Magical Grand Gathering Trip with Pics. Completed

[kaysmommie]

Apart from the muddy shoes and clothes, sounds like a good morning for you and Kaylee. Hopefully Thomas was feeling better by lunchtime. (I am sure your mind would have been with him the whole time you were at Epcot, but obviously it would have been much better for you and Kaylee to be out of the room so the boys could get some sleep and Thomas could hopefully get over his fever).

For entirely different reasons than you, I have also not be able to engage in my usual commando-touring style my last few trips. The last time I toured commando was back in Sept 2007. On my last 3 trips I have been forced to tour a completely different way to accomodate other non-commando touring companions and other non-Disney events on our trip. While still enjoyable, I am well overdue for commando-touring again!

Hope that everyone gets better by the afternoon and everyone (including Thomas) has a great meal at Coral Reef!

Thanks
It's hard to not be Commando isn't it? But this time I had no choice but to slow down and realize I wouldn't be getting much done. It's okay though we still had fun and I know we will be back. I'm coming over to check out your latest trippie.

Just catching up.....I am glad you and Tom enjoyed Tutto! We didn't like it at all, the food was lukewarm and our server was HORRIBLE! Maybe we will give it another chance So sorry to hear about Thomas! I can't believe Tom had to take him to the ER! It must have been hard leaving Tom and Thomas behind on your Epcot morning! Glad Kaylee got to get some stamps in her passport I hope things get better soon and you are able to all go to dinner!

Thanks Diane,
He took Thomas to the ER so we could make sure he was okay and get some meds to help him feel better. I feel bad he missed out on a little because he was just miserable most of Wednesday and Thursday. It was very hard to leave them behind but Kaylee would have just kept Thomas awake with all of us in a hotel room. We were able to have some fun though.
We thought Tuttio was good but it's not on the must do list because we can eat Italian food anywhere. Sorry you didn't have a good experience there. I think we are going back to Cali Grill next trip and maybe a couple new places like Teppan Edo.

Oh no...mud is so icky, but I feel something good coming up here and had things not happened the way they did you wouldn't have been there in the right spot at the right time! Can't wait to hear what it is. I think I might know. More...more...more!

That is true! We would have been in FW still or all the way to America by then. You know already because of the pics . I will probably update tomorow. Depends on how much time I have in the morning. We are going to Disney On Ice . I would rather be at Disney though .

 

[Poohtigeey]

I just realized that I've been reading and not posting. So sorry. Poor little Thomas. And yuck on the mud story. (I did giggle a bit though because of the visual ) Sounds like a nice morning for you and Kaylee dispite everything. I'm looking forward to reading more.

 

[crgfsu1]

Poor little Thomas - ther should be a rule that prohibits anyone from getting sick while on vacation, let along while vacationing at Disney

Hee-hee, the mud story sounds exactly like something I would do! Glad you wernt toof ar away and were able to clean up. It sounds liek you and Kaylie had a nice time at Epcot. So, tell me more about Kidcot & the Passport - I am interested in maybe doing that for Abby. We are planning on a quick dinner at Excot when we are there - is Mexico your recommendation for a counter service?

Cathy

 

[kaysmommie]

I just realized that I've been reading and not posting. So sorry. Poor little Thomas. And yuck on the mud story. (I did giggle a bit though because of the visual ) Sounds like a nice morning for you and Kaylee dispite everything. I'm looking forward to reading more.

Well I will never run for a bus again . That mud ruined my cute shirt. It was a pretty good morning. Would have better if we all were feeling good of course. Sometimes I read and don't comment on lots of trippies.

Poor little Thomas - ther should be a rule that prohibits anyone from getting sick while on vacation, let along while vacationing at Disney

Hee-hee, the mud story sounds exactly like something I would do! Glad you wernt toof ar away and were able to clean up. It sounds liek you and Kaylie had a nice time at Epcot. So, tell me more about Kidcot & the Passport - I am interested in maybe doing that for Abby. We are planning on a quick dinner at Excot when we are there - is Mexico your recommendation for a counter service?

Cathy

Thanks Cathy,
I agree no one should have to be sick on vacation . The Epcot passport is $12 and you can get it in any giftshop in World Showcase. Not sure if they sell them at the resorts or not. When you visit the kidcot in each country they will put a stamp on her Passport and maybe write something in it in their language. If you don't want to do a passport you can always let Abby color one of the free masks and they will stamp that in each country as well. Not sure if she has made one of those before or not . Make sure to look on a prak map, it will tell you were the kidcot is located in each country. Usually they are in the stores in a little section but a few are outside as well.

I like Mexico for CS and I love to sit outside. Just so you know sometimes the birds and ducks can be really annoying sitting out there. I didn't have much of a problem though. Just ducks but Kaylee thought they were aggressive. The only other CS I have had is Sunshine Seasons in FW and Liberty Inn in America. The rest of my family like the American CS the best of course.

 

[29apr00]

Eeeewww!! Mud in the toes! Ick ick ick!!

other than the mud, sounds like a nice mommy/daughter day in Epcot! that would be very fun! Can't wait to hear about Coral Reef! I'm very excited to try that in december!!

 

[mom2mek]

Oh no Nichole! The mud? Kaylee wasn't wearing her cute Marie outfit, was she?

It sounds like a nice first part of the day with just your little girl, although I know you were worried about and missing your little guy! Poor little thing!

Loving all your pics - the one of Kaylee "posing" on the fountain is so cute - what a little model you've got there!

How was Disney on Ice?

Looking forward to hearing more about your trip!

Sara

 

[kaysmommie]

Epcot Continued.....


Kaylee and I were on our way into the Temple in China when we noticed the Dreamteam in the doorway when we were walking up. Needless to say we were happy to see them!
Funny Story: They were trying to tell this older couple to come on in it's magical ! Well the older nasty DW tells the DH "DON'T YOU GO IN THERE" in her nasty angry voice I guess she thought they were going to try to sell her something. I made sure to loudly say "well we are going!!" Then the Dreamteam said loudly to the nasty DW see she knows who we are. But the DW and her DH left quickly. I guess they didn't want to win a prize, duhhh.

So on our way in the Dreamteam gave us Dream Fastpasses .

Then we walked around inside for a while since we have never been in there before. There was no one inside either. What a strange place to hand out Dream FP's?? I have no idea what these are BTW. I was very excited after wining a FP and not really comprehending what I read.

After we explored inside China I see a couple with Bride & Groom ears on. I tell them the Dreamteam is right in the doorway of China handing out Dream FP's. The DW says really?? Kind of like she didn't know what I was talking about . So I pointed to the Dreamteam and they shouted over to the honeymoon couple to come on in. So they went, but you had to practically twist their arms. Well maybe they didn't believe me . I guess there are lots of people who don't DIS or even read up and plan before they take a trip. Even before DIS I read the planning books like Unofficial Guide and Birnbaums.


After China we walked through the outpost. Kaylee had to try out the drums.

Germany was next. I think it's one of the prettiest countries in WS. Well I guess most of them are really pretty, missing WS alot right now . We went in and looked in the shops and then found kidcot to get Kay's passport stamped.

They have lots of stuff for little girls to want in here...

I had to take pics of the train outside too since we saw it go by for a change.

Then we walked past Italy since we had spent some time there last night. kaylee was getting grouchy and really needing to eat. Her blood sugar was getting low and her mood was getting bad . Took a quick picture though.

Finally we made it to America and used the restroom and went to eat in Liberty Inn. It's nice and air conditioned in there too. Of course some rude woman and her DH cut right in front of us while we waiting . Really nice of her since we had been there 10 minutes on line for the cashier and she just has her DH saving her table and Kaylee is starving. She could have cared less really since she thought she was the only person in the whole WS. I'm sure I was saying some not nice things under my breath.

Anyway after we finally got our food and found a seat I remembered to take pics. It was really nice in this restaurant and we liked our food. It was just basic burgers and Chicken nuggets.

Schoolbread from Norway

We took our time eating lunch then went to get pics and Kaylee's Passport stamped in our country. She was back in a good mood now after having some lunch.

Kaylee loved these photo ops last year so we did a couple of them.

Japan was our next country. We had to go in the store but I was good and didn't buy anything. We just did the kidcot stop and watched a few people pick a pearl. The CM's in here are always super nice and friendly too.

hidden Mickey...

See a happy girl again

Continued in next post

 

[kaysmommie]

Continued....

We checked our times guide while in Japan so we could see at least one show. The Dragon Legend acrobats were out until 3PM so that would have to wait until later tonight hopefully.

Miyuki, the candy lady was coming in a few minutes so we decided to wait and watch her show. She is so talented and fun to watch. Today she made sure and told the kids one animal per family and that they should share. She picked Kaylee first. First she picked a tarantula but Miyuki couldn't make that luckily. So she picked a white tiger.

The next little boy she picked asked for a dragon. It was really cute too. Miyuki is just awesome! If you have never seen her show that put it on your list.

We watched the rest of the show. Kaylee decided on the way that she would give her creation to Thomas since he didn't get to see Miyuki this trip . I thought that was very sweet of her. He can be a mean little brother sometimes but most of the time she is the best big sister to him.

Morocco was next, another really pretty country! We took tons of pics here and a few photopass ones as well. First Kaylee wanted to see Jasmine though. She was our first character of the day since we were so busy getting stamps in her passport.

Jasmine wanted Kaylee to pose just like her.

One last hug

Then off to explore Morocco

Photopass pics

one of my favorites..

France was next. I was really wanting to make an ADR here but Tom said no way. I thought the menu looked great.

The store here had the best stuff lots of Marie and Hello Kitty. But this Kidcot CM was not nice at all. He quickly stamped Kaylee's Passport and then told her "Au Revoir" and kind of shoed her away with his hand. Even Kaylee said he was a nasty guy. Maybe he was having a bad day but I just kinf of gave hine a shocked look.

Next we went in the nice perfume shop and asked the CM if Marie was doing meet and greets at all. She said she hadn't seen her our doing meets in a while but she did at least make a call to double check. Well turns out it was princess Aruora and Jasmine who we had just seen were the only ones out today. We thanked the CM for checking though.

This was the stand I bought Kaylee's umbrella from in March.

Continued in next post, too many pics

 

[kaysmommie]

Continued Epcot...


United Kingdom was next. We went to toy store here and Pooh & Tigger and Eeyore were inside and there was no line at all. kaylee didn't want to meet them or get any pics. She just wanted to get her passport stamped and go back to CBR. I'm sure she was tired from all that walking. usually she hops in the stroller with Thomas but we didn' rent one this year and brought our single Maclaren Triumph from home since Disney raised the prices. BTW the CM here in UK was also very nice and stamped here passport and also wrote a message inside too. The passport also has stickers and stuff for Kaylee to put in each section. Which she already did the night before.

They were doing some kind show. Kaylee did want to watch this but it was getting late and I knew we wouldn't be getting much of a break today since we had a dinner ressie.

We hurried to Canada and didn't even stop for any photopass pics. Just right to kidcot to get that final stamp in her passport. Kaylee wanted to make Thomas a mask. I thought we should have done that way at the begining when we started in Mexico but said fine anyway.

We left World Showcase and thought about stopping in Imagination Pavillion but it was getting late and maybe Thomas would feel good enough to go there before dinner.
Unfortuntely we didn't get there this trip .

Kaylee decided she was awfully thirsty so I took her to Club Cool for some free soda. of course I told her some of them were yucky but beverly taste good.

Then we tried some of the others that tasted okay. I think the soda from mexico and China were both good. Then we made our way out of Epcot and to the bus stop. CBR bus stop is like a mile away from the others for some reason. We waited for at least 25 mintes for a bus back. It was now and we were tired from walking.

When we got back to the room the boys just came back from the foodcourt where Tom got lunch. Apparently a CM there felt bad for Thomas and gave him stickers and a DCV pin. Tom had also taken Thomas to McDonalds for lunch. He didn't eat much though. Tom didn't think to get me a Sweet tea while he was there either . Hello Sweet tea withdrawl here. I was tempted to drink Thomas's but no way since he was sick.

Kaylee couldn't wait to give Thomas the lollipop that Miyuki made and the mask she made him too.He loved it and wanted it opened right away. Well Thomas devoured the lollipop . I guess it tasted good since that was pretty much all he ate for 2 days. So much for saving it.

Thomas still had a low grade fever of 99 but really wanted to Epcot to ride Test Track & Soarin. He was sad we were there without him but he really needed his rest. I gave him his meds and tylenol to make him feel better. Then we rested for about a half hour since we had a dinner ADR for Coral reef at 5:50. I wanted to head back to Epcot around 4PM. I was hoping we would have a good dinner and maybe ride at least TT, Soarin, and Nemo and maybe stay for Illuminations depending on if we were all tired or not. Tom also knew I was really wanting to see the Acrobats in China on our last 2 trips. So I planned on going over there for sure even if the kids didn't want to.




Next Installment: Dinner @ Coral Reef and would I finally see the Dragon Legend Acrobats.

 

[kaysmommie]

Eeeewww!! Mud in the toes! Ick ick ick!!

other than the mud, sounds like a nice mommy/daughter day in Epcot! that would be very fun! Can't wait to hear about Coral Reef! I'm very excited to try that in december!!

Yes it was grose! But we ended up having a fun day.

Oh no Nichole! The mud? Kaylee wasn't wearing her cute Marie outfit, was she?

It sounds like a nice first part of the day with just your little girl, although I know you were worried about and missing your little guy! Poor little thing!

Loving all your pics - the one of Kaylee "posing" on the fountain is so cute - what a little model you've got there!

How was Disney on Ice?

Looking forward to hearing more about your trip!

Sara

Thanks Sara,
That is exactly how I was feeling. Thanks goodness she decided to wear the outfit for dinner instead. But since we were rushing to get back to Epcot she decided to wear it to the castle on Saturday for our CRT.breakfast.

Disney on Ice was great!! Thanks for asking . The kids loved it. Tom stayed home and watched fottball while we went to the show. It made us miss Disney though of course. Thomas was just glued to the ice the whole time and smiling. Then he wanted to know how Mickey was getting back to Disney? Also did he come all the way to TN to see him? . I of course lied and said the characters would be flying back right after the show back to their home in Disney. he also said he doesn't want to wait until next year to go back to Disney and wants to go back tomorrow . I have created a monster! I took pics but haven't loaded them up yet. I will post them tomorrow.

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Great update here! I have to ask...what do your Jersey friends say about your sweet tea addiction? I remember this boyfriend I had from NJ...I went up to visit him in 1990 and I asked if he could get me a sweet tea. He was like and I said SWEET TEA! You know...Iced tea with sugar in it!? He looked at me like I was an alien. We don't do that here.

Now onto your update...this candy lady we have not seen yet. I'd love to check her out. For some reason we always get rain in WS and it spoils everything! France...I have always wanted to eat there too. When we went on our honeymoon cruise I tried Escargot for the first time. I LOVED it! We were at the table with another couple and the guy liked it too. Me and him shared 3 orders of Escargot while Sidney and the guys fiance gagged. It was hilarious. I thought they tasted like really yummy mushrooms. In August we're going for sure!

That was so sweet of K to take the sucker back to T. What a great big sister!

I LOVE the picture of you guys in WS with Stitch. Those are the reason I buy the Photopass.

I like the Beverly pics too. I so have to do that with my kids. I will have the video rolling. Knowing mine...they'll like it!

 

[mkluvsmickey]

Hey Nichole! Great updates! I had to laugh at the mud story - I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time but you have to laugh now, right?

Very cool about the Dream Fastpasses in China - I never would have guessed they would be passing them out there! Way to go!

We've never seen Miyuki either - we have got to do that one of these days.

I'll let you know how the restaurant in France is - we have an ADR there in December for the Candlelight Processional package (it was all I could get).

Great picture of Kaylee's face after tasting the Beverly!

It was nice you got to spend some mommy/daughter time with Kaylee in WS - though I know you were concerned about Thomas. I hope he was feeling better in the evening.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Great updates! So cool you got the Dream Fastpass.

Love the picture of Kaylee trying the Beverly.

 

[kaysmommie]

Great update here! I have to ask...what do your Jersey friends say about your sweet tea addiction? I remember this boyfriend I had from NJ...I went up to visit him in 1990 and I asked if he could get me a sweet tea. He was like and I said SWEET TEA! You know...Iced tea with sugar in it!? He looked at me like I was an alien. We don't do that here.

Now onto your update...this candy lady we have not seen yet. I'd love to check her out. For some reason we always get rain in WS and it spoils everything! France...I have always wanted to eat there too. When we went on our honeymoon cruise I tried Escargot for the first time. I LOVED it! We were at the table with another couple and the guy liked it too. Me and him shared 3 orders of Escargot while Sidney and the guys fiance gagged. It was hilarious. I thought they tasted like really yummy mushrooms. In August we're going for sure!

That was so sweet of K to take the sucker back to T. What a great big sister!

I LOVE the picture of you guys in WS with Stitch. Those are the reason I buy the Photopass.

I like the Beverly pics too. I so have to do that with my kids. I will have the video rolling. Knowing mine...they'll like it!

Hi Tammy,
It's funny but I grew up drinking real iced tea with just sugar in it. My mom made it alot in the summer. Sometimes she even made sun tea. My brother also makes it but he did live in FL alos for a while. His is really sweet though like McDonalds. I have to say I was pretty happy when we visited my brother here in TN and had sweet tea everywhere we went. Interesting though that I gained 10 pounds our first year here mostly in the belly area. Wonder if it's the sweet tea . I have to have it at least once a day.
I really want to try France TS next trip. Not sure if i would try Escargot though that is daring. I could just see me spitting it out in my napkin

Make sure you see Miyuki next time in December. She is there most days and her first show is around 12:30 or 12:50. Check the times guide when you get to Epcot. She is really cool. They set up just outside the big store in Japan 5-10 mintues before the show, right out front. I would get there 10-15 minutes early so your kids can be in front and hopefully get chosen to pick and animal for her to make. Kaylee felt bad for Thomas. She does have a huge heart until he really pushes her buttons then she gets aggravated. If Tom even yells at Thomas she just jumps right in the middle of it she thinks she is his mom sometimes. I love the photopass special pics that they do. Otherwise who needs photopass really. You definately don't because your pics are so much better anyway. Be sure to give the bigger kids some yummy beverly in December. I couldn't help
myself she fell for it so easy. I can be a mean mommy sometimes.

Hey Nichole! Great updates! I had to laugh at the mud story - I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time but you have to laugh now, right?

Very cool about the Dream Fastpasses in China - I never would have guessed they would be passing them out there! Way to go!

We've never seen Miyuki either - we have got to do that one of these days.

I'll let you know how the restaurant in France is - we have an ADR there in December for the Candlelight Processional package (it was all I could get).

Great picture of Kaylee's face after tasting the Beverly!

It was nice you got to spend some mommy/daughter time with Kaylee in WS - though I know you were concerned about Thomas. I hope he was feeling better in the evening.

That mud was so nasty more like muck. I think at the time Iwas about to cry. Now I wish I had videos of it because it was so darn funny . Winning the FP in China was a complete surprise. It was around 11:20 in the morning . You have to go see Miyuki next time you take Samantha to Epcot. She is must see at least once. If France is the only place you could get in then I wonder if it's good or not . Well I guess I'll find out when you get back. Thanks, those pictures of Kaylee crack me up, what a face . Thomas slowly improved but got tired easy and was very grumpy until Friday.

Great updates! So cool you got the Dream Fastpass.

Love the picture of Kaylee trying the Beverly.

Thanks . That picture is so funny. I had to trick her so I could post it on the DIS . She wanted to give her dad some later when we went back to Epcot.

 

[MovienutNiffer]

Just wanted to say hi and comment about the restaurant in France. I am a very picky eater and before me and my sister went this past September we checked out the Dis menus to see if there was anything I would eat there since sis always wanted to go, but never wanted to go alone. I decided I would try what they call The French Menu with the french onion soup, the toasted ham and cheese sandwich and their creme brulee. If I didn't like it we could always get something else for me later. I have to say it was the best meal I have had at Epcot ever! The soup was amazing and was a meal in itself!!! The sandwich was great even if the ham kept sliding out (I just ate that separately from the sandwich). I was like a very, VERY tasty grilled cheese. Now creme brulee I have never liked but my sister decided we would "share" desserts and she ordered the fresh sorbet. It was mango, blackberry and strawberry and it was very fresh and very delicious!!! Excellent all around! You have no idea how happy my sister was for the Dis menus and also for me to actually love what we had!

I can't wait to see how the rest of your trip went! Hope it was fun! Take care!

 

[cdotla]

Ha, ha!

Great updates Nichole! Did you ever get a lot accomoplished on your girls' day!

Those pics of Kaylee with Beverly are so, so funny! You are right - I will have to try that myself!

 

[mom2mek]

Wow Nichole! Chugging right along with your updates! We missed Miyuki this time, but saw her last November - she is truly amazing! So sweet of K to want to save the candy for Thomas! Those Beverly pics are hilarious! Never got over there this time. Looking forward to your next updates!

Sara

 

[kaysmommie]

Just wanted to say hi and comment about the restaurant in France. I am a very picky eater and before me and my sister went this past September we checked out the Dis menus to see if there was anything I would eat there since sis always wanted to go, but never wanted to go alone. I decided I would try what they call The French Menu with the french onion soup, the toasted ham and cheese sandwich and their creme brulee. If I didn't like it we could always get something else for me later. I have to say it was the best meal I have had at Epcot ever! The soup was amazing and was a meal in itself!!! The sandwich was great even if the ham kept sliding out (I just ate that separately from the sandwich). I was like a very, VERY tasty grilled cheese. Now creme brulee I have never liked but my sister decided we would "share" desserts and she ordered the fresh sorbet. It was mango, blackberry and strawberry and it was very fresh and very delicious!!! Excellent all around! You have no idea how happy my sister was for the Dis menus and also for me to actually love what we had!

I can't wait to see how the rest of your trip went! Hope it was fun! Take care!

Thanks for the review and welcome to my trip report . Glad you liked chef De France. I emailed the menu to Tom when I was making our ADR's and he still said no way. But since we were not real thrilled with a couple restaurants this trip maybe he will be willing to try it now. It's on the list for sure.

Ha, ha!

Great updates Nichole! Did you ever get a lot accomoplished on your girls' day!

Those pics of Kaylee with Beverly are so, so funny! You are right - I will have to try that myself!

Thanks. Well we got a qucik version of World Showcase done. Kaylee said the beverly was disgusting and that I tricked her . I figured I would let the pics speak for themselves.

Wow Nichole! Chugging right along with your updates! We missed Miyuki this time, but saw her last November - she is truly amazing! So sweet of K to want to save the candy for Thomas! Those Beverly pics are hilarious! Never got over there this time. Looking forward to your next updates!

Sara

Hi Sara,
I remember reading that your kids got to see Miyuki last trip. It's hard to fit it all in every trip though . Have you tasted the beverly yet? It has a nasty after taste .

 

[dddisrunner]

Somehow I missed the second part of your update Anyway, I am here now! Great Update and WOO-HOO for dream fastpasses!! How cool and weird that they gave them away at the entrance to China? Glad to hear Kaylee got her passport finished! We have never seen the Japanese candy lady, we MUST do that this trip! Although my boys would probably break it fighting over it How sweet that K gave it to Thomas! Kaylee's face was soooooooo funny with the Beverly! It is evil but SO FUN to trick them isn't it!

 

[earthfaries]

Loved your updates as usual We bought a passport for Trevon a couple of years ago and actually went from country to country and made masks and got the book stamped. That was fun, but it does take up your day.
I'm glad Kaylee got picked by Miyuki and how sweet was that to give it to her little bro
I hope you made it to the attractions you wanted to after your ADR, and I hope Thomas was feeling better too!