Memory 134 – A Day at Epcot: Part 3, Epcot Character Spot

Come and join us for another installment of the WDW-Memories podcast, where I try to make it possible for you relive your Walt Disney World Memories when you can’t actually be there. Today we’ll continue our day in Epcot as we leave Test Track and stop at the Epcot Character Spot for a photo with Mickey Mouse.

Podcast Type: Binaural Audio
Podcast Length: 25:29

Wow, what an amazing trip to Walt Disney World. We had a fantastic time with the family, enjoying the beautiful weather each day, and laughing and creating all sorts of memories. Memories, that one of these days I’ll get to share with all of you. Some highlights for me from the trip: Mikey and Susie’s first ride on Big Thunder Mountain, and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Rides on Test Track with the whole family, Susie being pulled up again for the Voices of Liberty, and just the time spent each day with my whole family, watching the kids play together. It was a magical vacation. But let’s get back to the memories at hand.

We’ll pick back up on our March day in 2014 at Epcot. We’ve just finished riding Test Track, and the rain has picked up and they are clearing the ride so we can’t go back. We have a FastPass+ for Turtle Talk with Crush coming up, so we load the kids up in the stroller and begin the trek to the other side of Future World. On our way through the breezeway, we see the line to meet the characters is short, and Mikey had wanted to see Mickey Mouse today, so we decided to stop and hopefully fulfil his request. Traci’s parents take this opportunity to run to the Garden Festival Center in the old Wonders of Life Pavilion and see what was in there while we get the kids out and wait in line. After what turned out to be a 15 minute wait (should have probably stuck with my TouringPlan) it’s finally our turn.

The kids are becoming old pros at interacting with characters and run up to Mickey, Goofy and Minnie to give hugs and take pictures. The characters are always so fun. You’ll actually hear a brief interaction between Minnie and some teenagers who were ahead of us. As they were leaving, Minnie motions for one of the boys to return, and then gives him a kiss and gets a couple of personal pictures with him. Sadly our interactions weren’t so amazing, but the kids love it and we get some cute photos out of it. As we finish, we meet back up with Traci’s parents and continue our hike towards The Seas with Nemo and Friends.

I think I’ve mentioned it before, but growing up I never stopped to meet characters. It was such a waste of time from rides in our minds. But now watching the kids and seeing some of the pictures I get on every trip, this is now becoming a part of our planning. The Epcot Character Spot is one of the best ones also, where lines aren’t too bad if you plan it right, and best of all you get 3 characters for one wait. I think this might be the only place on property this happens outside of a character meal.

Now sit back. Relax. Close your eyes. And come with me as we take a moment to fulfill a little boy’s request.