We had decided to do an Epcot Countries day today. Since the countries don't open until later, we didn't have to wake up early. I got the girls bathed and dressed, and we headed out hoping to get to Epcot around the time the countries opened, I think that's 11AM?
We had fallen in love with the countries at Epcot last year. I had never been a big fan of them before then. But, last year I discovered that there were tons of CHARACTERS in the countries! And last year our trip had been all about the characters! So, this year we were hoping to hit them all!
Lydia had also fallen in love with Marie this past year. As Lydia says, "She is becoming one of my favorite characters." She says that about Buzz too. Well, way back many months before our trip, a fellow Disboutiquer, Glorib, had posted a picture of her daughter wearing the CUTEST Marie top and pants!!!! The top was made out of an absolutely darling Marie fabric! Lydia literally grabbed the laptop and started hugging it and kissing it!!!! So, I PMed Lori and begged and pleaded with her to sell me any little scrap of this marvelous Marie fabric that she had left.
She refused!
Really! She did!!!
Well, she refused to SELL it to me! She INSISTED on just GIVING it to me!!! She wouldn't even let me pay for postage!!!! What a sweetheart!!!
It took me many months to figure out what to do with the fabric. There was just about a 1/4 of a yard, so I thought about making a shirt, but I really wanted a dress. Then, it hit me that if made the front of the bottom Marie, I could put ruffles in the back from in a coordinating fabric!!! (Plus, I was thinking that ruffles were sort of "French") I had planned on putting some of the same coordinating fabric on the top. But, when I got everything cut out, I realized that if I pieced together the section of fabric I had left over, it would make a bodice. So, I sewed two pieces together and put a ribbon on it to hide the seam, an VOILÀ! A whole dress out of 1/4 yard of Marie fabric!!!
Sorry to bore you all, but I was really pleased with this dress!!!!
So, of course, we were REALLY hoping that there was a chance that we would meet Marie at Epcot! It was all Lydia could talk about since we had found out that Marie does do some meet and greets. I had warned her that our chances of meeting her were not very good. But, I secretly hoping that it would happen too! OK, maybe not so secretly!
After entering Epcot,
We got some pictures taken from the Photopass Photographer
Notice Lydia's hand in this picture
And then, in this one!
And, all back to normal like she hadn't done ANYTHING!
Little Stinker!
I decided to go to Guest Relations to inquire as to whether or not Marie might be in the park that day. We got a really friendly CM. I believe he was from Japan. He commented on how cute Lydia's dress was, and then went to check on Marie's schedule for us. He came back and told us, "No Marie will not be in the park today." Lydia was pretty disappointed! So was I!
The CM saw how disappointed we were, and asked the girls if they wanted pins with their names written on the back in Japanese! Of course they said yes, so he pulled out a birthday pin for Arminda, and a Grand (or is it Magical?) Gatherings pin for Lydia. He even told them to wait a few minutes before putting them on so the ink would dry. He was very thoughtful!
The girls and I walked out, and saw Corey and Brian doing this!
Corey LOVES taking pictures, so I wasn't surprised!
Then, he climbed up on the remnants of that stupid wand and hand (Oh how I DESPISED that dumb hand! Almost as much as I despise the HAT at MGM!), and put a giant pair of Mickey Ears on the ball!
We messed around awhile longer,
and then headed for the countries.
But, first, we were thirsty, so we thought we'd get a cool refreshing cup of the Beverly!!! MMM, yummy!!! Club Cool serves the BEST Beverly around!!!
While we were inside Club Cool, a lady came up to me and said,
"I just HAD to tell you! Your daughter's dress is just adorable!"
I smiled and thanked her, and then Brian said, "She made that herself!"
I was so happy that he was bragging about me! And, I was so happy that someone had come up to tell me how much they liked the dress!!! It was starting out to be a very good day!
So, we had another cup of the Beverly, and head to the countries.
(really if anyone hasn't tried this, you really MUST!)
On the way, we stopped for some Photopass pictures
Then, on to Mexico!
We were hoping to see Donald Duck there, so we headed over to the side of the pavilion, and there he was!!!! Unfortunately, when we got in line, he had to take a little break. But, he was soon back!
Then, we went inside to ride the ride!!!
I have always been fascinated by the Mexican pavilion! I just love it! The ride, the atmosphere, the whole thing! I love the way it looks like it's nigh time in a Mexican village! The atmosphere in here is just great! And, I love the ride! Always have!
So, of course, we hoped on, and took a ride!
After the ride, we messed around with the sombreros and sat by the fountain.
There was some music to be played