Seriously...You're Going Again?! Yep!! The Final Wrap-Up!!! 12.26.13

[TinksThree]

Joining in!

Glad y'all made it there safely. The pirate rooms looks soooo cool! I've always thought about booking one for Reid but I was always scared that those beds would be uncomfortable.

I'm enjoying all of your pictures, especially all the topiaries @ EPCOT.

Can't wait to hear more!

Hey welcome!! Glad to see you back on the boards!!! The beds were okay not terrible but not as comfortable as the regular beds are. Reid would love that room!! There are so many details!

 

[TinksThree]

Today is the first day of school in this area! (Yes they make the first day of school when the heat is 106!!!!) For Madison, this means the last 1st day ...well at least in high school! Makes a Mama reflect...

I hope to update real soon guys!! I hope you are having a great Hump Day!!!

 

[sherylcin]

As usual I'm playing catch up! Boo! Anyway, love all the pictures of the Flower & Garden exhibits. I am always in awe of the topiaries and would love to see how they do that! We saw they were building the playground in January so can't wait to see the finished area in November. I think I may have just drooled all over my keyboard looking at the pics from the Boulangerie Patisserie. We love that place and always eat lunch there at least once. That raspberry chocolate thingy is soooo good!! I think I had that two or three times last trip. Yum! So which do you like more at Epcot, Flower & Garden or Food & Wine? (Just curious!)

 

[TinksThree]

As usual I'm playing catch up! Boo! Anyway, love all the pictures of the Flower & Garden exhibits. I am always in awe of the topiaries and would love to see how they do that! We saw they were building the playground in January so can't wait to see the finished area in November. I think I may have just drooled all over my keyboard looking at the pics from the Boulangerie Patisserie. We love that place and always eat lunch there at least once. That raspberry chocolate thingy is soooo good!! I think I had that two or three times last trip. Yum! So which do you like more at Epcot, Flower & Garden or Food & Wine? (Just curious!)

I am always playing catch-up so I understand!!

I saw something this year that gave a brief look at how they do the topiaries. I think that would be a great tour! I would love to have a behind the scenes look at that! Boulangerie Patisserie is so wonderful! We love using our snack credits their on the last night to bring goodies home!

That is tough comparing the two festivals! I loved Food and Wine but since they added some food kiosks this year to Flower and Garden, I will go with Flower and Garden! It is just so lovely and beautiful!

 

[TinksThree]

Here we are, around 11:30 am and as a recap: So far we have arrived at Epcot around 9 am, rode Test Track as stand-by, seen Lightening McQueen and To'Mater topiaries, grabbed Fast Passes for Soarin', rode Living with the Land, toured the Butterfly House, payed in Oz, visited England and France as well as having lunch in France! And all of this at a leisurely pace!! in my book that is pretty successful for 2 1/2 hours!!

We finish our lunch in France and decide to continue our walk around the world! We pass through Morocco but did not stop:



Between Morocco and Japan was a special kiosk for the F&G Fest and we stopped and found these cute ladybug mouse ears!



And then we were off to the Far East!!







We just love the bonsai trees and came very close to bringing one home. They have great kits that are so affordable (under $30) in the massive store. We spent a good bit of time perusing all of the merchandise in the store before moving on. Once we left, Keith found a bench and Madison and I entered the museum.



This was really cool even though the subjects aren't of any interest to me:









We decide to move along but before leaving Japan, a couple more pictures!





Next up: America!!

Woody!!!!!





And Lotso:



A new feature at the festival this year were food kiosks much like the ones at Food and Wine. The Smokehouse in America looked and smelled amazing!!! I took a picture of the menu to text Keith (he had wandered elsewhere and I have searched my brain but can't remember where!) however, we were still full and didn't get anything. I wish I had been able to grab some grub from here!!



Keith meets back up with us and we move on to Italy! Of course you have to get a picture of Lady and The Tramp...right!?!?



We wandered through the stores a bit....



I loved this!!







And before we depart Italy, a couple of pictures:



Continued in the following post....

 

[TinksThree]

And then we come to Germany!! Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs are the centerpiece here!!









We head to the trains. I think it is so neat how Disney makes the tiny F&G signage for the village!





Chris decides he wants a pretzel and then I ask Maddie to take a picture of Keith and I. Keith teaches our children the worst things and this trip they really picked up photo-bombing! Chris was cracking us up by just walking back and forth!!











And finally success!!!



Now it is time to leave Europe and head back East! China is next...











And then back to Europe...whew! This world traveling is getting exhausting!!!





Maelstrom is a walk-on so we decide to take a little ride!!



A terrible, awful picture but it is a hidden Mickey!!





I can't remember if we watched the movie or not. We have seen it many times and I always love the whole 90's feel!! Update time anyone!?!?!

And then we exited World Showcase!

Up next: Snack time and more Flower and Garden fun!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Lots of great pictures once again. There were a few of the F&GF topiaries out on our first Epcot day. I don't see how ya'll kept from laughing at Chris walking back and forth photobombing the picture.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Wow, I knew school started earlier in the southern states, but I didn't know it was THIS early. Goodness. Congrats to Madison on her last first day though.

I so wanted to bring home a Bonzai, but I can't bring it on the plane I don't think, at least not across the border.

I really love the China pavilion particularly during Flower and Garden. It looks terribly strange without that dragon. Last October I couldn't figure out why it wasn't there since I'm so used to going in the Spring.

 

[amandaw]

Those pictures of Madison are so sweet! I hope she had a great first day & I hope her senior year will be amazing! Reid starts Kindergarten in a few weeks & I'm afraid it'll all start going by even quicker.

Looks like y'all were having a lot of fun in the World Showcase! Love your pictures as always!

 

[shan23877]

Good luck to Madison as she starts her senior year. What an exciting time for her!

Loving all of you F&G pictures! I think we'll be going back for F&G this year instead of summer. We loved it, and the weather is perfect! Can't wait to see and hear more!

 

[TinksThree]

Lots of great pictures once again. There were a few of the F&GF topiaries out on our first Epcot day. I don't see how ya'll kept from laughing at Chris walking back and forth photobombing the picture.

Thank you! I remember seeing some topiaries n late May before...if only they would stay out even longer!! We were laughing but it was really funny after as we were flipping through the pictures!!

Wow, I knew school started earlier in the southern states, but I didn't know it was THIS early. Goodness. Congrats to Madison on her last first day though.

I so wanted to bring home a Bonzai, but I can't bring it on the plane I don't think, at least not across the border.

I really love the China pavilion particularly during Flower and Garden. It looks terribly strange without that dragon. Last October I couldn't figure out why it wasn't there since I'm so used to going in the Spring.

Next year there is a new state law that schools can't begin before August 14 but I believe it is mostly for tourist reasons. It is really early!

I remember the first time I was at Epcot not during the F&G Festival and thought how bare it all looked! But I agree about the China pavilion 100%!!

Those pictures of Madison are so sweet! I hope she had a great first day & I hope her senior year will be amazing! Reid starts Kindergarten in a few weeks & I'm afraid it'll all start going by even quicker.

Looks like y'all were having a lot of fun in the World Showcase! Love your pictures as always!

Madison had a great day (and week since!)!! I have a picture from every single first day...talk about emotional looking at those!! When Madison hit 1st grade it seemed like time disappeared!!

We were having a wonderful, fun time in World Showcase!!!

Good luck to Madison as she starts her senior year. What an exciting time for her!

Loving all of you F&G pictures! I think we'll be going back for F&G this year instead of summer. We loved it, and the weather is perfect! Can't wait to see and hear more!

Madison has been really enjoying all of the special things so far...I told her to embrace it!!

We went last year in July and I would trade F&G season over July anytime!!

 

[TinksThree]

Sorry for the disappearing act!! I work for a university and we are prepping for move-in day tomorrow...so life has been crazy!!! But I am off this afternoon so I am going to squeeze in an update!!


After we exited Maelstrom (and I made my most important Leila purchase!) we decided it was time to make our way back to Future World. I was looking at videos from Epcot in the earlier days...it just really emphasized how much I miss the old attractions!! Now days we hit a few things in Future World but for the most part...Epcot is all about World Showcase to us!

But back to March 13, 2013! This is what the afternoon was looking like!!!



Our earlier meal in France was long since forgotten and we decided to hit one of the new Food Kiosks for the Flower and Garden Festival. These kiosks were just like the ones at Food and Wine and I really loved this addition!

We grabbed some food at:



Madison got the watermelon and feta salad:



This was very tasty!! I got the shrimp and grits (the guys each got one of these as well):



I love shrimp and grits!! If it is on a menu...that is usually what I order! LOVE THEM!! And this offering was pretty good!! I could have gone for another order!! Delish!!!

After eating we had some standing around time...trying to fill the time, time....so I took pictures:













A cast member came along and offered to take our picture:



Now, you may be wondering why Keith didn't take this picture, or why he isn't in this picture, or why I took random pictures for 30 minutes! It is because Keith was working ...come on dude! This is vacation!!!!



Finally...crisis in Mississippi averted...we were on our way again!!!

Monster's University!!!





It was now time to fly over California!! Soarin' Fastpasses were up next!! I always request Row 1!



We got our pre-flight instructions:



And were reminded we couldn't wear our Mickey ears...



After we finished enjoying the orange groves, golf courses, surfin', and evergreen forests of California we decide to head back to the resort for a swim and rest before a night of even more fun!! As we exit it is time to get some pictures of Epcot's entrance!!



Continued in the next post...

 

[TinksThree]

Yea...I got a little carried away there!! Soon we were loading up on the bus and back at Caribbean Beach. Before we knew it we were out by one of the quiet pools enjoying the warm sun (because the air was a bit chilly!) and a relaxing swim...or snooze. I think I snoozed more than I swam!!

We then decided dinner was in order so we loaded into our truck and made our way over to Port Royale! I posted all but one of my pictures in my CBR post...this was my dinner:



I wish I had written down what it was but it was a Cuban style roast...so good!! I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately I can't remember what everyone else got but we all enjoyed our meals! Mickeystoontown was dead on on how good the food is there!! I love that the resorts have counter service but the food isn't always "counter service-ish"!

After eating we took the truck back to our far-away )) Trinidad South, park it and walk across the street to the bus stop! Next up? Hollywood Studios!!!!





First stop was to purchase a beverage for Keith...



And while he sat on a bench and enjoyed the just purchased beverage, the kids and I took off for Star Tours!















Continued in the following post...

 

[TinksThree]

After a fun trip into the land of something Star Wars-ish (sorry Star Wars fans, I just don't know much about this ), we take off for a walk!



Madison re-enacted our Abbey Road picture from the band trip last year...a solo Abbey Road:









And up next one last ride before we have a first time adventure!!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Doesn't Keith know that working while is Disney will lose you some serious pixie dust?

Haha, so glad to see I'm not the only one that needs to take pictures of the Soarin' pre-show.

Ahh, nice Ode to Abbey Road!

 

[TinksThree]

Doesn't Keith know that working while is Disney will lose you some serious pixie dust?

Haha, so glad to see I'm not the only one that needs to take pictures of the Soarin' pre-show.

Ahh, nice Ode to Abbey Road!

Sometimes he just can't let work go...it takes a day or two to get into vacay mode!! Haha!!

I think I take those same pics at Soarin' every time!

 

[amandaw]

Your EPCOT pictures are just lovely! We've only been during the F&G festival once and your pictures make me realize how much I'd like to go back during that time. The Monster U topiaries are too cute!!

UGH - I understand about working on vacation. I thought I was going to lose my mind if Ed didn't stop working at the beginning of our vacation this year. First, we left the house late for the airport b/c he was making calls & emailing people. Then, our 1st night in Orlando I woke up at 3 am to find him working & emailing people. And he was still emailing people as the boat was about to pull out of Port Canaveral! I was so happy once we got away from port & I knew he would be forced to stop working b/c he wouldn't pay the "at sea" internet/cellular rates.

Sounds like a fun time that night in DHS!

 

[TinksThree]

Your EPCOT pictures are just lovely! We've only been during the F&G festival once and your pictures make me realize how much I'd like to go back during that time. The Monster U topiaries are too cute!!

UGH - I understand about working on vacation. I thought I was going to lose my mind if Ed didn't stop working at the beginning of our vacation this year. First, we left the house late for the airport b/c he was making calls & emailing people. Then, our 1st night in Orlando I woke up at 3 am to find him working & emailing people. And he was still emailing people as the boat was about to pull out of Port Canaveral! I was so happy once we got away from port & I knew he would be forced to stop working b/c he wouldn't pay the "at sea" internet/cellular rates.

Sounds like a fun time that night in DHS!

I love Epcot during the Flower and Garden Festival! It is just so lovely!!

I have been known to work during vacation and especially over the last three years, but stress levels as they have become...I am trying my hardest to back-off!! I can just imagine the "cheering" as the boat pulled away!!

 

[TinksThree]

First off, I once again apologize for the slowness! School began last week so hopefully everything will start becoming a little more "normal"...although football has begun and soccer season will not be far behind! Between work and Madison's schedule, it is busy, busy, busy!!

So way back over a week ago when I last left off...we had enjoyed the day at Epcot, returned to Caribbean Beach for a swim and then made our way to DHS! Star Tours and Streets of America were under our belts and we were in search of our next adventure!!

So just what would that adventure be?! Considering it was a late arrival, FPs for Toy Story were out of the question and the stand-by wait was 90 minutes.... uhm....no thank you!!! Tower of Terror and Rock-n-Roller had similar waits as well and we had one specific reason for coming to DHS this evening. Waiting in lines would divert that plan in the wrong direction!! So we made our way to one of the rides we really enjoy:



We really like this ride and although a few different movie scenes would be interesting I like the oldies that are represented!! I am afraid the "new" oldies would be from my teen years and that just would not be good!!! HAHA!!!

Keith and I are ready to take The Great Movie Ride!!!



The singing and dancing and glitz of good ol' Hollywood!!



I take this one every time!! I am so excited for "Saving Mr. Banks"!!



Moving along, we discover we are right in the middle of a gangster robbery! And once again, we are hijacked by the gangster!





A few scenes later, we get to Indiana Jones!!



And of course we are saved and that bad girl gets what's coming to her!



It never pays to be evil!!

Tarzan and Jane...well, this would be Jane!



And then we find ourselves in Oz (again for the day!)



And then we were done!! Next on the agenda...a bit of a wait but at least the view was good!!







We only waited about 30-40 minutes so it wasn't too terrible. Once we found our seats in the stadium (and we had pretty good seats!) I went and bought popcorn and drinks for everyone. Before long it was time for the show to begin!! This was our first time to ever see Fantasmic which I am sure is a shock considering how often we have been to Disney!!

Continued in the following post...

 

[TinksThree]

I will just let the pictures tell the tale!!







































We enjoyed the show, me more than Keith. For our next trip I asked him if he would want to see it again and he said no. I was going to do the Fantasmic Package but no need with that answer! I would see it again but it definitely isn't on our must do list...I know this is against popular opinions! It was wonderful though and I am so happy we were able to conclude our first night seeing Fantasmic!

Whew! What a day we have had but the fun is just beginning!!