Trip Report No rain, no lines, no crowds, no ADR's, no fastpasses, lots of fun and pool time.

OK, so I am starting my very first trip report. We went Sept. 7-15 and stayed offsite the first night then 7 nights in a one bedroom at Bay Lake Tower. This was an anniversary trip...she has tolerated me for 31 years of marriage now...something that still amazes me.
The first day we arrived around lunch time after driving through masses of lovebugs. We got there during what I understand is the beginning of the fall lovebug season. Wife's new car, white with lots of front bumper space, was covered in the little pains in the you-know-what. We stopped at a couple of gas stations just to top off the tank and try to clean them off a bit (felt we should add a bit of gas since we were using their window cleaner and water and paper towels).
Arrived at DTD, which has become our traditional first stop, and enjoyed the afternoon. Later went to the offsite room, checked in, freshened up a bit then back to DTD for the evening.
Ate at Earl of Sandwich a couple of times on this trip. Walked around, did some shopping, looked at the construction, or I should say at this point construction preparation and deconstruction, and back to the room early after a long day.

The cast of characters for this trip are Mr. and Mrs. epcotisbest, seen here at Epcot last Wednesday with a couple of other suspicious looking characters:
IMG_7840.JPG


We are hopeful for the changes coming to DTD, but hope it does not become too much of a shopping mall. Time will tell.
We like Rainforest Cafe and saw the remodeled volcano for the first time. It seems to me a company that talks about the environment a lot is not very environmentally friendly with all the gas used in the eruptions...just sayin'.

IMG_7502.JPG




We have gone to WDW and not carried a camera, we have so many pics already, but decided to take my wife's little Canon point and shoot this trip. Left the Nikon DSLR at home. Quit carrying it a long time ago. The Canon did OK.

Plenty more to come, a little at a time.
 

epcotisbest

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
On over to Soarin', my favorite ride in all of Florida. Yes, it could use updating, could use a whole 'nother journey over somewhere other than California, and could have more flights to make the lines not as long, but I still love it. Simple and complex at the same time, Soarin' to me is an idea that is brilliant in its design and execution. Love the feel, the smells, the whole thing. For someone who no longer does roller coasters, this is about as good it it gets to me.
Living with the Land is another favorite classic of ours that bores some people. I have never found it boring, but will admit it was better when there were live, and very interesting, informative narrators on the boats instead of the recorded spiel. The hydroponics are fascinating, but I'm guessing some of the hydroponics mail order companies out there today don't cater to customers growing vegetables...just a hunch...I have no first hand knowledge.

IMG_7875.JPG

IMG_7877.JPG
 
Last edited:

epcotisbest

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
After a visit to sit awhile at Sunshine Seasons and enjoy my one or two, OK, two bites of strawberry shortcake, we head over to the second saddest pavilion at Epcot, Imagination (the shuttered Wonders of Life being the saddest). There was no one, no one at Imagination around 8 p.m. It was almost eery being the only ones there. Three cast members at the ride to seat two tourists. We still do it, but this place needs a massive infusion of Dreamfinder and some...yes, imagination. Still love Figment and the outside with the leapfrog and upside down fountains are beautiful at night, and there were some people there watching the fountains. Then Captain EO let out and some people joined us at the fountains. Did EO once in the eighties and swore never again, and so far have kept that vow. Who would have guessed you would miss HISTA?

IMG_7881.JPG
 

epcotisbest

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Walked over to Canada and UK pavilions. Both are beautiful at night. Looked for some HP Steak Sauce while at UK pavilion and found it! Was going to get it when I noticed it was $13.99 per bottle. Not happening. I just am not going to pay twice as much just because it is at Epcot. I'm just too thrifty. Will look for it at World Market next time I am in Atlanta.
Sat on a bench at the courtyard at UK with a couple from Michigan or somewhere who were on a one month trip and we started a conversation. They had just come from Key West, were now at WDW and then were headed on up the east coast. Talked briefly until it became apparent they had been drinking around the world and did not know when to stop. What could have been a nice conversation became a "Nice to meet you, have a safe trip," as I have little tolerance for those who don't know when they have had one or three two many.

Hit a few more shops, looked at some cool Beatles shirts and other stuff, then realized it was nearly time for Illuminations thanks to the announcement from Epcot voice.

Went over and stood on the bridge to France, as we like it there and it is easy to hit the International Gateway out from there. As soon as the first fireworks went off the wind brought the smoke right to the bridge, along with little pieces of debris. My wife is very allergic, or at least very sensitive to smoke so I dragged her outta there even though she insisted she would be fine. We high tailed it over to a place just past Rose and Crown and found a good viewing spot, though a little obstructed by trees, and watched the rest, as smoke enveloped the bridge we were just on, thanks to a nice evening breeze. Good thing we did not stay there.

Love Illuminations...my favorite of all the evening shows. I'll take it over Wishes and Fantasmic! every time, but that is just me. We watched Wishes from the top of BLT several times this week and love that as well, just not as much as Illuminations. Used to really love the Tapestry of Dreams parade at Epcot as well. Miss that one almost as much as Horizons...no don't miss anything at WDW as much as I miss Horizons.
 
Last edited:

epcotisbest

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I'll wrap up our interrupted day at Epcot with a pic of Illuminations, using my wife's head as a tripod, the shot turned out OK, not spectacular, but OK.

IMG_7891.JPG


The walk back to the car, thanks to faulty back and 70lbs too many, was a long one because we let the crowds get away as we hung out on a bench at Rose and Crown and people-watched then took our time at the gift shops as the people cleared out. Got back to the room with very little traffic between Beach Club and BLT.

More tomorrow or the next day.
 
Last edited:

93boomer

Premium Member
SSE is another we always do, but never when there is a line early in the morning. Many just go to it as soon as they come in. We usually wait and after a little while, no line, no wait. Over the years they have dumbed down and cheapened SSE, especially the descent. So much that could be done here, but the powers that be would rather give you a little computer screen to take your attention away from all the nothingness at the end.

View attachment 33211

Aren't I mister negativity today. It is just I am sure I'm not the only one missing what Epcot used to be and could be again with a little love and a lot of money invested. It is an investment I believe would pay off handsomely.
Don't you always love how these headshots turn out??;)
 

epcotisbest

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
You two are just too cute for words and how cool of that CM to let you know you had a call from Mickey!!! Boy can I relate to having to rest during a daily trek through the parks! I have major sciatica issues and a tad nervous about our November trip. I walk, sit, shop, eat... repeat LOL.
Thank you for the kind words and for reading along.
 

epcotisbest

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
GEEEEERATE TR! Always love everyone's different experiences and perspectives...looking forward to more.....!

As an aside, too silly...our youngest DD turned 19 on Sept. 16 and, although my b-day is in Oct., it's on the 20th...! :)
Thanks for reading. We do things a bit differently, but the ability to do so is one of the best things about WDW. Sept. 16 is a very good day!
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom