Trip Report: Day 2 – Part II Epcot/Downtown

For those who need to catch up, the previous blogs in this series are, in order:
Trip Prequel: Decisions, Decisions
Trip Prequel: Research & Practice
Trip Report: Day One – Epcot
Trip Report: Day Two – Part I Animal Kingdom/Epcot

Terri and I made a well-evaluated executive decision to board a Friendship Boat and sail over to Morocco. The humidity was beating us down. Do you know what she asked me? No, you don’t unless you were also on the boat and eavesdropping. Shame on you! Terri asked if I could sit on the same bench as her or did I need my own. Smart-aleck! I told you this was going to come back and hit me throughout the trip and we were just on day 2 of 4.

Morocco is a lovely country but since we ate there the day before, we walked right by it. Next on the list was Japan. I knew Yakitori House was closed and the Food & Wine Festival stand carried counter service meals during the rehab. Normally I order the kiddie meal but with the Disney Dining Plan I had to eat like a grown-up. Yeah, that’s the only grown-up behavior you’ll get out of me, too. I got the teriyaki chicken with vegetables, a drink, and the only dessert they had, a chocolate chip cookie. I was totally looking forward to trying their traditional desserts but with Yakitori House closed, I was out of luck. So much for my pink and purple striped lucky cat figurine that beckons for tea and cake.

Since there wasn’t anywhere cool to sit, not that Japan doesn’t rock, we entered Fife and Drum Tavern literally following the fifes and drummers. Or is that fifers and drummers? We walked in behind the musicians and plopped down at a table. The air conditioning was fantastic. America really knows how to party. Stuffed and completely disinterested in that “Japanese” chocolate chip cookie, with permission from their moms, I offered it to 2 boys sitting nearby. Terri said the older one was beaming. I had no idea it was a magic cookie!

Our time in Italy proved to be educational and embarassing. I don’t recall if this first story happened on day 1 or day 2 although I’m leaning towards day one cuz I think it was dark out.

How to flirt with an Italian: Step 1. Find a cute Italian boy or girl as desired. Step 2. Ask the Cast Member to help you. Step 3. Bring said Cast Member over to the semi-refrigerated case to point out which candy and chocolate he/she likes best. Step 4. Smile the entire time, nod, giggle, and place hand on Italian’s shoulder. Step 5. Watch Cast Member walk away, not at all interested in you.

Before you laugh at me, I’m not the one who tried to pick up the guy. Please, he was way too young even for me. That said, it took guts and a flirting technique I lack.

This next episode in Italy was all me. Me, me, me, me, me and I’m an idiot. I have no idea what was wrong with me that day. Maybe my blood sugar dropped dramatically. Perhaps aliens sucked out a portion of my memory. It could have been the heat and sun poisoning. More than likely it was all of these factors that made me ask not one, not two, but three Cast Members when the tall bell tower (replica of St. Mark’s Campanile) was added because I swore it wasn’t there before. I now lower my head in shame, understand that it was a stupid guest trick, and hold my sign from Bill Engvall.

Let’s move on shall we.

We stopped at Africa, the world’s smallest continent, sponsored by Coca-Cola, for Terri to buy jewelry made from park maps. Surprisingly, she didn’t buy anything. The beads didn’t look anywhere near what she imagined they would. With her brave face on she bought something cool to drink to help keep Africa’s economy growing.

Today China was open. Hooray! I burst through the open doors and set out on a quest to find soap. No, I didn’t stink, thankyouverymuch. Last year I bought soap made from coal that absorbs toxins from my skin. It also works on your skin but you’ll have to buy your own bars. I searched up and down, North, South, East, and West…rat tat tat tat. Nothing. Perplexed, I asked Cast Member Temperance where the soap might be hiding. :sigh: She informed me they stopped carrying it. How will I ever detoxify from all the True Moo I drink and salty Atlantic Ocean fresh air I inhale? Oh the horror.

I was smart enough to scan the box before I threw it away. Hey, this totally makes up for my insanity in Italy. Yeah, I guess you’re right. Darn.

Raise the roof and have some dim sum.

We visited Norway the night before so we moved on to Mexico. Sailing by the cantina, I cupped my hands together and quietly shouted, Toss me a roll! It’s only funny when yelling to patrons at Blue Bayou…I guess. I tried wicked hard to find something to buy in Mexico but came up short yet again. Outside, Pato Donald posed for photos with me. I was wearing my Three Caballeros shirt and got a thumbs up…wait…thumbs up? Wing up? Feather up? Pato Donald gave me his approval y un abrazo. Orale!

Once last round at the shops bordering World Showcase Lagoon for Terri.

Too pooped to party, we went back to our pirate cove and flopped for a while. No naps just snacks, water, TV, and heavenly cool air.

Downtown Disney was the plan for the night. Our first stop was World of Disney where I checked off a bunch of stuff from my shopping list. I got the Tinker Bell earrings my co-worker wanted for his wife, Mickeyroni & Cheese for my mom to give to someone from work with a kid although this lady is in a different office (I have no clue), snacks for the food pantry, postcards (I never wrote), a CD, bag clips, and a semi-squishy ball.

Dear Disney Records,
I’d love a CD compiled of music heard in the World Showcase pavilions. Reflections from Earth is on enough CDs so feel free to skip that track. The music from Germany’s clock tower would make for a cool hidden track.
Melodically,
Lisa

Running late for our YMCA (advanced dining reservation) at Raglan Road, we showed up a bit worn. The staff was friendly and we didn’t wait long for a table to open up. Seated inbetween the musicans’ stage and dancers’ mini stage, I was totally stoked at the good fortune for my very first visit. Let me sum up the night with 1 statement and 1 question. I want to eat there every time I visit Walt Disney World. Chef James, will you marry me?

Next time: Day Three – Magic Kingdom/1900 Park Fare

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