Disney World - Day 6 Fast Cars and Lots of Bubbles

     On Thursday, we ventured back to Epcot.  Epcot is a big park and we only covered a part of  it when we went on Monday.  We started the day like we did the previous day, by eating breakfast at the Boardwalk Bakery.  They had cinnamon rolls that were out of this world and Bryan had one every morning.  The kids enjoyed running around while waiting for their food.  They sold these really neat bubble guns and we bought some for the kids.  They had a blast with those bubbles. 

The bubble gun

Matching girls

Look at those curly haired girls.

   When we got inside Epcot, we headed straight to Test Track.  We hadn't had a chance to ride it yet and it is such a fun ride.  While in line you get to design your own car and at the end they show who's car won.  Ashlyn was the only kid who was tall enough to ride.  While we took turns riding, we took the littler kids to the car area at Test Track.  They had a blast sitting in all the cars and looking at all the cars. 

Ashlyn's car

You have to put your hands up

Such a fun ride!

Silliness

   The bubbles were again brought out and they entertained the kids very well.  Despite not being able to ride a lot of rides, the younger kids didn't get too bored.  They had fun running around and playing while other people rode.  We worked out a great system where half of us rode a ride, and then switched and the other half rode.  It worked out great thanks to Fast Passes. 

Dawson playing with Gracie

Jameson loves those bubbles

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Ella checking out a car

The boys going for a ride

They loved these cars.

    After Test Track, we rode some other rides that we hadn't had a chance to ride yet.  I think we also rode Spaceship Earth again because the kids loved it so much.  It was really, really hot that day.  We had cooler weather the day before, but paid for it on that day.  After some rides, Katy, Bryan, Ella, and Jameson decided to walk back to the hotel to do some swimming.  The rest of us stayed and visited the countries we hadn't had a chance to get to the first day.  We went to China were Ashlyn got the chopsticks she has been wanting.  All the people working in each country are actually from that particular country.  She got to practice some of her Chinese with the very friendly women working there.  They seemed very surprised and impressed that she was learning Chinese in school.
      Funny little side note, I read this man's Disney World blog religiously.  He does food reviews and provides excellent tips.  He also gives calendars and schedules for what days to visit what parks, etc.  His blog is awesome.  While we were walking around the world showcase, I spotted him and we stopped to talk to him for a few minutes.  It was pretty cool getting to meet him. 

Taking a little food break.  The Transformer on his lap is one that he bought in Japan.

My brother by the water

Mr. Cool

Playing with his new toy

All smiles

The lake is so pretty

Random shot of Ashlyn

In England

Butterflies.  The Disney photographers take these pictures of you and have to you do these funny little poses and they don't tell you what will end up in the picture.  It's kind of neat to see what ends up. 

    They have recently opened an ice cream shop in France that I had read really good things about.  This ice cream was divine!  We had it every time we went to Epcot.  It was hot, so we decided to take a much needed rest and ice cream break while we waited for Katy's family to meet up with us again. 

Loving her ice cream

Ashlyn also picked out this fan in China.  She said she has always wanted a fan.  Lol.  It was a very smart pick because it did a great job of cooing her down. 

Play time with Gracie

kisses

Ella clearly enjoyed her ice cream

Love her smile

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Auntie was so nice to share with Dawson

   After our ice cream break we headed to Italy for our dinner reservation.  Joey lived in Italy for a few years growing up.  He and his father still talk about the food all the time and how good the pizza was.  This particular restaurant has only been open for a few years.  I had read that they fly in the water from Italy to make the pizza super authentic.  I was dying to try it to get an idea of what Italian pizza was like.  I was also curious to see if Joey thought it was similar.
   Our dinner was amazing.  Most of us ordered the pizza and it was wonderful.  I can honestly say I have never had pizza quite like it before.  The crust was so chewy and good.  Joey said it was almost identical to what they had in Italy.  Everyone agreed this was one of the best meals we had in Disney World. 

We have arrived in Italy

Mr. Cool again

Waiting for our table

in the restaurant

Ashlyn entertaining Gracie

Ella entertaining Gracie

Jameson trying some pizza

    After we were stuffed full of amazing pizza, we had two Fast Passes to use.  First we rode the ride in Norway, Maelstrom.  Its not the most exciting ride, but an oldie but goodie.  I'm glad we got a chance to ride it, because they just closed the ride for good to be replaced with a Frozen ride.  After Malestrom, we rode Spaceship Earth again.  We just couldn't get enough of that ride!  We also rode Nemo again because Dawson really wanted another ride. 
    By that point it was around 7:00, and we we wanted to get back to the hotel because the kids wanted to go swimming.  My parents decided they were going to stay and watch the fireworks.  The rest of us headed back.  Joey got the kids all ready to go swimming, and it started to pour.  My poor parents got stuck in the rain and had to walk back in it.  Of course, we had taken all the umbrellas and ponchos accidentally with us.  They came back soaked.  At least it waited until the very end of the day to rain.  We lucked out again with rain. 

Dawson and Steven being silly in line

This is part of Spaceship Earth where they take your picture and show what life will be like in the future.