Anyone Game? 2 Castles and a Road Trip TR! Last Day and TR Wrap Up! #2796; 10/01

[LegoMom3]

LANDin’ in California


I think you can all see the benefit of hitting the parks early....but I can see that I was given the 'Hurry Up Look'!

I have really got to slow down and smell the roses......I have never, EVER noticed that there is a tree growing up through an opening in the overhang.

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Round the Track....Again and Again and Again


I've already posted pictures of the outside ride earlier; so I'll just share the parking lot pictures that I got. Afterall, I did have six attempts to get some of them in-focus.

I have also never noticed this parking area. Probably because at this point I've got my hands in the air and we're whizzing around that track!!

And our photopass pictures from two of the rounds. As before, there was lots of wind in my hair.




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Hello?!......are you in there, PiO?!!

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Time to Kill and Bogged down in Future World


The adults? We had strong happy memories of shopping in here.



......

Despite finding many things that I liked, none of them excited me enough to open my wallet. Yes, I've finally hit the point in my life where when I buy something, it has to be because I really really want and need it and will use it. Just seeing something that excites and delights me is no longer a reason to purchase. Sad, but true and the realisation just about killed me.
It may also have been a case of Disney merchandise having finally hit a point where even I question the value for money proposition. I don't think the road trip helped either. I found myself comparing the Disney merch with all the things I had seen on the road trip and the Disney price and quality was found lacking.

This is one of my absolutely favorite places to shop in the World. And I have made the same discovery about myself.....

All was not lost! I still really really wanted to get a souvenir to remember this visit by. I found it by way of an i-phone Haunted Mansion cover and money did change hands for this item.

I. WANT. THIS. !!! I wonder if they come in any other phone cases, or just for the iPhones? I'll have to have a look-see when I'm there. I'm definitely getting that little sleeve for my MagicBand that has this on it!

Great update!

.

 

[Pinkocto]

Oops, I missed the last update. What fun to head over to Epcot solo in the morning. I know you said you missed the boys but it can be nice to get some solo time. And how cool to have no crowds to get some pictures.

I love those nostalgic feelings DS got, makes one feel very warm and fuzzy

 

[ejud]

LANDin’ in California

Oh! De Classe! What's next? A Nestle logo on The Last Supper???



Jud

 

[ejud]

Round the Track....Again and Again and Again

....both my boys were very taken with the canary yellow Camaro.

Did you sit in it? It is awesome!


BTW, I thought the 18-wheeler effect worked much better now with the new lighting.



Jud

 

[dolphingirl47]

I don't think I have ever seen Epcot that empty. Getting to ride Soarin and Test Track so many times is a result in my eyes. With Soarin in both Epcot and California Adventure, I find how strong the scents are very much depends on where you are sitting.

The Cranberry Bog looks fascinating. I have been to Food and Wine Festival twice, but I have never seen this.

Corinna

 

[ACDSNY]

White or yellow camero, either will be fine with me.

 

[jedijill]

I've never seen Epcot that empty! Yay for multiple rides on TT.

Love the HM phone case.

Jill in CO

 

[eandesmom]

Soarin' a walk on????????????

I didn't know that was even possible. That is some serious repeat riding!

I know exactly what you mean about the purchases..I've definitely hit that place in my life. It's a weird spot, surprisingly.

I am at your windblown hair. Fun pics!

 

[WanderlustNZ]

We obviously both picked an excellent day for Epcot. We had walk-ons all of that morning as well.

I think the longest line of the day was queuing for my Margarita at Mexico during our Dismeet

 

[mvf-m11c]

Very interesting to read that Soarin at EPCOT is a walk-on that morning. WIth the FP+, I would never imagine Soarin at EPCOT would be a walk-on in the morning unless you get there first thing.

Very nice pictures from Test Track. It was neat that you were able to ride it again with DH and DS. I can't wait when I go back and ride the new version one day.

The Mouse Gear store still looks the same since my last visit and it looks like that most of the merchandise is the same and some are different.

Looks like the cranberry blog looks the same during the F&W Festival. Can't wait for your next updates at EPCOT.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I have really got to slow down and smell the roses......I have never, EVER noticed that there is a tree growing up through an opening in the overhang.


I have also never noticed this parking area. Probably because at this point I've got my hands in the air and we're whizzing around that track!

I fully expect you to be noticing these when you get there....soon!

Hello?!......are you in there, PiO?!!

I'm channelling Cousin It.

This is one of my absolutely favorite places to shop in the World. And I have made the same discovery about myself.....




I. WANT. THIS. !!! I wonder if they come in any other phone cases, or just for the iPhones? I'll have to have a look-see when I'm there. I'm definitely getting that little sleeve for my MagicBand that has this on it!

Great update!

.

There were covers for most of the current in-market smart phones. I'm sure you'll find one for yours.

Thanks.

Oops, I missed the last update. What fun to head over to Epcot solo in the morning. I know you said you missed the boys but it can be nice to get some solo time. And how cool to have no crowds to get some pictures.

I love those nostalgic feelings DS got, makes one feel very warm and fuzzy

It was a great morning; and yes, I got that "Awwww" moment when DS told me what he wanted to do and wanted me to take pictures of.

Oh! De Classe! What's next? A Nestle logo on The Last Supper???



Jud

Don't EVEN mention it, Jud. There's no branding logo or naming rights.....yet. Let's not give anyone ideas.

Did you sit in it? It is awesome!


BTW, I thought the 18-wheeler effect worked much better now with the new lighting.



Jud

Nice picture!

I was going to sit in it; but the boys took a bit of time and by the time I got to it, there was quite a few people behind me and I figured we'd hogged it enough.

Yes, I thought that 18-wheeler works much better now too.

I don't think I have ever seen Epcot that empty. Getting to ride Soarin and Test Track so many times is a result in my eyes. With Soarin in both Epcot and California Adventure, I find how strong the scents are very much depends on where you are sitting.

The Cranberry Bog looks fascinating. I have been to Food and Wine Festival twice, but I have never seen this.

Corinna

I think you're right about the scents.

We were rather lucky Epcot was pretty empty that morning.

Maybe you'll get to see the Cranberry Bog next time you head there.

White or yellow camero, either will be fine with me.

But.....what about red????

I've never seen Epcot that empty! Yay for multiple rides on TT.

Love the HM phone case.

Jill in CO

Thanks Jill. I was pleasantly surprised at how empty Epcot was as well.

Soarin' a walk on????????????

I didn't know that was even possible. That is some serious repeat riding!

I know exactly what you mean about the purchases..I've definitely hit that place in my life. It's a weird spot, surprisingly.

I am at your windblown hair. Fun pics!

I think I've done walk-on Soarin' at DCA a few times as well. But we were very lucky with lack of crowds in the morning.

Yes....I laughed every time I saw a picture of myself with the windblown hair. I kept humming the Addam's family theme every time.

We obviously both picked an excellent day for Epcot. We had walk-ons all of that morning as well.

I think the longest line of the day was queuing for my Margarita at Mexico during our Dismeet

I think I had water?? or lemonade. But yes, it was a ridiculous amount of time waiting for drinks.

Very interesting to read that Soarin at EPCOT is a walk-on that morning. WIth the FP+, I would never imagine Soarin at EPCOT would be a walk-on in the morning unless you get there first thing.

Very nice pictures from Test Track. It was neat that you were able to ride it again with DH and DS. I can't wait when I go back and ride the new version one day.

The Mouse Gear store still looks the same since my last visit and it looks like that most of the merchandise is the same and some are different.

Looks like the cranberry blog looks the same during the F&W Festival. Can't wait for your next updates at EPCOT.

Thanks Bret. I have the recollection that I've done Soarin' in 2010 with a 20 minute stand-by wait time; and it was also nearly walk-on. Can't remember if it was the May or Oct trip.

Mouse Gear had some similar merchandise from 2010; but there were a few things that were new for me. You might find it similar to stuff in DLR.

 

[ejud]

But.....what about red????

As you wish...





Jud

 

[PrincessInOz]

As you wish...





Jud

Now......we just need to find out if ACDSNY is happy to store this one at her place.

 

[dgbg100106]

lovely photos...

The land is a favorite place also, I am surprised of the crowd numbers though.... What a great morning for you guys!

 

[Pluto0809]

What an awesome morning at Epcot! I can't believe you got 6 rides on TT, 2 on Soarin' and met the characters! I've never seen the park that empty!

I am really curious as to what that parking lot is for in the middle of TT? It looks like all chevy cars but then of course I'm not too good at ID cars so I could be totally wrong. Weird way to park cars though in any case!

 

[Luvchefmic]

All caught up again..I should add for now Your experience at Epcot only proves what I have been saying for decades you stay at a resort you use EMH either in the morning or at night I don't get how so many planning sites say to avoid that park at all costs

Speaking also as a vertically challenged person YES Goofy is ridiculously tall DH is just under 6' I'm thinking Goofy is about 7 '

Photos lost, you remember my Pluto Birthday pictures ? Took PP over a month to find them so glad that they finally did but really never again A big argument that everyone MUST have their own camera for capturing the important photos

I'm guessing that at least part of that parking lot under TT is a CM parking lot

 

[ejud]

Photos lost, you remember my Pluto Birthday pictures ? Took PP over a month to find them so glad that they finally did but really never again A big argument that everyone MUST have their own camera for capturing the important photos

Today, it seems the #1 activity anywhere is taking a picture (and posting it!)

I find it humorous and fascinating, for back in the 70's, and even later, people with cameras were fairly uncommon. And the photograph was a much rarer (and pricier) thing! I "splurged" on my first day at MK back in 73 with two rolls of film: and I was the only one in the busload I came in with carrying a camera, and one of the few in the park with one!



Jud

 

[Luvchefmic]

Today, it seems the #1 activity anywhere is taking a picture (and posting it!)

I find it humorous and fascinating, for back in the 70's, and even later, people with cameras were fairly uncommon. And the photograph was a much rarer (and pricier) thing! I "splurged" on my first day at MK back in 73 with two rolls of film: and I was the only one in the busload I came in with carrying a camera, and one of the few in the park with one!



Jud

Yes you're right but I think it's a terrific thing that we do now When my kids were little ( and they are now both pushing 40 ) we didn't take many pictures at all Just lived in the moment especially at WDW WISH we had pictures from then wish we had a lot of pictures from when I was a kid too ( pushing 60 )

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Yeah for Enterprising Protocol of Tomorrow! Yeah for Soarin' I think Alison said the queuing system was better at DCA. I would welcome that at WDW! Cool re Test Track. You inspired me now to try this again. We tried it before it was updated and I didn't get it. I like speed and was really looking forward to it but it was a bit disappointing. But it sounds like its revamp might be worth another crack at the whip! I love that canary yellow Camaro! Oh I adore Mouse Gear I think its one of my favourite stores in WDW. I love the HM iphone cover I must add one of those babies to cart! At the moment I am obsessed with my DCL one I got on my last sail...

But I might need a HM to swap out! Shopped out PIO? Lol. Jo would take my pulse if this ever happened to me. I will still be sending stuff back to my resort when I am the 1000 guest at HM..

 

[Luvchefmic]

Oh I adore Mouse Gear I think its one of my favourite stores in WDW. I love the HM iphone cover I must add one of those babies to cart! At the moment I am obsessed with my DCL one I got on my last sail...

But I might need a HM to swap out! Shopped out PIO? Lol. Jo would take my pulse if this ever happened to me. I will still be sending stuff back to my resort when I am the 1000 guest at HM..

NICE phone cover Paula Unfortunately I don't have an I-Phone and no cover fits mine

that's hysterical re: you shopping until ( and past) the end