Day 04 - Epcot

Summary

Epcot today. Guardians virtual queue booked but was delayed and had a clash with our special lunch we had reserved, worked out in the end. Guardians was mind blowing and their other new ride based on Ratatouille was very very good too. Lunch on a ‘space station’ was amazing and one to beat. Few classic and educational attractions done too, although Test Track is down for refurb, which was one of my favourites previously. Got a few nice memory maker photos around the park also. Headed back to the hotel after a long day and jumped in the pool for a bit to wake ourselves up. No dinner. Went for a walk and went to see Pauline & Kev at their hotel for a bit to catch up and firm up some plans for tomorrow. A day of rest with shopping and dinner is on the cards, and I should hopefully get a few extra hours kip tonight, huzzah!

Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow

Up at 06:30 to get into the Virtual Queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot today. Just dreaming of tomorrow when I dont need to get up (that) early! 7am boom, queue confirmed, done! A little later than yesterday but it gave us an estimated return of 10:50, which it didnt do before, so takes some of the guessing out of it (or not as the case may be). Wake up and get ready routine was pretty much a carbon copy of yesterday morning, but taking our time a little more as the park didnt open until 9. Coffee in a cup for the car because I remembered this time and were off.

We can park straight at Epcot unlike MK yesterday so getting there was a little easier, though still need to go through bag check as I have my camera. We did talk about whether I need it everyday today and its probably a good idea for Disney as they let you take photos on most of the rides unlike Universal, plus 3 bucks there each time I need to go on a ride is a bit much, so maybe leave it whenever we return next week, we’ll see.

Got a photo at the big huge golf ball just after we entered, and it was a 360 camera so thought it would be fun to do. And it turned out ok mostly because it looks like Im a lot slimmer than I am… maybe need to invest on one of these cameras for myself :P

Living with the Land - a nice easy ride to start with as we waited on a few others. Focusing on sustainability and showing you different techniques on how to improve the efficiency of crops and fisheries whilst reducing the risk to the environment. Very educational, but Grace didnt seem to think so, as shes here to enjoy herself and not learn things apprently. I mean why not both, right?

- Gerry: 7
- Ann: 6
- Patrick: 7
- Robert: 6.5
- Grace: 6.5

Mission Space next. We missed this last time since it was closed for a refurb, so its been nearly 10 years since we rode it. I was excited. Mission: Space is a rocket launch into orbit simulator, where you are part of a crew and have “responsibilities” to make sure the mission goes to plan. There are actually two versions of the ride - Green mission - a fairly gentle simulator and more of a go through the motions affair, and then Orange which is more intense and puts you under some major G forces to simulate a rocket launch. The Orange mission isnt for everyone, and it gives you fair warning you might want to stay away if you have any motion sickness or balance issues. Last time we did it, Ann and Robert were really unwell and sick, Its also a well known myth that someone died on this ride, it could be true, but w shall never know (unless you google it I suppose, but I like to live with a sense of mystery). In any case, we opted for Green as it was the shorter queue and everyone could ride, but myself and the kids all decided it would be good to do Orange later on (even Robert despite what happened last time). Very good ride, and felt a little like Soarin’ which is another ride that flys through the air at Epcot, though Gary Sinise was no longer in the pre flight videos, which is a shame. Funny coincidence, Im editing this as Apollo 13 is on TV, good film but sadly no more Nick Cage :(

- Gerry: 7.5
- Ann: 7
- Patrick: 7
- Robert: 7
- Grace: 7

You durty Rat!

Now it was supposed to be Guardians next but the estimated time kept slipping to the point that, we had (at least) another 30 minutes to go before we could enter, so we hit the world showcase to try out Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in the France Pavilion. Another photo outside of the ride and you’d think Patrick didnt get the memo, but no he did he was just being awkward trying to be cool (which Patrick, you werent, just look at the freaking RAT man!). Didnt know much about this new ride, but was recommended by the O’Donnells, so needed to try it out. And I loved it! You get to ride as a rat and join Remy in a 4D adventure throughout the restaurant, keeping away from the human chefs and other dangers and the mix of 3D characters and physical scenes with the trackless “rat” is excellent and so smooth.

- Gerry: 9
- Ann: 8.5
- Patrick: 9
- Robert: 9
- Grace: 8.5

So we had a problem after Remy’s. We secretly had Space 220 booked for lunch unbeknownst to the kids but we were on the other side of the park with lunch booked at the same time as Guardians as the window had been extended again. And Disney have a policy and if you don’t arrive for your reservation you can still get charged for it so I decided to run ahead and let the restaurant know we would be a little late. We got to Guardians and felt a little anxious at how close we were cutting it so kinda distracted during the intro and warm up. However we were ushered into the final queue with nowhere to go so decided just to roll with it and I’m so glad we did. It may be a little short lived with Galaxy’s Edge up on Saturday, but Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the best ride I have been on to date and the first 10 on my score sheet. A fast, smooth coaster ride with all the squad showing up and helping us battle a Celestial that has stole the Mcguffin! Music was kick-ass (yes I did just say that) and its a ride I want to go on again and again (which we definitely will on our return trip). Still buzzing from it, its that good.

- Gerry: 10
- Ann: 9
- Patrick: 9
- Robert: 10
- Grace: 10

You spin me right round baby, right round…

We did the walk-run thing to Space 220 after we exited, which was ok in hindsight as they didnt even blink when we checked in to the restaurant. So Space 220 is a simulated space station called Alpha Centauri which can only be accessed by a “space elevator” from Epcot. We received a futuristic boarding card, got in the elevator and took off into orbit. It was surreal. When we entered the restaurant itself, we could see Earth from the viewport. So so thematic, and glad we managed to secure a reservation (60 days prior).

Menu was accessed from a QR code from the table (the future is now), and cutlery and napkins on the table were sleek black and were almost pocketed. The whole aesthetic was exceptional. And the menu had too many nice options to choose from. In general, my go to and absolute favourite food is fish tacos so when I seen them on the menu its normally a given, however the server then decided to throw a spanner in the works and recommend Starry Calamari or the Blue Moon Cauliflower (which came with hot sauce and blue cheese dust). Knowing there are other restaurants that are going to do tacos and with Grace ordering them anyway (so I could steal a bite) I went for the cauliflower instead. Mains again had loads of choice and high on the recommendations were the Space Pad “Thai” and Galactic Miso Salmon with a safer option of Steak Frites. Steak looked amazing but we’re planning a steak night or two so had to be Pad Thai and Grace wanted to share (read, have half of mine).

Food was exceptional and everyone cleared their plate (with Grace helping to clear mine). Its a bit pricey but a definite recommendation and one to hopefully try again one day.

Was a bit of back and forth in the park today just to try to get the best times for things so headed for Soarin’ after lunch via a quick detour of the Guardians merch shop (they didnt have any cool movie merch though, mostly stuff for younger kids). Grace couldnt remember Soarin’ from back in 2017, so it was good to see her reaction as its got great wow factor, simulating a flight across some major points of interest over the world.

- Gerry: 8.5
- Ann: 8
- Patrick: 7.5
- Robert: 8.5
- Grace: 8

Awesome Planet - a wee funny educational video about the planet next (sorry Grace). A dark theatre and it being post lunch is a bad combo if you want to keep your eyes open though, despite it being really informative, I just about managed it.

- Gerry: 7
- Ann: 6
- Patrick: 6.5
- Robert: 6
- Grace:6

Do you wanna build a snowmaaaan???

Over to Norway after that for the Frozen Ever After ride, with all the characters and all the songs. Frozen is my favourite, so yes I was singing along with Grace to everything. Towards the end, we had Elsa in her castle and Ann casually mentioned that I fancy her, I just find that preposterous, so I let it go… :D Seriously though, dont know what’s shes on about…

- Gerry: 7.5 (Elsa is a 10 though)
- Ann: 6
- Patrick: 7
- Robert: 6.5
- Grace: 7.5

Last ride for today was Spaceship Earth and another that Grace couldnt quite remember and asked me about four times what is was about. Nice gentle ride about the evolution of man. and a good one to leave with. There was a few we didnt manage today, but well catch them on the return.

- Gerry: 7.5
- Ann: 7
- Patrick: 8.5
- Robert: 8
- Grace: 8

Back to the hotel and PG had wanted to go for a walk around the Pointe, one of the local shopping and entertainment districts, which is more or less across from us on International Drive. However we were all kinda bushed so had a quick dip in the pool, for the first time this holiday, to get refreshed and reenergized. We werent at all hungry either as lunch had been so filling, so sacked dinner tonight and after drying off decided on just a short walk rather than get all dressed up proper to go around the “fancy” shops at the Pointe.

As we walked up the road, we wondered how Pauline and Kev got on at Magic Kingdom today as we walked past the street that turned into their hotel. At at that exact time, Pauline sent us a message wondering how we got on and invited us over to theirs as they were just chilling by the pool. Such a bizarre coincidence and not for the first time this holiday either. So we chatted for a bit while the kids played around the pool and we firmed up some plans for tomorrow - our first free day, which will mainly consist of shopping, dinner and a (drone) show!

So better go get some sleep now, which will be a little longer tonight and well probably get to go for breakfast for the first time in the morning too. Oh and since I mentioned distance walked on the last update, I though Id add in a few more stats to the footer below :)

Today’s Stats

- Step Count: 22k (New Record)
- Starred Rides: Guardians, Remy
- Total steps: 78.7k
- Total miles : 34.1 miles