We didn't expect to spend a lot of time in EPCOT but we discovered more than we expected to enjoy here and had to return. There's an argument to be made that the same could apply to the Animal Kingdom if we tried. Perhaps next time.
Spaceship Earth - aka the big golf ball. We did this twice. Recently refurbushed, it's a people mover ride that takes you through history to show how technology has affected human advancement and how it might continue to impact us. Animatronics (there is one video screen to start with) play out dioramas as a speaker in the car explains the context of the scenes we are seeing. Much more interesting than I expected as it hit the same buttons that make me enjoy the museum. The kicker is the almost end. After traveling through the digital age (a tunnel filled with glowing green zeros and ones that looked like the Matrix), you reach what feels like the centre of the ball. A star field opens up and there, hanging in space, is the Earth. It may be a well lit picture but it was jaw-droppingly beautiful. A video screen in the ride car entertains you as you decend backwards to the start of the ride. The picture that the ride takes of you in the beginning is added to a goofy but fun animation that plays out the view of the future 'that you create'. Very enjoyable indeed!
The Seas with Nemo and Friends - you ride in a clam through 'the sea' watching well hidden video screens searching for Nemo. There are some physical effects as well. The ride is well made and is capped by circling around to an actual aquarium that the characters are projected into somehow! Impressive. Best yet, the ride doesn't directly let you out in the gift shop like almost every other ride in existance but it drops you off in a 'sea base'. The aquarium is in here and is designed so that you can 'walk in it'. Fascinating!
Soarin' - had read about it but had low expectations. You sit on a 'glider' that gets raised in the air so that all you can see is the large IMAX type screen ahead of you (and maybe some feet if you're in the back rows like we were). The footage makes you feel like you're hang gliding over different areas of the country. The occasional scent adds to the illusion. Very excellent! The host for the pre-ride video is Patrick Warburton, which added to the awesome for me.
We walked through the World Showcase which features 'slices' of different countries. Most of the buildings are functional and contain a gift shop or restaurant or what have you. Had we been without the children, I think we would have spent even more time here. In the UK I visited the Rose and Crown pub for a beer. It was like the pubs I've seen on tv but much nicer. British people were even working in it! The other time we went through I visited the Yorkshire fish shop that's attached to the pub to get a fish n chips with another pint. Marvelous.
I'm not seeing it on the map but there was also a Coca Cola shop that had samples from some of the different beverages they bottle from other parts of the world. Your tastes may vary but it's a fun stop. Sticky floor though.
The end of day IllumiNations: Reflections of the Earth fireworks are very impressive. If you're spending multiple days at Disney it's worth seeing. If just one day, see the Magic Kingdom fireworks. Seriously.
More on that tomorrow.
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2 comments:
Next time we go, we need to try to get a drink in each country. I have yet to do that, and would very much like too!
Mmm, country drinks...
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