It's a Marshmallow World...at New Year's!The End! Future trip?? 7.21.14 Update

[TinksThree]

The Girls Take on the World!!​

We exited the theater after the amazing Candlelight Processional and once again tried to see what we wanted to do. The guys had chosen to remain at POP and not come back to Epcot. Madison and I decided to just do whatever we pleased!!

Since we were at American Adventure, we made our way to the little girls' room and why not grab a picture of the tree there also!



It was time for the Storyteller in Italy so we made a beeline over to Italy. We made it just in time and enjoyed what would be the final Storyteller this trip.







Once again we really enjoyed hearing the tales and I look forward to seeing more in future trips (optimism that there will be future Holiday trips!!
)

The times guide showed the Storyteller in Germany had one final "show" so we made our way to Germany. I stopped briefly to get a few pictures of the train area:





We arrive 5 minutes before the listed time and find this:



Unfortunately, that is all we got to see of this particular Storyteller. No one ever appeared, so we have no idea the reason for the no show. But our spirits were not discouraged! We did what any true, female does to overcome disappointment...WE SHOPPED!!!!!!

Our first stop is one of my favorites: The Christmas Store in Germany! And evidently I love these ornaments because I noticed upon our return that I have these same pictures from our last trip!!





Perhaps I should just purchase one next time I am there!!

And I adore this one as well!!





The window displays were so cute too!! Who doesn't love a Mickey ornament!?



We crossed over to the other side and the toy store and clock store. Entering this side we found these cute cow bells:



And then I purchased a cuckoo clock! This was one purchase I had saved my money for...I have wanted a cuckoo clock for so long and finally it was to be mine!!!

But I couldn't decide! I narrowed it down to:



or



There were just so many to choose from!!



In the end...I really had not saved the $1700-$2000 to make this purchase so we moved to the toy section!!!

I really had not been in this store for many years so I found it lots of fun! The beauty of this evening is that Madison and I were able to look at what we wanted at the pace we wanted! Unfortunately, the rain began to fall and this little store became super crowded super quick!! But I did manage a few pictures!!







The rain didn't last long and soon we were bidding Germany farewell for the night!



Continued in the following post...

 

[TinksThree]

Before long we found ourselves approaching China...



And we went shopping!!! (You'll notice we really haven't bought anything. Keith is always pleased that my "shopping" doesn't mean money has to be spent!!) But I did take a few pictures as we looked and Madison did make a purchase for her best friend, otherwise, we just enjoyed our leisure browsing!

Pretty fans:



Cute little trees:



After we had perused to our hearts' content we made our exit.



Madison loves elephants so I stopped for this guy:



And a Christmas tree outside Nine Dragons:



Next stop? Norway!!!



And more Christmas decorations:



We wandered through the store in Norway briefly and decided to head on out...



And then I remembered reading about the Frozen display in the church so we went to see what that was all about! It really had some interesting info on the filming/drawing/production of Frozen. Also the info included facts about the area of Norway the movie was set in.









We walked through Mexico but did not enter the pavilion:



And soon we were making our way back to Future World!!







And then what!?!?!?! Well, we'll decide that in the next installment!!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

How nice to have a relaxing girls' evening at Epcot to do whatever.

Haha, I wonder if being in that Germany shop brings the rain because the same thing happened to me.

 

[TinksThree]

How nice to have a relaxing girls' evening at Epcot to do whatever.

Haha, I wonder if being in that Germany shop brings the rain because the same thing happened to me.

It was pretty lovely!! It rains on us a lot in Germany and England. France comes in third. It has never rained on us while in any of the other countries except once in Mexico. I never thought about that! I wonder what's up with that!?

 

[TinksThree]

Doing What the Boys Won't!!​

As Madison and I entered into Future World, there was one place I really wanted to go so we headed here:



As we walked to The Land, we discussed what we wanted to do. We decided that maybe we should take advantage of doing the things the guys really didn't care for! We arrived at The Land and Soarin' still had wait times around 70 minutes. NOTE: This was not one of the rides the guys don't like, but we thought we should check it out and see since we were there!!

We made our way to the area on front of The Garden Grill and I located the items I had marked as wanting to see! Gingerbread displays!! I had read about these in one of the many blogs or podcasts I subscribe to and had made a note. They were very cool to see!!



Castles and mountains...



I see Spaceship Earth back there!!



The Eiffel Tower and The Leaning Tower of Pisa!!





Add in a cruise ship...



Close up time!



There were also displays that had received prizes...I assume (because that much time has passed) that these were made by Cast Members like the pumpkin carving at POP.











We felt we had spent a sufficient amount of time here and decided to move along. Madison asked if we could go here:



We headed that way and sat on one of the benches to wait for the next showing. We have done this once and were bored to death!! That was in 2009 and Madison could not remember what it was about. I reminded her and she suggested we head somewhere else. So, we did....

We made our way back into Future World...





And then we took a left...we had a little fish to find!!



This was a complete walk-on but I still managed a few pictures as we walked through the queue:







Continued in the following post...

 

[TinksThree]

Before long we were loaded into our Clam Mobile and headed off on an adventure with Nemo, Dory and all of our friends!!













I never, ever get good pictures on this ride. Never! And not that these were great but probably the best try I have ever had!

We then decided to go see a turtle talk...of course that would be Crush!!

We had never seen this because it is kind of for little ones but we didn't care! There was about a 15 minute wait so we looked around at the different fish and things...



Creepy eel things...lets take another look....



Okay, I know he can't help that he looks creepy but he is one creepy dude!!

Right next to Mr. Creepy Eel was this little fellow:



And this...



I spent a lot of time watching these fish swimming around!!





Found Nemo!!!







About this time Keith called and checked in with us...they were watching football at Petals (the pool bar at POP for those that don't know). They had gotten a burger at the food court and were happy. So, I told them we were going to do a few more things and then head back to meet up with them.

Then it was time for...



What a cute little attraction this is! We enjoyed it a lot and thought it isn't something we would do every trip, I'm glad we finally got to see Crush!!

On our way out we browsed the store for a few moments and a few things caught my eye:







Farewell Nemo and Friends!!



Continued in the following post...

 

[TinksThree]

Then we decided to do an attraction Keith really, really dislikes!!

It would be located here:



It's time to capture our imagination!!



Fun for the senses!!



















We said farewell to Figment and moved outside to the fountains where we wandered around a bit...



I love the leaping fountains:











By this time we were getting a little tired. It was getting close to 9 pm and we decided to call it a night!



This is one of my favorite pictures of Spaceship Earth:



Stitch was up to a little bit of mischief!!



Continued in the following post...

 

[TinksThree]

And Bambi was just being cute...









As we walked to the bus stop we could hear Illuminations and the fireworks. before long we were on a bus and unloading at POP! The windows had Christmas trees:



Keith and Chris had gotten their mugs that came with the DDP. So Madison and I swung through the food court to get ours. We filled our mugs with hot chocolate and made our way outside to find the guys.

MUGS: In 2009 I purchased us each a mug because I'd read what a necessity they are. We used them twice. HUGE waste of money!!! In October 2012, Keith and I got the mugs through the DDP and I got hot chocolate one night. HUGE waste of money...had it not been free with the DDP. This trip, we each got our mugs (I insisted since technically they are free but really...I paid tons of money for these things!!) We used them this one night and one night only! HUGE waste of money had we paid for them!! I will never buy mugs again! If we were flying it would probably be a different story but we have a cooler we bring in the car and a fridge in the room. I'm not toting those mugs around all day from either a fill-up in the morning or to have as we go to the room at night. And I'm not going to the room and then to the food court to return to my room...that tires me out thinking about it! Whew!! It works for most people but for us...we will grab if included but definitely never pay for the mugs! On the bright side...my nieces and nephews got souvenirs!! (I use the ones from 2009 daily because I love the design on those!)

Anyhoo...this is where we find the guys:



They were watching one of the many college football bowl games being shown that week. While the game finished up, I took a few pictures of my surroundings:







We made our way back to our room...



And brought this Sunday night to an end!!

Next, we enter into Monday...what is anticipated isn't always what you get!!

 

[IheartDDuck]

I do like the new Test Track. I'm not a huge fan of the line, but I do like the new design.

We hadn't eaten at Coral Reef for a while because the food was meh, but the last time we went, I really enjoyed it. Overall we definitely considered the mahi mahi to be the winner. Oh, and the chocolate wave!

Ohhhh, NOW I get Keith's disinterest. Dad and I had that one year. We were there over New Year's, last game of the season, Packers vs. I don't even remember who (you know I'm a HUGE Packer fan). But my Pop was awesome and we just kept tabs on it during the evening. They won and that was actually the year they won the Superbowl too.

No worries, my team made it nowhere in the playoffs too.

Awesome that you and Madison got some alone time.

I would have cried if I had to cancel the Processional with Gary Sinise too! I love him.

China is my favorite "shopping" place. I just love wandering around there.

We used to not use our mugs to the fullest either, but now we always make sure we use them profusely.

 

[saintstickets]

We crossed over to the other side and the toy store and clock store. Entering this side we found these cute cow bells:

Whew!!! I'm glad you didn't say you purchased a cow bell for a certain State fan in the family!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Weren't those Gingerbread displays amazing??? I hadn't known about them in advance, so it was totally a pleasant surprise.

HAHA, OMG I actually thought you were going to do the Circle of Life.

I've never done Turtle Talk either, but I've been told by a friend on the DIS that the next time we're there at the same time, she's making me go, lol. Which is cool, because I really do want to see this.

Ahhh I adore Epcot at night. So pretty.

I actually do get my full value from the mugs, but I imagine it's because I make sure of it. I probably fill mine 3-4 times a day, so I for sure come out ahead. BUT, I can also definitely see it not working for some.

 

[amandaw]

What a wonderful night y'all had in EPCOT!

The CP has never been high on my "want to try" list but if we go back during Christmas time again, I will have to reconsider.

I love those cuckoo clocks! They're beautiful except for their price.

And I'm with you on the mugs....big waste of money if I didn't get them with the DDP. We have hardly ever used ours during trips only once we're home.

 

[TinksThree]

I do like the new Test Track. I'm not a huge fan of the line, but I do like the new design.

We hadn't eaten at Coral Reef for a while because the food was meh, but the last time we went, I really enjoyed it. Overall we definitely considered the mahi mahi to be the winner. Oh, and the chocolate wave!

Honestly...I ordere the mahi mahi due to your TR! The Chocolate Wave was a given!!

Ohhhh, NOW I get Keith's disinterest. Dad and I had that one year. We were there over New Year's, last game of the season, Packers vs. I don't even remember who (you know I'm a HUGE Packer fan). But my Pop was awesome and we just kept tabs on it during the evening. They won and that was actually the year they won the Superbowl too.

No worries, my team made it nowhere in the playoffs too.

Yes...I'm not sure what I was thinking planning something on gameday! As you know, I pull for the Packers too when the Saints aren't involved so I was sad when they lost out.

Awesome that you and Madison got some alone time.

I would have cried if I had to cancel the Processional with Gary Sinise too! I love him.

China is my favorite "shopping" place. I just love wandering around there.

We used to not use our mugs to the fullest either, but now we always make sure we use them profusely.

Every time I think I'll make an effort to use them lots but it just doesn't happen.

Whew!!! I'm glad you didn't say you purchased a cow bell for a certain State fan in the family!

Thankfully he doesn't do the whole cowbell thing. That can give you a headache!!

Weren't those Gingerbread displays amazing??? I hadn't known about them in advance, so it was totally a pleasant surprise.

They were amazing! I'm amazed at the details!!

HAHA, OMG I actually thought you were going to do the Circle of Life.

I wonder how many people go there more than once?

I've never done Turtle Talk either, but I've been told by a friend on the DIS that the next time we're there at the same time, she's making me go, lol. Which is cool, because I really do want to see this.

It is cute! Definitely worth one visit (for an adult anyway)!

Ahhh I adore Epcot at night. So pretty.

Me too...one of my faves!!!

I actually do get my full value from the mugs, but I imagine it's because I make sure of it. I probably fill mine 3-4 times a day, so I for sure come out ahead. BUT, I can also definitely see it not working for some.

Yes, I know it is fabulous for many if not most. We just haven't made it work for us...yet

What a wonderful night y'all had in EPCOT!

The CP has never been high on my "want to try" list but if we go back during Christmas time again, I will have to reconsider.

I love those cuckoo clocks! They're beautiful except for their price.

And I'm with you on the mugs....big waste of money if I didn't get them with the DDP. We have hardly ever used ours during trips only once we're home.

CP was so great! Hopefully you can try it sometime! I guess the handiwork is reflected in the cost...I hope so anyway!!

Yea, we just forget about them or the hassle is too much. But a
at home they get a major workout!

 

[TinksThree]

Happy April 1!!! It's hard to believe April is here!! And today is a picture perfect afternoon...sitting on my front porch, listening to birds chirp and lawnmowers down the road...80 degrees and a breeze gently blowing the wind chimes...ahhhh, Spring!! Well, as I type this, this is my view:



It's just too nice to be inside!!

When what's anticipated doesn't always work out...​

Saturday we finished traveling to Disney, we made our way to Hollywood Studios for the afternoon and then to Epcot for dinner at Chefs de France.

Sunday we found ourselves spending the day at Epcot and lunch at Coral Reef and then the girls and guys splitting up...girls to Candlelight Processional and the guys to watch football.

And here we are on Monday!! I had great plans for this Monday including lunch at Be Our Guest. This day was also EMH and Magic Kingdom opened at 7am. I planned on being there for the Welcome Show. I have missed that show the past four trips. I really miss seeing it...it is one of those moments that makes me feel all Disneyfied!!

I got up and was dressed and ready...Chris and Madison decided they would go to so I waited on them. While waiting I snapped a few pictures outside our room:







And our room:



And they still weren't ready so a few pictures on the other side of our building:



Remember earlier I said I must have waited here a lot? It's because I have lots of "bored" pictures of this area!!







And they still weren't ready, so I took a picture of the walkway, the area for the elevator and our room. Why you ask? Because the first night all I heard was "ding, ding, ding" from that elevator. It sounded like it was inside my room!! And actually, it was a decent way away:

From our doorway (we were the second room after the cut away to the pool):



And from the elevator "hallway" where our room is on the other side of the light:



Seriously, I think they could turn the dinger noise level down on that thing! It was loud enough to leave an impression and me take pictures!!

Finally we were headed to the Magic Kingdom!!! Of course, I missed the show by about 20 minutes!! I guess it really is hard to get up and dressed to leave at 6:30am!!

Continued in the following post...

 

[TinksThree]

We arrive to gray skies and a beautifully decorated Main Street!!



Plus a Mary Poppins sighting!!









Basically...our arrival time:



We stopped briefly and watched these guys and gals sing:











Then we arrived at our first destination:



With the early morning hours, I guess it was hard for many people to show up, so the ride was a walk-on. This meant we rode Space twice!!!!

Ride #1



And Ride #2





We then headed over to Fantasyland...which was only a little crowded. Those annoying strollers all in the way, all of the time!!:



Okay so that was a joke...

And...I'm stopping here...don't want an ugly mob when supper isn't ready!! But needless to say we are about to embark on a day that we did not anticipate...oh the anticipation!!!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Haha, yeah, April 1 looked a little different here.

I love seeing pictures around POP, but MY GOD it makes me "homesick".

I adore the early morning in the parks. I can't help but get completely energized.

 

[scottny]

Fun times in Epcot.
I never good pics on Nemo either.
Nice Figment pics.
Too bad you missed the opening show. I have never seen it but one day maybe.
LOL at the strollers joke. I can see how it would get nasty between people there.

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

All caught up!

I can't wait to see the CP again! I saw it with Whoopi Goldberg a long time ago and I am really hoping to see Neil Patrick Harris!

Great updates can't wait to read more!

 

[IheartDDuck]

It's 35 degrees here still. Spring is a myth!

Awww, bored pictures. I think waiting "outside" for people makes you think they're going to move faster. I find that it doesn't work.

Early morning is the absolute best. I have to admit though, I struggle with getting up that early. But when I make it, I remember why it's worth it.

 

[amandaw]

Sorry to hear you didn't make the opening show @ MK.

But, you can't just leave us hanging as to what happened this day! Well, I guess you can because you did. I am very interested to hear what happened on this day.