Jaws Bites Back Day 3 - Epcot

[Alison]

Friday 14th August 2009

We’re getting used to it today – up at about 7ish, so not too bad at all. We had a quick breakfast in the villa – fruit, cereal, muffins and croissants. Left about 8 for Epcot and parked in the first row of Amaze.

It was already quite hot waiting for opening but it wasn’t too long for the first part. We went to the right rather than waiting at the rope to see the characters, waving to the CMs in funny hats on the way and then waited while a Soarin’ ‘captain’ gee-ed up the crowd.



At the given signal, we headed off with hundreds of others towards Soarin’, where we queued up and were on within minutes, second row. Just as good as we remembered it – you really can’t help smiling on this ride! As we came off, we got some FP for later on and then took random photos of Mickey gnomes!



Then went off to the Seas, stopping for the obligatory photos with Nemo and friends.



We rode the ride – I find it really disappointing but Stephen loves fish and he enjoyed it. We spent a bit of time doing the quizzes and taking photos of sharks (plastic) and rays and jellyfish (real), before heading into Turtle Talk with Crush.



Last time, Stephen had been a little unsure of the whole thing and had sat with us but, this time, he had a question planned out and was keen to sit at the front with all the other children. The show was fab as always – Crush was ‘totally awesome’ and Stephen got chosen to ask a question!



Then it was off to last year’s ‘favourite’ (ahem) ride – Figment. Something must be wrong here – we’re up to day 3 and this is our first time we’ve done Figment?! ‘Surprisingly’ enough, it was a walk-on.



It was starting to get really hot now, so we decided to head to Club Cool to have a quick drink. Fortunately, Stephen didn’t remember his previous trip here, so we were able to persuade him to try the Beverly all over again, with the video camera at the ready! Nigel actually likes most of the drinks (even the Beverly!) and I am quite partial to the Israeli one, so it was quite refreshing. Stephen decided he liked the German one best.



Took a quick trip into Mouse Gear and, as we came out, we saw Rafiki. He loved Stephen’s book and showed it off to the CM with him.





It was 11.30 by now, time for our Soarin’ FP, so we headed back to the Land.



The standby queue was now at 80 minutes! We were on within 5 minutes and we got the front row for the first time ever. It was great to see the film without the dangling feet.

Lunch time now and we decided to head off to World Showcase, to Morocco, to visit Tangierine Café as we had enjoyed it so much last time. It was very hot and we were starting to feel the effects but we were using our (cheap Publix!) water spray and it was helping a bit. We persuaded Stephen we would revisit the countries we were walking through as we did our route march to Morocco.



It was quite busy but we managed to find a table. Nigel nearly melted in the queuing area as they have all the hot plates there and no AC! The food was lovely as always – Nigel and I had the shwarma platters – I had chicken, he had lamb – which came with hoummous, taboulleh, couscous and bread. Stephen had a burger – which came with chips.

Cont ...

[Alison]

Last time we visited World Showcase, Stephen had completed the mask, so this time we got him the passport. He was intrigued to see the Moroccan CM writing ‘backwards’. We wandered around the pavilion and Stephen found a hidden Mickey!











We saw Aladdin and Jasmine and Stephen said he wanted to see them. It wasn’t really long to wait – about 7 or 8 minutes – but it was in the bright sun. We were almost at the front when Stephen announced he’d had enough but we persuaded him to stay – and he was so glad he did. Aladdin and Jasmine spent ages with him! They raved about his book, looking at every page and talking about all the other characters in role. They were horrified he’d met Jafar!



Aladdin pointed out how much Stephen had grown, as last time he hadn’t reached his shoulder and said he couldn’t wait to see Stephen on the next visit, to see how much taller he was. He taught him how to do an Aladdin pose for the photo – Jasmine said she wouldn’t make him do a Jasmine pose!



Stephen put meeting them on a par with talking to Push – high praise indeed!

Back through World Showcase now, stopping off in France for a few photos and a visit to the Patisserie – chocolate mousse for Nigel and an éclair for Stephen. I thought it was far too hot for chocolate, so I had a Grey Goose slushie instead! Yum!



We also found Belle’s library!







Back through the UK and Canada, doing the Kidcot stops on the way and stopping off briefly to listen to Off Kilter.



They were fantastic but it was just too hot so we kept going. Stopped off in Mouse Gear to get Christmas presents for our niece and nephew. Stephen was delighted they had restocked the Club Penguin section and bought himself a guide book and a green puffle.

We had missed Spaceship Earth last time as it was being refurbished, so we decided to take advantage of the fact that there was only a five minute queue as we went past! We all enjoyed this, although it was a bit spoiled by people taking flash photos, despite the fact it says not to.

On the way out, we got stopped by two different people asking us to do a survey – must have one of those faces!



Drove home and collapsed for a bit! Swam, played Club Penguin (surprise, surprise!) and wrote notes.



Then we all freshened up before heading to the Outback. We had a very cheery server, Josh. Nigel had decided he wanted a Bloomin’ Onion – we couldn’t quite believe the size of it, despite having seen pictures! I had a bit, Stephen tried one piece and Nigel made a valiant effort but we left loads! Love the bread here. Stephen had Junior Ribs, Nigel had a burger and I had steak with jacket potato and Caesar salad.

Waddled out, then a quick trip to Winn Dixie as we get withdrawal symptoms if we don’t go to a supermarket at least once a day. More swimming, some washing and an early night all round.



See day 4 here!

[Guest]

nice photos, do you mind me asking what camera you have got, thanks

[shirley]

I am having a great time reading your trippie, lovely piccies again today.

[macdonald88]

Another great day, looks like your all having an amazing holiday.

[vitfa]

love outback - there bread was the best that i tasted on holiday too L x

[Cinnabon]

Great video with crush, hope to do that this year.

Please give us more information on the book.

[Alison]

Hi Joanne

It's a photo book from photobox - you just upload your photos and text. I think most of the photo processors do them.

[Redrach1903]

Another great day... never spotted the rose from Beauty & the Beast before

[FLAFantastic]

Lovin the pics!