Episode 34- the update in which Everett attempts to jump in a fountain- part II
After some photo ops, we realized that it was getting on to dinner time and we were all hungry. We had always been fans of the old Cantina in Mexico, and we havent yet gotten to check out the new version, so we headed in that direction.
We did a quick scan of the menu before I went to find us seats, and it was decided that it would be empanadas all around. DH and I would have the adult meal, and DS would have the kids version. I was crossing my fingers that Everett would eat them, since he is notoriously picky, but I figured we could always find him some sort of snack around WS if he refused.
I sent DH up with our orders, and I headed over to the seating area to find a table. I ended up lucking out and finding one right near where the high chairs were stacked, so I didnt have to drag a high chair across the whole restaurant.
I really liked the new seating for the cantina, and I think it is nice that it is covered. I always feel like it was such a battle for the umbrella tables before the renovation. I also like how it is still very open, and you could still watch illuminations from the seating area without the view being obstructed (that is if you were willing to get there hours in advance to claim your spot!).
The lines moved fast at the Cantina, and by the time I had Everett all strapped into his high chair DH was back with the food. The only real difference between the adult and kids empanada was the salsa verde on the adult meal, and the fact that you got fruit with the kids meal. DH also got us some of the salsa from the new salsa bar (which is a nice touch) and we dug right in. I was very happy that Everett ate his food with no real complaints, and I thought that the empanadas were very tasty, Im sure well be having them again in the future.
Mark took some video of Everett and me playing around after we ate
Video clip from dinner
And then I snapped a quick photo of the view of the lagoon before we headed on into the pavilion.
We then went into Mexico. Im not sure if it was allowed, but I did bring my stroller inside. I didnt see any signs telling me to abandon my stroller at the entrance, nor did any CM direct me to leave it behind, so Im assuming that it is OK.
I love the Mexico pavilion, it is one of my favorites. I still am impressed every time I leave the heat and bright sunlight of a Florida afternoon and am immediately transported into a cool, clear, Mexican evening. I think that it is some of the very best Imagineering magic.
I took some photos inside, and then decided I wanted a photo of DH and DS next to the fountain.
Once again, Everett had no interest in sitting on the edge of the fountain, but very much wanted to launch himself into the cool water.
Unfortunately DH have a mothers honed reflexes, and he very nearly ended up in the fountain.
After that I took DS back, and just took DHs picture. I figured I could trust him not to jump in.
After all that excitement, we headed on to the grand fiesta tour, which was just as cute and cheesy as ever. I love the fireworks in the ceiling at the end of the ride, it is my hands down favorite part. DS thought it was a pretty great voyage, especially since he didnt have to wait in any pesky lines. Im sure he was wondering why he didnt get that type of VIP treatment everywhere we went.
We then decided to take a stroll around WS, enjoying the lovely cool evening and killing time before illumiations. Before we left the Mexico area I had to stop for one of these.
And then we were off.
Our next planned stop was in Germany, where I had to try one of the chewy caramel bars made famous by PirateKate in her TR. We entered the Caramel store and I chose (what I thought) was a chewy caramel bar. It was bar shaped (sort of) and it was caramel, so I figured I got it right. Well, much like my experience at WPE, I ended up ordering the wrong thing (but at least I was at the right restaurant this time!). Here is what I ordered
Chewy caramel bar it might not have been, but giant caramel chocolate goodness it was!
We settled in on a bench outside, and got a good view of one of the Kim Possible surprises and proceeded to eat our bar.
I very reluctantly shared it with Mark, and low and behold I began to hear rumblings from inside of the stroller.
A tiny voice was saying Bite, Bite, Bite in a distinctly demanding tone. I was a little surprised because this was the first time he had used that word, but I figured if he could come up with a new word just to express how much he wanted to try some chocolate caramel that he earned a bite as well.
We then went into the stores
And I had to take a picture of Everett next to the pickle tree.
I love the pickle tree, for some reason it just strikes me as hilarious. I always tell Mark that one of these trips I am going to buy hundreds of pickle ornaments and recreate that tree at home for Christmas. He is not entirely thrilled with that idea, but I cant quite figure out if it would be because of the expense of purchasing hundreds of pickle ornaments, or having a an entirely pickle themed Christmas tree. Something tells me its the former.
We then let Everett spend some time watching the trains, which he enjoyed, but he wasnt nearly as crazy about trains as he is right now, Im sure on our next trip we are going to have a hard time pulling him away from the exhibit.
Apparently the train village was decorated for the Flower and Garden Festival, but I somehow missed all that, I guess Im not the most observant.
We then continued our ramblings around WS, at one point taking a pit stop to change Everett into his jammies (maybe in Morocco, or England?).
Everett also snacked on his toes
I took some photos of the WS lagoon, beucase I think it is so lovely at dusk, and also caught some of the topiaries that I didnt get a chance to photograph on our last Epcot day.
I also got photographic evidence of a phenomenon I know deep in my soul to be true. You might not realize this but.. ducks naturally love fireworks. This trueism began as a joke one trip, when I noticed that ducks start amassing in the evenings in locations where you can see fireworks. The more I began to assert this truth, the more evidence I found. I am totally serious about this, next time you are waiting around for Wishes, or Illuminations, look around, Im sure youll see groups of ducks just waiting in the water, or around the castle, to watch the show. And- here is the crazy part- more ducks will show up as it gets closer to showtime.
Well, I saw the first duck of the evening, and I had to take a picture and point it out to DH. This specimen was getting ready to stake out its perfect viewing spot, just like the tourists were doing all around the WS lagoon.
maybe I should have zoomed in on him a little more!
With the first duck sighting, I knew that it was about time for us to get our position ready as well, and we hurried on over towards Mexico, which is my preferred viewing location. I like to watch either on the bridge, or right before the bridge, I think you have a great view of the show, and you are closer to the exit when the show is over, thereby beating at least some of the post-illuminations logjam.
While we were waiting for the show, Everett played around a little with my light-up mickey ears, and we also broke out the glow sticks and his spinny light up toy. We shared some of our glow sticks with the kids around us, and we had a really pleasant wait for the show to begin.
Booms are coming!
I was really surprised with how well Everett was doing, since it was late, and we were just standing around. He didnt fuss or cry or throw a tantrum, he was such a trooper.
When the show started I got him out of the stroller so he would have a good view of the booms. He loved Illuminations just as much as Wishes, well all except for the boring globe part. I told Everett that really no one likes the boring globe, and pretty much just waits for the fireworks to start up again.
I do love illuminations, especially the music, but it is second to wishes on my firework hierarchy. I hope that they will switch up the show someday soon, and have less globe time, and more awesome firework time.
After the show we beat some of the crowds, exiting to the front of the park. We went by the sparkly pavement, and I pointed it out to Everett, but there were too many people around to get him out and let him get a good look.
We also had really good luck with the bus again this evening. The line for POR was not long at all, and we were riding back to the resort in no time.
When we got back to the room, Everett went to sleep with no fuss, I know that he was pretty worn out from his big day at the parks and big night of booms.
Next up- our last day
I also wanted to give a quick update on our next two trips. For our Oct getaway, I had originally booked us in a studio at SSR. I love SSR, and would have been happy to stay there, but I had another DVC property in mind.
I then began the game of calling member services multiple times a day to check availability, and yesterday, my persistence paid off. I was able to switch us from a studio at SSR to a savannah view studio at AKL! Weve never stayed at AKL before, and I am over the moon at the idea of seeing animals off our balcony. I keep joking with DH that I am going to sleep out on the balcony just so I dont miss a single animal viewing opportunity. We also came up with a game plan to maximize our three days.
Oct 4th- go straight to Epcot- F&W for lunch, Bistro de Paris for a late dinner, then Jellyrolls
Oct 5th- sleep in, breakfast on the balcony, pool time- then MK for Space Mt and new Tiki room- then back to Epcot for F&W dinner and illuminations.
Oct 6th- Rope drop DHS for TSMM, ToT, RnRC, and ST 2.0, then park hop to AK for Everest- then back to the resort to pick up magical express.
Also we made our reservations for Dec. Well be there Dec 5th-8th, and we are staying at the Poly in a MK view room! I suggested staying at Pop, since it would be a short trip and we could save money, but my Mom insisted on upgrading us. We ended up getting a really good rate with the military discount, and now we can watch the
MVMCP fireworks from our balcony! I am positively giddy with the idea of staying at a monorail resort. It is a rare treat, and one that I will cherish. Everett is just going to flip with being able to see the tat-sell outside the window, I cannot wait to see his reaction!
Thanks for reading along!
) 
You made it onto Star Tours. It sounds great! I'm really hoping to try it out on our quick December get-away. And I'm hoping Reid will be tall enough to try it with us. Do you think (if he's tall enough) that it's still mild enough for a 3 year old? That's just so awesome that you got to ride it more than once also! 
That's such a great feeling to go from no trips to two! 
Y'all definitely deserve a get-away!
with 3 rides on star tours!!! 
Someday I'll be grandma and I can love these times again. Thanks for the lovely video!
