense version of the ride, like you’re getting a pat on the head and told to go back to your seat at the kiddie table.

That's the vibe I got. Though, to be truthful, I think the last time I rode it was 2007? Joe doesn't do well with spinning, and I'm not a huge fan of tight spaces so nothing really appeals to me about it.

Hey, how many country singers does it take to change a light bulb?

Five—one to change the bulb and four to sing about how much they miss the old one.

:rotfl:

There we were able to at least take solace in the fact that some pleasures never change, and one of those pleasures is watching other people get their first taste of Beverly, because we all enjoy the suffering of others.

My greatest life achievement is tricking Joe into trying Beverly not once, but twice. Because he tried it in Epcot, and then a couple years later we were in Atlanta at World of Coke and he'd forgotten all about it so he tried it again.

I know, I know. Sometimes I also wonder why he still married me :lmao:

I found one of the only electrical outlets in Disney World and plugged in my phone charger since Drew had run the battery down to Mostly Dead.

But still slightly alive?

Hopefully the new show will keep the awesome fire barge and ditch the boring spinning globe.

I was going to reminisce again about Joe's first trip, but I feel like every comment I've made has featured him. Which, you know, as we're married I guess is a good thing, but I would like to say that I do have a life outside of my husband.
 
Yeah I know. All that money ... I ain’t sittin’ around!

Must...squeeze...value...out....of...time...

Everyone gets one mistake.

Or a bad day.

Will look later, but... holy huge Batman!

They sure aren't going cheap on the new rides, that's for sure.

Their way of separating the hardy from the pukers.

But I was willing to separate myself!

They still haven’t changed it?

Nobody could remember any of the other ones.

Nah. Just you. But you knew that already.

::yes::
 
OK…
I missed everything since the introduction, but I have excuses.
Of course, excuses are generally meaningless, and this is your party, not mine, so…
what say I just kind’a skulk back in on the most recent chapter and see if I can’t keep up for a while.

I do not accept excuses! I'll just have to find myself another giant, that's all.

You’re leaving out the most important details here…
How many other “guests” did she run over across the day?
That’s the real reason anyone rents a scooter.

I lost count!

Ok, she wasn't that bad.

Fish may be friends, but all bets are off when it comes to random young’ens.

I could see Drew getting on her nerves just enough...

Isn’t that a bit redundant?

Guilty as charged, and I really hate being redundant. I also hate repeating myself.

This is one of the few attractions that we first experienced while it was still “new”. There was no “team” distinction. All four simulators ran the same program, so we sorted out very quickly whether or not we could handle it, and the answer was: you bet’chem. But then again, simulators don’t bother me or the boy much and the added g-forces add to the experience (this is not so true for my best Gal, but that’s a longer story).

I do ok with simulators. It's spinning that has bothered me more as I've gotten older.

That’s what happens when you put the whole crew into Hyper-Sleep.

We should have left an android to run the ship while we were asleep. That always works out well in the movies.

Wait…What?
When did this change, and how is it that I haven’t heard anything about it?
Have they altered the other mission as well?

It was about a year or so ago. I think the orange mission is largely the same, but they re-shot all of the intro/pre-show with new actors. It was pretty much the same dialogue, but with new actors. Sadly, Gary Sinise and the subtle Apollo 13 connection is gone.

So then they’re three for three (and really, four for four) on installing downgraded upgrades to the main attractions at Epcot.

That’s not good.

I felt like Test Track was a wash. The ride is more confusing, but the car design stuff is fun.

Me too…

Now get off my lawn!

Kids these days!

What the Tofu!
You’re givin’ away all our peanut-butter secrets.


(Brought to by our ongoing blog: Highlights in Unnecessary Censorship (the Disney Edition)

Well, now all of our Beverly is out there.

Never toyed with any of those.
The boy was already too old for such when they started installing them in the WS.

I think they did a great job with them. Helps make the WS more interesting for kids.

It’s a conspiracy I tell you.
They’re trying to prevent you from getting any additional fast-passes

They did that when they got rid of the paper FP's!

They are still very good at surprising me.
(At least, when they aren’t being constrained by the current upper-management directive of “homogenizing” as many aspects of the parks as possible.)

The creatives will always be in a never-ending war with the bean-counters.

Well, there is the obvious Y-chromosome component to such things, but I suspect there’s at least a smidgen of learning from his elders that’s going on here.

No idea what you're talking about. :rolleyes1

Well, it actually never occurred to me before now…
but I’m more than a smidgen un-normal.

You do have a Y-chromosome, right?

Disney really needs to work on keeping their weather scheduling in sync with guest expectations.

I blame their IT department.

E-very
P-erson
C-omes
O-ut
T-ired

Heard that one before. And it's true!

The awful truth for nearly all of us old folks.

This "getting old" crap really sucks.

Won’t eat pepperoni?
That may be cause for having one’s U.S. citizenship revoked.

One of my boys does not like BBQ...or bacon. I don't know what I did wrong. Then again, he is the contrarian in the family.

They do seem to have an odd blind spot on that particular issue.

I just don't bother with pizza except for Via Napoli.

According to some of the rumblings, you may actually get that wish.

:woohoo:party::jumping1:

Writing that list up would be a bit like trying to resolve Pi to the last digit.

Like the Energizer Bunny, it keeps going and going and going....
 
So......Disney wants you to throw up? You think after that small rash of deaths they'd want you to ride the Green Team.

Well, maybe there are a lot of people who enjoy throwing up. I mean, bar crawls are insanely popular.

That's the vibe I got. Though, to be truthful, I think the last time I rode it was 2007? Joe doesn't do well with spinning, and I'm not a huge fan of tight spaces so nothing really appeals to me about it.

It was definitely more fun to pretend we were flying to Mars. Oh, well.

My greatest life achievement is tricking Joe into trying Beverly not once, but twice. Because he tried it in Epcot, and then a couple years later we were in Atlanta at World of Coke and he'd forgotten all about it so he tried it again.

I know, I know. Sometimes I also wonder why he still married me :lmao:

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

But still slightly alive?

Exactly! With all dead, well...there's only one thing you can do.

I was going to reminisce again about Joe's first trip, but I feel like every comment I've made has featured him. Which, you know, as we're married I guess is a good thing, but I would like to say that I do have a life outside of my husband.

I'd say it's an excellent sign that you enjoy each other's company so much.
 
Exactly! With all dead, well...there's only one thing you can do.

Go through the pockets and look for loose change.

I'd say it's an excellent sign that you enjoy each other's company so much.

We are quite fond of each other. I mean, obviously I think that I got the cream of the crop with him. Despite the Beverly drinking and constant Disney song singing, he still wants to hang out with me, so.....I've got that going for me, which is nice.
 
Up to this point, we’d been moving slowly around Epcot as a large group of 8 people. My mother has been dealing with a foot injury for a long time now, and it has been very slow to heal, so she was forced to rent a scooter to get around the parks. This had the effect of forcing us to move a little more slowly than normal.

It's too bad about your Mom's foot injury, but sometimes slowing down is a good thing.

Once our ride on Spaceship Earth was complete, it was time to split up. My parents had their own dining reservation to get to, and then they would be off to visit my brother and his family, who had arrived that day and were spending a few hours in the Magic Kingdom.

Nice that you can have some time together and some time apart.

Meanwhile, the six of us were also splitting up. The big kids and I had a Fastpass for Mission: Space. Julie is not fond of motion simulators. More to the point, she is not fond of throwing up, so she was going to take Drew on the Nemo ride. He seemed happy with that idea.

I'm sure Drew appreciated that more, but I love Mission Space.

It was all fun and games until Julie fed Drew to a shark. Honestly, I can’t let her go more than five minutes without supervision.

Hmmm....I wonder if anyone else has ever been fed to a shark? :scratchin

Along the way, we saw the construction walls up for the new Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster. You can barely see a piece of the building here, but I’ll have a better shot in a later update. That ride is going to be absolutely massive.

They say that it's supposed to be the largest indoor coaster ever constructed.

In the eternal Orange Team vs. Green Team debate, my family is decidedly on the Green Team, which means we are a bunch of lame-o’s. The kids might be willing to try the Orange side, but we’re all a little apprehensive about it considering this ride is the only one at Disney with vomit bags provided.

Since I'm always a solo rider, I'm always apprehensive about my ride mates, but I haven't had a problem yet and I almost always do Orange team.

It almost feels like Disney is penalizing you for choosing the less intense version of the ride, like you’re getting a pat on the head and told to go back to your seat at the kiddie table. Just like Soarin’, we felt the new version wasn’t as fun as the old one.

Huh, and here I was thinking that I would do Green team next time I rode it to see the new ride.

I feel like a Grumpy Old Man now. Oh, wait—I am one.

:laughing:

Beverly has a storied history among the DIS Dads—the word “Beverly” was bestowed the honor of being our favorite substitute curse word here on the boards in order to keep our conversations family-friendly. This should give you a window into the type of profound, lofty conversation that takes place in the DIS Dads thread.


I know what you’re thinking: What a crock of Beverly.

Well thanks for sharing the DIS dad's secrets! :thumbsup2

We all had fun trying the various flavors available, but the main thing you want to know is how Drew enjoyed the Beverly. Here is the reaction:

Definitely hamming it up for the camera. He knows you're going show it to everyone. Especially now that I know your kids see your trip reports.

These had changed slightly since our last visit in that we could now use our own phones to play the game. On the plus side, I didn’t have to spend time getting the crappy flip-phone from a kiosk. On the down side, this was a good way to use up my battery and data (since the park wi-fi can be spotty).

Ugh, as if the parks don't suck up enough of your phone battery normally.

Somehow, he got the idea in his head that hit would be funny to pick the big troll’s nose. I don’t know where he comes up with this stuff. Anyway, I’m pretty sure no one has ever thought of that one before.

I can't imagine where he would get ideas like that. :scratchin

Our server insisted on taking a “before and after” photo of us to commemorate the fact that we are pigs. We made pretty short work of the pizzas. We liked the pepperoni better than the cheese, except for the two of us who won’t eat pepperoni on pizza.

I can't believe that you polished off both those pizzas! That cheese one was HUGE! I call photoshopping!

They had a model of the ride vehicle for the Tron coaster. I can’t wait to ride this one when it opens in the Magic Kingdom. It looks so cool!

I'll probably get to ride that one before I ever get to Shanghai.

They also had a display on the Pirates ride in Shanghai, which @Flossbolna said was hands-down the best ride in the park. I’d love to see that one in person, too. I’ve watched it on YouTube, and it looks amazing.

And this is why I need to get to Shanghai somehow.

Checking the radar, it appeared a rainstorm was imminent, so we made the decision to skip Illuminations and head back. Drew obviously needed the sleep, and the rest of us had seen the show several times. As it turned out, we’d never see it again. Hopefully the new show will keep the awesome fire barge and ditch the boring spinning globe.

Sounds like you made a good call. That was already a long day.

And this was a problem, because I’d planned another day in Epcot later in the week.

Uh-oh! :eek:
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!






Top