This Trip Report Is Under Refurbishment For Your Future Enjoyment (UPDATED 9/13 with final bonus chapter)

You only had one choice then.


and although the line was 10 minutes more than I'd (knowingly) agree to wait for ANY ride, I'd have waited it out too.

I don't typically like waiting more than 30 minutes for anything, either. I was hoping they were stacking the line outside like they had done earlier in the week. Still, I knew it wouldn't get any better the rest of the day.

I noticed the 8 first thing and then you wrote ^

:rotfl2::rotfl::lmao:

I think it's even worse than the Humvee!

They're so great, it's hard to NOT stop for a bit.

This is very true.

oddly, I usually take a short walk to the bathroom to get my "full Disney experience". It's just not a complete trip without using every single one.

Sigh...

:sad2:

And yet, I'm FiPping it so Mom can see it. Everyone should go on it once to say they have.

Which is exactly why we did it. And now we don't have to do that again!

.... because water would be far too expensive AND no calories. ;)

And it makes the meal completely healthy!

I laugh every time I see it!

That was truly impressive work.

That's pretty much how it works out, either that or they are all at Soarin.

Pretty much. If any park needed the re-do, it's Epcot.

Of course not. I used my Tier 1 FP for Frozen once.

"Once" being the key word.

I'm sure your name would be far more creative than my own.

The Hippy Dippy Zippy Mobile?

Why even make a vehicle in TT if it doesn't have massive power and strength?

Darn right. If they offer a plasma burner engine, I'm taking that every time.

At least it was a virtual rainforest you destroyed.

Because I'm a sensitive guy.

That's awesome! I have a bonus feature coming up where I'm gonna steal that phrase.

Steal away! Disney fans will know exactly what you're talking about.

I like when the giant cobra comes forward to attack you...oh wait that's Indiana Jones! Doh!

:sad1:

:sad2:

It's so wonderful how you planned this trip together and you're getting so much family together time. :rolleyes1

Isn't it heartwarming? I definitely didn't want to pressure anyone to spend the whole time with us. But I thought we'd see each other more than this.

Nice. I think I need another one of these, the last one was 10 years ago.

It's held up very well.

I'm shocked, absolutely shocked.

:rolleyes1

Worst ride in WDW? Maybe?

Cute pictures! In the 2010 one I totally thought Dave was Drew. It's amazing how much all your sons looked alike in the younger years.

Drew really is a David clone. It's pretty unreal.

At that time of year, that's important!

::yes::

And unless the line chills out it may well be the last. As I said I wasted used a Frozen FP once.

Definitely not worth the coveted Tier 1 slot.

I can completely agree with that.

:thumbsup2

I might want to try one of these some day!

They're great for the kids to do. Otherwise they'd be bored out of their minds in World Showcase. I think adults would get bored with the spy missions after doing one.

Fran uses that kind of logic. :rolleyes1

We do all sorts of things to justify questionable decisions!

Yeah, I bet you tried hard. I don't see any broccoli. :confused3

Well, they didn't have any. Otherwise, it would have been there, for sure.

I can agree with that. I love German food, but I think I'd rather have it served to me than do the buffet. Schnitzel is my favorite too....and now I want Scnitzel. :rolleyes:

Mmmm...schnitzel...
 
*drink*

There appears to be universal hatred for the Tiers. Not surprising. I much preferred the days of getting multiple rides on Test Track.



I feel like this was a real accomplishment that required recognition.



I think the improv skills of the actors are very impressive.



10 minutes is way too long for that one. I actually want the 10 minutes I spent riding it back.



(grunt) I feel like you need a do-over trip with your buddies or something.



Trust me, you didn't miss anything.



I have one son who is very picky. So I tell him even if he just wants the pretzel bread, eat a lot of it, since it costs so much. :rotfl:



If you like meat and starches, it's the place for you!



We'll just have to negotiate a price.



Well, I didn't eat 10 in one sitting. But don't worry, the pretzel rolls will make another appearance.



Ok, I actually laughed at that one. :laughing:
Wish I was at a real computer so I could multi quote.

With regards to do over with buddies...4 letters and a number...
DDCC8
 
I think I read that with the upcoming refurb they were going to redesign the entrance. Here's hoping they've figured that out.

I saw that, too. I guess they're moving the "gravestones" out of the way. I'm sure that will help create some space.

I thought it was just your wallet that got shrunk.

It would be nice if they enlarged it again when the trip was over.

Exactly how drunk do you want to be?

I think I would be dead.

Heh. I remember years ago (obviously after they stopped putting CFCs in them) reading a book where the character in a novel heard a woman (seriously) complaining about aerosol cans hurting the ozone. He said "If I ever hear you say that again I will track you down and vomit on your shoes."

:rotfl2: Sounds like my kind of book.

Yes! I expect to come out soaked... with the occasional drowning from time to time.

I actually did get surprisingly wet on the Frozen ride. They must have added more splashes or something. Or maybe next time I should stay in the boat.

Still haven't been to O'hana. High on my list and... doubt I'll ever get there. Maybe if I ever make it to a DDC?

I liked it a lot on my only visit. The DDCC seems to make it an annual tradition. I don't know that I'll ever be a part of one, though.

Heh. And I've never seen it there.

Great. Now I have to cancel my trip.

With regards to do over with buddies...4 letters and a number...
DDCC8

They look like a lot of fun. I just don't know how so many of the guys have a) the disposable income to go every year, and b) permission from their families to leave them behind.
 
I saw that, too. I guess they're moving the "gravestones" out of the way. I'm sure that will help create some space.



It would be nice if they enlarged it again when the trip was over.



I think I would be dead.



:rotfl2: Sounds like my kind of book.



I actually did get surprisingly wet on the Frozen ride. They must have added more splashes or something. Or maybe next time I should stay in the boat.



I liked it a lot on my only visit. The DDCC seems to make it an annual tradition. I don't know that I'll ever be a part of one, though.



Great. Now I have to cancel my trip.



They look like a lot of fun. I just don't know how so many of the guys have a) the disposable income to go every year, and b) permission from their families to leave them behind.
O don't think ohana is part of DDCC...we didn't thus year that I'm aware of. It's possible the brunch at Cali grill might have usurped it. Also, I've heard from several folks ohana isn't what it used to be.

Not everyone that did DDCC this year was there the entire time. Some came in later and some left earlier. If you could only manage a few days, then so be it. Just the comraderie of all the guys is amazing. Also, some folks bring their families, so you don't have to necessarily get their approval.

The disposable income part is probably the largest variable. Thankfully for me, it's a much smaller component now.
 


I saw that, too. I guess they're moving the "gravestones" out of the way. I'm sure that will help create some space.

They just really need to fix the congestion at bag check. It's over the top ridiculous.

It would be nice if they enlarged it again when the trip was over.

That's called "lottery".

I actually did get surprisingly wet on the Frozen ride. They must have added more splashes or something. Or maybe next time I should stay in the boat.

Smileycoffeespit_zps78mxykvg.gif


I liked it a lot on my only visit. The DDCC seems to make it an annual tradition. I don't know that I'll ever be a part of one, though.

Ditto. I can't imagine going by myself... and everyone else that I might travel with wouldn't eat enough to want to go.

Great. Now I have to cancel my trip.

But! They have delicious sausage... pretty much everywhere.
 
Chapter 13: A Whole Lotta Meh


So here we are in EPCOT, having just finished lunch…and with not a whole lot to do.


We know we can’t ride Test Track. No FP’s available and the wait time is in excess of 90 minutes. I searched on the MDE app, and lo and behold, there were FP’s available for Hoverin’ Around The World. So I asked the kids if anyone wanted to go on it, and…everyone said no. I was a little shocked at that, but I guess it speaks volumes as to how much my family disliked the changes to Soarin’. It went from a multiple-ride headliner to a one-and-done.


Same with Mission: Space. None of us like the training mission enough to want to do it more than once on this trip. It was more clear than ever that Epcot needs some serious help.


We ended up wandering the World Showcase. Drew was still eager to do more spy missions, so we could easily occupy some time with that.


We made it to Japan, where I amused myself by screwing up Julie’s scenic photo.


vITKYdYSs23Sbmv3pQ_E6aQRhCvQE6q-RYqoMeAGI174qh2RdaescoBgOBTjU4-a5D3U7gLoeCe5H_H8FI3wwZ0yL7y6bC-pkYvPnYDTYtzhXuA-IkTm5aikrU8cuK01S4kHNqjocIOrUIO4FyaLETreCDdVI5o94nU51c48Pp9kbCxhcYuu74OvH9DMZxgAFt_RcxaK6B6v990ckMQ_3EOmfiHxo4_I4byZFUTkUpzOKwsEWxdYnpxCzNn4zNzrqGkyZ5EbJOKqdtNtcj5r6nzhW6tvI_muPH9cXh5Pzm-rk1ioz79gZda5Ug29YBxQcH71Cc3NjgaAqN_XA35txgQFHj7sa5qXgoXyWdzVFV4tkYN31_JlnMEpF9DI2GoB_lnzySOlP2wiU1wMBoAOShYOpn7jJryLti04nUmJRPU3f5e3oImx0aoMXAyxdHVUSCsqxHcM_Y3TOjtEY1i1szz_Ia9equlhgs3XZSzQ39CbS_kH1_TtuwftY7-B22fFRF4_7SbA7tza3bvw2L8qmEeBK4ykunuBfLAwh1U0XtUpdeRtZCY9nA9EHM4zujTZnsQ8d-nMwsQrNksD_3MT2vkkvlbJaJPjxnfk9YHUSmvIMvBZPCRVmUAUXl5Yf9-k0oobIzNdBDXT0SbpVd70Z9UIO9m_hNfG=w1064-h798-no



You can see the size of the Guardians coaster building to the right.


mb3us7ty2Sd0lzc61pN4Q1d4wN7new2xri9qlmTw9ftqFql2A0O2E3HBAbaaQJ3BAcK4FPC9tLLehjkBaprXUNY3TPGQtD-j5Yzkm2xUs7PDwAqMCbtMj1er2-1qt3MKxDAXo1kZhre6CtmjbNWsK_JFGL5ViJ7zF95N8pTec9qppAqfuJPMOPAArOGHAnKlyZK17PADBxfIg5h4mreqrM32qlr5sNxEx0QXArHOKcY4-2qhYiE7sSe0DGD4mBFCdcH1lnpwn6fZRoBDurwSo9W9LVdVS9SzhptStR-V5w6SwrH_Lebos2KmrkE79RXkhdQCHt2maY_tjt3E86SJs7NcjD9shpYyqTXA00zGSSJDQkX4WlwyrEdnkTh1Qj84BUPAWYxQvJjlzZXCUan2Q3kUAGPUWoC_Fw1drChfj_HLebpd20smnayog6nrpQinhQHoyR7fBXdRWjqIOYKQZvHhHRrNh14erZVirHabmKmm7Et_VrKwOMsooEWVEx1lX02LDluUMm7q2wYBBPsTtqXZ5zXk6rl1xVUlz0UnZ-RY6G6acC0J9mCzTY5mUpafB6Ti_UYEZIokYKz1pOwOauJwhduXUsqCV_4R3_iZ-Y6mjmG4DBCHRkwYIEypJgt-ZsDcMomC_jtVlMcMI4qFvWXS9I5Hi3wI=w1064-h798-no



ZOqtiA_VSqB0Ko2gkibYlaJwlRmTwl2oHjQHvO460EFbGBbA7EXfLKIi8rKeGnyzDwac2wwXvZunt6T2Nj33L6KVd_XYj_-7Sgkd17DwES-Cm9xkD_DMAioHcRFU_JW91TpcK-7CHH0Etw-3m_HeDV0LZS-MEf6eNkpca6JvGo0AYl2dWR1qyQbfv3e1peoFE0dglYnOlFj_R5HeVdacYlpcJ64CDRkcd2GfU4cLIA62wRbw8KPMt-UT04ogILQCy9znklPvqxzo7XLyRCPYYkhikgSqlMUVSkXKtF5Czf7ae9G64qLWEB1LXH8aYDyYsHn7l5u_OYuyZSDl8A-K0zyXqzwVr58i3Tyg2CnnTWwCI-r_gNG8th1dA3keI1Q18uv0tgQvaWRKtNMevR0YRsbNVqbJXorr8gLvI5MX5nqOt7KiPKtnfHSSsIXqRfPWeioKgEdE-SC06B2wPYTiCVfCuUnlAxeIVrftKKWd-j_eobJBUEp4Qo3hTvs4RHnMuT0K6ed1G9XYD77RI73OF6HlZ6jbd3WomzPuIwhI5mH_v3et84CluNAIUG8vfaAu0ib-jRoBIKzyX3qG9zBG90Oj_32EPwmNy6rnTLfGGbVRiv5XohGgO0QC4MQYcRcnXTi9SCQ-HPwnbYYGjbd7o41Ymx3A5ezE=w1064-h798-no



We kept on going into Morocco. Drew was still stopping for Kidcot Passport stamps at each location, so that helped fill the time as well.


rwjVmvkOXn8ukFG3S3xda23NLO_BwCdYqUkirVWm_Xzu0ZbBf1FygQHKmD9uWwu6gar5cit5TF0RGG5cvGrlDJDFf0h7uEv1C7kIbysOyVCaib8B73e9QmY0Mbfjo5k__ZchI0QyQFIP_4n1dnRoDqbR7QCBKp12zeiIYPB-bPXMITs0wcNlwEHHRBMiiy85HeBNhjMcN9gtK-Gg7byiRDWr5kPUBrWHBMMU6eloAprVMSfipZPXqZRzl_vC1ArWK-wWzOgE3ugKEg1Ssos8X7tcg1bRrBjJjLLLyYJeJDwualPBvhf1OeE6FyrVneX2Qh45waV0_aMoU6SPUWIPA3YXSloI-PpW3Lt_hQXlTxbkUFGUvSPBv6pqhQEBoFJ3eTinkIL-89SM-ph2r--aRGsgFYAXbfTvfBVoiELN0KMNeqZI6H5_mdEMX8uI7773vuLL461Zw4XbUpN4o29MjqP2OBuGMJ5eOxtgjWpe0Ob-ju6YRKpZyHuu37GE-s7UUlJzrIMGZX-qgR-aefala0JMz1CfV-kbjf1w_aPHmq3foz9k3-DSLJxcQPJxlQOi6PNIFiWfbDijRe76k3SDSPDjvwjJSa1nZLnkD5HG1PZJCWh48LlR6j4c7pFIl6bxtLovaL-x-JxLbgfTTMwLshOZCW8wnySq=w1064-h798-no



buVL-2x2G8H0_QNrmw55RSsPw82Mqq0tzkDGWxkTIzde1yc2ytpDvi2Wb150RVFP8BGlKjx6ET4bFVjRUR2Zs6gbT0fTfCYPLEUuPhHJK_2pQ8-_kwujYAf_VVfK5WrWWtZUrOG9b_lD1NIUa_BGpdFy0VQOm1A72Uz_RpiN94rhUW5wYLhw2Am4yODrh97hMSghNxCSUhGLZca1_2XIjnPtcm3ZP6eN9ypJ_3p9pqq-lESm3J9FYixZWLKignJV53D7cIK5_dzupSWA27elUKcjJ1ACNMguwIeQpax8LZpQLSKE1wQjiVkHf_899nY4UTr401oWwjirTHK3PcALTSqx-rSfs-hV2gDsGHQJVonbAjtpf-PyNbk-yaaHFWj5FUONZXSSJgUYPxMRPrNtrK1Z96Yl6qSu9QewNSTJPdgflWMYOvaZDSW9rl56ClzL-2ZwK9Hd5FLui3Y70i4MYoJfLYXPPs3LB4FJuX7gcdEY0l09qVXAXRFfBpZDtDZOPRRMTr7xRnqLuuBH407EanxXsojrqFS56QXWfkPmoFQC-cGS9QG3sP_wOBAkwbcdvszLqgSJJMfJRTn76TH4kvifSluiy8zb3xHqr5tvXRtpYU5O98SzzcYd0YzFezxzZpGTAWdDcQTmHftFFwMtO5AKKiGo36F0=w1065-h798-no



Next stop, France. You can really cover a lot of ground here.


wWztZFI9riNLsMeGCw6H4CRpM48TfiII51bqwsDA88OoN2B31t2aTf_9jf9goFApgOKq4iorhokoEoxObEM6MAVoxV9tSVelRDYUNse2uK2D30MHPBpV8GDgDnpW0plIJKLzsyzjWC0-E5gPatjVKQixtBjy_hEkbjddhKYxxjFq86cEz5dSVuweVLsce82IiOOVG1R40wmz0VWYO-o_l9UGxyltFVaEnfD-GaLJNkUMT71NFX9P-iDkHB7-ZByK4GeduHwiBjfoDrKijzJxwCnbTOgrG9If1D6FF3bmJKmAXWwbuO9PfvXrXlOlZeHJqypENPHPp8eH6HmikYNtt8GpzhIHk5QGX6JmxxfVUrqtjNBBfQuUGi5nyGEPIPOrr76nMQ8svkbKSwUY2115eY-GNk-hvpLbnQ7v_EodAfq-jjynpeiYag9ZrfgJakH25Pf93MP5Fh2k_hkESVd4MQOEZ4uAEIH7O4WLAmU-ijCqTR7L_fxYDwg5_ug-qOKPb5TAB0sN0OIGpktwSfhjJHDgxiAhSzI7xZyZqmh37pWnyPhdg68l6a8T6mXuHK_UVGMc2OcyZ23LVnkdJHr955OfVWAMDN3pH-Hps14zNAEAfSKyKiyo6E2GpsRlofOqWK4WLJCsnl1-davZ_wUoc8QgBv6hY-q5=w1064-h798-no



zPIO-3VF9AvhcCupgXmxci9aUwVQOyqJXzCSni4gC9-E8URaHrEw6hYBuJTnJTHISY-O_DBgBuPv0862G-qKkWoZ-jqIvUq9b91JtLunc9Oe_dsKEwvIk-7vyxnxU8fToRFTyUshBCrgdSYyG-9AeshnNvo2h8GGC_-gIuGXZZRSwn1RBllwmyK3sz0VSwP_KFWjs52RQKIE7CtF3cb8Kxpw_KJnDdsHyYypOSSLxodw-jODbEx9HpCLHeOLd89byQyiB9B6ObWiYkZoRckQa2VTedrEKMq-hxe6mKcvQeDP5f4iQ1Z-DbhkFeGfU_zhseqzZM95fHR4JZrsI6-DWZEM1nAtyu4Ac9Aadkv5LLXVdtjO8eRayG-XXBkp-q83TTBcG7gL3_3WhnR_7pfY3iNANZEbNKAbpyG8FJR4bEeMyrFhQTrmgPKeOd-JAEjNeKW_6WCUy5CwcxDookfQZ6MP9447QEb6nCksIz0WJo27WyOKpxAfp4X3u2iRL9Y0LTVBC6y4SlbCguxDcwmc9ouiIEVT_HqHY9_HWyxxIz5VH4eXz6mSQritiL7X34PkbjdqI_my73wdguu3fQqeHhvDf_8zCVPo5uOdmgJn6wAyJKHilFIFV1Bb1YVENO5-uOQKhi3D79Wz7RHspjjdmGde3UEzMYtO=w599-h798-no



Always remember: when you cross the bridge, you can see both the England and France pavilions. There is no more appropriate location to loudly declare: I see London, I see France!



When we arrived in England, Drew spent quite a bit of time saving the country with the help of Agent P. Retrieving a golf ball from the phone booth is always a hit with my kids.


j3k_q5bpMymKoVK92Z4OcjabhbDMii6EnRhEtadjDFbFHmYcWtxWfhJcl10OubQIsUkQk_4N8smsmVKxHjqsYZ8f8NCL7BTzGX9NKyLpYgmSNKo_h4Gxoi9KVntZrUVb6ifsbFCvECr_r3npnb3eoV2rzVHu66bgrlMvxsIm5togqzwjhVOK1USY8WWgVPcyDKYm4g4utogZq_sx8XrZmfEPyup1_yzskL_rHVi2swqR5EWyyCZzdqvwZcvtjkhSzAYFp-ZrQ5KLLlbV2WTJdA-cpkNkcGP1RyDHjXHrJ6-TDp0DSfUm4yXgNn_FVii27p50lxv9Iye_84oPNQDaXyFv79uNxG2voIe9g-jU4v9VhMVJgz7dcstY_lk3jLOd4MIOLLRynWHFggwSLPUVKZGvfm-00ghXGdPNRyXjQSVeUBI2A_vc0-No8g4Z-imszjuCUDGTtA2kOhty45Yujxvhhk29MhPnwQRi0mT50Fnyg8tMqNpeKlzaOpg_ZY-x1P872VjaT8NxYaue9HeL6-LlLLVp88ZAh41Ha5Z75eUzeVg2Bj_Otw1FR4tMTM2FsqWALkAcWlZbkPIQsQxSVbHdePhmz1TECxKV1CfMLGoefDbaCznytCtVW8D5a32Zc3fwQdHnN4O1MB3qOC6FmYRhiYNiKf3r=w599-h798-no



At some point, the CM’s must have been bored as well, because the started a spontaneous limbo challenge. As you can see, Drew had no issues with it.


mBnMl5Fd5mVstPC47gsYlWpEK1Fd44aT9qFq0g4K-H00zz4Sal21skhlnIdCXZ7znY4WuhKZOuCN56kS_CZf4IErm8zWlnBVrRxwfGuq2H8cIdxKKvPx7xiw8WlpRElb-I1HVeVZa741KRp9REgEtIOtdfhRkwxpNJ7-B-0N2pNz6bCUFcI8AwvVhQJNHI_h5h1mWzotR0SDliMIsoY3lg33DcBGqWw2_IDIuHgeF_Adwxcuuc5Ju6mNl29lMvRiAZBsj85jTI5pPdbJJbfUZ5wSYgqv9W6Stq5HJG98As9GtiEzI9BpasCSZl5w6klhI2mfyDB817mO74SD7AW5WzECim18AJ3n9C7R7gPfchiqBGi1wlVDdgraJPK2NyITmtx_W894Sk-wlHRPUpFohH_pnfwLMu-rYFrJ5jSQMUYcXk6gIFPGAhZiL8sNR5vSqdN16jwrIdwz2flkWEEf1l1rKfiULLsa_yYoZfS98HI4PfBYQ-G5sdINCo-bdLjjanw0RvTyUKiUTzcWJuooE_BlPQAnIwhMt1sbOtSNukf3JXwyScDI7RUBARkIb97TWMQ7N02xf3b0sh1f-AW3RTyJSJc-le93p7syxtVoJqL217guQw_mfGe2pGKEdUkQW_U8AN3BTlxuvLI0n5RTrrS-3bqlyezL=w1064-h798-no



Perhaps more impressive was the fact that Sarah (of the recent spinal surgery) was able to join in.


jwRu6RLiD3MGV900s9zCejJhaVHAwlVcaG-ql3IxdBU6PfdLk70r2WNUs8CPGeHM0us4U1iCBU-pkXQNCBJDSjcJb6uzi423of1k75-SGTxCOIrlkkfVXd_13dcNIvnNya46ChJF_RMmCzPgwqPewxOH0SizLXgnAYS1VJhu8oFa8OXzW2L9Ris5IsxXXIsUiE97-miBRF1twhwhd8yzhDt3jgKZb7ZW6vAcKKDiSaSGDfDd2Ke75715FkzgMl7i8u_ykw9wkkcGggvnn_d37z21aaiqif7ansci3XiUhtQTZ4WgeSdIOG_XEoDxR-ic0l7ETeutmQbI_kxVYpDyDu789oZuH3_qolHr_18BuUiMu_tMgVaGklohhqVaWpOCb7-QK7L5iMk3JX94kopPcD6Bf3Vws_Kd49Rmo1XrPQQj3D5aNgI_CxAkcFLIdUS6dpW7Imc9Pd_WJ2R0yVDKrZMsxZHimOYNZU5R42JFViL0wxCr3hOh2m0DdT-MM7X32lCvflLJOSUBSg4Fr0McBGnzyBBJxn4RfkTlAkIn2thbNBChBAaIpgQjxJggQLBNGC7l0fSp4SoxALzRq1V3zwEtiz2Vgq3UHgKJ1cU6oMe8c9eE6S3Ah1UGaS3hpneUP8-qZU4K5srbvKpfAGP8VbH-N3wx3wfS=w1064-h798-no




The skies were darkening, so we moved on to Canada once we were finished saving the world. I did not pick up any Beaver Butt soap this time around, but I still felt the spiritual presence of @pkondz and @Terra Nova guy .


8oPhqMnsyLrLpb262E8c7zNCUQfVoJpV8nZtyhnw_RNftxLumH74TjwmjMYc3123pvKLBQ1QKpioqChfKsx43ZpFNG1WdDNxWpHLWM8qYe24LFwDPngxEPGdfdW3PKR8NHgk7BAOxsQ_aaijJULTseK0vBM_iysIzgno13rCFTjm24N-qyEi5q_IRCh9rW2_KweWp-LIrxodRC0JxVJcG5iMozSKJVGPSdorcbBy8DwRHHRklWUdbTJuyqnF3rqRPB9aHmzdJT3tAJZEUH8m7ud9dAOIK2pIEZRapwGU4cFsnUrQqefuMUzf32sX_67md_7AgzspvA5c3PjpiUxgcG875UBeX0QhPv5QOkFWaPKRNWff7qGLo7hcAdT--A2SeHgbEpiTAB_CNkrx1tNwlIfLr9UMJVfK0chNv9MzdSRD4r6B7p9BewbrMmep0j_BWrxlX7kaDRsruGuNEZuxJ78Z-FMKox3OD2Wjgz_1cIDEy1iW2cCsm1j7KNBejQZawtgtcVgZyVokX8lRxIjJzyxtMItpdBPxxyezDSim5yYXi3wVt9xR1waPODhmW2I6914EMHhtS0mPahzusRLA1RbuQgMnovkSspy1SfWFoOgaR24GZGvK2BYHlChcSl5z15VlaRbwdPVzPxS3TqIDB-eKBQXh-Itu=w599-h798-no



I’ve always liked this little “hidden” pathway through the Canada Pavilion.


ntlGOnRjeuyBAUGsBDe2olk3W5WJabp4uTsB9FZ9cafzqwDowRgsexptWoAB5w7aripzCK4kRXa5AOCmOxEp6JgPmX8RcjW0w68-tNZ4nkKUs-_f3TYuAEb50Qm2TV41sR4fKg9F2vLfYkz13v71dGsTODfwOCAg5tF4RvXOqknqv27u85fk_PTIxC4MkmB4YwnC-XWxZOmMoGVwd8Lmn0lrW95yJ8ZVSnb3K5-r5JPJfTPFU4S7y-QiL28fHifCsjVWoh4Zx43tYjMnM4ymO87e3QxPIezG9eGUE82dxhNpqXYSJdH4P2SAJpzY-f5NG0soVHiV2H5d32ELhNopWEdseVa1jbbveeVY9t2GqNzPv-JQ72sp7qLHQOVvUa2m9PxaJAixkowIvRNWFTTjfc5f8Uun_iU2kHL1YQwEXwgvW8pejAeA_ejj8xTIx4Mq9oxGAiPsRhMOrqTPQq7VN7GgKudhSgZbLjqESs77Hp4w0XwqcBzBzNw4KElbjv-5sJnTzO2IqwRL2Um__aymveqz5ohuKTIwpX9Frh3hBkq6oY8-V7fYqqzwjxtILHtbrEL3NeEIYU3G3uovqrJQ0_vwqBU6XGoduB9Zt9m25YRzBk-cjDBkpjTEkhRAS7CqI51Y9c0N6yKKULWSelcg-IdPMeX_W1lT=w1064-h798-no



D0xoLH8U_8TGySsMV_PKa4ZGRss1y3Z5BtyXtZ_p-_5TvOKTD0F5ygzw0fs428NcADsLIZoay3Y_r38W1PAynKXWe8BQ9hhcsS_9pJQ2B3HXgew8RVulNOf9KN4t-DDmJWq8wYhhIbdZwrjNfss9-ucrkUeVQulvEnJw-QcXDvY1eR7UQ_ZZMKo2Q8vjVYNb9pqXjTdTHHMQbND2MxQb9M5ByNRr0wjEQYxIemeu8QM2mfav8fCTFLRjhqeIZMKW6SL2Lp8jjI3_I9Ty3a2vqYzvHnWvNlg0uuKOcI64eNnC7l6FfU3DB2oguHtFFxVX0ABuoSqVFGiuERGzKXAEo5nUkQEMJm6jp05h-zKHaUFpi4OUrdOroweu4quuD0RjYAnfBwjARSVCABWLXgVyHxIh32kWtXdNkwErwT0Tk-m2OMW0gTdV6YeePmovThtIv5rTeCxsP6MB5RJWQF316gk0BAWaH1cbiGeVTFidTTVOrOuCk5h5ZgboaQYpf761wJOQuL3XGvCausIoH4u1MZLAxDGuybuIv4IYO7LQrXwX4Izz4BPKaSQrowZdRXm7GpnIQL2FKFP7KlJ6Y9Xyq_yy8k3LgF_x99Rg7ErG6Rjgy1ab_Gi3sDTMIgf9Kozr-D8_TGFOD5fgdb3bSN74vKgOm8SmwMlt=w599-h798-no



And of course, the gardens are beautiful, too.


F0_OOPayKAnuc4f78xKrBrsQY4kSgywYrEtLpzECbXBczResjJwTzGSMNOKIYNQHO9pwrLgvV3KyKsE3N5Wj5mzWAGrmAqbUIrB6_fumKpe70Y4cMz9MJ5mZh_p_2Jcjg0rz3Nub4LC3w45KtRAQ8gxaWIJ4LQDtGZ3XnwThtG1Vtnul-0_KHCMJvc9J2GaHx8GjtgV1_RIeyoOZtNHSMz8Vo5hzSJv2i0-mSXaUxjnhrzhfqYhk3_YxWMhQdqrpO6T6HxBGXqNhXWg3aXLnX-ajWzzkeGDTsJww6vAQjfqjUT1Q8LnwlvAA_CCzhdNW9pSWe6W2VeBIb3ziHml5YnImzitzJhxkTjwOiCkUCs-ZXfCeYElGVlq6ggsS-JAAu-PwT3PaNHkC_P2oC5bBJbvgwXcgZKWblbhnnL0rbow0-qAdC6ZV76h8xoCeJpiCHaTeF0TS9ptEPH47W1jART1sNmgV8nlHvD7KmvFYRDdvXvIp5Um43lndVylHUjIlPjk1tAVCH_tydlqmxDFlxwl2dTM4vwlR3EIRw3t88ioM-KgUvMIwBV2jQPHeBZQNxAaFc_yfO-TK7GYCimnChqsyb_MtQ9v8QTlTRsNOJ8Unw6Z8BORoUTiivZKGETd-eCInFvbh3HP1WHj6OCQ0UkJL3z61tihR=w1064-h798-no



We had one last FP for Spaceship Earth to use, so we started walking back to Future World. As we walked, we started to feel a few drops of rain. Nothing serious, but the afternoon shower was close at hand. Julie wondered aloud if we should stop at one of the gift shops by the World Showcase entrance to take cover.


I reasoned that it was only a little bit further to MouseGear. We could go in there and take care of some souvenir shopping for the week.


More raindrops fell. Julie started angling for the small gift shop. I pressed on. “We can make it!” I said.


More rain. We turned onto the main walkway between Future World and World Showcase. My shirt was starting to get wet.


“We can make it,” I said with less confidence.


The heavens opened, like we were at God’s kiddie play area in the swimming pool where the huge bucket at the top fills up with water and suddenly tips over. We were apparently right underneath it.


“We’re not gonna make it!” I declared, just so everyone around me would be fully aware of the now dire situation we face. The only move left was to make a break for it and sprint.


We dashed through the curtain of water to MouseGear. Sarah was the first to make it, followed by me pushing Drew in the stroller. We barged into the shop and took refuge. Scotty and David were next, already trying to shake water loose from their drenched t-shirts. Now that we were all indoors, we figured we’d just have to wander the store until the rain let up.


Wait, something wasn’t quite right with that statement…


Where was Julie?


I counted everyone again—there were only 5 of us. How did that happen? I tried texting Julie…no response.


After about 10 minutes or so, Julie entered the store, soaked from head to toe. As it turned out, she had tried to take cover at one of the little souvenir kiosks halfway down the walkway while the rest of us had made a run for it.


Apparently, that strategy had backfired. She was…how do I put this?...less than pleased. Hey, on the bright side, we have a fun story to tell now, right honey?


Honey?


Sweetie-pie?


Would a cute kid help? That always helps.


cYJxpTS3kjypvBrxmqTrGtur_c2mD3n9yxIT4HMC1tWrUA-xDQqgx0Nx4cyVes_hj8ZWtc1S5vtObCcLccQ3eCNoyHiOsiP7mzlEUhDDL9A6AWxBAeCe0gYQnVr6otTCcoQ-5IAK2npvhjGus6pB7g2epqF9QfYNMY3gqOfugpkbS8mwwdo4Lb119WIEs3bsFDQ6FpEjTivTmhe4-yFiuXSxtiMzY2xR770fPVN_aOeXTrrv_HkJ6q2r4DeXDY2PFGzrY1X5JICL6TsphKLTOdrDkH0ub25CnAPVA8iqM4l_N1wNfXmwun30QR-TeFKPYRjpNbMyPfJwao4Gm-bvzOPnZ3Mz17EwnwgGsaMLRcAifyDfTr3POu3-Vy9Z1EB6AtMviR0Ja--h4dvnkham0F0Yr6LstW71wTnsmvGgONmv01l87-3Pfe6Gxxp0Dh__iSFRiWG5E5cCawVOKxD0HvzzUQmPWND4F5kHbK99FJQKy4HpDym0W54flBTIBdPOdzU7R-6vGDKn-BTuqfKHoB6GX4XJ7ah6jKzzJLOKQ4cbPH5F1jeHMDWDhpeoY1VdibHJDrXUL8wBrpGiTiu1qtpqfH0GKT2lkZk3MF1WwnVYm6wy_tx5JGW3FhKwyI27GbCXjD56FzT9Yc6J8C-gsYzby3SPah_N=w599-h798-no



It wound up being a fairly expensive trip to the souvenir shop as I tried to buy my way back into her good graces.


Gradually, the skies cleared and we started to air-dry as we walked to Spaceship Earth. Once again, I was too ugly for the camera to register that I was actually on the ride, but the others got some fun poses in.


-HqFz-2f0q70_YCVnYU-NMH1nDTVXFOWClxiICoP11Vw8wO0iYKbOxnZSimy8vrIbTJvPByoEwLU1ZkrUKGVppq-MBaleub6eafy0Y42DUiJF7TB-SUyJzjdh_UQV70Iw03rLeOqUZ3cS0uFTSt-T4Es04Eqwv_rVWxt5U5-HFM3fuE0Gg2phSPvjqLuuzHYsg4YWdw8v-eLh5YiRatxdWeDwdAvAeRQcxiBjjT4k36jV-TtCVD9lCAWnYJUJjKa1mKvgAq0HVoQt6AS_ZR4xO9DeBYgNB1DLM87bLiW4WpJSZtzrjeLmJBEgKlLwqK6NorFL1fVNFkA9LpmJdmsJSM0jgSVkK1hAmdYu_qv2M1sr7k28V4qzHbZpSEPlWo6C9aV8NpXoejNEc5QdVfabf3dPH4lthA-MIFQ_W2v0IhuPVS3zi0QmsQ33pm7RF1DkivOALG8eWdILQxs4clrT5SkNLdh3pAA7Zcdsg54XBfp5xXqauwuA32ezSmUv9zndk3QD0DmwmEOownSWMScqlsIJP0sVKqPfcIsnq4KKnnR4Wst9yf7ecIYNhc04IEmW2ufZr7BrLcK3H8AKpWLr-2EWYKsJwpJDYpPUyskDLN5TtcT1d3mMa8x004Rs0WlOLxZ3j3YTXNP0tYEOJU4xURr8bwAqRY3=w1064-h798-no



1SMvNae0LAano2i4HvrEmxacsj36i2HEyzCFSJAx8cUGDOIs3hq0945yI4-FlsZPml2vsK9eAFsLe2Yc_m4O06PfIRNbDGYeMxVXyn0HPVmn0YLO1Ga61CJOCrUnZMBJQfcpks7THRe65hR0QRc-dOnjp85rM2zb2_vy-nvj1oKyBAr1WUaonVeKF88qQFjGV0gU9EgDzchK8w0NbAww1cU0nz1x2R6knBUu-wk-7O4p2fiHLBTDVCgvH3usJ5L--7zm5oxKDLrL66A13gZmUd30GUqQZBU9NVjeNoOzU3cQhkHvn2zkHzpeBTByg3WcBW-vPap66AVixZF-wc_TeUZ936LPScozJPhBhkUXFkgq1uYqJETL7lPc6pton4Z0O35TquaRGaOwDBoR43ltqZ7cpSVhIusRZuaK_WM77MQZxG4YAJLdQMawrETs_gDhTm73SvkpY6WJv-0eO0pl93gOa7jBNXOUhZvxPLQBqlV6e2lgb8In_eFf17GJ6bAP113Wb-MSIQGy6hvj21VMxI_lul8jzXdrkhCbYAqSBJUZfeGweh4V8Mivd7J4krwC-qxZKJd-2-8KRUqdDsjGwN2KcdgCBqqZ3Pi6Y8BZK6pjdQGYbtr-A5fZgkQ7WARFpN758eztWCtTMHW0EdK_sJrB1uaMYWGa=w1064-h798-no



We found a Photopass guy out by the front entrance and pretended to still like each other.


zx-7MAlCJAQnd3WzFmTOM6ppBLOVT9j0finI6dBg2v3CSf3jCgSt2B8Vdecm1eKpFKcgfs52ycZlgTi-T7NtCqhaadalumInT6djjcGIGulFiIhkfLaCsqnoepHOUltsukVvwta932nveChYFe-0fDeB__31SrBXVRCLVD9lcFlZWNm5u-9xTVq7NuE2LHPgunOjyUIq6TP594H1TpE1-XVFc1kKhYNBc9asTdw_AA_he8Km1QstDFicOeoZv8Ng1MIny-oMKi8gZgOSygdIFAuP6Jr6r2C3rkX-GMWgkpKBYZSPMotit-AsZc54Id55pB9NRHCWt5Um5eID77gQbw2lW-JBQn8Q4cYOvdchqP5VjKC5FZw4InG-5n1FjrHc1TaNFPGdbOSTS6sLYHJS1t58KxBcVphgHEvr2-4lNyiHmqom9zomra5gZ9lt5s-R0KpfLqlVELzBUT48bAjwa7mLcFHQLwFhgVS2gWIkQ6_K_lGzoWi915IANNNqtS050N4xG0IMpgbBMV75NGgO_DwKnV8yE0rDzqo2yg3SwS6Ew995oHOVnbaMrOuhUdYYtNwpiHWH56UnfOq1CTxZ9FgeFtpZUaXwoSiVvMStaB9FsN4Ze7UKjJHMQAmTmSi3GBUVmdFLSKNeNtdh6caTJhZXD1BtFXJY=w532-h798-no



MbGY96WUwjcj1eaVeP3xz_5fbDTIYXWlSNZEfCURvJaIM_JpJJoxUsfAMlSml-d956mhKalb-ORGOBFJKsa-8Ze531rYlf8qp_nNPArNcMyYphzJsG2FBOA-bAV1-dDZVHimCvGijhPoW2x0wa30hdtACmVKqw4MxTHe2qctuGhh5mPbQGCB5fnjIUDkN8dKW9fIPGd1MyoKHNLe7cvfvvM938NWJazC2yYAkWqkznGj8BJeYY5qwOnIeFTByIUdbSgxDNLRIGuzjdfsUx-lM7e6I5FkFkEXNhkw6bih_K-ns77s7hvuaRLi0UUGh_Iz0j3ctgzqQZ5Mi71dmEQSNNI9jCjEABjHmUT1I3FCxivj5gk9TTVmawDDLngHU0XppmV-x2-zy6hVKKHXlNcTeLykYGKpWLBTZDChWRd0HJRTRIWaxH4bL2MvXdMtMFzB4qO0u9h_90gjWdMgOPNOa-HcL_kxGiNB3S1jTF1CTfB-WYLnNTrdXfZ7we1hnc-awvQcO8fOjd2PfaChhdLNkbFQUf6Pn0Q6wjgk8jbW-WGo3XnqcLkkDmjpPxcG7TZcqdfHPCaa2LhfGkLAZJaSlThp0K99Las06RiysaZXOLBpZqXABrGYYGgriVmrfRmTPjOwcuozS3olC-3wdly7Wsjei4ZXl742=w1197-h798-no



nlH-AFNcprImEFza9nXT55rVppI_jA1WHWr0rNdwX5kyvk6-nFEeS6i2p5eFZXDCpQWDLryyIrvj8AeVnESa_jTr3YHd8GC1UguFicAY5uAECZVnHxHy5n4ZY-qFN0gS5VnE6shBFu-tf9y5x075-xTmXSDo29Fnz5kOEDav9wdE-FQx-zs2-RfeIYkx06l5Qg_atYH2D1WsbE7JuhswrtYdYmd_0gR6pwMOlpx8v_NqyC3LJdw8Cu9zJULqxSCpq5Loeah4eNtm53xDbinsioSv4kRfHRFmIxdbaLkDBOOUEgRIcozibZGW1XXms49M9wgmCfOd-GS5S644rueqjJfQqsoyHpSXNCG-PvrATyMAg7I7odMoP17jJG3eFUTFORvBGlJHG3UPz8WSrw5lEHUMpq7k0NyQz6dxgN2KbkoUYKu1JA11ulLwcGrMlf4v4elmexmYb6Wc6GGGZdFG8z2hO9f0lQ1uCMGqW3Bk3rK58x59CywP_jWDPgEIem61B4qHe-qH8sO9zwpTRWb6FfdTBpJLtyzCX93zhGdTh8EhW1HgGm3kD6wlugoNsGGV2e0V0bP_T_9BiCG3QZzll8s7QOvoVKBL7xem32nFZvAICT9NKtKIs-kIrwQzFbTwUbv3XE5YUY1dndD83V0ee7-A5bstFE2X=w532-h798-no



I think we faked it pretty well.


It was getting to be late afternoon and the heat was back with the sun. Drew was about done for the day.


Dtl_3zcoBnuxxcRUB2zpGibSkSTekY0ntiQI0nqDP1RSfWnQORxQjnfCh6NaO7xS11POKFFrjAyniHtJK9xUpL5Sav6wvWxSgFTQ3eLOK3UNWGlSV_JDIvry2rgad6uWB-4L2FGs_aAYkPUdA6vVaSv9DNBS_0Pyk0-I8QqLidXge6B9QSgEd5QUt08rzhZXLyQjjp4KhQ5tQhzU4jUYhVRdL5MKmkg6mLGWs0OoHQF5OfNaOkYiU9rutlDRFoyScLbM_sWZWtL6A744bBWv6m81C6f-qddm0Ma_L5rhB7VxdRxL7R8pargsQgOiepnQ7ccwcNWXu-awRc5TDAWs5tO7al7kJgoBSbc4HQviM1LlWu_n0igu1ExS0ITlKeBU53FQUy9EALnWW72jyR8a7UVTKqWJjylB_6ik_zTe18YZOZWBjshjw5ONdDlH5HjlRxhXGpjzFnyhgHJqDHyfolchsvkYd0rVog_H7aRz4yl2T3FyTLAexUqN1AET23c9NjYd_JO055wsJJa18DEv-nbfHwKpOtldtaTfuv8BQ0Pv1Pe6257w5zqgrNpjq_6Wds3YVG63WvSg1agBbz63x_hnLLORz8ysHa281kLDnNc3CRloA1MqgY07a_ilPCO7537AgPiRnq0E3kACGBEONKjbXBeXsksq=w599-h798-no



We stopped in Club Cool just for something to do. Dave and Scotty put their heads together and, being 1) boys, and 2) bored, came up with the Beverly Challenge. Each of them would fill a cup with Beverly and then down the entire thing in one swallow. I managed to get the following priceless video of the event, which was joined by a late challenger:



We were getting hungry, and we’d already had our sit-down meal for the day. Our choices were either PB&J sandwiches or to scrounge up whatever snacks struck our fancy in EPCOT. Seeing as how we’d left the PB&J supplies back in the hotel room, the choice was made easy. Taking care to ensure a balanced diet of starch, meat, dairy, and sugar, we all shared in a veritable feast of cheddar-bacon soup, cheddar-bacon French fries, and cronuts.


ZmDw2kbZr1WIJGBXapn3RD-dQaLlgmnPENsRtK2vpHRpS8eMKz13fKEIfUdoDHXWaxhiRHh33SuGbMyE-kT20u5Nq9CmegJ6Zz164LJ_-q1lfgQ_nYnKs2djAXthmNAO56oTmbrBh8WDDGUplWq6xK1STEVysswwnG2OzuqACwQoNHkUr55xQpy4ejigK2lJrs252-4cROeWAnTaX7mGLrK8ZiQn58hq-dh7FhrDx5KzR4V01G4o_h3DBtKo4LVGngVVv6jPil1fzpwhT1LuHFQkfG_aIRHHJveQK7frhn7X5obYwKT87iYd-oIpUN89OVGASdlnWz2QONP94mRDR1lleLd6qAbmkgs6a1zJ6rUbEAe78TlMmr0REFQrCEI886IpDCGNDptiHfrnep9yppAp1fISxCHCZAhVnGTZ81jIWiYl5lPMk9jIatZheMDuwBfpQyObnwZTjzlGdRFMnJBIKlhWqWWXnGJGDqc-mMV5MVIEBcqkWPdEKAD2-tWCIEscBSYP8tZCvL0oIwUlOXFi0IaxyrQNXN5vK6Wtq7nsQEjUWaSrLwSJ0NQa_8MhGc62Ld_4pqkjzso_P5a6-AGgJLEPxfyx0gJyFeeozw4q8IQDiydy3L16HZCioPneVpIJEXGK7oJvBKFUxAT6tCKNbnuEn8jX=w1064-h798-no




8mVY9aQNC0v4alSlGMMeJWd3QzAMyv3XaIn9oPBw9qL1sK3MqTxjsH5sCw-6XVIIY0OjJzm-taQwy_B7p0YS8uibCB6zgaKT96qJ7LPTxy8ofDSEFUHvgTMAt6BUI3KGxcrUUBcRNBXp8FomOXiB3_0VcC1R7AH1NTNKZ-h580XmWDf_ZB5CvfMEWHzOOZ-lflWe3G0hBOyrlUcOV7C6QpmZV_X0ymQGeCJMimmDskX-v7jHS52LJJZ7PeUTxtrhp2MIRThxbIXRlbEVge9H4BMWeBXIVViSYfNp4ft7Y8FLgb6mqc_0o3vaKvhqZKfZkq8d3s0wIlTQqYuTU7YontRk5dqR1r7Ww0nHAFqdo8c79FyinkqjSpAYADqQ1faupV4LSLd5ownmhHtS2e3xFkDbkofHbpzoG6xvv2z5aqyN34yBqf6z3Xi5Lpu2Nc8ciSl2qMNi0kVLO7hyqDeVhDOQ_sA_XOBYfPw4zZ-LMeBVQW3NH_fMoQcuHO139GkLtvu8YZpeQBEXHTKqH_dctrsJPbvM-__kGIBycz37jxWhqcvBn3ycE-XKYd_HnwaNUxtVvRSMOqonhUymETiS04jOzQZHMsZJRmAC2IF3ggSjupJjkpAgRF30GoMNherUf90-EhsWdiTDvwlX2sF-xryjzxv_-N1L=w1064-h798-no




You can feel the arteries hardening already, can’t you? Everything was pretty decent for a snack. The soup wasn’t quite up to the level of Le Cellier’s version, but it certainly worked for us. It was especially good once Julie revealed her master stroke: she produced six pretzel rolls from her bag, having successfully smuggled them out of the Biergarten earlier. Rumor has it we are now Delaware’s most successful crime family.


Our day drew to a close.


izyQU817fr7SAq98Zuwi4eYTyTN9rYIrPaXbHHcLWbl0f6xdGsh55tW62Ht5aRBiOz-BORbeFhrhQbPEEwTdzCmedn1HsSNeUfLqurw9DQamlx2Dnxsl8ywIuTOIX22GURpsDVzs5pQBLpffFTGrOa4Zclpuac6LnxeBBxNo9MViKROOgpleGyXq5OQ7FesyV5toeYThTcMAJVzMBajnGOC-01wWhKYSKMMxJP4RB1igpk4LqIPAYWnB0pY9HP-xjGxfcBYu0e35LpL7ITTQWUcYNeyPkHRU1jpGWFiJaDEnedu7NV047iv3xFzIsdWbL7PHKKAClv6q35c3jEB4S7cYUyKh04WH27StwR8g0qwqpi1n8dMf9AZVYKDvryBY44brJgG4zVsyMOOQcmjQb3NQJ7dKVC0M0EFge9MEe68nqm9L26usGrYODdvrvd12kIHx-oa8_wZZxnWnYfWgUGcbCpjv-0GpvM6rfmf4RcLK7M_hbs1MxIeEdi28keZxhQG1G9ce3uwthJ9gfSFRRlkJgkXCpxP5xDjnghqzEK8vGjQ2g2OHTL-iUq2v6E-M-uRkTs6EZOsdYxjbGnbNLUIIo2_MsHxFA5wQYck_lkYmKqMQEqkee9-tfUi2lGTS-virxrbIt46eN4NmLYaNE2TUP7UYOLFh=w1064-h798-no



Rather than hang around late for Illuminations, we decided to call it a night and head back to the hotel.


gxZ-aHROsbjGR4EN57KDoNz5g5SlnUCbk0mZR9kOQISF9laPOkFUZcn7rDJedU0tBvZCZLt7-JzZirMh53FZcGoi7v6irfjMnIW16_m007W5UDLJZ9SzyIIopTNpbxg0IRoXiczFYpK7CrF4q8hoyUFEwveBeNUW_dZ0Y6p98haJyNJi8Dby1e_Jkd7CRQyRQDkofVt90lnFI7VJ9owGRu_akyVdVCHnmFckSBMNV2IWodRdMog4sMieot7eGNrJYR4UJJ1jRWPhLClQzNIFn2G68jPr5cbb3csQw0O4jvtRi2pee6nJMRaQtXoxEpwj3Ym5VDJslqj35wCd4x-Qk4WbNZeQBq5j9pPSVdg0xqwN2sVdYpiobbholPESelcar4VoM3wyKh3MBc7dqAQoEm_JiOQVzbWpKT2PhMZ7hhvggvu86ILOr_Gm7Qn5k-6cuntSC3wrYNVgcRp8tf_DYDeIFgCCU5UytzK17_7L4efUJ5tIAZKRTpOTzALlxrBYjvsUpFWvzdH67vJULLUdp2h2JbgyxZOOZiJb24XlTiugaelqtJ7WsVXeUhzpMbKL4AW07wJ4Y2sDnsnm81AmyzVq_100y_S39zCjqR1Goby7UjXtJCmnw7kfJm256ePu-b5RazL3oruTMNnTy_eAWzyirYNJDnrr=w1064-h798-no



sYhLSrHnLksV9o21YUJBR6tgIsUwJ6JyLlBziHAC1AfxEI1dbaP_osQf3hjteQ7OSB6clMGCp3rtQVgzv7A5un_GYtS0TehJiaJ8T_etJ7o9wuyzIno3M4o8VwArtp0NPSrmR0KPUwnMB1MNL6rbueC03xL6qKp-AT1BUcRdKGmm4L9UbfGJZw0dAVTDIKU2HNhyNZeH1-yDxceZ4qr1pVCINahYOH5YUs44p7LBULBUlNzxxbi7oL8WULITwvTh2qbHm1XkPVJ3kyjWO8s1TwmpKkvxVWUY3E_GF8PUamX5owButnIVgIdNFp3EFotI63Awo_LwoejpOCHR0OK7GJjrdPhONjNDhSW8BDPcNvQqNHdDm2wChmgNsD8vuR3JAGHLy7CbCa69Mw50t5zsTPsu7JPJpkbssBBa-0aY-I9j2HLeKGiwFJtAiqGK4lDstus7zt4G7JwBgva2r_PblO759_y_HgiRsfvPsGNAQnT2SF00ghPOCmRRTrWq_qthxZSNOWlMpGRY4eVZ49WdFsh9cSIYSGATh0M_XEjO7M5OPDW8jkF1BPtqYpgE5zmkmiHwMYXb4OLduLfL_mzeCWvDB2SZysfuOhwxvaHssDrsXIfOG_sHFbAKCBsHFIfAvcFG-IXnXldlB_WTWPXY2kh8h-aRxKJT=w599-h798-no



But first, we’d take a spin on the monorail. I’ve always enjoyed the loop the monorail makes around Epcot. As luck would have it, by the time we made the loop, darkness had fallen and we got to see some of Illuminations from the monorail as we passed by the lagoon. Rather than attempt crappy photos, we just sat and enjoyed the view. Then we walked down to the parking lot and beat the crowds on our way out.


Coming Up Next: Back to the MK on our final park day. If all goes well, we might hit a couple of milestones.
 
So here we are in EPCOT, having just finished lunch…and with not a whole lot to do.

Dude! there's an entire Disney park out there! Chock full of rides and experiences and all sorts of wonderful things to see and do!


You just have to get on the monorail and go over to it.

We know we can’t ride Test Track. No FP’s available and the wait time is in excess of 90 minutes.

Ugh. No.

I searched on the MDE app, and lo and behold, there were FP’s available for Hoverin’ Around The World. So I asked the kids if anyone wanted to go on it, and…everyone said no. I was a little shocked at that, but I guess it speaks volumes as to how much my family disliked the changes to Soarin’

:eek: That shocked me too! Both that there are FPs still and that no one wanted to ride it. I still enjoy it (provided you sit dead center, of course.)

Same with Mission: Space. None of us like the training mission enough to want to do it more than once on this trip. It was more clear than ever that Epcot needs some serious help.

Haven't done that one, but might in May. Unless the evil child insists on making me sick and we go on Orange.

We ended up wandering the World Showcase. Drew was still eager to do more spy missions, so we could easily occupy some time with that.

Those are a great idea... except I miss when it was KP missions.


Nostrils around the world!

You can see the size of the Guardians coaster building to the right.

That thing's gonna be huge. Hope it's worth it.


Gorgeous!

Next stop, France. You can really cover a lot of ground here.

Exactly the same in Europe. Bullet trains. Takes no time at all.


:laughing: He can pull it off, too!

There is no more appropriate location to loudly declare: I see London, I see France!

:rotfl:

Retrieving a golf ball from the phone booth is always a hit with my kids.

Um... what?

At some point, the CM’s must have been bored as well, because the started a spontaneous limbo challenge. As you can see, Drew had no issues with it.

:laughing:
And yet...
"CMs! The people are bored. Take out a length of tape so they don't feel bad about all the money they spent to be here."

Perhaps more impressive was the fact that Sarah (of the recent spinal surgery) was able to join in.

:sad1: Dang. That got me right in the feels.

I still felt the spiritual presence of @pkondz and @Terra Nova guy .

Nope. If you did, they'd have decent stuff to buy in there.


Okay... that is so us.

I’ve always liked this little “hidden” pathway through the Canada Pavilion.

::yes::

And of course, the gardens are beautiful, too.

They are. The ones they're based on are amazing... well, the itty, bitty bit of them that I saw.
(That's a whole other story.)

We had one last FP for Spaceship Earth to use, so we started walking back to Future World. As we walked, we started to feel a few drops of rain. Nothing serious, but the afternoon shower was close at hand. Julie wondered aloud if we should stop at one of the gift shops by the World Showcase entrance to take cover.


I reasoned that it was only a little bit further to MouseGear. We could go in there and take care of some souvenir shopping for the week.


More raindrops fell. Julie started angling for the small gift shop. I pressed on. “We can make it!” I said.


More rain. We turned onto the main walkway between Future World and World Showcase. My shirt was starting to get wet.


“We can make it,” I said with less confidence.


The heavens opened, like we were at God’s kiddie play area in the swimming pool where the huge bucket at the top fills up with water and suddenly tips over. We were apparently right underneath it.


“We’re not gonna make it!” I declared, just so everyone around me would be fully aware of the now dire situation we face. The only move left was to make a break for it and sprint.


We dashed through the curtain of water to MouseGear. Sarah was the first to make it, followed by me pushing Drew in the stroller. We barged into the shop and took refuge. Scotty and David were next, already trying to shake water loose from their drenched t-shirts. Now that we were all indoors, we figured we’d just have to wander the store until the rain let up.


Wait, something wasn’t quite right with that statement…


Where was Julie?


I counted everyone again—there were only 5 of us. How did that happen? I tried texting Julie…no response.


After about 10 minutes or so, Julie entered the store, soaked from head to toe. As it turned out, she had tried to take cover at one of the little souvenir kiosks halfway down the walkway while the rest of us had made a run for it.


Apparently, that strategy had backfired. She was…how do I put this?...less than pleased. Hey, on the bright side, we have a fun story to tell now, right honey?


Honey?


Sweetie-pie?

Oh, man... Ohhhhhh man. You did not just do that!
You are going to be reliving this one for years to come.

It wound up being a fairly expensive trip to the souvenir shop as I tried to buy my way back into her good graces.

::yes::

Wait... You think the expense is over?



:lmao:


Sorry.
good luck.

Once again, I was too ugly for the camera to register that I was actually on the ride

I get that too. Join the club.

We found a Photopass guy out by the front entrance and pretended to still like each other.

:laughing:


Awww... that's a keeper shot right there. :)


Poor l'il guy.

We stopped in Club Cool just for something to do. Dave and Scotty put their heads together and, being 1) boys, and 2) bored, came up with the Beverly Challenge. Each of them would fill a cup with Beverly and then down the entire thing in one swallow. I managed to get the following priceless video of the event, which was joined by a late challenger:

Shoot! I'm at work and can't see it.
will check it out asap.

We were getting hungry, and we’d already had our sit-down meal for the day. Our choices were either PB&J sandwiches

Yes!!!

Seeing as how we’d left the PB&J supplies back in the hotel room, the choice was made easy.

Oh. Oh well...

Taking care to ensure a balanced diet of starch, meat, dairy, and sugar, we all shared in a veritable feast of cheddar-bacon soup, cheddar-bacon French fries, and cronuts.

Dang! That looks good!

You can feel the arteries hardening already, can’t you?

Nah. Calories don't count in Disney, nor do arteries.

It was especially good once Julie revealed her master stroke: she produced six pretzel rolls from her bag, having successfully smuggled them out of the Biergarten earlier. Rumor has it we are now Delaware’s most successful crime family.

Whoa.

:worship:

Our day drew to a close.

I thought Drew went to sleep already?


Nice shot.

But first, we’d take a spin on the monorail. I’ve always enjoyed the loop the monorail makes around Epcot. As luck would have it, by the time we made the loop, darkness had fallen and we got to see some of Illuminations from the monorail as we passed by the lagoon.

So... how was that? Better? Worse?
 


Chapter 13: A Whole Lotta Meh


So here we are in EPCOT, having just finished lunch…and with not a whole lot to do.


We know we can’t ride Test Track. No FP’s available and the wait time is in excess of 90 minutes. I searched on the MDE app, and lo and behold, there were FP’s available for Hoverin’ Around The World. So I asked the kids if anyone wanted to go on it, and…everyone said no. I was a little shocked at that, but I guess it speaks volumes as to how much my family disliked the changes to Soarin’. It went from a multiple-ride headliner to a one-and-done.


Same with Mission: Space. None of us like the training mission enough to want to do it more than once on this trip. It was more clear than ever that Epcot needs some serious help.


We ended up wandering the World Showcase. Drew was still eager to do more spy missions, so we could easily occupy some time with that.


We made it to Japan, where I amused myself by screwing up Julie’s scenic photo.


vITKYdYSs23Sbmv3pQ_E6aQRhCvQE6q-RYqoMeAGI174qh2RdaescoBgOBTjU4-a5D3U7gLoeCe5H_H8FI3wwZ0yL7y6bC-pkYvPnYDTYtzhXuA-IkTm5aikrU8cuK01S4kHNqjocIOrUIO4FyaLETreCDdVI5o94nU51c48Pp9kbCxhcYuu74OvH9DMZxgAFt_RcxaK6B6v990ckMQ_3EOmfiHxo4_I4byZFUTkUpzOKwsEWxdYnpxCzNn4zNzrqGkyZ5EbJOKqdtNtcj5r6nzhW6tvI_muPH9cXh5Pzm-rk1ioz79gZda5Ug29YBxQcH71Cc3NjgaAqN_XA35txgQFHj7sa5qXgoXyWdzVFV4tkYN31_JlnMEpF9DI2GoB_lnzySOlP2wiU1wMBoAOShYOpn7jJryLti04nUmJRPU3f5e3oImx0aoMXAyxdHVUSCsqxHcM_Y3TOjtEY1i1szz_Ia9equlhgs3XZSzQ39CbS_kH1_TtuwftY7-B22fFRF4_7SbA7tza3bvw2L8qmEeBK4ykunuBfLAwh1U0XtUpdeRtZCY9nA9EHM4zujTZnsQ8d-nMwsQrNksD_3MT2vkkvlbJaJPjxnfk9YHUSmvIMvBZPCRVmUAUXl5Yf9-k0oobIzNdBDXT0SbpVd70Z9UIO9m_hNfG=w1064-h798-no



You can see the size of the Guardians coaster building to the right.


mb3us7ty2Sd0lzc61pN4Q1d4wN7new2xri9qlmTw9ftqFql2A0O2E3HBAbaaQJ3BAcK4FPC9tLLehjkBaprXUNY3TPGQtD-j5Yzkm2xUs7PDwAqMCbtMj1er2-1qt3MKxDAXo1kZhre6CtmjbNWsK_JFGL5ViJ7zF95N8pTec9qppAqfuJPMOPAArOGHAnKlyZK17PADBxfIg5h4mreqrM32qlr5sNxEx0QXArHOKcY4-2qhYiE7sSe0DGD4mBFCdcH1lnpwn6fZRoBDurwSo9W9LVdVS9SzhptStR-V5w6SwrH_Lebos2KmrkE79RXkhdQCHt2maY_tjt3E86SJs7NcjD9shpYyqTXA00zGSSJDQkX4WlwyrEdnkTh1Qj84BUPAWYxQvJjlzZXCUan2Q3kUAGPUWoC_Fw1drChfj_HLebpd20smnayog6nrpQinhQHoyR7fBXdRWjqIOYKQZvHhHRrNh14erZVirHabmKmm7Et_VrKwOMsooEWVEx1lX02LDluUMm7q2wYBBPsTtqXZ5zXk6rl1xVUlz0UnZ-RY6G6acC0J9mCzTY5mUpafB6Ti_UYEZIokYKz1pOwOauJwhduXUsqCV_4R3_iZ-Y6mjmG4DBCHRkwYIEypJgt-ZsDcMomC_jtVlMcMI4qFvWXS9I5Hi3wI=w1064-h798-no



ZOqtiA_VSqB0Ko2gkibYlaJwlRmTwl2oHjQHvO460EFbGBbA7EXfLKIi8rKeGnyzDwac2wwXvZunt6T2Nj33L6KVd_XYj_-7Sgkd17DwES-Cm9xkD_DMAioHcRFU_JW91TpcK-7CHH0Etw-3m_HeDV0LZS-MEf6eNkpca6JvGo0AYl2dWR1qyQbfv3e1peoFE0dglYnOlFj_R5HeVdacYlpcJ64CDRkcd2GfU4cLIA62wRbw8KPMt-UT04ogILQCy9znklPvqxzo7XLyRCPYYkhikgSqlMUVSkXKtF5Czf7ae9G64qLWEB1LXH8aYDyYsHn7l5u_OYuyZSDl8A-K0zyXqzwVr58i3Tyg2CnnTWwCI-r_gNG8th1dA3keI1Q18uv0tgQvaWRKtNMevR0YRsbNVqbJXorr8gLvI5MX5nqOt7KiPKtnfHSSsIXqRfPWeioKgEdE-SC06B2wPYTiCVfCuUnlAxeIVrftKKWd-j_eobJBUEp4Qo3hTvs4RHnMuT0K6ed1G9XYD77RI73OF6HlZ6jbd3WomzPuIwhI5mH_v3et84CluNAIUG8vfaAu0ib-jRoBIKzyX3qG9zBG90Oj_32EPwmNy6rnTLfGGbVRiv5XohGgO0QC4MQYcRcnXTi9SCQ-HPwnbYYGjbd7o41Ymx3A5ezE=w1064-h798-no



We kept on going into Morocco. Drew was still stopping for Kidcot Passport stamps at each location, so that helped fill the time as well.


rwjVmvkOXn8ukFG3S3xda23NLO_BwCdYqUkirVWm_Xzu0ZbBf1FygQHKmD9uWwu6gar5cit5TF0RGG5cvGrlDJDFf0h7uEv1C7kIbysOyVCaib8B73e9QmY0Mbfjo5k__ZchI0QyQFIP_4n1dnRoDqbR7QCBKp12zeiIYPB-bPXMITs0wcNlwEHHRBMiiy85HeBNhjMcN9gtK-Gg7byiRDWr5kPUBrWHBMMU6eloAprVMSfipZPXqZRzl_vC1ArWK-wWzOgE3ugKEg1Ssos8X7tcg1bRrBjJjLLLyYJeJDwualPBvhf1OeE6FyrVneX2Qh45waV0_aMoU6SPUWIPA3YXSloI-PpW3Lt_hQXlTxbkUFGUvSPBv6pqhQEBoFJ3eTinkIL-89SM-ph2r--aRGsgFYAXbfTvfBVoiELN0KMNeqZI6H5_mdEMX8uI7773vuLL461Zw4XbUpN4o29MjqP2OBuGMJ5eOxtgjWpe0Ob-ju6YRKpZyHuu37GE-s7UUlJzrIMGZX-qgR-aefala0JMz1CfV-kbjf1w_aPHmq3foz9k3-DSLJxcQPJxlQOi6PNIFiWfbDijRe76k3SDSPDjvwjJSa1nZLnkD5HG1PZJCWh48LlR6j4c7pFIl6bxtLovaL-x-JxLbgfTTMwLshOZCW8wnySq=w1064-h798-no



buVL-2x2G8H0_QNrmw55RSsPw82Mqq0tzkDGWxkTIzde1yc2ytpDvi2Wb150RVFP8BGlKjx6ET4bFVjRUR2Zs6gbT0fTfCYPLEUuPhHJK_2pQ8-_kwujYAf_VVfK5WrWWtZUrOG9b_lD1NIUa_BGpdFy0VQOm1A72Uz_RpiN94rhUW5wYLhw2Am4yODrh97hMSghNxCSUhGLZca1_2XIjnPtcm3ZP6eN9ypJ_3p9pqq-lESm3J9FYixZWLKignJV53D7cIK5_dzupSWA27elUKcjJ1ACNMguwIeQpax8LZpQLSKE1wQjiVkHf_899nY4UTr401oWwjirTHK3PcALTSqx-rSfs-hV2gDsGHQJVonbAjtpf-PyNbk-yaaHFWj5FUONZXSSJgUYPxMRPrNtrK1Z96Yl6qSu9QewNSTJPdgflWMYOvaZDSW9rl56ClzL-2ZwK9Hd5FLui3Y70i4MYoJfLYXPPs3LB4FJuX7gcdEY0l09qVXAXRFfBpZDtDZOPRRMTr7xRnqLuuBH407EanxXsojrqFS56QXWfkPmoFQC-cGS9QG3sP_wOBAkwbcdvszLqgSJJMfJRTn76TH4kvifSluiy8zb3xHqr5tvXRtpYU5O98SzzcYd0YzFezxzZpGTAWdDcQTmHftFFwMtO5AKKiGo36F0=w1065-h798-no



Next stop, France. You can really cover a lot of ground here.


wWztZFI9riNLsMeGCw6H4CRpM48TfiII51bqwsDA88OoN2B31t2aTf_9jf9goFApgOKq4iorhokoEoxObEM6MAVoxV9tSVelRDYUNse2uK2D30MHPBpV8GDgDnpW0plIJKLzsyzjWC0-E5gPatjVKQixtBjy_hEkbjddhKYxxjFq86cEz5dSVuweVLsce82IiOOVG1R40wmz0VWYO-o_l9UGxyltFVaEnfD-GaLJNkUMT71NFX9P-iDkHB7-ZByK4GeduHwiBjfoDrKijzJxwCnbTOgrG9If1D6FF3bmJKmAXWwbuO9PfvXrXlOlZeHJqypENPHPp8eH6HmikYNtt8GpzhIHk5QGX6JmxxfVUrqtjNBBfQuUGi5nyGEPIPOrr76nMQ8svkbKSwUY2115eY-GNk-hvpLbnQ7v_EodAfq-jjynpeiYag9ZrfgJakH25Pf93MP5Fh2k_hkESVd4MQOEZ4uAEIH7O4WLAmU-ijCqTR7L_fxYDwg5_ug-qOKPb5TAB0sN0OIGpktwSfhjJHDgxiAhSzI7xZyZqmh37pWnyPhdg68l6a8T6mXuHK_UVGMc2OcyZ23LVnkdJHr955OfVWAMDN3pH-Hps14zNAEAfSKyKiyo6E2GpsRlofOqWK4WLJCsnl1-davZ_wUoc8QgBv6hY-q5=w1064-h798-no



zPIO-3VF9AvhcCupgXmxci9aUwVQOyqJXzCSni4gC9-E8URaHrEw6hYBuJTnJTHISY-O_DBgBuPv0862G-qKkWoZ-jqIvUq9b91JtLunc9Oe_dsKEwvIk-7vyxnxU8fToRFTyUshBCrgdSYyG-9AeshnNvo2h8GGC_-gIuGXZZRSwn1RBllwmyK3sz0VSwP_KFWjs52RQKIE7CtF3cb8Kxpw_KJnDdsHyYypOSSLxodw-jODbEx9HpCLHeOLd89byQyiB9B6ObWiYkZoRckQa2VTedrEKMq-hxe6mKcvQeDP5f4iQ1Z-DbhkFeGfU_zhseqzZM95fHR4JZrsI6-DWZEM1nAtyu4Ac9Aadkv5LLXVdtjO8eRayG-XXBkp-q83TTBcG7gL3_3WhnR_7pfY3iNANZEbNKAbpyG8FJR4bEeMyrFhQTrmgPKeOd-JAEjNeKW_6WCUy5CwcxDookfQZ6MP9447QEb6nCksIz0WJo27WyOKpxAfp4X3u2iRL9Y0LTVBC6y4SlbCguxDcwmc9ouiIEVT_HqHY9_HWyxxIz5VH4eXz6mSQritiL7X34PkbjdqI_my73wdguu3fQqeHhvDf_8zCVPo5uOdmgJn6wAyJKHilFIFV1Bb1YVENO5-uOQKhi3D79Wz7RHspjjdmGde3UEzMYtO=w599-h798-no



Always remember: when you cross the bridge, you can see both the England and France pavilions. There is no more appropriate location to loudly declare: I see London, I see France!



When we arrived in England, Drew spent quite a bit of time saving the country with the help of Agent P. Retrieving a golf ball from the phone booth is always a hit with my kids.


j3k_q5bpMymKoVK92Z4OcjabhbDMii6EnRhEtadjDFbFHmYcWtxWfhJcl10OubQIsUkQk_4N8smsmVKxHjqsYZ8f8NCL7BTzGX9NKyLpYgmSNKo_h4Gxoi9KVntZrUVb6ifsbFCvECr_r3npnb3eoV2rzVHu66bgrlMvxsIm5togqzwjhVOK1USY8WWgVPcyDKYm4g4utogZq_sx8XrZmfEPyup1_yzskL_rHVi2swqR5EWyyCZzdqvwZcvtjkhSzAYFp-ZrQ5KLLlbV2WTJdA-cpkNkcGP1RyDHjXHrJ6-TDp0DSfUm4yXgNn_FVii27p50lxv9Iye_84oPNQDaXyFv79uNxG2voIe9g-jU4v9VhMVJgz7dcstY_lk3jLOd4MIOLLRynWHFggwSLPUVKZGvfm-00ghXGdPNRyXjQSVeUBI2A_vc0-No8g4Z-imszjuCUDGTtA2kOhty45Yujxvhhk29MhPnwQRi0mT50Fnyg8tMqNpeKlzaOpg_ZY-x1P872VjaT8NxYaue9HeL6-LlLLVp88ZAh41Ha5Z75eUzeVg2Bj_Otw1FR4tMTM2FsqWALkAcWlZbkPIQsQxSVbHdePhmz1TECxKV1CfMLGoefDbaCznytCtVW8D5a32Zc3fwQdHnN4O1MB3qOC6FmYRhiYNiKf3r=w599-h798-no



At some point, the CM’s must have been bored as well, because the started a spontaneous limbo challenge. As you can see, Drew had no issues with it.


mBnMl5Fd5mVstPC47gsYlWpEK1Fd44aT9qFq0g4K-H00zz4Sal21skhlnIdCXZ7znY4WuhKZOuCN56kS_CZf4IErm8zWlnBVrRxwfGuq2H8cIdxKKvPx7xiw8WlpRElb-I1HVeVZa741KRp9REgEtIOtdfhRkwxpNJ7-B-0N2pNz6bCUFcI8AwvVhQJNHI_h5h1mWzotR0SDliMIsoY3lg33DcBGqWw2_IDIuHgeF_Adwxcuuc5Ju6mNl29lMvRiAZBsj85jTI5pPdbJJbfUZ5wSYgqv9W6Stq5HJG98As9GtiEzI9BpasCSZl5w6klhI2mfyDB817mO74SD7AW5WzECim18AJ3n9C7R7gPfchiqBGi1wlVDdgraJPK2NyITmtx_W894Sk-wlHRPUpFohH_pnfwLMu-rYFrJ5jSQMUYcXk6gIFPGAhZiL8sNR5vSqdN16jwrIdwz2flkWEEf1l1rKfiULLsa_yYoZfS98HI4PfBYQ-G5sdINCo-bdLjjanw0RvTyUKiUTzcWJuooE_BlPQAnIwhMt1sbOtSNukf3JXwyScDI7RUBARkIb97TWMQ7N02xf3b0sh1f-AW3RTyJSJc-le93p7syxtVoJqL217guQw_mfGe2pGKEdUkQW_U8AN3BTlxuvLI0n5RTrrS-3bqlyezL=w1064-h798-no



Perhaps more impressive was the fact that Sarah (of the recent spinal surgery) was able to join in.


jwRu6RLiD3MGV900s9zCejJhaVHAwlVcaG-ql3IxdBU6PfdLk70r2WNUs8CPGeHM0us4U1iCBU-pkXQNCBJDSjcJb6uzi423of1k75-SGTxCOIrlkkfVXd_13dcNIvnNya46ChJF_RMmCzPgwqPewxOH0SizLXgnAYS1VJhu8oFa8OXzW2L9Ris5IsxXXIsUiE97-miBRF1twhwhd8yzhDt3jgKZb7ZW6vAcKKDiSaSGDfDd2Ke75715FkzgMl7i8u_ykw9wkkcGggvnn_d37z21aaiqif7ansci3XiUhtQTZ4WgeSdIOG_XEoDxR-ic0l7ETeutmQbI_kxVYpDyDu789oZuH3_qolHr_18BuUiMu_tMgVaGklohhqVaWpOCb7-QK7L5iMk3JX94kopPcD6Bf3Vws_Kd49Rmo1XrPQQj3D5aNgI_CxAkcFLIdUS6dpW7Imc9Pd_WJ2R0yVDKrZMsxZHimOYNZU5R42JFViL0wxCr3hOh2m0DdT-MM7X32lCvflLJOSUBSg4Fr0McBGnzyBBJxn4RfkTlAkIn2thbNBChBAaIpgQjxJggQLBNGC7l0fSp4SoxALzRq1V3zwEtiz2Vgq3UHgKJ1cU6oMe8c9eE6S3Ah1UGaS3hpneUP8-qZU4K5srbvKpfAGP8VbH-N3wx3wfS=w1064-h798-no




The skies were darkening, so we moved on to Canada once we were finished saving the world. I did not pick up any Beaver Butt soap this time around, but I still felt the spiritual presence of @pkondz and @Terra Nova guy .


8oPhqMnsyLrLpb262E8c7zNCUQfVoJpV8nZtyhnw_RNftxLumH74TjwmjMYc3123pvKLBQ1QKpioqChfKsx43ZpFNG1WdDNxWpHLWM8qYe24LFwDPngxEPGdfdW3PKR8NHgk7BAOxsQ_aaijJULTseK0vBM_iysIzgno13rCFTjm24N-qyEi5q_IRCh9rW2_KweWp-LIrxodRC0JxVJcG5iMozSKJVGPSdorcbBy8DwRHHRklWUdbTJuyqnF3rqRPB9aHmzdJT3tAJZEUH8m7ud9dAOIK2pIEZRapwGU4cFsnUrQqefuMUzf32sX_67md_7AgzspvA5c3PjpiUxgcG875UBeX0QhPv5QOkFWaPKRNWff7qGLo7hcAdT--A2SeHgbEpiTAB_CNkrx1tNwlIfLr9UMJVfK0chNv9MzdSRD4r6B7p9BewbrMmep0j_BWrxlX7kaDRsruGuNEZuxJ78Z-FMKox3OD2Wjgz_1cIDEy1iW2cCsm1j7KNBejQZawtgtcVgZyVokX8lRxIjJzyxtMItpdBPxxyezDSim5yYXi3wVt9xR1waPODhmW2I6914EMHhtS0mPahzusRLA1RbuQgMnovkSspy1SfWFoOgaR24GZGvK2BYHlChcSl5z15VlaRbwdPVzPxS3TqIDB-eKBQXh-Itu=w599-h798-no



I’ve always liked this little “hidden” pathway through the Canada Pavilion.


ntlGOnRjeuyBAUGsBDe2olk3W5WJabp4uTsB9FZ9cafzqwDowRgsexptWoAB5w7aripzCK4kRXa5AOCmOxEp6JgPmX8RcjW0w68-tNZ4nkKUs-_f3TYuAEb50Qm2TV41sR4fKg9F2vLfYkz13v71dGsTODfwOCAg5tF4RvXOqknqv27u85fk_PTIxC4MkmB4YwnC-XWxZOmMoGVwd8Lmn0lrW95yJ8ZVSnb3K5-r5JPJfTPFU4S7y-QiL28fHifCsjVWoh4Zx43tYjMnM4ymO87e3QxPIezG9eGUE82dxhNpqXYSJdH4P2SAJpzY-f5NG0soVHiV2H5d32ELhNopWEdseVa1jbbveeVY9t2GqNzPv-JQ72sp7qLHQOVvUa2m9PxaJAixkowIvRNWFTTjfc5f8Uun_iU2kHL1YQwEXwgvW8pejAeA_ejj8xTIx4Mq9oxGAiPsRhMOrqTPQq7VN7GgKudhSgZbLjqESs77Hp4w0XwqcBzBzNw4KElbjv-5sJnTzO2IqwRL2Um__aymveqz5ohuKTIwpX9Frh3hBkq6oY8-V7fYqqzwjxtILHtbrEL3NeEIYU3G3uovqrJQ0_vwqBU6XGoduB9Zt9m25YRzBk-cjDBkpjTEkhRAS7CqI51Y9c0N6yKKULWSelcg-IdPMeX_W1lT=w1064-h798-no



D0xoLH8U_8TGySsMV_PKa4ZGRss1y3Z5BtyXtZ_p-_5TvOKTD0F5ygzw0fs428NcADsLIZoay3Y_r38W1PAynKXWe8BQ9hhcsS_9pJQ2B3HXgew8RVulNOf9KN4t-DDmJWq8wYhhIbdZwrjNfss9-ucrkUeVQulvEnJw-QcXDvY1eR7UQ_ZZMKo2Q8vjVYNb9pqXjTdTHHMQbND2MxQb9M5ByNRr0wjEQYxIemeu8QM2mfav8fCTFLRjhqeIZMKW6SL2Lp8jjI3_I9Ty3a2vqYzvHnWvNlg0uuKOcI64eNnC7l6FfU3DB2oguHtFFxVX0ABuoSqVFGiuERGzKXAEo5nUkQEMJm6jp05h-zKHaUFpi4OUrdOroweu4quuD0RjYAnfBwjARSVCABWLXgVyHxIh32kWtXdNkwErwT0Tk-m2OMW0gTdV6YeePmovThtIv5rTeCxsP6MB5RJWQF316gk0BAWaH1cbiGeVTFidTTVOrOuCk5h5ZgboaQYpf761wJOQuL3XGvCausIoH4u1MZLAxDGuybuIv4IYO7LQrXwX4Izz4BPKaSQrowZdRXm7GpnIQL2FKFP7KlJ6Y9Xyq_yy8k3LgF_x99Rg7ErG6Rjgy1ab_Gi3sDTMIgf9Kozr-D8_TGFOD5fgdb3bSN74vKgOm8SmwMlt=w599-h798-no



And of course, the gardens are beautiful, too.


F0_OOPayKAnuc4f78xKrBrsQY4kSgywYrEtLpzECbXBczResjJwTzGSMNOKIYNQHO9pwrLgvV3KyKsE3N5Wj5mzWAGrmAqbUIrB6_fumKpe70Y4cMz9MJ5mZh_p_2Jcjg0rz3Nub4LC3w45KtRAQ8gxaWIJ4LQDtGZ3XnwThtG1Vtnul-0_KHCMJvc9J2GaHx8GjtgV1_RIeyoOZtNHSMz8Vo5hzSJv2i0-mSXaUxjnhrzhfqYhk3_YxWMhQdqrpO6T6HxBGXqNhXWg3aXLnX-ajWzzkeGDTsJww6vAQjfqjUT1Q8LnwlvAA_CCzhdNW9pSWe6W2VeBIb3ziHml5YnImzitzJhxkTjwOiCkUCs-ZXfCeYElGVlq6ggsS-JAAu-PwT3PaNHkC_P2oC5bBJbvgwXcgZKWblbhnnL0rbow0-qAdC6ZV76h8xoCeJpiCHaTeF0TS9ptEPH47W1jART1sNmgV8nlHvD7KmvFYRDdvXvIp5Um43lndVylHUjIlPjk1tAVCH_tydlqmxDFlxwl2dTM4vwlR3EIRw3t88ioM-KgUvMIwBV2jQPHeBZQNxAaFc_yfO-TK7GYCimnChqsyb_MtQ9v8QTlTRsNOJ8Unw6Z8BORoUTiivZKGETd-eCInFvbh3HP1WHj6OCQ0UkJL3z61tihR=w1064-h798-no



We had one last FP for Spaceship Earth to use, so we started walking back to Future World. As we walked, we started to feel a few drops of rain. Nothing serious, but the afternoon shower was close at hand. Julie wondered aloud if we should stop at one of the gift shops by the World Showcase entrance to take cover.


I reasoned that it was only a little bit further to MouseGear. We could go in there and take care of some souvenir shopping for the week.


More raindrops fell. Julie started angling for the small gift shop. I pressed on. “We can make it!” I said.


More rain. We turned onto the main walkway between Future World and World Showcase. My shirt was starting to get wet.


“We can make it,” I said with less confidence.


The heavens opened, like we were at God’s kiddie play area in the swimming pool where the huge bucket at the top fills up with water and suddenly tips over. We were apparently right underneath it.


“We’re not gonna make it!” I declared, just so everyone around me would be fully aware of the now dire situation we face. The only move left was to make a break for it and sprint.


We dashed through the curtain of water to MouseGear. Sarah was the first to make it, followed by me pushing Drew in the stroller. We barged into the shop and took refuge. Scotty and David were next, already trying to shake water loose from their drenched t-shirts. Now that we were all indoors, we figured we’d just have to wander the store until the rain let up.


Wait, something wasn’t quite right with that statement…


Where was Julie?


I counted everyone again—there were only 5 of us. How did that happen? I tried texting Julie…no response.


After about 10 minutes or so, Julie entered the store, soaked from head to toe. As it turned out, she had tried to take cover at one of the little souvenir kiosks halfway down the walkway while the rest of us had made a run for it.


Apparently, that strategy had backfired. She was…how do I put this?...less than pleased. Hey, on the bright side, we have a fun story to tell now, right honey?


Honey?


Sweetie-pie?


Would a cute kid help? That always helps.


cYJxpTS3kjypvBrxmqTrGtur_c2mD3n9yxIT4HMC1tWrUA-xDQqgx0Nx4cyVes_hj8ZWtc1S5vtObCcLccQ3eCNoyHiOsiP7mzlEUhDDL9A6AWxBAeCe0gYQnVr6otTCcoQ-5IAK2npvhjGus6pB7g2epqF9QfYNMY3gqOfugpkbS8mwwdo4Lb119WIEs3bsFDQ6FpEjTivTmhe4-yFiuXSxtiMzY2xR770fPVN_aOeXTrrv_HkJ6q2r4DeXDY2PFGzrY1X5JICL6TsphKLTOdrDkH0ub25CnAPVA8iqM4l_N1wNfXmwun30QR-TeFKPYRjpNbMyPfJwao4Gm-bvzOPnZ3Mz17EwnwgGsaMLRcAifyDfTr3POu3-Vy9Z1EB6AtMviR0Ja--h4dvnkham0F0Yr6LstW71wTnsmvGgONmv01l87-3Pfe6Gxxp0Dh__iSFRiWG5E5cCawVOKxD0HvzzUQmPWND4F5kHbK99FJQKy4HpDym0W54flBTIBdPOdzU7R-6vGDKn-BTuqfKHoB6GX4XJ7ah6jKzzJLOKQ4cbPH5F1jeHMDWDhpeoY1VdibHJDrXUL8wBrpGiTiu1qtpqfH0GKT2lkZk3MF1WwnVYm6wy_tx5JGW3FhKwyI27GbCXjD56FzT9Yc6J8C-gsYzby3SPah_N=w599-h798-no



It wound up being a fairly expensive trip to the souvenir shop as I tried to buy my way back into her good graces.


Gradually, the skies cleared and we started to air-dry as we walked to Spaceship Earth. Once again, I was too ugly for the camera to register that I was actually on the ride, but the others got some fun poses in.


-HqFz-2f0q70_YCVnYU-NMH1nDTVXFOWClxiICoP11Vw8wO0iYKbOxnZSimy8vrIbTJvPByoEwLU1ZkrUKGVppq-MBaleub6eafy0Y42DUiJF7TB-SUyJzjdh_UQV70Iw03rLeOqUZ3cS0uFTSt-T4Es04Eqwv_rVWxt5U5-HFM3fuE0Gg2phSPvjqLuuzHYsg4YWdw8v-eLh5YiRatxdWeDwdAvAeRQcxiBjjT4k36jV-TtCVD9lCAWnYJUJjKa1mKvgAq0HVoQt6AS_ZR4xO9DeBYgNB1DLM87bLiW4WpJSZtzrjeLmJBEgKlLwqK6NorFL1fVNFkA9LpmJdmsJSM0jgSVkK1hAmdYu_qv2M1sr7k28V4qzHbZpSEPlWo6C9aV8NpXoejNEc5QdVfabf3dPH4lthA-MIFQ_W2v0IhuPVS3zi0QmsQ33pm7RF1DkivOALG8eWdILQxs4clrT5SkNLdh3pAA7Zcdsg54XBfp5xXqauwuA32ezSmUv9zndk3QD0DmwmEOownSWMScqlsIJP0sVKqPfcIsnq4KKnnR4Wst9yf7ecIYNhc04IEmW2ufZr7BrLcK3H8AKpWLr-2EWYKsJwpJDYpPUyskDLN5TtcT1d3mMa8x004Rs0WlOLxZ3j3YTXNP0tYEOJU4xURr8bwAqRY3=w1064-h798-no



1SMvNae0LAano2i4HvrEmxacsj36i2HEyzCFSJAx8cUGDOIs3hq0945yI4-FlsZPml2vsK9eAFsLe2Yc_m4O06PfIRNbDGYeMxVXyn0HPVmn0YLO1Ga61CJOCrUnZMBJQfcpks7THRe65hR0QRc-dOnjp85rM2zb2_vy-nvj1oKyBAr1WUaonVeKF88qQFjGV0gU9EgDzchK8w0NbAww1cU0nz1x2R6knBUu-wk-7O4p2fiHLBTDVCgvH3usJ5L--7zm5oxKDLrL66A13gZmUd30GUqQZBU9NVjeNoOzU3cQhkHvn2zkHzpeBTByg3WcBW-vPap66AVixZF-wc_TeUZ936LPScozJPhBhkUXFkgq1uYqJETL7lPc6pton4Z0O35TquaRGaOwDBoR43ltqZ7cpSVhIusRZuaK_WM77MQZxG4YAJLdQMawrETs_gDhTm73SvkpY6WJv-0eO0pl93gOa7jBNXOUhZvxPLQBqlV6e2lgb8In_eFf17GJ6bAP113Wb-MSIQGy6hvj21VMxI_lul8jzXdrkhCbYAqSBJUZfeGweh4V8Mivd7J4krwC-qxZKJd-2-8KRUqdDsjGwN2KcdgCBqqZ3Pi6Y8BZK6pjdQGYbtr-A5fZgkQ7WARFpN758eztWCtTMHW0EdK_sJrB1uaMYWGa=w1064-h798-no



We found a Photopass guy out by the front entrance and pretended to still like each other.


zx-7MAlCJAQnd3WzFmTOM6ppBLOVT9j0finI6dBg2v3CSf3jCgSt2B8Vdecm1eKpFKcgfs52ycZlgTi-T7NtCqhaadalumInT6djjcGIGulFiIhkfLaCsqnoepHOUltsukVvwta932nveChYFe-0fDeB__31SrBXVRCLVD9lcFlZWNm5u-9xTVq7NuE2LHPgunOjyUIq6TP594H1TpE1-XVFc1kKhYNBc9asTdw_AA_he8Km1QstDFicOeoZv8Ng1MIny-oMKi8gZgOSygdIFAuP6Jr6r2C3rkX-GMWgkpKBYZSPMotit-AsZc54Id55pB9NRHCWt5Um5eID77gQbw2lW-JBQn8Q4cYOvdchqP5VjKC5FZw4InG-5n1FjrHc1TaNFPGdbOSTS6sLYHJS1t58KxBcVphgHEvr2-4lNyiHmqom9zomra5gZ9lt5s-R0KpfLqlVELzBUT48bAjwa7mLcFHQLwFhgVS2gWIkQ6_K_lGzoWi915IANNNqtS050N4xG0IMpgbBMV75NGgO_DwKnV8yE0rDzqo2yg3SwS6Ew995oHOVnbaMrOuhUdYYtNwpiHWH56UnfOq1CTxZ9FgeFtpZUaXwoSiVvMStaB9FsN4Ze7UKjJHMQAmTmSi3GBUVmdFLSKNeNtdh6caTJhZXD1BtFXJY=w532-h798-no



MbGY96WUwjcj1eaVeP3xz_5fbDTIYXWlSNZEfCURvJaIM_JpJJoxUsfAMlSml-d956mhKalb-ORGOBFJKsa-8Ze531rYlf8qp_nNPArNcMyYphzJsG2FBOA-bAV1-dDZVHimCvGijhPoW2x0wa30hdtACmVKqw4MxTHe2qctuGhh5mPbQGCB5fnjIUDkN8dKW9fIPGd1MyoKHNLe7cvfvvM938NWJazC2yYAkWqkznGj8BJeYY5qwOnIeFTByIUdbSgxDNLRIGuzjdfsUx-lM7e6I5FkFkEXNhkw6bih_K-ns77s7hvuaRLi0UUGh_Iz0j3ctgzqQZ5Mi71dmEQSNNI9jCjEABjHmUT1I3FCxivj5gk9TTVmawDDLngHU0XppmV-x2-zy6hVKKHXlNcTeLykYGKpWLBTZDChWRd0HJRTRIWaxH4bL2MvXdMtMFzB4qO0u9h_90gjWdMgOPNOa-HcL_kxGiNB3S1jTF1CTfB-WYLnNTrdXfZ7we1hnc-awvQcO8fOjd2PfaChhdLNkbFQUf6Pn0Q6wjgk8jbW-WGo3XnqcLkkDmjpPxcG7TZcqdfHPCaa2LhfGkLAZJaSlThp0K99Las06RiysaZXOLBpZqXABrGYYGgriVmrfRmTPjOwcuozS3olC-3wdly7Wsjei4ZXl742=w1197-h798-no



nlH-AFNcprImEFza9nXT55rVppI_jA1WHWr0rNdwX5kyvk6-nFEeS6i2p5eFZXDCpQWDLryyIrvj8AeVnESa_jTr3YHd8GC1UguFicAY5uAECZVnHxHy5n4ZY-qFN0gS5VnE6shBFu-tf9y5x075-xTmXSDo29Fnz5kOEDav9wdE-FQx-zs2-RfeIYkx06l5Qg_atYH2D1WsbE7JuhswrtYdYmd_0gR6pwMOlpx8v_NqyC3LJdw8Cu9zJULqxSCpq5Loeah4eNtm53xDbinsioSv4kRfHRFmIxdbaLkDBOOUEgRIcozibZGW1XXms49M9wgmCfOd-GS5S644rueqjJfQqsoyHpSXNCG-PvrATyMAg7I7odMoP17jJG3eFUTFORvBGlJHG3UPz8WSrw5lEHUMpq7k0NyQz6dxgN2KbkoUYKu1JA11ulLwcGrMlf4v4elmexmYb6Wc6GGGZdFG8z2hO9f0lQ1uCMGqW3Bk3rK58x59CywP_jWDPgEIem61B4qHe-qH8sO9zwpTRWb6FfdTBpJLtyzCX93zhGdTh8EhW1HgGm3kD6wlugoNsGGV2e0V0bP_T_9BiCG3QZzll8s7QOvoVKBL7xem32nFZvAICT9NKtKIs-kIrwQzFbTwUbv3XE5YUY1dndD83V0ee7-A5bstFE2X=w532-h798-no



I think we faked it pretty well.


It was getting to be late afternoon and the heat was back with the sun. Drew was about done for the day.


Dtl_3zcoBnuxxcRUB2zpGibSkSTekY0ntiQI0nqDP1RSfWnQORxQjnfCh6NaO7xS11POKFFrjAyniHtJK9xUpL5Sav6wvWxSgFTQ3eLOK3UNWGlSV_JDIvry2rgad6uWB-4L2FGs_aAYkPUdA6vVaSv9DNBS_0Pyk0-I8QqLidXge6B9QSgEd5QUt08rzhZXLyQjjp4KhQ5tQhzU4jUYhVRdL5MKmkg6mLGWs0OoHQF5OfNaOkYiU9rutlDRFoyScLbM_sWZWtL6A744bBWv6m81C6f-qddm0Ma_L5rhB7VxdRxL7R8pargsQgOiepnQ7ccwcNWXu-awRc5TDAWs5tO7al7kJgoBSbc4HQviM1LlWu_n0igu1ExS0ITlKeBU53FQUy9EALnWW72jyR8a7UVTKqWJjylB_6ik_zTe18YZOZWBjshjw5ONdDlH5HjlRxhXGpjzFnyhgHJqDHyfolchsvkYd0rVog_H7aRz4yl2T3FyTLAexUqN1AET23c9NjYd_JO055wsJJa18DEv-nbfHwKpOtldtaTfuv8BQ0Pv1Pe6257w5zqgrNpjq_6Wds3YVG63WvSg1agBbz63x_hnLLORz8ysHa281kLDnNc3CRloA1MqgY07a_ilPCO7537AgPiRnq0E3kACGBEONKjbXBeXsksq=w599-h798-no



We stopped in Club Cool just for something to do. Dave and Scotty put their heads together and, being 1) boys, and 2) bored, came up with the Beverly Challenge. Each of them would fill a cup with Beverly and then down the entire thing in one swallow. I managed to get the following priceless video of the event, which was joined by a late challenger:



We were getting hungry, and we’d already had our sit-down meal for the day. Our choices were either PB&J sandwiches or to scrounge up whatever snacks struck our fancy in EPCOT. Seeing as how we’d left the PB&J supplies back in the hotel room, the choice was made easy. Taking care to ensure a balanced diet of starch, meat, dairy, and sugar, we all shared in a veritable feast of cheddar-bacon soup, cheddar-bacon French fries, and cronuts.


ZmDw2kbZr1WIJGBXapn3RD-dQaLlgmnPENsRtK2vpHRpS8eMKz13fKEIfUdoDHXWaxhiRHh33SuGbMyE-kT20u5Nq9CmegJ6Zz164LJ_-q1lfgQ_nYnKs2djAXthmNAO56oTmbrBh8WDDGUplWq6xK1STEVysswwnG2OzuqACwQoNHkUr55xQpy4ejigK2lJrs252-4cROeWAnTaX7mGLrK8ZiQn58hq-dh7FhrDx5KzR4V01G4o_h3DBtKo4LVGngVVv6jPil1fzpwhT1LuHFQkfG_aIRHHJveQK7frhn7X5obYwKT87iYd-oIpUN89OVGASdlnWz2QONP94mRDR1lleLd6qAbmkgs6a1zJ6rUbEAe78TlMmr0REFQrCEI886IpDCGNDptiHfrnep9yppAp1fISxCHCZAhVnGTZ81jIWiYl5lPMk9jIatZheMDuwBfpQyObnwZTjzlGdRFMnJBIKlhWqWWXnGJGDqc-mMV5MVIEBcqkWPdEKAD2-tWCIEscBSYP8tZCvL0oIwUlOXFi0IaxyrQNXN5vK6Wtq7nsQEjUWaSrLwSJ0NQa_8MhGc62Ld_4pqkjzso_P5a6-AGgJLEPxfyx0gJyFeeozw4q8IQDiydy3L16HZCioPneVpIJEXGK7oJvBKFUxAT6tCKNbnuEn8jX=w1064-h798-no




8mVY9aQNC0v4alSlGMMeJWd3QzAMyv3XaIn9oPBw9qL1sK3MqTxjsH5sCw-6XVIIY0OjJzm-taQwy_B7p0YS8uibCB6zgaKT96qJ7LPTxy8ofDSEFUHvgTMAt6BUI3KGxcrUUBcRNBXp8FomOXiB3_0VcC1R7AH1NTNKZ-h580XmWDf_ZB5CvfMEWHzOOZ-lflWe3G0hBOyrlUcOV7C6QpmZV_X0ymQGeCJMimmDskX-v7jHS52LJJZ7PeUTxtrhp2MIRThxbIXRlbEVge9H4BMWeBXIVViSYfNp4ft7Y8FLgb6mqc_0o3vaKvhqZKfZkq8d3s0wIlTQqYuTU7YontRk5dqR1r7Ww0nHAFqdo8c79FyinkqjSpAYADqQ1faupV4LSLd5ownmhHtS2e3xFkDbkofHbpzoG6xvv2z5aqyN34yBqf6z3Xi5Lpu2Nc8ciSl2qMNi0kVLO7hyqDeVhDOQ_sA_XOBYfPw4zZ-LMeBVQW3NH_fMoQcuHO139GkLtvu8YZpeQBEXHTKqH_dctrsJPbvM-__kGIBycz37jxWhqcvBn3ycE-XKYd_HnwaNUxtVvRSMOqonhUymETiS04jOzQZHMsZJRmAC2IF3ggSjupJjkpAgRF30GoMNherUf90-EhsWdiTDvwlX2sF-xryjzxv_-N1L=w1064-h798-no




You can feel the arteries hardening already, can’t you? Everything was pretty decent for a snack. The soup wasn’t quite up to the level of Le Cellier’s version, but it certainly worked for us. It was especially good once Julie revealed her master stroke: she produced six pretzel rolls from her bag, having successfully smuggled them out of the Biergarten earlier. Rumor has it we are now Delaware’s most successful crime family.


Our day drew to a close.


izyQU817fr7SAq98Zuwi4eYTyTN9rYIrPaXbHHcLWbl0f6xdGsh55tW62Ht5aRBiOz-BORbeFhrhQbPEEwTdzCmedn1HsSNeUfLqurw9DQamlx2Dnxsl8ywIuTOIX22GURpsDVzs5pQBLpffFTGrOa4Zclpuac6LnxeBBxNo9MViKROOgpleGyXq5OQ7FesyV5toeYThTcMAJVzMBajnGOC-01wWhKYSKMMxJP4RB1igpk4LqIPAYWnB0pY9HP-xjGxfcBYu0e35LpL7ITTQWUcYNeyPkHRU1jpGWFiJaDEnedu7NV047iv3xFzIsdWbL7PHKKAClv6q35c3jEB4S7cYUyKh04WH27StwR8g0qwqpi1n8dMf9AZVYKDvryBY44brJgG4zVsyMOOQcmjQb3NQJ7dKVC0M0EFge9MEe68nqm9L26usGrYODdvrvd12kIHx-oa8_wZZxnWnYfWgUGcbCpjv-0GpvM6rfmf4RcLK7M_hbs1MxIeEdi28keZxhQG1G9ce3uwthJ9gfSFRRlkJgkXCpxP5xDjnghqzEK8vGjQ2g2OHTL-iUq2v6E-M-uRkTs6EZOsdYxjbGnbNLUIIo2_MsHxFA5wQYck_lkYmKqMQEqkee9-tfUi2lGTS-virxrbIt46eN4NmLYaNE2TUP7UYOLFh=w1064-h798-no



Rather than hang around late for Illuminations, we decided to call it a night and head back to the hotel.


gxZ-aHROsbjGR4EN57KDoNz5g5SlnUCbk0mZR9kOQISF9laPOkFUZcn7rDJedU0tBvZCZLt7-JzZirMh53FZcGoi7v6irfjMnIW16_m007W5UDLJZ9SzyIIopTNpbxg0IRoXiczFYpK7CrF4q8hoyUFEwveBeNUW_dZ0Y6p98haJyNJi8Dby1e_Jkd7CRQyRQDkofVt90lnFI7VJ9owGRu_akyVdVCHnmFckSBMNV2IWodRdMog4sMieot7eGNrJYR4UJJ1jRWPhLClQzNIFn2G68jPr5cbb3csQw0O4jvtRi2pee6nJMRaQtXoxEpwj3Ym5VDJslqj35wCd4x-Qk4WbNZeQBq5j9pPSVdg0xqwN2sVdYpiobbholPESelcar4VoM3wyKh3MBc7dqAQoEm_JiOQVzbWpKT2PhMZ7hhvggvu86ILOr_Gm7Qn5k-6cuntSC3wrYNVgcRp8tf_DYDeIFgCCU5UytzK17_7L4efUJ5tIAZKRTpOTzALlxrBYjvsUpFWvzdH67vJULLUdp2h2JbgyxZOOZiJb24XlTiugaelqtJ7WsVXeUhzpMbKL4AW07wJ4Y2sDnsnm81AmyzVq_100y_S39zCjqR1Goby7UjXtJCmnw7kfJm256ePu-b5RazL3oruTMNnTy_eAWzyirYNJDnrr=w1064-h798-no



sYhLSrHnLksV9o21YUJBR6tgIsUwJ6JyLlBziHAC1AfxEI1dbaP_osQf3hjteQ7OSB6clMGCp3rtQVgzv7A5un_GYtS0TehJiaJ8T_etJ7o9wuyzIno3M4o8VwArtp0NPSrmR0KPUwnMB1MNL6rbueC03xL6qKp-AT1BUcRdKGmm4L9UbfGJZw0dAVTDIKU2HNhyNZeH1-yDxceZ4qr1pVCINahYOH5YUs44p7LBULBUlNzxxbi7oL8WULITwvTh2qbHm1XkPVJ3kyjWO8s1TwmpKkvxVWUY3E_GF8PUamX5owButnIVgIdNFp3EFotI63Awo_LwoejpOCHR0OK7GJjrdPhONjNDhSW8BDPcNvQqNHdDm2wChmgNsD8vuR3JAGHLy7CbCa69Mw50t5zsTPsu7JPJpkbssBBa-0aY-I9j2HLeKGiwFJtAiqGK4lDstus7zt4G7JwBgva2r_PblO759_y_HgiRsfvPsGNAQnT2SF00ghPOCmRRTrWq_qthxZSNOWlMpGRY4eVZ49WdFsh9cSIYSGATh0M_XEjO7M5OPDW8jkF1BPtqYpgE5zmkmiHwMYXb4OLduLfL_mzeCWvDB2SZysfuOhwxvaHssDrsXIfOG_sHFbAKCBsHFIfAvcFG-IXnXldlB_WTWPXY2kh8h-aRxKJT=w599-h798-no



But first, we’d take a spin on the monorail. I’ve always enjoyed the loop the monorail makes around Epcot. As luck would have it, by the time we made the loop, darkness had fallen and we got to see some of Illuminations from the monorail as we passed by the lagoon. Rather than attempt crappy photos, we just sat and enjoyed the view. Then we walked down to the parking lot and beat the crowds on our way out.


Coming Up Next: Back to the MK on our final park day. If all goes well, we might hit a couple of milestones.
Will try to say more from real computer, but...

Great shot of you and Julie.
Give Sarah a hug (stupid phone!!! HIGH) five from me....her demeanor in Beverly challenge is amazing. Love it!!
I fart in your general direction my wimpy brothers.
:lmao:
Drew had already closed his eyes for the day, so how could "the day drew to a close"? Is there a :baffled: emoji?
 
Last edited:
Ready to negotiate....hourly, daily, weekly,monthly rate...what's your numbers? My heart just melts and my pocketbook is open.....


cYJxpTS3kjypvBrxmqTrGtur_c2mD3n9yxIT4HMC1tWrUA-xDQqgx0Nx4cyVes_hj8ZWtc1S5vtObCcLccQ3eCNoyHiOsiP7mzlEUhDDL9A6AWxBAeCe0gYQnVr6otTCcoQ-5IAK2npvhjGus6pB7g2epqF9QfYNMY3gqOfugpkbS8mwwdo4Lb119WIEs3bsFDQ6FpEjTivTmhe4-yFiuXSxtiMzY2xR770fPVN_aOeXTrrv_HkJ6q2r4DeXDY2PFGzrY1X5JICL6TsphKLTOdrDkH0ub25CnAPVA8iqM4l_N1wNfXmwun30QR-TeFKPYRjpNbMyPfJwao4Gm-bvzOPnZ3Mz17EwnwgGsaMLRcAifyDfTr3POu3-Vy9Z1EB6AtMviR0Ja--h4dvnkham0F0Yr6LstW71wTnsmvGgONmv01l87-3Pfe6Gxxp0Dh__iSFRiWG5E5cCawVOKxD0HvzzUQmPWND4F5kHbK99FJQKy4HpDym0W54flBTIBdPOdzU7R-6vGDKn-BTuqfKHoB6GX4XJ7ah6jKzzJLOKQ4cbPH5F1jeHMDWDhpeoY1VdibHJDrXUL8wBrpGiTiu1qtpqfH0GKT2lkZk3MF1WwnVYm6wy_tx5JGW3FhKwyI27GbCXjD56FzT9Yc6J8C-gsYzby3SPah_N=w599-h798-no



"It was especially good once Julie revealed her master stroke: she produced six pretzel rolls from her bag, having successfully smuggled them out of the Biergarten earlier. Rumor has it we are now Delaware’s most successful crime family."

Aha, I knew it.....You can sneak empty plastic bags into Biergarten.....it is just dim enough that it can be done.....I wonder though if maybe my purloined Schnitzel and Gravy will leak! I will be making my own attempt in May..... Will let you know how it goes...

So glad you got a chuckle out of sauerkraut joke....my Dad was a crack up and I sure do miss him....
 
Subbin.......popcorn::


will read tonight::yes::







T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL:wave2:
 
So here we are in EPCOT, having just finished lunch…and with not a whole lot to do.

That's sad, but I guess with kids you can't play drink around the world! :lmao:

We know we can’t ride Test Track. No FP’s available and the wait time is in excess of 90 minutes.

No, just no. I don't know how people wait that long.

Same with Mission: Space. None of us like the training mission enough to want to do it more than once on this trip. It was more clear than ever that Epcot needs some serious help.

I have to try that one. Last time I didn't know they only changed the green team mission. I did Orange.

there were FP’s available for Hoverin’ Around The World. So I asked the kids if anyone wanted to go on it, and…everyone said no.

That's just sad. I don't mind doing it, but I have to wait for the middle.

Drew was still eager to do more spy missions, so we could easily occupy some time with that.

That's good I definitely want to try one!

There is no more appropriate location to loudly declare: I see London, I see France!

Only you. :laughing: It took me a while to get this one.

I reasoned that it was only a little bit further to MouseGear. We could go in there and take care of some souvenir shopping for the week.

Distances can be so deceiving at WDW.

After about 10 minutes or so, Julie entered the store, soaked from head to toe. As it turned out, she had tried to take cover at one of the little souvenir kiosks halfway down the walkway while the rest of us had made a run for it.

Kiosks provide no protection from the rain. Especially when it goes sideways.

Gradually, the skies cleared and we started to air-dry as we walked to Spaceship Earth.

I would say Brrrrr, but then I remember its July. :laughing:

I managed to get the following priceless video of the event, which was joined by a late challenger:

Sarah rocks!

Taking care to ensure a balanced diet of starch, meat, dairy, and sugar, we all shared in a veritable feast of cheddar-bacon soup, cheddar-bacon French fries, and cronuts.

I didn't know they served cheddar bacon soup there! They have Poutine for Flower and Garden!

Julie revealed her master stroke: she produced six pretzel rolls from her bag, having successfully smuggled them out of the Biergarten earlier.

Now that is genius!

But first, we’d take a spin on the monorail. I’ve always enjoyed the loop the monorail makes around Epcot.

Nice, did they make you get off and fretboard at the TTC?
 
Yeah.... as I thought. I'm an update behind. But alas, it's past this old gal's bedtime and I'd better get to sleep or be really sorry in the morning. I'll be back, Mark to catch up later this week. Hope your week starts off great!
 
Always remember: when you cross the bridge, you can see both the England and France pavilions. There is no more appropriate location to loudly declare: I see London, I see France!

:rotfl:

The heavens opened, like we were at God’s kiddie play area in the swimming pool where the huge bucket at the top fills up with water and suddenly tips over. We were apparently right underneath it.


“We’re not gonna make it!” I declared

tenor.gif


she produced six pretzel rolls from her bag, having successfully smuggled them out of the Biergarten earlier

Genius move. I need to start bringing a bigger bag to these places. And those pretzel rolls are totally worth it.
 
Finally caught up with your TR. Oh poor Julie. Those summer rainstorms are the worst! We decided to purchase the FL resident 4 day park pass this year since it has been a while since we've done Disney (being "dark side" passholders for the second year) and our Epcot day is this month. After reading this I'm a little worried we'll be bored and the whole you can only get one good fastpass thing has me irritated. But we'll be with some family that hasn't been there is years and years so maybe some of it will be new to them :rotfl2: and we'll be there during flower and garden so we have that going for us.

Looking forward to the rest. Glad to see that your daughter has healed from her surgery. Am I remembering correctly that there was supposed to be a Universal trip in there somewhere for you all?
 
We know we can’t ride Test Track. No FP’s available and the wait time is in excess of 90 minutes.
Yep. Same problem I had on my trip too. I didn't manage to ride it until our last morning.

I searched on the MDE app, and lo and behold, there were FP’s available for Hoverin’ Around The World. So I asked the kids if anyone wanted to go on it, and…everyone said no. I was a little shocked at that, but I guess it speaks volumes as to how much my family disliked the changes to Soarin’. It went from a multiple-ride headliner to a one-and-done.
Wow, big change. I wouldn't say my family disliked it, but definitely liked old Soarin' better.

Same with Mission: Space. None of us like the training mission enough to want to do it more than once on this trip. It was more clear than ever that Epcot needs some serious help.
I have to agree. With so many great attractions at the other parks, Epcot just doesn't have that much to offer anymore, unless you have the ability (sans family) to go eating and drinking around the world.
I'm curious to see all the planned changes they have in store. Latest I read is that Club Cool, Starbucks and Innoventions is being shuttered for...something.

We made it to Japan, where I amused myself by screwing up Julie’s scenic photo.


vITKYdYSs23Sbmv3pQ_E6aQRhCvQE6q-RYqoMeAGI174qh2RdaescoBgOBTjU4-a5D3U7gLoeCe5H_H8FI3wwZ0yL7y6bC-pkYvPnYDTYtzhXuA-IkTm5aikrU8cuK01S4kHNqjocIOrUIO4FyaLETreCDdVI5o94nU51c48Pp9kbCxhcYuu74OvH9DMZxgAFt_RcxaK6B6v990ckMQ_3EOmfiHxo4_I4byZFUTkUpzOKwsEWxdYnpxCzNn4zNzrqGkyZ5EbJOKqdtNtcj5r6nzhW6tvI_muPH9cXh5Pzm-rk1ioz79gZda5Ug29YBxQcH71Cc3NjgaAqN_XA35txgQFHj7sa5qXgoXyWdzVFV4tkYN31_JlnMEpF9DI2GoB_lnzySOlP2wiU1wMBoAOShYOpn7jJryLti04nUmJRPU3f5e3oImx0aoMXAyxdHVUSCsqxHcM_Y3TOjtEY1i1szz_Ia9equlhgs3XZSzQ39CbS_kH1_TtuwftY7-B22fFRF4_7SbA7tza3bvw2L8qmEeBK4ykunuBfLAwh1U0XtUpdeRtZCY9nA9EHM4zujTZnsQ8d-nMwsQrNksD_3MT2vkkvlbJaJPjxnfk9YHUSmvIMvBZPCRVmUAUXl5Yf9-k0oobIzNdBDXT0SbpVd70Z9UIO9m_hNfG=w1064-h798-no
This reminds me of a friend of mine who plays guitar. He knows pickin'.

Always remember: when you cross the bridge, you can see both the England and France pavilions. There is no more appropriate location to loudly declare: I see London, I see France!
:rotfl2:I must remember this for next time!

When we arrived in England, Drew spent quite a bit of time saving the country with the help of Agent P. Retrieving a golf ball from the phone booth is always a hit with my kids.
I have never done Agent P. It does seem entertaining for the younger kids. I suspect my youngest is probably past this by now.

I did not pick up any Beaver Butt soap this time around, but I still felt the spiritual presence of @pkondz and @Terra Nova guy .
I can only hope to smell like beaver butt in the morning.

I reasoned that it was only a little bit further to MouseGear. We could go in there and take care of some souvenir shopping for the week.
It sounds like a perfectly good plan to me...

Apparently, that strategy had backfired. She was…how do I put this?...less than pleased. Hey, on the bright side, we have a fun story to tell now, right honey?
...but then I have also been in trouble with SWMBO before.
It does make for a good trip report story.

I think we faked it pretty well.
Great shots. You are faking it wonderfully.

Taking care to ensure a balanced diet of starch, meat, dairy, and sugar, we all shared in a veritable feast of cheddar-bacon soup, cheddar-bacon French fries, and cronuts.
I had all three of these things on my list to try. I failed at all three. Why does the list just seem to get bigger no matter how many trips you do?

It was especially good once Julie revealed her master stroke: she produced six pretzel rolls from her bag, having successfully smuggled them out of the Biergarten earlier. Rumor has it we are now Delaware’s most successful crime family.
Well played.
I do remember once having a lunch of bananas and mini cinnamon buns that DW has confiscated from the Akershus breakfast buffet.
 
Dude! there's an entire Disney park out there! Chock full of rides and experiences and all sorts of wonderful things to see and do!


You just have to get on the monorail and go over to it.

:rotfl2: Or a boat, or a bus...

:eek: That shocked me too! Both that there are FPs still and that no one wanted to ride it. I still enjoy it (provided you sit dead center, of course.)

I'm sure we would ride it again on our next visit. But once we did the new version once, it felt like a real let-down. Maybe I need to hold out for the center next time.

Haven't done that one, but might in May. Unless the evil child insists on making me sick and we go on Orange.

Now why would any loving child do that?

Those are a great idea... except I miss when it was KP missions.

I didn't have any real attachment to KP. But they are great for the younger kids.

Nostrils around the world!

I need to trim my nose hairs.

That thing's gonna be huge. Hope it's worth it.

Me too! And I hope it doesn't make me sick with the spinning cars.

Gorgeous!

You do go for those Japanese gardens.

Exactly the same in Europe. Bullet trains. Takes no time at all.

Great! No need to go all the way over there, then.

:laughing: He can pull it off, too!

He is a man of many talents!

Um... what?

It's part of the spy mission there. You have to retrieve a golf ball from the secret machine in the phone booth. It's encoded with special information.

:laughing:
And yet...
"CMs! The people are bored. Take out a length of tape so they don't feel bad about all the money they spent to be here."

I mean, if that's the best attraction...

:sad1: Dang. That got me right in the feels.

But it was triumphant!

Nope. If you did, they'd have decent stuff to buy in there.

:rolleyes1

Okay... that is so us.

There are much worse things to be known for.

They are. The ones they're based on are amazing... well, the itty, bitty bit of them that I saw.
(That's a whole other story.)

I know I've heard before, but what are the real ones they'e based on again? I'm sure they'd be a cool place to visit.

Oh, man... Ohhhhhh man. You did not just do that!
You are going to be reliving this one for years to come.

I've been re-living all of my bad decisions for 20 years now.:rolleyes1

::yes::

Wait... You think the expense is over?



:lmao:


Sorry.
good luck.

Again...20 years. The debt will never be paid.

I get that too. Join the club.

Time for a re-fresh! Which I hear is coming.

Awww... that's a keeper shot right there. :)

I can't believe she smiled with me after the rain incident.

Poor l'il guy.

It beats screaming.

Dang! That looks good!

::yes::

Nah. Calories don't count in Disney, nor do arteries.

Thank goodness, because I abused my arteries something fierce.


Pretzel bread + cheddar/bacon soup = heaven in a bowl.

I thought Drew went to sleep already?

Just a bit of a nap.

Nice shot.

:thanks:

So... how was that? Better? Worse?

It was fine, for the 15 seconds we could see it. Not as good as the real thing, even if you do have to sit through the spinning globe part.

Okay that was pretty good. And... those boys better watch out. Their sister is a bada**

::yes:: Agreed. It cracked me up after the boys' over-the-top reactions.
 
:rotfl2: Or a boat, or a bus...

::yes::

I'm sure we would ride it again on our next visit. But once we did the new version once, it felt like a real let-down. Maybe I need to hold out for the center next time.

Yes. And it's so easy. You get to the first person and say "We'd like center, top, please" (I prefer top so no dangling feet in your line of vision) and chances are they'll say "Tell it to the next CM". Do it again and you might have to wait... a whole 5 minutes... or nothing at all.

Now why would any loving child do that?

You have kids and you ask this????

I need to trim my nose hairs.

I thought it was an ingrown mustache.

Me too! And I hope it doesn't make me sick with the spinning cars.

erp... guess we'll see.

You do go for those Japanese gardens.

No idea what you could be talking about.

It's part of the spy mission there. You have to retrieve a golf ball from the secret machine in the phone booth. It's encoded with special information.

Huh. Never knew that. They didn't have that when I did a mission there... about 2-3 years ago.

I know I've heard before, but what are the real ones they'e based on again? I'm sure they'd be a cool place to visit.

Butchart Gardens, Victoria (Vancouver Island), BC.

I've been re-living all of my bad decisions for 20 years now.:rolleyes1

This is good. Now she has more ammunition. Nice to have variety.

Again...20 years. The debt will never be paid.

correct.

I can't believe she smiled with me after the rain incident.

Nomination for saint-hood is in the mail.

Thank goodness, because I abused my arteries something fierce.

:laughing:
 
Great shot of you and Julie.
Give Sarah a hug (stupid phone!!! HIGH) five from me....her demeanor in Beverly challenge is amazing. Love it!!
I fart in your general direction my wimpy brothers.

There are clear winners and losers in that video.

Drew had already closed his eyes for the day, so how could "the day drew to a close"? Is there a :baffled: emoji?

Just because he closes them, that doesn't mean they don't open again.

Ready to negotiate....hourly, daily, weekly,monthly rate...what's your numbers? My heart just melts and my pocketbook is open.....

Well, sure. We don't post the photos of the times when he's screaming or generally being a butt.

Aha, I knew it.....You can sneak empty plastic bags into Biergarten.....it is just dim enough that it can be done.....I wonder though if maybe my purloined Schnitzel and Gravy will leak! I will be making my own attempt in May..... Will let you know how it goes...

Only one way to find out! Good luck. Our agents in the field are depending on you.

So glad you got a chuckle out of sauerkraut joke....my Dad was a crack up and I sure do miss him....

:goodvibes
Subbin.......popcorn::


will read tonight::yes::







T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL:wave2:

:welcome: and thanks for reading!
 
That's sad, but I guess with kids you can't play drink around the world! :lmao:

Yeah, it doesn't go over so well. Honestly, I'm such a lightweight I wouldn't bother anyway. One drink is usually enough for me.

No, just no. I don't know how people wait that long.

No idea. I wouldn't do it!

I have to try that one. Last time I didn't know they only changed the green team mission. I did Orange.

It's so underwhelming to go into space so you can see...Earth.

That's just sad. I don't mind doing it, but I have to wait for the middle.

I'm going to have to do that from now on.

That's good I definitely want to try one!

You'll probably be underwhelmed. The 5-year-old crowd loves them, though.

Only you. :laughing: It took me a while to get this one.

:rolleyes1

Distances can be so deceiving at WDW.

Especially in Epcot!

Kiosks provide no protection from the rain. Especially when it goes sideways.

Yeah, I'm not sure what she was thinking there.

I would say Brrrrr, but then I remember its July. :laughing:

:faint:

Sarah rocks!

I agree!

I didn't know they served cheddar bacon soup there! They have Poutine for Flower and Garden!

Yes, it's at the snack stand near the World Showcase entrance on the Canada side. They have the cronuts there, too.

Now that is genius!

Pretzel bread goes perfectly with cheddar soup.

Nice, did they make you get off and fretboard at the TTC?

No, we were able to just ride it all the way around.

Yeah.... as I thought. I'm an update behind. But alas, it's past this old gal's bedtime and I'd better get to sleep or be really sorry in the morning. I'll be back, Mark to catch up later this week. Hope your week starts off great!

No worries, hope you get the rest you need!
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!





Top