Trip Log:

Started off the day a bit later. Ate breakfast at Everything Pop around 8:30am and headed for the EPCOT bus a little after 9am. Once we arrived at the park we headed for the Land and to grab a Fastpass for Soarin’. While waiting for the return time we waited for Listen to the Land and road that (it was posted at 30 minutes but really was closer to 15 only). We still had almost half an hour to kill so went out and spent some time in Innoventions West. Back to Soarin’ and went for our ride. Then we split up. Half headed to the front of the park and to the Contemporary for Fishing. The other half walked back to France and Chefs De France for a quick lunch. Then out of the park and to the Boardwalk via International Gateway. Hopped a bus over to the Animal Kingdom. We split up. I grabbed Fastpasses for the Safari and met up at the entrance to the Jungle Trek in Asia. We walked the trail then took our time heading back to Flame Tree BBQ to grab a snack. Watched Everest from across the River as we ate and a character boat floated by even. After eating we explored the Tree of Life Gardens on the paths less taken and made our way over to Africa. Watched a group perform there and then headed for the entrance and out of the park. Took a bus over to the Contemporary. Met up with the returning fishermen and walked to the Magic Kingdom. Took the train around to Frontierland. Grabbed Fastpasses for Big Thunder and wandered back through Frontierland and Liberty Square on our way to the Hall of Presidents. Watched the show and headed back to Big Thunder since the Fastpasses were due. After riding went to Pecos Bill’s for dinner. Walked through Adventureland and stopped in the Hub to catch Cinderellabration. While waiting for the show hiked out to Buzz to grab Fastpasses. After the show we headed for Tomorrowland and road Buzz followed by a trip on the People Mover. Walked around the Autopia and into Toontown Faire. Not much happening but crowds so back through Fantasyland and past the Castle to Sleepy Hollow for Funnel Cake dessert. Took our time then slowly walked down Main Street. Pulled up a spot for SpectroMagic near the Flag Pole. After Spectro headed out into the street for Wishes. Once Wishes had concluded out to the bus stop and back to Pop Century to call it a night.

Thoughts & Observations:

• Spent the morning at EPCOT and found the park to have quite a few people but it definitely did not feel packed and the lines were not too bad.

• Went to AK right after lunch and the park was crowded, almost as crowded as yesterday. So I guess Everest really is pulling in the weekend crowds for sure.

• The evening was spent at the Magic Kingdom and it was quite crowded too. Spectro Magic and Wishes both felt like summer crowds to me. This may have been because the last two nights the park closed early for grad nite, but it was definitely crowded.

• We met up with some friends for SpectroMagic, let me rephrase that.. we were supposed to meet up with some friends coming from the Contemporay but it took them almost an hour to get to the Magic Kingdom and arrived late due to monorail problems. They went up to the station with an hour to spare and figured they would save some steps and ride to the Magic Kingdom. Well no trian showed up. the CMs did not know what was going on, or better odds did not relay it to guests and the line grew large. They said eventually a monorail showed up, filled up and went "backwards" to the MK instead of around the loop to get them to the Magic Kingdom. No idea what was going on and this was second hand knowledge so not sure of the details either.

• As I was leaving the Magic Kingdom I was trying to formulate some thoughts on why Wishes and SpectroMagic just don't sit well with me. I am not sure if the Disneyland "snob" in me or what coming out. Both are solid shows but neither is one that I would want to see over and over and over again. Where as I can sit and watch Remember twice a month I don't think I could handle Wishes that much.
  
  
• Also noticed Mickey no longer hangs out by the Train station saying goodbye and good night to you as you leave after Wishes. That's too bad. I thought it was a great touch (come to think of it I did not see CMs on the bridge or at EPCOT like there used to be either).
  
  
• Once we hiked out to the Pop Century bus stop we noticed something a bit confusing.. there were two bus stops.. it was nice to see the line split up and the ability to load two buses at once definitly made it a shorter wait for us. But the bus dispatcher seemed really slow. There were buses backed up toward the Contemporary and several empty spots and long lines for them to swallow up. I didn't understand why they did not keep the Pop Century and other large resort busses coming one after another as they had in the past to keep the lines under control. Oh well we made it on the second bus to pull up to our stop so cannot complain too much but the several hundred people behind us probably complained a lot more.

Pedometer Information for the day:

Enough with the text.. onto the pictures

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