Oh, Just A Few GALLONS of Pixie Dust! - A July/August 2012 TR

[marDgreen88]

Yay, Akershus! It's been years since I've been there. Haven't eaten there since it was the traditional buffet, pre-princess.

Hahaha. Storybrooke. Nice. I'm in withdrawal right now. Stupid winter finales!

No, the Hot World Showcase Waiter is not a myth! It's for real man! They're everywhere. And Norwegians are seriously smokin'!

Okay, I have to agree that you are a freak of nature for not liking soup. Just kidding, just kidding!

I do love rice pudding, so that sounds awesome to me. The chocolate mousse cake sounds divine!

Hahaha, the glass shattering on HIMYM. Classic.

I didn't even know it was ever full buffet. I'm glad you for always fill me in on what Disney restaurants used to be. I had no clue!

ME TOO. I don't understand why they do it like that. BOO. At least I can (kinda?) fill the void by watching tons of Christmas movies instead.

Hahha I know, it's just that I never had seen them with my own eyes up until this meal! In the past, I've ALWAYS had waitRESSES at World Showcase restaurants. This was a nice change of pace.

Yeah, I've tried to like it but it's really not my thing. Except broccoli cheddar! Preferably from Panera.

The mousse cake was incredibly yummy! My oh my. I'd totally hit up the Kringla for that!

Hahha I was on a roll with the TV references that day, I guess!

 

[danimaroo]

Soooo Akershus. I've never been, and believe it or not, for a long time, I had no clue where it was! I just feel like it's totally hidden in Norway, hahaha.

I love the decor though! I can totally understand why you were looking at the ceiling!

I'm sorry, but I legit laughed at your little cold plate. There is like, a slice of ham on it! Hahahaha. I don't know why but this cracked me up.

I love your family photo, it's totally adorable!

I know your food wasn't "authentic" but it looks SUPER good. I'm just laughing at the fact that the bacon is actually not soggy-looking! That is seriously the first Disney bacon I've seen that looks delicious!

Okay, maybe it's just me but that Snow White KIND of looks like Ginnifer Goodwin! I dunno, I just think she looks like her for some reason! Maybe I'm crazy but I just thought that was kind of funny!

HOW CUTE is Jacob telling people he loves his dad?! OMG my heart melted reading that!

I did hear your heart break through the computer screen when Kim announced he was married. LAME, but also happy for him... DARNIT KIM!

 

[marDgreen88]

Soooo Akershus. I've never been, and believe it or not, for a long time, I had no clue where it was! I just feel like it's totally hidden in Norway, hahaha.

I love the decor though! I can totally understand why you were looking at the ceiling!

I'm sorry, but I legit laughed at your little cold plate. There is like, a slice of ham on it! Hahahaha. I don't know why but this cracked me up.

I love your family photo, it's totally adorable!

I know your food wasn't "authentic" but it looks SUPER good. I'm just laughing at the fact that the bacon is actually not soggy-looking! That is seriously the first Disney bacon I've seen that looks delicious!

Okay, maybe it's just me but that Snow White KIND of looks like Ginnifer Goodwin! I dunno, I just think she looks like her for some reason! Maybe I'm crazy but I just thought that was kind of funny!

HOW CUTE is Jacob telling people he loves his dad?! OMG my heart melted reading that!

I did hear your heart break through the computer screen when Kim announced he was married. LAME, but also happy for him... DARNIT KIM!

Bahahah, really? It's actually right there across from the stave church! You have to walk past it to get to Maelstrom.

Hahah yeah, I thought it was so pretty!

That's alright! Listen, I enjoyed those little pieces of meat and cheese. It was a feast in itself.

Thanks! It's so cool that it's free!

It's a miracle, but that bacon was legit! It was so good! I was in awe, and I may have momentarily thought I was somewhere other than Disney, the land of icky bacon.

Ya know... it kinda DOES look like her! What on earth? I met Ginny Goodwin, yall.

He really is precious. He always manages to tell someone how much he loves one of us.

Hahahh it's okay, I wasn't heartbroken. I was bummed, for sure, but I'll be fine (someday ). I actually thought it was precious how he met his wife in Disney and that they both work there. I almost expected one of the princesses to be his wife (because he said she was American). And who knows, maybe he has an identical (and SINGLE) twin brother?

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Okay, I'm all caught up now! I'm feeling beat. Thank goodness it's before 11 because this would not be healthy for two nights. *ahem* This trip really does seem like it was filled with gallons of pixie dust. You guys just got so lucky and I'm so glad to hear you got to go AND liked Garden Grill. I miss it there so much. I'm getting misty eyed just thinking about it. When I go back next year, totally making an ADR! But anyways, can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip and the pixie dust on the side!

 

[marDgreen88]

Okay, I'm all caught up now! I'm feeling beat. Thank goodness it's before 11 because this would not be healthy for two nights. *ahem* This trip really does seem like it was filled with gallons of pixie dust. You guys just got so lucky and I'm so glad to hear you got to go AND liked Garden Grill. I miss it there so much. I'm getting misty eyed just thinking about it. When I go back next year, totally making an ADR! But anyways, can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip and the pixie dust on the side!

Awesome! Oh yes, there was so much pixie dust throughout that trip. It was just incredible!

Yeah! Getting to go to Garden Grill (FOR FREE!!!!!!) was just such a nice surprise! And I really did love it. It was my second favorite meal of the trip, right behind 'Ohana!

Oh gosh, I've been slacking off with the updates lately! Christmas time is so busy! I really want to try to get one up soon, but it probably won't be until AFTER Christmas. But anyways, thanks for catching up!

 

[marDgreen88]

The One With A Mexican Duck and A Chinese Film

August 2, 2012

After parting with Kim, (I mean… finishing lunch) we decided to start a loop around the world! While we were still in Norway, the parents went to ride the Maelstrom. Anna and I knew Jacob wouldn't really be a fan (for a few reasons) but we didn't want them to miss the greatest ride of life. Thankfully, SOMEHOW, the wait was still only five minutes! Twice in one day? Seriously... what are the chances? They loved and adored it, naturally.

While we were waiting…

Jacob was being a bit of a grumpy gills at this point. He gets in these moods sometimes, so we just roll with it.

My parents and Jacob had skipped Mexico earlier, since they arrived right before lunch. We headed back that way so the whole family could ride the Gran Fiesta Tour. I knew they wouldn't want to miss it! It’s such a cute ride, and everyone really enjoyed it!

As we were getting ready to say ADIOS to Mexico, we saw one of the characters I've been wanting to meet for a really long time: the one, the only, THE Mexican Donald!!!

Why was I so eager to meet Mexican Donald, you ask? I will tell you. As I'm sure you know by now, Donald is my favorite. Also, whenever I get tan in the spring and summer, everyone (seriously, everyone) thinks I'm Mexican. I'm really, really not. Not even a little bit. We're Scotch-Irish/English. I just get really dark, and I guess something about the combination of me being tan and my brown hair/eyes, makes people think I’m Mexican.

Anyways, because of that, I have a special love for Mexican Donald, my duck brethren. (It makes sense in my head.)

A lovely mariachi band kept us entertained while we were waiting to meet Señor Duck. We couldn’t see them, but we could hear their fiesta-like sounds.

Since I love Donald so, I went first to meet him. (It really is like I’m a child.)

Please notice that I’m doing the #1 gesture, since clearly, Donald is number one. (I do it every single time I meet the duck. Always have!)

Looks like Donald caught on! (He’s #1! I must be a trendsetter. )

We were getting ready to head to China, but Jacob was complaining that he was tired. We didn’t really know if he’d even enjoy the World Showcase, so he and my dad decided to stop by Soarin' and check the standby line (which turned out to be 150 minutes. YIKES). They nixed that idea. Since they were NOT waiting two and a half hours for Soarin', they went to head out. Bummer! I felt bad that my dad had to miss so much, but I guess he did what he had to do. The Epcot monorail was down, so they ended up having to take a bus to the TTC and take a monorail home from there. They went back to the room and relaxed for a while and just enjoyed it. Because really, what's not to enjoy?! Seriously, Bay Lake Tower is the best. I'm sure my dad enjoyed the break, to be honest. Hahahaha.

The rest of us continued on to China!

We decided to head into the pretty building. (Forgive me. I'm not up to date on my Asian architectural terms.)

I feel like this picture is obligatory, but it’s also hard to resist. That ceiling is too pretty!

Our focus for the World Showcase on this trip was to do a lot of the stuff we'd never done before, which admittedly was pretty much everything. Oops.

The China movie was about to start as soon as we got inside, and we definitely wanted to watch it!

I don’t really know what this was for, but I liked it. I love Mulan! (Well, the cartoon version, at least. The Once Upon A Time version… eh… )

We really enjoyed the China movie! The Circle-Vision was awesome and China just looks so beautiful. I’m really glad they had the little balancing stands though, or else I may have felt a little motion sick!

When we were walking back outside, for a second I legitimately felt like I could be in China. It's very authentic back there! I mean, as far as I know, it is. HAHA.

ELEPHANT!

Of course, you have to take a picture of the creepy yet lovable Chinese puppets.

Everything in the World Showcase is so photogenic.

Wait, are we in Animal Kingdom now?

Nope, just passing through the African Outpost.

I was forced to resist the urge to bang on some drums, mainly because there were children already doing so. Dang. Next time.

You mean, you DON’T take pictures of the trashcans in World Showcase? Baffling.

Let this be a warning: I took multiple pictures of these lamp posts/IllumiNations torches. I don’t know why, but those things just SCREAM World Showcase to me. I love them, I think they’re beautiful! Therefore I take many, many photos of them.

If you know the World Showcase, you know where we went next!

Continued in Next Update​

 

[Disney9.9.10]

There are too many pages for me to read all right now but I will catch up! You look like a very sweet family and I can't wait to read about your trip

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

World Showcase is a very special kind of perfection, isn't it? Looks like you guys had a bee-yoo-ti-ful day for it, too! Too bad Jacob wasn't feeling it, but what are you gonna do? A relaxing afternoon at BLT was just what he needed!

 

[jecskc]

Regarding your comment about Mulan .... I don't like the OUAT version either !! And that Aurora - just whiny needy little two-faced mess !! I love that show though. Always fun to watch and see where they go with the story. Hope you are having a great Christmas so far !!!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

You guys truly got the perfect day for World Showcase if those pictures say any less (or more). Glad to hear your parents enjoyed Maelstrom! I mean, how could they not? The most popular in Disney, c'mon! And I love your pictures with Mexican Donald! I believe when I went in 2010 the picture my family got with Mexican Donald (as arranged by Donald) became our Christmas card. He truly is the coolest of the Donalds And that's so funny how people think when you get tan you are Mexican, I never would've thought. Usually Tan = Italian, the reason why people don't get how I'm part Italian in heritage. :/ Moving on...

Sorry to hear your dad and Jacob had to bow out of your World Showcase tour. I'm sure they were having tons of fun back at BLT. The China Pavilion is looking gorgeous as ever! I'm really interested now to see the movie there, it must be wicked cool seeing the movie on all sides of the room or in a circle above your heads (yeah, this is me not knowing lol). And I find it funny how you think the puppets at the China pavilion are creepy, I think they are so adorable, I think I may have played with one of each when I stopped by there on my first trip. And the ponds are so quaint!

to your pictures of the trashcan and the World Showcase IllumiNations torches! They really do scream World Showcase. I always unintentionally get one picture of those whenever I'm around. They are so cool and makes me think of how magical the place is when they are lit at night OH, DGE 2014 cannot get here fast enough!

Okay, time for some party preparations for tonight, gotta jet. Can't wait to read more!

 

[monica23535]

Hi Marissa, I love your pictures of China, it's one of my favorite pavilions. We did one of our Agent P missions in China on our last trip which was great.

 

[amazingact21]

Yay! World Showcase is awesome. And Maelstorm and Grand Fiesta Tour are such classics, they are hard to miss on the WS tour.

That's awesome that you got to meet Mexican Donald while you were there. I see him out whenever I'm there, and he looks like an awesome character to get a photograph with.


The picture of the torches made me feel like I were getting ready to watch IllumiNations. I wish!

 

[MEK]

You got some lovely pictures! And that one near the outpost does look the AK. I was noticing that in October.

Don't you just love China? Such a great place to visit and I do love that ceiling because I took the same picture.

I bet your dad was happy to get a break. But he'll never let on.

 

[Nermel9]

Awww I love Mexican Donald too, I'm happy I finally got to meet him last October!

China is such a pretty pavilion, I never spend much time there though! I've still never even watched the movie, isn't that crazy? Maybe I will have time in February!

I love that the trash cans in the World Showcase say "World Showcase" on them. Makes them look classier somehow!

Ohhhh, the torches! For some reason, that picture just made me so sad. I wish I was in Epcot right now.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Yay for meeting Donald in Mexico!

I agree that the ceiling in China is absolutely an obligatory Disney shot, right up there with the welcome gate!

 

[Belle83]

Aww, Mexican Donald! We saw him too but didn't stop, I wish we had.

 

[marDgreen88]

There are too many pages for me to read all right now but I will catch up! You look like a very sweet family and I can't wait to read about your trip

Aww, thank you so much! Welcome to the TR, I'm so glad to have you here! Thank you for commenting! I hope you enjoy!!!

World Showcase is a very special kind of perfection, isn't it? Looks like you guys had a bee-yoo-ti-ful day for it, too! Too bad Jacob wasn't feeling it, but what are you gonna do? A relaxing afternoon at BLT was just what he needed!

YES! That is a perfect way to describe it! Oh my goodness, yes, that day was just perfect. It was so beautiful! I definitely got some sun that day, though.

Yeah, it was better that he got to go have his own kind of fun. He probably wouldn't have been all that interested in a lot of the World Showcase stuff anyway, and I don't really think my dad minded either way. He just loved our villa.

Regarding your comment about Mulan .... I don't like the OUAT version either !! And that Aurora - just whiny needy little two-faced mess !! I love that show though. Always fun to watch and see where they go with the story. Hope you are having a great Christmas so far !!!

Yeah, ick. Hahah. I actually haven't seen the latest episode of OUAT yet (SLACKER!!!!!) but I doubt it'll change my opinion all that much anyway.

Thank you! I hope you are, too!

You guys truly got the perfect day for World Showcase if those pictures say any less (or more). Glad to hear your parents enjoyed Maelstrom! I mean, how could they not? The most popular in Disney, c'mon! And I love your pictures with Mexican Donald! I believe when I went in 2010 the picture my family got with Mexican Donald (as arranged by Donald) became our Christmas card. He truly is the coolest of the Donalds And that's so funny how people think when you get tan you are Mexican, I never would've thought. Usually Tan = Italian, the reason why people don't get how I'm part Italian in heritage. :/ Moving on...

Sorry to hear your dad and Jacob had to bow out of your World Showcase tour. I'm sure they were having tons of fun back at BLT. The China Pavilion is looking gorgeous as ever! I'm really interested now to see the movie there, it must be wicked cool seeing the movie on all sides of the room or in a circle above your heads (yeah, this is me not knowing lol). And I find it funny how you think the puppets at the China pavilion are creepy, I think they are so adorable, I think I may have played with one of each when I stopped by there on my first trip. And the ponds are so quaint!

to your pictures of the trashcan and the World Showcase IllumiNations torches! They really do scream World Showcase. I always unintentionally get one picture of those whenever I'm around. They are so cool and makes me think of how magical the place is when they are lit at night OH, DGE 2014 cannot get here fast enough!

Okay, time for some party preparations for tonight, gotta jet. Can't wait to read more!

Oh yes, it was the perfect day! It was beautiful! Hahaha yes, I mean, how could they not enjoy Maelstrom? That would be a fun Christmas card, I bet! I just love Mexican Donald! Yeah, I don't know. I guess I can kinda see it, to be honest. I actually look pretty different in person than I do in pictures (I have no idea why) so maybe it depends on different things! I don't know really, I just have gotten that my entire life. "Are you Mexican?" "Nope."

That's okay! I think they had a lot of fun back at the resort! They went swimming for a while and had some 'guy' time hahah. Oh yeah, Circle Vision goes all around you! It's not like IMAX where it goes on the ceiling, but there will be different pictures in different parts of the room. It's kinda hard to explain, but very cool. Hahah well the animal puppets are adorable, but the people puppets creep me out a little bit! They're definitely fun to play with though!

I agree! Don't you just wish you were there right now? Sigh.

Hope you had a fun party! Merry Christmas!

Hi Marissa, I love your pictures of China, it's one of my favorite pavilions. We did one of our Agent P missions in China on our last trip which was great.

Hi!! Oh thank you! Aw, it's definitely a great one! How was the Agent P game? Would you recommend it?

Yay! World Showcase is awesome. And Maelstorm and Grand Fiesta Tour are such classics, they are hard to miss on the WS tour.

That's awesome that you got to meet Mexican Donald while you were there. I see him out whenever I'm there, and he looks like an awesome character to get a photograph with.

The picture of the torches made me feel like I were getting ready to watch IllumiNations. I wish!

Isn't it? Yeah, I'm glad my dad could at least do those before he left with Jacob!

Meeting Mexican Donald was one of my goals for this trip, believe it or not! I just love him!

Oh man, ME TOO! Haha well, get ready to feel like that again, because I have more than one of those pictures still to come! Hahahah.

You got some lovely pictures! And that one near the outpost does look the AK. I was noticing that in October.

Don't you just love China? Such a great place to visit and I do love that ceiling because I took the same picture.

I bet your dad was happy to get a break. But he'll never let on.

Thank you!! Doesn't it? It feels like you should look over the water and see Everest or something!

I do! Hahah yeah, it's a fun picture to take! That building is just SO pretty.

Hahah yeah, he probably was! He LOVED BLT so much. He and Jacob had some fun guy time that day!

Awww I love Mexican Donald too, I'm happy I finally got to meet him last October!

China is such a pretty pavilion, I never spend much time there though! I've still never even watched the movie, isn't that crazy? Maybe I will have time in February!

I love that the trash cans in the World Showcase say "World Showcase" on them. Makes them look classier somehow!

Ohhhh, the torches! For some reason, that picture just made me so sad. I wish I was in Epcot right now.

He's the best! YAY.

It really is beautiful! Yeah, other than seeing the movie, I haven't spent much time there either. I'm sure there are lots of cool things to discover there! That's why we go back.

Hahah, I know! Gotta love a classy trashcan.

Awwww, I'm sorry! HAPPY! CHRISTMAS! Disney in two months!!! (Are you happy again? )

Yay for meeting Donald in Mexico!

I agree that the ceiling in China is absolutely an obligatory Disney shot, right up there with the welcome gate!

Hahha, I was so excited!

It totally is! I think it's just hard to resist, it's so beautiful!

Aww, Mexican Donald! We saw him too but didn't stop, I wish we had.

He is precious! Aww, well maybe next time!

 

[MeMom]

More time exploring World Showcase is high on my list for the March trip. The problem is that if you really did a thorough job of seeing all the movies, visiting every shop and museum in every country, and ate at at least a few of the restaurants, you could spend an entire trip just in Epcot!

 

[princess_momma]

Yeah I've kinda fallen off the face of the planet again. I'm probably going to explain over on my ptr which is my next stop after your tr!

I LOVE EXPEDITION EVEREST. It's really just heavenly. I have even dreamt about that rollercoaster I love it so much. I'm not mad about the yeti either, especially since you can still see him. It's fine that he doesn't lunge at me.

I love Hercules. Seriously, one of my favs. When I was little, I had this baby Pegasus plush that was my absolute favorite one. I loved him. I wish I still had him! There are so many hilarious quips in that movie...it's definitely underrated!

I totally get how the relaxing, not technically doing anything but people watching and enjoying the company could be one of the best memories. I have a similar memory with my son in MK that I wouldn't trade for anything. It's always nice to slow down and just appreciate the moments before they slip away!

I would love to eat at Garden Grill one day. And I actually really enjoy Living With the Land. Now I just need to remember to pick up one of the seed things so I can grow something from there at home. That would be magical!

I'm glad you got to take a spin in a super stretch, but am sad you missed out on the love of my life, ToT. I understand though. It's a pain when it's that crowded. Sounds like you had such a great time in Epcot though.

I LOVE Akershus. I am slightly intimidated to go for anything but breakfast though. But I am OBSESSED with the breakfast. They have the best potato casserole type of thing. OMG if only I could have it now. That would make my life!

I have never ventured too deeply into most showcases. Idk why. Epcot and I have a semi rough history. Last time, I finally had the BEST time, but we're still taking it slow to make sure things don't end up bad. (Lol everyone I go with always ends up grumpy there. I don't know why.)

Can't wait for more!

 

[dara00]

I just missed meeting Mexican Donald at the wine and dine after party - so sad!