Epcot and Orlando

Last week our friends, Mike & Dottie, were visiting Disney World with their three kids and the rest of Mike's family. So we decided to go visit with them for a day or so. Our initial plan was to take Spirit out for a weekend, but we were surprised that the 1,000+ sites at Wilderness were filled. So much for trying to do that last minute! We decided to still go, but just get a hotel room nearby.

We spent all day on Friday in Epcot. No, I'm not exaggerating. We spent 12 hours in that one park! Mike and Dottie took the kids back in the afternoon to pack and enjoy the hotel pool one more time (they were leaving early on Sat morning), but then joined us again that night for the fireworks in Epcot. We do enjoy Epcot. I think it's even more fun with kids.

These were just some of the sights we enjoyed:
A lionfish in a tank at Living Seas. Makes us miss scuba diving! Can't wait for the water & air temps to warm up (to 80 degrees, that is! (We're becoming soft again...and quick.)






We had to go visit Canada to prepare for an upcoming trip to the great north. The 360-degree movie in Canada got us very excited about our trip, but it also made us very nauseous. Something about the dipping and swaying of the camera while you're standing still that throws you off balance.










We stopped to enjoy the different shows presented at the different countries in Epcot. Poor Andy, he got pulled up 'on-stage' in Italy to play the Municipal Mime in the play "Romeo and Edna". Good thing the Mime had no lines to say. We decided that he has a face that is too friendly, so this happens to him periodically...and he hates it! But he really enjoyed watching the Chinese Acrobats and the Moroccan Bellydancer...what a surprise.

















What's fascinating about Epcot, or any of the Disney parks is how well they are managed. Lines are made bearable with entertainment along the way, or now you can even avoid the lines with FastPass (which is wonderful for those with small children who can't wait in lines...think "Andy"). The parks are impeccably clean. I understand employees get around through an underground system, which explains why you don't see service people above-ground. But you know things are magical when every time you use a restroom they are clean and there's always toilet paper and paper towels! Considering how many people visit these parks on a daily basis, it really is amazing.

But what is also fascinating about these parks is how they transform themselves at night. Tantalizing all of the visitors to stay longer and walk around the park to see it in all of its lights...and spend more money of course.

Thanks to Mike and Dottie, and Erin, Mike, and Emily, too, for sharing some of your vacation time with us. It was great to see you. And, thanks to little Mike for taking me on Mission Space...I probably wouldn't have gone on it if it wasn't for you!


After the Wynne family had to fly back to Philly into Saturday's snowstorm, we drove across town to visit some of our other friends, Gerry and Chris. We're glad Gerry and Chris moved south from Jacksonville, so now we can see them more often. From there we went to Andy's brothers house to visit with them for the night. Luckily, Nick was home from college for the weekend so the two boys (think "Andy" again) were able to rough-house and give Amy and me a break for the weekend. As always, it was a wonderful time at the Thomas home.