Illuminations: An unpopular point of view

In our trip to Epcot our feet were dragging by the end of the long day.  We were actually on our way out by the time we made it to the Mexico pavilion.    After grabbing what we hoped would be a quick ride on the Three Caballeros attraction we got out of the ride just in time for  Illuminations to start so we decided to stay and catch it grabbing a decent last minute spot near the Mexico pavilion.

I know that some people find it to be great –but my wife and I thought it was very underwhelming.

Don't get me wrong --it isn't a bad show it just wasn't up to many other night time shows that Disney puts on in our opinion.  I love the lights on all the countries and the fireworks are adequate.  
The problem with it is the Floating Globe that displays the images.   I know I’m supposed to be mesmerized by it as it slowly makes its way out into the middle of the lagoon –but we both felt like it brought the show to a grinding halt.   Maybe I’m just spoiled. 
I’m used to Fantasmic at Disneyland and World of Color at DCA.   Illuminations and its Siemens globe –just fells extremely old and dated in comparison.    

Illuminations doesn’t feature a giant firebreathing Dragon finale that sets the lake on fire……..
Illuminations doesn’t feature hundreds of fountains of water with lighting effects with the Mickey Fun Wheel and rollercoaster as a backdrop.   

Illumination has spinning globe with a horse running around it.  
It just no longer meets my expectations.

I pretty much find almost everything and anything Disney does to be great (with the Exception of Light Tragic)  It is hard to find something I’m not in love with at the Disney parks……The next time we come back to Epcot though---I think we may skip Illuminations unless it gets a major update.

How do you feel about the show???
Send your hate mail to my Disney facebook page.

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Exploring World Showcase at Epcot: Part 9 : Norway at Night (Frozen Influences)

Continuing our tour around the World Showcase we finally made our way to Norway we were running out of time so basically just stopped to take a couple of pictures and check out the exhibit in the church

When I think Norway I think about Vikings.   The Main Attraction in Norway was the Maelstrom boat ride that took you through the myths of Norway.   This used to be one of the reasons that in all my previous trips I would start my journey around World Showcase on the Mexico side.   Well Maelstrom is in the process to being turned into a Frozen ride.  A lot of people were upset to see the Norway ride being turned into a Frozen attraction -but from Disney's point of view a ride based on a movie that made a billion dollars is a lot more interesting than weird trolls and a Norwegian oil platforms.   (I will not have a blog about Ulitmate Epcot -because the Frozen expansion is basically that and the inspiration for what else could be done in World Showcase.

I love the look for the buildings in Norway....they look even cooler at night.

The shop in Norway has traditional Norway fare with a heavy dose of Trolls and Vikings and once the new ride goes in I'm sure you will be able to find everything Frozen as well.

Food wise Norway features the popular Kringla Bakeri og Kafe that is like a Norwegian bakery and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall which has Princess character dining 

I love the look of the church in the Norway Pavilion

While Norway prepares itself for Frozen Fever---they currently have an exhibit in the Stave Church that features influences from Norway that made it into the film

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Exploring World Showcase at Epcot: Part 8 : China

We have made it around the World Showcase to China.

As I mentioned before World Showcase should be an all day adventure--but since we hit Future World first we started running out of light.   As a result we got to see China at night.   The family was really dragging their feet by the time we got to China and everyone was ready to call it a night.  I guess next time I need to put the family on an endurance training schedule before our trip.  Or if we can have a schedule that wasn't back end loaded with Cheer Comps so we didn't have to try and do 4 parks in 4 days--they may have held up better.

The main attraction in China is the Circle Vision 3-D film Reflections of China--which used to be in Disneyland back in the day.  It is a good film that shows you some interesting footage of the country --but it is an old film and could probably use an updated version or perhaps my suggestion in the upcoming Ultimate Epcot post.

The Main structural feature in China is this replica of the Temple of Heaven.

China also features shops like all the other countries -where you can delve deeper into the culture.  And as entertainment throughout the day they have entertaining acrobats.

We were all tired -but not too tired for a little silliness.

China features two restaurants:   The first restaurant the Nine Dragons -which is a full service restaurant is considered by many Disney World guest to be one of the most disappointing restaurants in World Showcase.  I've never personally dined there on any of my trips so -I can't confirm nor deny that opinion. The other restaurant is the Lotus Blossum Cafe ---which I've heard good things about.  That is a quick service restaurant that serves American style Chinese food.

Up next ---my thoughts on Ultimate Epcot " If money was not a concern " what should be added to China.

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Exploring World Showcase at Epcot: Part 7: Germany (Stein Time)

We continue our journey around World Showcase with a stop in Germany. 

By the time we made it into Germany it was starting to get dark and the family was starting to run out of steam.  Unfortunately we had made a bad time management decision earlier in the day by visiting the outdated Universe of Energy (I’ll save that discussion for a different blog).  

My wife and I both discussed how we would love to come back to Epcot and spend more time in World Showcase.  I think we could easily spend a day just in this section of the park.  I’m glad I made the decision to start on the Canada side for our first visit since I knew my wife would be more interested in England and France.  The Norway ride being shutdown made this decision much easier.

Anyway back to Germany.  We didn’t get as many pictures since the daylight was fading.

The Germany Pavilion is made to look like a German town and features a statue of St. George and the Dragon.   The main draw in Germany is the Biergarten which has an indoor courtyard that is home to the Biergarten Restaurant which is a German Buffet that has the look and feel of Oktoberfest.  This Buffet features live entertainment and beer served in one liter steins.

Ahhh The Biergarten

Speaking of Steins….After we peaked inside Octoberfest to see what it looked like we ventured into the German Stein Store.  Here are some pictures from inside the Stein Haus

   

More time in Germany is definitely on our bucket list for a return visit.  As I continue to blog about my trip it feel like it is still fresh in my mind and feels like it was just weeks ago –when in reality it was 4 months ago.   I already have a big list of things I want to see and do the next time I’m there.

Up next  Ultimate Epcot :  A look at what we could add to Germany if money was no object.

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