One Day at EPCOT

On Friday March 1st (2013) Frank and I made the trek to Orlando to spend the day at EPCOT and a night at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel in Downtown Disney. We arrived late in the morning and went immediately to EPCOT. It was a beautiful day, clear skies and sunny. After getting me situated in my transport chair, Frank pushed me to the ticket windows and then around the park. I could not have made it all through the park without the chair and Frank's efforts.(Thank you my friend) As we "cruised" around the World Showcase we stopped at the Canada Pavilion to watch the movie, which has been updated and improved.

Pushing on, we decided to stop in Italy for lunch. Since my last visit they (Disney folks) have closed the old Alfredo's Restaurant and replaced it with Tutto Italia Ristorante (high-end) and Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria. We decided to dine at Via Napoli where we shared a Mixed Salad (very good) and a large Mushroom Pizza. The first thing we noticed was the traditional thin Napoletana crust and a thin layer of very fresh-tasting tomato sauce. The sauce was to die for - the best I have ever had outside of Italy. We passed on the wine and enjoyed a refreshing Blood Orange Aqua Fresca. I would highly recommend Via Napoli. 

We continued our loop around the World Lagoon with a stop at the Mexico Pavilion for the interior boat ride - very relaxing. Then on to the France Pavilion to watch the movie - Impressions de France, one of my favorites in the park although slightly outdated as noted by the bicycle scene. Still we stop to see it every visit.

On our way out of the park we rode Spaceship Earth, which has also been updated and improved since I was there last and is one of our Must-Do rides in the park. There are many other great rides and pavilions to see while at EPCOT but we had decided to limit our time in the park so we could return to the hotel to relax and refresh in the lobby bar.

We returned to the France Pavilion for our 7:40 PM reservations at "Chefs de France", which we have enjoyed frequently in the past. We were not disappointed by the service or the food this time either - always top notch. We started with a St. Germain cocktail, and switched to a bottle of red wine with our entrees. I then enjoyed a lovely cup of Lobster Bisque while Frank had the Maison Salade which he enjoyed. For our entrees, Frank opted for a very nice and tasty Broiled Salmon, with smashed potatoes with butter and chives. served with tomato and red pepper sauce. while I enjoyed my Cote de Bouef, Beef short ribs braised in Cabernet wine with pasta, pearl onions and mushrooms). We were able to watch many of the fireworks from our dining room table while we enjoyed our meals.

Dining done, and fireworks done, it was time to head out into the cool night air for some night photography to end our visit to EPCOT. We both enjoy this time in the park, when everyone else is rushing to the exit, the monorail, and the parking lot. You almost have the park to yourself - just wonderful.

But the trip isn't over yet. After a light breakfast in the hotel cafe, we headed to Downtown Disney to take a look around and extend our day as much as possible. We walked (I rolled with Frank still pushing my transport chair) the entire Downtown Disney complex before deciding on Raglan Road Restaurant and Pub for our lunch stop. Not to be denied a good meal to conclude our visit,  I enjoyed a wonderful Lobster Club sandwich (Lobster and avocado salad, crispy prosciutto, watercress and citrus herb mayonnaise) and Frank had a nice Cashel Castle Salad (Crumbled Cashel blue cheese, caramelized pecans, grape tomatoes, raspberries, prosciutto crisps, crostinis and; a raspberry vinaigrette. )

Next up, a link to a small Picasa photo album: Click on Spaceship Earth to see the entire album (only 13 photographs)

EPCOT March 2013