Day 3 – Cast Connections and Epcot

We had an exciting plan for today. As Katie is a cast member we are allowed to visit the cast shop where older merchandise is sold off.

We headed there in the morning, not really sure what to expect but very curious.

The place was huge! Lots of Christmas stuff in offer. We found some magic bands from a random event that were very cheap so we each got one. They are handy but I wouldn’t want to pay $30 for one (and we had loads of them. But we can’t find them anywhere.)

I found a cute Minnie t-shirt. We got some spirit jerseys. A handbag. A Disney wish Xmas ornament that didn’t make it into the photo. Quite a little haul.

Pleased with our shopping exploits we continued onto Target. I could see there was one at the end of Western Way but when we got there it was tiny. Katie wanted an iPad and they didn’t have any in stock so after a quick visit to Walgreens we moved onto a bigger SuperTarget on the 192.

Katie bought herself an iPad and we picked up some frozen meals.

We considered getting a Starbucks but the line was huge so we just headed back to our apartment.

We had some snacks and a bit of a relax as we wanted a late night in Epcot.

We got the bus to Epcot and I think we must have just missed one as we had quite a long wait for it to arrive.

We got to Epcot just after 2 and started with a rather classic photo pass picture spot.

Then it was straight onto Spaceship earth. This was showing something like 15 minutes wait time but we basically walked straight on.

We do like Spaceship Earth and the soothing tones of Dame Judi but I did think it was looking a little tired and could do with a bit of sparkling up. The zone at the end is looking really neglected as well.

We left Spaceship Earth and we’re in the new Construction Zone’. I think part of this is coming down for the Moana feature which will definitely be an improvement as its currently a lot of walls.

We decided to walk around World Showcase and started with Mexico. It was crazy in the pavilion with the queue for The 3 Cabelleros right across the pavilion and near the entrance ramp. I’m not sure what was going on as they put up some ropes and arranged us into a proper queue and actually the wait wasn’t long. Maybe 5 minutes? But it looked crazy when we walked in.

Katie liked the look of the Mexican restaurant so we picked up a reservation for Friday. My food budget is going to need some tweaking I think!!!

As we left Mexico we saw Donald so we went over and had a photo with him.

We then just wandered up through the countries to Japan. We were quite hungry and we took a look at the Regal Eagle in the USA which smelled amazing but wasn’t what we fancied so we ended up at an old favourite. Katsura Grill in Japan.

This was just what we needed. We had a nice meal and a recharge then we had a walk through the Japan pavilion. We found a little museum area all about Kawaii which was interesting and nice and cool so we had a good look around that and then into the shop. They had loads of lovely things and lots of things for specific characters that I am not familiar with.

I thought this was cute

We left Japan and walked around to Morocco where we found this lovely area where we took some photos.

We had a wander around and then we found a new area with information about a road race that is never seen before.

We go over to France. Ratatouille ride is 175 minutes so we aren’t doing that! So we just sit and soak in the atmosphere for a few minutes and then on to the UK where we looked in the shops and we could hear the band playing out back.

We have always been a fan of O’Canada so we went there next. But it’s a new film now and I have to admit I prefer the old one.

We we’re starting to get tired now. We thought we might go to the DVC members lounge for a break but we got there just as it was closing.

Instead we went into the cinema and watched the Pixar Shorts. I absolutely love ‘It’s a Horse’. I think it’s the most impressive 3D film I’ve ever seen.

Next stop was Soarin. This was a walk on. I do love Soarin it’s such a relaxing ride.

We came off Soarin and straight into Living with the Land.

We wanted to stay for the Fireworks but we were definitely getting tired. The Nemo ride had no line so we went over there and walked straight on.

As we left the Seas I was just so tired I didn’t think I was going to make it too the fireworks. We decided to get a snack at the Connections Cafe for a break. We had something to eat and a Starbucks and a rest and then just before 9 we walked over to the lake and found a spot.

We haven’t seen this fireworks show before and I wasn’t sure what to expect but it was excellent. I think I preferred it to Illuminations

After the fireworks we walked back to the bus stop. The lights on Spaceship Earth were so pretty.

We made it back to the bus and we had literally just missed one. At the end of a very long day it felt like a long wait for the next bus. Luckily a family waiting for the bus decided to entertain us all by chanting loudly from the queue all the way back to the hotel. Maybe I’m grumpy but I didn’t really need to listen to their family reunion chanting…