Walt Disney World 2017 - October 18 Day 1: EPCOT

Donald Duck is always getting shit on, but he usually deserves it because he has a bad temper and is kind of a jerk. So it makes me laugh when he gets himself into unfavorable situations, like bring strung up as a piñata for the kids to bash with a stick. I know Jenny loves it too, but my Mom just thinks they are being cute without recognizing how ridiculously savage it is. Classic Mom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The lagoon in the middle of the World Showcase must be International Waters because there were no laws and I was able to drink my beer right out in the open. And also while crossing borders from one Country to the other. Look, I'm as confused as you are. I thought we were in Florida within the continental United States of America, but I experienced so many cultural changes that I don't know where I am anymore.

Jenny took a video of the fireworks so that the viewers at home could get a true sense of the spectacle that lay before us. Say what you want about them, but Disney does a lot of things right. Like fireworks. And they do it every night. That's pure insanity. But with the money that they're rolling with, anything is possible. After all, this is the place where your dreams come true... when you wish upon a star.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Mexico pavilion has a slow boat ride themed around the animated movie "The Three Caballeros", which I am a huge fan of. I love the antics of Panchito, José Carioca and their American friend Donald Duck. The ride was very similar to "it's a small world" except about Mexico and doesn't have an annoying song. So year, I was definitely enjoying it. Besides, who doesn't love anything with Donald Duck? ¡está loco!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really appreciate the care and design that goes into every little detail in these parks. Most of it you don't even notice, but the ones that I did wowed me. Like this Mickey shrubbery. I've done my fair share of yardwork in my day, but there is no way I could ever Edward Scissorhands the shit out of any plant life to do anything remotely resembling this. And like all of the lighting here. I've hung up a lot of Christmas lights over the years, but I could never do something like this. There's some real professionals at work here. Well done, folks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home

 

 

It was getting near closing time of EPCOT, so we made our way back towards the entrance. There were some gift shops conveniently located along this route, so we stopped in... but we didn't buy anything. Take that, suckers! But we did find some really cool things. They had a build your own lightsaber station that I had to steer clear of, or else I would have built and bought like 9 of them. And then Disney would really have all my money. Jenny found this Stitch doll that matched her shirt, but that too stayed at the store. We were able to resist temptation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you've been following along, today was a really long day. But it was totally worth it at the time and even more so now when I look back at these pictures. We were having so much fun. There was a lot of planning and money spent to get here, but now that we were in the moment, none of that mattered. That was the last thing on our minds as we tried to look nice or tried to look as silly as possible for a family picture. Now I'm not saying you should never worry about anything like money or time off of work or day to day life, but there are times when you need to forget about all that and just live. Live for today. And have the best time ever doing it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't know what more I can say about the Spaceship Earth globe, but here's one more - she looks even better at night. I hate to shame the poor girl, but I like her more when she's all dolled up with a little color, ready for a night out on the town. Daytime Spaceship Earth is a sight to behold, but nighttime Spaceship Earth really knocks my socks off.

I was spent after being up early, traveling, and a full day of Disney. So I was more than ready to hope the bus back to the Port Orleans Riverside and call it a night. But before that, how about a little nightcap? Ebenezer Scrooge style? It could be either Michael Caine in the Muppet Christmas Carol or Uncle Scrooge in Mickey's Christmas Carol. Pick your Scrooge. I won't judge you unless you don't pick Michael Caine. But digression aside, I did pack some whiskey in my bag. I figured I might as well get my money's worth since we wouldn't have access to a bar or a liquor store. I wrapped it in plastic wrap and a towel to protect it, even though it was a plastic bottle. But I wasn't going to have my suitcase and my clothes smelling like a whiskey barrel if it opened up. Smart move, because I needed a stiff drink before bed if I was to wake up tomorrow and do this all over again. Lord help me. I'm getting too old for this shit. Wait.. that's not a line from a Disney movie!

When the natural light (the sun) goes down, the artificial lights come up. That's when this place gets wild and the showcase becomes... wait for it... A Whole New World. See what I did there? You're welcome. The day may have been coming to a close, but that doesn't mean it was over. The party was just getting started.