Epcot’s Magic in the Moonlight - part 2

Once we had finished our lunch we took a stroll along the Boardwalk and then returned to our stateroom as we had gotten a message from our friend Pamela, who was coming to spend the afternoon and evening with us.

We watched some TV while waiting for her and it didn’t take long and we got a text that she was at the Security check point. So we walked down to the lobby to greet her and after a lot of hugging we were on our way back to the room to catch up on what had happened since we had last seen her. After a while we decided to have a snack and so Pamela and I popped down to the Boardwalk Bakery to get a snack. Pamela needed a gluten free snack and we were happy to find some 

Erin McKenna’s Mini Brownie Cupcakes, which she enjoyed a lot, while I got myself another 

Carrot Cake. Tom stuck to his Tortilla Chips. 

Around 6pm we got in touch with my friend Michelle, who informed us that her son Vito and his fiancé Hannah were running a little late as Vito had just gotten back from work and needed to still get ready and it’s about an hour’s drive from where they live. 

So we just went down to the DVC check in point for Moonlight Magic that night to pick up our wristbands. We then spent some time in our room, still chatting and making plans for days and cruise to come until we got another text that Vito and Hannah were close. 

A few minutes later we made our way down to the entrance of the Boardwalk to wait for them and within 15 minutes we could see them coming towards us. Everyone got introduced and we all put on our wristbands for the evening’s event. Now, Pamela is a DVC member just as we are, but Michelle and her family live locally and we had invited the young couple to come with us, knowing their love for Disney. 

Moonlight Magic is a free event at one of the theme parks only open to DVC members and their guests. 

There is special merchandise, a free meal

and free Mickey Bars. 

We had been to one the previous year at Animal Kingdom and it was a lot of fun as the wait times for rides were pretty short and there were a lot of characters that you don’t usually see. So, around 8pm we all walked over to the International Gateway, picked up our meal vouchers for the evening and then we let Vito and Hannah do whatever they wanted as they were more interested in the characters than in the rides. 

Our little group of three now wandered off to do some rides. Figment is one of Pamela’s favourites, so we went on that first and then it was on to Finding Nemo. By then the crowds had started to subside and most of the guests had gathered around the World Showcase Lagoon for Illuminations. We stopped into Mousegears and wandered around for a bit, and around 10pm we headed to Sunshine Seasons to redeem our meal vouchers. Tom and I decided to share two dishes, the 

Mongolian Beef with Vegetable Fried Rice and the 

Stir Fried Shrimp with Celery, Peppers, Water Chestnuts, and Cashews and both were very tasty and fresh. We sat for a while, then headed over to Soarin’,

 which was a walk on, even with asking for the middle glider. After soaring around the world we walked towards World Showcase again and passed a kiosk where they sold Moonlight Magic Merchandise. Needless to say that we needed to get in line and pick up some items. 

Close by they were handing out Mickey Bars and again, we could not decline. 

There were also some water dispensers for the thirsty. 

There were fireworks at around midnight and we still had some time to kill, so we walked towards Mexico, going past Vito and Hannah who were in line for some more character photos. We were able to just walk onto the ride inside Mexico 

and after that leisurely boat ride we went in search of a spot to watch the fireworks. 

Pamela suggested to have a look if there were empty tables at the Mexican quick service restaurant and as there was we found a table by the water’s edge and waited for the fireworks. 

We had a lot of fun talking about that day and the fun that was still to come and time just flew by and the fireworks started. 

They were no Illuminations, but pretty impressive for this “private” event. Once the fireworks were over we made our way back to the International Gateway. It took us quite some time, not because of crowds, but we were all pretty tired and our feet were heavy. Once outside Epcot we were surprised to find the FriendShips still running, so we headed over there,

 found a seat and were slowly transported back to the Boardwalk. Once there we said goodbye to our friend Pamela, who still had an hour’s drive ahead of her until she got home. Tom and I slowly walked back to our room, grabbed a drink out of the fridge and then went to bed, leaving the rest of the packing for the next morning.