This Day In History...A Look Back at Epcot

It's one of those historical days...today, in 1982, Epcot was dedicated.

I have to say that Epcot is ties with MK as my favorite park at Disney World.  I'm reminded so much of Walt Disney and his vision for tomorrow.  Most of us Disneyphiles know that EPCOT is short for Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow.  I wonder how many visitors even comprehend that?

I think certain sections of the community don't get that "amusement parks" and "theme parks" are distinctly different. In certain circles, Epcot is snubbed for not having enough "rides" to make it "worth it" to buy a ticket to go there. Sure, Soarin', Test Track and, to some extent, Mission:Space, have their fans, but the people who are only looking for "rides" are missing the point of Epcot.

We'd do better to follow Walt's example:  look for and pursue innovation of all types.

One of my favorite non-fiction books that sits in my office is titled, "The Quotable Walt Disney."  Here's a couple direct quotes that I feel really apply to Epcot, even though Walt died before he could see it opened:

"I believe in being an innovator."

"I can never stand still. I must explore and experiment. I am never satisfied with my work. I resent the limitations of my own imagination."

If you spend any time in Future World, especially Innoventions, you'll find that while some exhibits could be considered mainstays, there always seems to be a new kid on the block.

If you've always breezed by these buildings and never taken the time to "take it in" because you are in a rush to hit the "rides", take a step back and check out all that Future World has to offer.

You might be surprised at what you find.

Hello! I'm back!

You probably thought I fell off the face of the earth right?

Or maybe that I snuck off to WDW and didn't tell you?

Fortunately, I didn't fall off the face of the earth.

Unfortunately, I wasn't at WDW.

Welcome to my world of two teenagers in fall sports and activities,  and a busy VA practice.

So what do I have to talk about today...Lots of news in the past couple of weeks. Bear with me if I've covered something that's old hat for you:

Duffy the Bear appears in Epcot
You may be asking yourself, "Who the heck is Duffy the Bear?"  Well he's no other than Mickey Mouse's own teddy bear. He's now making character appearances at Epcot.  I think his likeness may end up coming home with us the next trip.

Food & Wine Festival is in full swing
Seriously, I have to make time to go...without my kids.  I love them to pieces, but I'd really love to do to F&W Fest and just pig out on all the goodies that are available.  Eating and Drinking Around The World...doesn't that sound fun?

Food &Wine Fest happens every year at Epcot.  It usually starts around the first of October and runs through mid-November. Not only are there food and beverage samplings from around the world, but there are also the Eat To The Beat Concerts.  Classic 80s groups.  Gotta love it.

Rejected...again.
Earlier this week, I found out I was on the Disney Moms Panel reject list...again.  I didn't let myself get too hung up on it this year so it wasn't the devastatingly crushing blow that it was last year.  You'd think after four times, I'd at least get through the first round. Good gravy.

Let's see...what other news can I share with you...

Still no word on Destination D at WDW.  I need those dates.  Scheduling people...if by some chance you've found my teeny little blog, please don't schedule Destination D on April 9 or May 21.  My sister's getting married and I have to ground crew the air show.

As I look at my handy-dandy Firefox add-on countdown timer on my taskbar, I'm approaching 40 days to my next trip home.

I can shamelessly say that I'm in full Disney Christmas withdrawal and I can't wait to get there.  I'll save the dissertation on WHY I love Christmas at Disney for a later post.  Otherwise, you'd probably be scrolling and scrolling....and scrolling.

Check out the Holiday 2010 Planner.  Lots of fun stuff!.

Random Disney Musings

It's been one of those weeks where there have been a lot of little tidbits of information and I'm just now getting to posting here about it.

This time of year is when we tend to see a lot of announcements from Disney because Oct. 1 begins its year.

So here are a few random musings about what I've heard this week:

Destination D is coming to WDW Spring 2011

So. freaking. excited.  I really wanted to go to Destination D and its associated scavenger hunt at DL in August, but with two teens in high school sports, it just wasn't going to fly in August.  I watched the reports come in and I was just wishing I could be there.

THEN...D23 announces that they are bringing Destination D, the scavenger hunt AND an Ultimate Disney Trivia Contest to WDW in the Spring 2011!

I'm SO booking as soon as they announce the dates!

Ok...small caveat...I can go if it's not April 9 (my sister is getting married that day) or May 21 (I'm in Civil Air Patrol and we're ground-crewing for an air show).   Pixie dust that D23 stays away from those dates!

Karamel Kuche in Germany at Epcot

The new Caramel Kitchen is open at Epcot.  Get a paper towel and have it handy.  Then head over to the Disney Food Blog because they talked about it way better than I could and there are pictures.

I want the Apple Pie Apple.


Food and Wine Festival

It started yesterday and I'm already wishing I was there.  The food booths offering sound amazing.  I haven't been to a F&W Fest for a couple of years and withdrawal has definitely set in. If you ever have the opportunity to visit WDW during F&W Fest, do it.  You won't regret it.

Countdown to my next visit

We're sub-60 days.  I'm SO ready for a vacation. My DD asked if we could make a chain yet.  She's 13 and she still loves to make the paper chain. I told her when we hit 50, she can make the chain.  Otherwise, it's too long and hangs on the floor.

That's all for now.  It's a beautiful fall day today and I'm off to have some girl time with my DD.

Have a good one!

Mary