My DSD came for a visit & didn't stay for our trip to WDW??? Update 1/13Kadani Villag

[JPFamilyMom]

I can't wait to explore World Showcase at Epcot. In many pictures it really looks like you are in another country, not at an amusement park. I want to have that other country feeling.

 

[jmskinner]

What a cute bag that was she was looking for. Glad she found it.

Great pics are usual Melissa, seeing your pictures makes it even clearer how little we saw at Epcot. Hope I get to explore more this time.

I hope you do to.

I can't wait to explore World Showcase at Epcot. In many pictures it really looks like you are in another country, not at an amusement park. I want to have that other country feeling.

You do feel like you are in another country. Morocco is the one that really immerses you, or at least that is my opinion.

Vickie, I love that pic of us on the bench. We look sort of staged. Where was I when Emily got stuck? Jacob can get through just about anything.

 

[jmskinner]

I didn't mention this in my response to Vickie, but I love Germany. Hmmm, wonder if it has anything with me being a little bit German? I didn't take that many pics this time, but here are a couple:




I think it was Robert that wanted to see the Chinese Acrobats, so we headed back to China. We had never taken the time to watch, so I was all for it.

We ended up finding a spot back behind the show, but could still what was going on, check out the bowls landing on his head:





This lady is just amazing:


I think we got stuck by the drawbridge, or something, but Robert found a nice place to sit, and didn't fall over this time.


Per the next photo, it was the drawbridge that held us up:


And would you believe we had never done this:


I was lagging behind everyone else because I was taking pics:


Inside the theatre:


And one quick shot during the performance:


I enjoyed the show, need to go back again sometime.

Then it was off to Morocco, another favorite of mine:
















Robert found a shady spot to sit:


And everyone else followed while Jonas went to check out the food available:


I thought this flowers were very interesting:


I had a better shot, but someone had left behind their cup ruining it.

And this is where Jonas was checking out the food offerings for another day:


And that is it for my Morocco photo tour. I think I like Morocco so much because it seems like what a little village would look and feel like. Walking on paths between buildings with little shoppes throughout.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Robert really wanted to see the Chinese acrobats, so we didn’t wander too far from China. It was extraordinarily hot by now, and shade was at a premium. Anywhere there was shade, there were people. Fortunately, he had an umbrella (albeit pink) that he and the girls could crawl under.

Notice the stacked champagne glasses on the wall.

I chose to sacrifice being with them with the great view so they wouldn't have to try to share the umbrella with me, and found a tree that partially blocked the view of the acrobats. I was okay with this, because the shade was a great offset to the willowy branches that fell across me and tickled; I soon discovered I was not alone in my choice of location.

Not only that little fella, but soon others of my own kind began to crowd around. I soon had to accommodate them, and peeked around the tree to see the sights.

In dealing with the flora and the fauna, I think I am following in Melissa’s footsteps, somewhat. But this act couldn’t beat the one which follows.

After we crossed the bridge and into the frontier section, we witnessed a crime. This little fella startled us all by just joining in the crowd, and coming up and following this lady’s scooter. We soon found out why.

The audaciousness of this dude was unparalleled. I really wish I had gotten video of this…but this squirrel accosted the lady on this scooter, and she stopped. He then proceeded to jump on the front of it, and now here he is – right on the fender under her basket.

What I couldn’t figure out at first was that she was eating a turkey leg – did he want a bite of turkey?? Good heavens, a carnivorous squirrel??? But if you notice, she was reaching into her basket…her basket of goodies. And pulled out a potato chip.

And here he is, eating his chip calmly…in front of the scooter.

Man, I just felt this lady had been waylaid and pilfered, and the dude would let her go when he was done!! And he did, finally, move on. But it was funny.

Here, we are walking into that American theater place. If you haven’t gone, go – it’s really entertaining. There were people in the foyer singing beautiful songs before the show started…they were dressed in period costumes, and at the very end, the patriotic songs they were singing would have stirred the enemy’s heart, so rousing were they.

Now, Morocco. This place is really cool – Melissa is right. It’s like a real bazaar in the back…why couldn’t they have done something like this with Italy? I feel so cheated with their Italy section, compared to this one.

I think I will finish the rest later…much more Morocco momentarily (or, probably tomorrow).

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Wow that squirrel did have some nerve. I don't know what I would've done

 

[jmskinner]

Wow that squirrel did have some nerve. I don't know what I would've done

I didn't realize Vickie got such good shots of that squirrel. It was funny. I was being lazy and finding shade, if I remember correctly.

Now on to Italy.

 

[jmskinner]

After Morocco we headed back to Italy. We were bouncing around the World, over and over again. I decided to play around and act like a photographer.



Beautiful masks in the shop:






Yet another shot of Jacob doing something he shouldn't:




Details:




And it was time for dinner:


A picture in the little lobby area:


We only had maybe a 5 minute wait. When they called us for our table I remember one man stating how there was now room to sit. I think we had made ourselves very comfortable while waiting for our table. Once seated Robert felt like he should have asked to be moved since we were right at the door, but I was glad to be seated, in air conditioning, and on the way to food.







Chicken Canninolli (sp?)


I can't remember what Jonas got:


Emily's pizza, which ended up in front of Jacob:


Jacob would not eat anything. The last time we ate here, a manager came over and asked him why he would not eat his food.

Tiramisau (Sp? again)


I think this was chocolate mousse:


Not a clue but it looked good:


Again, not a clue, but Robert let me taste it and it was very good:


As we left Italy:








After that we decided to hop on the boat to get back to Future World. While on the boat Jordan and her mother were fighting over the camera, or I think it was the camera:


Yup, it was the camera:


We had one more thing to ride before leaving Epcot. Usually the one thing I ride on the way out, anyone want to guess?

 

[jmskinner]

Ok, I know you aren't suppose to double post and here I am triple posting, but I forgot to comment on Vickie's last portion. I love that you took a pic of the glasses sitting to the side. I didn't even notice them.

And isn't it funny how you can get a spot for a show to enjoy yourself and before you know it you barely have enough room for one foot.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

You are so right, Melissa -- I think people see that you have a good idea about where to stand, so they crowd around you.

You got great pictures on Italy -- I especially like the picture of the masks. I wish I had gotten that!

The great thing about having a great relationship with your daughter is that if you tend to have the same sense of humor, there are a lot of opportunities for fun. Jordan and I have a great time; that picture you have of us playing around is one of those times...I'll enjoy relating it later.

 

[ScotsMinnie]

All caught up. I just love looking at your pictures. You just seem to get all the little details that make Disney so special.
x

 

[jmskinner]

All caught up. I just love looking at your pictures. You just seem to get all the little details that make Disney so special.
x

Well thank you. I am trying to look for little details others might miss, actually its details I have missed myself.

Can't believe I will be back at WDW in four days. I know, I go alot, but I am getting to stay this time. Makes it more exciting. Giving POFQ a try this time. Thought my mother would like it better, a little less walking (I think) then POR.

I think I'll do another update since I am here.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

 

[jmskinner]

We enjoyed our little boat ride and headed towards the exit through FutureWorld.

I have found that I love taking pics of flowers:





I love how these plants start out purple and then turn green:


I can't remember how long the line was for Spaceship Earth, but I'm sure it wasn't as long as the one in the morning. I think there was a little line though.




And this is my try at the picture of Earth:


I hope to get a better one someday.



And my last shot of the day:


After this we went our separate ways. Jonas, Jacob and I went back to the room and got some sleep.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Well, here we are, back in Morocco – it’s like a rewind button!!

I see this place and think: Doin’ it – Moroccan Style!!

And the name of this place fascinates me, too – why tangerine? I know there’s a reason.

Cue the Moroccan music: dah-dah-dahhhh…!

Like Melissa mentioned, it’s a small world of bazaars back here. Unlike Morocco, the items will set you back a bit. But – the odd bits and amazing colors and fabrics will keep you gazing around in amazement.

I wish I had gotten a better picture of the tapestry hanging on the right. (everytime I say the word “tapestry,” I think of Indiana Jones going to "inspect the castle tapestries"!)

Don’t you just love this crazy little blue coffee table? And literally, there’s a coffee/tea set sitting on it!

A little fountain history, and then a pic of the fountain (behind my daughter).

I prefer NOT to think of the word “Jihad” when I look at this little wonderful piece, but nonetheless, it lingers.

And, to make your genie wishes come true:

Doesn’t the word “Opulent” come to mind, here?

I swear I’ve seen this courtyard in a movie. Seems like it was an Indiana Jones movie, but I could be mistaken.

Here’s what it looks like from where I took the picture:

I call this: Woman on a Mission in Morocco”:

I mean, really -- there are just some times when you want a really pretty scenery shot, and there will never be an end of people walking into it. So, why not just go with the flow?

Poor little stuffed camel…

At Moroccan journey’s end (you saw the pic of us on the fountain on the other side):

 

[jmskinner]

Great update as always Vickie. I wish I had your writing abilities. Too funny about woman on a mission. You are so right about trying to get a pic without people. My last visit I had a lot of people apologizing to me, but I just laugh because it is almost impossible to get a pic without people. Of course, I love the "Is this you thread" with all the crowd pics so I can see if someone got me walking into their pic.

You got a lot of little detail pics that I love!!!

Well, since Vickie hasn't caught up to me yet, I will hold off on another update. I may not get back to this until after my trip with my mother to WDW this weekend.

Poor Mom, she is driving from Texas. Woke up the first day with an upset stomach. Started feeling better, loaded up the truck and the battery was dead. Purchased a new battery and then because of the power loss the car stereo anti-theft system went into effect. Well, being a used vehicle, she didn't know the code. Was going to stop in San Antonio, but made it about 1 1/2 hours and couldn't take the silence. Pulled over and found the code on a card in the glove compartment. Then made it to Beaumont, TX, got a hotel room and her dogs wouldn't shut up. The hotel office even called to say someone complained. Haven't heard from her since yesterday when she was in Lousiana. And here is the best part, Jonas has been sick but is getting over it and now I am getting it. So, every two hours I am taking Emergen-C and Cold-Eze. And Jacob was coughing yesterday morning, but seems fine now.

Hope everyone has a great day!!!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi Melissa,

Sorry have been MIA for so long - as Gordon has been off work with his knee he's hogging the laptop! Enjoyed the updates and all the photos, I can't wait to get back to Epcot and just explore!

Hope your mum is OK and feeling better soon!

And Simmer, it's Tangierine Cafe, so I assume it's a play on words!

Di x

 

[SimmerBaggins]

You know, I figure there are about 3 modes of travel through WDW -- the commando mode, the traveler mode, and the explorer mode. Each has its own level of attention to detail. I think it would be cool to be able to take the time to be in explorer mode, which is where you get so familiar with a park that you can tell when items in a store are now being marked down and it's a great bargain, etc!

But each mode has its own advantages: commando allows you to get to the rides and ride more than the others. Traveler allows you to get to the most important rides, and look around more.

I do wish Italy had more to offer, though, in the explorer mode. Morocco is wonderful for that type of mode, but Italy doesn't even have a ride, does it? Don't think so...just a nice restaurant. Which, I'll hopefully get to that part this weekend, since Melissa is now in Orlando for time w/her mom.

Let's pray for no:

for them, but only :

And thanks, Di x for clueing me in on the mis-reading of that cafe! As usual, operator-error! LOL

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Italy, as our next stop around the world, is pretty, but not impressive to me. I really want to visit Italy one day, so this little spot has to do for now…I love Disney for the efforts to take you away to another time or place.

I’m not sure why I took this picture as an opening act; it kind of reminds me of the opera, though.

We walked around in this store and then came out to wait on the entire team; DH surprised me later with a little pin of the Italian flag that he bought here – I did forget to mention that some of my family is Italian.

This is probably a saint, but I didn’t find out who. Doesn’t it look like the crocodile hunter, though?

At first I was a little distraught by this picture and how it turned out, but then I realized that the heat and humidity made the picture more realistic, more like Italy would be! It’s a shame that they block off the areas like this; I think it would be really neat to be able to walk up to the doors like you can at DHS.

It’s funny – these kids probably weren’t supposed to be up on this column, but these are a couple of the best pictures I have of them!! Explain that, Melissa? LOL

Here’s the little area right outside the restaurant. I didn’t get a good shot of the fountain, although I’ve gotten one before. We were in a rush to get to real food! (real good food!)

While we were in this area, this mime clown came out to entertain the crowd. He communicated with a whistle, which, while is more meaningful for a mime, could get kind of annoying. Here he is, walking a tightrope on the ground…I can say that he wasn’t hilarious, but he gathered a pretty good crowd. His thing with throwing balls and catching them was cute.

There weren’t a lot of people in the waiting room when we got into the restaurant, so we sat in the middle on the round cushion, while Melissa and her family sat over here:

The restaurant was just about to get into full swing, so all the wait staff were gearing up….

Our table was right inside the door, which turned out fine.

This dish was the best, honestly the best calamari I have ever had. I thank Jordan for ordering it.

Robert’s dish

Mine…um…ham & peas and mushrooms…love this dish!

Em’s pizza, and Jordan’s spaghetti:

We had a little espresso and waited on dessert while Yuckking it up…

Jordan’s three musketeers (ice cream on pastry), and Robert’s cheesy ice cream:

I cannot resist having my tiramisu...when I get it on cruise ships, it never tastes as good as I think it should; this one was excellent:

Afterward, we had plenty of daylight left, and Jacob joined the clown in tossing the ball into the basket. We waited, in no hurry.

 

[Finkelstein's Hubby]

Great updates from you both. I will make an effort to slow down in Epcot because, as your pics are showing, there is a vast amount of detail that can be missed if you just sweep through to get to the next place/ride/restaurant.....all that food is making me hungry though.....roll on Oct 2010

As you can tell from her last post, Diane is not coping well, lol

Gordon

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Thanks!!

I tell you, everytime I see that plate of calamari -- oooohhh, I so want to relive that!! You can't just go out and get calamari like that!!

I know Melissa has been hitting the parks with her mom -- can't wait to hear about those trips!

Hope EVERYONE (including those who read and don't post) had a great Thanksgiving, and are enjoying the countdown days to Christmas!

Speaking of Christmas...would love to see some pics of the parks, now, so I hope someone has posted a few (Melissa)...?

 

[jmskinner]

Hi Melissa,

Sorry have been MIA for so long - as Gordon has been off work with his knee he's hogging the laptop! Enjoyed the updates and all the photos, I can't wait to get back to Epcot and just explore!

Hope your mum is OK and feeling better soon!

And Simmer, it's Tangierine Cafe, so I assume it's a play on words!

Di x

Mom was just fine. Her eye is still bothering her a little, but she is back on the road heading home.

Tell Gordon he can't hot the laptop and make you watch Top Gear. That's just not fair, he should let you have control of one electronic. Of course, my DH has the same problem.

You know, I figure there are about 3 modes of travel through WDW -- the commando mode, the traveler mode, and the explorer mode. Each has its own level of attention to detail. I think it would be cool to be able to take the time to be in explorer mode, which is where you get so familiar with a park that you can tell when items in a store are now being marked down and it's a great bargain, etc!

But each mode has its own advantages: commando allows you to get to the rides and ride more than the others. Traveler allows you to get to the most important rides, and look around more.

I do wish Italy had more to offer, though, in the explorer mode. Morocco is wonderful for that type of mode, but Italy doesn't even have a ride, does it? Don't think so...just a nice restaurant. Which, I'll hopefully get to that part this weekend, since Melissa is now in Orlando for time w/her mom.

Let's pray for no:

for them, but only :

And thanks, Di x for clueing me in on the mis-reading of that cafe! As usual, operator-error! LOL

No sickness on our trip Vickie, had a great time and wore ourselves out.

Great updates from you both. I will make an effort to slow down in Epcot because, as your pics are showing, there is a vast amount of detail that can be missed if you just sweep through to get to the next place/ride/restaurant.....all that food is making me hungry though.....roll on Oct 2010

As you can tell from her last post, Diane is not coping well, lol

Gordon

Yes, you must slow down in Epcot and really explore. I find something new each time. How much longer will you be stuck to the couch?

Thanks!!

I tell you, everytime I see that plate of calamari -- oooohhh, I so want to relive that!! You can't just go out and get calamari like that!!

I know Melissa has been hitting the parks with her mom -- can't wait to hear about those trips!

Hope EVERYONE (including those who read and don't post) had a great Thanksgiving, and are enjoying the countdown days to Christmas!

Speaking of Christmas...would love to see some pics of the parks, now, so I hope someone has posted a few (Melissa)...?

Yes, I have a few pics from Christmas and looks like I will have more. Plan on a day trip Saturday to meet a fellow Dis'er (Slightlygoofy) and then the following weekend may be joining 30 others Dis'ers at Boma with DFD. Being as shy as I am, this should be really interesting. We are also planning a party for everyone that works for Jonas that weekend. Trying to get all my Christmas decorations up so I can start cleaning my house really well.

Ok Vickie, as soon as you finish this day up, I'll be doing what may be my final update on this TR and then it will all be yours. Can't believe we are almost to the point. Oops, almost forgot to post about your last update. Love the pic that reminds you of the opera, where was that? See, something I haven't seen before.

You are so right about the pics of the kids doing something they shouldn't be doing. Wait until you see the one I have of Jacob from this last trip. At least we didn't have them crawling over walls or ropes to get pics, so I guess we aren't too bad.

You are right, Italy doesn't have a ride or movie and I wish there was more to it also.

Have a great day everyone!