Lucky #13 with pics ~ 9/25 Finished!!!

[ConstableMickey]

After reading a response from the video clip about our arrival at the gates, I couldn't help but want to include this link. I think it about sums up how we feel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_APvVrBp20

 

[nts4wdw]

Author's note: We apologize for the lateness of this update. Once school starts, it's a roller coaster ride to the finish around here. Chuck has added a second job and I am interviewing for a new one. But good news (or bad, depending on how you look at it) we are almost done!

Day Twelve
Last day at Disney!

Yes, that’s right, we are coming to the end of our journey! And where are we spending our last day? Yep, you guessed it, EPCOT!

We got a late start, but still made right after opening! I love the opening of Epcot! They play the Year of a Million Dreams music. It feels just like being in one of the commercials. For those of you that have not seen the emotional tear jerker commercial off of the planning video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmcrQlF2OpI&eurl=http://www.wdwtoday.com/index.php?page=3
I can’t help but think about that every time I hear the music <sniff, sniff>.

Today it was straight to Nemo, but on the way we passed the Character Connection. I think Em’s Chipmunk friends remembered her, because they came over to the window to say Hi!

I hate to have to bring this up, but I think there is trouble between Mickey and Minnie because, while we were at WDW, Minnie was hitting on me something fierce (I can’t really blame her, I was looking mighty sharp wearing my knee length shorts with many pockets, tie dyed T-shirt, cameras and fanny back <nothing says cool like a fanny pack>) GRRRRR, baby!


On to Nemo!

I like the Nemo ride! I like the effects and I think it’s kind of neat they use the same song over in the new Nemo Show at AK. Come on! Sing it with me, “In the big blue world…….”

Afterwards we spent a good deal of time in the aquariums. It was practically empty and nice and quiet. The fish seemed to like Em, because they would come to the side when she stood near.

We also got to see a little tank cleaning!

Isn’t it beautiful?

There was one beautiful dolphin we watched. He was definitely showing off for us.

I won’t tell you how long we have to wait for shots like this.

Journey into Imagination was next. (This is Chuck’s favorite.) I’m no purist, I like the newer version of the ride better, the Dream Finder just struck me as a tad bit creepy – he never did anything to me personally, but I just get the feeling that he would be the kind of guy lurking around a playground with a Polaroid camera and a bag full of candy. There was a short line behind us, but the lady loading the ride smiled at us and said, “I want this family to have a car all to themselves.” Score!! We each had our very own row. No one was with us at all!!

We sang and had a great time!! One thing that I enjoy about the ride, is the part where Figament goes “imagination is a blast!!!” and all that compressed air is whooshed down on you. I like watching the other riders at this part, you can always tell who the newbie’s are, because they are the ones jumping out of their skin”
Chuck also wanted to do Ellen’s Energy Adventure. It is so long we don’t normally try it. What can I say, Ellen is funny, and who knows the next time we go back, she may not be there, I still regret not hitting body wars when we had the chance.

I think it’s OK, but once is enough. By the time it was over, we were very pressed for time for our ADR at the Garden Grill and did a very fast walk over there.


Continued

 

[nts4wdw]

Continued Day Twelve


The Garden Grill is a family favorite. We like to try for a booth on the bottom level. It feels as if you are the only ones there!! The Garden Grill has to be my favorite place to chow down while on property, now that the menu is back to normal food and not seaweed wrapped mud cakes. The food is good (and unending). Plus, even though it opens out into the Land Pavillion, it is uncharacteristically quiet, which as far as I am concerned, if I had a choice of eating prime rib in a nosy restaurant or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in a quiet restaurant, I’ll take the PBJ everytime. The only part I don’t care too much for is when we rotate past the front, and all those people who are waiting for their ADR to come through are looking hard at you. You know what they are thinking (Hurry up and eat big boy, so we can get your spot). I know because this is what I was thinking just 30 minutes earlier.

Of course Em likes it because her boys are here.

Pluto stopped by too. He looks happy to see us.

Here’s the one I was waiting to see! I love Mickey….it would be be cool if Minnie was there too, though.Not going to happen, I think Mickey ‘found out’ about poor Minnie’s infatuation with the old Chuckst’er and put the ka’bash on her coming around me.

One of the highlights of the Garden Grill is the make your own cupcake dessert. The kids do miss the dirt and worms they used to serve.

Jake is very serious about his creation.

Em is just serious about eating it.

Pluto stopped back by to get a hug from Em.

Jake didn’t want another picture. But Pluto stood there and stomped his foot at him. When Jake still wouldn’t move, he waved his arms like a chicken, calling Jake out!! Jake finally gave in and this is the picture we got!

Too funny!!

I wanted at picture with of all our us in our shirts with my fountain so we hunted down the Photopass lady. She took one with Chuck’s “precious” also.

I was disappointed because the fountain wasn’t really in it. Maybe you have to be further down toward World Showcase. We’ll try again next time.


But wait, there's still more!

 

[nts4wdw]

Still more Day Twelve!


After lunch we had special plans. We booked a Behind the Seeds tour that’s held in The Land. We get to go behind the scenes and see the different techniques they use to grow food at WDW up close. It is much like the boat tour, except you get to walk among the plants and in the greenhouses and see everything up close. We were all looking forward to it.

One other family was scheduled to go with us, but they didn’t show, so we had a private tour!! Ken was our tour guide. It was his last week at Disney before leaving his intership there. He is studying to be an entomologist (msp), one who finds beneficial uses for bugs. He really knew his stuff!!

First we went into the lab where he showed us the kinds of bugs they use to kill the other bugs that harm the plants. That decreases the use of pesticides!

He gave us each a vial of ladybugs to wake up. (they were refrigerated.) for later in the tour.

Next we went in the greenhouses he showed us ways they are experimenting with to grow more plants in less spaces and with less soil.

There was a plant there that would fold up it’s leaves when you touched it. We spent a lot of time playing with that one!

On to the famous Mickey Pumpkins. I love the way they grow things on trellises. So much easier to pick!!

I even got to have my picture with one!

Mickeys were everywhere even in the placement of the seedlings.

They also grow cucumbers in the shape of a Mickey head.

This tomato tree was imported and working on a World’s record for living the longest. The previous tree holds the record!!

In the aquariums rooms, we were in for a special treat. It was time to feed the alligators and they let us help!! Only Em and I did it. The boys were Chicken!!! Not chicken, just smart. Why put yourself next to a bunch of hungry reptiles if you don’t have to. Steve Irwin, I ain’t.

It was kind of creepy, but fun!!

Our last stop was in the last greenhouse. Here he showed us different plants that give us the spices we use every day.

It was a beautiful area! I love the little boat stream going by. Especially, when the boats would come by, and the people would stare at us like “Wow, they must really be important!!!”

Finally it was time to let our ladybugs go. Off they go to do their jobs!

Here at the end, he gave us each a certificate and we made him pose for our picture.

He did a great job and it was fun being by ourselves on the tour. Thanks, JR! I hope you found a job!!


One more stop before we leave EPCOT!

We had to “cash in” on my Disney Visa benefits and do the private meet and greet at Innoventions. IT”S FREE!! If you can do this, don’t miss it! IT’S FREE!!!! It is private, one family at a time. AND IT’S FREE!! Just you and the characters. You never know who it will be. Today it was Mickey, Minnie and Goofy in their Million Dreams attire. Did I mention it’s free!!!
They were happy to see us!!

Minnie tried to kiss Jake again. (see our November trip report), but Goofy protected him!
It was nice to see them one more time.

Back to the room for Air conditioning and packing!!!! The A/C I liked, the reasoning for the packing……not so much!

 

[Tanya90210]

packing.... aww man!!! I loved all the pictures.... that tour looks really cool! And I love the Spaceship Earth pic.... awesome!

 

[nts4wdw]

The Conclusion of Day Twelve

Once the packing was done (and some weeping), (Okay, Okay I admit that I get a little choked up over having to leave, but I’ll work through it.)we went back out for our last night in the world. Of course, it was EPCOT!

At our bus stop, Jake and I wanted to ride the monorail over, but Emily wanted to take the bus, so we made a bet. If the MK bus came first, it would be the monorail and if the Epcot bus came first, we’d take the bus.

Can you guess which one came first?

MK! (Not only did I want one more ride on the monorail, I also wanted a last glimpse of MK. )

Em warmed up to the idea once we got there. In fact, she made it her mission to get us in the front. There are some advantages of having a cute kid. The monorail to the Ticket and Transportation center already had passengers in the front, but for the Epcot monorail, we got lucky!! No one was waiting!!

When the monorail came, there was a family up front already. When they got out, they jumped through the monorail doors and came over to where we were. The CM there asked if he could help and they asked to ride in the front again. The CM explained that we were next, but the man insisted, even saying, “Could we ride with them?” Luckily, the CM was not moved and we had our ride.

It had grown overcast, as it tends to do in Florida on a summer afternoon. Jake took these shots and I just love them.

Here comes Spaceship Earth. (Our last look at the wand.)

Around the park, you see the Universe of Energy.

Then Test Track.

And here is the Land and Journey into Imagination.

By the time our ride was done, we were starving!! After a quick trip for Soarin’ fastpasses, it was time for the Electric Umbrella! Nothing like some good (that’s debatable) greasy hamburgers!

When we went to pick up our food, we had an interesting pin trading experience. I have to interject here, while we were waiting for our grub, we struck a conversation with two CM’s behind the counter. Even though these were two very nice teenage boys, I swear to you, that they were the real life Beavis and Butthead (Huhh, huhhh…..he said pin trading!) For those of you that have ever found yourself up at no O’Clock in the morning and may have watched the show out of sheer boredom (it’s amazing just how many things are funny at 3 AM), it was wonderfully reminiscent of the show where the boys got a job at Wonder Weenie. I did manage to get another Chip and Dale pin for Emily (it’s amazing, out of all the pin trades that Lynn and I did, we only wound up with a couple of pins a piece, but Emily’s collection mushroomed….once again a cute little girl, who knows how to work that cuteness factor –Daddy, can I hold the Lanyard…..That’s my little pin shark!!.


While we were eating, it started to pour rain!! We took our time eating but it wasn’t slacking up. We ducked into Mousegears for a last look for souvenirs. I wanted to pick up a keychain for my friend Nadia at work. She just moved here from Bulgaria. She’s been to Disneyland Paris, but not WDW. I’m trying to convince her. She needs to go.
We need more converts, so that we will appear to be normal in our Disney obsession, because if a whole bunch of people are doing it then it must be okay! I’ve already gotten one to convert at my work and in the process of cultivating 2 more.Emily filled a bag with goodies for the ride home. Oh yea, a kid with a bag full of sweets inside of a car for a 7 hour trip!!

Isn’t she cute?

The rain let up enough for Chuck and the children to dash off to Soarin’ while I shopped. I was in no rush because there was no Off Kilter. They don’t play when it rains.

By the time we met up, it was 8:30. We walked over to the bridge behind England and France and stood in the back to watch Illuminations. It was kind of nice seeing all the people in front of us enjoying it.

There was a man next to us with his two little girls. He was trying to hold them both up so they could see. It was so sweet although I felt a little sorry for him.

Afterwards we walked slowly around the Boardwalk to MGM. It is a beautiful walk and I think we were just trying to drag the night out just a little longer. Funny all I remember is the whinning about MORE walking!! Fantasmic was ending and we saw the fireworks and could hear the music. We did rush to the bus stop in an attempt to beat the MGM crowd, we won!! It was a nice way to say our goodbyes!

Coming Soon: Day Thirteen or can we find our way to Kennedy, maybe....?

 

[Tanya90210]

That shot is just .... AWESOME!!! The most beautiful fireworks shot I've seen from Epcot!!!

 

[ConstableMickey]

That shot is just .... AWESOME!!! The most beautiful fireworks shot I've seen from Epcot!!!

Thank You, Thank You very much. It was actually the only shot I took of Illuminations that night came out half way decent, if a bit blurry (no tripod and the high humidity/low cloud cover from the earlier storm).

Of course, you realize that your compliment, only encourages me to take more and more photos on our trips (A fact that I do not have a problem with). 2,000 + photos from the last trip, I'm sure I can do better on the next.

Chuck

 

[Tanya90210]

Thank You, Thank You very much. It was actually the only shot I took of Illuminations that night came out half way decent, if a bit blurry (no tripod and the high humidity/low cloud cover from the earlier storm).

Of course, you realize that your compliment, only encourages me to take more and more photos on our trips (A fact that I do not have a problem with). 2,000 + photos from the last trip, I'm sure I can do better on the next.

Chuck

2000 is my goal for our upcoming trip.... last year i did 1178

 

[ConstableMickey]

2000 is my goal for our upcoming trip.... last year i did 1178

Wow! almost 1,200, you go girl!
Don't you just love digital cameras ?
I got a new Fuji, a 1 gig card and 2 sets of rechargeable batteries about 3 months before the trip. The only downside on my picture taking is that I tend to get left behind in the dust by my family. Oh well, maybe I'll just have to schedule a picture taking trip with just the lovely Lynn and me.
Chuck

 

[DisneyJo]

Wow what great installments, we love Epcot too. I did the tour when I was younger but can't remember any of it The girls hate the boat ride so doubt they'd like the tour And good score on front of the monorail

 

[nts4wdw]

Oh well, maybe I'll just have to schedule a picture taking trip with just the lovely Lynn and me.
Chuck

I like the way you think! I'm ready when you are.

 

[nts4wdw]

And good score on front of the monorail

Our Em knows how to turn on the cute when she needs to. Thanks for posting!

 

[KimAshton]

I just read your whole TR and loved it.

 

[luvfigment]

Pickled Okara...yummy! I actually tried that when I was in Charleston ar their little farmers market and it was REALLT good. I was sceptical at first by my friend talked me into it.

I am very sorry about the pipe bursting in your front yard. The update was great!!! But kinda sad that is was your last day in WDW. I love Epcot also, its my favorite park, nothing like sitting in the front of the monorail on your last day in Disney!

 

[nts4wdw]

I just read your whole TR and loved it.

Oh, I am so glad you did! We still have one more day in Florida. Please stick around!

Pickled Okara...yummy! I actually tried that when I was in Charleston ar their little farmers market and it was REALLT good. I was sceptical at first by my friend talked me into it.

I am very sorry about the pipe bursting in your front yard. The update was great!!! But kinda sad that is was your last day in WDW. I love Epcot also, its my favorite park, nothing like sitting in the front of the monorail on your last day in Disney!

Did you really try pickled Okra? I didn't think anyone else would be brave enough to try it. My mother has put up more so we'll be stocked up for winter.
I was just longing for Epcot today. To sit outside Mousegears, watching a few fountain shows.
Not much longer until you are no longer a single woman. How can you contain your excitement?!?!

 

[winkers]

I hate to have to bring this up, but I think there is trouble between Mickey and Minnie because, while we were at WDW, Minnie was hitting on me something fierce (I can’t really blame her, I was looking mighty sharp wearing my knee length shorts with many pockets, tie dyed T-shirt, cameras and fanny back <nothing says cool like a fanny pack>) [/COLOR]GRRRRR, baby!

That's funny!! You're bringing sexy back with your fanny pack!

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

I like Journey Into Your Imagination, too. Mom screamed at the blast

Cranium Command was in that same Life Pavilion...I miss it.

It sounds like you had a good day.

-Christamae

 

[luvfigment]

Did you really try pickled Okra? I didn't think anyone else would be brave enough to try it. My mother has put up more so we'll be stocked up for winter.
I was just longing for Epcot today. To sit outside Mousegears, watching a few fountain shows.
Not much longer until you are no longer a single woman. How can you contain your excitement?!?!

I did really try it! It was at a farmers market in downtown Charleston, some local women were selling fresh pickles, pickles okra, and pickled carrots etc. So my friend (who is from SC) had me try it and it was pretty good, I was surprised.

Ahhhh a day at EPCOT, nothing is better and nothing is better to dream about. I love eating breakfast at the Fountainview Cafe thingy and watching the fountain, it has become a tradition.

I can't believe how fast the wedding and Disneymoon is coming up! I am getting really excited and busy! I have my hair trail run tomorrow, meeting with the photographer next Tues, and next Thurs my final fitting for the dress! I am more excited to see DFi thoug...only 19 1/2 days left till then.

Looking forward to reading your last day. Are you going to do a Pre-Trippie for the trip in Jan??

 

[nts4wdw]

That's funny!! You're bringing sexy back with your fanny pack!

OMG!!! Too funny!!

I like Journey Into Your Imagination, too. Mom screamed at the blast

Cranium Command was in that same Life Pavilion...I miss it.

It sounds like you had a good day.

-Christamae

It was a good day! Of course any day in WDW is a good day!!

I did really try it! It was at a farmers market in downtown Charleston, some local women were selling fresh pickles, pickles okra, and pickled carrots etc. So my friend (who is from SC) had me try it and it was pretty good, I was surprised.

Ahhhh a day at EPCOT, nothing is better and nothing is better to dream about. I love eating breakfast at the Fountainview Cafe thingy and watching the fountain, it has become a tradition.

I can't believe how fast the wedding and Disneymoon is coming up! I am getting really excited and busy! I have my hair trail run tomorrow, meeting with the photographer next Tues, and next Thurs my final fitting for the dress! I am more excited to see DFi thoug...only 19 1/2 days left till then.

Looking forward to reading your last day. Are you going to do a Pre-Trippie for the trip in Jan??

Chuck and I have discussed writing a pretrip together, but it's still up in the air!! I'm not sure what we would write about.