From St. Augustine, Tamu and I headed to Orlando for the night. We woke up the next morning with lots of people like us: tourists on our way to the Magic Kingdom.
I had never been to a Disney park before this, and when making plans for the trip, opted to spend the day at Epcot Center because I figured this was more fun to take in solo than a park with lots of roller coasters. I had gotten a bit lost driving in Orlando on the shortest day of the year, which made me tired. So I slept late that morning. If I were a true believer, I imagine I would have been up before dawn to get every last minute of value out of my day pass. But sometimes I need to vacation while on vacation.
Epcot was gorgeous and I enjoyed the feeling of being at a World’s Fair, even if it was more permanent and clearly part of Disney’s imagined version of that. While Tamu lounged at the hotel, I wandered the park, eating, shopping, watching performances. There was belly dancing at the Egypt pavilion, acrobats from China, and carolers in full Victorian winter gear singing for the coming Christmas. Africa was all one village and resembled the Lion King. The German pavilion featured gingerbread houses. China’s Forbidden City reproduction was exquisite.
The American Adventure pavilion was elaborate, and included a fife and drum corps performance. Kids in mouse ears were everywhere, taking in the various shows.
I recall one ride, an IMAX one that enabled me to see space. I ended my day gathered with most of the park visitors watching a light show and fireworks lit over the park while we sang It’s a Small World After All. It was a good first visit to the Magic Kingdom.
