We weren't quite in time for the half past eleven showing of the Nemo Musical, so at Jake's suggestion we went into Dinoland to play some of the fairground games. The first one we tried was the water shooter, and we were rather worried about our chances given that we occupied 3 of the 14 seats, and there was only one empty chair. So we needed to beat 10 opponents to win a prize. Nicky and I were concentrating so intently on our aim, that we were taken aback when the bell rang and the host announced that seat 1 was the winner. Sitting in seat 1 was Jake !! What a sure-shooter he is !!
Flushed with success we had a go at a ball throwing game, but no luck there, so we went for the trusty ball rolling horse (or in this case dino) racing. Needless to say we came first second and third, and added to our haul.
Next up we decided that a fastpass trip on the safari was in order, followed by a return to the 1:45 Nemo showing. This did mean something of a route march across to the other side of the park and back, but hey, we're made of sterner theme park stuff. We enjoyed the safari very much, although for the first time in our experience the lions were a no show. Still we did very well, seeing hippo, crocs, elephants, giraffe, rhino and more.
We got off the safari at about one o'clock, and marched back over to the Nemo show, stopping off for some quick fries along the way. We only just snuck in at the back and the theatre was packed, but the show was fantastic.
Time to leave AK now and come back to the hotel. Nicky was commenting that it is a shame that there is no direct link between AK and AK Lodge - you have to go by car or bus along with everyone else. There really should be a little train or a series of safari jeeps that can ferry you from park to hotel. After all, all of the other deluxe resorts have either monorail or boat services to at least one park.
Back at the hotel we waited for John and Margaret to return to Downtown. They got back just before four, and so we turned them around and marched them straight back out and into the car to go to Epcot, as we were a little worried that all of the fastpasses for the day might have been distributed at both Soarin' and Test Track. (Even though our special fastpasses got us instant access, once all of the fastpasses for the day have been given out, they close the machines.)
When we got to Epcot we discovered that the fastpass return times for both rides were indeed worryingly late, so Nicky grabbed passes for Test Track whilst I ran across to the Land to get passes for Soarin'. When I got there, somewhat out of breath, the passes had 8:30 return times with the ride closing at nine, and only one machine still giving them out. When I got to the front of the line, the machine wouldn't accept my cards. Aaargh! Spoke to the attendant, and he sent me across to the desk, where, eventually, they temporarily uncovered another machine and managed to get five fastpasses issued.
I went back over to Test Track, slightly slower, and we went on, leaving Nanny looking after the bags, as she'd decided not to ride. I sat in the front with Jake, and he enjoyed the ride, although did squeeze my hand quite tightly at times. We were able to get our on ride photo added to our photopass at the end, so should be able to look at it after we get home.
Collected up Nanny on the way out, and then back over to the Land again and onto Soarin'. We were in the middle row this time (still on the right had side) so went up a little higher than last time.
Having managed to use up 10 more of our passes, we still had 10 left, but decided that we'd call it a day on the big rides. Nicky did try later on to give away our unused passes, but by that time either the fastpass distributions were closed or the lines were short enough that it didn't matter getting a fastpass anyway!
For the rest of our afternoon and evening in Epcot we:
- went on Living with the Land
- rode the Nemo ride in the Seas pavilion
- enjoyed Turtle Talk with Crush - "radical dude"!
- had dinner at the Electric Umbrella
- staked out a spot to watch illuminations and had drinks and choc creme brulee and funnel cake
- watched illuminations - not a dry eye in the house!
Worn out, we walked back to the front of the park, onto the tram back to the parking lot - Create 49, drove back to the hotel, picked up our packages from the previous day at the Studios, collected drinks from Mara, and clambered into bed.