Sorry the trip report has been so long in coming, everyone. I'll try to make it worth the wait (but I make no promises!)
Our Annual Passes are expiring, and after careful consideration Future Gal and I decided that the most logical and rational course of action was not to renew them. Of course, it's easy to be all logical and rational when you're sitting at home working on your household budget. It's quite another thing when you're inside the Disney Parks, and it starts to feel like Disney's crack team of Marketeers has gotten the cheat codes to your brain, because suddenly $350 a night seems like a perfectly reasonable rate to pay for a hotel room with no free wi-fi, and it starts to seem like a good idea to renew your annual passes and just put it on the credit card that you're trying to pay off, even though your household budgeting tells you that, APs or no, you won't actually be able to afford to make enough trips to Orlando next year to make it worth the money.
So I was a little concerned about the moment at the end of the day , when Future Gal and I would take one last look down Main Street and realize that this time we were saying goodbye for at least a year and two months. Would we be able to do the sensible thing and get out of there without stopping at the ticket window to renew our APs? Or would the Marketing Pixie Dust sap us of all our willpower? These were the things I was thinking about as we sped up the on-ramp to the southbound lane of I-75 a few minutes before 6 AM on Monday the 15th.
I was also worried about getting to the park on time. You see, I had booked the Undiscovered Future World Tour, and they told me to be at EPCOT's Guest Relations at 8:45. Theoretically, we were getting on the road on time, but I was a little worried about rush hour traffic as we got into Orlando. About an hour later, we were on the turnpike, and as the sun began to come up we were quickly given something else to worry about: there was a crack in our windshield, and it was getting bigger. By Florida law, windshield repairs and replacements are completely covered by your auto insurance, and the crack wasn't anywhere near bad enough to undermine the structure of the windshield, but it was still worrisome.
Well, we made it to Orlando without any appreciable delays, and we were making good time when we had a little mishap. It happened as I was turning onto World Drive from US-192. There are three lanes, basically, the left lane puts you on World Drive headed toward the Magic Kingdom, and the other two take you directly to the Studios. Thanks to a couple of stupid fellow motorists, I was basically forced onto the road that takes you to the Studios. I managed to take the last turnoff before the Studios entrance, but I ended up back on World drive headed off the property, with no way to turn around. Much to my relief, we eventually came to a traffic signal, and it was an easy matter to make a U-turn and head back in the right direction. However, we still had to park at the TTC and take the monorail to EPCOT, and I was worried that the delay might cause us to be late.
Was it a silly thing to worry about? Yes. It was still so early that there was basically no traffic; once again were were able to park at the front of the Magic Kingdom parking lot within walking distance of the TTC. When we got there the TRONorail was pulling away from the EPCOT platform, but within about five minutes Monorail Black arrived and we were on our way. We were at EPCOT in no time.
One new addition since our last visit: a coffee and pastry stand has been installed at the base of EPCOT's monorail station and seemed to be doing pretty good business.
I was glad to see that its signage is in the One True Font. Well, at 8:45 Future Gal and I said our goodbyes and the Cast Member at the tunstile reserved for people with Akershus breakfast reservations let me in. I went to Guest Relations and checked in; they gave me a nametag and asked me to wait around for the tour to start. I'm sure it seems weird that Future Gal didn't go on the tour with me, but it cost fifty bucks and that's a lot of money to pay for something you're not at all interested in doing. Anyway, as you'll see later she had lots of fun on her own. I had hoped that the tour group would be very small, but it was actually pretty large-fourteen people in all. The guide-a very nice girl from Brazil-wore a clip-on microphone and gave us little radios with headphones so she wouldn't have to shout to be heard by everyone. I was delighted to discover that I wasn't the only EPCOT geek on the tour. A couple of the guys behind the Minicot project (among other things, they built a small-scale replica of Soarin', check out the video
here) were there, too. I think it's the first time I've ever met anyone "offline" who is as enthusiastic about EPCOT as I am. I posted a more detailed review of the tour on my blog (shameless plug alert!) but among the highlights were a Fountain of Nations show:
As you can see, the plaza was almost totally empty because it was still early in the day, and everyone was either trying to get Fastpasses for Soarin' or Test Track. We also went to Club Cool, which we also had pretty much to ourselves. While there, a few of us got talking about the Fantasyland expansion, and our guide pretty much confirmed that the Cinderella/Aurora meet-and-greet is dead and would be replaced by something more boy-centric. She would not confirm the Seven Dwarves MIne Coaster, however. Of course, as often as the plans have changed, I really didn't expect her to have up-to-date-info, and even if she didn't she probably wouldn't be allowed to discuss it. After Club Cool we headed over to The Seas, and one of my hopes for the tour was fulfilled when we got to go into the Living Seas VIP Lounge!
Sorry for the poor picture quality, but my camera isn't very good in low light conditions. The lounge is HUGE, bigger than the Coral Reef Restaurant, and very nice. If I was a supervillain, it would be my evil lair, and I would feed my enemies to the sharks! BWAA-HA-HAAAA!
Next, we went to The Land. We made our way down to the Soarin' area and went out the doors near the restrooms. We found ourselves backstage next to the Soarin' show building. We walked along next to the building, heading toward the Imagination pavilion, but then our guide took us into Soarin's VIP entrance and we got to ride, completely bypassing the queue! Next, we went back behind Imagination and entered a huge workshop area. Part of it is a maintenance bay for the Imagination ride vehicles, but it also houses the machine that washes and sterilizes all the 3D glasses from every 3D attraction on property.
We came back onstage via the Captain EO preshow area and stood near the Imagination fountains while our guide talked about them. The TRONorail was passing by, and I took the opportunity to snap a picture. I have no idea what the guy in the pink shirt is doing.
We also got to go backstage at Universe of Energy and see the only backstage thing you're allowed to take pictures of: a couple of unused pterodactyl Animatronics from the dinosaur diorama:
We also got to go into Mission Control at Mission Space. Fun fact: have you even been in line there, and heard an announcement that the wait time will be longer than expected due to a minor problem? What that usually means is that somebody rode Team Orange who really couldn't handle it, and they had a protein spill in the simulator, forcing it to be taken offline so it can be cleaned. So, if you're not sure if you can handle Orange Team, don't risk it! Some poor Cast Member may have to clean up after you! Although no photos are allowed on the side of the Mission Control console that the CMs work on (spoiler: the ISTC is still using Windows XP) you can take pictures of the side of the console that's visible from the queue:
The buttons and switches don't actually do anything, of course, but you can really press them and they light up and stuff.
Next, we went back behind Test Track and entered the huge Cast Services building behind Mexico and Norway. We got to see the Costuming Department, and we even went into the area where the characters' costumes are kept. On one of the tables, there was an actual Duffy head. I grabbed a baseball bat and whacked it to the floor, then jumped up and down on it until it was completely ruined. Oh wait, no I didn't, because I didn't want to get arrested. What I actually did was kind of scowl at it as we walked by.
Another interesting area in Cast Services was the Pride Hall, where teams of Cast Members had, for some reason that I don't remember, painted various character-themed murals. There was even a Figment and Dreamfinder mural. Also, snippets of audio from the original Journey Into Imagination were playing over the speakers in the ceiling. It was very cool. Finally, we went behind China and got a small look at the marina where the Illuminations barges are kept. You really couldn't see anything except for the Earth globe; all the other floats were kept in hangars. We went up some steps and went through a door that led into the very back part of the China pavilion, where the Reflections of China exit area is, and that concluded the tour.
Meanwhile, Future Gal had been having some fun of her own. She bummed around the park and rode some rides (Test Track twice and Spaceship Earth). Then at 11:15 she went on the Behind The Seeds tour at The Land:
One of the highlights of the tour is that you get to taste some of the veggies they're growing there. Future Gal said this is the best cucumber she's ever eaten:
I guess hydroponic farming really does make all the difference!
Here's the tomato tree:
An EPCOT-themed lettuce arrangement:
Winter melons. I approve of the use of the One True Font in the signage.
Here's a view of the shrimp tank from a different angle than you normally see it:
And here's the hidden Mickey that you can see from the boat if you're looking for it:
While in the aquaculture area, Future Gal got to feed the tilapia:
Here's the Tea Garden. I'll bet it smells great!
I don't care how they're grown, I still hate brussels sprouts!
Well, after Future Gal and I met up near China we headed toward The Land for lunch at Sunshine Seasons. On the way out of World Showcase, I stopped to take some pictures of one of my favorite pavilions:
Goodbye, Mexico.
We had a great lunch at Sunshine Seasons (I love their salmon!), and then we headed back into Innoventions Plaza.
Goodbye, The Land.
Future Gal wanted to look around Mouse Gear, so we went in there. Sadly, the retro EPCOT shirts had been moved out to make room for Christmas stuff. There were some cool retro WDW shirts, though:
The one on the upper left looks pretty cool, but I didn't get one. I've already got two drawers stuffed with T-shirts.
They also had a cool Kermit-themed mouse ear hat, which Future Gal very obligingly modeled:
Doesn't she look cute?
Well, it was finally time to leave EPCOT. We paused in the entrance plaza to take each other's picture:
And I got one of Spaceship Earth.
Goodbye, Spaceship Earth.
As you've already seen on the video, I was delighted to get to ride the TRONorail out of EPCOT. And not only is the outside exquisitely themed, but even the inside is cleverly themed to look like . . .
. . . the inside of a regular monorail.
Next, it was off to the Magic Kingdom. We got there right at 3:00, just in time for that 3:00 parade that everyone's always asking when it is.
We fought our way through the crowd and went to Tomorrowland to ride the WEDWay, as you saw. I wanted to video the entire ride, then combine it with humorous commentary that I would record later, but Future Gal kind of put the kibosh on that.
The construction walls were supposed to have been taken down from Pooh, and after the PeopleMover we went to have a look. The walls were only partially down, but what we were able to see looked pretty good. If the rest of the new Fantasyland is as good as this, we're really in for a treat:
Then we went to Adventureland for one last ride on Pirates. We ended up in the back of the boat, and the family on the front row thoughtfully immortalized the experience for us by taking flash pictures every two seconds. During the scene where the pirate ship and the Spanish fort are exchanging cannon fire, I called out "No flash photography!", but I don't think they heard me. After Pirates, we stopped for one last Dole Whip, and then we made our way back to Main Street.
Goodbye, Adventureland.
Future Gal wanted a picture in front of the castle, and I got another picture of the castle by itself.
Goodbye, Cinderella's Castle.
We strolled through the Emporium, crossed over to the candy shop to pick up some candy, and then it was time to head for home.
Goodbye, Main Street.
And we boarded the monorail for home. Somehow, we ended up on the Resort monorail, which was okay because it got me one last look at the Contemporary. Por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas.
We made it off property without being overwhelmed by the urge to throw common sense to the wind and renew our passes. And really, that's okay. We've gone to Disney World more times this past year than most folks get to go during their whole lives. And to be honest, it was getting a little commonplace. That excitement that I used to get when we sped up the on-ramp to I-75 South just wasnt there anymore. It's best to let things percolate for a year or so, and let the excitement come back.
Oh, in case you're interested the windshield was fixed two days later.
So that's our last trip report for a while. Thank you all so much for reading. Here are the links to my online WDW photo galleries from all our trips this year.
2009
January 2010
March 2010
April 2010
Star Wars Weekends, May 2010
July 30-August 1 2010
October 2010
November 2010
While I'm looking forward to the decorations, I will miss some of the normal background music...
That is awesome!
