Going into Epcot!

Going into Epcot!, originally uploaded by eblackwell.

And we just saw the Characters of Fight balloon over Downtown!

It rained last night, but it's stopped and is turning very nice. Good temperature, somewhere around low 70s (we hit 78).  John, who said it had better get nice, watched the sun come out from behind a cloud and said, "I'm hot." ;)

I met Hilda who has a wonderfully decorated place here in Fort Wilderness when I went to get breakfast from Trails End.  She and I talked for a little while, and I found out the guests do a decorated cart parade every Saturday night for the holidays!  She also said that a family of otters moved in along our beach, waiting for the fishing boats to do their catch and release, and then swim out.  Cast members have seen them swim the entire length of the beach!  Unfortunately, they were't out this morning, so hopefully another day.

"The Castle Guy", who so admired the Fort Wilderness decorations in 2007 that he build a 6' replica of Cinderella Castle and does the Wishes show (as well as other music and lights), is coming and will set up on the 14th.  He's so in love with being part of this, he's booked for a 2 month seasonal spot next year.

We got ready for Epcot, and it was nice not to need a jacket, but just have a t-shirt.  And shorts or jeans too, of course.

On the way there, we saw the American Idol Experience billboard; John wants to try out.  He joked:  "It's going to be Here's Briety.  She's 15!  Here's Candy.  She's 17! Here's John, he's 54."

We got in the first parking lot -- Parking lot A for something, don't remember -- and in the first couple rows. A guy whose car was right at the end, plainly visible, told his wife to take a picture of their spot number so he'd remember it.  Wait - you can't remember A and see your car right there?! 

John teased me that he didn't have to go through security since he had no bags to check (everything he'd put a bag, he had me carry).  Then they had him go through anyway. HA!  A guy across from me had to open a small zippered bag, looking embarrassed.  All this makeup spilled out; his wife ran up to explain it was hers.  The security guy said, "I know it wasn't his.  He looks great without it."  You go, boy.

I rode Spaceship Earth, and had forgotten the first scene with the cavemen hunting the mammoth, then having it in cave paintings. All I could think of was, "Get away from Manny!" and wondered how many kids think the same thing after that poignant scene in the popular Ice Age.  And I still get choked up when you reach the top and there's Earth.  There's just something about it.

On the other hand, I don't know if it's historically accurate, but Guttenberg had some chicken legs.  How did they ever hold him up.  And a piece of my head was missing my picture. It was pretty funny watching the closing video with my Swiss cheese head pasted on a cartoon body. LOL!

Got 20th anniversary button; looked surprised John didn't want one.  I'm celebrating; he's not LOL! (He hates that joke.)

Saw a Santa shirt that I admired on someone last night in MouseGears, so we stopped in.  First souvenir!  John said we should ask if I could get a Passholder discount; I said no, it wasn't listed in the booklet.  He said to ask anyway, and they said they absolutely give a Passholder discount.  I'll never live that down.