Packet Pickup Day!

Thursday, January 5th Temp: 30 degrees at 7am! BRRR!!!! But warmed up to 60 by the afternoon
Our resort: Coronada Springs Resort. It is the largest in Walt Disney World. They had a very nice running/walking path that circled the lake (1.5 miles) and this was our view out our door. Hammocks every where!

Yes, they rake the sand. This guy was out every morning about 7am. What a job to have!
Wide World of Sports: ESPN complex. We spent Thursday morning there picking up our packets and looking around. I kept thinking how my boys would have loved to see this!


It's the official Goofy bib!
We returned to our room, dropped off our bags and headed over to Epcot. Mom and Dad were meeting us there at 5pm but we wanted to get in some rides and sights before then.
We took advantage of the photographers around the area....they are willing to take your picture anytime you want....no obligation to purchase.....but being the photo hound I am....I never passed up the opportunity to ham it up and then buy them all!
All of the large trees were still decorated for Christmas. This was one of the prettiest!
He's looking for a handout....lots of birds hanging out.
The lake at Epcot. This was where the Luminations were held that night....more at the end of the post on that.
We spent a fair amount of time in future world. This was an amazing area. Hard to believe that most of the inventions and ideas are actually going to be realities in my lifetime.
Space vehicle
We toured the greenhouses which were designed to show new ways to garden and grow vegetables. In the background of this picture are the hanging pumpkins. The front plants are brussel sprouts. They are all planted in sand and thriving!
nine pound lemon and edible
We met mom and dad for Pasta in the Park. It was a dinner put on for the runners and held at Epcot in the banquet area.
Fascinating decorations. This place held about 3000 people.

The characters were staged for pictures. Could not pass up the opportunity to spend some up close and quality time with my buddy, Goofy!

After the dinner we were treated to a laser light and firework show. As part of the pasta night, we had a special viewing area at lakeside. The show was absolutely spectacular. A must see more than once.
The world came up out of the lake during the show and lit up as it twirled above and the fireworks were going off all around. Wish we had the larger telephoto to really pick up the show.
Such a fun evening and ready to take on this race. Still have another day of fun before the hard work comes. Next: Animal Kingdom