Newbie and the Geek Take Epcot

Happy Birthday to me. OK, now that I got that out of the way, if you’ve missed any of my previous trip report blog entries, the links are posted for your clicking convenience.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom posted Feb. 13th

Magic Kingdom posted Feb. 20th

Disney’s Hollywood Studios posted Feb. 23rd

Downtown Disney and More posted Feb. 27th

Epcot takes time to explore, more than a day or two. This was our first day at Epcot, well, Yoli’s first day, I’ve been there like a bazillion times, give or take a day. We were already tired from 4 days of running around so I tried to steer towards entertainment that would get us off our feet for longer periods of time at least to start.

As there wasn’t any wait at all for Spaceship Earth, I lead Yoli to her first Epcot attraction. What a nice, slow, long ride to rest weary time travelers. As we passed scholars transcribing stories, we laughed at the guy sleeping with a pen in his hand. He’s so Yoli. She can fall asleep anywhere. Isn’t that right? YOLI! Ay. Another highlight from Spaceship Earth was the birth of my new catchphrase, Hooked on Phoenicians works for me!©®â„¢

I think we got FastPasses for Test Track next. Let’s pretend that’s what happened. Why am I even telling you I’m unsure, it’s not like anyone can correct me if I’m mistaken. Seriously, people! As if!

We then obtained FastPasses for Test Track and waited out the time by learning all about energy and TV show production with Bill Nye, Ellen DeGeneres, Jamie Lee Curtis, Albert Einstein (he must know Doc Brown), Ellen Cleghorne (where is she nowadays?), Michael Richards, random dinosaurs, a voice over guy, and Alex Trebek, who my mom thinks is sooooo handsome.

Do you think we’re being too literal?

The new Test Track changed more in the queue than it did in the actual ride. You’ll stay busy waiting to go for a spin and the set looks different enough but if you’re a fan of Tron you’ll probably like the neon and black lights.

Yoli attempted Mission: Space, the easy version. I took photos, outside. We both had a good time. Heading to the “other side” of Future World, we checked out Innoventions where I lost Yoli. How? She sat down in the IBM theater. Who does that? It was onto the Character Spot next to fulfill autograph books and to force Yoli into posing for photos. Did I hear that? I just laughed so hard at my own joke that I broke the sound barrier.

Landing in The Land, my objective was to watch the Circle of Life movie but it wasn’t operating. Escalator down to Living with the Land lead us to another dead end. Oy. Soarin’? I was not going to wait whatever ridiculous amount of time was posted for the standby queue. We left The Land. We left Future World. We entered Mexico.

Today’s present for both of us was the World Showcase Passport kit complete with stickers and a big pin featuring flags of all nations (but mostly America) and Mickey Mouse. For years I wanted one and put it off not wanting to be a dork on my own. You can finish my thought. Inside the pavilion we shopped, sailed with my friends, The Three Caballeros, sought out boys with the right names, and took photos.

Yoli used her smartphone to take this photo. The quality stinks. I just want to point out that I finally broke down and bought myself one of the parrots on a perch you see in the background. Thanks.

Outside, Mariachi Cobre was performing by the lagoon. I sent Yoli over to see them while I waited to meet Donald Duck in his sombrero.

Donald was the second character to sign my hat which I then placed on his hat. Yeah, I’m a wild child!

Off to Norway for some school bread. I love their school bread. I wish I had some now. That’s make a nice addition to my birthday meals. I can taste it now. As I was saying, we sailed with the vikings of Norway, I tried to lock Yoli in the Stave Church, and she tried the perfume-y hand cream, Laila

China? You bet! Saw the movie, shopped, met Mulan, watched the performers, and bought panda socks for myself. I helped combat foot pain by putting on a second layer of socks everyday, half-way thru the day.

Mulan looks graceful. Yoli appears to be ready to punch herself in the jaw.

Mulan: Hello soldier.
Me: (looking aroind, wondering who she’s talking to)
Mulan: Where are you visiting from?
Me: Massachusetts.
Mulan: Oh, I hear Massachusetts has the toughest soldiers.
Me: No, you’re thinking of New York.
Mulan: Not Massachusetts?
Me: No, we’re the ones with all the colleges.

Ma! Ma! Ma! Look at me! Ma! Mommy! Mother! Madre! Look!

A quick trip thru Africa (it’s what, about 30 steps from edge to edge?) and we wound up in Germany just in time for Yoli to see her favorite princess, Smurfette. (snicker, snicker) Oh, there’s Snow White. Great. Where’s what’s-his-princely-face? He only shows up for parades and musical numbers. Odd.

In Italy we waited around to see Sergio, the juggling mime. We waited and we waited. Yoli wandered off taking photos and when Sergio arrived I was totally bummed out that he wasn’t wearing a name tag. We needed a Sergio for our ex-Menudo Cast Member game.

For all I knew, his name could have been Waldo. Hey! I found…a mime.

Did you know a variety of characters now descend upon American Adventure? Well, in between America and Italy. Itaca? I saw Max, Brer Bear, Mickey Mouse, Pluto, White Rabbit, Yo Mama*, and lots more. *I’m slap happy. It’s 10:28 PM. My friend Jenn will confirm that I get slap happy at this time of night. Poor Jenn.

In Morocco we also took photos, shopped, had our passports stamped, and I inquired about a tour of the pavilion. Years ago they had a sign-up desk for the daily tour(s) but it has since closed. The Cast Member offered to give us a tour when we returned in 2 days. Cool.

Yoli let me have dinner in Japan at Yakitori House. She’s not a fan of Japanese food but was pleasantly surprised with her teriyaki chicken, light on the teriyaki. I had the same meal plus the salad with ginger dressing. I love the ginger salad dressing. If only I had some for my birthday. Sigh.

Noriko came over to our table. I think she was checking to see if Yoli liked her food. Noriko was pretty funny to talk to, we all yakked on and on forever. We saw her outside later, at an info/reservation booth for Tepan Edo.

That night we visited France (so many kissable boys, so too young for me), the United Kingdom, and Canada. I also got to see Off Kilter perform their last show of the night. They were great but I missed Jamie and Tony. Tony could have gotten us bonus points because I happen to know that he played keyboard for Menudo.

Being the good friend that I am, we staked out a spot to watch Illuminations. I don’t think either of us loves fireworks but if she didn’t see the show, went home, and everyone said, How could you not watch Illuminations? I’d feel like a schmo. Then we slowly and painfully walked back to the car.

Newbie and the Geek bonus videos/photos/info can only be found on my Facebook page. Follow me on Twitter, my handle is lisano1.

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