Epcot - Discover the Wonder

Disney is truly magical!!!

Every since I was little and would watch "The World of Disney" every Sunday night at 6pm, I have wanted to go to Epcot.  I just had to see what was inside that giant golf ball, and I must ride the monorail.  Back then, it was so futuristic looking, rather than commonplace as it is now.

My Disney Dream came true on Monday, May 10, 2010.

My husband and I were in the park early waiting for the gates to open.  We made a "bee-line" for "Soarin" - one of the park's most popular attractions.  It was awesome!... A simulator that lifted your seat in the air and delivered a hang gliding experience as you watched a film.  Even the air in the room changed scents - sea breeze, cedar forest, fresh rain, etc.

 

We were fortunate enough to go to Epcot During the Flower and Garden Festival.  The garden sculptures were incredible...

One of my favourites is shown below...  "Celebrate the Great Outdoors" with Goofy, Pluto, Minnie and Mickey.

For those of you who have never been to Epcot, the park is divided into 2 sections Future World and World Showcase (featuring pavillions from different countries).

Some of the Future World attractions that we saw were:

1.  Spaceship Earth - Yes, that's name of the giant golf ball sphere.  It houses a ride that went slowly up, down and all around the inside of the sphere.  The displays and narration took you from early man, to the invention of alphabets, to written word, to printing press, to TV, and to future times.  The carts held a few rows of people and went forwards, turned sideways, and ended up going slowly backwards down a steep incline.

2.  Soarin - I've already mentioned this one.  A must see.

3.  Universe of Energy - this was narrated by Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Nigh the Science Guy.  The ride takes you through prehistoric times, dinosaur displays which were kinda neat, but the story part could have been shorter.
4.  Test Trak - only Len did this one.  He enjoyed it, but I chickened out.  The ride finishes with your car going 80mph around a circular track on the outside of the building - a little too much for the arthritis in my neck.
5.  The Seas with Nemo and Friends - had us climbing into a 2 person clam-mobile which gave us a tour of their aquarium along with a quest to find Nemo.
6.  Living with the Land - a boat tour through futuristic greenhouses and fish farm.  We really liked this one, both for its entertainment and educational value.  They actually have research grants to fund their projects and their produce is used in their restaurants on site.
7.  Journey into the Imagination with Figment - was a fun ride exploring the 5 senses.  Definately a fun one for little kids.

To take an afternoon break from all the walking, we rode the monorail for about 40 min. round trip.  It doesn't cost anything.  It was neat to say that we did it, but we didn't really see very much... mostly just the roads and parking lots throught Disney Resort.  I had imagined it going through other theme park areas and the one hotel - but I guess we had to transfer somewhere to do that.  Anyway, it got us out of the hot sun and off our feet.

In the late afternoon and evening we wandered around the World Showcase... saw movie presentations for Canada and France.  For the American Adventure there was a combination of film and animated wax figures which was OK, but we were quite worn out at this point.  There were a number of street performers in this area as well as Disney princesses signing autographs.  We ate pasteries in France at Boulangerie Patisserie - Yummy!!!

The Maelstrom attraction for Norway was our highlight for this area - a 5 minute viking boat voyage (we skipped the film at the end).

The Illuminations fireworks/laser show at 9 pm was the grand finally of our day.
Well worth the wait!!!
They had a huge globe with a changing light display on the continents as the globe travelled across the water to the center of the lagoon.  Torwards the end of the show it separated apart like the petals of a water lily.


Absoltely Amazing!

Awesome!





Truly Magical !!!


Goal #3 of 50 Accomplished!