Lightsabers, Mouse Kisses and a Man in a Lucky Shirt! A January 2010 TR

[Monny2AE]

Ohana....sweet sweet Ohana....how I miss thee.

Great update!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Waiting too long to get to the potty is never good! At least now you own some very overpriced (I'm sure) disney underwear!

Yes! We call them "Poly panties"!!!

I love your pictures, especially the one with the whole family and Mickey (mouse, not server, lol).

Thanks! We like them too!

Ohana....sweet sweet Ohana....how I miss thee.

Great update!

I miss it too! I made waffles for breakfast a few weeks ago and the kids said " Mom, these are good, but NOT as good as when they are shaped like Mickey!"

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Love that you call them your "poly panties".

I enjoyed the beignets and agree that they need to be eaten hot. Of course I also like the likiliki (something like that) juice. I just don't think I could consume both items at the same time.

 

[praisehisname]

Great update! You got some beautiful pics of the Poly! We love the Ohana breakfast, too. Haven't tried the dinner yet, but plan to on our next trip.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

CHAPTER 12: A Rainy afternoon in Epcot!

We arrived at Epcot at about the same time the sun disappeared and the clouds started to roll in! YUP – it was gonna rain!! With that in mind we decided to take our jackets and leave the rest of our stuff in a locker.

That taken care of, I offered to go and fetch us some FP's for Test Track while Ken took the girls to Innoventions for a bit. They had seen the Runtime game the previous day and wanted to try it out.

Before that though we saw a Photopass person and decided to have some fun pictures taken! We had seen her doing “the balloons picture” with another family so we asked for that!

I ran for FP's and I believe we had a return time of about 1:55 or so. These are the photos Ken took of the girls creating their game!

It is so cool – you put in your email addy and they will actually send you a link to your game that you can play from home!!! So cute.

My memory is getting a little fuzzy on what happened next but I think that we went to ride The Seas with Nemo!! It must have ben getting close to our FP return time because we didn't stay for the next Crush show but just the customary photo op with Big Bad Bruce before heading over to ride TT

By the time we arrived at Test Track it was raining so the FP pics have me with my hood up!! Ken figured out exactly when they take the picture so he was able to ham it up for the camera!! What a funny guy!!

We then decided to head into the World Showcase. It was after 2pm by this point, we had ADRs for 6pm and the girls still wanted to do their masks!! They were determined to do every single one!!!

First up was Mexico. We rode the ride, the girls did some colouring and we procured a plastic bag to keep their masks in so they would stay somewhat dry in the rain. We also tried on some fun hats and shook a few maracas!!

Next up was Norway where we donned the viking wear and took some more silly pictures! Natalie was terrified of the big troll so I had to do it this time!! We rode the Maelstrom as well this time – all of us! Last year was Nat was so scared of the waterfall that she wouldn't even consider it! She braved her fears this year and actually enjoyed it!!

We moseyed on over to China and got to see the acrobats this time and the girls got to meet Mulan! We also enjoyed the Clay Warriors and waited out the rain for a bit!! The girls did some shopping and each bought a gift for the other!! Emily bought Natalie a fan and Natalie bought some chopsticks for them to share!!

We decided to bypass Germany as we would be eating there later and headed on over to Italy. Last year we took a GREAT family photo quite by accident in Italy! We decided to try and get another!

The rain had other ideas! We searched for a good spot but couldn't find one we were willing to set the camera upon. Finally we accosted a young man and his girl friend and asked them if they would take our photo. He agreed and then we returned the favour! The picture didn't turn out so great cause Em was being a bit too silly, alas!

We made it to American adventure and had just enough time to do a pic in front of the fountain and for the girls to get the tags on their masks before we needed to turn around and head back to Germany for our 6:15pm ADR @ Biergarten.

continued in next post!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

We arrived at the podium to check in right before 6. There was quite a crowd so I expected us to have to wait for quite a while. Imagine my surprise when we were paged almost immediately! We were seated with a family from the Gulf coast of Florida who had just driven up for the weekend!

The music began quite quickly and the girls were eager to dance! We told they could go for a few minutes until we were ready to get our food! It was tough to haul them off the dance floor! They were having a great time!!

We ate lunch at Biergarten last year and Ken enjoyed it SO much that he pleaded with me for a repeat! I relented and decided that we would try supper this time! I don't know what it was but I much preferred our lunch last year. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it – the food is GREAT!!!

Perhaps last year being lunch time it was a bit more calm and relaxed or maybe I was just plain ole worn out! Whatever the reason, I just didn't enjoy the experience as much this year! I think we will take a break from the Biergarten on our next trip! I didn't even take any pictures of the food or Anything!!

Well, once we were done with our dinner which I believe was about 7:30 or so by the time we got the girls off the dance floor again, we headed off to finish their masks! It was a very fast whirlwind tour of the World Showcase to get the rest of their attachments and stamps! We did it though!! I tell you, I have never seen either of them so determined to finish something!!

When they were finished their masks, it was about 8:30 and we decided to find a good spot to watch Illuminations! I had not seen this show since 1994 and Ken and the girls had NEVER seen it! We walked around the lagoon from Canada all the way back to the spot between Italy and Germany. We found an empty piece of railing on the bridge of sighs! It was a sweet spot!

I took the girls to the washroom and then we hauled out the glow bracelets and necklaces I had saved for just this occasion! We stood and people watched while we waiting for the show to start. Ken quite enjoyed the pre show music and decided to try and find a copy of it in a store before we left.

Illuminations started and I have to say.....that I was quite UN impressed! My apologies to those who just LOVE this show! I remember the one I saw a couple of times in the early '90s and this show just DOES NOT COMPARE!!! I much prefer Wishes! I have heard rumours that Illuminations is quite due for a rehab and perhaps a new show will replace the current one!

Once it was over we took our time walking around the rest of the Lagoon and even stopped at the Outpost so the girls could play a little on the African drums! They really enjoyed that! By that time I was just too plum tuckered out to even take pictures!

Once we made it back to the Future World side the crowds were starting to dissipate so we wandered into Mouseworks to look for a CD for Ken! He found one he liked and made the purchase and then we went out to take one last look at the “golfball”! We even found a Photopass person to snap a couple pics for us! We left the park by about 9:45 and were tucked into bed by 10:30!! What a Great Day!

 

[lexmas]

What a great day in Epcot. Sounds like you made the best of the rain, and I loved reading about all the fun you had in all those countries!

Too bad biergarten fell short, but it sounds like the girls had fun. Sometimes a repeat performance just isn't as fun as you thought it would be. Resturaunts are always like that for me, for some reason!

Seems like such a peaceful end to the day!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Great update! Looks like you sure made the best of a rainy day in Epcot.

Love all the pics!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Cool update - sometimes the rain is no big deal! And lots of people leave the parks! I love that your girls wanted to get every country on the masks!

I've never been excited about Biergarten. Probably b/c I don't like sausage, potato salad etc. I grew up in a total German town too! It's definitely not on my list. I don't even like beer! Too bad you weren't feeling it that night.

Love the "ball" picture at night!

 

[Dancegrl624]

What a great (rainy) night at Epcot! Madison has not yet made a mask, so maybe we'll do that in Sept. I remember eating at Biergarten when I was little. Do the CM's still go into the crowd and pull people out to dance? They did that to my grandfather and he loved it. We used to always eat at Alfredo's (now Tutto Italia) and the waiters always used to flirt with my older sister!

I can't believe you didn't like IllumiNations! It's pretty much tied with Wishes for me. I adore the music, so maybe I overlook everything else. The music always makes me want to dance.

 

[praisehisname]

I'm impressed with how much you got done in the rain. That's cool that the girls were able to finish their masks, too. Sorry dinner (and Illuminations) wasn't as good as you hoped.

 

[Monny2AE]

I think you should plan a trip back to Disney right away so you can give Illuminations another try! It's my absolute favorite- the story behind it and the music- I wish I was there watching it right now!

Love the photopass pics with the balloons! How fun!

I miss it too! I made waffles for breakfast a few weeks ago and the kids said " Mom, these are good, but NOT as good as when they are shaped like Mickey!"

I've searched high and low for a Mickey waffle maker to have at home but the only ones I found were recalled for fire hazard. Guess we'll just have to go back soon.

 

[Pluto_fan]

Great update, Kim! I love your pictures--you have such a cute family.

I'm sorry Biergarten wasn't as good as the first time. We love it! With all the great-sounding restaurants around World Showcase, we keep ending up back at Biergarten. My family needs to get more adventurous!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I'm not an illuminations fan either. Some can take it or leave it.

That certainly was one long day.

 

[my2disneyboys]

Hi! I am all caught up!! I read the ENTIRE report tonight! My husband just told me the Celtics are loosing tonight because I am on this computer and not watching them! (If they win this game then they win the finals, but it doesnt look like that will happen)

You have a beautiful family! I have enjoyed hearing all about your trip and loved all your pictures! I can't believe you got a kiss from Mickey!!! We stayed at POFQ in 09 and then a trip of a lifetime at the Poly January 29-February 5th 2010 but guess where we are staying this year?? Back to POFQ!! Believe it or not, the whole time we were at the Poly I was missing the POFQ!!

oh we love Arrested Development too!!!!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

What a great day in Epcot. Sounds like you made the best of the rain, and I loved reading about all the fun you had in all those countries!

Too bad biergarten fell short, but it sounds like the girls had fun. Sometimes a repeat performance just isn't as fun as you thought it would be. Resturaunts are always like that for me, for some reason!

Seems like such a peaceful end to the day!

In all honesty, the rain wasn't THAT bad! It was prettu much a light drizzle for most of the day EXCEPT when we where on Test Track! We were quite fine in just our light jackets - people were walking around in GARBAGE BAGS like it was a monsoon or something!

I am willing to admit that perhaps it was me that was different and NOT Biergarten! I think that I was just tired and grumpy! I would be willing to go there again - but I think we will try a few different places first!

Great update! Looks like you sure made the best of a rainy day in Epcot.

Love all the pics!

Hi Shelly!! Like I said above, the rain really wasn't THAT bad! It was still pretty warm that day so over all it was not too bad!

Cool update - sometimes the rain is no big deal! And lots of people leave the parks! I love that your girls wanted to get every country on the masks!

I've never been excited about Biergarten. Probably b/c I don't like sausage, potato salad etc. I grew up in a total German town too! It's definitely not on my list. I don't even like beer! Too bad you weren't feeling it that night.

Love the "ball" picture at night!

Yep - rain makes people disappear from the parks!! I think I know the place where you grew up - Ken is absolutely dying to go there sometime!! He absolutely adores German food!! AND beer!!

What a great (rainy) night at Epcot! Madison has not yet made a mask, so maybe we'll do that in Sept. I remember eating at Biergarten when I was little. Do the CM's still go into the crowd and pull people out to dance? They did that to my grandfather and he loved it. We used to always eat at Alfredo's (now Tutto Italia) and the waiters always used to flirt with my older sister!

I can't believe you didn't like IllumiNations! It's pretty much tied with Wishes for me. I adore the music, so maybe I overlook everything else. The music always makes me want to dance.

Maddy should definitely do a mask if she is into that sort of thing! My girls LOVE it!!! I think they will want to do one again whenever we get back there again!! We also encourage them to talk to the CM's from the other countries. Ask them questions about their countries and find out something interesting!

I'm impressed with how much you got done in the rain. That's cool that the girls were able to finish their masks, too. Sorry dinner (and Illuminations) wasn't as good as you hoped.

They really do enjoy doing the masks! It is a lot of fun!!

I think you should plan a trip back to Disney right away so you can give Illuminations another try! It's my absolute favorite- the story behind it and the music- I wish I was there watching it right now!

Love the photopass pics with the balloons! How fun!


I've searched high and low for a Mickey waffle maker to have at home but the only ones I found were recalled for fire hazard. Guess we'll just have to go back soon.

I concur - Mickey waffles just taste better! I did like the music of Illuminations - I just thought the fireworks display did not even compare to that of Wishes!!

Great update, Kim! I love your pictures--you have such a cute family.

I'm sorry Biergarten wasn't as good as the first time. We love it! With all the great-sounding restaurants around World Showcase, we keep ending up back at Biergarten. My family needs to get more adventurous!

My next "must try" for World Showcase ADRs is The Rose and Crown AND Les Chefs de France!!! I am also very curious to try the new Mexican places when they are open and maybe even the new Italian Pizza place!! They all sound yummy!

I'm not an illuminations fan either. Some can take it or leave it.

That certainly was one long day.

Glad to hear I am not the only heretic in the world!! I do enjoy the music of Illuminations - the fireworks just do not even compare to those of Wishes!!

Hi! I am all caught up!! I read the ENTIRE report tonight! My husband just told me the Celtics are loosing tonight because I am on this computer and not watching them! (If they win this game then they win the finals, but it doesnt look like that will happen)

You have a beautiful family! I have enjoyed hearing all about your trip and loved all your pictures! I can't believe you got a kiss from Mickey!!! We stayed at POFQ in 09 and then a trip of a lifetime at the Poly January 29-February 5th 2010 but guess where we are staying this year?? Back to POFQ!! Believe it or not, the whole time we were at the Poly I was missing the POFQ!!

oh we love Arrested Development too!!!!

YAY!!! More A/D fans - do you think that movie will EVER get made?? Thanks for reading along!! Right now the plan for our next trip is to try the Poly!! I really hope that I can enjoy it and not be pining for POFQ! We really did enjoy POFQ - but the whole time my DH was saying that he missed WL, which was where we stayed last year!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Well, I have just one day left to report on!!! I can't believe this TR is almost at its end!

I really hope to still finish before the girls are done school next Thursday!! I am going for a class picnic with Em's class today but when I get back home I will upload the next chapters pictures and MAYBE finish writing the chapter!! Wish me Luck!!

Hope you all are having a fabulous day wherever you are!!

 

[Monny2AE]

Well, I have just one day left to report on!!! I can't believe this TR is almost at its end!

I really hope to still finish before the girls are done school next Thursday!! I am going for a class picnic with Em's class today but when I get back home I will upload the next chapters pictures and MAYBE finish writing the chapter!! Wish me Luck!!

Hope you all are having a fabulous day wherever you are!!

Wow they still have a week left? Andrew finishes tomorrow. My niece and nephew in the next county over were done yesterday. Try explaining that one to a 6 year old.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Wow they still have a week left? Andrew finishes tomorrow. My niece and nephew in the next county over were done yesterday. Try explaining that one to a 6 year old.

YUP!!! Up here in good ole Canada (in Ontario , at least) our kids go to school for 196 days!!! Those days DO NOT include holidays or teacher's professional development days!! We usually start after labour day and go until the end of June! This year we started early (before Labour Day) and finish a week early!

We can't start any earlier or finish any later than we do because our schools don't have air conditioning! Last year the first 2 weeks of September were so hot most classes found it easier to be outside than in the hot classrooms!

Sheree's (MNDisneygirl) daughters finished last week too and when I told my girls that they were so jealous!!!

Until just a few years ago, students in Ontario went to school longer than any other students in North America!! We start kindergarten at 4 and do 2 years of that and then our High School students had the option of doing a 5th year of HS if they wanted to go to University!! So I started Junior Kindergarten when I was 4 and graduated high school when I was 19!! 15 years of public education!!! Then I did 2 seperate College Diplomas!! for a total of 19 years of school!!!

I believe (and please correct me if I am wrong) that in the US, schools generally only go for about ~ 180 days??

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Until just a few years ago, students in Ontario went to school longer than any other students in North America!! We start kindergarten at 4 and do 2 years of that and then our High School students had the option of doing a 5th year of HS if they wanted to go to University!! So I started Junior Kindergarten when I was 4 and graduated high school when I was 19!! 15 years of public education!!! Then I did 2 seperate College Diplomas!! for a total of 19 years of school!!!

I believe (and please correct me if I am wrong) that in the US, schools generally only go for about ~ 180 days??

Wow that's a lot of school.

It's 178 days here for students, 185 for teachers.