If you book it you will go. Sept 2019. Day 6 - Epcot

[sha9]

The dining report for today is here.

Today we were moving to the Dolphin for our holiday within a holiday. It was Epcot morning EMH so we decided we’d go there with the plan to ask Bell Services to transfer our suitcase. Since you have to pay for parking at the Dolphin we decided to get the bus to Epcot and walk to the Dolphin later. On the return journey we’d do it all in reverse.

We had set the alarm for 6.30am but I woke at 5.40am. I wasn’t ready to get up so lay until the alarm went off. We got ready, had the last two banana nut muffins for breakfast and finished packing our bag. We walked across to Gran Destino to Bell Services and they were happy to transfer our bag but did say it wouldn’t be there until around 4pm. That was fine for today but we realised that it wouldn’t be on the return as we wanted to spend the afternoon at the pool doing a washing so would need the clothes we had been wearing those 2 days. We agreed that we’d just get a Minnie Van on the return.

We headed to the bus stop and waited about 20 minutes for a bus to Epcot which started to irritate me. I started to think maybe we should just pay the parking at the Dolphin when a bus arrived. We arrived at Epcot about 8.30am so had missed half an hour of EMH. We weren’t overly worried as we had a FP for Soarin’ and the wait time for Frozen Ever After was only 5 minutes so we just headed to Norway.

It was still only a couple of minutes wait when we got there so I think that was the right call to FP Soarin’.

After we’d ridden it we went to Kringla Og Bakery for second breakfast.

Random Epcot pics.

Then went back into Future World to the Land for our Soarin’ FP. We didn’t have to wait too long at that time and we had a centre row so no bendy buildings!

Our next FP was Spaceship Earth but when we got there it was down. I decided to bring our Mission: Space FP forward and move SE to later. Just as I’d finished faffing about with MDE the ride opened so we rode it standby pretty much walk on. I changed the SE FP to Nemo.

Our great Spaceship Earth picture.

We went to Mission: Space and used our FP. I still can’t get over not going to Mars just because we chose less intense. It really makes it a lot duller. And I miss Gary Sinise.

Guardians of the Galaxy building.

After we’d orbited the earth we went to Test Track to the single rider queue. I prefer this as it misses a lot of faff.

We were in separate cars which was fine however I was sat with a couple. As I sat down and tried to get buckled in the guy said “hello single rider”. Before I got a chance to reply his wife said “or third wheel”. You can imagine how comfortable I felt! Oh I’m sorry, is this your personal Disney ride? I politely said it was better than a 40 minute wait. The guy was very friendly and polite and agreed that it made sense. She then soften a bit and was nicer. He asked where I was from and she apologised and said he wouldn’t talk all the way through the ride. Incidentally, as we were standing waiting to board she swapped places with him so she’d be in the middle. Oh aye hen, I’m Angelina Jolie right enough, I’m sure he won’t be able to resist me if he sits next to me. Bit bizarre.

We couldn’t really be bothered walking round to Nemo and were starting to get hungry so headed for the Food & Wine eats. If you don’t want to read the dining report I’ve copied the F&W stuff here.

We started at Active Eats and Coastal Eats where Marie had Loaded Mac n Cheese with Nueske’s Pepper Bacon, Cheddar and Leeks and I had the True Striped Bass Tostado with Slaw and Fire-roasted Tomatillo Sauce.

I tried a wee bit of the mac n cheese and it was nice. Mine was fine although the Tomatillo Sauce wasn’t great.

Next was Flavours from Fire where I had my eye on the Smoked Corned Beef with Crispy Potatoes, Cheese Curds, Pickled Onions and Beer-Cheese Fondue after seeing Tim Tracker trying it. I also wanted to try the Steakhouse Blended Burger: Blended Beef and Mushroom Slider with Brie Cheese Fondue, Arugula and a Truffle and Blue Cheese Potato Chip on a Brioche Bun. We decided to get one of each and share.

The corned beef dish was lovely. It clearly not like our corned beef but was more like a pulled beef. The sauce was really nice and went well with the beef.
really enjoyed the burger too, it had a really good flavour.

Marie wanted a Mimosa Flight so we headed to Simmering Sips but she changed her mind and just got the tropical mimosa. She kind of downed this as it was so hot so I don’t think she tasted it!

We decided to go via Canada for some filet. This is the Le Cellier Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce. Marie suggested we share then we both had a good laugh at the ridiculousness of that thought.

Now I’ve had this a few times and it was always possible to cut it with the plastic knives you get but not this year. It may have been because we didn’t have a table instead choosing to sit on a bench but it just didn’t seem as good a cut of meat. It was still tasty and we enjoyed it – we got one each.

We had a break as we passed the International Gateway deciding at that point to check in to the Dolphin. There was a boat sitting so we decided just to get on it. Since it stops at the Boardwalk and Yacht/Beach Club first it took around 15 minutes but that was fine cos we were hot and tired.

Check in queue was quite busy so we waited about 10 minutes to be seen. We were offered an upgrade from resort view to a balcony for $20 a night and that seemed like a good deal so we took it. It also meant our room was ready which was even better.

We were on the 6th floor with a resort view and could see the Eiffel Tower in the distance. This meant we’d be able to watch the Epcot fireworks so we were pleased.

We were also excited to discover that you can watch Netflix and Amazon Prime if you have an account, although obviously we weren’t there to watch telly and totally did not put Netflix on and watch some old episodes of Supernatural while we were staying there. We didn’t on this occasion and just checked out the room before heading back to Epcot for more food. This time we walked.

When we returned we went to Belgium and shared the Beer-braised Beef served with Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes and the Golden Malted Belgian Waffle choosing Berry Compote over Chocolate Ganache assuming that would be quite bitter. It also comes with whipped cream.

We’ve had the beef before and it was just as enjoyable. The waffle was fab and I’m glad we got the fruit as the tartness gave the whole thing a nice flavour without making it sickly.

We continue on round and stopped at Hops & Barley in the America pavilion as I wanted to try the New England Lobster Roll with Fresh Herb Mayonnaise and a Griddled Roll. Marie didn’t get anything and didn’t want any of the lobster roll.

This was nice but didn’t blow me away.

We went to Karamell-Kuche in Germany for some caramel popcorn before heading back to the hotel via the boat again. We swung by Bell Services and our suitcase had arrived which was great as it meant we could get showered and changed for dinner at The Yachtsman.

This is what I love about the Epcot resorts – there’s so much within walking distance. Although last year at Boardwalk I think that was why we were so tired!

We had a lovely, if expensive meal at the Yachtsman both having lobster bisque and filet steak. We wandered back via the Market at Ale & Compass to get coffee in our refillable mugs and a cinnamon bun for breakfast the next day.

When we got back to the Dolphin we watched some Supernatural on Netlfix before going to sleep early for an early start the next day.

Evening balcony shot.

I must point out that we did hear the Epcot fireworks and got up to have a wee look but we were extremely tired so didn't sit on the balcony watching them like we had planned! I think we heard the Star Wars ones too but we didn't even get up for them!

[Goldia]

Bit of a weird experience on test track. The new hotel room looks lovely, shame you didn't see the fireworks but at least you heard them.

[sha9]

Originally Posted by Goldia

Bit of a weird experience on test track. The new hotel room looks lovely, shame you didn't see the fireworks but at least you heard them.

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Yes it was like a I had sat down at a table for 2!

The room was lovely. I think we saw a couple of the fireworks!

[Ariel's Mum]

What an odd couple. Perfect way to make someone feel totally uncomfortable!

[caitlinsmummy]

Wow the woman on Test Track obviously has some issues ... did she think you and her partner were going to hit off, abandon her and live happily ever after?! Very weird.

Loving all the food from the F&W and the room at the Dolphin looks beautiful ... even better with the balcony! X

[sha9]

Originally Posted by Ariel's Mum

What an odd couple. Perfect way to make someone feel totally uncomfortable!

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Originally Posted by caitlinsmummy

Wow the woman on Test Track obviously has some issues ... did she think you and her partner were going to hit off, abandon her and live happily ever after?! Very weird.

Loving all the food from the F&W and the room at the Dolphin looks beautiful ... even better with the balcony! X

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The couple were on an anniversary trip without kids and I suppose she wanted it to be romantic. I’m not sure she understood how theme park rides work though! Maybe she was worried I was on my own and would now consider them theme park buddies and follow them around .

[Fuellady]

Slightly strange experience on Test Track, no wonder you felt uncomfortable. I can only assume she has some trust issues . A good morning at Epcot despite that, and loving seeing the World Showcase offerings. The Belgium ones look particularly good I think.


Shame you were too tired to see the fireworks from your balcony as planned, but your room at the Dolphin looks lovely. Nice to get the balcony room upgrade offered to you.

[caitlinsmummy]

Originally Posted by sha9

The couple were on an anniversary trip without kids and I suppose she wanted it to be romantic. I’m not sure she understood how theme park rides work though! Maybe she was worried I was on my own and would now consider them theme park buddies and follow them around .

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Haha not sure I'd go to a theme park for a romantic break 😂 there really are some funny people about 🤣 (I'm probably one of them to be fair haha) x

[sha9]

Originally Posted by Fuellady

Slightly strange experience on Test Track, no wonder you felt uncomfortable. I can only assume she has some trust issues . A good morning at Epcot despite that, and loving seeing the World Showcase offerings. The Belgium ones look particularly good I think.


Shame you were too tired to see the fireworks from your balcony as planned, but your room at the Dolphin looks lovely. Nice to get the balcony room upgrade offered to you.

See more...

It did make me think twice about single rider in the future which it shouldn't.

Food & Wine means September is a great time to go!

Originally Posted by caitlinsmummy

Haha not sure I'd go to a theme park for a romantic break 😂 there really are some funny people about 🤣 (I'm probably one of them to be fair haha) x

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Well at least it gave me a story to tell .

[OP Pixie Dust]

I just wanted to say

Finally another Disney fan who also appreciates supernatural