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[iamgrumpy]

So Sunday we were heading to EPCOT and having an Illuminations Passporter Meet.

We got there at 9am got our scooters and headed over to Soarin. We were there by 9:20 and it was already a "20" minute wait which was more like "40" minutes in Disney Time. The line was all the way from the front of the line, to the Entrance and people were like 10 deep. So that time clock was not accurate.

We used Fastpass and were able to get one for basically the same time it was so we were let right in and that saved a lot of time. As Scooters are asked to use the main line so we would have had a long wait.

We got to the Side B and were given Row A on the left side of the theater. I love Row A no feet to watch After Soarin we were walking out of the theater and I said something to mom and this lady looks at us like we had said something wrong but it was just a "we need to stop for a pit stop" type statement so nothing to weird and then she said "oh there you are! I saw your mom and figured you'd be close by" I was so confuzzled! Then she introduced herself it was Minnie_Lor from Passporter and her DH!!

So an unplanned Impromto Passporter Meet happened we took photos and chatted for a few minutes in the middle of the Soarin Exit and then went our seperate ways! Lorie It was such a pleasure meeting you!



So after our impromto meet mom and I headed out and over to The Food and Wine Festival Center a quick stop in Mousegear to peek at some things and we were on our way except we ran into the Chef Jammer's and they were great! A lot of fun to watch!





After they finished we headed up and looked around in the Festival Center and it was filled with some great items for purchase but nothing fit our fancy. So we headed over to World Showcase and tried a few things from the F&W festival and had lunch.

We tried the Vienna Booth's Beef Goulash which was absolutely Delish! Very good! Then I tried the Baked Ziti in Bologna which was tasty but not as good as the Goulash. Mom then tried at Shanghai the Pot Stickers she said those were The Best!

We made our way to the American Adventure we wanted a Lobster Roll but they were a bit small for $7 so we skipped it. We went in and watched the show though and it was a tear Jerker for us like normal! that show!

We did go to Liberty Inn as the F&W samples were good we just hadn't had breakfast so we needed a little more substance for lunch. So we had a hot dog and a pulled pork bbq sandwich both of which was very good!

Then we went around to France and saw the movie there and I took a Nap sorry but that movie does it everytime it needs to be updated!

We ran into Minnie_Lor again and then headed to the UK for British Invasion. The Next show was an hour away so we left and headed to Canada to see Off Kilter.



After Off Kilter's Awesome show we headed back to the UK and got space for the British Invasion. The British Invasion was good but after seeing Beatle Mania it wasn't the same but we enjoyed it as the music is our favorite.





After British Invasion we were heading out and we ran into another Passporter who doesn't post much but was such a nice lady and her son was there as well and we had a nice chat. Unfortunately we didn't take a photo but it was fun to meet people randomly! After that meet up we went to have dinner at Mexico and that will be our last time eating at the Counter Service location. The food was cold, when I brought it back the manager took it felt it said "it feels hot to me" and I am telling you it was ICE COLD. She made a fuss about me wanting hot food. She brought out one and I opened it in front of her felt it and that was the Same thing ICE COLD. She rolled her eyes told me that I shouldn't be so fussy and then went back inside and i watched her take one from the Back of the row of plates and bring it out that one was Hot because it hadn't been sitting there waiting for someone to order it. It was fresh.

See they make the plates and then let them sit there until someone orders it. Its not made to order and so I was getting the ones in the front which had been sitting there for an unknown amount of time.

We were really disappointed with the service, the management, and the food and it is now on our never eat there again list.

After that bismal meal, we headed over to Canada and watched the movie, i love the updates to it and no nap was taken We wanted to catch the British Invasions show again we love the music and we ran into another passporter!! Lucyinthesky saw us and ran up to us and we chatted for a few minutes. She lives locally and loves British Invasion and was there to watch their shows.

Today was definitely a Passporter Day!

After the show we headed out to go get a dessert or two but the crowds were heavy being a weekend with F&W it was insane! Also the crowds were not very pleasant either. The extra alcohol and the heat were not a good mix and so we found spots for Illuminations and just people watched for a while.

We decided that from now on we will be avoiding EPCOT while F&W is going on, we just did not like the attitudes that were going on with the alcohol, and well behaviors that were better suited for a bedroom were seen far too much.

So soon I got a text from Jyl! (jpod523) She was on her way to EPCOT and where were we so I told her where we were parked and she soon joined us for the evening to see Illuminations.

Then I wanted to tell Chezp and her DH where to find us as our meeting location was a bit farther from us and I realized I had forgotten her phone # at home. So i contacted a friend who had it and I was able to reach Cheryl and her DH and tell them where to find us.

They met up with us after their dinner at California Grill and we had a lovely meet. It was a blast and they are such nice people! Hi Cheryl!!! Hi Mark!!!!

They took photos and will send them to me when they get home so sorry ya'll will have to wait until they get home to see our meet!

We talked while we waited for Illuminations and then it was time for the show mom took photos while Cheryl took my seat so she could see over the railing and I sat on the ground with Jyl. Mark stood next to us outside of the Disabled Guest Section as he would have had to stand way in back if he stood inside the section. Everyone had front row views so it worked.

Here are some Illumination Shots!

















After Illuminations we said our goodbyes and well there was a family who obviously had too much to drink they were yelling, and walking so visably drunk that we were thinking maybe this was the new Pleasure Island or bar crawl. Well as we were going back to the front they were in front of us and lucky us got to witness the young man in the group who probably was either JUST 21 or his family was getting him the booze lose his dinner right in front of us. Yep Giant Protien Spill YUCK! Again this is why we won't be going to F&W again and will return to EPCOT after its over.

We found a cast member who went to help and we made our way to the front stopping to take a few photos first. I still need to figure out settings as I know I can get better shots!



We turned in the scooters and found the car, loaded up our things and we drove Jyl back to her apartment complex and then headed back home.

It was a fun day, and despite the crowds, and issues we had a blast. We made friends with a lot of new passporters, and got to meet old friends for the first time. While the issues were there we never let them ruin our day, just gives us information on what not to do next time.

It was a great day!

[chezp]

It was great to meet up with you last night Amy.

Your Illuminations shots came out way better than either of ours - my excuse is I was too busy crying when I took them, so that's why mine weren't any good.

[WDWfan]

Amy - I've had the pleasure of meeting Lorie, too - and she is a delight. Don't you just impromptu Passporter meets!

[Colexis Mom]

More great updates Amy!!! Love all the pictures!! How great to meet up with so many PassPorters!!

[christiejay]

Sounds like a very fun weekend. Glad you enjoyed your trip to the Port as well as Epcot.

[POOH]

Boy, Amy, after seeing your pictures of the ships, it sure is a good thing I can't transfer with UPS or I'd really be considering moving down there now. How great is it that you get to meet so many PPs.

[LucyintheSky]

Hi Amy! It was great to meet you and your mom last night. I totally agree with you about the F&W... It is by FAR my least favorite time of year at Epcot. In fact I HATE it. I dread it starting, and I can't wait for it to be done. I think you're right about people using it as a substitute for PI this year. It's been even worse compared to other years. And I can't stand the crowds and the amount of bad behavior going on. Unfortunately, Epcot is my favorite place, and it's where I go to hang out with my friends every week, and watch the BI and Off Kilter. So I just suck it up and put up with the drunk idiots til it's over. I'm sure I'll run into you again once you venture back to Epcot! BTW, Christmas at Epcot is my absolute favorite!

[mcc0313]

What a great weekend Amy - a day watching the Magic cruise out to sea, and then a day of wonderful PP meets. Can't beat that

[Lemap760]

Sounds like a great day at Epcot, despite the PDA's of drunk people. Does this seem worse at night?

[iamgrumpy]

Originally Posted by Lemap760

Sounds like a great day at Epcot, despite the PDA's of drunk people. Does this seem worse at night?

The later it got...the louder it got, and the worse it got in my opinion. Early in the AM and early afternoon wasn't as bad it wasn't as crowded

[krisk11]

Amy - Sorry you ran into too many fools at the F&WF. We didn't see any of that the year we were down but that was way back in 2004 so maybe it will just keep getting worse now that they are closing Pleasure Island. Hurry back so I can be even more jealous of you.

[Luvsun]

I just love all of the great pictures of the ships!
It sounds like your day at Epcot was great with the exception of the sad behavior from some folks! Sorry!
But - you met some new friends and got to see some old friends - what a great day!
Your pictures of Illuminations are fantastic!
I Illuminations!!!!!!!
What a great update! Thank you!

[ilovejack72]

Amy sounds like you havin a ton of fun its very cold allready here in New England so be glad your there and not here. If you in any of the parks Dec 5-9 pm me I would love to meet you I'll be there with my son......So sorry to hear about you not getting the job but thats ok it wasnt ment to be you'll find one soon.....Do me a favor please go sit in the warm sun for a few minutes for me....Thank you

[elisa1006]

Beautiful pictures at the Port!

Wonderful you got to meet so many pp'ers!!! Despite the rudeness of the drunks, sounds like a great day!

[chezp]

OK, let's see if I can post the photo of the three of us together last night...