Magic, Mayhem, Wifi and more; Our Return to Disney --Day Four

Cast

Me (Husband) - 54
DW - 42
DD - 12
DS - 5

"Pixie Dust Returns!"

No one plans a bad day for a Disney trip; we all try to plan great days. But, we also know some days we will just look forward to more than others. Today is one of those days.

We have pre-park-open ADRs at Epcot this morning so I wake early, ready, grab coffees and get kids together. Everyone seems refreshed (finally.) It's only taken three days to feel rejuvenated.

When I plan these trips, I keep many things "close to the vest." I like to surprise my family throughout the vacation. At home, DW keeps the house running smoothly. She just pushes me in the correct direction and I go. Without her at home, the kids would eat pizza 5 days a week, play outside in the rain (I don't see a problem with that,) and wear a Steelers shirt on school picture day (or that!) But vacations are different. She checks her scheduling at the door and goes for the ride.

So this morning, DD "thinks" we're having breakfast at Chef Mickey's. (I let DW know previous evening so she's in on our destination.) In fact, it's at Akershus in Epcot. It's a surprise for her. We leave with plenty of time, but we just miss the Epcot bus and have to wait. Many buses come by, but not Epcot. Finally, our bus arrives but now we are cutting it close (again.)

Perfect, sunny morning. Perfect.

Once again, rain was predicted, but never materializes! Long line at bag check, but moves very fast. ADR early-entry gate seem to be moving fast, but we get behind a group having all kinds of trouble and are seeking help from the check-in CMs. Finally, green lights at gate and in. 8:25. We have 10 minutes.

Shimmering Epcot Ball. Beautiful waterfall. Epcot Entranceway Music Loop. Amazing. I wish I could freeze this moment and keep it with me.

We've never been in Epcot before it's open. My goodness, is this place beautiful. And HUGE!!!! Without people to "diffuse" the immense size, this park seems insurmountable. "Do we actually walk around this place??? few times a day???"

Believe it or not, it takes a full 10-minute, brisk-paced walk to get to Norway. We arrive and are quickly seated. Breakfast is very good. Nice variety. My DS becomes enamored with Sleeping Beauty and hides each time she comes near.

My plan was: leave at breakfast, take monorail back to Ticket and Transportation Center, go to Lost & Found. Wait. Wait some more. (I was told to prepare for insanity by concierge.) Get my wife's phone, return, and hopefully get back before I miss too much.

I ask for the bill. Ouch!!! With tip, an even $200 for mostly scrambie eggs and fresh salmon for two adults and two kids. Truthfully, between DW, DD, and DS, they probably ate about one-person's worth of food. I'm the only one that really ate breakfast. No matter. My DD was thrilled beyond belief. This is why I plan these trips. I just love seeing the look on their faces.

Princesses haven't visited our table yet, when I leave and they stay. Joffrey's coffee. Bathroom. Monorail. Lost & Found. Quick in-and-out. Next monorail. Back. Ridiculous fast turnaround. They haven't even gone to one ride yet.

As the monorail is entering the park, about to circle Spaceship Earth, I look down at the vista outside Ellen's Energy Adventure AND I SEE MY FAMILY! More amazingly, my DD sees me!!!! We make eye contact as I zoom by. What are the odds?

DS is a dinosaur fan and EEA becomes a favorite. Next, first FP for Soarin' is about to be active so we go there.

"There's a 45-minute wait for FastPass queue."

What? Oh, well. We wait. It's much faster. More like 20 minutes. We get the top row and, once again, I had forgotten how great this attraction is. DS likes it, too! (Thank goodness there's no water spray here, or he'd be mad again!)

Nemo ride then plenty of time in the aquarium. My son loves all kinds of nature. DD and I ride Mission: Space; DW & DS go into MouseGear. M:S gets a bad rap, I think. To me, it's an amazing attraction. Great technology. Amazing sensation. We both love it.

We venture into wife's favorite place in all of Walt Disney World: The World Showcase. We have ADRs for dinner at Trattoria al Forno for 7:00, but DW wants to stay at Epcot. I cancel, but in order not to be charged a fee, I have to reschedule a breakfast there for Wednesday.

Now, we leisurely meander around the WS. We stop at each pavilion. We watch every attraction. Wonders of China. Impressions de France. The American Adventure. (DD & I tear up.) Sometimes, I think people forget how amazing the story of America truly is!

We take pictures. We shop. We watch. We enjoy.

"Posso avere uno espresso doppio, per favore?"

DW loves when I speak Italian. She orders wine in fluent French. DD is a little impressed with her parents. That's important.

Matsuriza. Pastries in the new France bakery. Beautiful upgrade from the previous location. We shop in the UK and I leave my brand new video camera on the table. We set outside to watch the music show when I realize I lost it. DD goes inside and...someone turned it in. That' how many times so far that one of us have forgotten something and a Disney Guest turned it in? Three, if you've been reading from the beginning. My phone. Wife's phone. Now, my camera. (Spoiler Alert: Still not done being forgetful for the trip!!!)

British Revolution is excellent. I was sad to see British Invasion be replaced, but these guys are good.

We finally make our way to the Canadian Pavilion and watch the new Circlevision movie with Martin Short. We love it. We miss the new Lumberjack show. (No loss there!)

We had used all our FPs and were unable to get one for Test Track 2.0. Never expected to get one, but we talk DS to wait in line. At first, he's very tentative. But he relents and we get in line. 45 minutes. Ok. Night is nearing the end. Once in the queue, he becomes very excited about the ride. Two older twin sisters, who travel twice a year WITHOUT HUSBANDS ("They whine too much!") get him so excited. Forty minutes in, and an announcement says, "RIDE HAS BEEN DELAYED. WAIT TIMES MAY BE LONGER THAN POSTED." Ten minutes later, and the announcement is repeated. We haven't moved in more than 20 minutes. People start leaving. Even the twins leave. We finally decide we will try on next visit. DS is devastated, but we agree to one more trip on Spaceship Earth then exit.

We get some great PhotoPass pictures with colorful Epcot Ball in background. We have great bus ride back. Stop at Fulton's General Store for shipped packages and Coke Zero. Grab some HUGE cupcakes at food court then back to room.

It was a perfect day!

Tomorrow, Disney would continue impressing.