My only other experience at Epcot, I was at WDW for a conference. We came into the park, at dinner at Coral Reef, and left. How sad for me. I had no idea. I LOVED Epcot. I want to get a little flat over in the UK Pavillion, so I can live there 6 months out of the year. Are you kidding me with this place? Espresso stand every 10 feet, with a wine and beer stand in between? How do they get people to leave here at the end of the night?!
But I get ahead of myself. First. We photopass.
We rode Nemo, and the kids loved exploring the whole Seas pavillion. Fishy bunch. Then we went to Innoventions. We are lucky, in a way, that they are too small (or too scared) to ride the "big" rides. It saves us a lot of time waiting in line, lol.
Then my husband had to take big Jon back to the cabin for a nap, and the girls and I had to gear up for a Princess Lunch! And so begins, the tale of 2 afternoons.
The girls began the afternoon with an espresso (okay, that was for me) and charm bracelets for the little ones. We hit the WS and went on the boatride in Mexico, then listened to a mariachi band for a few minutes. What a lovely, relaxing day this was turning out to be!
The boys left the park and waited for the bus. And they waited. And they waited. The boys were sad. And hungry. And the 2yo boy was getting tired, and cranky.
The girls moved on to Norway and lunch at Akerhaus.
First we met Belle. That was a professional photo I have to scan in, but you guys know what Belle looks like, right?
Then we went to our table and the big question was - is it a Cinderella day? She's not always there and the girls were on the edge of their seats. I hadn't been able to get ressies at Park Fare or CRT, so this was really our only shot at seeing her outside of a random character meeting.
Aurora was first. (So, it's not just me, right? This woman looks a bit freaky?)
And then... Could it be?
It is! It's her!
We had a break in the Princess action at the point so we enjoyed some smoked salmon, muenster cheese, salami, and roasted asparagus from the cold bar. I had a sassy little glass of chardonnay, and the girls tell me their lemonade was as fine a Norwegian Lemonade as they had ever tasted. I took the servers advice and ordered the Venison Sausage over White Beans for my entree.
My husband and son, in the meantime, finally caught the bus. Jon fell asleep in his arms and Chris said the dead weight put his arm and shoulder to sleep as they rode first to the WL, and then to FW. He got to the cabin and put the boy to bed, then made himself a fried egg sandwich.
My venison sausage complimented the wine nicely.
We continued to hit the princess jackpot. Snow White spent so much time at our table I had to ask her to leave. I don't know how more people don't get tired of seeing her all the time. (cough) And then just before dessert we saw Ariel.
Dessert was a huge tray of fatty goodness that made me wish I had an extra stomach.
My husband had to login to the office. And do work.
We explored the world, the girls made masks and did Kim Possible stuff. It rained a few times but nothing to complain about. I restrained myself from drinking my way around the world (which was NOT easy). Penny made it to Japan before crashing to sleep in the stroller.
We had a dinner package reservation for the Candlelight Processional. The boys rejoined the "fun side" of the trip for dinner and the CP. Our meal was at Morocco. I will say little about the Marakesh. It was a below average meal. I love Indian and Turkish food. I love spicy food. I never met a lamb I didn't like. But their stuff was just sub par. And the kids meals arrived well below edible temperature. Good thing we were in Epcot, where a replacement meal is only a country away!
The CP was amazing, and I cried through a lot of it. Abigail Breslin sounded a lot like Linus, so it was sort of Disney's version of a Charlie Brown Christmas with incredible music. It was sweet, and perfect in every way.
We strolled around afterwards enjoying the park.
And I could hardly say no to a black and tan, could I? I mean, that would be just rude.
We didn't stay for Illuminations. After forcing the issue with Wishes the night before, we didn't think it was right to ask our girls to do that. Next time.
I have camped all my life, in fact my first camping trip I was less than 6 months old, and it hasn't always been a great experience. There have been some really bad trips. I tell you this because it's sad that after just 1 trip you won't camp in Florida again. Your family just needs to pick themselves up, dust off and try it again in a different season. I hope you will give it another try.
)
But we'll see!
