"Mom, why does the Magical Bus have to be the happiest and the saddest bus?"NEW 8/24!

[Cory's Gal]

Hi Beth! I got a little behind...but all caught up now! It sounds like you had fun in Innoventions! I love the Disney Visa Meet and Greet pictures! They turned out so good! So sad that it was your last park though.... Great photopass pics! Helen putting her arm around Gabe is adorable!! Looks like they had a lot of fun swimming! What a cool pool! Can't wait to find out the three things you wanted to do....

Thanks Angie! We had a lot of fun that last day! I HATE leaving the parks! That last day always seems to sneak up on us WAAAAAAAAAAY too fast! WE got a lot of great pics though, and when we can catch on photo the kids being "sweet" to eachother, I LOVE it even more!!!

Loving all the pics!

Thanks Heather! I went crazy on the last day!!!!!!!!

It looks like yall had a great time at the pool!

Since you left us with a cliffhanger I'm tempted to guess. Hmmmm...part of me is saying you went back to Downtown Disney to buy some souvenirs, but the other part is saying you went to Epcot to ride Soarin'. Am I close or way off?

Thanks Alicia! The pool at FQ is really nice and big, and it never seemed crowded while we were there! We would love to try the new pool at CBR! I assume your niece and nephew enjoyed them!!! I will tell you that one of your guesses are correct, I just won't say which one yet!!!!!

 

[Cory's Gal]

Hi All! I have been pretty disconnected the last few days. I had some torn cartilage in my "bad" knee and had minor surgery on Monday. I can't sit too long at the computer yet so that's why there has been no update. I will be able to take the thigh to ankle ace wrap off tomorrow so I am hoping to be able to do MUCH more in the upcoming days. Thankfully Cory and my parents have been SUPER helpful with the kiddos, and luckily I can walk on it so I am not totally laid up!! Here is a pic of the kiddos playing a month or so ago, I finally uploaded some pics from my camera! They were having a lot of fun and of course it's "Disney" related! They really like to play "Disney World", so they had to dress the part!!

Gabe's Tigger costume is a bit small...

 

[DisMomAmy]

Getting caught up again...

Looks like the kids had a blast at the pool at POFQ!! And the Visa Meet & Greet looks like it was worth it - My kiddos don't do well with lines, but it seems like you get to see a lot of characters after just waiting in one line... is that right? Maybe we'll check it out next year? We definitely won't be doing many character meals now that Alex will be ten and we'll have to pay adult prices for him... and he eats like a bird!

Hope you have a speedy recovery from your knee surgery! The kids look cute in their Disney outfits - love the too small Tigger outfit on Gabe!

 

[Angies1274]

So sorry to hear about your knee. I hope you have a quick recovery! Those pictures are adorable! Too funny about Gabe's too small costume! They grow up way too fast..don't they?

 

[Cory's Gal]

Getting caught up again...

Looks like the kids had a blast at the pool at POFQ!! And the Visa Meet & Greet looks like it was worth it - My kiddos don't do well with lines, but it seems like you get to see a lot of characters after just waiting in one line... is that right? Maybe we'll check it out next year? We definitely won't be doing many character meals now that Alex will be ten and we'll have to pay adult prices for him... and he eats like a bird!

Hope you have a speedy recovery from your knee surgery! The kids look cute in their Disney outfits - love the too small Tigger outfit on Gabe!

Thanks Amy! The pool at FQ is fun, and it the kids had a blast!! It was a great time, I wish we took a bit more time out to swim! The Meet n Greet is nice, when it's your turn it's private and just your family so that part is really nice. Both times there were two characters in there and it seems hit and miss whether there is a line or not. You can see the line though and determine if it's too long or not. It's nice to get the free pic though! That will be a big price jump for character meals once Alex is 10!
The knee is doing well, I got to finally shower today and I am getting around a bit better. It's nice to sit and DIS a bit!! I have a lot to catch up on!! I am sure you have more details posted about your fall trip I need to see!!
Whenever the kids dress-up I try to snap a couple of pics, they always have a lot of fun being somebody else!!

So sorry to hear about your knee. I hope you have a quick recovery! Those pictures are adorable! Too funny about Gabe's too small costume! They grow up way too fast..don't they?

Thanks Angie! My knee is doing better and I don't have to sit with it elevated as much so I can be on the computer a bit today!! The kids are growing way too fast! It's funny how he is just not quite ready to give up that Tigger costume!! We have had it for almost 3 years!! I absolutely LOVE that Helen loves the fun girly costumes too! We will have a tough time deciding which one for Halloween!!

 

[iheartpluto]

Glad you're feeling better! And I'm loving the dress-up pics!!!

 

[mermaid764]

Awww that's too cute that your kids like to play "Disney World", they are too adorable in their costumes

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Hi Beth!

Hope you are feeling better! Glad you hear you have lots of help with the kids! Nice that you can walk and get around yet though.

Great pictures from your last day - love the PhotoPass ones of all of the family! Looks like you all had a great time at the pool too! I can't wait to see where you ended up your last day!

Hope your knee feels better soon and get lots of rest!
Karen

 

[Cory's Gal]

Glad you're feeling better! And I'm loving the dress-up pics!!!

Thanks Joanne! They love to dress up! They always make me laugh. Gabe runs around when he's Tigger going 'boing boing' and "whoo whoo whoo whoo"!

Awww that's too cute that your kids like to play "Disney World", they are too adorable in their costumes

Thanks! It's one of the cutest things to watch. They will line up their stuffed animals to "wait" in line. Gabe reminds some of them not to line cut too!! He will make a great Cast Member someday!!

Hi Beth!

Hope you are feeling better! Glad you hear you have lots of help with the kids! Nice that you can walk and get around yet though.

Great pictures from your last day - love the PhotoPass ones of all of the family! Looks like you all had a great time at the pool too! I can't wait to see where you ended up your last day!

Hope your knee feels better soon and get lots of rest!
Karen

Thanks Karen! It's feeling even better today, good enough to do laundry, booooo! I was really happy with all those great Photopass pics the last day! I will definitely get prints of those made!!

 

[Cory's Gal]

As I left off, my parents shoved Cory and I out the door, I had my "3" things left to accomplish and we were off to get those done (plus a few other things)!! My list were things at EPCOT, so off we went on the bus!!! Epcot had EMH this night so once we got there we were hungry and headed to Mexico to start our walk!
My 3 things to get done were:
1. See more topiaries!!
2. Watch Illuminations!!
3. Ride Soarin'!!
I hoped we would be able to check all those things off my list, I also wanted to drink a Margarita and eat Fish n Chips...
We stopped at Mexico and I got my Margarita, YUMMY!!! Quick stop in Norway for a topiary pic:

Then on to China to get this pic, one of my favorites to look at!!

We kept wandering and Cory wanted a beer and brat so on to Germany!
First Snow White:

Happy guy with his beer and brat! (He is a Wisconsin boy after all!)

Our drinks hanging out!

We contemplated waiting for Illuminations on the bench, but I wanted to see more topiaries and I was HUNGRY for Fish n Chips! So after Cory ate we wandered some more!

On to Italy!

We passed by America:

Everything looked so pretty lit up!
Then to Japan!

These two pics got fuzzy...

continued in the next post...

 

[Cory's Gal]

Next we were in Morocco!
So we saw Aladdin!

Then off to France!! A lot of topiaries here!!!
First Beauty and the Beast!

Then two more Princesses!
Aurora (and Phillip)

Cinderella (and Charming)

At this point it was getting crowded with people waiting for Illuminations AND I could smell my fish n chips!!! Quick pic of the Peter Pan scene:

Then we finally made it!!!

We waited in line for about 10 minutes and by now it was about 8:45pm. We found a curb on the backside of the path. The fish was delicious!!!!!!!!!!!! I was a happy girl!!!

I finished just in time! We just stood on the curb and could actually see really well without being smashed in by other people! Illumintaions was AWESOME as usual! I was really sad the kids weren't with us to see it together. We started to get through the crowd and hope that there wasn't a long line at Soarin'! I was so tired and really felt like I was ready for bed, but off we went to The Land! There was a massive amount of people headed in, there was a 30 minute wait, so we decided to hop into line!

We waited only about 25 minutes and then we soared!!!! It was a fun ride, but I was again sad that Gabe didn't ride it this trip, I guess next trip then!! Quick Timon and Pumbaa pic before we walked out.

It was a pretty night and quiet walk back to the buses!

One last topiary pic:

There was a bus waiting and we were back to FQ in no time!
The map all lit up!

The pretty fountain by our room all lit up too!

We got back to the room and the kids were busy while we were gone. Gabe drew these "Disney World trees" (palm trees):

They were fast asleep:

I couldn't believe it was our last night in WDW. I fell asleep fast though, I was beat, but happy I got the last 3 (or 5) things checked off my list!!

 

[MommyMcQueen]

As I left off, my parents shoved Cory and I out the door, I had my "3" things left to accomplish and we were off to get those done (plus a few other things)!!

Naughty Naughty Beth and Cory!!!

Happy guy with his beer and brat! (He is a Wisconsin boy after all!)

Way to go Cory! Way to represent!!!

The topiarys are really cool - looks like you had a really nice last night there. I hear you about missing the kiddos and wishing they were there to see it. It is nice to get time to yourselves, but at the same time you wish they were there to share it with! I'm sure there will be a next trip!!
Karen

 

[rndmr2]

Great update! Sorry about your knee, glad you are feeling better. I love all the Topiary Pics.

 

[DisMomAmy]

I'm glad to hear you are feeling better!

Back to the Visa Meet & Greet for a second... so it's is generally just two characters? For some reason I was thinking it was a bunch of different characters right after one another. Hmmm... We'll have to think about it...

Looks like a great last night. I'm glad you got so much accomplished at Epcot!

Sorry your trip is coming to an end.

 

[Angies1274]

Hi Beth! So glad you got those last 3 (or 5) things you wanted to do checked off your list!! I love all the topiary pictures especially Lady and the Tramp in Italy. (I still can't believe I missed that one) Gabe's tree pictures are so cute! It sounds like you had a wonderful evening!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Love the pic of the kids playing Disney World!!! So cute!

Sounds like a great last night at Epcot. That is cool the wait for Soarin wasn't too long and you got to accomplish your list of things you wanted to do.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Back to the Visa Meet & Greet for a second... so it's is generally just two characters? For some reason I was thinking it was a bunch of different characters right after one another. Hmmm... We'll have to think about it...

Are you maybe thinking of the Character Spot instead? They do have a bunch of characters there. I think when we did it we saw Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and possibly Chip and Dale. Oh yeah, and Snow White was at the very end.

The Visa meet and greet is for Disney Visa cardholders and is in Innoventions.

 

[Peter Pan Fan 22]

I was right about Soarin'! I knew when you said it was a favorite that you'd be heading back to ride it! Ya gotta do the favorites!!

Great topiary pics! Was this your first Flower and Garden festival? I can't remember if you said it was or not. This year was my first time seeing it and I thought it was just wonderful! Epcot was stunning!

I hope your knee continues to heal and you have a full recovery soon!

 

[Cory's Gal]

Naughty Naughty Beth and Cory!!!

Way to go Cory! Way to represent!!!

The topiarys are really cool - looks like you had a really nice last night there. I hear you about missing the kiddos and wishing they were there to see it. It is nice to get time to yourselves, but at the same time you wish they were there to share it with! I'm sure there will be a next trip!!
Karen

He, he, he, you are funny Karen!!! Yeah, Cory is ALWAYS up for beer and brats!! Seeing the WS, the topiaries, and Illuminations was bittersweet for me because the kids weren't able to share it with us, but it was nice to cruise around with my "date" for the evening!! If I have anything to say about it, there will be a "next trip"!!!!!

Great update! Sorry about your knee, glad you are feeling better. I love all the Topiary Pics.

Thanks Danielle!! I am doing okay, not doing the things I want to but able to get around. The topiaries are just beautiful, I am glad I got back to get some more pics!!

I'm glad to hear you are feeling better!

Back to the Visa Meet & Greet for a second... so it's is generally just two characters? For some reason I was thinking it was a bunch of different characters right after one another. Hmmm... We'll have to think about it...

Looks like a great last night. I'm glad you got so much accomplished at Epcot!

Sorry your trip is coming to an end.

Thanks Amy! I was glad to be able to get those things done at Epcot, I could spend so much time there, there are so many things to see!

The Visa thing is separate from the Character Connection. In CC, you wait in one line to individually see the Fab 5! We did that on our first day of our vacation at Epcot. I know if you hit it up right at park opening there is hardly a line!! You will have to check it out!!!

 

[Cory's Gal]

Hi Beth! So glad you got those last 3 (or 5) things you wanted to do checked off your list!! I love all the topiary pictures especially Lady and the Tramp in Italy. (I still can't believe I missed that one) Gabe's tree pictures are so cute! It sounds like you had a wonderful evening!

We sure did Angie!! Those topiaries were just gorgeous, I loved Lady and the Tramp too and we may have missed some because by the time we got to the American Pavilion it was getting dark. We almost missed Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella just by walking past it. Luckily we stopped for something and saw them, I would have been bummed to know that we missed them!! I LOVE it when the kids create something so simple yet special to our trip, those "Disney trees" will be going in the scrapbook for sure!!

Love the pic of the kids playing Disney World!!! So cute!

Sounds like a great last night at Epcot. That is cool the wait for Soarin wasn't too long and you got to accomplish your list of things you wanted to do.

Thanks Sarah! They play Disney World at least once a week if not more. I LOVE to hear what they come up with for things to do. Sometimes I have to stay behind to hold on to the stuffed animals who are too short to ride some of the rides!!!

I was right about Soarin'! I knew when you said it was a favorite that you'd be heading back to ride it! Ya gotta do the favorites!!

Great topiary pics! Was this your first Flower and Garden festival? I can't remember if you said it was or not. This year was my first time seeing it and I thought it was just wonderful! Epcot was stunning!

I hope your knee continues to heal and you have a full recovery soon!

You did guess right Alicia!! Nice work!! I think this is my first F & G Festival. We went at the end of May in 2000 and I think we saw a couple of things that were still left up but the Festival itself was over. It was absolutely beautiful and I would go this time of year again to experience it!!! I am taking it easy and I hope my knee will heal up as fast as possible!!!