[PrincessSharon]

This is Thread 2. If you need to catch up, head to Thread 1. Now, on with the show...

Day Five – Sunday, December 9
The CLT Gets Lucky in Epcot

I was the first one awake again this morning, and I again went out onto the balcony until my pals got moving. Once we were all ready we caught the bus to Epcot.

As soon as we arrived, we saw that Spaceship Earth was open!



The line was much longer than I’d normally wait in (i.e. more than 15 people in it ), but we knew we needed to take this opportunity while we had the chance. I took a shot of the CLT to commemorate our sneak peek at SE.



And I have to say, for a self-portrait, it’s a pretty dang good photo! It wasn’t more than a 5 or so minute wait before Karen and I climbed into the front and Eileen took the back seat. I really loved the new fresh look of the AA’s, and I thought that was well done. I didn’t love the Judi Dench narration. I thought it was a little too high school teacher-ish. I don’t mean that in a bad way, I just thought it lacked the impact of the previous narrators. The ending with the computer was cute, but IMO, there needs to be more to the ending than the computer game.



I’ve heard that your own photo is normally put into the scene, but it must’ve not been working when we rode, so we got the generic characters. I think they got a pretty fair cartoon likeness of me, but they were way off with Karen! I mean even at a glance, you can tell Karen’s hair is curly!

After SE, Eileen wanted some coffee, so we found a cart near the Universe of Energy. Eileen was eavesdropping on the people behind us, and then did one of the things she does that I love so much. We tease her about it, but it really is one of my favorite things about her, and it always makes me smile when I think about it. I’m usually too busy in my own thoughts to notice or actually listening to the people I’m standing with, so I find it especially fascinating. Here’s exactly how the scene went:

Sharon: This is the best trip I’ve ever had. Getting to spend time with you and Karen is like a dream come true! If I die tomorrow, it will be knowing that my life’s wish has been fulfilled.
Eileen: Mmm-hmm *actually listening to conversation of Clueless Park Guests in line behind us*
Sharon: I mean it! I’m going to ask my parents to adopt you and Karen so we can be sisters!
Eileen (to Clueless Park Guests): I wasn’t listening to your conversation, but if you want to meet Snow White, you can find her in the Germany pavilion.
Clueless Park Guests: Thanks! That’s right next to the Snow White ride, right?

If Eileen contradicts this at all, it actually proves my point, because she wasn’t listening to me! OK, OK, I may have taken a little dramatic license, but that’s my prerogative as an author. And also, I probably was staring off into space and not actually talking at the moment, which is why I was so surprised when Eileen began speaking to them. I’d say I was a Clueless Park Guest myself, but I know where to find Snow White.

So Karen and Eileen got their caffeine fix, and we were ready to move on. We hit the single riders line at Test Track (Eileen I don’t think you did, but I’m not sure?). After that, we did the orange version of Mission Space. Is it just me or do you think they chose the wrong colors for the two versions? I totally think the intense version should’ve been green, while the less intense version should’ve been yellow. I kill myself!

We ran into Lynn (OffKilter Disneymom) and Maureen (statelady01) and had a bit of a chat with them before heading to World Showcase.

We went first to Mexico



and did the new Gran Fiesta Tour. Then we went over to Canada and were able to finally see the new O Canada movie, which I thought was a welcome change. I needed to do some shopping, and Karen wanted to see the parade in Animal Kingdom, so we split up.

I walked over to the International Gateway. A boat was waiting, so I took it over to the Boardwalk and got a bus to DTD from there. I headed first to World of Disney, figuring I’d fill in what I didn’t get there at other shops. I was able to find stuff for everyone I needed to get stuff for, but I didn’t see anything for myself that I wanted. I did get a pair of sunglasses, since the ones I’d brought with me had broken days ago. I spent enough that I could get the Mickey snowman throw, which I kept for myself.

I returned to the WL and spent some more time out on the balcony. I could see a seating area right outside the lobby and I entertained myself by watching the people who sat there. One family had two spirited boys, and the parents let them burn off their energy. I think that’s fine, but they were climbing on the railing, which I didn’t think was fine, and also climbing on the rocks, directly underneath the signs that clearly stated “Do Not Climb on Rocks!!!!! ”

The fact that they ignored the sign made it more hilarious to me when the older of the two boys fell into the creek. He wasn’t hurt at all, but his pants were totally soaked. I feel pretty mean about it, but I’m still laughing. Still. Laughing.

It was right then when Karen and Eileen returned, with Dawn and Tiff. I told them what had happened, but it was one of those “you had to be there” moments, because they all kinda looked at me like this: But you know, I get that look a lot, so we’re still friends.

Up Next: “No, No. You Have to Sit Here”