"Hello? I'm in the Carousel of Progress.."*UD1/13pg74"All Good Things...*

[Planning fanatic mom]

I'm still here.

We will wait patiently. Take your time.

 

[Incredimom3]

Missy, I've really enjoyed following your report and I look forward to the next installment. I feel like my reality is the alternative to yours, though. I've got three girls (into all the girly Disney stuff) and we're here in the South. We are counting the days until we check in to POR!

 

[hhockman]

Missy, I've really enjoyed following your report and I look forward to the next installment. I feel like my reality is the alternative to yours, though. I've got three girls (into all the girly Disney stuff) and we're here in the South. We are counting the days until we check in to POR!

Well, other than the fact that you have 3 girls and I have 2 boys (which are younger), you and I seem to have similar realities. We live near each other, are staying at the same resort, and are checking in on the same day. Hmm. Think we'll pass each other on the highway (or on the grounds of POR)?

 

[mommytothreeboys]

After a cooling off in the fountains, it was time to head to Norway for our KimPossible mission. But..I was mistaken..we weren’t going to be saving Norway. Our mission was in China...we just needed to pick up our Kimmunicator in Norway. Cool! Off to China we go!

Now, let me say this. If you have more than one or two kids......get TWO Kimmunicators!! The toughest thing about the KP missions was that it was difficult for everyone in the family to see the Kimmunicator at the same time. And...of course...each boy wanted to be the one to hold it! (The CM who gave us our Kimmunicators did say that when you heard the beep sound, you were supposed to change who was holding it. That worked okay, but it still would have been better to have two.)

That said, the KP mission was a lot of fun. It forced us to spend time in the country and to seek out things we may have missed if we just rushed through. My kids really had a blast looking for the answers to the clues. Another tip....you don’t have to rush. The Kimmunicator will hold until you push the ready button, so take the time to enjoy the country. We made the mistake on our China mission of rushing from clue to clue and I didn’t like that. Once we realized we could pause, we all really enjoyed the mission. Here are a few pics of our mission to save China!

(See what I mean..we all had to crowd around. And you have to find a quiet spot that is out of the way so you can hear and not be in anyone’s path.)

All in all, we really enjoyed the KP mission and decided to sign on for another mission in Mexico. The idea behind the missions is great...get the kids to explore the WS while allowing them to do something cool like be on a secret mission! Just do a little research first, know what to expect, and remember to slow down and enjoy the moments!

With China saved from the clutches of the evil villain, it was time to do some more exploring of the gorgeous China pavilion. China was one of our last stops on our 2007 trip, so I felt like we missed a lot...I was really looking forward to taking some time to really take it all in. The buildings in this country are just gorgeous.

My boys were fascinated with the marionette puppets on our last trip and had talked about buying one to take home this time. We spent quite a bit of time at the puppet stand! Not just on this trip through China, but EVERY time we passed through on our 3 days at Epcot! Those puppets were quite the distraction...and yes, we came home with 2 of them!

The other favorite spot in China was the HUGE gift shop. There is just so much to look at there and I think my boys (and myself, if I’m honest) could spend hours there! They really took a liking to these spinning plates. The CM there was so cool about showing the boys how to spin the plates and keep them spinning. I really should have purchased a set to give them for Christmas....hindsight is always 20/20!

There’s just so much to look at in this shop! Don’t forget to look up!

I really wanted to see the Reflections of China movie, so we headed into the temple to see when the next show would begin. When we entered I was blown away at the beauty of the interior. SO gorgeous..pictures don’t even do it justice.

We had a few minutes till the movie started, so I wandered through the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit...very interesting! (Although I do have to admit I couldn’t stop thinking about Brendan Fraser and the latest Mummy movie while looking at all those stone warriors....sue me.)

We sat for a minute or two and enjoyed a performer playing a traditional Chinese musical instrument before being led into the theater for the Reflections of China movie. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the beautiful images of China and am glad that we took the time to see it.

Upon exiting the theater....back into that giant gift shop, I might add ....we were starting to get hungry so we decided to head to Mexico for our KP mission and to grab some lunch at the little CS place there. Dan was really wanting Chinese food, so we stopped at the Lotus Blossom Café to get his lunch. He got the beef noodle bowl and practically inhaled it! He also got the Ginger ice cream which was just okay...he did try it though so I give him props! Honestly, over the course of our 3 days at Epcot, I think Dan had that noodle bowl 3 more times! He LOVED it! So much that I came home and tried to find a recipe to duplicate it.

While Dan ate, the other boys played with their newly acquired puppets. The seating there is nice...it’s outside, but covered so it’s cool.

With Dan’s belly full of noodles and the rest of our bellies growling, we made our way to Mexico to get some lunch and to embark on our next KP mission.

What fascinated Jonah in Mexico? What tasty treat does Isaiah discover? Will we be able to save Mexico from the dastardly hands of an evil villain? Stay tuned!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I'm still here! I'm glad you're having a fantastic summer Looking forward to your next update

Hi Lisa! Thanks for sticking it out with me! I promise I'll be over to catch up on your PTR soon.

Yay! Missy's back. Can't wait for the update.

Just posted it! ENJOY!

I'm still here.

We will wait patiently. Take your time.

HI! Thanks for your patience!

Missy, I've really enjoyed following your report and I look forward to the next installment. I feel like my reality is the alternative to yours, though. I've got three girls (into all the girly Disney stuff) and we're here in the South. We are counting the days until we check in to POR!

Oooh....so jealous! I hope you love POR as much as we do! I wish I could do all the girly Disney stuff. I do as much as my boys will let me get away with!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Great update! I really enjoy traveling with you and your family. KP missions do sound like a great addition; I wish they would have had that in 2001 when we went and were homeschooling at the time. It would have really helped!
Have a great one!

 

[cjackearl]

Missy, you guys always look like you're having the best time together. We did the KP mission in China also, but we made sure to get 2 Kimmunicators to keep the peace.

Which marrionettes came to live at your house? That goat is awesome! Very Sound of Music.

What's in the noodle bowl? Maddy ate at the China pavillion also, but she had sushi.

So glad you're back! I've missed you, lady!

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

I love the pictures of all of you gathered around the phone. It is such a "family" moment and that is what I love about vacation photos. You all look like you are enjoying yourselves!

I can't tell you how many TRs I have read who have pictures of those darn puppets! Disney knows what they are doing by putting them out in such an obvious location. Kids love them and I bet they sell a ton. Do your kids play with them now that you have them at home?

 

[mom2mek]

Great update, Missy! I can't wait to try one of those KP missions with my kids (hopefully in February)! I love those puppets too - I wish I had gotten one for myself! The goat is precious!

(My next update is on China, too!)

Sara

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Great update! I really enjoy traveling with you and your family. KP missions do sound like a great addition; I wish they would have had that in 2001 when we went and were homeschooling at the time. It would have really helped!
Have a great one!

Aww..how sweet! So glad to have you along! Thankfully, my kids are all about the WS anyway, but the KP mission was a great addition!

Missy, you guys always look like you're having the best time together. We did the KP mission in China also, but we made sure to get 2 Kimmunicators to keep the peace.

Next time...2 Kimmunicators, for certain! And thanks...we do have a great time together!

Which marrionettes came to live at your house? That goat is awesome! Very Sound of Music.

We got two birds...smaller than that goat. (And I LOVE Sound of Music, by the way!! ) The larger ones were, of course, more expensive. Since it was their money and not mine they opted for the less expensive ones!! Funny how that works!

What's in the noodle bowl? Maddy ate at the China pavillion also, but she had sushi.

The noodle bowl was broth, beef, noodles, bok choy, onions....not sure what else but Dan was a huge fan! I did find a Rachel Ray recipe that came close.

So glad you're back! I've missed you, lady!

Awww...I've missed being here! SO glad to be back!

I love the pictures of all of you gathered around the phone. It is such a "family" moment and that is what I love about vacation photos. You all look like you are enjoying yourselves!

I can't tell you how many TRs I have read who have pictures of those darn puppets! Disney knows what they are doing by putting them out in such an obvious location. Kids love them and I bet they sell a ton. Do your kids play with them now that you have them at home?

No kidding, right!! My kids do still play with them...they keep getting tangled though and I spend a lot of time keeping the strings straight!

Great update, Missy! I can't wait to try one of those KP missions with my kids (hopefully in February)! I love those puppets too - I wish I had gotten one for myself! The goat is precious!

(My next update is on China, too!)

Sara

Yay for February. My 40th birthday is in February and I'm trying to convince my hubby that WDW would be a great place to celebrate! When are you going?

 

[mousescrapper]

Hi Missy

nice update....

glad you saved China! and the boys really enjoyed the KPM! I kwym about the crowding around the Kimunicator, we had some trouble w/ that too....

so I will be curious if they let you get two on the Mexico mission. I hope we can give that another go next yr (hope they keep it)

I too so love the China pav, I don't remember seeing the spinning plates, but I could see DH standing there trying to get that to work...

looking forward to more!

Scrappie (J-)

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Hi Missy

Hi Julie!

nice update....

glad you saved China! and the boys really enjoyed the KPM! I kwym about the crowding around the Kimunicator, we had some trouble w/ that too....

Yeah...I really should have thought that one out better!

so I will be curious if they let you get two on the Mexico mission. I hope we can give that another go next yr (hope they keep it)

LOL! I didn't even think about getting two for Mexico...that thought didn't occur to me until I was writing this TR and reading cjackearl's.

I too so love the China pav, I don't remember seeing the spinning plates, but I could see DH standing there trying to get that to work...

My boys just loved those plates! They played with them for a LONG time!

looking forward to more!

Scrappie (J-)

I should be back on track with updates now. Thanks for sticking around!

 

[lisalisalisa]

I am really enjoying your report. Epcot was our favourite park when we visited in 2001 and I know my boys would love it there.

 

[hhockman]

Yay! So glad you saved China! Hope you "manage" to save Mexico too! Thanks for not giving too much away. We are SO doing the KP missions-probably more than one.

Just wondering...why didn't Dan just bring his food with him and eat it in Mexico so the rest of you could eat too?

Those puppets look cool. I'm definitely going to have the "spend your own money" rule going with those!

Can't wait to hear about Mexico! So glad you're back.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I am really enjoying your report. Epcot was our favourite park when we visited in 2001 and I know my boys would love it there.

Epcot is our favorite park as a family! We spend the most time there. Welcome!

Yay! So glad you saved China! Hope you "manage" to save Mexico too! Thanks for not giving too much away. We are SO doing the KP missions-probably more than one.

Just wondering...why didn't Dan just bring his food with him and eat it in Mexico so the rest of you could eat too?

Those puppets look cool. I'm definitely going to have the "spend your own money" rule going with those!

Can't wait to hear about Mexico! So glad you're back.

That noodle bowl didn't lend itself well to travel, so we just hung out till he was done. It was nice to just relax and let the boys play with their puppets.

Thanks for the "welcome back"! I've missed being here!

 

[MagicShell]

Sounds like Kim Possible is a fun thing to do. Maybe we will give it a try on our next trip. We have never spent much time touring the World Showcase, so maybe that will be a good way to do it.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Cool update. We did the Kim Possible Mission and were told to start in the U.K. It was so sunny and there were so many people around that it was hard to see and hear the communicator. So, Lacey and Hunter went off by themselves with the communicator and John and I strolled around. With three boys, I can see how you'd have been better off with two communicators.

Have you checked the allearsnet website to see if they the recipe for Dan's favorite noodles?

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Sounds like Kim Possible is a fun thing to do. Maybe we will give it a try on our next trip. We have never spent much time touring the World Showcase, so maybe that will be a good way to do it.

I'd say give it a try! I'm always amazed at people who don't spend time in the WS. It's my FAVORITE place to be!

Cool update. We did the Kim Possible Mission and were told to start in the U.K. It was so sunny and there were so many people around that it was hard to see and hear the communicator. So, Lacey and Hunter went off by themselves with the communicator and John and I strolled around. With three boys, I can see how you'd have been better off with two communicators.

Have you checked the allearsnet website to see if they the recipe for Dan's favorite noodles?

Oh man..I didn't even know they had those recipes there! I looked, but no noodle bowl...sadly. But I'm so gonna bookmark that and try a few of the other recipes. Thanks for the tip!!

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Great Update. We really liked the KP missions. What a great addition to WS. We love the movie in China as well. I just don't like the standing.

Thanks for reading my TR.

No BC for us. We've decided to stay at CSR.

Can't wait to hear more.

 

[lisalonglash]

Ooooooh, KP sounds like so much fun! About how long did it take you to complete each mission, do you think? I'd like to try it, but I'm not sure about taking a significant amount of time away from our WS day kwim?

Those puppets are neat! Are the two in the pictures the two that your boys took home?

I'm glad Dan inhaled .. I mean enjoyed (LOL) his lunch at the Lotus Blossom Cafe - sometimes, good Chinese food really hits the spot!

I can't wait to find out what fascinated Jonah in Mexico, what tasty treat Isaiah discovered and whether or not you were able to save Mexico!!