Back to Epcot…Again…

Sorry for the delay in our trip report…hopefully these next few will round out our trip.

It’s Day 5 and we are going back to Epcot…again. If you can’t tell, Epcot is our favorite park. It decided to rain this morning, but it was one of those typical 10 minute Central Florida rains.

Today we would hit the WS countries we hadn’t seen yet: Norway and China. Both of these are very well done and the attention to detail is fantastic. We especially loved going through all of the shops in China.

Next was one of the highlights of the trip, the “Behind the Seeds” tour at The Land. We have always wanted to go on a tour, so this one seemed like the easiest to fit into our schedule without stretching our wallet. We were also able to get a discount using our Disney Visa.

Living with the Land is one of my favorite attractions/rides and has been ever since I was younger. My dad has always had a garden and my grandfather was the same way, so I have a great appreciation for gardening. They allow you to take pictures of everything, so no need for a “spoiler alert” for the recap below. I’ll use mostly pictures and put some notes where necessary.

Behind the Seeds

Our tour started with us waiting outside the area next to Soarin’. We all got nametags and our guide’s name was Alisha. She was very nice and was great at answering any and every question.

Next we walked to the area where they breed the pests and wasps used to control the unwanted pests. This helps them reduce the need for pesticides.

After that, we walked outside for a minute and got to look in the lab where they “clone” a lot of their plants. They can take a single cell from most plants and cultivate that into a new plant. Very cool. I believe the Redwood below was grown from a single cell.

Next was our first greenhouse. It was very interesting seeing how they grow plants in columns, sometimes stacked on top of one another. One example was a column that contains everything you would need for a gourmet salad!

One example of the way they grow their plants and food is a hydroponic tank. Here is one that you can create at home…and maybe we’ll try this one day.

Next we saw the cucumber plants that grow vertically like trees, as most of their food is grown. They can even make them look like Mickey’s! We also got to try some cucumbers…which were tasty.

Here are the amazing tomato trees!

And who doesn’t love the Mickey gourmet lettuce?

These are supposedly some of the hottest peppers in the world. I’ll take their word for it.

Next was the red light district. Well…I don’t know what it’s called…but it’s the area with the red lights and fish. We got to feed the fish…very exciting.

Up next was the more tropical greenhouse area.

Here’s a little food trivia for you…

Pineapple plants produce 4 fruits during a normal cycle. The first one is always the sweetest and best tasting. It is what is used most of the time for fresh fruit you see in grocery stores and markets. The second one is a little less sweet and it is used most for canned pineapple as you can add sugar to it for flavor. The third is the least sweet and it is mostly used for pineapple juice concentrate where you can again add sugar for sweetness. The fourth fruit, is always discarded as it is mostly bitter in taste.

Here are some plants that grow the spices we enjoy.

Overall it was a great tour that we would probably do again if we brought friends or family with us. I hope my parents get a chance to go at some point as well. I know my dad would love it.

Back to WS…we headed over to Canada.

Gotta love Canadian humor…or is it “humour”?

(Note: I have never seen “O Canada”…I know…WTH)

Then to Morocco…

I will always think of Maroun Ghossein when I go to Morocco. Why? Because JP Troha said it back in 2008 when we were there. Thanks JP.

Next up…Japan.

And the obligatory picture of SSE through the Torii Gate…

And now to what I think is the most beautifully done country at WS…Italia.

Another big storm off in the distance as we prepared to eat at our favorite restaurant in the world.

Back to Via Napoli!

Cool water glass!

Best Sangria EVER! (especially after a few glasses)

And the best pizza either one of us has ever eaten. This is the same one Jeremy and Jennifer got when we ate here with them. It tasted like homemade spaghetti with meat sauce.

Can’t go to Via Napoli without getting the Zeppole di Ricotta!

After the amazing lunch, we walked off the extra food and strolled over to Test Track to use some FPs we picked up earlier. Along the way, I stopped and listened to the Eagles tribute band named “Hotel California” while Abbie made a pit stop. They were fantastic.

As we passed by Norway we noticed the wait for Maelstrom wasn't very long at all, so we hopped in line. Does anyone else think it's odd that Norway has a remotely fun ride? I mean, out of all of the countries in WS, it's Norway that has the fun ride. Anyway, I love the beginning of the ride, "You are not the first to pass this way...Nor shall you be the last."

One thing you have to love/hate about Disney…they know how to put you in lines…that lead to pre-ride shows…that lead to more lines.

Anyway…Test Track was awesome and we tried on a few cars at the end. I think Abbie looks great in a luxury SUV!

The sun began to set…so I took the opportunity to snap some great pictures of SSE as we made our way to the park entrance/exit.

Back at the bus stop…where we waited for…e…ver.

That’s the end of Day 5…a full day at Epcot. If I were a betting man, though, I would bet we come back here again before the end of our trip.