Friday: The day didn't get off to a fast start because of some serious indecision about what to do. Christopher and Matthew absolutely wanted to do DisneyQuest again; Suzanne suggested a return to Magic Kingdom but nobody was really up for that and we finally agreed that a visit to Epcot, the one park we hadn't visited yet, seemed to make sense. Go there, do the big rides (Soarin', Mission Space, Test Track) escape to DisneyQuest and then go to dinner.
So, we arrive at Epcot later in the morning than we probably would have preferred, and the line for Soarin' is at about 2 hours. Use our Fast Passes for Test Track (2 pm) and stand in line for Mission Space. They've changed this ride now, you have two options: An orange pass, with spinning and a serious effort at reproducing the effects of a launch into space, and, a green pass, with the same visuals but a less intimidating experience.
Dad, Christopher, Gramps, and Grandma go for the green. Christopher, still a little spooked by some of his experiences, is getting nervous and antsy as we stand in line, but, a final description of the ride as more like Star Tours and less like Space Mountain seems to settle him down. And the ride turns out to be fairly awesome; you simulate a launch, your four person shuttle has each member play a role (I was the pilot, Christopher was the navigator) and I thought it was really well done.
Kevin of course thought the orange pass was a blast....I shudder to think what that might be like. Suzanne sadly missed the ride as Matthew needed to pull out of line for a pit stop.....
Decided to go down and hit some of the country themed areas before lunch and before our Test Track time. First stop was Mexico
I love this photo
I say 'gracias', you say 'de nada'.
The smells were so good here we almost bailed on our original plan (German) for lunch! The boys had a good time modeling the Mexican gear, and enjoyed the boat ride that's part of the attraction.
Next on the list was China
No ride here, or, at least no ride that we went on. But, the boys liked seeing the terracotta army, especially since we had just seen the most recent Mummy movie and part of the movie revolves around an army like that coming to life!
Walked down to Germany for lunch; brats all around. Made our way back through Norway on our way to Test Track. Again, another boat ride showing the Norwegian folk trolls and gnomes and a movie about Norway at the end (not sure that the Norwegians would appreciate the large focus on North Sea oil drilling...thought that was kind of weird).
Of course, there's a Norway-themed gift shop. And more head gear.
Finished up our stay at Epcot with the Test Track ride....everyone thought that was pretty cool.
The Hutsells at Epcot
Of note: Christopher is wearing Kevin's shirt....he's almost the same shirt size now.
Left Epcot and went to DisneyQuest. Christopher and I blasted the bugs at Spice Island; Matthew dusted Mom and me at the Nascar game, and Suzanne and I had another go at a Ms. Pac Man duel...this time we again had to suspend the game due to time constraints but I was the one who was way ahead as we ended the game. I was able to claim Frogger-bragging rights for the trip. Kevin was playing Galaga and saying and showing that he was pretty good....Mom advised him not to go challenging the Dad anytime soon......
Had dinner at Outback that evening and concluded the vacation with a trip to the Pirate Ship pool and the hot tub in the evening.
