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

[SoonerGirl]

Beautiful pictures once again of the topiaries.

That photo you took of the sky is positively incredible!!!

So sorry to hear your service at Coral Reef was poor both times. We only went once, during our May trip, but our server was Excellent! Funny you got the Mahi-Mahi - I did too! But my MIL got the lobster raviolli...I tell you...without a doubt, that is the dish to order. All of our food was excellent there, but her dish was beyond incredible. It competes with LeCellier's mushroom fillet for me!

Love the book you got Jared - we have those as well. They are fun!

What a great idea with the Disney pad for grocery shopping - I will have to pick one up on my next trip!

Sorry to hear your trip is coming to an end. We were also feeling pretty wiped by the end of our trip as well, so I completely know what you mean!

They had lobster raviolli on the menu at CR in May? Really? How the heck did I miss that! I totally would have ordered it if I'd seen it. I'm always afraid to order fish, just because I'm not a huge fan - if it has much of a 'fish' taste to it at all, I can't eat it - it has to be really mild. Thankfully the Mahi Mahi was good though. I'm bummed I missed out on the lobster raviolli!

I'm sure the wiped out feeling we had by the end of the week had alot to do with the fact that our bodies just weren't ready for that heat. It was still relatively cool at home and going from that to upper 90's and all that humidity certainly took it's toll!

Even for someone who does not have anywhere near a green thumb (ME!), Garden Town is a very cool place. We didn't make it over there on our May trip, so I loved seeing your pictures of all those beautiful flowers. It was so hot when we were there that we shorted our Epcot time. We have been to Garden Town in the past, so it was one of the things that got scratched. Hopefully, things will be better on our March spring break trip, and even if it is crazy hot again, we'll prioritize by what we missed this last time.

Jill thought about getting the Minnie and Mickey statues, but she never did follow through. You'll have to show us a picture of your purchases in your garden. The only garden I could do well with would be a rock garden!

I would love to see that movie about putting the F&G Festival together. I will definitely remember that for next year.

Oh, my thumb is far from green! I love flowers and I love to look at flowers, but I have an awful time trying to grow anything. Probably because once it gets too hot out, I let everything go......which means of course, that you probably DON'T want to see pictures of my purchases in the garden right now - next spring might be a better time to take pictures of that

Yes, try to remember to watch the film next year, it runs on a continuous loop so it's not hard to catch. We actually came in in the middle of it, then just stayed and watched the part we missed in the beginning when it started over.

I can totally understand how you hit a wall by the last day -- I did, too, on our departure day when we were supposed to go to a park before heading out. I just couldn't face the idea.

Garden Town looks really neat -- I am not a gardening type girl AT ALL, but the orchids and displays are very pretty! I love the Tink birdbath and Mickey garden gnome. Too cute! I would love to see the film about how they do the F&G Festival. I bet it was fascinating!

Yeah, we had thought about going to park for a bit on our departure day as well, but that didn't happen.....

I love beautiful gardens, I'm just not diligent enough to have one. Wish I'd hurry up and win that lottery so that I could just hire it done!

I love the Tink bird feeder, it's so nice!!! That Mickey gnome is pretty cute too

Thanks, I'm pretty happy with both of them!

Michelle, the pictures of the flowers are stunning. I don't have a green thumb either (usually everything I plant does not last long). I love the Tinker feeder -- I may have to add that to my possibility list.

I'm sorry your trip is nearing an end...I've so enjoyed sharing you and your mom's trip.

Sounds like none of us are very good when it comes to horticulture! Thankfully Disney is full of very talented gardeners and they can wow us with their creations!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Gardentown is something I completely missed, so I really enjoyed your pictures. The orchids are beautiful!

I can certainly understand you hitting the wall on your last day. Last June we had a 7 night trip. On departure day I told Denny we had to go somewhere that was completely air conditioned. And, I had to stay there until it was time to go to the airport.

Garden Town was hard to catch just because it's only open on weekends, but I'm glad we made time to go through it - lots of really pretty displays in there.

I hear ya on the a/c! Sometimes you just can't take one more minute in that heat!

Your pictures are definitely cementing in my brain that I "must" make a trip for F&G next year. Although I could do without the extreme heat and crowds.

Bet your gnome and bird feeder look great in the yard. Always fun to have a touch of Disney in our "real lives."

Well, I really think the crowds for that time of year were unusual. I've always heard that early May is a great time to go. No idea why they were so busy this year though! The heat, well, it's Florida, kinda comes with the territory I guess.

I love having a bit of Disney around the house. Makes me smile

After reading all the responses I believe YES was the answer. I don't think anyone said no.

Yeah, I think there was pretty much a consensus there!

That's how I felt about O'hana. It is basically a buffet, just served family style, why did it take 2 hours for us get through it? This trip is my tiebreaker for O'hana. I had a magical first time there with my DD. Prompt service, a table to watch fireworks right up by the window.
The second time, with the Dis hating DH of course, slow service, and no personality, table way in the back. I can't remember what made me upset the most but there was some issue with the towels and then the wings. I think she brought us towels to wash up while we were still eating the wings and then after she collected them she asked if wanted more wings. I remember wondering why she did that, because I know she was not to bring more towels any time soon.

Yeah, sounds like she was a little backwards in her serving doesn't it?! I've only been to 'Ohana once, I know it gets rave reviews and most people love it, but we were unimpressed. I don't know that I'll ever go back.....

As for the sunglasses, I started taking them off before I exited the bus. Everyone else would just stop when they could not see and well, I had to watch out for collisions.

Good idea!

Put me down for a good experience at CR. I don't remember it being slow, just having a cranky DH (again )

Sorry your DH was cranky! Mine, although he really doesn't care to go to Disney, usually isn't too terribly cranky when we are there. I think once he's there he figures he may as well make the best of it. He has his moments, but mostly he enjoys himself.

Well then you know what you have to do.... go back to get another.

If only it were that easy!

I make my children play guess that attraction. They humor me. My DH - not only does it get shut off, there are some choice words sprinkled with how much, obsessed, really?

This is the man who took the kids out to get me a Mickey key. My house key is cut on a blank with Mickey on it. I think he is resisiting too much. I am hoping to convince to go on a F&W trip. I think some beverages may change his mind.

I play that game with my kids too! Jared has fun with it, Justin humors me.

I'm working on a F&W trip with DH too. I really think he would have fun with it, it's just convincing him to go - so far I'm getting a big fat NO. But, I'm still trying - there are good AP room discounts right now, and he's got a free SW flight that we could use, no park ticket needed for me - heck it's practically free, of course we should go!! If only I could get him to see that.......

Glad you two weren't in a hurry that last day...it sure can be frustrating when you need/want to get somewhere and the park is so busy! I've "been there done that" several times with all of our New Year's visits!

Garden Town looks like it was really neat!

Great purchases with the Tink birdfeeder and Mickey gnome. They both are very cute!

Wait until you see my pics from WS later that night - seriously, I couldn't believe how crowded it was! It wasn't NYE crowded obviously, but it was pretty packed!

I'm glad to see that Garden Town is only open on Fri, Sat, Sun. That way I won't feel so bad for missing it! I would've liked to see the pavilion to see if I actually recognized anything.

WOW, some of those flowers are absolutely gorgeous! Great photography skills!

I never went into that building when it was a working pavilion. If I had, it may have made me sad to be in there and see all that space going to waste.

They had some amazing looking flowers in there - so pretty!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Gotta love a slow day, sometimes they are the best! Garden Town looks just beautiful. The film sounds really interesting too! I can only imagine what they do to put that sort of event on.

I love all the garden things! That Mickey Gnome has been calling to me for a couple years. I haven't bought him yet, and now we don't really own a yard! I could stick it in the garden there is in front of our apartment, I think the landlady would love it!

Slow days can be good! I think I need to start scheduling a totally down day midway through each trip so that we can regroup/recharge!

I really like my garden things too! Too bad you don't have a place for the Mickey gnome. Do you have a nice window in your kitchen? Maybe you could put him on the window sill with a few small potted plants.

Hi
I just finished reading your trip report!! It sounds like you and your mom had such a great time!! Thanks for sharing!!

Hi there! Thanks so much for reading! We did have a really good time

The gardentown flowers were so pretty. I totally love the Mickey gnome!! I would love to have one of those in my yard.

I've seen the Mickey gnome there at all times of the year, not just during F&G, maybe you should pick one up for yourself next trip

Great choices for your purchases!!! I wanted them all too...ended up not getting any!!! I love planting and growing my tomatoes, flowers etc but by this time of the season I just want to stop watering them and make them all go away!!

Love the picture of your Mom next to the green flower!!!

Tracy

You didn't get any F&G souvies?! Well, then Tracy, you'll just have to pick some of them up next year

I get ya on just wanting the plants to go away by this point in the year. I have a hard time making myself go out to work in the yard when it's 100 degrees out - I pretty much let everything die by August........

Just joining in... better late than never! Great trip report, I really love how you went with your mom, it sounds like you two had a great time together. You went to a lot of the restaurants that are on my "to try" list and I appreciate your great descriptions and pictures! Ugh... last days! Can't wait for the rest though!

Hey there and Thanks so much for joining in!

Mom and I did have a good time. Even though we only live about 8 miles apart, we are both so busy in our daily lives that we don't get to spend near enough time together. So, trips like this one are great for a little mother/daughter bonding time!

 

[SoonerGirl]

After our ride on Test Track we strolled over to China, I wanted to see if I could find the last zodiac sign, which of course, I didn't. What I did do was take a few pictures.

World Showcase wasn't busy at all yet, it was pretty nice!

Then we went in to check out the Tomb Warriors - I think these are so cool. I love how they all have a different face, so much amazing detail!

We were a little hungry at this point and decided to head over to Germany to grab a snack. I couldn't help but stop and take some photos of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs again

We ordered a couple of pretzels and luckily found a table in shade to eat them.

As we were sitting there I saw this

I had never noticed it before!

After we finished our pretzels and had given our table to a couple aimlessly walking around with a tray, we headed over to Italy.

Back in December on our family trip, Don had had a glass of wine there that he really loved. I had encouraged him to buy a bottle of it then, but he felt like it was too expensive and he wouldn't. Well, I wanted to get him a bottle now as a thank you for letting me come on the trip. Problem was I couldn't remember the name of it, all I knew was that it was a Cab & was about $85 a bottle. Thankfully, the lady behind the counter was certain she knew the right one! BUT, she said they could not ship it to my house. I was worried about spending so much on a bottle of wine and then having it break in my suitcase and not only would I be out the money on the wine, I'd have ruined clothes and a ruined suitcase. I decided not to get the wine. I left deflated, I knew that was the perfect gift for him.

We left Italy and headed over to the American pavilion.

We heard the fife & drum as we were walking up so we stopped to listen.

Then went inside to wait for the next performance by the Voices of Liberty. I had never heard them before and was really looking forward to it. They did not disappoint, what amazing voices they have, and they were so entertaining!

We watched the American Adventure afterwards, then decided to go back over to Garden Town to see the finished displays that they had been working on that morning, then we were going back to the resort for some much needed relaxation.

Continued in the next post

 

[SoonerGirl]

It was incredibly hot again, so we stopped in Mexico and grabbed a couple margaritas, then walked over to Garden Town once again. Pictures from this trip:

I'm not sure at what point we took these during the day, but I do have a couple of photopass pictures. I'll just insert them here

Up Next: An afternoon of doing nothing

 

[KatMark]

[
As we were sitting there I saw this

I had never noticed it before!

I caught that for the first time last year (I took pictures too ).

Too bad about the wine. I don't understand why they couldn't/wouldn't ship it.

It was incredibly hot again, so we stopped in Mexico and grabbed a couple margaritas, then walked over to Garden Town once again. Pictures from this trip:

Michelle, these are absolutely stunning. Thank you so much for sharing them. Simply beautiful.

 

[MEK]

More lovely pictures, especially the arrangements in Gardentown. I am so doing a do-over next spring, even if I have to go myself.

 

[marsa1969]

Cab & was about $85 a bottle. Thankfully, the lady behind the counter was certain she knew the right one! BUT, she said they could not ship it to my house.

This reminds me of a wonderful cherry wine got in Michigan when DH had a conference. We wanted to get some shipped to Ark. The winery said oh you are in one of those bible belt states where we cannot ship alcohol. We asked if we could ship it to friends in OK or MO. No such luck!! Sorry about the wine.
Are the flowers at gardentown fresh or silks?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

As we were sitting there I saw this

I had never noticed it before!

It's part of the Kim Possible Missions


BUMMER about the wine, but I agree about not risking it in the suitcase. But it's the thought that count!

 

[RachelNinja]

As creepy as that monster thing is in the water in the China pavilion, you got a great photo of it! The framing and ... uh, composition (haha, if that's the word) is fantastic!

You got 2 pics of Kim Possible mission things! The lion you got that's standing on the green ball is in one of the missions as is the girl chasing the bad guy in Germany!

Even though you didn't get the wine, it was such a sweet gesture! It really would've been such a good gift, but I'm sure DH would understand.

Hoping to catch Voices of Liberty next trip! My parents heard them, and they were so impressed!

 

[LilAnn]

As always, I love your photos. I have to say that I have had quite a few nice glasses of wine in Epcot! And I am not a big wine drinker, but that was my way of doing drinks around the world. My friend and I would share a glass of wine from each country.

I feel as though there are many nice gifts that people can get from the WS alone. Or gifts that I can get for myself!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Yeah, as others have already said the thing with the girl chasing the guy (one of the villains out to destory WS!) in Germany is from the KP mission. Did you notice any little kids around with their Kimmunicators?

Amazing pictures from Gardentown! I still think it kind of stinks that building just sits there the rest of the year then.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I really like my garden things too! Too bad you don't have a place for the Mickey gnome. Do you have a nice window in your kitchen? Maybe you could put him on the window sill with a few small potted plants.

This is SUCH a great idea! I've kinda wanted to start an herb garden on the window sill too. Thank you!!!

I've heard about the wine shipping policy before - I think it's actually across the board, USPS just won't send it unless you have some sort of license. Very strange! And how disappointing that you couldn't get Don some!!

The pictures of the displays at Garden Town are amazing! Wow. Those are truly pieces of art!

Glad you got to see the Voices of Liberty too, such great talent!

 

[Disneygrl36]

Loved seeing your Garden Town pics..........beautiful flowers & you got to go into the Wonders of Life too. I really miss that pavillion.

Wonderful pics in WS too...........there are just so many things to photograph over there. I need a wander around & do nothing but take pictures of details day there some time.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I was going to tell you that the girl chasing the guy in Germany was part of the KP mission, but Cinderumbrella beat me to it.

I don't think I ever realized all the Tomb Warriors had different faces -- very neat!

Too bad about the wine for Don, but I agree -- the possibility of it breaking in the suitcase would have been a risk I wouldn't want to take!

Beautiful arrangements in Garden Town -- it sounds like the perfect place to escape the heat!

 

[Poolrat]

Sorry your DH was cranky! Mine, although he really doesn't care to go to Disney, usually isn't too terribly cranky when we are there. I think once he's there he figures he may as well make the best of it. He has his moments, but mostly he enjoys himself.


If only it were that easy!
I'm working on a F&W trip with DH too. I really think he would have fun with it, it's just convincing him to go - so far I'm getting a big fat NO. But, I'm still trying - there are good AP room discounts right now, and he's got a free SW flight that we could use, no park ticket needed for me - heck it's practically free, of course we should go!! If only I could get him to see that.......

I try to casually ask why all the hate for Disney. When he gives me the reason, I try to tell him it has been fixed.
Luggage, transportation fixed with ME. Screaming kids - fixed they are older now and don't have to go . Heat, lines - go off peak I am a crowd avoiding ninja.
I am trying the allure of food and well, beer. My next plot - the tequilla tasting.

Also I hear that wine calling. Another good reason.

Dh was not sooo cranky. I see now he did appease me several times like our early morning breakfast at CP. Everybody was up and out but as soon as breakfast was over, 2 back to the room, and 1 boy on his own.
i just remember those moments.

 

[SoonerGirl]

I caught that for the first time last year (I took pictures too ).

Well, thanks to several DISers, I now know that it's part of the KP mission in Germany.

Too bad about the wine. I don't understand why they couldn't/wouldn't ship it.

I don't know either, the CM told me they weren't allowed to send it outside of the park

Michelle, these are absolutely stunning. Thank you so much for sharing them. Simply beautiful.

Thanks, there were so many beautiful arrangements in there!

More lovely pictures, especially the arrangements in Gardentown. I am so doing a do-over next spring, even if I have to go myself.

I agree, you do need a do-over! That stinks that you were there at that time and didn't get to fully enjoy all the festival has to offer.

This reminds me of a wonderful cherry wine got in Michigan when DH had a conference. We wanted to get some shipped to Ark. The winery said oh you are in one of those bible belt states where we cannot ship alcohol. We asked if we could ship it to friends in OK or MO. No such luck!! Sorry about the wine.
Are the flowers at gardentown fresh or silks?

Huh, strange that they wouldn't ship the wine to your friends in OK. I know we don't have any laws preventing it, I've purchased wine of the month memberships several times for Don. The only requirement was that someone over 21 had to be home to sign for the package.

The flowers were fresh, aren't they amazing?!

It's part of the Kim Possible Missions


BUMMER about the wine, but I agree about not risking it in the suitcase. But it's the thought that count!

Ahhhh, I wondered if it had something to do with KP! There didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to when it would go off, so I figured something had to be triggering it - thanks for the info!

I was so nervous about the wine breaking in my suitcase that I just couldn't bring myself to buy it. Of course, the day isn't over yet........

 

[SoonerGirl]

As creepy as that monster thing is in the water in the China pavilion, you got a great photo of it! The framing and ... uh, composition (haha, if that's the word) is fantastic!

Thanks! I think it is supposed to be a dragon, I thought it looked really cool

You got 2 pics of Kim Possible mission things! The lion you got that's standing on the green ball is in one of the missions as is the girl chasing the bad guy in Germany!

I feel so out of the loop not knowing about the KP stuff - I gotta do some of them next time!

Even though you didn't get the wine, it was such a sweet gesture! It really would've been such a good gift, but I'm sure DH would understand.

He truly wouldn't have ever expected to get it, which of course is why it would be the perfect gift...

Hoping to catch Voices of Liberty next trip! My parents heard them, and they were so impressed!

I just read your update where you missed them, that's too bad, they are awesome. But, like you said, you can always try next trip

As always, I love your photos. I have to say that I have had quite a few nice glasses of wine in Epcot! And I am not a big wine drinker, but that was my way of doing drinks around the world. My friend and I would share a glass of wine from each country.

I feel as though there are many nice gifts that people can get from the WS alone. Or gifts that I can get for myself!

I'm not a wine drinker at all, I've just never developed a taste for it (much to the dismay of my DH & friends ) Don loves it though.

You're right, WS has a little bit of everything, it's so hard not to go crazy spending money there!

Yeah, as others have already said the thing with the girl chasing the guy (one of the villains out to destory WS!) in Germany is from the KP mission. Did you notice any little kids around with their Kimmunicators?

I really didn't notice any kids around with them, but you see so many of them that it probably just didn't register. I'm glad there are so many kids out there saving WS from being destroyed though, I'd hate it if that happened!

Amazing pictures from Gardentown! I still think it kind of stinks that building just sits there the rest of the year then.

It is really sad that the building just sits there unused. Surely with all the imagination at work at Disney they could come up with a use for it!

This is SUCH a great idea! I've kinda wanted to start an herb garden on the window sill too. Thank you!!!

Glad I could give you a use for him! I know some people think he's creepy, but I think he's pretty cute

I've heard about the wine shipping policy before - I think it's actually across the board, USPS just won't send it unless you have some sort of license. Very strange! And how disappointing that you couldn't get Don some!!

I guess I can understand needed a license of some sort to ship alcohol, kind of....

I've gotten Don a wine of the month membership a couple of times in the past and it has always come UPS rather than USPS. It's probably just too big of a hassle to get set up to do it.

The pictures of the displays at Garden Town are amazing! Wow. Those are truly pieces of art!

Aren't they, so many talented people out there - I could never do that kind of stuff!

Glad you got to see the Voices of Liberty too, such great talent!

I loved them, such powerful voices, and so fun that they dress in period clothing!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Loved seeing your Garden Town pics..........beautiful flowers & you got to go into the Wonders of Life too. I really miss that pavillion.

Wonderful pics in WS too...........there are just so many things to photograph over there. I need a wander around & do nothing but take pictures of details day there some time.

I never saw the Wonders of Life pavilion when it was still open. It seems such a shame that all the space is going to waste now

I think I could spend an entire day just taking pictures in WS, there is so much wonderful detail there!

I was going to tell you that the girl chasing the guy in Germany was part of the KP mission, but Cinderumbrella beat me to it.

I can't imagine how you would know anything about the KP missions Jackie......

I don't think I ever realized all the Tomb Warriors had different faces -- very neat!

I don't know that I would have ever noticed it either, except that one day, I actually read the sign

Too bad about the wine for Don, but I agree -- the possibility of it breaking in the suitcase would have been a risk I wouldn't want to take!

The thought of an $85 bottle of red wine breaking and soaking into all of my clothes was not a good one!

Beautiful arrangements in Garden Town -- it sounds like the perfect place to escape the heat!

Yes, the a/c in there was a big plus!

I try to casually ask why all the hate for Disney. When he gives me the reason, I try to tell him it has been fixed.
Luggage, transportation fixed with ME. Screaming kids - fixed they are older now and don't have to go . Heat, lines - go off peak I am a crowd avoiding ninja.
I am trying the allure of food and well, beer. My next plot - the tequilla tasting.

Also I hear that wine calling. Another good reason.

Dh was not sooo cranky. I see now he did appease me several times like our early morning breakfast at CP. Everybody was up and out but as soon as breakfast was over, 2 back to the room, and 1 boy on his own.
i just remember those moments.

It really is a sad thing to be married to a Disney resister, I wish that mine would see the light, but I don't ever see that happening. I would love it if the joy of Disney were something that we could share I guess I'll just have to be satisfied with trips without him

*********************

I'm going to do my best to get the rest of day 7 posted today. I've got some laundry and some housework that HAVE to get done, and we are going to OU's season opener against Utah State tonight, so I may not have time. (I spent too much time trying to catch up on everyone else's TRs this morning!) If I don't get it done today, then it will be tomorrow - promise

 

[Quacktatty]

OMG! I just read through your DHS day and it was virtually the same as mine! I too was in the TSM rush, and I was actually first on the ride that day. And I was in the same drawing class as you where you drew Pluto! Too funny...I'm sure our paths crossed again, maybe at Beauty and the Beast even.