Disney World, Epcot, Orlando, Florida 12/5/2013

DECEMBER 5, 2013 (Thursday)

 

Disney World! Michael and I explored Epcot today. We got up at 7:30 AM so we could meet the shuttle at 8:45 AM. The ride to Disney World was quick and easy. We were dropped off at Epcot and walked to the entrance. I guess it wasn’t that far but by the end of the day it seemed like miles.

We put our Disney card on the machine and then put our thumb print on the scanner to activate the card. Quite interesting. Don’t understand how it all works but it’s very high tech. Seemed like quite a lot of people going through the lines but we kept being told how slow it was this time of year.

Fun technology.  They scan and read your card and then capture a fingerprint.  Does Homeland know about this?
Fun technology. They scan and read your card and then capture a fingerprint. Does Homeland know about this?

Our first stop was Spaceship Earth. Fun. Then on to Chevrolet Test Track. Didn’t realize it was a roller coaster type ride. We also did the Ellen DeGeneres Energy Adventure, walked through the World Showcase (especially liked the ship ride in Norway, China and Canada). Then we went over to do Soarin, after being told how nice it was. So glad we did it. Only problem was it was too short. Wanted to hang glide a little longer. Our last show of the evening was Captain EO (the Michael Jackson 3-D).

The angled stones in the background are where the small photos are placed.  I often raise the camera high for best photo's as my shadow attests.
The angled stones in the background are where the small photos are placed. I often raise the camera high for best photo’s as my shadow attests.
For a small consideration you can have your photo printed on one of these stones....we passed, not sure what it was all about.
For a small consideration you can have your photo printed on one of these stones….we passed, not sure what it was all about.
The icon of Epcot.
The icon of Epcot.

 

The first ride we went on was Space Ship Earth and purported to pay homage to the various forms of communication from the beginning of time.  Photoed is Gutenberg and his printing press.
The first ride we went on was Space Ship Earth and purported to pay homage to the various forms of communication from the beginning of time. Photoed is Gutenberg and his printing press.

 

Here is a picture of Edie and I traveling in outer space.
Here is a picture of Edie and I traveling in outer space.
Here we are floating in the air.
Here we are floating in the air.

 

Edie is happy to see all the flowers.
Edie is happy to see all the flowers.
Our ideal personally designed car for the ride.
Our ideal personally designed car for the ride.
Our actual car for the ride.  A really pretty woman under the yellow hat.
Our actual car for the ride. A really pretty woman under the yellow hat.
Mexico.
Mexico.
Norway, looks like our foreign exchange student, Helga.
Norway, looks like our foreign exchange daughter, Helga.
I tried to convince Edie that I had the skywriting done, until they wrote the G.
I tried to convince Edie that I had the skywriting done, until they wrote the G.
Norway.
Norway.

 

China.
China.

 

Really pretty, but about 1/10th the size of the original in China.
Really pretty, but about 1/10th the size of the original in China.

 

See these in the Forbidden City a lot.  The dragon with a ball in it's foot represents the Emperor.  Ball-less represents the Empress.  The ball represents the world.
See these in the Forbidden City a lot. The dragon with a ball in it’s foot represents the Emperor. Ball-less represents the Empress. The ball represents the world.

 

Very nice representation of the terracotta soldiers.
Very nice representation of the terracotta soldiers.
Pretty woman with Buddha.
Pretty woman with Buddha.

 

I am the one on the right, wearing a hat.
I am the one on the right, wearing a hat.

 

Emperor on the right, note ball under foot.  Left is Empress.
Emperor on the right, note ball under foot. Left is Empress.

 

Wine cellar.
Wine cellar.
We had fun watching a wily squirrel playing near the moving trains.  Couldn't get him to pose.
We had fun watching a wily squirrel playing near the moving trains. Couldn’t get him to pose.
Back in Italy.
Back in Italy.

 

Italy.
Italy.

 

White Ibis beggars.
White Ibis beggars.
A different hunting ground.
A different hunting ground.
Reminded us of Williamsburg.
Reminded us of Williamsburg.
Japan, pagoda.
Japan, pagoda.
Japan
Japan
One of my favorites, Japaneses tea pots.
One of my favorites, Japaneses tea pots.
Little Kyoto.
Little Kyoto.
France.
France.
England, and we think Mary Poppins.
England, and we think Mary Poppins.

 

 

O Canada was fun.
O Canada was fun.

 

Edie was happy.
Edie was happy.

All throughout the day we got to talk to some really nice people. We stopped for lunch in England and had fish and chips.

Lunch.  Pretty bland.
Lunch. Pretty bland.
Witnessed an Ibis Duck squabble.  It was not a pretty sight.
Witnessed an Ibis Duck squabble. It was not a pretty sight.

While eating, we were joined by a nice couple from Michigan. Just fun chatting and sharing.  After that we talked to a Disney person from Poland. What a sweet and beautiful lady, Kasha.

This very charming greeter signed us up for a timeshare presentation.  Kasha is from Poland, married to a former Marine and very nice.
This very charming greeter signed us up for a Disney Resort tour. Kasha is from Poland, married to a former Marine and very nice.

Tony, shared with us a lot of information and answered many of our questions regarding the Disney points program. We talked with a nice couple from Southern California in the line to Soarin. They also do last calls and travel quite a bit. On our way home on the bus we met a really nice couple from Southern Florida.

Two showers in the one bedroom units so you can get going fast (to Disney World).
Two showers in the one bedroom units so you can get going fast (to Disney World).
Vanity with TV broadcast in the mirror.
Vanity with TV broadcast in the mirror.
I think I like the TV in the bathroom.
I think I like the TV in the bathroom.
Second shower.
Second shower.
Studio kitchen.  Half fridge, micro, tiny sink.  Could work.
Studio kitchen. Half fridge, micro, tiny sink. Could work.
Nice living room.  Lots of free movies, especially Disney movies.
Nice living room. Lots of free movies, especially Disney movies.
Nice looking bed.
Nice looking bed.
Never seen this before, a hid-abed in the entertainment center.
Never seen this before, a hid-abed in the entertainment center.
Big in the one bed room unit.
Big in the one bed room unit.
High end, and nice.
High end, and nice.
I asked Tony how the TV in the mirror technology worked.  He said, "Disney magic."
I asked Tony how the TV in the mirror technology worked. He said, “Disney magic.”
Soaking tub.
Soaking tub.
Master.
Master.
Walk in closet with robes, we like robes.
Walk in closet with robes, we like robes.

 

Beautiful floors.
Beautiful floors.

 

Edie's favorite.
Edie’s favorite.

 

Nice kitchen.
Nice kitchen.

 

Nice silverware.
Nice silverware.

 

Fun refrigerator and freezer.
Fun refrigerator and freezer.

 

Inside the fridge.
Inside the fridge.

 

Nice living room.
Nice living room.

Michael and I were both surprised at how many scooters in the park. They’re fast and some are dangerous. We were also delighted at how many fun things we got to see and experience. All in all a long but wonderful day!

Pretty nighttime feature.
Pretty nighttime feature.
Bellagio divided by 27.
Bellagio divided by 27.

 

They do a great job with the flowers.
They do a great job with the flowers.

We didn’t get on the bus until 8:45 PM, and didn’t get home until after 9:00 PM. We’re exhausted and our feet hurt. We felt we walked at least five miles today.

That was our day. Hope yours was great!