Marriage: The Trip Report - Update 2/28 - Final Thoughts & Link to Disneyland TR!

[Flossbolna]

Thanks for the KSC update, that was really interesting. I think I need to try to fit it in with my next visit to Florida! But then there are so many things I want to do there, I want to return to Universal, I want to see Sea World and Discovery Cove and of course spend time at WDW...

 

[brookelizabeth]

What great pictures of you & Joe! Cute!!

And that sunset?!?! Crazy!!!

Isn't that pic beautiful? I remember gazing over at the Castle (by default) as I walked across the skybridge to the Tower, then looking left to the lake and stopping in my tracks! I was grateful to have my iPhone at that moment!

Love the photopass pictures, Brook.

Thanks! It's kinda nice to have one of just Joe and I too!

Wonderful pictures of you and Joe. I love the sunrise over Bay Lake picture, the sunrises were one of my favorite things about facing the lake.

I do believe this is the only one I saw. But, I'm glad I saw it!

Such a lovely sight with which to start a morning!

Great picture!

It really was! Sure made getting up early easier!

Those pictures are fantastic! The PP are great and that sunrise... I wish I had woken to that sunrise this morning!

The videos are great too. I got chills watching the fireworks. We saw them from there on this last trip and it was so awesome. I loved it up there.

I think if we had this sunrise out our window everyday it wouldn't be so bad to wake up early!

I remember not enjoying the view from the TOWL, but I think that is just because I had my heart set on finally seeing them from Main Street that night, but a sleeping boy and crowds forced me out. When I see the video I think it's beautiful! I would love to watch again from there!

The pics are great... and the video of Wishes-- I can't believe how still you were able to keep the camera... every video I've ever seen of Wishes is all blurry and shaky. From a former videographer, nice job. No shaky cam!

Thank you! It was with my iPhone, so maybe it's just easier because it's small? I have a couple other ones from the TOWL but I haven't watched them yet to see if they are any good. I'll post them if they are!

Beautiful pic at DHS!

Thank you!

Thanks for the KSC update, that was really interesting. I think I need to try to fit it in with my next visit to Florida! But then there are so many things I want to do there, I want to return to Universal, I want to see Sea World and Discovery Cove and of course spend time at WDW...

I know that feeling!!! So many great things in one area. I'm having that problem planning the California trip too. I definitely want to do Discovery Cove and SeaWorld one trip, maybe in a couple years when Henry is a tad older and can swim well.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Today is Monday, March 7, 2011

We have been at Walt Disney World for 9 days (including our arrival) and were staying for 6 more. Our vacation was half over. And there was a TON on my list that I wanted to get to that we hadn't done. We had really taken our time in the parks, slowly moving, sleeping-in, just playing everything by ear pretty much...Joe was loving it...but I was starting to get twitchy.

In vacations much shorter than this we had accomplished more. I had high-hopes that on this trip we would get a TON done that we hadn't before and that was just not reality. We had taken it too easy in my opinion.

I voiced this all to Joe and he gratefully understood. I am the planner, list-maker, doer. He is the go-with-the-flow. He'd be happy sitting in the hotel room watching movies, and I can handle some of that, but we had done enough! It was time to get movin'!

Marriage. Compromise.

So this morning the Flower & Garden Festival was in full-swing at Epcot and even though we had seen some of the displays I wanted to see them ALL. I warned Joe of this before and he was game.

That morning we woke up at 7:45 AM and I hopped right on the computer. Prekindergarten registration was this day and I wanted to make sure Henry got in right away. Our goal was to have him in the Universal Prekindergarten program at a private school down the street, but I wanted some public choices too in case he didn't get in. After I got everything there straightened away we made it out of the room by 9:30.

We monorailed it over to Epcot.

This view just never gets old!

5-Legged Goat

Studying the map-it was one of those kids maps. Have you seen those? They are very cool for the littles. I want to get my hands on a bunch for my clients, but they aren't found easily.

Here we are! It was a bit chilly that day.

We went straight for Soarin' FPs

and then rode

Which was a walk on.

During the ride Henry asked if he could get out to play in the sand. I told him no, of course - and not 2 minutes later we saw CMs planting and digging in the sand and he asked why they got to play! He was ready to hop out of that boat!

After Livin' with the Land we headed toward Innoventions. One thing on my list was teh "Dont' Waste It" game since I knew it was going away and that Henry would really enjoy it since it has to do with garbage trucks! (a fascination of most little boys. ) As we walked over Henry asked for a snack and we happened to be near the coffee stand by Ellen's.

It had a little bit of a wait! But that was okay, despite my twitching, I was still making myself be calm in the parks and not get worked up over anything that might throw my commando all-day F&GF plans awry.

We all LOVED the Tornorail and I'm sad that it's gone now! I think it just looked so cool.

Eventually coffees and treats were purchased and we made our way into Innoventions to "Don't Waste It". There was a bit of a line, but not bad. Just enough time to finish coffees and treats and for Henry to hit the bathroom.

I cannot remember the details of the games, but I know we had to sort trash (on computer screens) for one of the games.

This one I think we had to move trash - I was working some controls on the ground and Henry and Joe were in a tower.

We did good! Woo-hoo!

Henry really enjoyed it, I'm glad we did it!

Next we made our way to Figment.

On the way...

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

As we walked past this area my fountain was going too! Not the best picture because the sky is so gray!

While we waited in line, the little girl in front of us lost her tooth! It was her first tooth she has lost! It was a fun moment and those around her cheered.

We like this ride - it's not a must-do, but it's cute and fun. I would have loved to seen it back when everyone said it was great though! Henry talks about the upside down part quite often, he thinks it's hilarious!

When we came into the aftershow I was happy to see the computer stations open again! They had that walled off for so long, it was looking really nice. And even if the game on the stations isn't all that impressive, it's still better than a giant wall!

A Henry-designed Figment

We really enjoy playing in this area. I know it's only a shade of what it used to be, and there is so much more they could do with it, but we still think it's a lot of fun.

This shirt is adorable.

Back outside we decided to head into the World Showcase. Our plan was to walk around the entire thing, checking out all the F&GF displays!

But first!

Let's go in!

A CM was working just inside the doors and handed us

We planted these when we got home and they are HUGE flowers! It was such a neat experience for Henry to plant them and then watch them grow. Here is a picture of him with them from this summer:

He's also showing off his Dr. Suess bag. The flowers were taller than he is!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

I really enjoyed the butterfly tent. Henry has the book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" so it was a great learning experience for him to see it all first-hand too!

Now, let's go to the World Showcase!

The sand sculpture was at the end of the rose garden path, just before you enter into the World Showcase. It was incredibly impressive!

And across from that was a playground set up for the F&GF. I wish Epcot had a couple playgrounds all year.

The playground had quite a nice view!

I probably took 50 pictures of those flower beds. I couldn't get over how beautiful they were and how good they smelled!!!

Eventually Joe and I peeled Henry away and we finally started on our World Showcase adventure...but first...a gift shop!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

These looked better in person!

I wanted to find an excuse to buy something - there was SO much cute stuff! But...I didn't. I walked away empty handed.

This time.

Up Next: A World Showcase of Topiaries!

 

[mickeystoontown]

What a fun update! I have said it before and I'll say it again....I miss seeing the Flower & Garden Festival! It used to extend to the end of May and we'd get to see parts of it and I loved it. I guess I'll just have to see it through everybody's pictures.

Those flowers that Henry planted are zinnias. I grow them in our garden each and every year and, last year, had one that was up to my chest. I'm 5" 5" so that was one pretty tall flower.

I agree that Disney should have a couple of the small play areas in Epcot at all times. Little kids need to work off energy and those were always a fun spot for Hunter to play in.

I am loving all of the Flower & Garden Festival merchandise. The purses and t-shirts are adorable!

 

[bellebookworm9]

Your pics have me so excited that I'll get to be at Disney for the Flower and Garden Festival! I'm sad that I never got to do "Don't Waste It"; I think it would have been a lot of fun.

 

[basketkat]

Your pictures make me want to go during Flower and Garden Festival time!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

So pretty! I can't wait to see F&G again in May! Your post title says beginning to a long day. Whew! I can see why... I'm exhausted already!

So jealous of such a long trip. 9 days behind you and 6 more in front of you.

 

[blessedby3]

I love all those beautiful pictures! The Bambie topiary animals were my favorite! I would love to hit up WDW during that time....one of these days! I love all the goodies you took pictures of too. Many things I would love to purchase. I did see my Mickey Mouse (on the green disc stand). I have him sitting on my fireplace and evidently I need to order a Minnie to go with him! I also saw the cute flowerpot with Mickey that I remember you bringing back for Henry. Its adorable

 

[jenseib]

KSC, looks so fun..I went once...when I was like 4...so it's been a few years. I don't know if Claire would enjoy it though. I have considered doing it before or after our cruise next year, but I bet we won't.

I loved all the topiaries around Epcot. It's funny now how I see them in different places now in others TR's and think...Hey that was at Epcot before.

Henry is just so darn cute. And I laughed about Joes 1300 pictures of basically nothing....sometimes I look at my pictures and think..what the heck was I trying to take here? ..... But then at Flower and Garden you said you took a zillion too. You guys just have different interests.

 

[PopArtGal]

it is so cute how there are butterflies on Bambi

 

[PopArtGal]

They sell so many cute and tempting items. As usual hehe

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Loved all the F&G pictures! I want to go to that so bad! How do you like going at that time of year? We've always been in November and I just don't know how I'd like any other time of year. I hate hot, humid weather and I worry about going in spring b/c the weather is so unpredictable. Did you have much rain?

I loved all the merchandise too! That Mickey garden stone is too cute. I love stuff like that. I've seen a Tinker Bell birdbath on other reports that has been sold at the F&GF that is super cute too. I like that Disney yard stuff b/c I feel like you can pull off whimsical stuff in the yard easier than inside the house.

I can't wait to see the rest of your pictures from World Showcase. That is such a magical place to me!

 

[jenjolt]

Flower and Garden is such a beautiful time at Disney!!! Loved your pictures!! Henry is just so adorable!!!!!

Can't wait to read more!!

 

[Poolrat]

No wonder that sunrise stopped you in your tracks.


F&G will happen soon for me. Don't think it will be next year but maybe the year after.

How funny how 9 days in and you start to get twitchy. Even on a much shorter trip I found I HAD to pick up the pace to get everything I wanted to do in.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I love those pink flower handbags!!! They're too cute!

I'd love to go to the Flower and Garden Festival, but I'm pretty sure DBF's sinuses would explode - he's allergic to plants on a normal day, let alone surrounded by billions of flowers . But it does look so pretty!

 

[All7OfUs]

Wonderful, wonderful pix, Brook! I love them all! Never did get to ride the Tronorail.... ah well.. a distant Disney memory.

Trying to get back into the DISSwing of things; it's good to "be back".

 

[petals]

Luvin all your pics from Flower and Garden. The toparies are so cute.


Shameless plug... I started my new trip report come join. it's linked in the sig!