Jaws Bites Back Day 8 - Epcot
 

Wednesday 19th August 2009

We had a lie-in today after our late night last night. The plan for today was an easy day in World Showcase, as that didn’t open until later. Nigel and I pottered about for a bit and I rang my mum, who’d just come out of hospital, to see how she was doing. We eventually got Stephen up at about 9.45, had a quick breakfast (the usual!) and then set off for Epcot, parking in Discover and arriving in the park about 11.10.

We hadn’t done Test Track on our previous visit so we decided to pick up some FP for later. We knew the queue would be awful and it was – 110 minutes! Even the FP queue was 15 minutes.

Headed off to WS and decided to start with Norway so we could do Maelstrom before the queues built up. (Us? Queue-obsessive? Never!) Luckily, it was a walk-on. We even stayed to watch the film for the first time – it wasn’t bad at all and at least we didn’t feel too guilty walking straight through, with all the poor CMs standing there!

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/a904db10.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/534efe75.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/c3e5b381.jpg

We went back to Mexico so Stephen could get his passport done.

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/77afd6b7.jpg

We didn’t spend long here as we had explored it a few days before – just took a few (hundred!) photos.

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/5a4da3eb.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/2b2456ad.jpg

We decided to begin our walk around to Germany, as we had an ADR for lunch at Biergarten. It was lovely to just take our time and appreciate all the little details on the way.

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/2b7360c4.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/2a6727e9.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/93c3c691.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/d6abb89d.jpg

We stopped off at the Outpost so Stephen could play the drums when, suddenly, rain just poured from the sky. Thank goodness we were already undercover – within seconds, people were soaked to the skin and the pavements were flooded.

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/c5c9bdb5.jpg

After several minutes, it stopped just as suddenly as it had started. CMs appeared from all sides with huge brooms to sweep the pavements and everything was dry and steaming within a few minutes. We carried on to Germany and first up, a meeting with Snow White!

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/e99036bc.jpg

She had a very high-pitched, squeaky voice! We then explored the shops and the pavilion until it was time for our reservation – we especially love the Christmas shop here.

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/9699632b.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/79d563cb.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/a53c2062.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/f546848f.jpg

As we went into the Biergarten , we were really surprised – we hadn’t really had any idea of what to expect, having only really looked at the menu. This was Nigel’s choice of restaurant – anywhere that has sausages on a buffet is good in his book, especially coupled with beer!

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/497a2be5.jpg

The setting was a German village at night, with tables set out underneath the stars – it was really effective.

The tables are long, trestle-types that seat 8 or 10 people – we knew this before we went. We were sitting with a family from Iowa who were very pleasant – the dad was very keen to talk politics and was especially interested as to how the British public viewed Barack Obama!

Nigel had a beer flight and we dug into the buffet – it was lovely, with a good variety of food. Stephen loved the schnitzel and I thought the Bavarian cheesecake was delicious. Nigel just ate loads of everything.

We’d timed our visit so we could watch the oompah band. That was great fun watching them play so many different instruments and we all enjoyed joining in with the toasts!

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/e14da68f.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/60d0f832.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/1c10a1c8.jpg

Cont ...

We carried on around the lake, stopping off at Japan. We watched Miyuki making her candy creations – they are absolutely stunning and Stephen still remembers he was lucky enough to be chosen a couple of years ago, when she made him a purple dragon.

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/91e5029e.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/17e335fd.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/6a8141d3.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/b14fcd23.jpg

Stephen had a kaka gori – a shaved ice cone - they are one of his favourite treats here. We then wandered around USA and Italy for photos, Kidcot stops and a frozen lemonade for Nigel.

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/8bd3fe9f.jpg

Don't blink!

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/68e11710.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/a3349483.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/998acd27.jpg

We walked back to China where we listened to a Chinese instrument being played and watched the film.

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/de2c811f.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/fe54934d.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/7178f597.jpg

Mulan appeared and we just happened to be in the right place at the right time so Stephen was at the front of a rather long queue! He was a little disappointed Mushu wasn’t there too, but he was rather horrified when she asked to see his muscles and then proceeded to give him a kiss, leaving a big lipstick mark!

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/f1c4c379.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/22545aeb.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/714059b2.jpg

He demanded a wipe so he could scrub it off, which I gave him … after we’d taken pictures!

We headed back to Future World, stopping off for a quick margarita for me on the way! The return time printed on our FP for Test Track had long gone but, as always, we had no problems getting on. There seemed to be something up with their queuing system here, as well as the ride playing its usual trick of breaking down and we ended up waiting over 30 minutes, even with fastpasses.

I don’t really think this ride is worth any queue but the boys like it. Do you spot a pattern here? I promise I’m not really miserable on these trips – I’m more of a professional bag holder and people watcher when it comes to many of the rides!

We walked slowly out, getting sidetracked by Spaceship Earth (again!) Look – Nigel is getting better at dark ride/non-flash photography!

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/7545eab2.jpg

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/...9/226d23d7.jpg

We stopped off for a quick, snacky tea at Wendy’s – burgers, nuggets and milkshakes all round and then home to swim, play cards and an early night.

See day 9 here!

Lovely relaxed day at Epcot.

Another lovely day! So nice to see an in depth look at the WS as i plan to attack it properly next year xx

Aww a really nice day,world showcase is one of my fave things to do so i really enjoyed your pics

Like the Dr Who reference :)