Flowers, Segways & DIS Meets, Oh My! - Updated 10/26, Final Thoughts-FINALLY!

[LilAnn]

oh, those pics from Tutto look yummy! We have never tried it, but think we may need to give it a shot next time. I love your topiary photos. It brings me right back there!

that must have been a misprint for Jiminy cricket? Can't wait to see what day 2 brings!

 

[BippityBoo]

Your dinner looks SUPER yummy!!! I have yet to try the Grey Goose drink...but you know I will be getting one ASAP! The flowers at the festival were AMAZING!!! How great that you and your Mom got to experience that!

 

[klacey1]

Love the Lion King topiaries--especially Rafiki/baby Simba! Glad you had a good dinner, too-- your mom's cannelloni looks amazing! Don't know if I could eat it in super hot weather, but I'd love to try it at some point.

 

[photographymom517]

Great updates...loved the topiaries!!! I can't make up my mind which I like best, but its between the dolphins & Snow White!

I love how everytime I read a trip report, the floating objects in that little pond at Epcot changes! Whenever we were there last March/April, they were these cute floating boxes. I'm glad I took pictures of them because it seems they disappeared shortly after we were there! I'll have to compare them to what we see this year...I'll post pics of both on my trip report once we get back! I loved the flowers floating in the pond in your pics! Wish I could recreate that in my backyard!

Tutto looked delicious...your moms meal & dessert looked equally amazing!!! I have family going in October & they want to eat there, so I will have to show them the pics!

Funny story about people getting in your way...last trip, I almost had a picture of Mickey's Country House with absolutely NO people in the picture! Every trip, it is so busy around there, I thought I'd never have the chance to get a "no people" photo opp...well, guess who poked their head into my photo at the very last second??? DH...he had this look on his face like he was completely clueless why I was telling him to move! After it happened, I explained & then he understood...he didn't realize the importance of having NO people in the photos! So he said "hurry, take another one quick!" and by that time (2 seconds later...) there were at least 10 people in front of the house!

The Flower & Garden Festival looks sooo pretty! I will definitely have to put it on my list of times to visit Disney!!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I saw the picture of the plush Jiminy Cricket and almost kicked myself for not spotting them in Germany...and then I saw the price tag. Glad I didn't see them now.

Funny - I spent a bit of time in Germany looking at stuff and still missed JC!

Your lunch looks yum! Waiting for the next update

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I have Tutto booked for my last night in October and I think that cannelloni is calling my name! And to cap it off with Grey Goose and Illuminations?

All the topiaries are so beautiful!

I've seen that Jiminy Cricket "on sale" before... stil can't get over the price!

 

[disneydusted]

Great update! Wasn't that mom funny being so oblivious??!! I do think sometimes some people just are clueless.
We loved Alfredo's too so I am glad you gave Tutto a thumbs up! We'll be having dinner there at the end of our trip.
The dolphins are very fun! I like what they did to make them look like they are coming up out of the water and back in!

 

[MHTeacher]

I'm trying to get caught up a little each day, and today's the day to get caught up with you!

Great pictures as always! Your dinner in Italy looks yummy-I have to admit I've been a little afraid to try it, but the food looks delish in your pics.

Hope you had a happy birthday---I celebrated for you in Magic Kingdom!

 

[jenjolt]

Those toparies are just simply stunning! It amazes me the work the gardeners and florist do at Disney during that time!!!

Hmmmm....dinner....I'm having Italian tonight...looks heavenly!!!!

 

[Disneygrl36]

We have never eaten in Italy at EPCOT. Looks like we need to try out Tutto.

I think Jiminy is probably a Steif & that's why he's so expensive. They are really famous & really pricey German stuffed toys.

I have had the Grand Marinier & the Cosmo slush but sounds like I need to try the Grey Goose one too.

 

[KatMark]

I enjoyed your update. I love your pictures of the topiaries. We've never been during the Flower show...it's in the midst of baseball season for Mark's umpping (hopefully, one of these years). Your meal at Tutto looks wonderful. We've not yet tried it and I think we may have to add it to the list for the near future.

 

[cdotla]

Great topiary photos Michelle! That is too funny with the ice cream-cleaning mom in the stroller though!

Tutto Italia looks pretty good from your photos. It actually hasn't been high on my list, but I may need to re-think that!

So you got to see (at least briefly) Frank Cosmo. How was he? Seeing him was one of many, many things on my to-do that I never got a chance to do. I also wanted to see British Invasion. Did you see them too?

That photo of you and your mom by the Mickey/Minnie really shows the family resemblance. I didn't notice it to that degree before. But tell your mom she looks like your sister, not your mother!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I just realized I joined your TR when you first started it but never subscribed so I missed soooo many updates! I'll have to go back and catch up!

Those desserts from Italy look amazing! Love all your Flower and Garden pics!

$251.99 for Jiminy Cricket????

I've got links in the first post to making catching up quick and painless Hope you enjoy the report!

I haven't eaten many desserts at WDW that I didn't love - they are all so good!

Lots more F&G pics to come

I know! That price on JC was crazy! I'm pretty sure that those are made by someone famous, but I'm not up on all that stuff - to me it's just a regular old plush

I love that canneloni at Tutto!!!! I agree that it is a good replacement for Alfredos (and we really liked that place too!!)

Hmmmm.... the grey goose slushie isn't as sweet as the grand marnier one?? Guess I have to try them both later this week and do my own taste test!

The flower pics are great!! They were still so nice and fresh looking too!

Can't wait for more!!

I'm sooooo getting the canneloni next time I go there!

Let me know what you think after your taste test is complete

I thought the flowers all still looked great too, especially considering that we were there towards the end of the festival. Maybe they were able to keep them nicer by starting it so early before the temps got too hot.

Those topiaries are so beautiful! My very first trip to WDW was during F&G (although I didn't know it was going on), but at that time I knew NOTHING and didn't even pay attention to them! Now I want to go back and really see them.

I definitely would have ordered what your mom got for dinner; pasta is my go-to item! Your dessert looked really good, too!

So glad you enjoyed your slushie; aren't they delicious?

What did we all do before we had the DIS to inform us of what to look for while on our Disney vacations?! I'm so happy we were able to go during that time and see all the topiaries, they really are amazing!

The slushie was quite tasty

Thanks for a super update!

Thanks for reading!

WOW! Your pics from the F&G Festival are gorgeous!! We saw it last year in the pouring rain--such a shame with all of the pretty topiaries and such that they had set up! Why in the world was a Jiminy Cricket sooo expensive?! That's insane! Glad you had such a nice dinner--the dessert looks sooo yummy!!

All that rain you had to endure last year was just awful! Hopefully you'll be able to make it back there again sometime when the F&GF is going on so that you can really enjoy it!

You would have to really love Jiminy to spend that much money on him! Or of course, be a collector of whoever it is that makes that particular brand of plush - I really do feel bad not knowing who it is.

 

[SoonerGirl]

I have a twelve dollar Jiminy that works just fine.

The cannelloni looks scrumptious!

Yup - I have no need of a $250 Jiminy! Jared has a little one that we actually got for free and it's just as cute

Hey Michelle!! Aren't those topiaries just beautiful?! And you're totally right about the pictures not even doing it justice! So sorry about that woman. You're totally right about stopping right on front of a display. I hear you! LOL! But I'm guessing you're glad you waited until she moved...you got a great pic after that! Great pics from Tutto Italia...makes me want to try it next time! I love that you had to take a pic of Grumpy for your DH grumpy! Too funny!wait.....that's the "special" price of the Jiminy Cricket plush?! wow!! LOL! Great update!!! Can't wait for the next one.

The topiaries were so pretty, I'm so glad we got to see them! The lady was kind of annoying......

Tutto was great! WDW has so many good restaurants, my list of ones to try just keeps growing and growing.

Yep - that Jiminy was on clearance That's just a little different than the clearance aisles I shop in

Great updates. I am not sure how I missed this weekend's update - but I did. You really had quite a full day at AK and your Nemo pictures make me miss that show. I love that show! I always see the morning show - so that's probably why I don't nod off!

Yum to the Lost on Safari and the pretzel. That looks like the perfect snack!

Silly lady standing in front of the topiaries. Maybe she isn't a picture taker - there can be no other explanation.

Your dinner looks great! What a great day!

You were busy watching your DS win soccer games!

Nemo is so pretty and well done - I should try seeing it early sometime before the heat zaps all my energy!

You're right, the lady in front of the topiary couldn't possibly be a picture taker - but there were certainly plenty of picture takers there waiting for her to get the heck out the way

It was a great day!

I have always wondered how big the topiaries really are. How cool that they are BIG! Mickey with his pitchfork is my favorite!! So, so cute!

They were much larger than I thought they would be. I guess I was just picturing them being about the same size as the ones I had seen around WDW in the past - they are much more impressive than that!

Dinner looks yummy!

I know I went into the shops in Germany looking for a nutcracker because Patrick tells me he wants one but I never saw those (I figured I wouldn't pay Disney prices for one anyways) but I totally missed the cuckoo clocks. I love them and we looked for one that felt right when we were in Europe but didn't want a cheapo one and weren't quite in the position to pay for the nice ones.

No Illuminations pictures?

I missed those Mickey nutcrackers in the past, but I saw them on Wigds TR from Christmas so I was determined to find them. I can't remember how much they were, but a price of around $350 keeps coming to mind. Maybe Anita remembers...

I know, I feel really bad about not having any Illuminations pics, we just really didn't have a very good viewing spot

 

[SoonerGirl]

Great pictures of the topiaries. My favorite was the Snow White and the seven dwarfs.

Great news about the baseball tournaments.

I've got a soft spot for Snow White and the seven dwarfs, so that was one of my favorite displays as well.

Baseball is kicking my butt this spring/summer! Justin had a double header last night in a town 2 hours away, the 2nd game ran long and I didn't get to bed until 2am. Plus he's got a tournament that starts today and runs through the weekend, Jared is playing Sat & Sun too......I'm exhausted!

Mmmmm, that Tutto cannelloni looked super yummy!!

The topiaries really grew in the month since I'd been there! Very neat to see the changes! Beautiful pictures, as always.

The canneloni was very good. That's on my list for next time!

I noticed from looking at your pics of the topiaries how much they had changed in such a short time. It would be neat to be able to go twice during the festival, once early and once later to see first hand how everything grew and changed.

Even when they are topiaries, I love the giraffes!!!

Sometimes I wonder how people can be so oblivious to their surroundings.

Yep, that cannelloni that your mom ordered was what Charles and I had in October -- definitely delicious!!!

I thought you may like those giraffe topiaries!

People get in their own little world, I'm sure she wasn't actually trying to be in the way, she was just oblivious

Everyone loves the cannelloni! How did I not know to order that? And I call myself a DISer

oh, those pics from Tutto look yummy! We have never tried it, but think we may need to give it a shot next time. I love your topiary photos. It brings me right back there!

that must have been a misprint for Jiminy cricket? Can't wait to see what day 2 brings!

I've eaten at Tutto on 3 different occassions now and have enjoyed it each time.

I think that Jiminy is made by someone famous, I really should know who, but I don't....

Your dinner looks SUPER yummy!!! I have yet to try the Grey Goose drink...but you know I will be getting one ASAP! The flowers at the festival were AMAZING!!! How great that you and your Mom got to experience that!

Dinner was great! Disney has so many wonderful restaurants.

You HAVE to try a GG slush, it's GG vodka and lemonade, so tasty!

Epcot is a pretty park even without the flowers from the festival, but they just made it even more so!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Love the Lion King topiaries--especially Rafiki/baby Simba! Glad you had a good dinner, too-- your mom's cannelloni looks amazing! Don't know if I could eat it in super hot weather, but I'd love to try it at some point.

I've got a better pic of Rafiki and Simba from later in the trip

From the bite I had of the cannelloni, I can tell you that it was really good. I'm definitely getting that next time!

Great updates...loved the topiaries!!! I can't make up my mind which I like best, but its between the dolphins & Snow White!

I love how everytime I read a trip report, the floating objects in that little pond at Epcot changes! Whenever we were there last March/April, they were these cute floating boxes. I'm glad I took pictures of them because it seems they disappeared shortly after we were there! I'll have to compare them to what we see this year...I'll post pics of both on my trip report once we get back! I loved the flowers floating in the pond in your pics! Wish I could recreate that in my backyard!

Tutto looked delicious...your moms meal & dessert looked equally amazing!!! I have family going in October & they want to eat there, so I will have to show them the pics!

Funny story about people getting in your way...last trip, I almost had a picture of Mickey's Country House with absolutely NO people in the picture! Every trip, it is so busy around there, I thought I'd never have the chance to get a "no people" photo opp...well, guess who poked their head into my photo at the very last second??? DH...he had this look on his face like he was completely clueless why I was telling him to move! After it happened, I explained & then he understood...he didn't realize the importance of having NO people in the photos! So he said "hurry, take another one quick!" and by that time (2 seconds later...) there were at least 10 people in front of the house!

The Flower & Garden Festival looks sooo pretty! I will definitely have to put it on my list of times to visit Disney!!!

Funny you said the floating flowers disappeared while you were there last time, they did for us too, later in the week they weren't there. They must have to take them up and replant them as they start to die.

I think your family will like Tutto, I've never been disappointed there

My kids totally jumped in front of me in December when I was trying to grab a quick 'no people' in the way shot too! Of course, like your situation, the lack of people didn't last long enough to get another attempt.

I saw the picture of the plush Jiminy Cricket and almost kicked myself for not spotting them in Germany...and then I saw the price tag. Glad I didn't see them now.

Funny - I spent a bit of time in Germany looking at stuff and still missed JC!

Your lunch looks yum! Waiting for the next update

Yeah, that Jiminy is not your typical souvenir is it?

There are so many shops to look through in Germany, I see something different almost everytime I walk through them.

I have Tutto booked for my last night in October and I think that cannelloni is calling my name! And to cap it off with Grey Goose and Illuminations?

All the topiaries are so beautiful!

I've seen that Jiminy Cricket "on sale" before... stil can't get over the price!

I great Italian dinner followed by watching Illuminations while enjoying a GG slush

I wonder if they actually ever sell one those Jiminy's?????

Great update! Wasn't that mom funny being so oblivious??!! I do think sometimes some people just are clueless.
We loved Alfredo's too so I am glad you gave Tutto a thumbs up! We'll be having dinner there at the end of our trip.
The dolphins are very fun! I like what they did to make them look like they are coming up out of the water and back in!

It was pretty funny, the lady really had no idea that there were people standing there waiting to take pictures. At least I hope she had no idea......

I think you'll be happy with Tutto, I've eaten there several times now and have enjoyed each time.

I thought it was super cute how they made the dolphins look like they were jumping through the water too!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I'm trying to get caught up a little each day, and today's the day to get caught up with you!

Great pictures as always! Your dinner in Italy looks yummy-I have to admit I've been a little afraid to try it, but the food looks delish in your pics.

Hope you had a happy birthday---I celebrated for you in Magic Kingdom!

It's tough getting caught up on everything when you've been gone a week isn't it? Heck I get behind if I'm off the boards for just a couple of days!

Give Tutto a try sometime, it's really good.

Glad you celebrated my birthday at MK, always a great place to be! I'm finishing up my birthday jubilee tonight - my girlfriends and I are going to see Sex and the City 2, we've got balcony seats where they serve food & alcohol during the movie!

Those toparies are just simply stunning! It amazes me the work the gardeners and florist do at Disney during that time!!!

Hmmmm....dinner....I'm having Italian tonight...looks heavenly!!!!

It's quite a production isn't it? Disney certainly has a talented group of horticulturalists, designers and project managers!

We have never eaten in Italy at EPCOT. Looks like we need to try out Tutto.

I think Jiminy is probably a Steif & that's why he's so expensive. They are really famous & really pricey German stuffed toys.

I have had the Grand Marinier & the Cosmo slush but sounds like I need to try the Grey Goose one too.

You never even ate Alfredo's??? You must rectify that my dear! I'm looking forward to the new CS place they are working on too

That's who makes Jiminy! Thank you I knew they had to be made by a famous person/company, but I had no idea who it was.

Cosmo slush??? Where can I get that yummy concoction???

I enjoyed your update. I love your pictures of the topiaries. We've never been during the Flower show...it's in the midst of baseball season for Mark's umpping (hopefully, one of these years). Your meal at Tutto looks wonderful. We've not yet tried it and I think we may have to add it to the list for the near future.

I know what you mean about F&G being in the middle of baseball season. We won't ever be able to take a family vacation during that time unless my boys suddenly decide they don't like baseball anymore - which is highly doubtful!

What age group does Mark ump for? I always feel sorry for the youth league umpires - they take so much grief from parents! But, so far I've noticed that parents seem to be alot better behaved at the high school games.

Great topiary photos Michelle! That is too funny with the ice cream-cleaning mom in the stroller though!

Tutto Italia looks pretty good from your photos. It actually hasn't been high on my list, but I may need to re-think that!

So you got to see (at least briefly) Frank Cosmo. How was he? Seeing him was one of many, many things on my to-do that I never got a chance to do. I also wanted to see British Invasion. Did you see them too?

That photo of you and your mom by the Mickey/Minnie really shows the family resemblance. I didn't notice it to that degree before. But tell your mom she looks like your sister, not your mother!

That lady was so unaware of her surroundings!

From what little I saw of Fran Cosmo, he was really good. I still haven't seen the British Invasion, one of these days I will!

I've been told my whole life that I look just like my mom, if I had dark hair we'd really look a lot alike! She'd be happy to hear that you think she looks young unless of course, you're saying that I look old????

 

[KatMark]

I know what you mean about F&G being in the middle of baseball season. We won't ever be able to take a family vacation during that time unless my boys suddenly decide they don't like baseball anymore - which is highly doubtful!

What age group does Mark ump for? I always feel sorry for the youth league umpires - they take so much grief from parents! But, so far I've noticed that parents seem to be alot better behavied at the high school games.

Mark does high school, junior college, and little league. He doesn't put up with anyone's nonsense and has ejected one player, one coach and two parents in the last nine years.

Our youngest, Markie, stopped going to Disney with us after 2000 becasue if it wasn't baseball, he was at wrestling camp; Andy only went with us once after 2000 and that was in 2004 for his high school graduation trip. So the boys, together, have not been with us since 2000 (when they were 13 and 11). Markie wants to go with us next year after he graduates college--he wants to around World Showcase.

 

[KathyRN137]

Even with a bite missing, it still looks scrumptious!

I've kind of felt the same way about Tutto after having enjoyed Alfredo's... I think I will plan a dinner here when we next visit!

The topiaries are simply amazing...


Kathy

 

[RachelNinja]

I'm back I'm back I'm back! Haha, finally things are winding down ... just 3.5 days and graduation! No more book reports to grade, report card grades to figure out, or student profiles to write up. Phew!

Haha, I love that you took a pic of the offender regarding the ice cream clean up! The topiary is so huge too; they didn't even stop to a side of it but instead chose to stop right in the middle of it!

Mmm, I'm reading this on Saturday morning, and seeing your pics from Tutto just reminded me that I should go get something to eat for breakfast!

I loved the "Stopped to say hey to the donkey" comment! Got me laughing!