Four (don't) go camping - day 5

[cheekytink]

Up early this morning for the long awaited, and much anticipated EPCOT Center day.
On every trip we take a day together in EPCOT where we *may* enjoy and adult beverage or two... this year was my turn to be the designated driver.
But this time, we were heading out for dinner to... The Boathouse. As massive Lou Mongello fans and WDW radio fans, this was something we had been looking forward to for ages... more of that later!

We had our usual Large cup of tea, cereal and toast then headed into one car (did I mention it was MY TURN TO DRIVE ?) and down the road for the quick 10min drive to EPCOT parking lot.
After a short wait in the bag check area we arrived at the digital turnstiles just as the park opened. It didn't seem too busy to be honest - we even got a few photos in front of Spaceship Earth.

The weather was stunning - bright blue sky, toasty hot and we were ready for lots of fun.
Spaceship Earth was a walk on, so despite a FP+ for later, we hopped on, with Millie choosing to ride with Niki... I got Morgan and the big boys rode together. We all recited the narration together as we moved from the beginning of time to.. well... the mid-90's
We headed over to Test Track straight afterwards for our FPs, and it was battle of the sexes. Girls vs Boys in the designing room and needless to say, the girls not only created the most efficient car, but also the prettiest with sparkles and purple paint! Boys went for ridiculous spoilers and nitro-fueling..
The on-ride photo was another cock-up. Us girlies in the back decided to pretend we were asleep whilst the boys in the front completely obscured our comedy scene...

The outcome of the whole ride and who's car was better was left a mystery (probably for the best) as the last screen wasn't working so we agreed to disagree!
We exited through the gift shop and took a dash in the blazing sun to Mission Space - walk on in terms of wait time. Millie, Dan and Niki on green; Simon, Morg and I on orange. I really love the centrifuge in this ride - it's a really unique ride and whilst I know it's not for everyone (Dan), it's an incredibly brave ride to put in a theme park and perhaps isn't given the recognition it deserves. The theming and story are great, but I wish they would ditch the grim soft play area at the end - we just scoot on by to keep Millie away!
We had a quick chat about what we wanted to do next -Simon wanted to look around Mouse Gear so we popped in there for some much needed A/C and he mooched about the retro t-shirts etc. Nothing purchased, but we headed out the other side and walked to the Seas pavilion. Millie wanted to take Niki and Simon to see Turtle Talk with Crush after her experience a couple of days before, and they had never been there so we waited the 5 mins for the next show. Morgan hates the Crush show so he went for a wander over to the manatees.
Crush picked Mils to ask a question, but when he asked where she was from she couldn't remember, so I then got the chance to chat with a Sea Turtle! yay! We even "shared a moment" talking about our offspring!

After Crush, it was about 12.15 and we agreed to head towards World Showcase.. I wanted to go into the shop in Canada after realising I had never ever been in there - there are some really cool things in there! I even bought a few stocking fillers for Christmas (which no doubt I won't remember about when we get to December).
After exiting the shop, Niki and Simon suddenly presented us with gifts they had brought with them! Lanyards, score-cards and pens for all, with a whole bunch of themed stickers to be completed as we walked around World Showcase.
The grown-up drinkers had space to document their drinks around the world, where the small people and me (did I mention I was driving?) could record drinks and snacks. They were so cool - it was a complete surprise and added another element to the afternoon.
We were all pretty hot and thirsty so we went into the Rose & Crown to grab a drink - Pints for the boys, Pimms for the girls and apple juice for the kids. I particularly like the loos in the Rose & Crown (pub side) because of the music - they were piping in some Gilbert & Sullivan this time so Millie and I had a little sing along!

Drinks documented we continued our journey over the channel and arrived in France.
The drinkers opted for the Grey Goose or Grand Marnier Slush (I was so sad not to be able to have one!) and indulged themselves in a mini-photoshoot!

I took the kids up to the shop and they both had some small pieces of French chocolate as their snack..
I also took the opportunity to soak Morg from the fountain on the way past - one of us always does it and I was just a moment quicker this time
Morg wanted photos too...

Next was Morocco and it was really really hot by now. The drinkers had Casablanca beers, whilst I chose an iced mint tea which was lovely and very refreshing. Millie and Morg didn't want anything here, but we took a long wander around the bazaar area whilst the beers were being consumed.

Next onwards to Japan - we were all a bit peckish by now so headed up to Katsura Grill, probably one of our top 3 QS restaurants in WDW. The food here is amazing - fresh, tasty, large portions and good variety. Katsu curry, teriyaki beef and chicken, edamame and sushi were eaten and Kirin Ichiban beers for those drinking.
We wandered down through the garden area and found a table I have never seen before - next time we will definitely sit here in the peaceful shade.

Millie then called in her snack choice and we bought a rainbow Kakigori for her - she loves these but they are HUGE and far too much for a 5 yr old! She particularly liked the fact that it matched her new rainbow ears!

On to USA and this time it was Morgan's snack choice - Funnel Cake. I am one of those people who cannot understand the fascination with over fried, donut batter covered in sugar, syrup etc. I tried a bit, but sorry - still bleugh.
We grabbed a table in the shade near the kidcot area and had a rest whilst some craft beers were consumed by the "adults". I don't think I had really noticed this seating area before, and it's actually quite a nice place to sit because you can see all the way past the theatre and over the lagoon to Spaceship Earth.

Simon was handing out annotated stickers in each country to everyone, which by this point were everywhere!

The weather was turning a little cloudy so we took a break to see if it would blow over and had out Italy stop inside in Tutto Gusto (always have to go in!). I had my only other drink in here with a Campari Spritz whilst others had Moretti beers and the kids had chocolate milk! The loos in here are also amazing, so a good comfort stop too (they share them with Tutto Italia)!
As we left Tutto Gusto, the heavens opened in true August-in-Orlando style. We dashed as quickly as we could to Germany and jumped into Karamel Kuche to get in the dry. Millie chose a caramel apple as her snack and whilst we got it the others took the dry inside route to the bierkeller at the back to get their German beverage.

I had just apple - Mils had removed and eaten all the caramel

The rain wasn't letting up, so we took a "swift stroll" to China and I dashed into the temple with the kids and left the others to seek out a drink in the rain. I had the chance to explain to Morg and Mils about the acoustics of the temple and we took it in turns to stand in the centre-spot and hum quietly.. it's always magical!
To stay in the dry we had a wander around the China pavilion and at the back came across something I didn't know was there- a whole room expo on Shanghai Disney!?!
There was a model of the castle and huge displays of their rides etc.
We even found a few areas about the Tron Coaster , which if the new one in WDW looks as good as this, I cannot wait to ride it!

It's worth a look back here if you are interested in other parks - it's completely hidden and only had about 4 people in it!
The other 3 had found some random chinese cocktails and a beer so we moved onto Norway.
The Kringla og Bakeri was still closed for refurb so a drink was purchased from the cart outside which happily for me was also selling School Bread - my snack for this stop. I did however get it in a box, because I genuinely couldn't eat any more!

Nobody wanted to ride the Frozen Ever After ride with a 70min wait, so we moved on to Mexico where we took a boat trip with the Three Caballeros again.
It was now around 5pm so I decided to take the kids back to the villa before needing to go to Disney Springs later, and actually Dan chose to come with me, leaving Niki and Simon to finish the job back at Canada when they had finished their margaritas.
We hot-footed it at pace in the rain to the car an the hardcore 2 left went to Canada and they sent us the proof of drink eleven!

They agreed to meet us at the Boathouse later and whilst we drove home, had a shower and changed, they nipped out of the international gateway, through the Beach Club and hopped on the bus there to Disney Springs.