A full day today. I arrive at Epcot at about noon, park, ride the tram and get through the entrance. Looks like a medium-busy kind of day. It’s Friday, so I figure it will be busier than other weekdays. I ride the major Rides (Test Track, Soarin’, and Spaceship Earth) but mostly just laze in the World Showcase, wandering the 13 countries. I make dinner reservations for Dawn and I on the 23rd … lunch at the Rose & Crown Pub/Tavern, and dinner at the Nine Dragons. I get a coffee Americano at Italy and have it with an energy bar that I bring along for “lunch” to try and reign in expenses a little bit. I have a nice conversation with a couple from Fairbanks, Alaska, at the Rose and Crown terrace. They have traveled here in motor home. First flying from Fairbanks to Las Vegas, where they have their motorhome parked, and then motoring across to Florida. They are parked at the Wilderness Reort and Campground, and use Disney Transportation to get around. I tell them about my hope to visit Alaska one day, probably by cruise, and they suggest that at the very least I try to find a cruise package that allows “open time” at the stops to do as you wish for a longer period of time, rather than be rushed on a strict time schedule. Another nice option, they say, is to fly into Anchorage and rent a motorhome (there are all sorts of places to do this), and take my own “circle tour” of Alaska, and stay in motels when I can find them, and “camp” when I can’t. There are many places along the roads with gravel pullouts where camping is allowed, in addition to “organized” campgrounds with hookups, etc. The husband also makes an interesting observation about Epcot and the other Disney Parks: when you look at the ratio of rides and attractions to shopping and eating venues, it’s heavily weighted toward the latter. So Disney, he says, basically charges you $85 for the privilege of spending your money shopping and eating! Oh, yes, and if you’re willing to wait an hour, you can ride the occasional ride! I tell him that may be the case, but you don’t see too many people complaining. Disney knows how to give you just enough magic to keep you happy!
The only photo I take today is of a squirrel nibbling on a treat along on the barricades. I thought it was cute, so here it is:
I have a fantastic dinner at the China pavillion, consisting of eggrolls, and sweet/sour pork served over green noodles. That is my big expense for theday and runs me $33 with tip. Dawn and I will be able to split that same order when she visits. It was a pig-out for me, but will be a “normal” meal for the two of us.
I of course see Illuminations, which is Epcot's nightly fireworks show. They add a little presentation onto the end for the holiday season … about an extra 10 minutes of fireworks and music.
Epcot is also doing something extra for the holidays called a Candlelight Processional, which consists of a mass choir, joined by a 50-piece live orchestra and a celebrity narrator, telling the story of Christmas in words and music. The narrator tonight is Isabella Rossalini. It's an outdoor performance, done at the amphitheater at the USA Pavilion. I did not buy a ticket, but was able to stand close enough to see and hear. The combination of 100 voices and the orchestra was awesome. The finale was the Hallelujah Chorus, which brings the crowd to its feet. The celebrity narrator during Dawn's visit will be Susan Lucci, which I'm not terribly thrilled about. So I don't think I will buy tickets (they're probably sold out anyway!), but we will stop by the amphitheater and give a listen.
The Candlelight Processional delays Illuminations until 9:30, so I do not get back to the condo until about 10:30. I give Phoebe her nightly treat of a little wet food and head off to bed.
Expenses: $3 coffee, $3 caramel, $33 dinner, $3 chocolates for dessert. Total $42.
Bruce
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