Firsts, Fourths, and Farewells (4/28 Back to the Future!)

[thecapells]

So Tony's has flatbreads? Good to know. I have always like the ambiance of Tony's, but the last meal I had there was "eh", so I haven't been back. I will be putting this back on the radar screen. Thanks for the recommendation!

I believe they were recent additions.
And I've that the lunch menu is better than the dinner menu.
We've never tried the dinner menu but have been to lunch several times and been pleasantly surprised.
The chicken parm was average at best but I enjoyed the calamari and flatbreads.

 

[thecapells]

After dinner, we continued our walk around the World Showcase.
Out next stop was Test Track but DS was really worried about going on after just eating so we slowed our pace to allow him to digest.
Finally, we arrived at our destination.
Test Track, Baby!

Enjoy the pictures as this incarnation no longer exists…

The Headless Horseman?

HIDDEN MICKEY!!!!

While we were inside, Mom was in the Duffy store purchasing a set of Duffy bears for the kids.
Yes, we fell victim to this new craze.
Come on, Duffy is just way too darn cute and cuddly.
After that she headed to Mouse Gear and that’s where we met her and X.

 

[dawnbu40]

Great pictures around Test Track. I am anxious to see the updated version! Duffy is adorable of course she couldn't resist. I may have a few Duffys of my own

 

[TheCapellsMom]

Oh, I wanted SO MUCH to like Via Napoli!!! Some of the decor in the restaurant was soooo pretty- like the lighting fixtures.
But, really the whole meal from beginning to end was a disappointment.

Apparently, my DH doesn't remember but when we were originally seated in the terrace area, there was a very very strong smell of bleach or chemicals.
The hostess said they had just mopped in there and the smell would dissipate but it was honestly too strong for us to stay in there let alone eat in there!
There were other families asking to be moved also.

The reason I took photos of the chairs is because little X ended up with one of the all-wood ones and fell right through the huge space in the back!
After we detangled him from the chair, I traded with him so now he had a nice padded chair and I had the worlds most uncomfortable chair!
Mommies are always martyrs for their children!

Also, the location of that swinging kitchen door right next to the hallway to the bathroom is a lawsuit waiting to happen!

Now, I am a total foodie and I might not have been so bitter about the details of the restaurant if the food had been spectacular. But really, it just wasn't.
The shocker was that they even managed to screw up the kids sundaes! I mean, how hard is it to make a simple sundae for a kid???
Why would they put fruits and fruity sauce in it if that's not what it says on the menu?

All 3 of my kids left the restaurant hungry. Need I say more?

 

[thecapells]

Great pictures around Test Track. I am anxious to see the updated version! Duffy is adorable of course she couldn't resist. I may have a few Duffys of my own

We're looking forward to the new "Tron Track" as well.
The images look awesome!

 

[Curoly06]

I'm sorry you guys had a bad experience at Via Napoli! I was looking forward to trying it next time I go, but not if the service is terrible and the food is gross!
Thanks for the pics of Test Track! I can't wait to check out the refurb! I hope it's just as good (if not better) than it was before.

 

[MEK]

Ah - thank you for the trip down memory lane. I miss Test Track. sniff sniff. But I am super excited to see the new version this sumer. Not excited to wait in line. But excited to ride it!

 

[thecapells]

I'm sorry you guys had a bad experience at Via Napoli! I was looking forward to trying it next time I go, but not if the service is terrible and the food is gross!
Thanks for the pics of Test Track! I can't wait to check out the refurb! I hope it's just as good (if not better) than it was before.

We are definitely looking forward to the new Test Track.
The sleek new line and future-looking queue should be a blast!

Ah - thank you for the trip down memory lane. I miss Test Track. sniff sniff. But I am super excited to see the new version this sumer. Not excited to wait in line. But excited to ride it!

On the bright side, maybe the lines will help ease the insanity over at Soarin'?

 

[thecapells]

After racing around Test Track, it was time for some shopping!
I grabbed a Test Track die-case vehicle at the Test Track gift shop for X.
Then we headed into Mouse Gear for some t-shirts.

I always love the details in here.
Very cool if you look around…

Mom was having fun with hats.
Not quite Hats Around the World but I guess its in the same vein…

And, of course, there’s the Duffy section.
Our kids LOOOOOVE Duffy now…

Here’s a glimpse of the new logo for Disney’s 40th Anniversary.

Then it was time to go home.
But as with tradition, our last ride in Epcot is always Spaceship Earth.
There’s never any lines on the way out and we get the place all to ourselves.
We love it.
This time, we had so much fun, we went on again!
Here’s some shots of the post show.

And then some of our second trip around the geodesic sphere…

Heading out, we had to stop at our khaki-vested friends.

And then headed for the bus stop.
It was not long of a wait but our bus surprised us.
Apparently we were destined for the new Rapunzel Resort.

Our alternative was the Belle Resort nearby…

Alas, we ended up at good ol’ Pop Century.
Too bad we can’t take this baby to and from the parks.

Then we hit the sack.
Another fun-filled day was mere hours away!
Woo-hoo!

 

[MEK]

Is that you with you tongue out? You rebel you!

Love Spaceship Earth.....and I agree - the lines at the new TT should lessen the lines at Soarin. That is a bonus.

Cute PP pic of the happy couple!

 

[thecapells]

Is that you with you tongue out? You rebel you!

Love Spaceship Earth.....and I agree - the lines at the new TT should lessen the lines at Soarin. That is a bonus.

Cute PP pic of the happy couple!

Yeah, the 2nd time through we made silly faces.
The videos were much funnier with silly expressions!

 

[boxmaster]

It was not long of a wait but our bus surprised us.
Apparently we were destined for the new Rapunzel Resort.

Our alternative was the Belle Resort nearby…

Good thing that "Ariel" didn't arrive, or DD may have insisted we get on that bus, and who knows where that would've taken us?

 

[Curoly06]

Spaceship Earth is the best!
The last time my family was there, we saw a Flynn Rider bus. Good to know they have Rapunzel, too! Those buses are always fun to spot.

 

[thecapells]

Hey gang - sorry I disappeared.
Work sent me to Kansas City for training.
I'm back now and am frantically sorting and uploading pictures for Day 8.
I hope to be furiously posting again by this weekend!

 

[dawnbu40]

Welcome Back

 

[thecapells]

Okay, things have calmed down and I have some time over the holidays.
So it's time to get back to it and finish this story!

 

[thecapells]

Our trip was almost over but the gang was still ready to go early the next morning.
We had ADR’s before the park opened so we needed to find a “Breakfast Bus” as we call it.

Once we arrived and got into the empty Main Street (I love empty Main Street), we found some early Photopass photographers.
So of course we stopped for a bit as we were in our matching shirts…

Then we headed down Main Street and over to the Crystal Palace to check in.
Gotta love 8:05 ADR’s when the park opens at 9:00.
Next up – our traditional side view of the castle pictures.
I just love this angle…

Shortly, our party was called and we headed into a Breakfast with Character.
We love starting the day with the critters from the Hundred Acre Wood!
The topiaries foreshadow what is to come…

We were seated to the left of the door (we always end up on this side – I guess it’s the tables they fill first).
And this time we were right in the middle of the room under this sign:

A little bright pink friend was making his rounds as we sat so we quickly gathered for some hugs!

(continued next post)

 

[thecapells]

With a break in the parade of characters, I stole away to the buffet line to grab goodies for the gang.
First, a nice bacon, cheese, and green pepper omelette for me.

And, of course, some Mickey waffles for the table – even some chocolate Mickey waffles.
Ooooohhhhh.

And then the item that everyone looks forward to.
I always run to the griddle line and special order these babies for the table.
Chocolate chip Mickey pancakes – the only place on property to get ‘em.
And boy are they worth it!

When I returned with the goodies, a melancholy donkey was wandering through the restaurant.
Poor Eeyore – we’ll take pictures with you!

Then the big tub of fluff rounded the corner.
And this is the reason we come to this restaurant.
DS was 9 here but Pooh Bear has always had a special place in his heart.
Just look at how genuinely happy he is to hug his special bear.

Our “big” boy will even tolerate the “kiddie parade” here at Crystal Palace.
But only because Pooh Bear is the leader…

Next up was the cupcake for the birthday boy.
He’s so cute…

And then it was time to get bouncy!
Good morning Tigger!

Tigger bounced away and we were all stuffed.
After a quick stop at the restrooms, we were off to storm the castle.
9:00 means the park opens to guests and that means we have a chance to beat the crowd to our first attraction.
J headed off to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to grab himself a fastpass and we headed to Fantasyland to start our day!
Stay tuned for a trip to Neverland!

 

[MEK]

Welcome back to the DIS Mr Capell! Loved the update! Breakfast is at my favorite spot! Love that place. Everything looks so yummy. The kids are adorable as always. Hope your holidays were wonderful!

 

[thecapells]

Welcome back to the DIS Mr Capell! Loved the update! Breakfast is at my favorite spot! Love that place. Everything looks so yummy. The kids are adorable as always. Hope your holidays were wonderful!

Good to be back - sorry for the hiatus.
Things got real hectic near the holidays.
I hope to go much faster though now so I can finish this report and get on to the next one already!
We have many stories to tell and we're dying to tell them!