Trip Report: Day One – Epcot

Light Meter by Lisa K. Berton

While standing in line at the gate for my non-stop flight to Orlando, the woman in front of me turned around and asked, “Are you going to Florida?” If you’ve read my blog for some time, you’re aware of my witty repartee. Strange as it may seem, I only responded to her query with “Yes.” but my brain was throwing down one-liners as fast as Superman surpasses speeding bullets. This was the beginning of what would be a very up and down kind of trip, physically, mentally, and verbally.

My friend Terri was scheduled to arrive 90 minutes after my flight landed, only my flight landed 30 minutes early so I had a good 2 hours to kill. Some of that time was spent talking to a woman who was verturing off on a cruise with her sister. A poke inside Sea World/Busch Garden’s gift shop lead me to learn via T-shirts that someone named a rollercoaster Cheetah Hunt. Are Cheetos really that difficult to locate?

I’ll fast forward past reading ingredient contents in the food court and being filmed as b-roll footage for a local production company. In addition, I’ll bypass my intense debate with the car rental company over arriving 5 hours earlier than planned and their intent to gouge me a full extra day at 400% over what I pre-paid per day. Did you know that if your plans change and you return the car 5 hours early (or any amount of time) they won’t give you a partial refund? Funny how that only works to their advantage. Hurts.

Terri arrived ahead of schedule as well. I found her patiently awaiting her suitcase at Carousel of Is That Your Bag? Fast forward and we’re in the car, my homemade Disney mix CD is playing Hakuna Matata, and in zip-a-dee-doo-dah time I turn the wrong way off the exit ramp. Get your pencils ready and keep track of how many times I “get lost”. There will be a quiz later. Banged a u-ee. Banged a u-y. Hmm, I’ve never typed that out before. Bing has no suggestions and neither does Google. Ohhhhh. I thought Google knew everything. Well, for those of you not from New England, I made a u-turn. Finally, we pulled into Premium Outlets where my vivid dreams of sweeping up tremendous deals at Character Premiere’s Labor Day weekend sidewalk sale were smothered. Sure, sales were going on for the holiday but the Fab 5 weren’t participating. :insert sad face here:

We still managed to buy a few things, as hard as that is to truly, beyond a shadow of a doubt, believe. I sponsor a few local kids through a non-profit child and family service agency every year during their Big Wishes gift drive. My purchases are anxiously waiting to meet their kids.

Next was a stop at Publix for a few groceries. Even though we’re on the Disney Dining Plan, we knew breakfast items, snacks, and especially drinks were still necessary. We bought enough to feed a small army of small green army men.

Finished with running around, it was finally time to check into Caribbean Beach Resort. We were quickly called to the next available Cast Member at the online check-in window. You know, these men and women deserve some recognition so I’m going to name every Cast Member we encountered. The odds are fantastically high that I’ll guess wrong every time but what the heck, at least I’m trying.

As DeeDee proceeded to get our welcome packet, I tried to get rid of Terri by telling her to go take pictures out the window. Why would I shoo away my friend? Cuz I didn’t want her to hear me ask about possibly upgrading our room, you know, if it was complimentary. In short, DeeDee who was earning her ears, learned something new (with help from her supervisor) and we scored a Pirates of the Caribbean themed room at no additional charge. Tada!

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Terri tries to steer the bed with her smartphone. There’s no app for that.

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This is only half our loot from the grocery store. The rest is inside the min-fridge inside the barrel inside the room inside the building inside the resort inside Walt Disney World inside Lake Buena Vista….okay I’ll stop now. Inside Florida.

Unpacked and roaring to go, we sped off…we drove cautiously to Epcot. Whatever shall we do first? Terri wanted to hit Spaceship Earth so that’s where we headed until she got stopped by the cops. :snort: It was the first Cast Member, Pat (cuz I can’t remember if it was a he or a she) who wanted her to complete a survey. She did that and I got in line because a barrell of teenagers came rolling along and I didn’t feel like babysitting. Terri came along a minute later.

At the end of the line, Pasquale, the Cast Member, asked how many were in my party. I told Pasquale, We’re riding 1 and 1. I got in the front row and Pasquale told Terri to get in the car behind me. That totally confused Terri who bewilderly informed Pasquale that she was with me and got in the back row. :chuckle: Thus began Terri’s verbal lashing at me every time we got on a ride. “Do you need your own row?” “No, I need my own car.” It was funny. You had to be there. Hey! I was doing it all for you guys. By having my own row I could slide back and forth taking photos of both sides of my travel through time. I used my noodle.

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There were actually 2 of me but the evil twin was camera-shy.

Terri’s birthday was just a few days prior so a birthday pin was in order. The Cast Member who helped us, Elphaba, wanted to give me one of those green pins that says “I’m Celebrating.” I asked if she could write on it, “My half-birthday”. Elphaba said I deserved the birthday pin for my half-birthday. What a wicked nice girl.

Test Track was fun as always even if I didn’t have my own row or car. Cast Members Dick and Jane scanned my PhotoPass card but somehow the attraction photo is not showing up in my account. I even invited Dick to join us for dinner provided he order from the kiddie menu. See Lisa be disappointed.

Walking around World Showcase counter-clockwise, we saw the tarps over Canada in preparation for winter. Then we passed thru England quickly to escape the dreary, foggy, and wet weather. Over the bridge and into France where we saw…France. Nothing specific comes to mind. Just beyond the home of Remy was our dinner reservation at Restaurant Marrakesh in Morocco. I think the last time I ate there was in 2003, long before most of my dietary problems came into light.

It’s pretty normal to walk by Restaurant Marrakesh or bop inside to use the restroom and see lots of available seating. It must have been Opposite Day because people were packed into the lobby like sardines. We waited a good while for our table and put our free time to good use by continuing our search for Inappropriate Theme Park Footwear. Not only did we find questionable shoes but we also made the unfortunate discovery of inappropraite shorts and shirts. Mamas, don’t let your girls grow up to dress like working girls, if you know what I mean.

Chef Samar came out to go over my allergies and dietary restrictions. I was given the following choices, chicken kabobs or filet mignon kabobs, a small salad, vegetables, and potatoes. It seems that Morrocan food is marinated and prepared hours before it’s served. That said, Samar made an offer I haven’t heard in any restaurant, anywhere, “If you don’t like it, you don’t pay.” Terri should have photographed the expression on my face of pure astonishment.

My dinner was fantastic. I’d eat there again under the guidance of chef Samar. Everything on my plate was yummy, especially the potatoes.
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I just got my new camera and was learning it throughout the trip so don’t judge me.

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Terri ordered couscous with beef. She said it was excellent.

After dinner we decided we’d concentrate on shopping our way through World Showcase. Both of us love the stores in Japan and always buy something but for whatever reason, neither of us made a purchase. For years I have been thinking about buying toe socks. I recently bought a pair with little grips on them to use while attempting yoga on my Wii board. Turns out I don’t like toe socks. The adhesive packets of bamboo and vinegar that draw toxins out of feet are something I’ve bought before in Japan but I found them at the local Christmas Tree Shop for much less. Habitual chopsticks? Got a 6-pack of bamboo ones at the mall for slightly more than what one pair costs at Epcot. Pocky? Available at my grocery store. Oh well. We did however find it nerve-wracking when we discovered merchandise that said Made in China.

At American Adventure we checked out the store. I talked to the Cast Member, Becky Jo Lynn, about the college program at Walt Disney World. Unbeknownst to me (until I turned around), a battle had broken out between the youngest members of the Harper family complete with rifles, running between displays, and a lack of parental …caring. We left, quickly.

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New mouse ears for every country. I don’t know…it seems a bit cheesey to me.

The Werther’s shop in Germany was completely empty when we arrived but it didn’t stay that way for long. China was closed. How odd, especially since it was like…11am there…in China. Our last country of the night was Norway. After escaping trolls and sailing along with vikings, I needed my school bread. Oh yeah, and I had my own row in the boat. It was empty. Gimme a break. We slowly headed out of Epcot and finally made it back to the car, parked by pillar 169. Yeah, I forgot to look at the ground so Terri located the number on a pillar holding up the monorail track. What a clever kid.

It was a long day filled with highs and lows, heat and humidity, laughter and sweat. A good night’s sleep in my pirate ship sounded delightful. Would Dramanine be necessary? Stay tuned for the next chapter.

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8 Replies to “Trip Report: Day One – Epcot”

  1. I didn’t think the pizza ears were … cheesy.

    But I had heard they were only available for, like, 4 countries. Can you confirm/deny?

    Lisa responds: I don’t recall how many countries had the mouse ears, sorry.

  2. “Elphaba said I deserved the birthday pin for my half-birthday. What a wicked nice girl.” Ah, I see what you did there! I bet the pin made you pretty popular 😉

    I love your writing style, really fresh and engaging! Can’t wait for episode two!

    Lisa responds: Nice catch! Thanks for reading. Day Two will go up on Wednesday.

  3. It is so refreshing to read articles written by someone who sees happy and funny in every day events. Not, that Disney World is an everyday event, but every day at Disney World is an event to me. (Sometimes, even I confuse myself) Love your photo hints as well as your photos; but really love your blogs. Keep up the good work. My daughter-in-law just gave birth to triplets and I’ve already begun the groundwork for the first WDW trip. Talk about photo pressure.

    Lisa responds: Congratulations! You’re going to be very busy with the triplets.

  4. Did we ever discuss which is the “right” end of World Showcase to start at? We almost always start at Mexico. Canada seems right alphabetically but then you’re going counterclockwise.

    Lisa responds: There’s no right or wrong way to experience World Showcase. Don’t forget you can start in the middle or close to it, as well.