[Travelandtourism] Day 4 in EPCOT - Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow

Thu Dec 22 16:32:28 UTC 2011

Thx for telling me about the World of Coca Cola. Only opening at certain times; I didn't realize that! And Mike and I definitely agree with trying something new each time, we will do the same.

The group trip sounds good. I will look forward to more on that

Jewel

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 22, 2011, at 11:02 AM, "cheryl echevarria" <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com> wrote:

> Jewel:
> 
> Thank you for sharing.
> 
> Each time we go to EPCOT we try different things, as well as in the rest of the Parks, EPCOT is just one of the 4 Parks.  All must be tried.
> 
> We ate in Japan last time we were there, and ate at the Steakhouse where they cook on the tables in front of you and do a show, we love this ourselves.
> 
> Next time we want to try either Paris or Morocco or possibly both, one night one and other night another one.
> 
> My daughter loves sushi, I can only eat the California rolls since I am a transplant patient, can't eat raw fish anymore, but when I could I did eat it.
> 
> I will be writing about Day 5 Shortly, Hollywood Studios, which I love to ride the movies and enjoy the other shows and parks.  
> 
> We also ate dinner at the Flying Fish Restaurant at the Boardwalk Resort, which is across the water from Hollywood Studios, we took the boat, nice day and evening.
> 
> Stayed tuned for more.
> 
> Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
> 
> Cheryl Echevarria
> http://www.echevarriatravel.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.com/>
> 631-456-5394
> reservations at echevarriatravel.com<mailto:reservations at echevarriatravel.com>
> 
> For daily updates read our blog at
> http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com/>
>  ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: Jewel<mailto:herekittykat2 at gmail.com> 
>  To: NFB Travel and Tourism Division List<mailto:travelandtourism at nfbnet.org> 
>  Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 10:47 AM
>  Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Day 4 in EPCOT - Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow
> 
> 
>  Wonderfuol descriptions! I want to add something from my own visit to
>  DisneyWorld in June. Our favourite things there were the Sum of All
>  Rides and the Coca Cola store's taste testing of cokes from aroudn the
>  world.
> 
>  Sum of All Rides, as Cheryl said, is a vitual roller coaster. What was
>  nice was that, even though the ride creation computer was not
>  accessible, we had n o problem asking for assistance and they
>  described it to us perfectly. We went on two, first the bobsled, then
>  the jet. It was awesome!
> 
>  One thing Cheryl didn't mention that I feel is worth mentioning is the
>  Coca Cola store. It has Coke products from around the world to
>  taste-test, including Italy (warning: this wone tastes like stale
>  beer), Mexico, and China (which was our favourite, a very carbonated
>  watermelon soda that I wish we had in the United States!). People are
>  welcome to try as much as they like, and you can purchase these drinks
>  in the store (we got a bottle of Chinese watermelon soda, which nearly
>  exploded in Mike's hands when he opneed it because of all the
>  carbonation!), and there are lots of other Coca-Cola products, like
>  piggy banks and glasses. It was a fun experience.
> 
>  We had dinner in Japan, where I had sushi and Mike had tempur and
>  steak. It was some of the best Japanese food I've had yet, and I've
>  tried sushi in many different cities (though never yet in Japan,
>  unfortuantely).
> 
>  We also had snack in France at the pastry shop. I had a quiche and
>  ZMike had a croissant, and they were most delicious. I was sorry to
>  see them finished.
> 
>  Just some of my own memories from Epcot to share,
>  Jewel
> 
>  On 12/20/11, cheryl echevarria <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com<mailto:cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>> wrote:
>> A little history on EPCOT - It stands for Experimental Prototype Community
>> of Tomorrow
>> 
>> The park is dedicated to the celebration of human achievement, namely
>> international culture and technological innovation. The second park built at
>> the resort, it opened on October 1, 1982.  Also EPCOT is twice the size of
>> the Magic Kingdom, so a lot of walking or you can rent a wheelchair or
>> scooter from Guest Services if you are not already renting one or have one.
>> 
>> Disney's original vision of EPCOT was for a model community, home to twenty
>> thousand residents, which would be a test bed for city planning and
>> organization. Disney's vision was not realized as funding and permission to
>> start work on his Florida property would not be granted until he agreed to
>> build the Magic Kingdom first. Disney died before the Magic Kingdom opened
>> and the Walt Disney Company decided that it did not want to be in the
>> business of running a city.
>> 
>> The park has two sections-Future World and World Showcase it is laid out in
>> an hourglass shape.
>> 
>> Future World is made up into a few different lands like in Magic Kingdom:
>> 
>>  a.. Spaceship Earth<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaceship_Earth_(Disney<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaceship_Earth_(Disney>)>
>>  b.. Innoventions<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innoventions_(Epcot<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innoventions_(Epcot>)>
>>  c.. Universe of Energy<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universe_of_Energy<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universe_of_Energy>>
>>  d.. Mission: SPACE<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission:_SPACE<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission:_SPACE>>
>>  e.. Test Track<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_Track<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_Track>>
>>  f.. The Seas with Nemo and
>> Friends<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seas_with_Nemo_and_Friends<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seas_with_Nemo_and_Friends>>
>>  g.. The Land<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Land_(Disney<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Land_(Disney>)>
>>  h.. Imagination!<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imagination<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imagination>!>
>> We started our day, by having breakfast at our resort and then we were off
>> to EPCOT.
>> 
>> Caribbean Beach Resort is closest in the Moderate Resorts closest to EPCOT
>> and you can get there again by bus. The Luxury Resorts that are closest, can
>> either walk to EPCOT or take the boat.  We will talk about those later,
>> since we took the boat to the Boardwalk Resort and took pictures and videos
>> of the Christmas decorations as well.
>> 
>> Anyway, we got there just as the gates opened.  We were met by photopass
>> people and go out picture in front of Spaceship Earth. If you have seen
>> pictures or have heard about Spaceship Earth it is the Landmark of the Park,
>> like the Castle is in Magic Kingdom, and the Tree of Life is in Animal
>> Kingdom Park.
>> 
>> Also, Spaceship Earth is a ride, which we went on first, fyi it is slow
>> moving but very educational as well.  We did this twice, we love this ride.
>> 
>> It is housed within the 18-story geodesic sphere that takes guests on a time
>> machine themed experience using the Omnimover system. The 13-minute dark
>> ride (and being blind, it is very very informational, so you don't have to
>> see what they are talking about, very descriptive) shows guests how
>> advancements in human communication have helped to create the future one
>> step at a time. The attraction involves a timeline from the origins of
>> prehistoric man to the dawn of the 21st century, where guests can then
>> create a future for themselves. Again, we did record this and will be on
>> youtube.com
>> 
>> From here we went to Innoventions:
>> 
>> Focuses on technological advancements and their practical applications in
>> everyday life.
>> 
>> My daughter went on the Sum of all Thrills:
>> 
>> allows guests to custom-design their own roller coaster, bobsled, or jet
>> plane experience, then ride it. Some of you might remember a similar
>> attraction at Disney Quest called CyberSpace Mountain, but I can assure you,
>> this is far more elaborate. Before riding, you might want to check out the
>> warning sign and the test chairs to make sure you'll fit.
>> 
>> There are other things here like The Great Piggy Bank Adventure - teaches
>> children (and adults) the importance of saving and planning for the future.
>> This is a fantastic way for children to learn the importance of savings. The
>> Great Piggy Bank Adventure is something that a parent should experience with
>> their children. We didn't do this!
>> 
>> Segway Central - The SegwayT Human Transporter (HT) is a personal,
>> short-distance transportation device using the advanced technology of tilt
>> sensors, gyroscopes and microprocessors. Cast Members are on hand to
>> demonstrate and answer questions. You can also see Cast Members on the
>> Segway throughout Future World. Two Segway Tours are available to guests. We
>> didn't do this either!
>> 
>> Since we saw the Living Seas Pavilion the last time there, we focused on
>> things we didn't see either they were closed for renovations are the lines
>> were just to long.
>> 
>> We went to the Land Pavilion - In this building it houses three attractions,
>> has a sit-down restaurant and food court.
>> 
>> We first went to see the line for Soaring it was a 70 minute wait, so we
>> said no way.
>> 
>> Description of Soaring is:
>> 
>> The attraction sends guests on a sweeping flyover above the wondrous Golden
>> State for a birds-eye view of the rich landscape and topography.
>> 
>> The unforgettable experience combines cinematic artistry and
>> state-of-the-art motion base technology. Guests are literally lifted 40 feet
>> inside a giant projection screen dome and completely surrounded with the
>> beauty and wonder of the state of California as their elevated theater seats
>> take them on a scenic tour over the Golden Gate Bridge, the Redwood forests,
>> Napa Valley, Yosemite and more. The free-flight experience intensifies as
>> guests feel the sweeping winds and smell fragrant orange blossoms and pine
>> trees around them.
>> 
>> We did go on there is also a private tour called the Living Seeds Tour,
>> which takes you behind the scenes and up close and ask questions. Many of
>> these innovative gardening areas are already being used in the World.
>> Living with the Land - a gentle 14-minute boat ride through unique indoor
>> plant growing areas.  An introduction shows tropic, desert and prairie
>> biomes that existed before humans arrived.  The automated narration explains
>> all about the four greenhouses and the aquaculture facility.
>> 
>> The boat glides on into The Land's experimental growing areas: (Again, you
>> don't have to be sighted to enjoy this it is very descriptive and if you
>> love gardening this is a don't miss exhibit)
>> 
>>  a.. The Tropics Greenhouse - crops such as rice, sugar cane, peanuts,
>> cacao, and bananas are usually grown under the 60-foot dome.   These crops
>> can be found in Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America and the southern
>> United States.
>> 
>>  b.. The Aquacell -  crops include fish, alligators, catfish, tilapia,
>> sunshine bass and American eel.
>> 
>>  c.. The Temperate Greenhouse - featuring the concepts and technologies of
>> sustainable agriculture, including intercropping, integrated pest management
>> and specialized irrigation systems that reduce waste and increase crop
>> production.
>> 
>> 
>>  d.. The Production Greenhouse - where tons of tomatoes, peppers, lettuce
>> and other vegetables are grown for use in The Land's Garden Grill Restaurant
>> and other Epcot restaurants. Land scientists utilize growing systems that
>> are kinder to the environment and improve productivity.
>> 
>> 
>>  e.. The Creative House , showing imaginative ways to grow crops -- without
>> soil, hanging in the air, even on a space station. USDA scientists currently
>> are working at The Land to develop fruit with a longer shelf life
>> 
>> Also, which we didn't do was:
>> 
>> The Circle of Life - a wide-screen movie about the environment and our
>> relationship with the land, hosted by the stars of The Lion King.  All set
>> to build Hakuna Matata Vacation Resort, Pumbaa and Timon are damming rivers
>> and cutting down trees.  Simba steps in to remind them, and us, to take care
>> of our environment.  The photography in this movie is outstanding and not to
>> be missed.  Scenes were filmed in over 30 nations.
>> 
>> Also the sit down restaurant which you will want to make reservations is:
>> The Garden Grill Restaurant<http://allears.net/menu/menu_gg.htm<http://allears.net/menu/menu_gg.htm>> is a
>> unique, circular sit-down restaurant that actually rotates slowly. As the
>> restaurant glides you will be able to look out into the main hall of The
>> Land Pavilion and also catch glimpses of Living With the Land boat ride. The
>> Garden Grill serves lunch or dinner with Farmer Mickey and Farmers Chip and
>> Dale.
>> 
>> 
>> Our Next Stop of the Imagination Pavilion:
>> 
>> This building is right next to the Land Pavilion to the Left and to the
>> Right of the Land is the Living Seas Pavilion.
>> 
>> We saw the Captain EO 3D Experience:
>> 
>> Captain EO is vintage Michael Jackson in his prime. The songs are all
>> original Jackson, and bring to life the story of an electronic band of space
>> creatures who undergo a magical transformation and aid Jackson in conquering
>> the evil forces of darkness
>> 
>> We also went to
>> Journey into Imagination... with Figment
>> 
>> A whimsical look at how our senses play a part in our imagination with Dr.
>> Nigel Channing and a cute purple dragon named Figment as our guides!!
>> 
>> Wander through the queue and see part of the Imagination Institute. There is
>> a portrait gallery of Inventor of the Year winners, which includes Dr.
>> Channing, Dr. Wayne Szalinski (Honey I Shrunk the Audience) and Dr. Brainard
>> from "Flubber."
>> 
>> The colors become much brighter as you enter the loading and unloading zone.
>> Slow moving red vehicles (similar to tose on Spaceship Earth) crawl by as
>> you move from the moving ramp into the vehicle. There are 2 rows and both
>> can comfortably seat 2 adults or 2 adults and a child. A large adult may
>> want to sit in their own row. The back row is slightly wider than the front
>> row.
>> 
>> Once inside the vehicle, Dr. Channing begins to provide an overview of your
>> Open House experience and it's here you get your first glance at Figment!
>> Travel through several "labs" that study our senses and how they are
>> intertwined with our imagination --Sight, Sound and Smell. One never gets to
>> Taste and Touch, as Figment - well - he has other plans for the "Open
>> House".
>> 
>> There are special effects, we are dealing with our senses afterall, so be
>> prepared especially for the sense of Sound and Smell.
>> 
>> After here we walked over to the World Showcase, this doesn't open until 11
>> AM most days. It is a walk, over a foot bridge.
>> 
>> It is made up of in this order, when you first come into World Showcase and
>> your are walking towards you right the countries are in this order.
>> 
>> Canada, United Kingdom, France, Morocco, Japan, American Adventure, Italy,
>> Germany, China, Norway and Mexico. They are building more in the coming
>> years. During Christmas they performers telling the story of Christmas in
>> there countries, and all the people who work in World Showcase was employed
>> from that country as well.
>> 
>> Make sure when you enter each park, every day you get a map and a list of
>> all shows and entertainment, it also gives you the times and countries of
>> photo opportunities with you favorite Disney Character from that Country.
>> 
>> Such as we took pictures with Alice in Wonderland and Mary Poppins in the
>> U.K.
>> 
>> In France we took pictures with Marie from the Aristocats (my generation and
>> daughter's movie), Belle and the Beast together.
>> 
>> In Morocco it was Princess Jasmine and Aladdin
>> 
>> In Japan it was Mulan, but when we got there, she was done for the day.
>> 
>> Germany, it was Snow White!
>> 
>> Also while we were in EPCOT during the Christmas time of the year. They have
>> the Candlelight Processional and a famous celebrity each day comes and tells
>> the story of the birth of the Baby Jesus!
>> 
>> We were suppose to see Whoppi Goldberg, but it was changed to Gina Davis.
>> You don't need a ticket to see it, and can hear this while walking in the
>> American Adventures Pavilion.
>> 
>> But Dinner Packages start selling in July for this event.
>> 
>> Dates go from it begins November 25 - December 30.  They have been doing
>> this since Walt Disney World opened, over 40 years.
>> 
>> We first saw Alice in Wonderland, and then had an hour until Mary Poppins
>> came out so we went and had lunch, our fast meal of the day.
>> 
>> We ate at the Yorkshire County Fish and Chips - We had yummy fish and chips
>> and shortbread cookies for dessert, and my daughter bought a beer stein, she
>> didn't drink beer but bought one, it was about $5.00.  After we ate we saw
>> Mary Poppins, and then walked around the U.K. Pavilion. They had shops
>> designed in London Type shops, they had Twinings Tea which we went into, and
>> some places that sold clothes, etc.  They also have a few times of day
>> street performers comedians, and also something link the British Invasion
>> type music they played stuff from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.  We
>> had a blast, from there we took the boat over to the Boardwalk Resort.
>> 
>> Lovely resort, like staying at the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, or Any
>> Boardwalk town, it is a luxury resort, but you can go and look around and
>> maybe stay there sometime. We saw there tree. And there special things is a
>> chocolate gazebo with Stitch from Lilo and Stitch, and a working first place
>> and right above the lite fire looks like Donald Ducks feet coming down the
>> chimney. It was nice, and all made out of Chocolate.
>> 
>> We went back to EPCOT after that, we walked around France, they have the
>> Eiffel Tower, and stores and Crepe stands along the way, we wanted to go to
>> the pastry shops, but decided to get pictures taken.  From there we went to
>> Morroco they also has stores and stands, and exhibits from the country, and
>> each Pavilion has it's own sit down restaurant and it is again highly
>> recommended that you make reservations prior to going to the one you want.
>> 
>> We had dinner in Italy: It is called, Tutto Italia
>> 
>> And we had, Lasagna for me, and my daughter had Risotto Ai Gamberi E
>> Aragosta - Creamy Arborio Rice, lobster, shrimp, herbs, butter, parmesan
>> cheese
>> 
>> We shared, the portions are big at the sit down restaurants, so I recommend
>> that if people are getting the dining plans they get the regular dining plan
>> and not the deluxe, only because the snack can be your lunch, and the food
>> is just to much.
>> 
>> The Deluxe Plan has Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, 2 Snacks a day. It is just to
>> much.
>> 
>> Before Dinner though we walked down to Mexico and got our face painted I was
>> done up as a Caribbean Mask, and my daughter was Tinkerbell we loved doing
>> it. Then we went to Germany and took pictures with Snow White and then had
>> Dinner, after Dinner we went back to Mexico and did the Gran Fiesta Tour
>> staring the Three Caballeros if you have never seen the animated movie it
>> stars Donald Duck, José Carioca (the parrot), and Panchito (the Mexican
>> charro rooster) you can get it on DVD.
>> 
>> It is a boat ride through Mexico, it is fun and a favorite of ours.
>> 
>> You can find more descriptions of all the Pavilions at allears.net
>> 
>> After this my daughter went on the Test Track Ride which was back in the
>> Future World, but it was a short walk from the Mexican Pavilion.
>> 
>> What is Test Track it is a ride that Disney and General Motors built
>> together.
>> 
>> And if you are blind you will love this as well, you are not driving but in
>> the ride itself.
>> 
>> Test Track -- Once you finally arrive at the loading zone you will be
>> instructed to move to a row and then board the  six-passenger Test Track
>> vehicle. The longest and fastest Walt Disney World attraction provides you a
>> sneak peek inside the world of automobile testing.   Passengers in each
>> "test" vehicle experience a firsthand look at how GM cars and trucks are
>> tested before being brought to market.
>> 
>> Hill Climb Test - The "test" schedule begins with a tire-squealing,
>> engine-roaring, three-story ascent.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Suspension Test - Passengers descend to the second level over a series of
>> harsh variable road surfaces.
>> 
>> Brake Test - Two passes through a circular setup of traffic cones shows how
>> a wildly-out-of-control skid can become a manageable steer with ABS brakes.
>> Rolling to a stop, guests view an instant replay of themselves performing
>> both tests from a bird's-eye view.
>> 
>> Environmental Chamber Test - Vehicles are exposed to extreme heat,
>> bone-chilling cold and a "corrosive" mist sprayed by industrial robots in a
>> series of enclosed environmental chambers. (NOTE: You are misted in the cold
>> and corrosive chambers but do not get "wet".) Temperature difference between
>> hot and cold rooms -100 degrees!
>> 
>> Ride Handling Test - Exiting from the chambers, vehicles accelerate quickly
>> up a switchback "mountain road" to a dark tunnel full of surprises.
>> 
>> Barrier Test - Guests feel what it's like to be a crash-test dummy during
>> this attention-grabbing, high-speed sequence.
>> 
>> High-Speed Test - Outside the building, vehicles scream around a
>> steeply-banked loop turning them back toward the 50-degree banked curve
>> hugging the building's massive circumference. Heading back inside, each
>> vehicle is tested on the thermal imager, a device allowing guests to see the
>> areas of heat generated on the vehicle -- and guests -- during testing.
>> Maximum Speed - 65mph!
>> 
>> From here we went to find a place to see Illuminations Reflections of Earth.
>> This is more than just a fireworks show there.
>> 
>> It is on the World Showcase Lagoon, and has fireworks, and water and oh my
>> so much more to enjoy!!
>> 
>> After this we went back to the bus. Please remember from World Showcase it
>> is a long walk back to your bus! So please be prepared, and there will be
>> crowds.
>> 
>> Tomorrow our last day and it is Hollywood Studios
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
>> 
>> Cheryl Echevarria
>> http://www.echevarriatravel.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.com/<http://www.echevarriatravel.com%3chttp//www.echevarriatravel.com/>>
>> 631-456-5394
>> reservations at echevarriatravel.com<mailto:reservations at echevarriatravel.com<mailto:reservations at echevarriatravel.com%3Cmailto:reservations at echevarriatravel.com>>
>> 
>> For daily updates read our blog at
>> http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com/<http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com%3chttp//www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com/>>
>> _______________________________________________
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