Our day was spent at Disney. We got up extra early this morning to make it to Epcot so we could be there before it opened. The park was to open at 8:00am. We arrived at 7:35 and it was already open! Our plan was to rush to Soarin' (Dad's favorite ride). Due to the new FastPass system we couldn't get a FastPass to it so it was either wait in a very long line, or get there early. As you enter the park you need to scan your ticket, then your finger. All of us got through with no problems....except Thom. Thom's finger wouldn't work, so the supervisor had to come over. Turns out, it was a blessing in disguise. We found out that the ticketing system was using the 10-day passes that we have instead of the 1-day passes like they should have (considering they expire at the end of the year). So we had to head over to guest relations. Of course there was a little line there. We saw our chances of getting into a short line at Soarin' slipping away. We worked with the Disney cast member to sort out the situation and after 20 minutes it was all figured out. For our troubles she even gave us 3 more bonus FastPasses to be used at Epcot anytime, anywhere!-Awesome!!
Once we got in the park we still headed to Soarin'. We were able to get through twice in a relatively short amount of time. At 10:00 we headed to the World Showcase (countries). Because it opened at 10:00, there were very few people walking around. Drew decided to do the Holiday Passport that they offered. It was completely free. Just go around and get stamps from each of the countries. It was interesting to see what each country's stamp was. They also wrote "Merry Christmas" in their native language.
One of the main things we wanted to get while we visited the countries was Creme Brulee. Dad had been talking about it all morning They have it in France. It was tasty.
We also tried Sake in Japan for the first time. Mine was the best. It tasted like lemonade. Drew and Thom's were a bit drier. And very alcoholy tasting.
We enjoyed the ride Test Track before we had lunch. Last time we were here the ride was sponsored by GM. Now it is sponsored by Chevrolet. Due to this change, the ride had also changed. The track the ride stayed on was exactly the same. However, with the new version of the ride you got to create/design your own vehicle. You get to pick the shape, color, face, graphics, everything! Then the ride is based on testing your vehicle. So as you go, they test all things like efficiency, power, energy, and resilence. You are competing against other people in your vehicle to have the best rated car. The first time Mom, Dad, and I (we were a team) beat Drew and Thom (the other team). The second time we went on the ride Thom won best car by 1 point. The new changes to the ride really made it better.
In between our Test Track rides we enjoyed lunch at the Nine Dragons restaurant in China. They have the best Chinese food that we've ever had. It is so delicious. We got honey sesame chicken, kung pao chicken, pepper beef, and chicken/beef skewers. We were channeling The Christmas Story...Fa ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra! (without the duck).
Next we headed to Hollywood Studios. We took the Friendship Ferry over from Epcot. It was relaxing. Hollywood Studios is the park that we've visited the least. I do not know how to get around that particular park very well, although I have a much better grasp after tonight. I was the instigator of wanting to go to Hollywood Studios because I wanted to see the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, as this is the last year they will be doing it, and I had never seen it before.
First though, we had FastPasses to use to Rockin' Rollercoaster (Drew's favorite ride) and Tower of Terror. Unfortunately Rockin' Rollercoaster was down during our time, so we headed to see a 3D Jim Hansen's Muppets Show instead. It was cute. By the time the show was over we headed to the area that the lights would be.
The Spectacle of Dancing Lights could not have been more amazing. All the buildings on the street were covered in lights. They also flashed along matching the music! We absolutely loved them! It was just about to get dark, so we decided to come back when it was dark to see more.
So we headed back to Rockin' Rollercoaster. It was fun--such a good rollercoaster. Quick, but good. Then Drew and Thom went to Tower of Terror while Dad, Mom and I went back to the lights. They were even more gorgeous in the dark. It was almost breathtaking. Just really put you in a good Christmas spirit.
Anne, Nolan and Family have all made it safely to Tampa. We look forward to meeting them on the ship tomorrow!
On the boat I won't have internet, so this may be my last post until Monday.
Bon Voyage!
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