No Work and All Play – Disney on the Company’s Dime! (8/1 There and Back Again)

Oops - didn't realize Mom was still logged in.

:goodvibes

I knew exactly what happened, because I do it sometimes too when Bekka is logged in. I just had to chuckle that I"m not the only who's done it!:rotfl:

Now onto your update....

I really like M:S- even the Orange side. I do admit I get a little claustrophobic, but once the ride starts it's too exhiliarating to think about that too much!!! What fun. My teen kids LOVED the area as you exit, and spent a LONG, long time in there.
 
I had forgotten about the Mission Space waiting/activity area. DH and I did the baby swap last time and the "baby" (really an almost three yr old) loved that area. I loved sitting in some a/c and relaxing for a bit.
 
That was a great update, and you really inspired me to "stop and smell the roses." So many times we're rushing from attraction to attraction, and we miss the stuff in between. Next time I will stop and explore the area after Mission Space before heading on to something else!
 
Great Mission Space update :thumbsup2 The gift shop and little play area at the end is def great but you won't catch this chick on that ride , green or no green , I would def lose my cookies ! lol

DH rode it back in 2006 before we knew there was a less intense side or maybe they didn't have green then ?? Well he rode orange and had a smoothie before hand & lets just say we were immediately heading for the parking lot and back to the hotel right after that !

Can't wait to see who the special guests are ???popcorn::popcorn::
 

Well, I'm really bummed I didn't know about this play area last time we were there! We waited outside - me and two kids - doing nothing for what felt like forever while waiting for DH. It sure would have been great to know there was a play area right there! (At least now we know for next time...)
 
I knew exactly what happened, because I do it sometimes too when Bekka is logged in. I just had to chuckle that I"m not the only who's done it!:rotfl:

Now onto your update....

I really like M:S- even the Orange side. I do admit I get a little claustrophobic, but once the ride starts it's too exhiliarating to think about that too much!!! What fun. My teen kids LOVED the area as you exit, and spent a LONG, long time in there.

Yeah, there's definitely alot to do there.
It's also a great place to hang out if it's really hot outside (which it was).

I had forgotten about the Mission Space waiting/activity area. DH and I did the baby swap last time and the "baby" (really an almost three yr old) loved that area. I loved sitting in some a/c and relaxing for a bit.

We took the kids when we came back and they had a blast!
But that's another story...

That was a great update, and you really inspired me to "stop and smell the roses." So many times we're rushing from attraction to attraction, and we miss the stuff in between. Next time I will stop and explore the area after Mission Space before heading on to something else!

There's definitely alot to explore.
Stuff for kids, stuff for teens, and even stuff for adults!

Great Mission Space update :thumbsup2 The gift shop and little play area at the end is def great but you won't catch this chick on that ride , green or no green , I would def lose my cookies ! lol

DH rode it back in 2006 before we knew there was a less intense side or maybe they didn't have green then ?? Well he rode orange and had a smoothie before hand & lets just say we were immediately heading for the parking lot and back to the hotel right after that !

Can't wait to see who the special guests are ???popcorn::popcorn::

Yeah, I was too wimpy to do Orange.
I figured I could probably handle it (I've done those "gravitron" type rides before).
But just in case it got to me, I didn't want to be sick for the rest of the day or even the vacation.
It's not worth it - hence my trip on the Green Team!

Well, I'm really bummed I didn't know about this play area last time we were there! We waited outside - me and two kids - doing nothing for what felt like forever while waiting for DH. It sure would have been great to know there was a play area right there! (At least now we know for next time...)

Oh wow!
The kids would've had a blast and the time would've flown by!
In fact, I bet next time you'll have trouble getting them to leave once DH finishes the ride!!
 
At this point, I headed back towards the other side of the park.
On my way, I saw the cool Disney Earth sand sculpture.
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Can you believe they actually changed this several times throughout the festival?
It must take a long time to make. :artist:
And how about this view?
IOUG2009466.jpg


But I couldn’t stop – I heard a funky beat. :cool1:
Right near the Innoventions entrance were the Jammitors!
But instead of their standard garbage can drums, they were decked out as gardeners.
They were using racks, hoes, shovels, flower pots, and other instruments of destruction as drums and having lots of fun!
I stopped and took some video and here’s some pictures spliced from that video.
IOUG2009463-JAMMITORS001.jpg


IOUG2009463-JAMMITORS002.jpg


After my musical interlude, I continued on and ended up in my Imagination! :idea:
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I always love the reverse waterfalls.
Such a simple thing but it fits so well with the upside-down universe of my favorite purple dragon! :figment:
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While I loved the original ride with Dreamfinder and Figment and hated the 2nd incarnation, this one is passable.
Not the best and not the worst.
I’m not a big fan of the Imagination Institute idea but at least the little detail of previous “Inventors of the Year” is a nice detail:
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Then it was time for an Open House at the new and improved Imagination Institute:
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Luckily, Figment was around to wreak havoc with Eric Idle’s tour of the Institute!
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I love Figment.
And I always look for the homage to the original – the office door of “Dean Finder” (sorry it’s a little blurry):
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So, first lesson – The Sense of Sight.
Of course, we start with the eye test.
F-I-G-M-E-N-T! Hey, wait a second!!!
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I believe the Sense of Hearing was next.
RUNAWAY TRAIN!!!!
AAAHHHHHHHH!
I always like that part – with the binaural audio, it sounds so real.

The Sense of Smell was up next.
No whammies, no whammies, no whammies, STOP!
EEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
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Figment then decided to take over the tour again.
IOUG2009488a.jpg


In fact, he was kind enough to invite us to his house.
And what a house – an upside-down house!! :upsidedow
It’s so much fun to see everythere on the ceiling.
Everytime I have to wonder how the water stays in the toilet bowl without falling.
I’m just a little boy inside apparently – potty humor never goes away entirely… :confused3
IOUG2009490a.jpg


Then it’s time for the finale.
A huge room with Figment EVERYWHERE!
IOUG2009495.jpg


A little trivia - if you look close, there’s even the sheet music to the original version of “One Little Spark”
(unfortunately I didn't get it in my picture).

After a brief space room (it's too dark to get a good picture),
the ride ends and you are ushered into the Imageworks.
Also a shadow of it’s former self but it’s still got a couple of fun activities for the little ones.
IOUG2009498.jpg


I think my favorite part now is the series of Figment posters reminiscent of the ride.
After all, they are much clearer than my pics of the ride itself.
First there’s the eye chart:
IOUG2009499a.jpg


And then Sense of Smell:
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And finally Figment is all packed and ready to go home with me!
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I wandered over to the computers and decided it would be fun to make a silly postcard to send home to the gang.
As I was working (or trying to – most of the computers were broken), a girl walked over to me.
“Excuse me – are you on Disboards?”

I was a bit startled as I hadn’t expected anybody this being a solo trip and all.
“Ummmmm, yeah?”

“And you have three kids and are in the middle of a trip report?”
“Ummmmmm, yeah…”

“We’ve been reading it!! I thought that was you!”

Then it occurred to me that my pics must’ve given me away.
I was still basically in shock and out of my element but Princess Caitlin proceeded to introduce herself and her mom, Dawn, and dad, Dale.
Very surreal experience.
It was a quick meet and greet – probably because I was at a loss for words since it was completely unexpected.
Caitlin mentioned a couple of things they tried after reading about them in my report and I was happy I could help out.
We chatted for a bit and then they excused themselves to let me continue my day.
I guess I must've seemed not very interested to talk but I mostly just surprised.
Still mostly in shock, I wandered out of Imagination and quickly dialed home to relay the story.
"Hey DW, apparently we’re “celebrities” and it really is “a small world after all.”

In hindsight – it was great to meet you guys and I’m sorry I was so out of my element.
Next time I’ll be more prepared (and I was – at least slightly).
And to prove how “out of it” I was, I never thought to take a picture of all of us.
Thousands of pics and it never even crossed my mind to snap that one.
I can’t believe it.

Anyway, back to the story.
After my brush with the “paparazzi”, it was time to move on.
And since it was closing in on 11:00, it was time to head towards the World Showcase.
Stay tuned!!
 
What an amazing thing to have happen in such a big place!!! WOW!

I'd be surprised too- but, I think I'd have arranged another Meet for later. It'd be fun to get to know some folks in real life- BTW, still needing to get some flesh on the DC Meet's bones!!! Yikes, it'll be here before we know it!

I really like the Figment ride- never saw the old one to compare it, so it's all good with me!
 
Great pictures! The view across the water is beautiful!

Imagination is always a must do for us :) It's just fun!

When we saw you we stood debating whether it was you or not. You somehow looked a little different than your pics :laughing: Anyway, that was almost a year ago, and a couple TRs ago, and now if we ran into you we'd feel like we ran into an old friend :goodvibes
 
What an amazing thing to have happen in such a big place!!! WOW!

I'd be surprised too- but, I think I'd have arranged another Meet for later. It'd be fun to get to know some folks in real life- BTW, still needing to get some flesh on the DC Meet's bones!!! Yikes, it'll be here before we know it!

I really like the Figment ride- never saw the old one to compare it, so it's all good with me!

Ah, the original Journey Into Imagination was one of my favorites.
I loved Dreamfinder and still cherish the picture I have from the Meet and Greet!

Beautiful!

So cool about being recognized by Caitlin! I had a DISer approach me on the cruise because she recognized me, and you're right, it takes you by surprise!

'Twas a very odd feeling!
And I was still relatively new to the DIS so it was even weirder...

Great pictures! The view across the water is beautiful!

Imagination is always a must do for us :) It's just fun!

When we saw you we stood debating whether it was you or not. You somehow looked a little different than your pics :laughing: Anyway, that was almost a year ago, and a couple TRs ago, and now if we ran into you we'd feel like we ran into an old friend :goodvibes

Time flies, eh?
Yeah, if (or I should say WHEN since we will have to plan something!) we met now it would be a totally different experience.
But I must say that first meeting definitely made me branch out.
I hadn't really "followed" anybody else's TR's.
However, when I got home, I definitely looked you guys up.
And now, as are we all, I'm an addict!
 
At this point, I headed back towards the other side of the park.
On my way, I saw the cool Disney Earth sand sculpture.

I love Figment.

“Excuse me – are you on Disboards?”

I was a bit startled as I hadn’t expected anybody this being a solo trip and all.
“Ummmmm, yeah?”

“And you have three kids and are in the middle of a trip report?”
“Ummmmmm, yeah…”

“We’ve been reading it!! I thought that was you!”

Then it occurred to me that my pics must’ve given me away.
I was still basically in shock and out of my element but Princess Caitlin proceeded to introduce herself and her mom, Dawn, and dad, Dale.
Very surreal experience.
It was a quick meet and greet – probably because I was at a loss for words since it was completely unexpected.
Caitlin mentioned a couple of things they tried after reading about them in my report and I was happy I could help out.
We chatted for a bit and then they excused themselves to let me continue my day.
I guess I must've seemed not very interested to talk but I mostly just surprised.

The sand scultpures are always so fascinating. We got to see one being crafted from pretty close to the beginning stages. Then it was fun to see it later on other reports all finished.

Brooklynn loves Figment, too. :)

Very cool for a DIS meet. We've had people see us about three times, I think. It's always a shock, but it's always fun to meet new people.
 
It was so cool meeting you!

I was seriously star struck it was our first DISsighting and I was nervous about saying something because I didn't want my mom and I to sound like stalkers :lmao:

Great pictures of Figment inside the play area I haven't thought to take pictures of those before
 
OK , so not that I just wrote up all my little comments about your update and somehow it was lost . It just gets me so fired up when the disboards do this I had to share my feelings :headache: There now I feel better lol

Nice update :thumbsup2

Great pictures of Figment ! It was always my Brother & I favorite ride as kids , brings back a lot of memories every time I ride it ! I do have to agree with you the original ride set-up was the best !

How cool that you ran into Caitlin, Dawn & Dale :cool1: I would have reacted the same way as you though. lol I'm the type that has to be spoken to 1st and even then it takes me a bit to warm up. lol I've had people think I was a snob before because of it when in turn I'm just really kinda shy lol

Can't wait to see where your adventures take you next popcorn::popcorn::
 
The sand scultpures are always so fascinating. We got to see one being crafted from pretty close to the beginning stages. Then it was fun to see it later on other reports all finished.

Brooklynn loves Figment, too. :)

Very cool for a DIS meet. We've had people see us about three times, I think. It's always a shock, but it's always fun to meet new people.

I didn't see it during construction - that must've been fun.
As for the DIS Meet, it definitely took me by surprise as I was fairly new to the DIS at that point.

It was so cool meeting you!

I was seriously star struck it was our first DISsighting and I was nervous about saying something because I didn't want my mom and I to sound like stalkers :lmao:

Great pictures of Figment inside the play area I haven't thought to take pictures of those before


Now that would be fun! :goodvibes

I didn't think you were stalkers but it definitely felt like being a celebrity there for a minute.
It was great to meet you guys and we'll definitely have to work on a future trip overlap so we can plan a meet next time!

OK , so not that I just wrote up all my little comments about your update and somehow it was lost . It just gets me so fired up when the disboards do this I had to share my feelings :headache: There now I feel better lol

Nice update :thumbsup2

Great pictures of Figment ! It was always my Brother & I favorite ride as kids , brings back a lot of memories every time I ride it ! I do have to agree with you the original ride set-up was the best !

How cool that you ran into Caitlin, Dawn & Dale :cool1: I would have reacted the same way as you though. lol I'm the type that has to be spoken to 1st and even then it takes me a bit to warm up. lol I've had people think I was a snob before because of it when in turn I'm just really kinda shy lol

Can't wait to see where your adventures take you next popcorn::popcorn::

That sucks (about losing your comments).
But Figment was definitely one of my favorites from my first trip to EPCOT right when it opened.
It's a shame Dreamfinder is gone but I've heard rumors that they may try to bring him back in the future.
Cross those fingers!!
 
Heading out of my Imagination, I happened to catch Monorail Blue with it’s “Celebrate Today” balloons making its rounds.
IOUG2009503.jpg


Then it was on to World Showcase.
I took the short route from Imagination and was able to pass something new.
For Flower & Garden, the Imagineers set up a whole play area for the little ones over by the Imagination Pavillion.
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Called “Weevos”, this area looked like a lot of fun for the kids and I made a note to bring my little ones next time we came.
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There's even a rest area for those grown ups who can't keep up with the pre-school energy!
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Staying with the theme of “Let’s Get Moving”, this area is also where you could find topiaries of three of the Fab Five.
Goofy is busy playing tennis while Xtreme Donald has his skateboard out.
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Lastly, Pluto (next to his dog house) is lifting weights… with his mouth!
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It’s a nice display albeit a bit out of the way from normal traffic flow of guests.
I finally arrived at the edge of the World Showcase Lagoon and wandered through the shops a bit on my way towards Canada.
The Garden Gno-Mickey caught my eye.
FGMickeyGardenGnome.jpg


As did some Mickey-shaped stones.
I thought about all of these items as possible Mother’s Day presents.
Remember, Mother’s Day was the Sunday I returned home and I couldn’t come home empty-handed now, could I? ;)

I told myself I’d come back and headed past Canada and the United Kingdom to the International Gateway.
On my way, I managed to collect some nice waterfront shots of the World Showcase.
From Italy
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To China
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To Japan
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It was definitely time to Celebrate!
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Finally I arrived at the International Gateway and found my destination – a small cart with a “KP” logo on its side.
Grab your Kimmunicators everyone - it's time to save the world!
 
I'm ready, Mike! Let's get moving!

Nice shots, BTW! I like your one of the Mor. Pav!
 
Lovely pictures! We picked up a Gnome Mickey that day, just couldn't resist :rotfl:

You know I'm in for KP :thumbsup2
 










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