E.P.C.O.T

Epcot is one of the four parks that make up “Walt Disney World” in Florida. Here’s a little history for ya….

It actually stands for Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow. As usual, Mr. Disney (aka Walt) had quite the vision in mind.  He wanted the property to be circular (huuuge), and split right down the middle. One half of the park would consist of an actual community, while the other would consist of facilities used for research to further our knowledge and use of technology.  He literally wanted the community to be in the know, and moving forward.

The final plans for the park turned out quite differently.  Clearly it is not actually populated, and therefore not an actual “community”.  However, it is still split into two very different themes; Future World, and the World Showcase. Half of the park revolves around things happening now, emerging technology, and things that have yet to happen (i.e. a trip to Mars, via the ride “Mission:Space”).  The other half is just what it sounds like-a world showcase.  Set around a circular lake, there are 12 different areas that represent 12 different countries/regions from all over the world. Walking around, you start in on one side in Mexico (where the food is aaaawesome, take it from somebody who knows!!) and end on the other side in Canada.  In between, you walk through Norway, China, Africa, Germany, Italy, America, Japan, Morocco, France and England.  It’s quite an experience.

So today, I traveled “the world” and saw the “future”.  We had some delicious Mexican food, indulged in some fudge from Germany, ate dinner on the Boardwalk, had drinks in Morocco and France, and ended the night with the amazing fireworks show “Illuminations”.

Packed between dinner and drinks and fireworks we did some serious people watching. Partly because we were exhausted from the day, but partly because in a crowded park…it’s hard to resist. Let me tell you, some interesting things are witnessed at these parks. Three little girls spent about half an hour in a condensed area playing “hide and seek”, and driving their parents craazzyyyy while they were trying to enjoy some frozen margaritas.  A little boy was on one of those oh,so-attractive leashes disguised as a stuffed-animal-backpack (I don’t think that fools the kid….) and he walked in circles tangling himself up. Very entertaining. Then he jumped around while his dad (and the leash) tried to keep up. Another group of, um, elderlies….had a motorized-wheelchair train going. Yes, a train. They were literally stacked one behind the other, with a walker sandwiched in the middle. We may have laughed out loud as they passed, ehhhh.

Next stop-my faaaavorite….the Magic Kingdom.

A day in Hollywood Studios, FL

Day 1 in Florida has been spent exploring Disney’s “Hollywood Studios”. This particular park seems to be geared towards the older audience, which is probably why it’s my second favorite.

The best rides are the “Rock’n Roller Coaster” (aerosmith themed, sweeeet), and the “Tower of Terror”.  And they are right next to each other, which means less walking and more awesome-ness.

It wasn’t too hot, it didn’t rain, and we hit up all the good stuff in the park. The night was capped off with my faaaavorite night-time show at Disney, Fantasmic. I seriously cannot get enough of this show. As soon as the music starts I am completely content and watch it with the enthusiasm of a five year old. Good stuff.

This is me, displaying (but not thinking about) how I am clearly a college graduate. Because they wear Mickey ears and enjoy it. Right? Right.

This is the group (”kids”) waiting for the show to start. Post-ice cream. Which means we are happy.

“When somebody hands me a flier

it’s like they’re saying, ‘Here, you throw this away’.”
-Mitch Hedberg

One of my favorite quotes by the late Mitch Hedberg.

Most of us have experienced this feeling. On a college campus, there are always people recruiting for something, wanting you to donate or participate in this and that. Not necessarily a bad thing, but there is a lot of paper wasted on these little fliers that spend the majority of their existence being trampled to pieces or accumulating in the nearest trash can.

I am not good at being that person. I hate shoving that flier into an unwilling taker’s hands. I try to smile-and-say-”It’s okay, Thanks anyway!” when you get the usual, “No, thanks” or just being flat out ignored. Aghhhh. Actually, I just hate to give the information that I have on to somebody who will, in all honesty, just throw it away as soon as they are out of my peripheral vision.

I have nothing against those of you who have done this, and even include myself in the group. I simply felt the need to comment on this behavior. After 10 minutes of standing in the student union center and placing fliers into the hands of some interested/mostly uninterested students…I observed some interesting things. People will begin to slowly change their steps so that when they pass you, they’ll be about 5 feet from you as opposed to an arm’s distance (prime opportunity for flier-to-hand exchange). They attempt anything to avoid eye contact; look at ipod and pretend to change song, talk on the phone, pretend to be intently staring at something ahead, pick up the pace, pass this person and do Not get a flier!!! Passing empty handed=Mission Accomplished.

Every once in a while I look at down at what has been thrust into my hand and find valuable information. Something I was not aware of and am genuinely interested in. Every once in a while, when I thrust the information I’m sharing into the hands of an innocent passer, I hope that they are enticed and genuinely interested in what I have given them.

I’ll never be the type of person who feels comfortable approaching anybody who walks by and have them signing up for something five minutes later. I’m okay with that.

However, I work for Disney.

When it comes to Disney, I have to say I can be pretty convincing. Get me talking and I could go on and on. Forget the flier and the informational brochure. Take the Mickey sticker ( you know it makes you smile!), watch the video that still gives me goosebumps every time, ask me anything and everything, and you decide for yourself. Experience the Magic.