Epcot was one of our favorite parks the last time we went. It didn’t disappoint us this time. We went on day 3, which was June 8th. <\/p>\n
First, we arrived early for opening, and hit the plan running. Marla and Aaron made their way to test track, while I took the younger kids in the stroller to The Land to get fastpasses for Soarin’, the new flight-simulator ride. That was an adventure in itself; since Disney has opened this ride, it definately attracts big crowds to The Land which used to be somewhat sedate. But with a very short wait, I got the fastpasses and made my way back to Test Track. The idea was, we were supposed to meet up and all ride together. Marla, knowing that we couldn’t take Justin on the ride, got a switch-off pass, which is kind of like a fast-pass for parents of small children, and then she and Aaron took the ride. Disney has really improved how they handle switching off now – instead of waiting at the front of the line with your non-riding kids, the non-rider and kids can now tour nearby while the riders go. Then, when the riders get off, you take the "switch off pass" and the adult with the non-riding kids can go with up to two other riders. Works great. So Aaron and I went back to Test Track again. Only this time, the ride broke down, just as we were about to board. So this time, we got new fastpasses good anytime that month<\/em>, no time limit – w00t! We saved the "oops the ride broke while you were in line" fastpasses for our next visit and moved on. <\/p>\n After a couple of the slow rides (Living with the Land and Journey Into Imagination), we took Soarin’. This is really an amazing ride, I can’t really describe it. You are strapped into a sort of hang-glider looking thing and then lifted up in front of a huge IMAX-like screen on which plays a video of a hang glide through many cities. But the screen isn’t just IMAX, it goes below you and above you and around you – creating a true feeling of flight. We were blown away.<\/p>\n After Soarin’, it was off to the countries – El Rio del Tiempo in Mexico first. I love this ride. They’ve renamed it, and now I can’t remember what it’s called. But it’s still fun, and we rode it 3 times. <\/p>\n Next, off to Norway and Maelstrom, a kind of neat indoor ride that includes a small log flume. <\/p>\n We had lunch at Les Chefs in France – we really wanted to try different dining this time, and Les Chefs was great. Each time we go to Disney, we have one<\/em> memorable dining experience – and this time, Les Chefs was it. Great service, excellent food, and a very relaxing atmosphere. It’s nice to eat in a French restaurant with kids and not have to worry, because it’s Disney!<\/p>\n Next, we rested up until our dinner reservations at Rose & Crown, the last seating before Illuminations starts, so we could watch it from the outdoor dining area. This has changed a bit – in the old days, you could get there early and ask for a seat by the rail and be accomodated. Now, they seem to seat the people who show up last<\/em> in the best seats – which I found to be considerably rude. But wait, they redeem themselves. Just prior to the show, our waiter comes by and asks us, "Do you want to watch the show from our private viewing area?" It turns out, anyone who gets seated close enough to the show time but not<\/em> at the rail gets to watch the show a little bit closer, in a small area reserved for that purpose, down by the water. Great view! Better than up by the rail! The only gripe is that you have to stand, but it is a better view by a longshot. After the show, we returned to our table and were allowed to finish our meal – no rush, they were very nice. We actually left after park closing, and nobody rushed us.<\/p>\n