Flowers, Segways & DIS Meets, Oh My! - Updated 10/26, Final Thoughts-FINALLY!

[mermaid764]

Great updates!

The toparies are so beautifully done and this is definitely a time period I would love to visit during

That's too bad that you've had two bad experiences with Coral Reef...hopefully that improves soon.

I can't believe your on your last day already but i'm looking forward to hearing all about it

 

[brookelizabeth]

I love all those topiary pictures! They did such a nice job at the F&GF this year I think.

Sorry to hear about the sloooooow service at Coral Reef. I would rather feel rushed than to have such a slow meal. At least the food was good though! We have yet to try it since we aren't big fish eaters, but I know Henry would just love that aquarium, so we'll brave it at some point and eat steak!

 

[klacey1]

Love the princess topiaries-- especially Beauty and the Beast! Sorry the service at Coral Reef wasn't so great-- we had a phenomenal waiter last trip and can't wait to get back. I agree though-- if you found it so slow, why go back when there's so many other options in WDW?

 

[Charleston Princess]

Beautiful pictures from France and of all the topiaries! Only France would have perfume bottle bushes!

I really like the film in France -- both being able to sit and the gorgeous music that accompanies it.

Cool Chinese Zodiac animals! I am a tiger and had to laugh about how I would make a good race car driver or matador! Somehow I don't see myself as either one of those.

I have the Four Parks One World CD and have definitely played it a lot in the car! So much, in fact, that I know all the tracks for my favorites.

Too bad that dinner took so long at Coral Reef. We ate there in 2007, and I tried the chocolate wave, too. It was very rich!

 

[LilAnn]

I always love your photos! They always bring me right back to our vacation. I am glad that you enjoyed your food at Coral Reef, but sorry to hear about the slow service. We had a fantastic waiter last time and he had recommended the Mahi Mahi as well, and I agreed. So good!

I think I need to get that cd! I am on the lookout for a new Disney cd to play in the car. My little girl already has the current ones memorized.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Great update! Your photos are fantastic. You are right, that one of the sky is so neat! And glad I could help you figure out which zodiac sculpture you missed.

I also really like the pictures of Coral Reef. The only time I've seen that place is on Full House.

I should so get that drawing book now that I am addicted to the Animation Academy.

 

[MEK]

Another great update with more great pictures. I just posted posted that I missed at least 75% of the topiaries at Epcot, but after seeing your pictures I definitely think I missed MORE!!!!!

My favorite is the sky picture. Just gorgeous!

Your dinner lookeds really, really good. Yummy! Sorry the service was so slow. Our meal at Ohana was like tha. It just took forever. I have decided that is the downfall of the dining plan. You don't mind having one or two dinners that run long, but it gets old after about 4 days. Still - that food looked great!

Looking forward to your last day.

 

[Spartangirl]

Great update, Michelle! Those topiaries are so cool...I really love the Beauty & the Beast one and the Lady & the Tramp...that one is just darling!

I've never eaten at the Coral Reef.......makes me question it after your review. I can't stand slow service!!! But, if the food is good...

That drawing book looks really cool....

Can't believe you're already coming up to your last full day!!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I am just now catching up. So very sorry to hear about your aunt. Can't believe the kids are already in school and one of yours is in high school. WHERE does the time go?

Great trip updates! Ewww to the man with the sweaty sock feet although I suppose we should give thanks he kept his socks on.

I need to spend more time exploring the Streets of America... so many neat details!

Glad you enjoyed the private entrance.

Don't you just adore that shop in France? I could spend days in there... especially if they kept refilling my glass of champagne...

I think your TR and pictures have just about sold me that I MUST visit for Flower and Garden next year. The topiaries are gorgeous!!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Just catching up myself, Michelle! So sorry to hear of your Aunt, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time!

Your trip sounds like so much fun, your Mom is SUCH a good sport! Doing all the thrill rides, etc! Good for her!

Your day at DHS was great, love the animation pics! And that you waited in line to get your pic with Mickey! I had to laugh, when we went with my Mom, we did the same thing, and we were getting funny looks, too! But hey, who doesn't want their pic with Mickey!? lol!

I've sworn off CR, too....after our experience in 2008, it was too painful, over a 2 hour wait and dinner....it was the worst!

Looking forward to hearing more!

Oh! I have had my eye on 4 parks CD, is it worth getting?

 

[KathyRN137]

Hi Michelle!

Sorry, I've been away from the DIS for awhile and am slowly, slowly catching up with my subscriptions!

It's taking me awhile b/c I'm starting over with each.

I'm about halfway caught up with yours, but just had to pop in to say "Hello!"


Kathy

 

[MeMom]

It was still raining so we decided to dash over and check out the film, Impressions de France. Anyway, soon enough it was time for the film to start and I loved it. It is so beautifully done, and I really liked that you were able to sit down for this one,

I love this movie, too. So peaceful and beautiful!

I took this picture of the sky as we were leaving China, I thought it looked so pretty!

That is an awesome picture!

A magnetic note pad that I have on my fridge. I use it to make my grocery lists, adds a bit of fun to that chore - I hate grocery shopping, and being able to look at that fun paper while I'm doing it makes it a bit easier

I use my notepad like that at school. Whenever I send a note to another teacher or to the office on that paper, they always comment and get a smile. Just a little way to sneak in a little Disney happiness when it's not expected.

My Four Parks, One World CD has been played and played and played. What a great souvenir!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Great update, Michelle. You got some GREAT photos. I'm sorry to hear you had slow service yet again at Coral Reef. We've not been in twelve years and were going to go this year until I couldn't switch it to the new time we wanted (so we're going to Biergarten which we love).

I was irritated with the slow service, there really is no excuse for it. It's too bad too, because the food is really good

And a little heads up: you'll be a bigger bubbling mess when he goes off to college. Just ask my youngest.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he'll want to go to the University of Oklahoma and just commute - the campus is only 15-20 minutes from our house....

Sounds like a great day!

I love that CD- I wear it out every chance I get !

I can always tell how cold the bus is by how long my glasses stay fogged up when get off. I have gotten off the bus taken 3 steps and then can't see.

That CD gets worn out at my house too

Oh, yes, my sunglasses fog up everytime I step out of the room or a bus while at WDW. Thankfully I can just take them off and still see

Great update Michelle!!!

I have sworn off Coral Reef as well We ate here again this year, the night the Blackhawks were playing for the Stanley Cup, and I was DYING to get out. We had a 90 minute meal as well.

I am DEFINITELY going to look for that drawing book for DS! We love to spend an afternoon in the animation studio drawing the characters!

I can't believe the next installment is your last full day already!! Tell Don it's time to start planning the next one

Yeah, I had hoped that our experience at Coral Reef with the slow service was a one time thing, but no such luck

I think your DS would love the drawing book, Jared has had a good time with it!

I told Don the other day that I was getting towards the end of my TR, he couldn't believe that I was still working on it over 3 months later

I wish I could plan another trip, I'm still working on the cruise thing - we'll see.

Love the focus on France! That's the one country we skipped this past April because it was so crowded! Haha, really, such a small world that the skydiver knew your sister!

Cute notepad! I like that you use it for a specific purpose. I know that if I bought a notebook or notepad, it wouldn't get used unless I had a certain reason. Otherwise I'd just keep it forever!

I've never spent alot of time in France before this trip, I'm not really sure why though - it's so pretty. And I still haven't checked out the pastery shop, another reason to go back for sure!

I almost hate using that notepad just because I know eventually it will be gone, and then I'll be sad

 

[SoonerGirl]

Great updates!

The toparies are so beautifully done and this is definitely a time period I would love to visit during

That's too bad that you've had two bad experiences with Coral Reef...hopefully that improves soon.

I can't believe your on your last day already but i'm looking forward to hearing all about it

I think after being there during the F&GF that Epcot will feel a little empty to me now during normal times!

If Coral Reef improves, someone else is going to have to convince me of it, I don't think I'll try it again

I love all those topiary pictures! They did such a nice job at the F&GF this year I think.

Sorry to hear about the sloooooow service at Coral Reef. I would rather feel rushed than to have such a slow meal. At least the food was good though! We have yet to try it since we aren't big fish eaters, but I know Henry would just love that aquarium, so we'll brave it at some point and eat steak!

I honestly don't care much for fish either, it has to be a very mild tasting fish for me to eat it. I discovered Mahi Mahi about a year ago and actually really like it. The restaurant really does have a great atmosphere, and the food is good. If you don't mind a long leisurely meal then give it a try. The do have a chicken dish and steak on the menu too

Love the princess topiaries-- especially Beauty and the Beast! Sorry the service at Coral Reef wasn't so great-- we had a phenomenal waiter last trip and can't wait to get back. I agree though-- if you found it so slow, why go back when there's so many other options in WDW?

Maybe we've just been unlucky in our servers both times I'm glad to hear that you had a good experience, because the food really is good, it's a shame to have to mark a good restaurant off of my list because of service.

Beautiful pictures from France and of all the topiaries! Only France would have perfume bottle bushes!

They actually had a fragrance tour as part of the F&GF. I'm sure they told you how they used the different plants/flowers in the making of perfumes, we never made the time to take the tour though.

I really like the film in France -- both being able to sit and the gorgeous music that accompanies it.

I really enjoyed it! After our first experience with the film in Norway, I was very happy with the ones in Canada and France

Cool Chinese Zodiac animals! I am a tiger and had to laugh about how I would make a good race car driver or matador! Somehow I don't see myself as either one of those.

Yeah, not sure your tiny little frame would be a good match up for a bull

I have the Four Parks One World CD and have definitely played it a lot in the car! So much, in fact, that I know all the tracks for my favorites.

Much to Don's dismay, I listen to it alot in the car too - he shuts it off as soon as he gets in there

Too bad that dinner took so long at Coral Reef. We ate there in 2007, and I tried the chocolate wave, too. It was very rich!

The chocolate wave was tasty, but I couldn't eat more than a few bites!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I always love your photos! They always bring me right back to our vacation. I am glad that you enjoyed your food at Coral Reef, but sorry to hear about the slow service. We had a fantastic waiter last time and he had recommended the Mahi Mahi as well, and I agreed. So good!

I think I need to get that cd! I am on the lookout for a new Disney cd to play in the car. My little girl already has the current ones memorized.

Another person that had good service at Coral Reef! Maybe we really have just had bad luck both times we've gone. The food is so good, I hate to say I won't go back. I just despise sitting in a restaurant waiting and waiting and waiting.....

I really love that CD, it's 2 CDs and has stuff from all 4 parks. Some tracks are better than others, but there is enough great stuff on there to make it worth the price. I also ordered a set from the online store that includes Wishes, Spectromagic, Illuminations, the entire FOTLK production, and one with just parade music.

Great update! Your photos are fantastic. You are right, that one of the sky is so neat! And glad I could help you figure out which zodiac sculpture you missed.

I also really like the pictures of Coral Reef. The only time I've seen that place is on Full House.

I should so get that drawing book now that I am addicted to the Animation Academy.

I was so excited when I saw that picture of the rabbit on your report, I was like 'yes! that's the one I missed!' Yeah, I get excited easily

I love the Full House Disney episode

Another great update with more great pictures. I just posted posted that I missed at least 75% of the topiaries at Epcot, but after seeing your pictures I definitely think I missed MORE!!!!!

My favorite is the sky picture. Just gorgeous!

Your dinner lookeds really, really good. Yummy! Sorry the service was so slow. Our meal at Ohana was like tha. It just took forever. I have decided that is the downfall of the dining plan. You don't mind having one or two dinners that run long, but it gets old after about 4 days. Still - that food looked great!

Looking forward to your last day.

I'm so sorry that you missed so may of the F&G topiaries! You'll just have to go back next spring

I really like the sky picture too. I was so pretty with sun peaking out through the clouds right after the rain

We really only had two slow service meals, Kona and Coral Reef, so I guess that isn't too bad. I'm thinking that maybe we should start eating our big meal at lunch and just grabbing CS or snacks for dinner. Might be a good way to get out of the heat in the middle of the day.

Great update, Michelle! Those topiaries are so cool...I really love the Beauty & the Beast one and the Lady & the Tramp...that one is just darling!

I've never eaten at the Coral Reef.......makes me question it after your review. I can't stand slow service!!! But, if the food is good...

That drawing book looks really cool....

Can't believe you're already coming up to your last full day!!!

That's the thing, the food at Coral Reef is good so it's hard to totally write off a restaurant, and I know other people have had good service there. Maybe I just have had bad luck

The drawing book is fun!

Well, I've been home from this trip for 3 1/2 months, I think it's time that I stop dragging this out and finish it already!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I am just now catching up. So very sorry to hear about your aunt.

Hi Christine! Thanks. It was actually good that she went so quickly, I hated that she was suffering.

Can't believe the kids are already in school and one of yours is in high school. WHERE does the time go?

It's crazy how fast time flys!

Great trip updates! Ewww to the man with the sweaty sock feet although I suppose we should give thanks he kept his socks on.

Yeah, I guess that's one good thing, how nasty would that have been?!

Glad you enjoyed the private entrance.

Thanks for sharing

Don't you just adore that shop in France? I could spend days in there... especially if they kept refilling my glass of champagne...

I did love that shop! This was the first time that I had spent any time at all in France, I discovered so many wonderful things.

I think your TR and pictures have just about sold me that I MUST visit for Flower and Garden next year. The topiaries are gorgeous!!!

Yes, you must! Everything is so pretty!

Hi Michelle!

Sorry, I've been away from the DIS for awhile and am slowly, slowly catching up with my subscriptions!

It's taking me awhile b/c I'm starting over with each.

I'm about halfway caught up with yours, but just had to pop in to say "Hello!"


Kathy

Hey Kathy! It's great to see you back and posting!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Just catching up myself, Michelle! So sorry to hear of your Aunt, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time!

Thanks Kristen

Your trip sounds like so much fun, your Mom is SUCH a good sport! Doing all the thrill rides, etc! Good for her!

She really was a good sport! She was up for almost anything - she drew the line at ToT though

Your day at DHS was great, love the animation pics! And that you waited in line to get your pic with Mickey! I had to laugh, when we went with my Mom, we did the same thing, and we were getting funny looks, too! But hey, who doesn't want their pic with Mickey!? lol!

Exactly - everyone need their picture taken with Mickey! I was actually kind of surprised that some people reacted that way

I've sworn off CR, too....after our experience in 2008, it was too painful, over a 2 hour wait and dinner....it was the worst!

I remember that you had a bad experience there too, yours was much worse than ours though - I don't blame you for never wanting to go back!

Oh! I have had my eye on 4 parks CD, is it worth getting?

I think so, I listen to mine all the time - makes me smile and adds a little Disney to my everyday life

I love this movie, too. So peaceful and beautiful!

I agree, it really is

That is an awesome picture!

Thanks, it's one of my favorites from the trip!

I use my notepad like that at school. Whenever I send a note to another teacher or to the office on that paper, they always comment and get a smile. Just a little way to sneak in a little Disney happiness when it's not expected.

How awesome that you use your pad at school, it would definitely make me smile to get a note on that paper!

My Four Parks, One World CD has been played and played and played. What a great souvenir!

It really is a great way to take Disney home with you!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Much to Don's dismay, I listen to it alot in the car too - he shuts it off as soon as he gets in there

That is exactly what Charles does, too!

 

[praisehisname]

I really enjoyed seeing all your topiary pictures; they are all so pretty!

Wow, this could be a painting or a postcard!

I saw this in December and really debated about getting it for Maggie (she loves to draw). I wish now I had gotten it.

 

[Disneygrl36]

Great Beauty & the Beast show pics despite the stinky feet next to you.

I got to see lots of those topiaries up close on my backstage magic tour.

At least the food at Coral Reef was good......I have heard that it was not good. We went years ago, but haven't been back recently. A nice leisurely dinner is one thing elsewhere but inside a theme park it doesn't wok so well sometimes because people have places to go & things to see.

Can't believe it's almost over.