July 6th - Part 1 - EPCOT
There is nothing better than waking up after a fabulous nights sleep knowing that you don't have to go to work, you don't have to do chores, you don't have to run errands - you just get to have fun because you're in Disney World. Yes, I'm that person. We (really me, because I'm the planner) chose EPCOT as our first park day because we had planned two days for this park. Day one was going to focus more on future world and just strolling thru the countries and the second day (our last park day) would be reverse. I had also tentatively planned on seeing Illuminations twice, but we would absolutely catch it on our second day there no matter what. Would these plans actually come true?? You'll have to keep reading (and I'll have to keep typing) to find out!
After getting ready and heading outside, we got a much better look at the Jazz Building.
Our room was to the left of the saxophone. We did a full tour of the resort later in the trip - I'll show you those pictures later. The resort was cute and has a similar layout to the other All-Star resorts. We have now stayed at all three and to be honest, I'm ready for something different for our next trip. Yes, I'm already mentally planning our next trip. I am also that person. We grabbed a quick breakfast at the food court before heading to the parks.
Not my picture and it was never, ever that empty. We both got cheese omelettes, bacon and fruit. Nothing too fancy, but it was good and used up a counter service credit. I do have to say that Disney has the best fruit ever. No matter what season, their fruit is always fresh and yummy. A container of grapes is a snack credit. I did that quite a bit over our time there. After breakfast, we waited for a bus and headed over to EPCOT.
Just an added note. I participated in a memory maker share group this trip. I did it last time and it was so easy and so much less expensive. I love taking photo pass pictures (poor Tony) and this way I could force, no wait, convince, no wait, bat my eyes and ask nicely to stop every five feet for yet another picture with Spaceship Earth. Which is exactly what we did as soon as we got off the bus, went thru bag check and security. Holy long lines Batman, they really need to do something about the logjam that is in that area. I know it is under construction, but it is just endless.
Back to pictures. As we were approaching the first photo pass photographer, a cast member passed us and commented that we did a great Disney Bound today. I was surprised, as my attempts to have matching and/or coordinating outfits this trip failed miserably and I was just hoping we were appropriately covered and cool enough for the weather. The cast member said that we were a perfect bound for Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder. Wait - are you telling me that I am, in fact, the lost princess??? And my husband is a thief with a heart of gold???
I AM THE LOST PRINCESS!!! Minus the frying pan, chameleon and tiara. This was an exciting moment for me, as I had never done a Disney Bound and certainly never accidentially fallen into one, so I was super excited and took more pictures.
This is our best thinking pose. We really do not do magic shots very well. Tony may or may not look like he is picking his nose. But I'm the lost princess, so pick away honey!!!
Our first fast pass for the morning was one of Tony's absolute favorite rides -
Sadly, I am too fluffy for this ride (I learned this the hard way on our last trip). So we do our own version of rider swap. Tony uses his magic band and rides the ride and comes back out and takes my magic band and rides again. It takes a little while for this process, but I'm happy just people watching and I like knowing that he can have a lot of fun in between my constant picture taking and acting like a five year old. Our next fast pass was literally around the corner to go on Living with the Land. I adore this ride. Tony was a bit grumbly about riding it, saying it was boring. However, by the time we were done, he was convinced he could start growing things in our extra bedroom at home. Sure sweetie, whatever you think you can accomplish.
Another side note - this was another opportunity to ask a cast member for a little extra assistance. As with most boat rides, the step down into the ride and then eventually the step up out of the ride is a little steep. I knew that there was a boat that would accommodate a wheelchair and so we asked the cast member if we could wait for that particular boat. Tony transferred into a manual wheelchair and he rode in that and I was able to sit beside him in a regular seat without having to step down. The cast members were very nice and gave us all the time we needed to transfer and move about. Do not be afraid or embarrassed to ask for additional help.
After these rides, our next stop was Spaceship Earth. Yes, to ride the ride, not to take more pictures. We did not have a fast pass for this ride, but for ECV and wheelchair riders, you do not need one. Instead of going thru the regular line, we enter thru the side door that is marked for wheelchair entrances and we actually go in thru the exit. There is a moving walkway, which we ask them to slow down to a crawl or even stop and there is a ride vehicle with a larger door entrance so us fluffy gals don't get stuck. I wish I had taken a picture of our future because we decided to do our best puffer fish faces when it came time to take the ride picture. We are a hot mess sometimes.
I am the lost princess!!
Our third fast pass for the morning was another one for Tony -
There is no way in the world you will get me on this "I'm gonna puke on you" ride. Tony loves it, but not enough to ride twice. While he was getting jostled around in space, I was poking around the construction areas.
I know that for some people, construction is irritating. I like that Disney is always trying to build new things and improve upon what is already pretty fantastic.
I'm out of room for pictures so I'll stop here for now. Up next - the biggest pretzel in Germany!