I can't believe he said yes! We conquered June! the end...9.10.10

[WeluvE.Y.]

Joining in! Cant wait for more.

 

[TinksThree]

Joining in! Cant wait for more.

Welcome!!! So glad to have you joining me!!

 

[TinksThree]

Joining in! Cant wait for more.

Welcome! So glad to have you join me!!!

 

[TinksThree]

After we leave Le Cellier, I send the kids to Test Track to get FPs for later and then Keith and I sit on a bench overlooking the lake. While we wait, we feed the birds and ducks some Goldfish crackers. The white birds were vicious to the ducks!

Finally the kids return and I had an idea as we were waiting!

We can ride the Friendship Boat to Morocco since we have already completed the Canada to France portion! In The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, they claim this isn’t a great mode of transportation. Well, we did not have to wait long and it only took about 5-10 minutes to get to the other side. I will definitely keep this in mind next time!!

Onboard the Friendship Boat!

And along the way:

As we dock in Morocco, I see Belle and the Beast. I can tell the line is cut off but I walk over to get the time they will return…3:20pm. Alright then…on to Japan! We have a pearl to find!

One of the big to-dos was Pick-a-Pearl in Japan. I had purchased a carriage cage online and this was to be Madison’s “special” souvenir. We head to Japan and look around a bit.

Then we make our way to the Pick-a-Pearl area. I pay and Madison gets all set to choose her oyster…

The oyster is opened...what will we have????

Maybe there is something in there!!

This is one of two! We have twin pearls! One was 6 1/2 and the other was 6 3/4

Madison and her pearls, although difficult to see in the salt!

And the banging of the drums! This embarressed poor Madison slightly and caused the tears in the above pic!

It all happened so fast, that I missed some good photo-ops and I had also wanted to film the event. I will be better prepared next time!!

The pearl in the carriage cage:

This was so much fun and I can’t wait to take my Mom here and do this for her!!
Continued in the next post!

 

[TinksThree]

We then wander around the store some more

and then go in search of Keith, who has been sitting all of this time.

We run into a PP and pause for some pics:

Madison and I split with Keith and Chris so we can go line up for Belle. We get to the area around 3:10 and one other couple come up. We wait and we wait and we wait. At 3:30 we find out it is really at 3:40…then the Beast comes out…What??? We wanted Belle! If I had known it was just the Beast, we would not have wasted 40 minutes of our valuable time! UGH!! (sorry Beast fans….) We do meet him though since we waited so long!

While we were waiting for the above, Keith and Chris rejoined us. On their way, Mo’ Rockin’ was performing and Keith decided Morocco was a great country! This is us while we wait!

We leave the Beast and make our way to The American Adventure.

First we have to go through Morocco!!

Just as we arrive the Fife and Drums come out! Perfect timing! Keith really liked this part. We love going to Williamsburg, VA so this evoked memories from there!

After the Fifes and Drums, we head inside to hear The Voices of Liberty. They are so good!! It was a highlight last year and they did not disappoint again this year.

Then we stuck around for the show.

We walked the maze and found our seats. I was impressed. I kept telling everyone I did not know what to expect but it wasn’t bad! The whole thing does take time though so by the time we exit it is roughly 5pm.

So just how much further can we (or should I say Keith make it???)

 

[wlake]

I love that carriage cage for the pearl! Where did you find it?

 

[SurfinTX]

After we leave Le Cellier, I send the kids to Test Track to get FPs for later and then Keith and I sit on a bench overlooking the lake. While we wait, we feed the birds and ducks some Goldfish crackers. The white birds were vicious to the ducks!

The white birds did look exotic. I guess they have the personality of geese around other fowl.

Finally the kids return and I had an idea as we were waiting!

We can ride the Friendship Boat to Morocco since we have already completed the Canada to France portion! In The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, they claim this isn’t a great mode of transportation. Well, we did not have to wait long and it only took about 5-10 minutes to get to the other side. I will definitely keep this in mind next time!!

The wait can be hit or miss. When we took the boat from Germany we had to wait for the Illuminations barges to get out of the way. Still it beats having to walk across 4 countries as Keith I'm sure would agree!

One of the big to-dos was Pick-a-Pearl in Japan. I had purchased a carriage cage online and this was to be Madison’s “special” souvenir. We head to Japan and look around a bit.

It looks far less crowded than when were there the day before. We were fighting crowds in front of the drummers, candy making and dinner lines in the evening.

And the banging of the drums! This embarressed poor Madison slightly and caused the tears in the above pic!

Maybe she was just a bit overwhelmed in the moment. I bet she will enjoy the memories for some time. Dianna walked by the Pick a Pearl counter but I'm not sure she realized what it was. I'm hoping to surprise her next time since my birthstone is Pearl. I would like it to be a special moment without all the kids running araund if ya know what I mean?

We then wander around the store some more

Dianna was checking out the Hello Kitty wall.

and then go in search of Keith, who has been sitting all of this time.

I didn't realize that Kieth missed the Pick a Pearl! That foot must be really hurting!

Madison and I split with Keith and Chris so we can go line up for Belle. We get to the area around 3:10 and one other couple come up. We wait and we wait and we wait. At 3:30 we find out it is really at 3:40…then the Beast comes out…What??? We wanted Belle! If I had known it was just the Beast, we would not have wasted 40 minutes of our valuable time! UGH!! (sorry Beast fans….) We do meet him though since we waited so long!

Now that's just not right! I would agree with you that they need to be met as a pair.

While we were waiting for the above, Keith and Chris rejoined us. On their way, Mo’ Rockin’ was performing and Keith decided Morocco was a great country!

Mo' Rockin' was playing as we were in Morocco as well. Dianna kept rolling her eyes as me and Kyler wanted to catch the show as well.

Just as we arrive the Fife and Drums come out! Perfect timing! Keith really liked this part. We love going to Williamsburg, VA so this evoked memories from there!

We missed out on most everything in America. The timing we had leaving Italy was poor so we ended up just doing the Kidcot station and browsing a shop.

After the Fifes and Drums, we head inside to hear The Voices of Liberty. They are so good!! It was a highlight last year and they did not disappoint again this year.

Then we stuck around for the show.

We walked the maze and found our seats. I was impressed. I kept telling everyone I did not know what to expect but it wasn’t bad! The whole thing does take time though so by the time we exit it is roughly 5pm.

When our two little ones get older we think they will enjoy American Experience more. Still, I bet Keith enjoyed sitting down in air conditioning.

So just how much further can we (or should I say Keith make it???)

Since you ask I'm going to predict Germany since the boat can take you back to Future World from there. After that it's a long hike.

 

[kate_wdw]

I love the carriage setting - so pretty!

And your DH is really being a trooper!

 

[mermaid764]

Another awesome update!

I love the pick a pearl pics...I also ordered that pearl cage for our trip at the end of the month and am excited to get to try this.

That's too bad that they didn't inform everyone that Belle would not be returning as I'm sure you weren't the only ones who thought you were waiting for both.

I can't believe your at the last day already but hopefully your last night in the world was a great one.

Can't wait to hear more

 

[Goofy442]

Finally all caught up. I love the pearls, can you buy somehting to set them in there.

 

[TinksThree]

I love that carriage cage for the pearl! Where did you find it?

It is really nice! I was pleased when it came in the mail! The link is http://cgi.ebay.com/18K-WGP-PEARL-C...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ad95dd032

Since you ask I'm going to predict Germany since the boat can take you back to Future World from there. After that it's a long hike.

I am not sure why...but that white bird makes me think of the bird on Up! We sat on these benches for about 30 minutes so we got an idea about the boat's timing. I can definitely see it being hit or miss. But it is nice to know it is there!!!

Madison is very tender hearted and does not like attention focused on her. The whole event created a crowd, so the bigger the crowd the more she was overwhelmed! I kind of felt bad that I didn't warn her but I really didn't think it would be such a big deal! I remember your day it was very packed! I so wanted to see the drummers!

Tell Dianna I can empathize with the whole Mo Rockin' experience!!

I think the American Adventure is definitely for older kids! Otherwise it goes over their heads. I am a history buff so I loved the whole thing! I do believe it is something to be experienced at least once!

Don't you just love guessing games!?!?!? You will just have to continue reading to find out!!!

I love the carriage setting - so pretty!

And your DH is really being a trooper!

It is a very nice piece and very inexpensive!! I am so thankful for the trooper he was being....I think he knew how much I loved Epcot because my dad and I always go on and on about that park!!

Another awesome update!

I love the pick a pearl pics...I also ordered that pearl cage for our trip at the end of the month and am excited to get to try this.

That's too bad that they didn't inform everyone that Belle would not be returning as I'm sure you weren't the only ones who thought you were waiting for both.

I can't believe your at the last day already but hopefully your last night in the world was a great one.

Can't wait to hear more

You will really enjoy doing PaP! The girl even taught Madison a few Japanese words/greetings and we had to bow. I forgot about that but it was very cool!

I specifically asked when will Belle be back and didn't mention the Beast (of course the CM could have not been aware). It really wouldn't have been that big of a deal if we weren't already on a tight schedule!! We were happy to see the Beast though since it was our first time...we just really wanted to see Belle!!

The last day always sneaks up!! Without giving too much away...I wouldn't be sitting on the edge of my seat for the nights events!!

Finally all caught up. I love the pearls, can you buy somehting to set them in there.

There are lots of settings to choose from in the store. There is a thread on the Dis Boards where I got most of my info about PaP. I just am not sure the costs of the on-site settings! This is at least one thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520941&highlight=pick+a+pearl

 

[jc040404]

Love your update! There is sooo much in World Showcase that we haven't gotten to yet. I need to make a list. Some of this sounds like so much fun. It sucks that Belle wasn't out with the Beast, but I have noticed him out alone before. We got lucky to see them both together and my boys were terrified of Beast. I can't imagine many little ones wanting to stop just for him. I've always wondered why they don't have the Beast out in his human form actually. Can't wait to read the rest!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Awww...I'm so sad we missed American Adventure on this last trip -- those voices are just amazing!! They really stir up your patriotic spirit, don't they?

I did that pick a pearl thing in at Hilo Hattie's in Hawaii, and felt like I got scammed, a little...I'm glad your experiences there at the World are rewarding!

 

[ksl5f123]

for twin pearls!!! They are beautiful. What are you going to do with the 2nd one? The store in Japan is so much fun. I could send a while in there.

Wow! You got to see the Fife & Drum corp and Voices of Liberty. I had them both on our original schedule, but somehow we become a mess when we go to Epcot and we never even made it to the American Adventure.

 

[TinksThree]

Love your update! There is sooo much in World Showcase that we haven't gotten to yet. I need to make a list. Some of this sounds like so much fun. It sucks that Belle wasn't out with the Beast, but I have noticed him out alone before. We got lucky to see them both together and my boys were terrified of Beast. I can't imagine many little ones wanting to stop just for him. I've always wondered why they don't have the Beast out in his human form actually. Can't wait to read the rest!

I love the World Showcase! There are so many things to see, watch and do! I still have a list of things I have yet to accomplish!

The Beast is HUGE! Madison is a petite little thing but he still swallowed her! And he can't sign autographs with his big paws which was one reason we were disappointed....we were collecting autographs for my friend's daughter! That would be cool if he were in human form....they did it to Ariel!!

Awww...I'm so sad we missed American Adventure on this last trip -- those voices are just amazing!! They really stir up your patriotic spirit, don't they?

I did that pick a pearl thing in at Hilo Hattie's in Hawaii, and felt like I got scammed, a little...I'm glad your experiences there at the World are rewarding!

Last year the Fifes and Drums played a tribute to the military that was so good. There were so many verterans around and being thanked for their service. Plus being in a military family...it evoked such pride in being American...regardless of any political/war views. But the Voices of Liberty are awesome!! I wish I could join in and sing...well I could but I would be outlawed from Epcot...forever!!

The PaP was fun....sorry you may have gotten scammed !! That is no fun!!!

for twin pearls!!! They are beautiful. What are you going to do with the 2nd one? The store in Japan is so much fun. I could send a while in there.

Wow! You got to see the Fife & Drum corp and Voices of Liberty. I had them both on our original schedule, but somehow we become a mess when we go to Epcot and we never even made it to the American Adventure.

I ordered a 2nd cage so Madison and I now have matching necklaces! Had I known we would be lucky...I would have ordered the 2nd cage pre-trip!!

Both the Fifes and Drums and Voices of Liberty are so good! Hopefully you will make it there! Your kids might get a little board with the show part right now but it is also dark.....so it could be a good nap opp!! Unfortuantely, I had great plans to see entertainment this trip....and that got all messed up!!

 

[TinksThree]

This post has become most frustating!! I am having many troubles and deleted all my hard work ...so I attempt again! I blame it on the EXTREME heat!!! I am so glad I can remain indoors and do some and also some !!!....AND EDIT before I even post! Photobucket is NOT my friend today, so please excuse the huge pics!! I refuse to risk losing my post AGAIN!!

We left off leaving The American Adventure around 5pm. Keith is beginning to get tired and his foot is still bothering him, so we decide to glide through the remaining countries.

We make a brief stop in Italy to buy some candy. While we looked around Keith...can you say it with me???....sat on a bench!! Actually a table, in the lower left corner:

I love these masks!! When I was a teen my room looked soemthing like this...only without these prices tags!!

Germany doesn’t have much so we did not spend any time here. I snap a couple of pics to document our walk-through:

Next was China.

Keith sat while we made our way around the garden area. This was what Keith looked at:

Mulan was out but they had just closed her line.

This was the story of our Princesses for the day. The same thing happened with Jasmine and Aladdin! Every time, the lines were just closing. Next time I am doing the Princess Storybook meal and knocking it all out at one time!!!

We go inside the temple area where the museum is. I think this is so interesting about the Terra Cotta Warriors.

We then wander through the store before reconnecting with Keith.

A brief stop in Norway

where Madison is attacked!

So we decide not to hang out here too long!!

Next we head to:

I really wanted Keith to experience Maelstrom and the boat ride in Mexico if for no other reason than the experience itself. But that just wasn’t happening!

Keith and I get some margaritas in Mexico. He got a strawberry and I got the mango.

I had also wanted a Grey Goose Mariner in France but the day was just too hot to consider many drinks! The margaritas were good and cold!!

Continued in the next post.....

 

[TinksThree]

Keith chooses not to do Test Track, so I hand him my drink and head off with the kids. We get in the FP line and are ready to load when low and behold….guess what happens? I bet this will be hard for people to believe but Test Track actually went down! Can you believe that?! We all have to exit and are given new FPs-not that it matters to us, so we hand ours off to someone else. We go find Keith (with the kids pouting because they wanted to ride TT so bad). I ask for my drink and he points to the ground….

Me: ”You spilled it??? It cost $9!”

Keith: “No, a squirrel did”

Me: “uhm…okay…how???”

Basically, he sat my drink down on a ledge around the bushes while he was waiting. A squirrel come out of the bushes and proceeds to enjoy my mango margarita. When Keith tried to shoe him away, the squirrel knocked the drink off the ledge and ran. He later came back to clean up his mess. I guess he enjoyed that $9 drink!!! The squirrel did seem a little tipsy running through people's legs!!

With Test Track out, the kids head off to Mission Space,

I go to Mousegears to shop and Keith finds…you guess it….a bench! (Seriously...I am not picking on him...I promise!!)

We all meet back up and head out. I try to get us on Spaceship Earth but the line is long and Keith refuses so onward to the hotel.

One final look at the "great golf ball" before we depart:

So how do I rank our day at Epcot on a scale of 1-10?

Keith perserveres and takes one for his dear wifey: 10
Seeing entertainment in each country: 2
We only saw the Voices of Liberty and Fifes and Drums
Meeting and collecting Princess autogaphs/pics: 3
Aurora is the only princess, but we did see Marie, the Beast and Mulan
The attractions: 5
We managed about half of our goals
Lunch at Le Cellier 8
I enjoyed my lunch but I saw yesterday the supper is now 2
TS...not worth it for me to give up 2 TS!!
Bonuses: 8
We got to see Figment for the 1st time, breakfast at Sunshine
Seasons, just sitting by the lake, riding the Friendship boat, and
watching a squirrel get drunk!!

We are back at the room by 6:30pm.

Our evening has no pictures because it was so not full of excitement! We got back to the room, and pretty much watched tv and then we went to Chick-fil-A for supper. I love Chick-fil-A but the chicken nuggets were so over cooked. We asked the drive-thru guy how to get back to WDW Resort area and he doesn't know...winds up it was 2 miles down the road we were on...CRAZY!!! I think maybe he gets tired of answering that question!

We return to our room, eat and begin packing since tomorrow morning was check out day. This was not exactly the most exciting way to end the Disney portion of our trip! But at least we have one more meeting with the Mouse himself! Chef Mickey’s is coming up!!!

 

[stimmons]

Me: ”You spilled it??? It cost $9!”

Keith: “No, a squirrel did”

Me: “uhm…okay…how???”

Basically, he sat my drink down on a ledge around the bushes while he was waiting. A squirrel come out of the bushes and proceeds to enjoy my mango margarita. When Keith tried to shoe him away, the squirrel knocked the drink off the ledge and ran. He later came back to clean up his mess. I guess he enjoyed that $9 drink!!! The squirrel did seem a little tipsy running through people's legs!!

Haaaaa! A drunk squirrel in Disney World!!!!

 

[ksl5f123]

Keith perserveres and takes one for his dear wifey: 10

He gets a big for that one!

Seeing entertainment in each country: 2
We only saw the Voices of Liberty and Fifes and Drums

I think it is getting harder to see the shows. We had a tough time too.

Meeting and collecting Princess autogaphs/pics: 3
Aurora is the only princess, but we did see Marie, the Beast and Mulan

Do the princess dining - make THEM come to you.

The attractions: 5
We managed about half of our goals

Not bad! Test track does seem to be down a lot!

Bonuses: 8
We got to see Figment for the 1st time, breakfast at Sunshine
Seasons, just sitting by the lake, riding the Friendship boat, and
watching a squirrel get drunk!!

about the squirrel. What a mental image that is!

 

[mermaid764]

Haha lol too funny about the squirell, not what anyone expects to see at WDW.

I'm sorry to hear your last night didn't go the way you had hoped, hopefully chef mickey's made up for it