Move over Dumbo our circus is taking over! Surprise trip adventure!!

[KatMark]

Mo, what a great update.

Despite the gloomy weather, the pictures at Epcot are wonderful. And the kids are just too cute.

Mulan is one that we still have yet to meet. Hopefully, on our next trip. She is simply beautiful. And I'd be afraid of Meg's fists too!

I have to admit I'm not going to miss Maelstrom...too short and boring. But I do like the trolls.

 

[lovedonaldduck]

I had a lot of catching up to do! We have had a ton of rain this year, not sure what is going on with it. Looks like you guys definitely made the best of it! Can't wait to see what stuffies the boys chose, what awesome pixie dust!

 

[sweetpeaandevie]

Wow!! I love that you have so many pics from Epcot. My big regret from our trip is that we missed almost all of the WS, so I am just living it through you!!

I'm glad that you got to go off yourself and snap some photos! Greg is definitely the photographer of our group. Several times we would look around and he would be gone.....poof! But I got some awesome shots out of all that time we spent looking for him!

 

[Clarf]

Bah! You've been an updating fool! Sorry about all the rain, but I'm glad you didn't let it get you down. Just keep plugging away!

One day we'll get to Biergarten, but we have so many of those places here, it's hard to justify going at Disney. It does look fun, though!

I love the picture of the one of your boys looking out over the water with his poncho and hat on! So cute! And Meg with Mulan, awesome! She is a fun meet and greet.

Your dh totally should have gotten the Lederhosen. I'd pay to see that.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Your pictures of the World Showcase are awesome, I think the pictures are great even with ponchos and a Jack hat

Why thank you!!! some of the pictures are ok.
Poncho's became part of our daily wardrobe!! The Jack hat is cute. Yet i was tired of seeing it on my little man who needed JUST HIM in a few pictures!

Wow the China pavilion looks awe
I love all your pictures, it is funny that the CM would not stand still, her costume does look beautiful though!

Thank you! Nope she would NOT stand still!

I also rode Maelstrom (actually 2 times) the last time I was down, it was a ride that was never a must do but knowing they were getting rid of it changed it to a must do.

Us either, knowing it was going to close i needed as many pictures as i could. and Ride it as many times as we could.. until the change over!

Thanks for all the info.. Looks like the beer cart it is! I don't think we will have time to squeeze in any other ressies..

Totally understand! YES! BEER CART!!! yummmmmmm

That M & G with Mulan looks like so much fun! I have never had a meet with her and I would love to!! I'll have to stalk her out next time!

Mulan is a great M&G you must see her!

Love the latest update and pictures! Do you know that we didn't see the terra cotta statues until year before last? I can't believe that it took us so long to finally find them.

Thank you! The statues are really COOL to see!!! I tried to get in as much 'stuff' as we could this trip!

Your pictures on Maelstrom turned out great. I even like the blurry ones!

THANK YOU!!!

You always get rain in Epcot, we always get rain in MK...

really MK?!?! that's not right!!!! every time we walk into EPCOT it will rain. ALWAYS.

You did indeed still get great photos. Yes, I love being able to travel around the world in a day.

thank you.. The pictures are OK. It's amazing to be able to travel the world like that! I love it!!!

MULAN! She is one of my favorite princesses. It seems she just isn't out for meet and greets much any more. Maybe I am just not looking in the right places.
Your little midgets are so cute!!!

Gotta find her. she is amazing to meet. TONS of fun, takes her time with the kids.
thank you i do like the midgets A LOT!!!

We love mulan! And the make a man outta you song. I even like her second movie and I usually don't love sequels. The last time we went, DH was pushing our stroller and she asked the girls if he was their horse pulling their carriage. he got called a horse again later by sleeping beauty. It was hilarious! How great that she got to spend so much time with your kids! I think when it rains and they get moved inside people don't look so hard for them.

it's a great song! I don't think i have seen the sequel?!? I know the kids have just don't think i did.

OH MY GOODNESS that is a great story!!! we really didn't seek out many characters this trip...

Love the picture of the kids in their ponchos on the bridge. Very cute!

Thank you! He is darling. I just love him.

I've never seen Mulan with a line.....even in the summer crowds. She is fun!

Really? Poor Mulan!!! She deserves more attention!!!

Yikes that fish face thing is scary!!

TOTALLY WAS SCARY! what were they drinking when making that?!?!

You got a great picture of the Maelstrom "eye" guy at the beginning! So jealous

Thanks!!! don't be jealous. you know what's mine is yours just ask.

We often stayed around Valdosta, Ga on the way down and one of the towns in southern Indiana on the way back. The conversion van was great for long trips. The rear seat folded down into a double bed. We took a lot of trips all over the country in it.

this is good to know. I would like to drive down again. like i said i would rather stop for a night... that was LOOOOOOOOONG.

YAY! More Epcot! My favorite!
I'm so glad to see you spending so much time in World Showcase. I'm loving all the photos, regardless of the rain!

Thank you!!!

Your kiddos are cute as buttons! And that's AWESOME about the CM Danielle and the three free plushies! How amazing!

She is an amazing CM!!!

I did Biergarten once many years ago, just me and a girlfriend. I'm very shy, and I hated being seated at the same table with another family, so I've never been back, despite loving the food and the experience otherwise.

aww i am sorry your shy and didn't like seating with others. just NEED to make sure the people have the same attitude you do and it's awesome!

Looking forward to more!

Thank you! Hopefully tomorrow!

China has a very cool exhibit. We love those terra cotta statues. The Field Museum had an exhibit of the full size statues back in the early 80's. It was a huge display. The statues were as tall as a real person, not small like the ones in Epcot.

I didn't know they were here! DANG IT!!! I missed them!!!

That's too bad about all the rain. The kids look happy, though. They got the most amazing pixie dust ever, with three stuffed toys for their birthday.

I am SO DONE with rain, when it rains here now i just get disgusted.

BUT! we were in DISNEY! Not a DANG thing was going to stop us!!!! NOTHING!!!!

 

[Chicago Mo]

Bah! You've been an updating fool! Sorry about all the rain, but I'm glad you didn't let it get you down. Just keep plugging away!

NOPE! it's Disney rain! totally different then Chicago rain!

One day we'll get to Biergarten, but we have so many of those places here, it's hard to justify going at Disney. It does look fun, though!

that's the way i feel about 50's prime time. we have something like it here. when in Disney you want to do other stuff!!!

I love the picture of the one of your boys looking out over the water with his poncho and hat on! So cute! And Meg with Mulan, awesome! She is a fun meet and greet.

thank you that's one of my favorites too! LOT'S of fun to meet her!

Your dh totally should have gotten the Lederhosen. I'd pay to see that.

I would go back there just to have him wear it.. then dance and get smacked around like chevy chase!!!!

Wow!! I love that you have so many pics from Epcot. My big regret from our trip is that we missed almost all of the WS, so I am just living it through you!!

thank you!!!
YOU MISSED MOST OF WS?!?!? oh boy you better get on this Trip report.. I need to know!

I'm glad that you got to go off yourself and snap some photos! Greg is definitely the photographer of our group. Several times we would look around and he would be gone.....poof! But I got some awesome shots out of all that time we spent looking for him!

I did i ran away a couple of times just to shoot.. don't tell them!!! I used the smoking excuse a few times.. I would go and shoot THEN go and find the DSA by the time they found me i was where i was supposed to be!

I had a lot of catching up to do! We have had a ton of rain this year, not sure what is going on with it. Looks like you guys definitely made the best of it! Can't wait to see what stuffies the boys chose, what awesome pixie dust!

SORRY i won't be posting an update today... no time..

OMG the amount of rain was CRAZY!!! The kids were overly excited to be able to get some stuffies!!!

Mo, what a great update.

thank you!!!

Despite the gloomy weather, the pictures at Epcot are wonderful. And the kids are just too cute.

thanks. they are OK. i have to agree about the kids. I might be a bit biased..

Mulan is one that we still have yet to meet. Hopefully, on our next trip. She is simply beautiful. And I'd be afraid of Meg's fists too!

Mulan is a wonderful M&G. No lines either! Meg doeshave some fists of fury.. along with feet when she starts kicking everyone runs out of her little path of destruction..

I have to admit I'm not going to miss Maelstrom...too short and boring. But I do like the trolls.

all joking aside i am with you. it's not the most exhilarating ride. Yet it's still an icon of what's leaving so i had to go on as many times just to say goodbye.
Trolls are cool.....

WHEWWWWWWWW!!!

I hope you and your family are feeling better?!?

Ok, so I am back, and yours was the first TR I had to go catch up on, and boy o boy did you update a lot!!! I literally had to make notes, I had so many posts to go through! But I did it! I am all caught up, though I didnt read any of your life updates or comments, just the actual posts, but from here on out I should be good!

Missed you! Ohh and i feel privileged you came here!!!!
I am trying to keep this on the slow side too.. it's all the pictures i have to go with each day!
the life updates aren't nearly as long and crazy as the PTR ones. they are pretty boring and i would skip them too... HA!

The car decor! LOVE IT! Your mom is AWESOME!

isn't it the best??! I was so happy with it! Just love her!

What's up with the lady handing out the OJ at the welcome center?!?! She does not look too sun-shiny herself!

Nooooooo she was as grumpy as can be!!! could not get her to smile for anything!

How freakin' cool about the white board messages you exchanged with the passer-by!!!!! That literally made me want to drive to Disney right there!

ohh it's great when you meet a fellow driver going to Disney!!! It's like a different type of caravan to a sports game!!! camaraderie at it's finest!

Omg, love your narration on your futures from SSE... Mrs. Jetson has to go sleep with the fishies!!

ha! Thank you!!! it's how it looks doesn't it?

That ToT billboard is AMAZING! For some reason I was way more aware of my surroundings while we were on the buses this time and we passed that one a lot and I loved it! Too cool! I also loved the bugs life one they have, it has a stink bugs booty and smoke poofs out of it!!! Gotta love Disney, even their billboards cannot be matched!

I love them all!!!! I am telling you Disney world is truly a world in it's own! All the roads are spectacular! I know i work in transportation!

Oh hell, I know EXACTLY what you mean with the monsoon!!!! That EXACT thing happened twice on our trip! Seriously, one thing Disney does not have is good drainage, because you are not exaggerating, I was walking in AT LEAST a foot of water at MK and DHS, it was nutso! I too had to go buy a new pair of shoes because of it, I cannot walk in squishy ones either. It was so nuts...

you too huh??? What shoes did you get? Walking in a foot of water IS NOT fun. AT ALL. I don't care where you are.

Hahhaahahaha, I feel you on missing a pic with Tess on your first encounter! I did the same thing when Lori and I met! By the time we got a photo it was our 3rd run in!

I cannot believe there isn't a picture when we first met. It was adorable. as soon as we saw her the kids RAN to give her hugs!!! They lOVED ALL THEIR GIFTS!!!

Teehee, thats funny on the pep talk about always saying yes when a CM offers something, I had a very similar spiel with Olivia regarding magic shots... "ALWAYS say yes if they ask if you want to take a special photo!"

We must raise our children right! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Squeeee! A message from Mickey and Minnie themselves on your phone! LOVE!

I KNOW RIGHT?!?!? it was so magical!!!!

That was the sweetest thing EVER when the CM gave you a certificate for stuffies! How amazing!?!?!? When I retire to Disney one day THAT is the job I want!

you and me both!!! Jut to make someone's day that special and something you will remember forever? I WANT THAT JOB!!!

Okay, now I am ready for MORE!!

hopefully tomorrow!!!

Loved the Mulan meet n' greet!!! LOL at Megs fists of fury! So true!

It is!! she is a tough cookie! Mulan is too!

And the rain... We always have rain in Epcot - always... And not just rain, but RAIN!

YES!!! What is it about Epcot?!?!

Loved all the pictures of WS though - beautiful!
D~

thank you... They are OK.

You had great pictures, even if it was rainy. We loved Mulan too. Marissa had just bought Chelsea a fan from Japan and Mulan saw it and gave Chelsea fan opening lessons. Chelsea had a blast with Mulan.

the pictures are OK. bad sky and all!
AWWWWWW Mulan is special isn't she?

Yes, my bf banned me from going to Disney. When he found out that I purposefully went to Disney 3 times this year (he kept saying 4 because he was counting the August 2013 trip too), he went a bit crazy angry. He says he doesn't like me traveling alone (but he won't go) with the kids. He doesn't like me spending all that money. But it really comes down to he just doesn't want me to be gone. Hold on, I feel a rant coming on. I spend most of my time with him or the kids (he hasn't met the kids yet...6 years!). So, Marissa told me my goal for the year should be to be invited to one BBQ. Make one friend and get invited to their house. I told him, and he flipped out. Said he didn't want me to go because there might be single men there. I apparently shouldn't go anywhere, because there are single men there, except the gym. He is always wanting me to go to the gym. Anyway, rant over. So, he did ban me from going to Disney. He doesn't think we need to go ever again. He went to DL as a child. He never took his kids. He doesn't see why anyone would want to go, and if they do, once in a lifetime is enough. So, now I am trying to determine how to get around the banning or if this 6 year relationship is working.

Umm. I want you to re-read the above and then tell my WHY are you with someone who is that controlling? your a beautiful person with beautiful children!!! You love and enjoy Disney with your kids and make more memories every time you go. Who is he to tell you how to spend your time with your kids or how to spend your money?
Sweetie i hope i am NOT stepping on toes on this. But the above? I have seen some terrible ugly things come out of a controlling relationships. Just know i say what i say because i do care.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Sorry! No update today i have TONS of stuff to get done!! It's already almost 12 i have a lot more to go!!!


Hope everyone is feeling BETTER! My prayers are always with you all and know your just ALL THE BEST PEOPLE ON THE PLANET!!!

 

[Clarf]

that's the way i feel about 50's prime time. we have something like it here. when in Disney you want to do other stuff!!!

Ed Debevic's? I know that place. I used to work at the one in Milwaukee until it closed! That's where I met my husband! But yeah, I don't need to do 50's prime time. I lived it!







I would go back there just to have him wear it.. then dance and get smacked around like chevy chase!!!!

And OMG, best part of that movie.

 

[DMGeurts]

You had great pictures, even if it was rainy. We loved Mulan too. Marissa had just bought Chelsea a fan from Japan and Mulan saw it and gave Chelsea fan opening lessons. Chelsea had a blast with Mulan.

Yes, my bf banned me from going to Disney. When he found out that I purposefully went to Disney 3 times this year (he kept saying 4 because he was counting the August 2013 trip too), he went a bit crazy angry. He says he doesn't like me traveling alone (but he won't go) with the kids. He doesn't like me spending all that money. But it really comes down to he just doesn't want me to be gone. Hold on, I feel a rant coming on. I spend most of my time with him or the kids (he hasn't met the kids yet...6 years!). So, Marissa told me my goal for the year should be to be invited to one BBQ. Make one friend and get invited to their house. I told him, and he flipped out. Said he didn't want me to go because there might be single men there. I apparently shouldn't go anywhere, because there are single men there, except the gym. He is always wanting me to go to the gym. Anyway, rant over. So, he did ban me from going to Disney. He doesn't think we need to go ever again. He went to DL as a child. He never took his kids. He doesn't see why anyone would want to go, and if they do, once in a lifetime is enough. So, now I am trying to determine how to get around the banning or if this 6 year relationship is working.

Umm. I want you to re-read the above and then tell my WHY are you with someone who is that controlling? your a beautiful person with beautiful children!!! You love and enjoy Disney with your kids and make more memories every time you go. Who is he to tell you how to spend your time with your kids or how to spend your money?
Sweetie i hope i am NOT stepping on toes on this. But the above? I have seen some terrible ugly things come out of a controlling relationships. Just know i say what i say because i do care.

I think I need to agree with Mo on this one. Shannon - you are an absolutely delightful and wonderful person. From what you wrote - your bf does sound like he is quite controlling, and not in a good way. I understand the Disney banning thing (I am going through it now) - but to try to keep you away from other functions and gatherings because there might be single men there... Well, it doesn't sound healthy to me. I am not trying to stick my nose in where it doesn't belong, but I care about you, and pray that you are able to find a way to move past a relationship with someone that seems to want to dominate your life because he is insecure in his.

D~

 

[STLMickeyMom]

I think I need to agree with Mo on this one. Shannon - you are an absolutely delightful and wonderful person. From what you wrote - your bf does sound like he is quite controlling, and not in a good way. I understand the Disney banning thing (I am going through it now) - but to try to keep you away from other functions and gatherings because there might be single men there... Well, it doesn't sound healthy to me. I am not trying to stick my nose in where it doesn't belong, but I care about you, and pray that you are able to find a way to move past a relationship with someone that seems to want to dominate your life because he is insecure in his.

D~

Sorry to stick my nose in where it doesn't belong--but I feel like I have to say something. I strongly, wholeheartedly agree with Mo and D. I used to work at a shelter with women escaping violent relationships and A LOT of them started the same way. I'm not trying to be nosey but what you wrote just had me seeing red flags everywhere. Please take care of yourself and do what is best for you and your kiddos.

 

[ValarDisneyus]

Ehmm...I'm jumping on the stranger with unsolicited advice bandwagon...BUT:

You should date someone who shares or supports your priorities. I assume, naturally, that your children are a paramount priority in your life, and he can't be bothered? I wouldn't bother with him, were it me.

I apologize profusely for being terrifically rude.

 

[ljcrochet]

You had great pictures, even if it was rainy. We loved Mulan too. Marissa had just bought Chelsea a fan from Japan and Mulan saw it and gave Chelsea fan opening lessons. Chelsea had a blast with Mulan.

Yes, my bf banned me from going to Disney. When he found out that I purposefully went to Disney 3 times this year (he kept saying 4 because he was counting the August 2013 trip too), he went a bit crazy angry. He says he doesn't like me traveling alone (but he won't go) with the kids. He doesn't like me spending all that money. But it really comes down to he just doesn't want me to be gone. Hold on, I feel a rant coming on. I spend most of my time with him or the kids (he hasn't met the kids yet...6 years!). So, Marissa told me my goal for the year should be to be invited to one BBQ. Make one friend and get invited to their house. I told him, and he flipped out. Said he didn't want me to go because there might be single men there. I apparently shouldn't go anywhere, because there are single men there, except the gym. He is always wanting me to go to the gym. Anyway, rant over. So, he did ban me from going to Disney. He doesn't think we need to go ever again. He went to DL as a child. He never took his kids. He doesn't see why anyone would want to go, and if they do, once in a lifetime is enough. So, now I am trying to determine how to get around the banning or if this 6 year relationship is working.

Lots of red flags. He is telling you what you can and can't do, and hasn't met your children after 6 years is just crazy.
Don't sell yourself short.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Look at all this Disney LOVE!!!

​

Man o Man if you didn't loved before you should now!!!

and there are several ways to go and find a new man who loves DISNEY!!!

 

[that's nice]

Hey there.....

Subbing and will be back to try to catch up. Or as Kathy would call it skimming.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Nothing like going from Norway and dancing right over to MEXICO in the matter of minutes!!! YES we did a sort-of-Mexican hat dance over there.
HELL NO there is not a video or pictures of that. You want to see us in our natural Disney state you will have to meet up with us there....

Because you have never seen the ride I will post pictures for you!!!











da tada da tada da tadada tadaaaaaaaaa <--- you get the idea...







What does this teach kids?!!? Beat poor Donald with a stick?!?!







Our FIRST FIREWORKS!!!









Ok i have to say I am pretty happy with the way a couple of these came out..




Kids wanted to do the ride AGAIN.. So i let them. I wanted to go on another PHOTOSHOOT WALK!
When i was about to adventure out. the skies OPENED UP AGAIN.
No. I am not going out there. I will entertain myself right here in Mexico.
I was trying new things on my camera, and proved they didn't work-

blah...

Some kid was playing that Agent Perry game, Who knew this was in there!


Thankfully the kid was good at the game and I was not disintegrated by dr doofenshmirtz and his mad science skills..

Ok this one makes me kinda laugh..
She was NOT working when I was perusing her work just standing and talking to another person in spanish, I asked to take a picture and she got right down to work!


I had to laugh inward..

Moving on:
I was then fascinated by her:




I sat and watched her make a penguin out of the glass. Simply amazing.
By this time Tom and the kids had done their second round of the cheap version of my most hated ride.

We walked out and just as pixi dust would have it DONALD was just emerging!!!
we have never met him here!



This is when Meg asked him to shake his tail feathers!




So they ALL did a little dance!


.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Hey there.....

Subbing and will be back to try to catch up. Or as Kathy would call it skimming.

YAY! Thanks Tim for coming aboard! Skim away! I just ramble anyway..

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Wow! Thanks everyone for your comments. Didn't mean to hijack. Because of my very bad marriage, I sometimes think I look for things in this relationship and I don't trust myself in seeing things clearly. I have noticed the red flags too, but thought I might be imagining them because of my past baggage. I guess maybe I am not imagining the behavior. Thanks for taking the time.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

We explored Mexico in 2013 in Epcot quite extinsively (translation, it was pouring). We did the Agent P, we rode the ride, we looked at the displays. We saw Donald and took pictures. We avoided it like the plague this year.

I love that the woman was just chatting away before you asked to take the picture and then got to work for the picture. I would do the same thing if someone wanted a picture of me while at work.

 

[LoJoDisney]

I love all the pictures from Mexico!

We missed the boat ride in Mexico, so it's a good thing you took all of those pictures so I can see what it's like!

I love that Meg asked him to shake his feathers, adorable.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

I love the Mexico pavillon! For years I didn't even realize you could go in there--I was missing out all that time!!!

I love those day of the dead fiesta skeletons in that ride.

Pixie dust!! Love it! Meg and Donald and the shaking tail feathers --too cute!