Trip Report - Day Two

So, after I finished my too-short, too-hard weekly long run early this morning, I had a light snack, got all spiffy and headed over to Epcot. Spaceship Earth had a pretty long line, so I headed over to Soarin' to get an FP, which turned out to be for 1:15. Then over to Nemo, but the clammobiles were down. Popped into Imagination -- I know it's not the original, and it does need Dream Finder -- but I still think there's a lot of creativity and edutainment in the ride.

Next was the 25th anniversary Epcot exhibit in Communicore -- in the room previously used for Segway training. It was really good -- great, old artwork and sketches, some models and opening day costumes. I'm really glad I got to see it.

Then a little shopping in Mouse Gears and back to SEarth. I have to say, I do enjoy the little video at the end more with people's heads on the cartoon bodies. It does make the video funnier. There were big crowds playing all the games in the post-show, so Siemens has got to be happy about that.

Back to Nemo, love Peach at the end! I'd like to see a list of all her lines. Then it was time for Soarin' -- once again on the bottom row -- but it's still a great ride. Grabbed a quick bite at Sunshine Seasons, and back to Saratoga.

After I cooled off from the 95+ heat, I headed over to the Studios. Saw a little Streetmosphere -- one new character I had never seen before. I think she was a funny Gloria Swanson type character -- she really did have some great lines. Then off to Muppets to cool off!

At 5:30, I headed over to the Backstage Tour area. Matt Hochberg of WDW Today hosted a Star Wars Studio Central dinner, and I had signed up to go since it coincided with my time down here. I didn't know anyone who was going to be there other than Matt and Lou who was also on a "research trip." But I have learned that the podcast community is very easy to chat with, and the dinner was in a backstage soundstage, and I could not resist the opportunity to get backstage!

It was a really nice group, great food, and an amazing soundstage with tons and tons of props from productions and park events/attractions. There was stuff from the Epcot millennium parade, puppets from the Lion King show in MK, a Home Improvement lawn tractor, and several things none of us could figure out.

After dinner, a quick ride on Toy Story Mania and a viewing of One Man's Dream. Then back to Saratoga to pack. I'm driving to Tampa early Monday morning, and then will have to live in the real world for a week, before I head back to WDW on Friday night.

[Just remembered, it was a Star Wars weekend! Saw Storm Troopers, sand people, Darth Maul, Darth Vader, some bad troop guys and the bounty hunter girl who wears dark purple and black. Sorry I have no clue who most of them are, but it was pretty fun to see them and they really interacted with the crowds well.]