Vacation Day 32: Change of Plans - Epcot

The plan was to go back to the Universal Parks today, but we went to Epcot instead, because we got so much done with the light crowds at Universal before.

When we got into the park, we went straight to Test Track – it had a 10 minute wait. Most of the rides had a pretty short wait, because we got to the park pretty early. Vavu wasn’t too impressed with Test Track last time, so he skipped it. So it was just Maria, Andrew and Uncle Howie.




Vavu was up Mission Space, tho! We decided to do the Green Team option, even though it’s kinda whimpy! The Mission: Space attraction has two ride options: Orange Team and Green Team. Orange Team rides the original attraction, with more spinning and movement with the motion simulator. The Green Team rides a tamed-down version of the original attraction. It’s still a ride simulator, but it moves more gently. We have yet to try the Orange Team...even though Drew would!





Next, we went over to the Land Pavilion. Vavo, Vavu, and Uncle Howie went over to Soarin’ while Andrew, Maria, Aiden and Jeremy rode the other rides in the area. First we tried for the circle of Life Theater, but it was too long of a wait. So we went down to ride Living with the Land. This boat ride takes you through where Disney experiments with growing methods like hydroponics are used to grow some of the foods used in the Epcot restaurants. Then we went back up to the Circle of Life movie, and by the time we came out, Soarin’ was finally letting out. The wait was pretty long!



These are cool pumpkins that they grow into the shape of Mickey (Disney magic)!


This is what Jeremy looks like when he runs out of juice in his sippy cup.

We spent too long in the Land and ended up having to rush through the Canada and UK Pavilions – spending only 10 minutes in each – to get to our lunch reservations at “les Chefs de France”. Of course, the food was again wonderful. But the kids were a bit cranky. In fact, they took a nap soon after we were done.





Our next mission (should we choose to accept it) was to see the Holiday Storytellers in the different Pavilions of the World Showcase. We also wanted to work in a few street performances. This was a large undertaking, which took planning and timing.

We began our holiday storytime in France after lunch, with Pere Noel. We learned that most churches and homes in France have a nativity scene called the creche, which is considered one of the most important symbols of Christmas to the French. Traditionally, candles are lit around the creche; sometimes a special Yule log is also burned on the fire. After families return from Midnight Mass, they enjoy a feast called Le Reveillon, which consists of ham, goose, oysters, salads, cheese, champagne, and Buche de Noel (a delicious cake in the shape of a Yule log). Children then set out shoes around the Christmas tree in great anticipation of Le Pere Noel who will fill them with all sorts of goodies!




The Holiday Storytelling continued in Canada with Papa Noel. Although traditions such as awaiting Santa Claus, trimming the evergreen, and singing Christmas carols are similar to those found in the United States, Canada has unique holiday traditions as well. In some Canadian homes, Santa Claus enlists the help of devilish creatures called Belsnickles to determine which children have been "naughty or nice." The Belsnickles supposedly enter the houses of naughty boys and girls to cause mischief. Canada's Inuit children and visited by mysterious creatures called Naluyuks who travel from house to house. The children must sing Christmas carols to appease the Naluyuks, who pound sticks on the floor before questioning the children about their behavior. When the children say they've been good (which they always do!), the Naluyuks open special gift bags full of wonderful presents. On December 26, Canada celebrates Boxing Day, giving filled Christmas boxes to the poor as well as to tradesmen for their help during the year.



We then went over to hear Father Christmas tell stories of Christmas in the United Kingdom. Many Christmas traditions originated in the countries of the United Kingdom. Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales each have unique holiday customs, and many of these have been shared worldwide. Well-known Christmas carols such as "Deck the Halls" and "Here We Come a Wassailing" were first sung in the United Kingdom. The Christmas card tradition also began in the United Kingdom. Not surprisingly, the hanging of the mistletoe is one of the United Kingdom's oldest and most popular traditions - each time a kiss was claimed under the mistletoe, a young man would pick off one berry. The kissing would end when all the berries were gone. For children, Father Christmas with his long white beard, green robe, and crown of holly, is; still treasured as the jolly gift-bearer who brings holiday joy to the well-behaved.

We spent some time in the United Kingdom Pavilion after hearing Father Christmas speak. The boys drew on masks at the Kidcot stop at the toy store. And we bought them foam swords to play with, which they used in the street to fight. People were watching them duel. It was funny!

We had really been looking forward to seeing the World Showcase Players in the UK, so we made it a point to stick around. The show was just like we remembered it – funny! It’s based on the story of King Arthur and the Holy Grail. Maybe not quite as funny as when we saw it before (it seemed a bit rushed), but still quite entertaining. The kids got into the action, waving their arms and yelling, “Rubbish”!




We then passed back through France and Morocco to get to the United States Pavilion, only to miss the Voices of Liberty. Andrew had really been looking forward to this show, but when they opened the doors, Maria was gone filling up the boys’ cups with water, and they didn’t want to go in without her...so they stayed and the doors closed. When we saw the Voices of Liberty previously, the show was held on the front step of the American Pavilion., so we had no idea that was coming.

The drummers were going to be in the USA area in a few minutes, so while the group stayed to watch, Maria went over toe the Japan Pavilion, where she had been waiting to see their holiday storyteller: the street Daruma vendor. This is a tradition that Maria and Andrew learned about with Laura and Jake on the Yuletide tour. 0-Shogatsu, which lasts from January 1st through January 3rd, is the traditional Japanese New Year. It is a time for reflection, family, friends, delicious foods, and, of course, fun! An important New Year symbol and good luck charm for the Japanese is the Daruma doll, which has no pupils in its eyes. The custom is to make a wish and paint in the left eye. If your wish comes true before the end of the year, you paint in the other eye. The Daruma, which looks like a child's punching doll, reinforces the concepts of patience and persistence. As the Japanese say, "Nana Korobi, ya oki" which means, "Knocked down seven times, get up eight."



We all were going to meet up in Italy to see the World Showcase Players perform there (it’s a different storyline: this one is Romeo and Edna). We got the time wrong, though...so only got to see the last half of the performance. One bonus to missing the correct showtime was seeing the next act after the Players: Sergio. Sergio didn’t speak. He had a whistle in his mouth that he used to communicate, along with body language. He juggled and did other stunts with soccer balls and a net. He had a good sense of humor – especially for someone that doesn’t speak!




The Holiday Storyteller in Italy is La Befana. La Befana is a kind-hearted witch who in her story, was visited by the Three Wise Men, who invited her to join them to follow the star to Bethlehem, to find the baby Jesus. She refused to join them, but after they left, was filled with remorse. She tried to follow the star herself, but it was too late. The star was gone. So now, La Befana supposedly wanders the countryside on the eve of Epiphany (Jan 6) looking for Gesu Bambino (baby Jesus) year after year, and leaves gifts just in case the children she sees are Him.



Our final holiday storyteller of the day was in Germany. We heard about how Germany created the first Christmas tree. According to legend, while walking in the woods one snowy evening, Martin Luther was overcome by the beauty of the starlight sparkling on the fir trees. As the light from the heavens shone all around him, he was reminded of the star that shone on the night the Christkindl (Christ child) was born. He wanted to share this magic with his children, so he brought home a fir tree from the forest. He even fashioned a way to clip candles on the tree to make it look as though the branches were covered in glistening snow. On Heiligabend (Christmas Eve), German parents secretly decorate the Tannenbaum with candies, nuts, glass baubles, and twinkling lights. A bell is rung, the Tannenbaum is presented, and the children race to open presents and snatch the goodies from the tree.

Holiday storytime was over for us. It was time to head for our dinner reservations at Nine Dragons in the China Pavilion. After dinner, we did some shopping in the area. Maria found some really cool stuff from the Olympics to be held in Beijing in 2008. The gear is already available, and the cutest little mascots, called the Friendlies are featured.
http://en.beijing2008.cn/spirit/beijing2008/graphic/n214068254.shtml

Our last stop of the day was Norway, to ride Maelstrom. This is a boat ride where you are followed and teased by trolls as you ride along learning about stories of Norway. There’s one part where a troll pops up and yells, “over the falls”, and your boat goes reeling backwards toward the edge of a tall waterfall. But it all turns out okay in the end. :-)

By the end of the day, we were worn out! We had seen every land in the World Showcase, and then some! It was time to head out. After a quick stop at the Christmas store, we left the park and fell asleep the second we got home. :-)

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The best part of day 32 was the street performances and holiday storytellers, being able to check off a lot of our stuff we wanted to do.
The worst part of day 32 was getting really tired, missing some of the shows by accident.
What we learned on day 32 was tell Mom the plan otherwise she’ll just lag behind doing whatever, Voices of Liberty are INDOORS – you can’t just pop in mid-performance, kids only take short naps when they sleep in the stroller.
The weather on day 32 was humid, sunny, too hot.
Our character sightings on day 32 included Belle, Beast, Alice (in Wonderland), Eeyore, Tigger, Winnie the Pooh, Snow White, Dopey.
The crowd level on day 32 was moderate.