Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Disney Reflections, Part I

As part of my efforts to preserve memories of this trip (given how TheBoy and BabyGirl G. have been acting at times, this may be the last time we let them out of the house, let alone take them on vacation...), I want to chronicle the different parts of our Disney vacation more or less as they happen. I've covered our arrival in Florida already; here are our recollections of our experience at Epcot. Next will be Disney Studios, then Animal Kingdom, and finally the Magic Kingdom.


Plus, more than likely, a PSH-filled account of the flight home...






Headin' into Epcot

Epcot is... well, Epcot. Opened in 1983, it was intended to be a more educational Disney, one that taught as much as entertained. They've added bits and pieces here and there, but much of it is just as I remembered from my childhood trip (interestingly enough, in 1983 when it opened). Some of the exhibits are dated, like the "Spaceship Earth" inside the giant golf ball - it's supposed to be a celebration of technological advances and human achievements, yet the very ending in allegedly modern times barely mentions the internet!

Had an interesting experience when I walked in the first day. I get through the bag check, start walking to join the rest of the family, when I get approached by two Disney employees. They're concerned about what's in my pocket, and ask to see my pocketknife. I had my Gerber paraframe clipped onto my pocket like I do every single day of my life (except Saturday when flying, of course). I pulled it out, said, "It's my pocketknife!", and was asked to keep it hidden and leave it home next time (yeah, right). They had badges, you see... Pffft.

The rides were a lot of fun, and there was not a single ride that we didn't all go on as a family - Epcot's fine for even a five year old girl. The environmental-themed rides and shows are preachy - annoyingly so - and made even worse by the smug hypocrisy of a corporation that makes billions upon billions marketing shiny plastic crap made in China lecturing me on recycling... Take advantage of the Fast Pass system - it allows you to get on the most popular ride within 10-15 minutes, rather than 60+.

And if you can manage it? Be there the same day as the Brazilian Dance Team's Annual outing...


Now, onto some pics. Here's the kids being silly:

Chomp!



Kill Da Wabbit! Kill Da WABBIT!



BabyGirl G. got to have dinner with the princesses:


Awwwwww...



And we got to see the closing fireworks display:

Pyrotechnical!



All in all, it's been a damned good time so far.
That is all.

12 comments:

Borepatch said...

The Norway part of EPCOT (kill da wabbit!) was our favorite. The ride was just about right for small children.

But you're right - everything's extra super crazy insane preachy.

Brad_in_MA said...

Hope you rode Soaring while at Epcot. That and Test Track. I particularly like the part of Test Track where you accelerate to 65mph in less than 4 seconds.

- Brad

JD said...

tell me you caught an Off Kilter show in Canada. . ..

JD said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bill said...

I got myself and my daughter annual passes to Disneyland when I was living there. When she was about 12 or 13 I made a point of having her pose for a picture with "Alice," just so I would be able to embarrass her horribly by mentioning that "Alice" was Hawt.

RW said...

Soarin' and Mission Space (everything with Gary Sinise is worthy) RULES!

One of the good parts about having a child with autism: Disney is VERY accomodating to those with disabilities (although I find it eerie to consider my son's condition to be a disability) and he's treated like a king...we have virtual fast passes for EVERYTHING. My family never waits for anything. Ever.

Please tell me you had a beer in Germany.

SpeakerTweaker said...

The pyro show at Epcot is by far and away the single best memory I have of my trip to Disneyworld. Absolutely amazing.

And The Little Girl (age ~1.5 at the time) slept through the whole thing!!!



tweaker

Old NFO said...

Glad it's going well (or as well as it can :-) )

danno said...

FWIW, if you (and/or either of the offspring units) has any interest in aerospace, the drive out to Kennedy Space Center is worth the time.

I remember the Saturn V launches as a kid and the shots of the first stage engines. I never realized those engines are TWENTY FEET TALL! (they were only about 2" on TV)

I enjoyed it so much I blew off the next day at Dizney and drove back out with dad.

Christina RN LMT said...

Looks like you're all having a blast!

The last time I visited Disney World, Epcot hadn't even been built yet! I think I was six or seven years old...God, I only remember the Magic Kingdom! Oh, and Space Mountain, my very first roller coaster. :)

Carteach said...

I've been to the land of enviro-mouse a few times. Had a lot of fun with the kids... and bled cash like a stuck pig.

I agree... the pyrotechnics over Epcot lake were the best I have ever seen. Heck of a show. The time I saw it... it was a holiday, and the only way we were able to breath was for me to put on my "Oh Crap he's gonna kill people" persona and glare at people around us. They gave us enough room to breath at least.

RW said...

Only the Fantasmic display at MGM Studios rivals the fireworks show at Epcot, IMO.