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

[praisehisname]

Loved the update! The topiaries are so beautiful!

Hmmm...I wonder where you ended up for lunch?

 

[HilJoy14]

Sounds like a fun mission!

How exactly do you sign up for a mission? Do you have to be at that location, or can you do it from elsewhere? I never thought we'd be interested, but after reading your descriptions, my kids would probably love it (even though they don't likely know who Kim Possible is). We should try one next trip!

 

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

MAN that looks like fun...If I have time next trip....



I do wonder though, why is it Kim Possible themed? Didn't that show go off the air years ago???

 

[thecapells]

Loved the update! The topiaries are so beautiful!

Hmmm...I wonder where you ended up for lunch?

Ah, stay tuned for my latest dining experience!

Sounds like a fun mission!

How exactly do you sign up for a mission? Do you have to be at that location, or can you do it from elsewhere? I never thought we'd be interested, but after reading your descriptions, my kids would probably love it (even though they don't likely know who Kim Possible is). We should try one next trip!

First off, no need to know who Kim Possible is.
Just basically explain that she's a secret agent and Wade is your computer genius back at HQ.
As for where to sign up, there are several ways.
In both sides of Innovations, there are booths to sign up.
You can run your card through what looks like an ATM or ask the CM for help.
There is also a sign-up spot as you walk towards the World Showcase from Future World.
Lastly, you can sign up throughout the World Showcase at the Kim Possible "check-in" carts.
I'd suggest signing up at Innoventions once you arrive at the park to get the 1st timeslot - 11:00.
Then you can have fun with the missions before World Showcase gets too crowded.

The way it works is that when you sign-up, you get what looks like a FastPass.
(don't worry, it's not and you can still get FastPasses).
The KP Ticket will have a time and a location on it.
You must go to the KP "check-in" cart at that location at the time indicated.
From there you will get a Kimmunicator and a mission.
Keep in mind that you are not guaranteed the mission just because you check in at a country's corresponding cart.
That is, there are only 4 "check-in" carts.
So while you may check in at Norway, you may get assigned the Mexico Mission.
If you look carefully, you can see the mission in code on your ticket.
You can also ask the CM when you check-in for a particular country and they will let you if it's not too crowded.

MAN that looks like fun...If I have time next trip....

I do wonder though, why is it Kim Possible themed? Didn't that show go off the air years ago???

Kim Possible is still in syndication.
My guess is that it was Disney's only secret agent from recent years.
And I'd much rather do KP than Agent Oso (which started after the KP Adventure had already opened).
The kids still know who KP is and the character has a more modern feel to it.
The voice is done by one of the Disney child stars who is still around and she has some catchy sayings and music.
And don't forget those beeps...

Given that, the missions are set up so that most can be changed to a different theme if Disney decides to go that route.

 

[WrightFamily06]

Kim Possible was alot of fun.
I definitely think some missions were more fun than others though.
If you only do a couple, I'd recommend United Kingdom, Germany, and China.
Japan and Mexico were probably the next tier.
France and Norway were probably the least interesting.
However, keep in mind that the assignments within each country are randomized and can change.
Keep in mind that there are things I've never done which may make some of the "lesser" countries more fun and vice versa.
I guess it all depends on where in the World Showcase you are when you want to "save the world!"

Thanks for all the great tips Mike , will def be making note of these for September

 

[boxmaster]

Kim Possible is still in syndication.
My guess is that it was Disney's only secret agent from recent years.

Given that, the missions are set up so that most can be changed to a different theme if Disney decides to go that route.

OK, so when do they switch over from Kim Possible to Perry the Platypus?!
(A...gent... P!!!!) How funny would it be to have Phineas & Ferb inventions popping up in WS? Or for Doofenshmirtz to be the evildoer who must be stopped?

 

[thecapells]

OK, so when do they switch over from Kim Possible to Perry the Platypus?!
(A...gent... P!!!!) How funny would it be to have Phineas & Ferb inventions popping up in WS? Or for Doofenshmirtz to be the evildoer who must be stopped?

Okay, now that would be awesome!!

 

[thecapells]

I was hungry and was excited about trying some new counter service restaurants (new at least to me).
First place on my list – the Tangierine Café!

I love falafel but have yet to find a good place to get some near my house.
So I was very excited so give this eatery a shot.
Epcot always opens up so many new opportunities for tasting new foods.

However, I had a problem.
As I read the menu, I found that I wanted everything!
So I decided to choose them all! (Or at least as many as I could).
I ordered the Chef’s Special - the Mediterranean Sliders Combo.

The meal consisted of Lamb, Chicken, and Falafel in pita pockets stuffed with onions, cucumber, and tahini.
Lentils, Hummus, and tabouleh decorated the side and I even asked for an extra cup of tahini sauce.
MMmmmmmmmm!

I ate outside while I people-watched.
It was awesome! I really enjoyed it and made a note to definitely come back here again.
Since it's considered "weird" food by many, there are never many crowds.
But it's actually really good and I'd recommend it for something different.
The lamb is basically the same meat you'd find in a Greek gyro.
Chicken is chicken.
And I always think of Falafel as a vegetarian meatball.
Take my word for it - it's definitely worth a shot!

I was also able to watch the lagoon from my seat and see if Belle’s prince had joined her yet.
With the prince still nowhere in site, I decided to explore Morocco.
Hop on board for my magic carpet ride!

 

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

OOOH I definitely am excited to try that place out! But now I feel bad! My sister was originally planning on coming with us but can't since she has school....she'll be SO disappointed when she finds out there's a Falafel place! Falafel is her FAVORITE.

If only I could ship it to her.

 

[thecapells]

OOOH I definitely am excited to try that place out! But now I feel bad! My sister was originally planning on coming with us but can't since she has school....she'll be SO disappointed when she finds out there's a Falafel place! Falafel is her FAVORITE.

If only I could ship it to her.

You'll just have to plan a follow-up trip so you can go again!

 

[All7OfUs]

I've put this and the new Mexican places as my only 2 options this trip. Lately there've been really bad or mixed reviews, but I think that's more due to people not really knowing what to expect, or just deciding that Middle Eastern cuisine isn't their thing. It all looks good to me.

 

[thecapells]

I've put this and the new Mexican places as my only 2 options this trip. Lately there've been really bad or mixed reviews, but I think that's more due to people not really knowing what to expect, or just deciding that Middle Eastern cuisine isn't their thing. It all looks good to me.

And don't forget to try the new pizzeria!
But Tangierine Cafe is probably my favorite counter service in Epcot.
It's good food, prepared well, and gives you something different than most of the other locations!

 

[WrightFamily06]

The food looks very good Don't know that I could get my family on board to try it but I'm gonna keep it in mind for September .

 

[praisehisname]

I tried that same combo when we were there in December, and I loved it! It was the first time I had tried anything like that, and I was so glad DH picked there to eat!

 

[boxmaster]

And don't forget to try the new pizzeria!
But Tangierine Cafe is probably my favorite counter service in Epcot.
It's good food, prepared well, and gives you something different than most of the other locations!

I'm not partial to just about anything that was on that plate. The chicken and the pita - no problems ever. But the rest of it? Eh, pass.

 

[thecapells]

The food looks very good Don't know that I could get my family on board to try it but I'm gonna keep it in mind for September .

There's some less exotic foods there as well (albeit not as much fun! )

I tried that same combo when we were there in December, and I loved it! It was the first time I had tried anything like that, and I was so glad DH picked there to eat!

It really was quite tasty. I've heard the schwarma platter is really good too - I might try that one next time...

I'm not partial to just about anything that was on that plate. The chicken and the pita - no problems ever. But the rest of it? Eh, pass.

Now we have a challenge!
We'll have to take you to try some good Middle-Eastern food around here to prep you for our trip!

 

[thecapells]

Morocco is probably one of the least explored countries in the World Showcase but also the one filled with the most hidden gems.
From the amazing architecture

To the hand-crafted tiles, this pavilion is truly a Kingdom

I wandered into the empty marketplace and took some time to explore.
Once you pass the archways into the streets here, you feel as though you are really in another land.

http://i719

The back of this pavilion is awesome.
Across from Restaurant Marrakesh (which sounds delicious but I’ve yet to try it) is the former photo spot for Aladdin and Jasmine.
Here there is a book of Aladdin and a nice scenic backdrop of Agrabah.
It has now been turned into Morocco’s Kidcot and the only place kids can get an actual charm instead of the paper cutout.
The narrow streets are filled with busy shops and even a camel or two.
I neglected to take photos as I have some from last time around.

But back by the lagoon, be on the lookout.
First of all, there is one of my favorite Hidden Mickeys that moves every time I come.
It's always somewhere around the little shop by the lagoon.
Make sure you catch it!
[IMG]http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww192/DisCappy/IOUG%202009/IOUG%20Epcot/IOUG2009607.jpg

Next up, some interesting detail and scenery.
For the Flower and Garden Festival, an Aladdin topiary was created flying on a magic flowerbed carpet.

Next to the carpet and the little shop was an odd site.
Basically, a mini-irrigation system was set up.
I’m not sure the story behind this one but I’ll have to find out at one point.

And next to the store, tucked away so you can easily meet them is the Morocco Meet and Greet.
If you time it right, you can see the trio of Aladdin, Jasmine, and Genie.
Since we got all 3 last time, I didn’t mind that only Aladdin and Jasmine were greeting newcomers to their country.

From here, I backtracked to France and found Belle returning from a visit to the Beast’s castle.
I asked yet again about her prince and the CM said he'd be appearing shortly.
Since I'd come back so often, I was now basically friends with both the CM and the Photopass photographer.
So I waited about 10 minutes - I was in no hurry today after all!
Ah, the joy of going solo...

Boy was I rewarded!
The Beast himself arrived to pose with me and Belle.
And for my troubles, they took extra Photopass shots!

Now I’m not the tallest guy in the world but the Beast is ENORMOUS!!!
I had a blast hanging out with him – especially after the CM told him how many times I came back looking for specifically for him.
The Beast got a kick out of that and was very happy.
Good thing too, because he could’ve easily ripped me in two!
I guess it’s always nice to know you have some "muscle" in your corner.
And that’s just what I needed because Kim Possible required my help once more!
Grab your Kimmunicator and meet me in Japan!

 

[skhermsmeyer]

Can I tell you how much I love reading your TR??? Any upcoming trips planned? If not, want to help me plan mine? It's only our second trip and I'm still a newbie. Glad to see you had such a great time with the Beast!

 

[thecapells]

Can I tell you how much I love reading your TR??? Any upcoming trips planned? If not, want to help me plan mine? It's only our second trip and I'm still a newbie. Glad to see you had such a great time with the Beast!

I'm glad you're enjoying the TR.
Feel free to check out my others (the links are in my signature).
And after this, I plan to write my family's adventures from Halloween 2009!
And yes, I know I'm ridiculously behind.

My next trip is slated for January 2010 so I figure I have to be done with both TR's by then...
But I'd be glad to help you plan - that's what I do best.
PM me and we can go from there!

 

[boxmaster]

My next trip is slated for January 2010 so I figure I have to be done with both TR's by then...
But I'd be glad to help you plan - that's what I do best.
PM me and we can go from there!

Dang it! You mean I missed it 4 months ago?! It's January 2011 that we're going to WDW.