Epcot really means, Every Person Comes Out Tired!

Our second full day was spent at Epcot, which  means, "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow".  Stephen calls it "That place with the huge golf ball."  Ugh. 

I was awake when the wake up call came at 6:30AM.  We wanted to get an early start and be at Epcot at the Rope Drop.  Ok, I wanted the early start.  Stephen was especially bright eyed and bushy-tailed.  Still, we managed to make it to the bus by 8AM and were delivered to the front gates of Epcot shortly after that.  We were let through the turnstiles and walked under Spaceship Earth on our way to Future World.

Epcot is a huge park split into two very different sections.  Future World opens at 9 and has attractions such as Soarin', Test Track and Mission Space.  The World Showcase opens at 11 and is a celebration of many of the different countries and cultures that make up this world we live in.  We decided to spend the day at Future World and go to the WS only for supper later that evening.

The rope dropped and we traveled with the rest of the throng into 'The Land' where we made our way to Soarin', one of the newer attractions Disney has to offer.  It is a ride that simulates hang gliding over California.

Hmmm..

We were ushered into a large room with seats that, as they fill, are hoised up into the air.  The lights dimmed and the huge screen in front of the seats began to show panoramic pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge, Nappa Valley, ski resorts and orange groves.  The seats dipped and swayed as we 'flew' into the screen.  I had to close my eyes a few times because the feeling was just a bit too swoopy for me.  When the ride ended, I had to wonder what all the excitement was about.  Soarin' is one of those headliner attractions that almost always has a huge line.  To me, it was a bit of a let-down. 

We left Soarin' and walked across Future World to Mission Space.  This is another of those rides that I had absolutely  no desire to try.  Any ride that comes equipped with its own barf bags is not something I need to experience.  Instead, I did a bit of shopping at the gift shop and ran next door to Test Track and got our fast-passes.  I know that I like Test Track!

The boys enjoyed Mission Space, though Stephen said he was glad there wasn't a long line.  Eddie was a bit disappointed that he didn't get to pilot the 'mission' but they knew they'd get another chance at some point. As you leave the attraction, there is a large area where there are interactive games and kiosks where you can send post-cards via e-mail.  We sent one to mom and dad and the boys played one of the games that had them racing across the universe with other players.

Me?  I sat and enjoyed the air conditioning!

From Mission Space, it was over to Test Track, where we took the Fast Pass lane, though in truth it wasn't necessary.  There were very few lines anywhere.  Test Track is one of those rides that doesn't last long but is very memorable.  We got in our 'car' that we shared with three other people, and were put through the safety paces that GM supposedly puts automobiles through, such as heat test, cold test, speed test... I don't remember all of it, but boy when you are speeding toward the closed door and you know you're going to hit it, it makes an impression!  No fear- it swings open in the nick of time and you're then out on an open track going a bazillion miles per hour- wind in your hair, screaming at the top of your lungs... What a rush!

The last attraction of the morning was The Seas with Nemo and Friends.  We rode in our little 'Clammobiles' through a large salt-water aquarium and when the ride is over, you're deposited in an area with several floors of tanks with sea life of every kind.  The manatees were my favorites. 

I'm not sure what I think of there being a seafood restaurant within the same complex though.  "Yes, waitress- I'll have the filet of Nemo- is it fresh?  Really, really fresh?"

We went to The Land for lunch- it's a huge, loud food court and I remember going there the very first time I was in Epcot, which was uh.. quite some time ago.  '83, I think?  Anyway, after a nourishing rotisserie chicken lunch (much better than Nemo), it was off again.  This time, the boys wanted to go to Innoventions, and we did- but not before a stop at Club Cool. 

Sponsored by Coca-Cola, it's a small area where you can taste different Coke products from around the world.  My favorite was Beverly, from Italy.  Reminded me of Moxie, though the boys said that it was much, much worse.  Eddie liked the drink from Germany and I'm not sure which Stephen preferred. 

 Most of the afternoon was spent at Innoventions East, where the boys played with robots, starred in their own video games and numerous other things.

Me?  I enjoyed the air conditioned sitting area. 

Actually, it was during this time in Innoventions that I wandered outside to try my hand at Pin Trading for the first time.  There is a great little pin stop just outside Innoventions East, and the Cast Member there was really helpful.  I traded my first pins there and later brought Stephen over to let him give it a go as well.

Then I sat and enjoyed the Fountain of Nations.  Every 15 minutes, this fountain performs a 'show' that is carefully set to music.  It can be very moving and just plain fun to watch.  Sometimes the mists can feel pretty good too!

It was nearing 3 in the afternoon before I could get the boys out of Innoventions and we decided to go to Spaceship Earth.  They've changed it somewhat, but it's still a trip through the centuries examining the development of communications.  It may sound dry, but it's a great ride that takes you to the top of the sphere and back down again.  Once on the ground, there is an area where you can play interactive games, send post cards via e-mail (we did), and even perform surgery of a sort.  That was kind of cool.  We also went to 'Honey I Shrunk the Audience' (mice, mice everywhere!), and we Journeyed into Imagination with Figmen (I like Purple Dragons).  By this time, I also especially like any ride that allows me to sit down for a few minutes!

For supper, we headed over to Germany where we had reservations at the Biergarten.  On the way, we saw the Illuminations float being taken out to the lagoon and decided that we'd hang around to see the light show.  Little did we realize just how tired we'd be! 

Mmmm.. Biergarten... They had Knoedels!  Really good Knoedels!  And they had those guys playing those big horns and they had lederhosen and they played polkas and-and-and...  Ok, it was good food and good fun.  I don't think the boys were as impressed as I was though.

After dinner we wandered back to Future World and tried on hats, posed with characters, shopped, looked for hidden mickeys and acted silly until we were too tired to walk any more.  We found a place to plant ourselves until the beginnings of Illuminations, Epcot's incredible light and fireworks show.  Set to music, the fireworks are breathtaking and the use of lasers and projected pictures is not to be missed.  We could even feel the heat from the explosions!  We were all completely worn out, but I'm so glad we stayed for the show.  Epcot at night is lovely.

We rode a very crowded bus home, standing all the way, but it was worth it.  I hardly remember crawling into the bed that night and I think I was asleep before my head even hit the pillow.  I slept like a rock. 

Good thing because we would be back up and at it at 6:30 the next morning-- but that's a post for another day.