The "Was I really Switched at Birth?" Pre-trip Report Turned Trip Report About This Page:

[Fortissimo]

Hmmmm...maybe I should start working on this again.

[Fortissimo]

Day Four: Do you really think we need ponchos?

Today was our first day in the parks! Watch out Epcot, here we come!

Mom and I woke up at about 7:30. Well I did any way as Mom was up much earlier than I. I don’t do mornings unless I’m at WDW that is! Mom went to the food court to fill our mugs (I already have her trained) while I showered. We dined on Pop Tarts in our room before heading to the bus stop at 8:20.

We arrive just as the Epcot bus pulls in. This will be the only time we have great luck with a bus. About 20 minutes later we’re pulling into Epcot and gazing at Spaceship Earth when a little girl says, “Mommy, why do they have that big golf ball there?”

We stop at guest services so I can activate my Annual Pass. I am so excited I’m finally a real Disney addict with an AP. The CM explains the scanners will scan my fingers the first time I enter a park, which will act as my personal ID. He hands me a little book and tells me to make sure I read it so I don’t miss out on any discounts. I’m bouncing at this point because I really want to scan my fingers for the first time!

We walk up to the gates and I show Mom how to put her Hopper Pass through. Then, I place my two fingers in the scanner and…Nothing! My fingers won’t scan. I’m very sad at this point. I don’t have an ID. Does this mean I can’t possibly be holding this AP in my hands? Was all of the planning, purchasing my first AP thru the Disney Club, the plane trip, going to Daytona Beach and Sea World all a dream? I can even smell the Mickey Bars, but I can’t get to them. This is worse than a nightmare!

Finally a CM comes over to the gate to help me. She explains that some people have finger prints that are hard to read. I can see my finger prints, why can’t the scanner? Her supervisor comes over, looks at my ID and we’re though the gates! Woo hoo, I’m finally here!

“Excuse me, miss? Do you have a few minutes for a survey?” I’m asked by a CM holding this cool little Palm Pilot.

“Of course!” I reply.

The CM asks me my zip code, where we’re staying, how many times I’ve been to WDW, etc. She then asks what brought me back to WDW. Well, duh, maybe because I’m a WDW addict. She tells me I have to be more specific. How can you be more specific than that? Then she asks, what is the one thing I want to accomplish on my WDW trip?

“The one thing I want to accomplish on my vacation? Well, that’s easy. I want my family to see what WDW is all about. That it’s not just rides and crowds. They don’t understand my addiction. Well, my niece understands me, but the rest of my family thinks I’m nuts. I want my family to meet Mickey and forget they are adults. I want to show them that no matter whom you are, what you look like, or where you’re from, it doesn’t matter. WDW knows no boundaries, races, or religions. Everyone is equal here. I want my family to feel that magic. ”

The CM just looks at me like I’m an alien and says “Thank you for your time!”

My mom laughs and rolls her eyes at me. Ugh!

We pass the graveyard and Mom asks what these rocks are. I explain they are tombstones filled with the names and pictures of thousands of other WDW freaks. See all of the faces? These people understand what I’m talking about!

As we get to the left side of SE, we join the crowd of a few hundred other happy guests waiting for Rope Drop. In 2000, when the rope dropped here at Epcot, doves were released. Not anymore, the rope just drops and we’re off to the races! Well, Test Track that is.

This time I don’t run to Test Track. Mom and I leisurely stroll through Future World towards Test Track as people rush past us. When we finally reach Test Track, some 10 hours later it seemed, the Stand By line is already 60 minutes long. I introduce Mom to Fast Pass at this point. Our time was about an hour away, so we head over to the Wonders of Life pavilion. Here we ride Body Wars, which Mom loves, followed by Cranium Command. The CM has a 12-year-old boy wake up Captain Buzzy for the first show of the morning. As we exit, the boy’s mother states that Bobby is just like her son. We play around some of the machines and exhibits before heading back to TT.

As we walk up to TT, people are exiting the queue. A CM informs us it is down and our Fast Passes would be good at any time during the day.

The Universe of Energy isn’t open yet, so we cross Future World again so I can check out the new and improved JIYI. We make a pit-stop at Ice Station Cool for free refreshments. I hand Mom a few drinks before giving her Beverly, telling her Beverly is by far the best pop she will ever drink. Call this revenge for all of the gross food, like tomatoes and brussel sprouts, she made me try as a kid. I really wish I would have taken a picture of the expression on her face when she took that first sip. Mom can hardly wait to get Shannon to try Beverly later in the week!

We reach JIYI and see a banner that reads, “Figment’s Back!” There is no line at all so we step right into the car. Mom loves this ride. I like it a lot better than the mistake of 2000, but it’s not the original. There is a lot more Figment in this version, but I miss the Dream Keeper. The little song is very catchy and we hum it all day. At the exit of JIYI we discover where everyone is – they are playing with all the toys.

HISTA is right here and a show is about to start, so I introduce Mom to her first Disney 3-D attraction. She loves it! Mom grew up on a ranch so mice and snakes don’t bother her. Like I am, she is amazed at the “special” effects of the show. This is another attraction she can hardly wait for Shannon and Berto to see.
At this point we are hungry so we decide to get a bite to eat in The Land pavilion. I know Mom will really enjoy Living with the Land, so once again we get FastPasses so we don’t have to wait in a 45 minute line. While waiting for our window, we grab some grub in the Food Court. Mom got the BBQ sandwich and I decide on the Chicken Strips and Fries. I blame Gonzo for this. After reading all of tikibird’s trip reports last winter, I suddenly began craving Chicken Strips. I eat them almost everyday for lunch at home but I still can’t get enough of Chicken Strips. It’s Gonzo’s fault!

After lunch we head over to Living with the Land and walk right past people who’ve been standing there while we ate lunch. We wait about 10 seconds before boarding our boat and a few people in the standby line grumble. As we go thru the ride, we wonder out loud why our gardens don’t grow like this. Mom can hardly wait for Berto to see this as Berto is our family farmer.

As we exit LWTL, a CM is pointing us to Food Rocks and we enter just as the show starts. Food Rocks is cute, but I don’t know if I would sit thru it again unless I needed a nap. The little kids loved it while their parents were soon snoozing away. After Food Rocks, we hit the Circle of Life before exiting the Land pavilion.

After exiting The Land, the sun was just beating down on us. I have no idea what the temperature was, but it was hot and humid. Looking at the sky I can tell it’s soon going to rain, so we once again traipse back thru Future World to TT. The CM at TT looks at our FastPasses and lets us in. The standby line was at least a 90 minute wait. After standing in the FastPass queue for about 15 minutes, everything becomes quiet. An announcement is made that TT is down due to technical difficulties. What a shocker! We stand there for a few more minutes before deciding to head to Mexico. A CM gives us another FastPass to be used any time that day.

At this point, I can tell Mom is getting a little tired. I ask her if she wants to go back to the room for a nap. No, she says, let’s do the World Showcase. I tell her it will take us a few hours at least to see half of the world. She looks at me like I need an alcoholic beverage and says, “How big can the World Showcase be? There are only 9 countries.” Right as she said this, we reached the Lagoon. She looks around the lagoon and her jaw drops. She had no idea it was this big. Since we weren’t that far away, we decide to hit Mexico before going back to the room for a nap. Let me tell you how hard it was to get out of the boat after the El Rio del Tiempo. I soon realize that not only does Mom need a nap, but I do to!

It had been sprinkling for a while by this point, but as we walked towards the park exit, the sprinkles started getting heavier. I suggested we stop in Mouse Gears for a rain poncho. Mom doesn’t think we’ll nee them, so we head on. By the time we get to the exit, it is raining a little harder, so I tell Mom I’m buying a poncho. We duck into the Gift Spot out side the park and Mom still insists we don’t need a poncho. I buy one and she caves and buys one as well. Half way to the bus stop, which if you happen to be staying at PO-R is the furthest stop there is at all of the parks, the Heaven’s open up on us. We get to our stop just as a bus leaves. As we’re waiting for the next bus, it begins to sound like we are back at home in the middle of a summer thunder storm. At this point I remember that Florida and Colorado are number one and two for lightening strikes every year. As I’m thinking this to myself, my mom points out towards the parking lot. There is a family playing in the rain while thunder is crashing about 2 seconds after a lightening flash. Tiki can tell you what this thunderstorm was like (oh, she already did cause she’s being good and actually writing her report). I just don’t understand what these parents were thinking by letting their children play in a severe thunderstorm. After watching this family for at least 20 minutes, our bus shows up to take us back for our naps!

Next up: How long does it take to get from Epcot to PO-R?

[Janet 46]

YAAAAYYYY!!!! Forti's writing again! I love it! Just don't keep us waiting so long in between installments, please! I'm so glad you got your Mom with the Beverly. HEHEHE! Too bad you couldn't snap a picture. Hurry up and write some more.

[tikibird]

Originally posted by Fortissimo:
Day Four: Do you really think we need ponchos?

Mom got the BBQ sandwich and I decide on the Chicken Strips and Fries. I blame Gonzo for this. After reading all of tikibird’s trip reports last winter, I suddenly began craving Chicken Strips. I eat them almost everyday for lunch at home but I still can’t get enough of Chicken Strips. It’s Gonzo’s fault!

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">Okay now I want chicken strips and fries!

Loved your recap of Epcot, and particularly what you told the CM about why you visit WDW! Still sad we missed each other because of the storm (you wouldn't have wanted to meet me all buzzed up with green tea and ginseng, though, as my pictures evidenced! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ) - but there's always next time!

Bring on more!!!

[Tara O'Hara]

We dined on Pop Tarts

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">[img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] Forti, you have a way of putting things together in the same sentence that I could never connect!

It sounds like you guys had a fabulous day at EPCOT! Your mom sounds like she is really enjoying herself. I love what you said to the CM for your survey also! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Please don't make us wait like another month for more of your trip!

Tara

[travlin gal]

Forti, love your trip report. I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. How do you think the Broncos will do this year? I think they will need a lot of pixie dust. I know I will be cheering for them. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Travlin Gal, Colorado Jan [img]graemlins/usa.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/usa.gif[/img]

[luvnwdwgal]

Forti, tricking your mom into drinking Beverly? I love it! Hehehehe [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
I'm craving chicken strips now too!! [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]
BTW...Arn't there 11 countries in World Showcase?
Looking forward to reading more...Hurry Please!!! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Kasumi2279]

Mmmmm chicken strips. Maybe I'll just sneak out of work to KFC! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] But seriously, I'm so happy that you're back! Can't wait to read the next installment!

[ProChristo]

I, too, loved your answer to the CM doing the survey. I would have answered much the same way. Too funny! Can't wait for more.

Amy

[AKLRULZ]

You almost lost your Mickey Bar rights! Thanks for an update - how about another one?!?!

[Fortissimo]

Originally posted by luvnwdwgal:

BTW...Arn't there 11 countries in World Showcase?
Looking forward to reading more...Hurry Please!!! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">Yep, there are 11 countries. My mom thought there were only 9. Guess she should have done a little research, huh? [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

I'll try to get more up tonight or tomorrow. I ahve to go play with my new neighbor, Audrey-not-Colton!

[whoSEZ]

Loving your report, Forti -- and looking forward to more. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

And great answer to the CM taking the survey!

[BostonTeaParty]

Originally posted by Fortissimo:
I'll try to get more up tonight or tomorrow. I have to go play with my new neighbor, Audrey-not-Colton!

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">Are ya through playing with your new neighbor yet?? We wants more!!

[TINKN]

Loving you TR. Where's the rest?

[Chipfan]

MORE MORE!!!

HURRY!!! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]