A Trip of Firsts and Favorites - Day 3; Part 1 (Epcot)

[ljv1975]

May 17, 2010

After a very full day, we were awake bright and early and headed to Epcot for 8:00 am breakfast reservations at Akershus. http://s900.photobucket.com/albums/a...7.jpg&newest=1 This time we drove to the right park, and we were the very first car in the parking lot. http://s900.photobucket.com/albums/a...3.jpg&newest=1 It was sprinkling so Sophie donned her poncho to protect her hairstyle which had held up pretty well after the full day yesterday and a night’s sleep.

Luckily it only lightly sprinkled for a few minutes, and while it was still overcast the rain didn’t come back. We were allowed to enter the park and we made our way to Norway for breakfast.

We lined up for the photo with Belle, and when it was our turn something went wrong with the photo pass camera. This was both good and bad because it gave the kids some extra time with Belle, but by the time they got the camera working again they really rushed through the picture and the photo package wasn’t the best. Don’t get me wrong - it was cute, but Aiden wasn’t really looking at the camera so it could have been better. This picture that I took turned out good though! Oh well. http://s900.photobucket.com/albums/a...5.jpg&newest=1

We really enjoy breakfast here. This was our third time in as many years and the food didn’t disappoint. I really like the set up with the fruit, pastries, etc. on the buffet and then the hot plate served family style. I really love the cheesy potatoes!

Cinderella, Snow White, http://s900.photobucket.com/albums/a...1.jpg&newest=1 Ariel and Aurora came to our table during the meal. Our server was good and he even brought Aiden a cupcake at the end of the meal for his birthday. http://s900.photobucket.com/albums/a...3.jpg&newest=1 http://s900.photobucket.com/albums/a...8.jpg&newest=1 Aiden was so shy of the princesses, but he had a huge smile on his face the entire time, so I think he enjoyed the attention of a bunch of pretty ladies! http://s900.photobucket.com/albums/a...1.jpg&newest=1

When we got the check, I wished we had done the dining plan! Even with the Tables in Wonderland our bill was more than $80 - which in my book is a lot for breakfast, but hey, it’s Disney after all.

It was about 8:50 am when we left the restaurant. Perfect timing! We headed over to Future World and rode Spaceship Earth. This time it was a walk-on which was a major difference from our first day! Sophie loves creating the future, and she cracked me up when she selected the “I live to work” option. LOL! We e-mailed our photos to ourselves and then Sophie and I played the game where you help provide energy to the city while Levi and Aiden played the racing game. Afterwards, we took a Journey into Imagination with Figment and let the kids play around the Imageworks lab for awhile.

We then decided to ride Living with the Land because it had been closed during our trip last September. We ran into Levi’s Aunt and Uncle who we had seen the night before at DHS while we were in line. What are the odds of running into them two days in a row?!? We remembered to take a picture with them this time. This was their last day so we probably wouldn’t run into them again.

After our ride through the greenhouses, we rode Nemo, which had a bit of a line but it moved pretty quick. After exiting our clamshell (yes, we all squeezed in one with the kids in our laps), we watched the dolphins swimming back and forth. We went in for the next showing of Turtle Talk with Crush. The kids didn’t want to sit on the floor alone, so I sat on the floor with them, but off to the side against the wall. I think this show is cute, but they just didn’t seem to have much interest in it.

Sophie was eager to get over to Japan to pick a pearl. We let her pick one every trip. My idea is that by the time she gets married she’ll have collected enough to have them made into a necklace to wear on her wedding day. Even though she was in a hurry, she asked to stop in Canada for some pictures. http://s900.photobucket.com/albums/a...4.jpg&newest=1

Anyway, the store was pretty empty and she was able to go right up and select her oyster. She chose one that was kind of standing upright. She zoned in on it right away. Levi even picked her up so she could have a better view, but that was the one she wanted.

When the girl opened it up, she had a big smile AND. . . . It was twins!! http://s900.photobucket.com/albums/a...8.jpg&newest=1 They played the drums and Sophie was very excited! http://s900.photobucket.com/albums/a...9.jpg&newest=1 Two perfect white pearls. So, of course we had to get them made into earrings for her. Out of all of the styles (some very expensive!) there were to choose from, Sophie picked the least expensive, basic stud earrings. We asked her a few times if she was sure, but she didn’t want the fancy ones I guess. http://s900.photobucket.com/albums/a...2.jpg&newest=1

While we waited for the earrings to be made, we bought some of our favorite Japanese candy and cookies. I realized it was almost time for Miyuki’s show so we went outside and got spots front and center. I have always wanted to see her in person, but was never in the right place at the right time.

She came out soon and a rather large crowd had gathered. She asked the kids from the audience what animals she should make. Sophie got to choose one and asked her to make a seahorse - her new favorite animal. http://s900.photobucket.com/albums/a...8.jpg&newest=1 It is so amazing to watch her make her creations! She doesn’t give them away anymore, but at the end she does let the kids hold one for photos. http://s900.photobucket.com/albums/a...0.jpg&newest=1 Not sure why she doesn’t give them out anymore - maybe it caused problems because not everyone could have one?

After the show ended, we picked up Sophie’s earrings and began to walk back towards Future World as we discussed what to do for lunch. Right around the United Kingdom, Sophie fell asleep in the stroller and Aiden who I was carrying, fell asleep too. I tried to lay him in the stroller because it was hot and hard to carry him. He didn’t appreciate this and a very nice lady came over with a bottle of water and some napkins which she wetted for me to lay on his forehead due to the heat. This helped him calm down and he fell asleep in the stroller. http://s900.photobucket.com/albums/a...8.jpg&newest=1 A big thanks to the anonymous woman!

Now that the kids had fallen asleep we didn’t want to go to the car where we’d wake them up to get them in the car seats so we decided to hang out at Epcot for awhile longer.

Up Next: What’s for lunch?

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

What a great morning!

We've always had a good experience at Akershus too.

[KylesMom]

Great breakfast experience at Akershus! And how cool that Sophie picked "twins". That's a wonderfully special souvenir.

I wonder, too, why Miyuki no longer gives away her creations? She molded a cobra for DS last year, and I must admit, that was one of the highlights of his trip!

How kind of the guest who helped to cool down DS - isn't it great to see the good in people?

Looking forward to the rest of your report for today. It's been great so far!

[pdrlkr]

Thanks for the Report!

[faline]

Twin pearls?! What a great surprise! Your day is off to a good start though it does sound (and look) like the kids are a bit tired out!

[mouseketeer mom]

I could've sworn she was still giving out the candy in April. What a shame to just toss the candy out instead...hmmmm...
Awesome about the twins, and love your idea of having the pearls made into a necklace for Sophies wedding day one day. That is so sweet!

[Bethanymouse]

I am enjoying your trip! Cant wait to read more!

[finaldynasty]

Great report! Keep them coming!

[DisneyorBust]

Sounds like your on your way to another great day! Kind of curious just where you and your family will have lunch......My guess is Chefs de France (if TS) and Sunshine Seasons (if CS)

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Great report

[DizNee143]

what a great day so far!!!!!!

[vizsla]

Thanks for the report.