Disney: Day 2 Epcot

Our second day at Disney was at Epcot.  The tour guide books say that this park is not as kid-friendly in terms of entertainment, but Kendra absolutely LOVED it.  She loves learning about different cultures, and she actually liked the World Showcase part even better than the Future World (where the main rides and attractions are located).  We got through 3/4 of the countries in World Showcase, and rode one of the two main headliners.  We plan to go back another day this week for the rest!

What a cute girl with a big ole ball behind her head!

We arrived at opening, and the crowd surged toward The Land exhibits, which included one of the aforementioned headliners, the ride called Soarin'.  We decided to move away from the pack and go to The Seas first.  Kendra got eaten by a shark, but he nicely gave her back.  We also saw Turtle Talk With Crush, an interactive movie type experience in which the animated characters talk to the audience.  Turns out we BOTH got to talk to Crush.  Here was the conversation:

Crush:  Let me talk to the little girl in pink with two sets of eyes (Kendra's sunglasses were on her head)

What is your name?

K:  Kendra

Crush:  Who are you here with, Kendra?

K:  My mom.

Crush:  Would Kendra's parental unit please raise her hand?

(I raised my hand)

Crush:  You are Kendra's mom right?

Me:  Yes

Crush:  How many kids do you have?

Me:  Just the one, just Kendra.

Crush:  Dude, I've got you beat.  I have 65.  Don't you think it is totally awesome to be in charge of the raising of these little people?

Me:  Totally

Crush:  (after a pause)  Did you feel that?  (pause)  We totally shared a moment. 

Probably not as funny in type!  What fun!

So then we went over to The Land and walked right up to get our FastPass for Soarin'.  It was perfect timing---we were scheduled for a little while after our next big event:  Lunch with the Princesses!

We had lunch at the Akershus restaurant in Norway in the World Showcase.  We started with a picture with Belle that they took professionally then printed out a whole package for us that was complimentary!  Wow!  Then as we ate four Princesses came and signed Kendra's autograph book and took a picture with her.

Then another really neat thing happened.  Our waiter told me that he got to pick one table out of the whole restaurant in which to do an extra special thing.  He said he picked Kendra!   She got a special chef's hat and got to paint a cookie with special edible paint and decorate with white chocolate chips.  It was in the shape of a troll, which has some significance in Norway but I am clueless to know why.

The finished painted troll.

We made our way back to The Land, and road the AAAAAMAZING Soarin' ride.   If you go, get a fastpass because the line is insane!!!  But the ride is super cool and definately not to be missed.

After that, we headed back to World Showcase.  Kendra was especially interested in going to Mexico because she is getting an American Girl doll (from my mom) whose culture is Mexican.  She intends to throw her a welcome party (really???) and so wanted to learn more and get Josefina (the doll) some stuff.  She ended up buying her a mini Sombrero and a maraca.  Cute. 

Our favorites of the day:  Soarin', all of World Showcase, Turtle Talk.  We are going back later this week to see the rest!!!