Public Spark

This is a continuation from Day 1 blog

July 1, 1997 (Tuesday)

We were awakened by the loud alarm clock at around 6 am. We then made our way towards the water taxi and departed to Epcot. Our reservation for breakfast was at 7:40 AM. We made it to the Land and the restaurant Garden Grille. Boy were we in for a surprise. As we approached the restaurant, we noticed that the restaurant was rotating. It was also a character breakfast, so I got to be a kid again!

Epcot Map

After the delicious “no menu” eggs, ham, etc, we headed straight for Journey into Imagination. There, we rode on the ride of Journey Into imagination. It was a great ride beginning with a dreamfinder riding a blimp. I loved how there were different rooms including the art room, literature room, drama room and science room. [unfortunately this ride closed a year after I rode it] Then we headed next door to experience Honey, I shrunk the audience. We were soon surrounded by mice scattering about our feet (fake but I can’t tell because of the 3D glasses). I also felt how it was to be small.

The Living Seas was another whole New World. You go to sea level by catching a short “taxi” ride through the tunnels, looking at various fish. From there, you are on your own. I particularly loved the manatee tank. I hated the shark and ray tank. There was also the two dolphins and what the trainers call keyboard.

I always knew Walt Disney World Epcot by the big white dome and the monorail circling it. I approached the white dome called “Spaceship Earth.” [It is hard to appreciate it until you are standing underneath it]. There, we went through out the whole dome by omnimover. It was interesting presentation on the history of communication.

On our way back to our hotel, we stopped at the various Disney stores. we then had a light lunch at the Dolphin Fountain snack shops. I ate hamburgers with good old fries, pickles, and coleslaw. We then made our way back towards Epcot World showcase and resumed our tour of the world. We went to France where we watched a movie “Impressions de France.” There was wine tasting as well as a patisserie with great pastries. We traveled to Morocco and saw beautiful mosaic work. One of the great things about Epcot is that you feel as though you are in these countries, but one step away from Morocco becomes Japan. Here there were several different temples of Japan and the famous Tori gates. We toured Italy, which mainly had restaurants and then Germany with the Octoberfest dining. When we stepped into China we saw a movie called Wonders of China and then afterwards, we saw acrobats that were young children.

Acrobatic Children at Epcot China

We went towards Epcot Future World and to our disappointment found the Test Track to not be open. The Horizons cheered me up with an exciting ride. We went to Wonders of Life and looked around the various exhibits. It was like a mini-museum with information about exercising, keeping healthy and how the human body works. At the Universe of Energy, we were supposed to see Ellen’s Energy Adventure, but it closed down during the presentation.

By boat we went to Japan to eat at the Tempura Kiku. I liked my dad’s cooking a lot better than this restaurant.

Finally, we headed towards the bridge to see Illuminations 25. It was remarkable. The fireworks mixed with laser beams just made me gasp. The illuminations 25 was remarkable, memorable, exciting, fascinating, wonderful grand finale for July 1st.