A Most Amazingly DREAMY day at EPCOT! Now with photos in first post!! 12/3 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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A Most Amazingly DREAMY day at EPCOT! Now with photos in first post!! 12/3
Hi Everyone! We're back from our trip and I just HAVE to tell you about our most AMAZING day at EPCOT!!!
First a little background, it was four days into our trip and we'd already done one full day in each park. There was much discussion that morning about which park to visit. It would be either Studio's (my favorite park) or Epcot. After much wailing and gnashing of teeth (and that was just from me ), it would be Epcot... so off we go on the Epcot bus.... it was almost park opening time.
Upon arrival, we did the usual Security thing, then thru the turnstiles. It was still a few minutes before park opening and I knew that the rope would still be up, so we were just "mosey-ing" along the right side of Spaceship Earth- kinda just taking our time and enjoying the day. A Cast Member walks by us with a clip board in hand and DH nudges me and says "Hey, maybe thats one of those Dream Team people". I respond "No, the Dream Team members wear LIGHT Blue shirts, that guy has on a DARK blue shirt, he must just be an Epcot employee." We continuing mosey-ing along and the CM in the Dark blue shirt stops about 20 feet ahead of us... we catch up to him just as he's turning around toward us and he says "Excuse Me, can I talk to you for a minute? It's o.k.- No I am NOT doing research... Most people think I'm doing research when they see the clipboard... Have you heard about the Year of a Million Dreams promotion going on? Well, we'd like to grant you a DREAM!!! How would you like to be the EPCOT FAMILY OF THE DAY today? At this point we're all cheering and grinning like maniacs as he continues to fill us in on what that means. He's handing us buttons to wear that say "Honorary Citizen of Walt Disney World" and telling us that we're going to be the first family on Test Track as he leads us BEHIND the rope so that they can introduce us as the Family of the Day.
He also goes on to explain that we'll be given a certificate for Front of the Line Priority Access at the Epcot Character Spot, certificates for Instant Fast Pass access to Mission Space and Soaring, access to the VIP viewing area for Illuminations and of course, the standard Year of a Million Dreams Certificate indicating that we were granted the Dream of being the Epcot Family of the Day. OMG!!! We were so blown away at this point!!! We were just standing there kinda in shock trying to absorb it all while being introduced to the crowd. As we're standing there waving, the characters come out to greet everyone and open the park. After they're done greeting the crowd, they come over to us and we get a brief private audience / hugs with each character and then group pictures with Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale!!!
Now at this point, our Dream Team dream granter-guy Rick comes over and says... "Walking is for ordinary people and today you are NOT ordinary people... so you won't be walking to Test Track this morning. A vehicle will be here in a just a moment to drive you over there" We all turn and see an actual Test Track ride vehicle coming toward us. We climb in, pause a few seconds for photos and off we go in our own private car to Test Track. We get there, get out and go on the ride... Then we go again after being presented with another certificate as the First Test Track Family of the day.
We spent the rest of the day using our various certificates for rides and photos. By far, the best part of the day, in my opinion, had to be the private viewing area for Illuminations. The VIP area was just outside the Italy pavillion and was roped off and guarded by a CM. Only a select few guests were allowed in this area so we had a completely uncrowded area and unobstructed view of Illuminations. DH recorded the entire show including the special holiday ending so we can watch it over and over. I may be ruined for all other viewing locations in the future!!!
So that was our completely AMAZING day as the EPCOT family of the Day!!! I'm sure it's a day that we will remember forever!
Here's the pictures:
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- June 2009 - Cruisin' on the DCL Wonder
--Mike, Mikey & Carla--
DVC Members since 2005!
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Last edited by cjadkins; 12-03-2007 at 12:58 PM..
Reason: Adding pictures
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Congratulations!!! That is so awesome! It's so cool to have a fellow PassPorter win such an amazingly cool dream prize! That would be so special to be bumped to the front for all those great rides and to have the special IllumiNations viewing spot - WOW!
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A Fairy Godmother wannabe -
Look what a little Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo can do!
Congratulations! I'm keeping my fingers crossed we'll be picked for something on our next trip in Jan. Although we weren't picked by a dream team while there in Aug, lots of pixie dust fell on us: room up-grade at CBR, an extra sea raycer to use at no charge, extra fast pass to re-ride test track, & a few of those special pins! Gotta love Disney!
Sue
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), it would be Epcot... so off we go on the Epcot bus.... it was almost park opening time.
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Pixie Dust
Aimee
Does it get any better than that?? 
Congratulations! I'm keeping my fingers crossed we'll be picked for something on our next trip in Jan. Although we weren't picked by a dream team while there in Aug, lots of pixie dust fell on us: room up-grade at CBR, an extra sea raycer to use at no charge, extra fast pass to re-ride test track, & a few of those special pins! Gotta love Disney!
PassPorter Guide Author
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