Full Circle

 

December 18, 2021

Full Circle

Our vacation to Disney came full circle on our last day there as we returned to the theme park that we started at, Epcot. This time we were with Dakota and her family and so the nature of our visit was somewhat different. Epcot is actually where we spent much of our time during the trip, as Kathy and I would go there in the evenings as well after the family had returned to their hotel for naptime.

It is easily my favorite Disney theme park and even though there is a massive construction project and major revitalization and new attractions being built, there was still plenty enough open to keep us occupied throughout the visit. This time, thanks to getting up early and booking a spot in line (thanks Dakota) we were able to score a place on the newest and most popular ride, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

Not only did we get a reserved spot and entry time, it was pretty much right away after arriving. To reach the attraction, we had to wander through the beautiful new expansion of the France pavilion, where a new crepe restaurant, La Crêperie de Paris, and whimsical architecture inspired by the film (unique details include a fountain featuring bursting Champagne bottles and Remy). After entering through a Parisian theater, we followed the queue to the rooftops of Paris, where we put on our 3D glasses and boarded the trackless ride vehicle shaped like an adorable rat.

During the ride, you experience the sights, sounds, and even smells as you scurry through Gusteau's restaurant with a combination of physical sets and 3D scenes. Ride vehicles move and tilt to create a more immersive experience, and the result is an adorable attraction that captures the fun, whimsy, and magic of the film. We loved it.

Next it was back to the Biergarten Restaurant in the Germany pavilion of the World Showcase for another wonderful, leisurely lunch, this time with the whole group. Our lunch took us through an entire show of the musical tribute to Germany and of course we really enjoyed again the delicious buffet of German food selections. 

After lunch we continued around the World Showcase, Sloane wanted to stop and meet the Princesses Elsa and Anna from the “Frozen” films who were on hand in the Norway pavilion greeting children. Sloane and the family also had the chance to ride the very, very popular “Frozen Ever After” attraction. The ride which is aboard a small boat, is the reconfigured former “Maelstrom” ride, which Disney adroitly rethemed to match their very popular films.

We also had time to go through the Living Seas exhibit and a few others before Kathy and I had to say our sad goodbyes and get on the road to head back to Key West. It was a longish drive and we stayed at Epcot as long as we thought reasonable into the early afternoon before hitting the turnpike southbound. 

It had been a truly wonderful and amazing trip, but we needed to get home and back to reality and Dakota and her family were flying back to New Mexico early the next morning. Kathy and I were thrilled and honored to be included in their family vacation and we had a really amazing trip. One that we will certainly have to repeat once Norah gets old enough to truly enjoy and understand the experience.