Mary
Cast Member
Posts: 465
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 01-03-03 01:40 AM
12/29 Epcot (can you tell our favorite park?)
I don't know when we got up but as usual I was up a couple of hours before the boys. In all the time I have spent at Epcot on my trips I have yet to see Voices of Liberty, American Vybe or anything at the American Pavilion. Upon entering I was asked to do a survey by a CM. I was handed a card with 8 statements and was asked to choose the one that best described the reason for my visit today. I chose number 4, to see something specific. She asked me what that was and I told her VOL. Luck was not on my side and again, I did not make their last performance of the day. That just means I need another trip, right? We head over there anyway to see the WTC flag. Even after more than a year, I found myself choked up looking at it and reading the information card. I was also amazed at the 'hush' that fell over people as they approached it. People from many other nations. Incredible. Went into the next showing of an American Adventure. Enjoyed it. David the history teacher would love to ask Disney for permission to use it in class. I told him to write and ask. I think Disney might be open to sharing some of their material for a worthwhile cause like this. David teaches in the Chicago Public School system. Regardless of the propaganda put out by our mayor and former school chief a few years back it is lagging FAR behind state and federal standards. There is no money. David is given a $100 annual budget to buy supplies for his class. It is nowhere near enough. His students are inner city poor, gang affiliations run high, there is little parental interest or cooperation and a lot of the students can barely read. The drop out rate at his school is high, the graduation rate low. A school sponsored field trip to Epcot even if the school was in Orlando could not happen. David would also like to visit and be able to spend some time with each international cast members to discuss their culture and things like that. I told him that in the old Disney Institute days there may have actually been something like that for teachers. I again told him to write to Disney and ask about the possibility of arranging something like this on a future trip. I would really hope that Disney would find a way to reach educators in such a way. Good for Dis, good for the schools. Anyway...
We continued on our journey around the world. We had planned on eating fish & chips in UK (I have to have this!) but somehow ended up eating at the Mexican cantina. Since we had a lagoon-side table we just stayed there for Illuminations. I have read that this is one of the best places to see this. I beg to differ. I did not enjoy the show from here. I saw it several times before at those little tables at the Outpost and that was better. I prefer either directly in front on the FW side or over in the Morocco or Germany areas. For the first time ever, we exited Epcot without stopping in Mouse Gear. When we got to the bus stop I asked to sit and wait out a few buses. My feet were killing me and it is absolutely the worst when standing still. As painful as walking can be with plantar fascitis, the standing (and even sitting still in cramped quarters such as an airplane) are excruciating. As much as I hated it, I will get cortisone shots before any future trips to WDW. After 2 buses come and go, David is ready to get in line. I look it over and say we will still have to stand so we should wait one more. David is tired and says he is getting on the next bus, I can come back when I want. Meltdown time for me. Dale, while trying to be helpful, asked the bus on demand CM about getting me on first. I appreciated the thought but was horrified. Those privileges are meant to be for the truly handicapped. (On my May trip with my sister who has MS and walks with a cane there was no assistance even when we asked. Only once did someone give up a seat to her and that was only because the bus driver demanded it). We are all tired and have sore feet at the end of the day. So I got in line only when the bus came. We had to stand and I was in pain the whole time. The worst part was the inability to 'grip' for turns and such. It was an effort to remain upright. But I survived. Probably my own fault since I forgot to pack or take my evening dose of pain meds. Anyway, we got back and I went to bed.
Tomorrow: DVC tour, lunch & the Tambu lounge meet.
Mary
First Mate, Good Ship Stickey Mickey and Keeper of the Ships Log
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