17 Days of Disney Magic (aka Brits, Pirates & Princesses) - Lots of PICS!

[scottny]

I am all caught up. I have been sick and fell really far behind.

Great updates and pics.

Love all the pics.

Too much to comment on but I will try to stay more updated.

 

[seobaina]

Sorry to hear that Scottny. Hope you're feeling better now.

 

[smithpack]

That group photo is awesome!! I can't believe you happened upon that. Was there a long line? How long were they out like that? You are lucky!

 

[that's nice]

Those group shot pics are so cool. I'm sure not too many people have pics like that!!!!!!!

 

[seobaina]

That group photo is awesome!! I can't believe you happened upon that. Was there a long line? How long were they out like that? You are lucky!

I think they were out on and off for about an hour but I might be wrong. It's not something I'd heard of them doing before. The line got pretty long behind us but there were only about ten in front. They were moving really fast cause with that many characters they weren't signing and didn't have much interaction. I think they were trying to get as many people as possible. There wasn't a photopass photographer there though We did notice the odd 'group of characters' around the hat on and off that week but that was the most we'd seen all together in one group. And yep, we were thrilled.

 

[jenseib]

I love that group character shot. That is awesome.
I love the "character inserted" photos too. I wanted some like that, but had no clue which park did it. For some reason I was thinking EPCOT. What times of day do the yusually do it and where. I must look for this next year.
I'm not a big fan of lights motor action either. DH saw it last year and loved it, so we went all together this year. It was a big let down for me. I thought it moved much to slow between scenes. I wanted more action. And I guess there is just other stuff I would've rahter been doing.

Also not a big fan of the muppets. I've seen it several times in the past and then last year we took DD to it. But totally by passed it this year. DH isn;t a fan of the 3D movies at the parks for some reason, and I think most of them are very outdated. I don't care for Philharmagic though either much.

I'm guessing your tiredness is from a drug that "may cause drowsiness"? LOL! I'vetaken some strong ones in the past and had to actually leave work because I could barely function.

 

[GottaLuvMickey]

LOL how cool....well, cool that they don't bother anyone Kinda assumed being florida they'd be somewhere and I kept my eyes open when I drove around Btw, congrats on meeting your prince charming...maybe I should do the college program

If you're still in school, you totally should!!! But I'm assuming you're not since you've been a UK CM since '93... We're booking our Sept trip on Monday (free dining!) for our DD's 1st birthday! I just look at her and always think "Gee... if it weren't for Mickey Mouse, the College Program, and my Disney obsession this little girl wouldn't exsist!" I definately think EVERYONE who is able to do the CP should!!!

 

[WALTSAGOD]

17 days?! Niiiice.

 

[seobaina]

If you're still in school, you totally should!!! But I'm assuming you're not since you've been a UK CM since '93... We're booking our Sept trip on Monday (free dining!) for our DD's 1st birthday! I just look at her and always think "Gee... if it weren't for Mickey Mouse, the College Program, and my Disney obsession this little girl wouldn't exsist!" I definately think EVERYONE who is able to do the CP should!!!

That's really cute - Disney magic at work. Nah, I'm not still in school (don't think Brits qualify anyway) but I only recently graduated from my second masters degree so I guess I could do the graduate program I've got friends who have done the summer programs etc in the past and loved it. I always tell the younger cast members I work with to take the chance while it's there.

 

[seobaina]

That morning we had a to check out so we headed down to the front desk with our bags. Check out was quick and easy and we’d arranged to have our bags taken over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. So after dropping them off we wandered around the hotel to take some last minute photos and get a drink.
Our room:

The hotel:

Then we said a sad farewell to POFQ and headed off to EPCOT.

 

[seobaina]

Back in EPCOT we decided to do some of the things outside of the WS area.

Our first stop was the Universe of Energy.

I’d done this ride over a decade earlier but it had been shut when we’d all come out in 2006, so we figured we’d have a look to see what it was like.

Despite the fact that sitting in the dark wasn’t the best idea for me at that time, I actually really enjoyed the ride. Karen seemed to like it too but I had forgotten how long it lasted. Still, it was soooooo hot outside that it was nice to get out of the heat.

Karen was feeling brave when we came out of the ride/show so it was off to Test Track.

I’d done it before but Karen suffers from motion sickness so she normally avoids things like this. Still, she was in a ‘go for it’ mood that day. And she liked it!!! Gotta love our expressions in this photo:

At the end of the ride portion they had a GM display of cars and we just had to get a photo in the sporty ones (although it was difficult because other guests kept standing in our shots.

While Karen recovered we wandered off towards the UK pavilion area, which took us straight past Minnie’s butterfly garden. I really like this little exhibit. It’s fairly easy to bypass if you’re not looking but it’s a sweet little detour if you like butterflies.

I really like this little fountain. I’d love one in my garden

Here’s two more ‘Flower and Garden’ pics as we’re walking

It was lunchtime by now and we’d been told how wonderful Beaches and Cream was (again disboards) so we decided to go check it out. It was such a lovely day that we had to take some more photos of EPCOT as we walked to the Gateway entrance.

Must admit that it highly amused me that the only place I had real issues using my ID card for discount was the UK pavilion. Gotta laugh huh?

 

[seobaina]

Exiting EPCOT we board the boat for the short ride down the river to the lake. It only takes about ten minutes to get to the Yacht and Beach Club by boat and it’s a lovely relaxing ride. The lake is beautiful too. Well worth the trip for a break in the afternoon sun.

This is how stunning the hotel looks from the lake

Out of all the hotels we visited we both agreed that the Y&BC is the one we’d love to stay in (other than POP). We just thought it was stunning and the cast greeted us as soon as we walked in the door. For those who haven’t been, here are a few pictures we took
The pool

Hotel view from the Lake

View from the hotel of the lake

Lobby area

We even saw a bride

After a quick look at the entrance area, we were hungry and figured we’d go eat first. We didn’t have to wait at Beaches and Cream at all because we were willing to sit at the counter (and there were only two of us). So we ended up facing the kitchen.

You can see how tired I was still by looking at my eyes in this picture:

We ordered a chicken sandwich between the two of us, which was so good!

While we were waiting for it they kept making the ‘kitchen sink’. It was fun watching them make it and carry it out to people. For those who don’t know what it is – it is pretty much every ice cream they have, brownies, sauce, etc and an entire can of cream!
This is it part way through construction

And completed

We have decided that if we go back as a group in 2010/11 we are SO getting this. Even with the two of us we knew we needed ice cream! And just look at the sort of things they have on offer

We went for the fudge brownie sundae, which was delicious!!!!! We couldn’t have eaten one on our own though but sharing was really good.

Karen lifting up the ice cream to pinch the hot fudge sauce.

 

[jenseib]

Fabulous pictures. I love all the topiaries too. I never have heard of Minnies garden before.

 

[seobaina]

I love that group character shot. That is awesome.
I love the "character inserted" photos too. I wanted some like that, but had no clue which park did it. For some reason I was thinking EPCOT. What times of day do the yusually do it and where. I must look for this next year.

I don't care for Philharmagic though either much.

I'm guessing your tiredness is from a drug that "may cause drowsiness"? LOL! I'vetaken some strong ones in the past and had to actually leave work because I could barely function.

Humm, I've got the list somewhere of the character inserts, I'll try to find it for you later.

I love Philharmagic!

Yeah, you're kinda on the right lines with my tiredness...will explain in next post as I discovered why just after lunch.

Fabulous pictures. I love all the topiaries too. I never have heard of Minnies garden before.

I dunno if it's just there for the F&G festival or not. It's been there in 2006 and 2008 but then it was during the festival both times.

 

[seobaina]

Karen lifting up the ice cream to pinch the hot fudge sauce.

ROTFLMAO I'd not noticed before how much by this point of the holiday I was going brown and karen was still miss sparkly white english rose I know there's more flash on her but still!

 

[Epcot luvr]

Seobaina,
You know the warning don't go grocery shopping hungry, do not read Seobaina's trip reports when hungry. Ohh, the Beaches and Cream looks so good, I have never tried them. I think it is first come first serve? I fell behind with my reading am now caught up. Great pictures and reporting, looks like fast track was not very busy when you rode! What did you think of EMH I have never done them? I hope nothing too serious why you are feeling so sleepy while in WDW. Take care.

 

[that's nice]

The kitchen sink at beaches & cream looks so good. I'm going to make a note in my Disney guide book to try to have lunch here next time we goto Epcot. It might be a nice break/change of pace!! Great job!(as always LOL)

 

[redlight]

While we were waiting for it they kept making the ‘kitchen sink’. It was fun watching them make it and carry it out to people. For those who don’t know what it is – it is pretty much every ice cream they have, brownies, sauce, etc and an entire can of cream!

Sounds totally decadent!

I like the garden pics!

 

[BellaSwan]

I just caught up with your trip report. I am loving it! Especially love the pic of Karen picking up her ice cream.

 

[Tricia's mom]

Leaving Sea World we were kinda hungry so we went to a Golden Corral across the road. We’d actually eaten at one of these on the first night, when we’d been out getting breakfast supplies for the holiday. So, we knew what we were getting. I have to say that I…being stupid…did the same thing AGAIN in this restaurant that I had in the first one. That is, I filled my plate and then turned the corner to find all sorts of other yummy things. SO I ended up with far too much food….AGAIN.

And let’s not talk about deserts (Food Porn). Karen took a photo of me looking guilty over the dessert. But in my defence she did have as much as I did. And I didn’t managed to eat it all…but I certainly tried!

On the way out we stopped in the bathroom and Karen laughed her head off as she found religious graffiti. Yes, you did read that right, religious graffiti. Don't get me wrong, I'm religious but graffiti?

After a laugh and very full, we went to see something that Karen had wanted too on the last trip but we’d not gotten around too. Ripleys:

Don’t ya love the wonky building?

If you’ve never been then I’d recommend it. I think it’s a little expensive if you’ve been before but we loved the complete wackiness of it. You’ve kinda gotta go with the right attitude though, cause it’s all silly stuff! See:

A matchstick car

Mona Lisa made from toast (who comes up with these things?)

World’s Biggest Lock

And the one that will make you ALL laugh. Me (5ft 2) next to the world’s tallest man :

Stopped laughing yet? I know, I’m a short ****!

In the store they had this fun backwards clock, which Karen bought for her kitchen at home.

Crazy’d out for the night, we swung by the supermarket on the way home to get some supplies, while we had the car. Now, I’m sure the Americans reading this will go ‘huh?’ to my comment here but Karen and I couldn’t stop laughing about this:

I should explain that in the UK you get ‘Orange Juice’ or ‘Orange Juice with bits’. We found it hysterical that you can chose just how much pulp you have in your OJ. Cool but funny. Anyway, supplied up, we headed back to the hotel to sleep.

Supplied up on what?? don't leave us hanging ....Pulp some pulp, no pulp ???