Obrins At WDW March 2006 Day 9

Saturday, March 25, 2006

MGM Studios And Epcot

This was a morning EMH at MGM, but we basically did not make it. We were not at the park until about 8:55.
We ran for ToT as soon as we got in the gate. Nick and Debbie got in line, leaving Dalton and I to struggle with the Fast Pass machine at RnRC. Usually, FP is a pretty smooth system, but it was sure acting up this morning. The machine was not printing the passes correctly. I think it was skipping passes somehow. If you tried again (not suprising), it would tell you that you already had a FP. I actually got mine to work, but Dalton did not. Several CMs, sorry to say, were not really helpful, but one of them finally just overrode the machine and gave us our passes. It looked like several people were having similar troubles at the RnRC machines. After all that, we checked the ToT line for Debbie and Nick, but they were nowhere to be found. So, Dalton and I ended up riding it by ourselves.
We did have a good ride, though. This is a nice spooky ride, and this particular time we had a bunch of drops and rises. Now, before the last pop up, we saw the ghosts at the bottom of the tower. Seeing things at the bottom of the tower is usually your hint that the ride is over, but it does not seem you can count on anything! Or, maybe I was just seeing things. When we got off ToT, we met Debbie and Nick in the courtyard at the ride exit. It was pretty cold this morning, so Dalton and I had some hot chocolate before moving on.
At this point, our FP window had opened. We had a very good ride on RnRC. I really noticed the loops and inversions on this ride. And the music is terrific. Nick came up with a spur of the moment plan for lunch, which actually turned out to be a pretty good idea. We decided to try the place in the Japanese pavilion at Epcot, which we had never been to before this.
We took the boat from MGM to Epcot. The boat stops at several hotels (Swan, Yacht Club, Boardwalk), but eventually makes it to Epcot. This is just a more fun and pleasant experience than a bus ride. It felt like about 20 minutes end to end, but may have been a bit less. It was fun, regardless. This is a fun and painless little park hop. We walked up to the counter in Japan. There appear to be two sides to the restaurant, and we were more interested in the hibachi side. It was no big deal that we did not have a PS. But, we arrived at 11:30, and the earliest seating was 12:15. So, Nick and I left Debbie and Dalton resting in the waiting area of the restaurant, and ran down to see Impressions De France.
We both thought this was a great little movie (presented on a pretty wide screen). It gives you a nice impression of the countrys heritage. We had to rush back from the film to make lunch. We got back about noon, and were called promptly at 12:15, because they seat in groups. Wow. This was a good meal. Nick started with a sushi sampler, but really only at the California roll, while Dalton sampled the salmon. We all had the seaweed salad, which was good, albeit a bit spicy. I had the steak and shrimp, Nick the chicken, Debbie the steak and scallops, and Dalton the chicken. Our chef put on a great little show. Although we have been to such restaurants in Denver, this seemed somehow more authentic. Our chef was very amusing. The food was all very high quality, and quite tasty.
We fooled around for a while in the Japanese store, where we had never really spent time before. I had a feeling that it imparted a nice sense of Japanese culture.
We then floated back towards MGM, via the same rout. Again this is a pleasant trip, much more fun than a bus ride.
We headed for GMR when we got back to MGM.
On the way there, we met up with a young black girl who had come to Alabama to Hollywood in the hopes of breaking into motion pictures. She was quit pleasant and talkative, but mistook us for the singing Von Trapp Family. Yes, this is one of the character actors that Disney has scattered around on places like bus stop benches at MGM. She was good.
The Great Movie Ride continues to be great. We had lots of fun, getting the gangster switch this time. The tour guides were pretty good, adding to the enjoyment. We had about a 25 minute queue here.
We went ahead and took in Sounds Dangerous, with about a 10 minute wait. This show is still a lot of fun.
Nick, Dalton, and I started fooling around with the various sound games outside of Sounds Dangerous. I had lost track of Debbie. At some point, I realized the Stars and Movie Cars parade was about half over right outside the door. I popped out, and caught the second half. Im glad that I did.
The four of us met up after the parade was over, and Nick and I went on Star Tours. I seriously still love this ride. We were in the back corner, where it is nice and bumpy.
We touched base with Debbie and Dalton again. Debbie and Dalton wanted to head over to the Indiana Jones Stunt show, but Nick really wanted to do The Walt Disney Story. So, Nick and I headed for The Walt Disney Story, while Debbie and Dalton went to Indy.
We both loved The Walt Disney Story. We had actually been through it on a previous trip, but Nick continues to become more sophisticated, and more interested in the history behind things. Walts story is very inspirational, and this is a great, uplifting display. The movie at the end is also very good. It gives you a very interesting sense of the man who started it all, his vision, and his overwhelming determination.
The four of us hooked up outside of the Sci Fi Dine In Theater for dinner. After a brief wait (we had a PS) we enjoyed a very nice meal. Dalton and I both had the ribs, which were very good, but a tiny bit dry. The coleslaw that accompanied them was notably good. Nick had a burger, and Debbie a ruebens sandwich. Everyone liked what they had. At the end, Debbie and I had some very good hot fudge sundaes (they turned out to be huge). Nick had a chocolate tart, which he reported to be very good. Dalton got a 50 year celebration cheesecake thing, which he really enjoyed. The waiter was very good, and kind of a cut up. He should be working over at the Prime Time.
We walked down to get in line for Fantasmic! We had missed out because of the cancelation the other night, and this was our last chance. Nick and Dalton insisted on running down ahead of us, and taking a ride on RnRC. This made me pretty nervous, but we got into the theater OK. Actually, I would say it was less than half full when everyone was seated.
This was a superb show. I love Illuminations, which remains my favorite nighttime show on property. But, Fantasmic! is a great, great, great show. I love the effects, the music, and even the story. What a spectacle that dragon is! This is one great show. Did I say that already?
We had a really easy, pleasant trip back to OKW. The bus was practically waiting for us when we got to the stop. Sometimes, you get lucky.
We finished off some frozen pizza that we had bought for late night snacks, but never got around to. Sadly, this was our last night in the room. I did a little work on my trip report notes and photos before turning in.

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