Escaping the Eagles and the Pats.... Complete!! - 2/11 About This Page:

[LizardCop]

I'm just getting caught up again Terri, great updates....

BTW, I'm the peeping Bill!!!

[simbarel]

Artist Point was DH's first (and mine, really, but I had done the research) taste of fine dining at Disney. Food is DH's favorite part of WDW...and is what will keep him coming back! Maybe you can coax Scott back with WDW coffee.

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Then Scott turns to me and said "did you do this?"

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Men.

[luvnwdwgal]

Sounds like you two are having a great time!! Keep it coming!!

[pparm]

I SO want to take a trip with only DH and I!! Sounds like you're having a wonderful time.

Paula

[travismom]

Sounds like you two are having a wonderful time!! You make make him a Disney fan yet!! I'm loving your trip report.

[chezp]

Terri, this is the first chance I've had to catch up and I'm loving every minute of your trip report - and I think it sounds like you've got a Disney convert in the making!

[Jenny Pooh]

Awesome Awesome Awesome report Artist Point is a great restaurant isn't it! BTW Scott is a a cutie

[DrDolphin]

Day 2 - Part 3

EPCOT!!! Scott was really looking forward to EPCOT. This is the one place he had memories of -- "the dinosaurs and the robots that walked up the stairs".

So - he really wanted to see this park. We walked from the Beach Club, through the International Gateway and made a left to enter the United Kingdom. We headed to Test Track to get a Fast Pass (it was a good thing since it stopped running right as we arrived). After getting our fastpass - we headed to see the dinosaurs -- at Universe of Energy. It only took five minutes before the show started and we boarded the moving cars. I always enjoy this ride - I wish Disney would release the movie portions on video since it is a great lesson about energy resources and I could use it in my class. We finished the show - and Scott said "that was lame..." He didn't like Ellen and Bill Nye - the dinosaurs are fine. I explained that if he could remember back to when this ride opened, it was very lecturey and high brow... and most people didn't like it. Ellen and Bill Nye are well known and people can identify with them and playing Jeopardy. He agreed with me, although I am not sure we will be riding it again.

After Ellen's dream - we had to go to Mousegear to get me some socks. I had forgotten to pack socks... so, on to Mousegear. While we were there, we also talked to a manager CM who told me that the sweatshirt I wanted has been discontinued ! I really want one!!! If anyone sees it - can you let me know???

After Mousegear - we headed to Spaceship earth. Scott is a big history buff, and he really liked the ride. This is one of my favorites as well.

Then on to Test Track with our fastpasses. Standby time was 45 minutes, and we were very very happy to have Fastpass!! We walked in - went right to the briefing room doors - and waited, waited, waited....the ride had stopped. Then they had to board everyone who had been in the briefing rooms previous to the stoppage. After about 10 minutes - we entered our vehicle. We had a father and his two boys in the front and Scott and I in the back. He really liked this ride - as did the little boy in the middle - at one point - he yelled "Yeehaw" and Scott started laughing -- the kid made it even more fun!! The photo was ugh - so we did not buy it - but he really enjoyed this ride. We stopped at all the vehicles on the way out - GM, ya know!!! Scott is dreaming of a new truck or a hummer (please God - not a Hummer - I could never face my students when I blast the fuel economy of those monster vehicles).


Traffic signs I wish really were on the streets

After Test Track - we got Fastpasses for Mission Space, and headed to Living Seas. I miss the ride through on this ride!!! I want the sea cabs. I have not been in LS in a very long time.... and they have removed all the science stuff and made it ALL Nemo... ugh. I can not stand when the science side of things are removed and the info is dummied down. We went over and watched a manatee training session, and walked around the tanks. This place depresses me....


Scott and Terri outside of Living Seas

After LS - we were inside our window for Mission Space. While we were there - we saw Mickey and Goofy all decked out in their space gear.


Space Mickey and Goofy

We entered our briefing area, and ended up with a father and son as first time riders - so I was the only veteran - how appropriate then that I should be chosen to be the Commander!!

Due to work, it will have to wait a bit longer.... tomorrow

Next up - Mission Soace, a quick tour of the world, dinner, fireworks and rehersal dinners.

[Caldercup]

Great update - can't wait to see Scott's reaction to Mission:Space!
Eileen

[mom2my4dwarfs]

Sounds like you guys are having a wonderful trip. Can't wait for the next update.

[Jillybean]

Sounds like you two are having a great day at Epcot!!!

More please!!!

Jill

[Luv2plan]

Just caught up with your whole trip report...fantastic!! The view at WL...the strawberries...and Scott's too funny.

Looking forward to more!!

[chezp]

Another excellent update Terri - I love the comment about the Hummer! And boy, how are Space Mickey and Goofy... I can't wait to hear how Scott liked Mission : Space. Hurry back with more!

[simbarel]

I'm anti-Hummer too! Great update, Terri!

[DrDolphin]

Part 3 Continued

As I said - I was the commander on our mission to Mars. The capsule was set up with Scott next to the door, me, the little boy, and then his father. I love this ride - but it does take a certain amount of iron stomach. The blast off is out of this world (no pun intended!). I really enjoyed the ride - and I thought Scott did too (I will be proven wrong on this one later). The little boy next to me thought it was "WAY COOL!!!" . And I agreed. I know some of you refuse to even try this one. I didn't really enjoy it my first time since I was SO freaked out about it due to all the reports -- but my 2nd and 3rd times it has gotten better and better for me.

After Mission Space - we decided to head to the World Showcase. We walked to the walkway between WS and FW and I got Scott to agree to take a couple of photos with a Disney photographer. The CM was too funny - he and Scott were talking and Scott said he hates having photos taken - and the CM said "Where else can you cuddle in public and score bonus points with the Mrs!!!" Here they are and thanks to Bill – I can show them to you. ( Bill).


EPCOT photos

After photos (did I tell you Scott HATES having pictures taken?), we headed to World Showcase. We walked through Mexico, past China and headed into Norway – where we waited 20 minutes (no fastpasses were available) for Maelstrom. I think this is such a cute ride – and I adore the baby polar bear. Now to find a spare $250.00 so I can get one of those gorgeous sweaters!! After Norway – I took him to the glaz and porcelain shop in Germany to show him the Nativity I am buying my mother – piece by piece. Mom collects nativity scenes. So two years ago, I bought baby Jesus, and last year – she got Mary. Looks like Joseph is up this year – and then I have to figure out if we are going people first or animals first.

After our window-shopping excursion into Germany – we headed to the American Pavilion, since Scott remembered seeing “the American Adventure” when he was at EPCOT in high school. I love this show – and often find the theme playing in my head. When we entered the Colonnade, “Voices of Liberty” were singing… wow. I sing (I have since I was 4 and have 14 years of training) but they are truly, truly breath-taking. They finished the set with “America the Beautiful” and had all of us singing with them. After the song, we entered the theatre and watched the “American Adventure”. I think this is a beautiful show – even if it does look at US History through rose-colored glasses…

After American Adventure – we continued around WS. We passed Japan, stopped in Morocco to see Mo Rockin (and for Scott to examine the facilities) and on to France. I find it very interesting the France and Morocco are next to each other (wasn’t Morocco a French territory at one time) and the UK and Canada are next to each other (since Canada was a British Territory)…. We went to France to watch “Impressions de France”. Of all the movies at EPCOT – this is my favorite. I adore the music and the images. So well done – it seems timeless. We also shopped (ok I shopped) and bought a bottle of Chiraz for my trainer Alicia.

After France – we stopped in the UK to “have a pint” – ok have a cup of Bass (just Scott, not me), while I had a bottle of water. I called my friend Kelly, who was looking for French 60% cocoa chocolate – I found it in France and told her I could get her some if she wanted – but she has a supplier already.


Scott with Beer (no coffee this time)

At about 630pm, we realized we were getting hungry, so we headed to le Cellier to check in (albeit early) for our PS. They were turning folks away that did not have Pses… and did anyone notice that Le Cellier was granted the 2005 Zagat’s award for excellence!!! That is SO . We checked in and in less than 10 minutes were taken back and seated at a table across from the doors to the restrooms (they must have known Scott was coming ). I can’t remember our server’s name – but she was very nice – and we explained that while I have eaten at Le Cellier numerous times before – Scott could be considered a newbie (ok I thought of another word, but this is a family board!). We started with drinks. Ice Tea for me and a Pabst’s Blue Ribbon light for Scott. He got such a kick out of that – he hadn’t had that beer since high school (TMI dear..). We started with pretzel bread (given the thumbs up by bread boy) and the Tomato stack – which is a beefsteak tomato with wilted spinach, shitaki mushrooms served with a basalmic vinegar reduction. It was YUM!!!! We asked for the recipe and were told that there isn’t one I tried to make it at home, didn’t taste right – looks like I need to keep trying for the recipe….

We both had the surf and turf special – which was a 10oz butcher’s cut (tender as a filet) with a 6 oz coldwater lobster tail and roasted Yukon potatoes with garlic cloves. (get the point?). Scott asked me if I could make a cold-water lobster tail like that when we got home, and I told him only if he could make the butcher’s cut steak!!! After a 3rd serving of pretzel bread (is there a recipe for that? I would love to make that at home), we split the Fireweed Honey and Marscapone cheesecake!!!

After finishing dinner, I wanted to find a place to watch Wishes – but we still had about an hour… so Scott decided he wanted to explore more. First we headed back to Future world to check out Innoventions. I hate to admit this – but I have not been in either East or West for years – and wouldn’t be in there tonight – they closed at 7pm. But we did take a couple of photos of the fiber optic lights in the sidewalk. We also took photos of Spaceship Earth, and the Imagination Pavilion. Scott liked being on the other side of the camera and was giving me directions of things to do....


Fiber Optics at Innoventions


Spaceship Earth and Fountain



Imagination Pavilion

Then we headed to the photo shop at Spaceship Earth to check out the photos we had taken earlier in the day. We decided we wouldn’t get them then – but I am starting to learn towards getting one – he has a smile on this face in them….

Then on to Art of Disney. I showed Scott my dream painting (Mary Poppins over London – only $4,500), and looked for the new print by David Doss that Cheryl and I saw him working on at the Food and Wine Festival… no dice. Not released yet.

After that – we decided to find a spot for Illuminations. Scott remembered a little bit about the show – “fireworks and lasers – right?”. Close enough for 15 years later. We saw a convention or tour group being led by a CM and Scott asked where they were going. I explained the whole “Dessert party/ Illuminations viewing” thing to him – his comment – “That would make a great thing to do instead of a rehearsal dinner – and you’d have the fireworks too”. OMG!!!! We watched Illuminations from in front of Canada – across from the Off Kilter Stage. Scott held me again (in between coughs)and caught me singing along with the show. He said “You’ve seen this so much you know it by heart?” “No – I have the CD” “Should have known”…

After Illuminations we walked to the busses (it was cold again). While we were riding back to WL – I asked Scott what his favorite things had been during the day – he said “Test Track and Spaceship Earth”. I said – “You mean Mission Space?” “Nope – it made me feel weird, I like Spaceship Earth” and by 945 were walking into the lobby. He went to get coffee , and I went up to the room to start to pack since we were leaving in the morning .

Next – Magic Kingdom – can he handle the kids???