apples to oranges: Disney World

EPCOT AND ANIMAL KINGDOM

Character watch!

We started off at EPCOT to find out where I would be working. EPCOT actually stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow and it is dedicated to international culture and technological innovation. It was one of Walt Disney's final park ideas before he died. He actually wanted people to be able to live there, but that idea obviously changed. There are two buildings that hold "Innoventions" where you can sample and see new inventions that companies are experimenting with and several futuristic rides near the park entrance. EPCOT holds what is called the "World Showcase" as well. It runs along the entire south side of the park and different characters can be found in their respective countries. Themed shows, bars, rides, and restaurants are also in the showcase.

I work in The Seas with Nemo and Friends with the marine mammals.

Right next the The Seas is The Land. The Land has a few rides as well and a virtual show with Timon and Pumbaa about conservation issues. We went on one called Living with the Land. It's really cool for nerdy farm people like us. You are on a boat that takes you through the history of farming and then tours through the Disney greenhouses. The greenhouses are even part of the future. There are tomato "trees" that produce record holding amounts of tomatoes, eggplant "trees", nine pound lemons, all kinds of herbs, giant pumpkins, and multiple other fruits and vegetables hydroponically grown. Then they harvest the food and serve it in the cafeteria.

Then we skipped back over to Animal Kingdom - the tree of life!