[Park Hopper]

Part II of my first day flying solo in the parks is spent at Epcot. My favorite park, and the one that DW and I spend the most time at, is stunningly beautiful this time of year thanks to the annual Flower & Garden festival.

First stop is to take some photos of the big flower bed that welcomes guests to The Happiest Celebration on Earth as they enter the park. Check out the slideshow of the Flower & Garden Festival photos I took yesterday.

Then it's off to Soarin', hopefully to grab a FastPass. Oops! No such luck. FastPasses are all gone for the day, but the wait in the standby line is only 30 minutes. The ride really is spectacular -- not to be missed.

Well, the wait at Soarin' has thrown off my time schedule. I've still got more pictures to take as I wander the park, but plans to eat in the Biergarten have to be scrapped because there isn't enough time before the Flower Power concert with BJ Thomas. And I want to see Illuminations.

BJ Thomas is surprisingly good, and the America Gardens Theatre is quite full for his second performance of the evening. His looks have taken on a hard edge over the years, but his voice still is top-notch. A lot of performers on the oldies circuit can't come close to hitting the high notes anymore, but BJ Thomas can still get way up there. Singing all his old hits, he sounds exactly the same as he did in the '60s and '70s.

OK, concert is over. Now to get something to eat before Illuminations. I've been anxious to try the renovated food court in The Land, and now is as good a time as any. Except for the crush of people trying to ride Soarin', the Sunshine Seasons food court isn't terribly busy. I decide on a Black Forest ham and salami sandwich, which is both very tasty and huge. Unless you're really hungry, the sandwich could easily be shared. But, of course, I've got nobody to share it with.

Epcot is the late Extra Magic Hour park this night, but as I'm leaving the food court I notice the wait time for Soarin' has grown to 50 minutes. And the FastPass machines are still bagged. Extra Magic Hour resort guests are going to bog down here.

I've got just enough time now to get to my favorite Illuminations viewing area, directly in front of World Showcase Lagoon between the two merchandise shops. The best viewing is right up front along the railing, but it's taken by the time I get there. A few rows back is still very good, though, as I take a seat on the hard concrete. Finally, "Good evening and welcome. We've gathered here tonight . . ."

As I watch the spectacular Illuminations fireworks for the umpteenth time, the end of a great Disney day is at hand. Although I've been alone all day, I've certainly had many conversations with guests and Cast Members alike. It's been very pleasant going at my own pace and modifying my plans as needed.

And tomorrow -- although as I look at the clock it's now today -- is another day. Star Wars Weekend here I come!

[BuzzLightyear]

Great picts Park Hopper!
Sounds like you had a great day.

[MissDisney]

Oh, Hopper... I envy you, but at least I get to enjoy your park visits vicariously, thanks to your TRs and pics.

[cinderbella]

Love it!! I love the pics from AK and Epcot...I am so jealous you just got to 'pop' on over!!!!
I cannot WAIT to hear about SWW...
How are the crowds this week? We'll be there on Tuesday whoohoo!!!

[Erin]

Great pictures!

ParkHopper - I really envy you! How awesome is it that you can just go on over whenever you feel like it! Very cool :c)

[roxie]

Thanks PH! I just saw all of those in person! It was so beautiful down there.

[PrincessJill]

Sounds like you're having a great trip!! Thanks for the pictures, they were great. I'm curious about crowds too... I've never gone in June before and I'm a little nervous, but it sounds like you're getting to do everything you want. Hope the rest of your trip is just as great! :)

[Park Hopper]

Originally Posted by PrincessJill

Sounds like you're having a great trip!! Thanks for the pictures, they were great. I'm curious about crowds too... I've never gone in June before and I'm a little nervous, but it sounds like you're getting to do everything you want. Hope the rest of your trip is just as great! :)

When you live here you don't have to worry about getting to do what you want -- you just come back another day -- so perhaps I'm painting a somewhat deceptive picture. Crowds on Thursday weren't too bad, but Friday, the beginning of the Memorial Day weekend and a Star Wars Weekend to boot, was different. MGM was very crowded, and Epcot was pretty heavy, too. I saw the Soarin' standby line wait time hit 60 minutes.

The deeper into June you get, the more crowded the parks are going to get. This is in direct relation to schools getting out across the country.