Summer & Steven's Fairytale Wedding TR, 20th Aug SBP Baby Pics!!!

Summer - every installement is better than the one before! :yay: I am so glad this is going to be a long TR - it is so much fun to read! :surfweb: We are going to have to start a support group once it is over - we will all be going through withdrawls!!! :eek:
 
I totally understand where you are coming from with your mom!
We are taking my mom in July, she sounds alot like your mom! I am going to need alot of ME time while she is with us. (we are staying for 3 weeks and she is coming for the middle week!) We live 450 miles apart and it is great but being in the next room is going to be bad!

I am loving your TR, keep it coming!
 
desiab - I think you should give Tonga Toast another try. However I will admit to having it again at another point during our trip and they had put way too much sugar on it and not enough cinnamon. I ended up scraping off most of the sugar.

dizneyfreak - Thanks for the compliments on my photos and video. I forgot to mention the strawberries, I paid $35.00 for them and I made a seperate request for them. I specifically asked for chocolate strawberries and I was told there would be a dozen, but as you can see there was much more, but I don't know if that was due to there error with the menu. Just call Coral Reef and ask for Alicia or Debbi.

MUDisneyCouple - We are getting to the wedding day, I promise! I think I am beginning to hate the preshows, most are pointless, but again maybe I am in the minority.

yearbook50 - Oh god, I hope I haven't made my mother look like a Grandma. As I have said before I love her to pieces, just not with me all the time. She is adorable in a silly kind of way, and normally the little things she does doesn't bother me, but when these things happen everyday, well, I guess it begins to get on my last nerve.

Tiffany - YAY, I wondered where you were, must be working really hard? I am so glad you could stop by, your's and Maggie's TR are the ones that have inspired me the most, so I am glad to hear from you, am I doing well?
CBR, is beautiful and absolutely huge, but we loved POFQ, it is so cosy and such a beautiful and romantic resort. If we do get to go back we will go to POFQ, so thanks for turning me on to that.
I actually do go back to AK and it is much better the 2nd time, when we go back again I'll be sure to try the safari in the morning.
The thing about Coral Reef is, I thought I actually really liked it, then when I wrote my TR, I realised I didn't like most of the food, I remebered loving the diver so I just put it down to as great experience, yet addressing individual items made me realise I didn't care for it much at all.
There are loads more pics coming up and...we are nearing the wedding day so I will post my favs from then.

DisneyLaura - You really loved that pic of Spaceship Earth, hmmm, I thought it was good but not that good, I will have to have another look at it. The strawberries, I have been told by Steven, were the best strawberries he has ever had, really juicy!
Yes, Kona is a definate must do now from now on, breakfast, lunch and dinner, all were awesome!

angel*lady - Awww, thanks for that amazing compliment about my TR. I just write it how it happened so I'm glad it's entertaining.

Missy H - Oooh, I already feel for you. However at least you have 2 weeks alone, that is what salvaged our vacation, without it, it would have been a disappointment. Not that I didn't enjoy the week with my mom, but we did cater to her needs most of the week, so didn't get to do most of the things we wanted to do until later.

I want to thank everyone who is reading along with my TR, it is wonderful to be able to share this experience with you all and I really appreciate all of your support with this. I am being brutally honest in this TR as I think you all appreciate that, especially when it comes to reviewing the vendors. I say this as we will be coming up to the wedding day shortly and I have several vendors to review. This doesn't mean I have bad reviews to share, in fact the majority are positively glowing reviews, but good or bad, I will be honest.

As most of you know I have been off work all week so have managed to post several instalments per day. Unfortunately I am back at work now so although I will post, it may not be so much every day. I promise to post at least one section though every day, if not more. So please bear with me while I try and adjust.
 
I am loving this summer and as we have just confirmed our date, its nice to hear another uk bride with their experiences
 

Wow! I have finally caught up! - I was just thinking "I wonder if Summer is back yet" and then discover I have 11 pages to catch up on!

Now I really need to get on with some work.....
 
Bummer having to go back to work! :sad1: It is always so hard to go back after a week off - I can't imagine after a month! Especially coming off of a Disney trip. At least you had some time at home readjusting before heading back.

I guess your boss wouldn't understand if you said - "So sorry, I can't come back to work yet - my readers need me!" :rotfl: Don't worry, we will be patient. Hey - maybe I'll get more studying done! :rotfl2: This whole school thing is tough! I have gone back to school after MANY years to finally finish my degree. I am working full time and carrying a full course load in the evening. What a juggling act! I am grateful that I have a supportive husband and my kids are in high school and college and require a little less attention. It will be worth it in the end but right now I am going a little bit crazy! :eek:
 
Soarin' sounds like a lot of fun, however, I won't be going on it when I go in Nov. I get such bad motion sickness and I can't do simulator rides at all without being sick, so I'm skipping this. I know I'm missing something wonderful, but am willing to fore-go it. :sad1:

I give you alot of credit for traveling a week with your Mom. I love my Mom, but really don't think I could do Disney with her. Hope it gets a little better. ;)

Can't wait for more! :cool1:
 
orangetiggs - Glad to hear that you have confirmed your date, and I'm pleased that this TR can help you out.

meryll83 - My god where have you been, I haven't seen you around in ages??? Glad you could stop by, I see you are going to WDW in 11 days? I am oh so jealous, I know I've just been but I really want to go back.

angel*lady - Yeah maybe I can get back to some study also, I have some Law papers that are calling me. I am putting up a mini instalment just now as I wasn't at my computor all day at work so it ruined my plan:sad2:

DisneyObsession - It's weird that motion sickness can affect people differently. Steven suffers from the same thing asnd finds it difficult to go on simulators, but has no problem at all on Soarin'.
Believe me Tinkerbell slams the pixie dust in our face from the wedding onwards.
 
Day 4, Part 3

So, we decide it’s time to move on and head to the World Showcase. I had been looking forward to this for months and I thought my mom would really enjoy this aspect of the park. Forget thrill rides, I knew my mom had always wanted to travel more so I thought this would be way up her street.
I look at the map and I decide it would be better to head in a clockwise direction. We had a reservation at Le Cellier in Canada at 6pm so it seemed wiser to try and hit all the lands before then and end in Canada. So going by the map our first stop would be Mexico.
I had wanted to visit Mexico since 2001. When Steven and I visited California, we had the opportunity to take a trip down to Mexico. For some reason we decided against it and never did go. So since then I have been regretting that decision. So, this was my opportunity to get a taste of Mexico without actually stepping off of Disney property, sounds good to me!
I would like people to step in at any point and tell me if I am coming across as dumb when I refer to these lands. I hate to assume, but I will assume that these lands are not necessarily spitting images of the majority of the country they represent, am I right?
Okay, so on to Mexico. I was happy that there was a ride here. Although my mom may not be into stuff like that, I certainly was and relished in the thought of a boat ride, woo hoo! First impressions of Mexico were good; I loved the little stalls as you can see:
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and the structure that housed El Rio del Tiempo was beautiful:
Mexico1.jpg


We went in and I loved the look of the inside, it was so dark and intimate, definitely romantic. I tried to get some pics, but I don’t think it really captured the magic:
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and here was one of San Angel Inn, it looked beautiful with a great ambience, but it was so dark:
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We continued on to ride El Rio del Tiempo, I knew it had been refurbished but had never been on the original so didn’t know what to expect. It was cute, but didn’t provide any insight into Mexico and its people. I hear that Donald is an addition? Can I say that I think that was a poor decision? I don’t know, it just seemed tacked on. Do you regulars feel this was an improvement? I liked the other aspects of the ride even if it was a bit ‘small worldish’.
My mom enjoyed it and found it quite relaxing, no drops or anything like that and Steven thought it was just okay.
As I disembarked from my boat, I must have slipped on the water on the seat and my flip-flop surged backwards, breaking the strap. I was gutted, not only because they were the only pair I had with me (obviously) but also they were brand new and my favourite pair. They were so comfortable and I had only been wearing them for 4 days, what on earth was I supposed to do now? I tried to walk and keep it on my foot, but unless I clenched my toes really tightly, it was a losing battle. There was no way I could continue like this, so I had no alternative but to buy another pair. I looked in Mexico but there was nothing even remotely flip-flop like!
So I hoped to find something in the other lands as I went around.
Overall I thought Mexico was very small, especially in comparison to other lands. I’ll call it cosy though as I also thought it was cute. I do think there is room for more here, much more, and something that could really give it some oomph!
I stopped to have a Churro, remember my love for all things cinnamon and sugar? Even with my flip-flop fiasco I had been dreaming about Churros since California 2001. It was beautiful as usual and just as I remembered, crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. Just the right amount of cinnamon and sugar, perfect!

Guess it’s time to move on to Norway…
 
Hope your day back at work went well. We'll miss the multiple daily updates. ;)

Ack, your shoe broke after only 4 days! That stinks.

I love the countries at WS, it's DH's & my fave park. But I agree that with Mexico, it could be...more. There just doesn't seem to be enough to fully entrance me there. I know there's only so much space, but I do wish there was more in each country, particularly a few. But, it's a wonderful way to learn about a different culture if you fully immerse yourself in it.

Can't wait for more!
 
meryll83 - My god where have you been, I haven't seen you around in ages??? Glad you could stop by, I see you are going to WDW in 11 days? I am oh so jealous, I know I've just been but I really want to go back.

I know - I feel like I've deserted you! It's been really busy at work lately and I've been dancing in a Summer season show up until the other week, rehearsals for that started in about May I think, so that might be around the time I vanished!

I'm loving reading your report, it's really getting me in the mood to go - I really need to start packing, there might be room for you in my case?

Oh and Congratulations!!!!!!!:cheer2: You are now a married lady - how exciting!

Can't wait to read the rest, sounds like we're gonna hear some really magical things....
 
Summer,
I go to WDW once or twice a year, so I know all about all of the rides. My DF calls me the human Disney map. I don't even grab one when we head into the parks cause I don't need it:rotfl: So, n-e-ways, the mexico boat ride is a lot like it used to be. All Disney really did was replace some video of the mexican people with some video of Donald and his friends Joe Carioca & Panchito. (There by the way are the characters from the Disney movie The Three Caballeros. If you haven't seen it, this movie is very cute, but I am biased being a Donald fan and all.) I liked the ride both ways. It probably was more "ride-u-cational" before, but it is more kid friendly now. So, I guess what I'm tring to say is that I'm torn between the old ride and the new one, but you really didn't miss much.
As for the "lands" looking like the real thing, believe it or not they are all really authentic. I can tell you that Mexico, France, and Canada all really look like that in the origional authentic areas. I also know for a fact that Disney went into pain staking detail when building the lands. For example, the king of Moracco sent the same builders that built his palace to EPCOT to supervise and help with the building of the Morocco "land". I don't know if that helps you with your questions or not, but I am just full of useless information about Disney trivia:lmao: hence the title Dizneyfreak!
Sorry to hear that you are back to work. Make sure to steal away to post some more soon to help ease your dis-friends withdrawls:rotfl2:

Anna Marie:bride:
 
Summer, I think adding Donald was an improvement, the ride had pictures from the 80s and looked really old, it really needed an update, I think it was a cute addition with Donald. BTW, you TR is awesome, sorry I haven't written anything yet, I am mostly a reader not a poster. CONGRATS!
 
Back at work - what a bummer! Hope everything went well, well as good as it can be for work ;) I've been off since we returned from our WDW trip(broke a toe at Castaway Cay). I'm stir crazy, but your TR has certainly been a bright spot in my days!
 
Summer What a fantastic read so far...

The pics are great of you guys in the crazy hats I'm quite parcial myself! lol :rotfl:

Everything sounds great you have me hooked! Keep it coming!!!

Nicci
x
 
Summer, I will have to say I have not been on that ride since June 2004 and I can't remember seeing Donald and company. I thought it was a nice ride for the kids because my boys love boats and like dizneyfreak said it's educational. But just like dizneyfreak said the countries were built to resemble that country. And correct me if I am wrong but the structure that you were referring to in Mexico I believe is a famous structure in Mexico. If you get a tourbook about Disney says that I think. Again after having three kids my brain is not working like it used to. Maybe dizneyfreak can help me with that one. Sorry to hear about your flip flops. That stinks. I hope you find a pair soon. Waiting for the next installment especially your wedding day.

Laura:yay:
 
oneyodafan - I know, I miss providing the multiple updates too. I hope I can try and fit in some time when I'm at work, especially during my lunch.
I loved WS when I went back again, this time taking more time to go from country to country and stopping for great photo opportunities.

meryll83 - I did wonder what had happened to you. Thanks for the congrats. If I could fit in your suitcase I may consider going, I want to go back already and I've only been away 10 days!

dizneyfreak - Thanks for the info. I did assume that Disney has tried to recreate the countries. I guess I was just surprised, and I'm only going by the UK pavillion, but I don't think it looks anything like the UK, well not exactly. Wait a minute, I guess it looks like the stereotypical version of a countryside in England with maybe an area like Kensington beside it. It's the best way I can describe it. Not that it's bad, but I did notice while trekking through other countries that some seem way more authentic than others, take Morocco for example, I swear I could have been there and even Italy, but others like the UK well, not so much.
I hope you're not offended by what I've said, it's just my opinion and I want to tell it from my point of view, it's not that I dislike WS, far from it, but some lands are by far better than others.

tlhbdm - Thanks for reading my TR, it does seem that Donald has improved the ride then, thanks for letting me know how badly it needed updating.

MUDisneyCouple - Oooh soory to hear about your toe, hope it heals quickly. Glad that I can help out while you're stuck at home.

misscmac - You're welcome, i enjoy reporting just as much as everyone seems to enjoy reading.

DisneyB2B - Thanks for commenting. I have more hat pics later on, I became obsessed but unfortunately Steven didn't get pictures of me all the time.

Laura - I hope I didn't offend you either about WS, I really do like it there but if you read my comment to Dizneyfreak, you will see what I'm saying. I hope I have worded myself correctly, it's very difficult to describe.
 
So we moved on to Norway, I on the search of new flip-flops and a ride on Maelstrom, my mom on the search of a drink and Steven on the search of a seat.
My mom tells me that I will only find clogs in Norway, HUH? Whatever mom! Telling her that clogs were not the traditional footwear for Norway wouldn't have made any difference.
Steven up until this point had not been enjoying himself in Epcot. He was on the verge of wanting to just go home, and I don't just mean back to the resort. My mom was tiring him out much more than me, after all I was her daughter and I could accept all her quirks but Steven had been shoved full force into this situation and I didn't just expect him to roll over and take it.
I was still trying to figure out a way to broach the subject of Victoria and Alberts with my mom. I knew that Steven and I really deserved to spend that time alone, to be honest I think we really needed it. The time didn't seem right however so I left it and continued on to Maelstrom occassionally asking Steven if he was okay.
I found that Maelstrom had a 45 minute wait, WHAT? For a little boat ride? I couldn't justify waiting that long especially when I was growing more uncomfortable every second without appropriate footwear. So my search continued but Norway produced nothing, not even clogs as my mom had predicted!
I managed to get a few of pictures of Norway:

Norway1.jpg

Norway2.jpg

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I loved the exterior of these buildings, they were so cute and I especially loved the waterfall beside Maelstrom. Unfortunately I can't really review here as I wasn't able to give Norway the attention it deserved due to my growing irritation at my flip-flop. I hoped that when I managed to come back next time I could devote more time here as it looked like a pleasant place to look around.

We moved on to China:

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and my first stop was the store right at that back of the land. It looked huge so I thought it would be my best bet for some shoes:

China3.jpg


I have always had a love for Chinese atire, culture and food so nearly everything in this store appealed...apart from the prices! I loved this Chinese ornament but it was $94.00, I couldn't guarantee that it would survive the journey home so it seemed a silly purchase.
We approached the back of the store and I noticed beautiful black satin, floral flip-flops. WOO HOO!!! The price was reasonable at $12.95 and luckily they were my size, well maybe slightly big but certainly useable. I tried it on and they were so comfortable, I immediately said to Steven I wanted, no, needed them.
He gladly paid for them as it would stop my complaining so I asked the sales clerk if she would cut the tags off as I intended to wear them straight away. She obliged and I slipped them on and immediately disposed of my useless ex flip-flops.
Finally I could quit walking like a duck and resume my journey around the world.
I really wanted to see Reflections of China and luckily for us it was a walk in. The show started in 5 minutes and we patiently waited. It was an amazing show, and I loved the cinesphere it was shown in, I think this was very educational and shown the true beauty of the Chinese people, their country and culture. I never really considered visiting China before as I never realised how beautiful there land was. This video made me see otherwise. I was so glad I saw it. Some points during the show I began to feel I was on Soarin', only a good thing, and I had no idea which way to look. I would definately recommend this show to everyone.

We made our way past the garden with the lilypads in them to move on to the Outpost, now can someone tell me what this is exactly? To me it looked like the old west, am I right? We wandered through and didn't stop to take any pics, on this trip of the Outpost, but we certainly did in our next trip!
I wanted to move on to Germany and see if there were any tasty Pretzels...


Coming up...

Germany, Italy and The American Adventure!
 
The Outpost is suppose to be Africa. It isn't much though.'

Yay for flip flops!
 












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