Okay, we're back and arriving at Epcot! We had 6:30 ressies for the Princess Storybook Dinner at Akershus. We arrived at the park around 5:00 and were excited to spend our evening here. The Flower and Garden show was going on, so there were very cool topiaries all over the place, including at the entrance.
It should be said that by now, we were all a little tired and the kids were getting a little cranky....but we were looking forward to our Princess dinner and getting a second wind. I headed over to Soarin in the futile hope to get a FP, but alas, there were none to be had. I had a feeling that would be the case. Brad was supposed to take the kids to the Epcot Character Spot, but when he walked in and saw the lines said, "Not a chance", and we all walked back over to Nemo. The line was moving quickly and we had time to kill before our ressies, so into the queue we went. Matthew loved it, Alison liked it and we thought it was okay...but not worth a long wait. Did feel good to sit down for a few though!
Got some cute pics in the "Turtle Talk" area and left for Norway.
The crowds were about medium sized, especially for so late in the day. Brad was walking like he was in a freakin' marathon, and my short legs just won't go that fast.
So I took my sweet time walking over there behind them. The kids were in the stroller so there was no complaining.
I saw this on my walk:
These toparies were amazing. I can't even imagine how they put them together. I'm sure they were all over the park, but we didn't go any further than Norway. We arrived at Akershus and had about a 15 minute wait until we were called. As soon as we went in, Belle was in an alcove greeting each family privately (pic op for Disney). I think the kids were a bit dazzled by all the Princesses running around. At this dinner were Ariel, Jasmine, Aurora, Alice and Belle. Very fun!
We were seated and placed our orders. Brad & I had the "meatloaf"...chicken fingers for Matty and Ali had the pizza. There was a pretty yummy buffet included in this dinner which featured all kinds of Norwegian fare: thinly sliced salmon, herbed cream cheese, all kinds of cold meats & cheeses, fruit, peel and eat shrimp, and other stuff I can't remember.
The food overall was very good. The Princesses go around the room to each table and spend time taking pics, talking and signing autographs. It was so fun watching the kids watch the "girls" make their way around. Alison went thru stages were she loved Aurora, Ariel and Belle...she was each one for Halloween on different years. Got some great pics and memories! Ariel came to our table first. Alison was a little timid with her favorite Princess and Matthew clammed up and wouldn't take a pic. Very strange for my little ladies man.
Alice came next and had the cutest little English accent...very authentic and she looked amazing.
Matthew wouldn't take a pic with Alice either, the first time she came around that is.
By the time Aurora, who we didn't think looked anything like Aurora (if you know what I mean), came to the table Matthew was into it. She was the most rushed of all the Princesses and was a little cold.
The last one to come to the table was Jasmine and she was great! Spent lots of time talking with the kids and got down on her knees to be on their level. They loved it! Brad loved her costume!
She asked the kids all kinds of questions and left them very happy.
Our cute Norwegian waitress snapped this pic before we headed out and went to stake out a spot for Illuminations....with the rest of the park!
We got spots right on the fence, and by this time it was getting quite chilly and windy. We all had jackets, but were wearing shorts. Sooooo, the kids were getting a little whiny. We had a 45 minute wait in total and spent time chatting with this really nice family from the UK. Once the show started the kids forgot all about the cold and really enjoyed the show. This laser and fireworks show was awesome and we absolutely loved it. Pics didn't turn out very well, so I won't bore you with them. After the show we joined the cattle call to the exit (moo- moo).
We made it to the car around 9:40 and hit the road for the Fort and SLEEP!! The next day we had horseback riding at 10:00 and then a day of fun and hanging out!
