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

[jenniferkeala808]

awww that story the bus driver told is sad!! I hate when people ruin surprises like that! LOL!

I'm glad Soarin' was a hit with Mom! I don't think when we rode it, anyone applauded! LOL!

wow! Cool pics from the tour! the pic of the cotton is cool and that pumpkin! WOW! awww "earning his ears" soooo adorable!

can't wait for the next update!

 

[SoonerGirl]

YAY!! I just love Soarin'!! It's my favorite ride in all of WDW!! So glad that you got to ride it twice!! And what a cool tour!!

Soarin' is high on my list of favorites too, and it never gets old, I could ride it over and over again!

Soarin' x2 and Behind the Seeds... what a fun way to pass the time. I've often wondered about the tour. I take it you'd recommend it? Other than the introduce yourself part (which I'd hate too, by the way!)

It was a really good morning. I've seen those tour groups before when I've been on the ride and always been jealous that they get to walk around and see everything up close! The tour was good, and by Disney standards not expensive at all, $16/person.

Soarin' two times sounds great to me---I love that ride! How did your mom enjoy the Behind the Seeds Tour?

We both enjoyed the tour. I didn't do a very good job of explaining to her in advance what it was, she was thinking it was going to be a tour about how they grow all the flowers for the festival, but she still enjoyed it.

We spent one of our Epcot days with my parents and I made sure we did Living with the land that day because I knew they would love it (Dad had been on in 2008 but Mom was sick and missed it)

They saw the sign for Behind the Seeds and commented how neat they thought it would be. they are talking about a trip to Disney next winter with a couple of my aunts/uncles so I told them I would get them tickets for their Christmas present. I'm glad to hear about the tour from you because I know they will LOVE it (and they are so hard to buy gifts for!)

Glad your Mom enjoyed Soarin so much

I think that is a great idea for a gift! The tour is really not that expensive either, compared to all the other ones they offer, it was just $16 per adult.

Wow! Soarin' twice. It must be the "early morning" thing....I did do Soarin' once early in the morning and only had oranges as well.
And that Behind the Seeds tour! Definitely another one of those things to do for 'next time'....DS should be older by then.

Getting there early helped a ton with getting to ride Soarin' twice in one morning. Our check in time for the tour was around 11:15, so in the span of 2 hours we got 2 rides in

 

[SoonerGirl]

That proposal story is crazy! I understand the MIL's excitement, but obviously the guy wanted your help to plan this wonderful surprise! Haha, it's funny that the guy waited 6 months though! Well, funny as a story ... not funny if I were the girl waiting!

The applauding is so fun in Soarin' because it's such a calm response! Haha, as opposed to the screamin' and whoopin' after a coaster or something. The best part about the end of Soarin' is the sound of all those seatbelts being unclicked! Haha, I had my video camera ready the second time to capture that sound.

I like that the Behind the Seeds tour allows photography! I'll have to eventually take my time to see that because she won't spend the money on it herself! I love the different perspectives with the photography for Living with the Land.

I kinda felt sorry for the guy, silly MIL should have kept her mouth shut, her daughter was the one who suffered for it too!

That is so funny that you said that about the sound of the seatbelts being released - I like that sound too, thought I was the only one

Like I said above, the Behind the Seeds tour is pretty affordable by Disney standards, it's a good one to go on!

So glad that your mom enjoyed Soarin'. It is one of our favs and we try to do it two or three times each day we are there. The tour looks interesting. Maybe Mark and I should do that since our rides are limited this trip?

Isn't it funny how Soarin' is one of those rides that you just don't get tired of. We always try to get in 3 or 4 rides on it in a trip

That's awesome that you were guys were able to enjoy Soarin twice before the tour. I'd heard lots about this tour and your pics have really made me want to do this one sometime. Too neat! Looking forward to hearing more

The tour was pretty fun, if you enjoy the Living with the Land attraction then you'll like the tour.

Soarin' times two was awesome!

Love Soarin!!! I'm so glad your mom liked it too! Yes, every time we have ridden it everyone claps at the end.
We did the Behind the Seeds Tour the last time we were there and we enjoyed it too. We were so inspired by the way the vegetables were growing from "above" that we came home and tried it with cucumbers. It actually worked well!
It is hard to see little children being demanded on by such a driven parent. Fortunately most families are there for the whole family's enjoyment.
Funny proposal story... are they engaged now?

What's not to love about Soarin'? When I read about people that didn't enjoy it I'm dumbfounded

How cool that you tried growing your cucumbers like that, and it's even more cool that it worked!

I felt sorry for that little boy, I hope we just caught the dad in a moment of morning rush and that he didn't push him like that the whole time.

The bus driver is now happily married, for quite a few years from what I could gather, to the same girl.

I really enjoyed hearing about the Behind the Seeds tour - it's something that I would definitely like to do someday!

It was fun getting to be backstage at Disney and learning more about what they do there. The food that they grow in those greenhouses is served in the Disney restaurants, pretty cool!

 

[SoonerGirl]

So glad you got to do Soarin' twice and that your mom loved it! This is the second report I've read about the BHTS tour and it sounds so cool. I'll definitely have to check into it!

The tour was neat, and not too expensive either. I think it's great for people who have been to Disney several times and are looking for a new way to experience it!

Many times. Almost every time.
I love it, too, since I feel like I have half ownership in it.
It is my favorite Disney ride!

I'm working on 'my people' to have a little mist splash up on our feet when we ride through the ocean scenes, too.


Jill and I have wanted to do this for several years, but haven't gotten to it yet. What a great Science project that would be! I'd love to do something like that in my classroom. I'm going to ask for a copy of the handout when we go this trip, but if I can't get it without going on the tour, I may be begging you for a copy of it.


Have you ever ridden this at night? This area has a totally different feel to it when it is dark outside.


Trent needs a banana tree badly. He eats like five of these a day!

Great pictures of everything! I am glad your mom liked Soarin'.

Ooooo, if you could get your people to add mist in the ocean scenes that would great - I love that idea!

I'd be glad to send you a copy of the Hydroponic Gro Tank instructions! That would be a neat thing to do with your students

I've never ridden Living with the Land after dark, I bet that would be different! How can you see everything? Are there lights on?

Well, isn't he in Florida now? Tell him to get one growing!

Great update! I love all the pictures that you got on the Behind the Seeds tour. That idea on how to turn an aquarium into a hydro tank sounds like an awesome science project idea! I thought that was pretty cool too when you see it on the actual ride.

I thought that would be a great science project too - I'm so not scientific minded, but the instructions look pretty easy to follow. Thankfully DH enjoys science, so if I can't help DS with it, he'll be able to

I guess that guy really was bugged about his MIL ruining his surprise -- poor guy!

Another head-shaking parent moment! If the dad was so concerned with his kid holding them up, he should have brought a stroller for him. It really bugs me when parents ruin Disney for their kids by having unnatural expectations.

Yeay for your mom loving Soarin'! It is truly my favorite ride at Epcot and definitely in my top five rides at all of Disney! Those oranges always make me smile!

The Behind the Seeds tour looks really neat -- I wonder what they do with those Mickey pumpkins when they are ready...

I know, from what I could gather they have been married for quite awhile now, and he was still bugged by her spoiling his night!

I thought the same thing about the little boy and a stroller - I mean, I understand not wanting to mess with one, I've never taken one, even when Jared was just 4, but if you aren't willing to go at their pace, then break down and rent a stroller - it'll make everyone happier!

Everything about Soarin' makes me smile! I love the music to it too, just makes you feel good

Those pumpkins are used to decorate the parks in the fall

Michelle....you asked about the Cosmo slush. It was part of the Food & Wine Festival France offerings. So now you will have to add that to your list of times to visit.

When we did the Backstage Magic ABD we got to see the pellets that make the scents at Soarin' & it was amazing to me that that much smell could come from those small pellets & some air.

Glad you guys enjoyed the Behind the Seeds-we really liked it too & I really loved being back stage & seeing things more close up. That cucumber was delicious & fresh from what I remember.

Figures the Cosmo slush is just there for F&W! I got a 40% off pin code the other day and I mentioned that it might be fun for just the two of us to go for a few days during F&W - I got 'the look' so I dropped it....

I would love to do the Backstage Magic ABD at some point, not sure I'll ever get the Grump to agree to though. I may have to make plans with a fellow DISer to go!

Being backstage was the best part about the tour

 

[SoonerGirl]

Aww that poor guy having his proposal ruined! What a crazy story.

Looks like the tour was pretty neat too.

As for Soarin' and the clapping afterward, I think in April when it was over I was waiting for everyone to applaud but they never did! That was definitely a first, usually people are freaking out because it was so cool.

Isn't that sad that the MIL would spoil the surprise, and imagine how bad the girl must of felt thinking all night that he was going to propose and then he didn't!

No clapping after Soarin'? What was the matter with those people?

Ohhh that Cosmo slush....one of my main reasons for going back this October
Loved your pictures from the Behind the Seeds....looked really interesting and how fun to see everything up close
Grrrr regarding that woman cleaning up....at least you got her picture!!

Tracy

I really need one of those Cosmo slushes, wish I could get DH to agree to an October trip!

It was fun to see everything up close on the tour, and really cool to get to go backstage at Disney

Trust me, that lady was standing there long enough, I could have gotten about 50 pictures of her if I had wanted....

The Soarin' Stampede was a little crazy, wasn't it? I loved getting there right away but all that rushing always makes me a little frazzled. I'm glad your mom enjoyed the ride like you thought she would! It's one of my favorites.

I also hate having to do the introduction thing. I get nervous and embarrassed. Hate that stuff!!! Not a fan of being put on the spot like that.

The Soarin' Stampede wasn't too bad, we were able to fly past all the stroller parkers so that gave us an advantage

I so wish it didn't bother me to have to do things like that simple introduction - I can just be painfully shy at times

awww that story the bus driver told is sad!! I hate when people ruin surprises like that! LOL!

I'm glad Soarin' was a hit with Mom! I don't think when we rode it, anyone applauded! LOL!

wow! Cool pics from the tour! the pic of the cotton is cool and that pumpkin! WOW! awww "earning his ears" soooo adorable!

can't wait for the next update!

Poor bus driver! And poor girlfriend, I bet she felt awful after getting her expectations for the night up and then having nothing at all happen outside of having a nice dinner

I love the vegis that they mold into Mickey ears - so cute!

 

[jenjolt]

YAY for riding Soarin twice!! I usually grap a FP and then head into the standby line and I just love the smell of the oranges!!!! I want that smell for my bathroom!!

The Behind the Seeds tour looks like a lot of fun, I think the Science teacher in me really needs to go on that LOL!!!!!!

Can't wait to see what happens next!

 

[klacey1]

Wow, what a neat tour! I think we'd like something like that better than any of the MK tours-- DBF is always saying he doesn't want any of the magic spoiled for him. The one you went on seems educational and fun, but not revealing about WDW!!

 

[MEK]

I have always wanted to take the Behind the Seeds tour, but I can never talk DH into. I would think that he would love, it since he loves to garden. I think I might just have to save it for a solo trip. It looks pretty cool.

Two Soarins in one morning - way to go. There is a lot to be gained from doing the Soarin Stampede. I am glad you mom loved the ride. Does anyone NOT love Soarin?

 

[stace208]

Yipee for two trips on Soarin'!! Love that ride. I, too, can never understand when folks say they don't like it. Some rides I can see that, but not that one!!

Behind the Seeds tour sounds like a lot of fun. I think my DH would really like it. Maybe I'll send him and his parents next summer!

 

[Happydog]

Okay, all caught up now! Great updates and really enjoyed all the pics of the F & G show! Great info about Tutto Italia! I can't wait to try it now! Looks very good! Glad you were able to try a few Disney drinks this trip (Lost on Safari and the GG Slush!! Two of the best in my opinion!!!

Your story about the dad and the kids is one of the reasons why we continued to bring a stroller to the parks with us. We can just get places faster, and don't have to worry about the kids trying to keep up. We are going to only bring a single for DS5 this time. Soarin was a hit! No surprise, I agree. Who wouldn't like that ride!!!???

Looking forward to your next post -- also liked the shots from the tour at The Land Pavillion.

 

[marsa1969]

The tour looks very cool. Do they grow all of the veggies w/o soil? I just love the Mickey pumpkins, what I wouldn't give to have a few of those for my fall decorations!!

 

[GoofyWife]

I just got back from vacation (not Disney!) and found your trip report - I loved your trip report from your family's Christmas trip - I too have a Disney grump so I decided that since my kids are old enough, we can go without him - and luckily he is pretty cool about that. Last summer I took my two sons and next May I hope to take my 21 y.o. daughter for her graduation from college. Now I'm going back to finish reading and catch up!

 

[SoonerGirl]

YAY for riding Soarin twice!! I usually grap a FP and then head into the standby line and I just love the smell of the oranges!!!! I want that smell for my bathroom!!

The Behind the Seeds tour looks like a lot of fun, I think the Science teacher in me really needs to go on that LOL!!!!!!

Can't wait to see what happens next!

Can't beat getting to ride Soarin' twice in one morning!

Yes, I think the Science teacher in you would quite enjoy the Behind the Seeds tour!

Wow, what a neat tour! I think we'd like something like that better than any of the MK tours-- DBF is always saying he doesn't want any of the magic spoiled for him. The one you went on seems educational and fun, but not revealing about WDW!!

It's so much cheaper then the MK tours too! No magic is spoiled in this tour, you get to go backstage, but you'll see no half dressed characters

I have always wanted to take the Behind the Seeds tour, but I can never talk DH into. I would think that he would love, it since he loves to garden. I think I might just have to save it for a solo trip. It looks pretty cool.

Two Soarins in one morning - way to go. There is a lot to be gained from doing the Soarin Stampede. I am glad you mom loved the ride. Does anyone NOT love Soarin?

The tour is really a nice way to get a closer look at the attraction and it doesn't take that much time, about an hour or so, we were still able to see lots of FW that morning.

Yeah, you feel rushed when you are in the midst of the stampede, but it has it's benefits!

Yipee for two trips on Soarin'!! Love that ride. I, too, can never understand when folks say they don't like it. Some rides I can see that, but not that one!!

Behind the Seeds tour sounds like a lot of fun. I think my DH would really like it. Maybe I'll send him and his parents next summer!

I know! What's not to like about Soarin'??

The tour was fun. If you think your kids would get bored (and they might) then sending DH and the in laws while you and the kids enjoy some quality park time alone sounds like a great idea!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Okay, all caught up now! Great updates and really enjoyed all the pics of the F & G show! Great info about Tutto Italia! I can't wait to try it now! Looks very good! Glad you were able to try a few Disney drinks this trip (Lost on Safari and the GG Slush!! Two of the best in my opinion!!!

Your story about the dad and the kids is one of the reasons why we continued to bring a stroller to the parks with us. We can just get places faster, and don't have to worry about the kids trying to keep up. We are going to only bring a single for DS5 this time. Soarin was a hit! No surprise, I agree. Who wouldn't like that ride!!!???

Looking forward to your next post -- also liked the shots from the tour at The Land Pavillion.

You'll love Tutto Italia!

I did partake in a few of Disney's finest alcoholic beverages this time around

I felt sorry for that little boy I hope it was just a fleeting moment and that the whole trip wasn't like that for him....

The tour looks very cool. Do they grow all of the veggies w/o soil? I just love the Mickey pumpkins, what I wouldn't give to have a few of those for my fall decorations!!

Wouldn't you know my aging brain can't remember everything they told us about their growing techniques, but it seems like everything was grown without soil, or if they did use some it was very little.

Wouldn't that be awesome to have Mickey pumpkins on your front porch throughout the fall?!

I just got back from vacation (not Disney!) and found your trip report - I loved your trip report from your family's Christmas trip - I too have a Disney grump so I decided that since my kids are old enough, we can go without him - and luckily he is pretty cool about that. Last summer I took my two sons and next May I hope to take my 21 y.o. daughter for her graduation from college. Now I'm going back to finish reading and catch up!

Hey there! Thanks for posting! I don't yet know how my Disney Grump is going to react to me taking the kids without him - he's going to want to use those vacation dollars for family trips someplace else. I'll cross that bridge when we get there....

******************

Hi all! Sorry it's been so long since I last updated, I seem to be saying that a lot with this TR! Justin's summer ball schedule is kicking my butt! I promise to update soon. If I can get over the feeling of guilt and skip his double header tonight, then I'll have one up later tonight. If I can't, and I have to drag myself across town for 5 hours of baseball, AGAIN, then it will be tomorrow. Either way, one is coming, hope you'll stick with me!

 

[Spartangirl]

Great last couple of updates!!! I fell behind a little bit because I'm still trying to wrap up my school year...........we're done next week!

That poor guy....that stinks that MIL had to ruin the surprise!!!

Soarin' twice.....very cool! That ride is one of my favorites!

Behind the Seeds seemed like a pretty cool tour. DH and I have never taken one up to this point in time, but I might have to look into them. Living with the Land is such a neat ride anyway and it had to be cool to actually walk around the area instead of riding the boats. Had to feel like V.I.P.S!

 

[Charleston Princess]

My guess is that you headed to the baseball game!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Great last couple of updates!!! I fell behind a little bit because I'm still trying to wrap up my school year...........we're done next week!

That poor guy....that stinks that MIL had to ruin the surprise!!!

Soarin' twice.....very cool! That ride is one of my favorites!

Behind the Seeds seemed like a pretty cool tour. DH and I have never taken one up to this point in time, but I might have to look into them. Living with the Land is such a neat ride anyway and it had to be cool to actually walk around the area instead of riding the boats. Had to feel like V.I.P.S!

It seems so funny to hear you talk about almost being done with school, my kids have been out for nearly 3 weeks!

Gotta love Soarin' x 2!!

The Behind the Seeds tour was fun, felt very VIP like, but we took an even better tour later in the week....

My guess is that you headed to the baseball game!

Actually I didn't! I was in desperate need of a break, Don has been gone so it's just been me. Jared didn't want to go to another game. It's almost been every night since summer ball started on the 24th, so Jared and I stayed home. Yeah, I'm a bad mom.......

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Well, I have my next update completely written and ready to go - EXCEPT, photobucket is acting crazy and won't upload my pics, I've tried like 100 times tonight, I just keep getting an error message. Soooooooo, looks like it's going to be tomorrow after all - assuming photobucket is working then that is

 

[cdotla]

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????

Not at all girl!!! Your mom is the one who is looking young, not the other way around!

Great recap of Behind the Seeds!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Actually I didn't! I was in desperate need of a break, Don has been gone so it's just been me. Jared didn't want to go to another game. It's almost been every night since summer ball started on the 24th, so Jared and I stayed home. Yeah, I'm a bad mom.......

Oh, you are not! I would have opted to stay home, too! We all need breaks once in awhile.

Hope Photobucket is working today.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Not at all girl!!! Your mom is the one who is looking young, not the other way around!

Great recap of Behind the Seeds!

HeHe!

I'm glad we did the tour, it was fun walking through the attraction

Oh, you are not! I would have opted to stay home, too! We all need breaks once in awhile.

Hope Photobucket is working today.

I'm so glad I didn't go! Don & Justin left the house yesterday at 4:30 and didn't get home until close to 11:00 Jared was super excited to get to stay home and play with his friend too, I had to drag him into the house last night.

Pictures uploaded and ready to go - update coming right up!