That's the first time we had to wear a poncho in Disney! A Mar./April '11 TR DONE 9/5

[Nermel9]

Wow your flower pics are amazing!! I really hope I get to go back next May, I really loved Epcot during the F&G festival!

Ugh, I can't stand butterflies, they freak me out...I literally run from them when they fly near me outdoors, and everyone I know laughs at me. It's nice to know there are similar freaks on the DIS boards!

Oooh, I love that Rapunzel pin!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I love Duffy!!!!! I saw him in March too

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

Hi Sarah! I just wanted to respond to your comment about that afternoon in EPCOT and not knowing if we did any rides. I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think that was the day we did Living with the Land. I think it was the day we were there in the morning.

 

[RachelNinja]

Catching up from ... WOW ... end of April!

Every time you write updates about DAK (hehe, added the D just for you), it REALLY makes me want to go! How is that I've only been once in my entire life? That rope bridge over the crocs thing looks crazy though! But WOW to your lion pictures!

I'm one of those who also doesn't believe that they use actual PhotoPass pictures in the projection show. It all looked too perfect. Haha, I mean, I know that with the program that was written, they could very easily just pick stuff out from the day and replace it, but isn't that a lot of unecessary work? Haha, why not just play the same thing every day? I was just waiting for someone to go, "HEY! That's my kid!" or "Mommy, I'm on the castle!" Regardless of where the pictures come from, I thought it was fantastic!

I wonder if it will do any of that pouring rain next May. I bought ponchos for the 2010 trip, but we didn't have to use them. I feel all prepared though that PART of me is thinking, "It'd be kinda fun if it rained and it sent everyone home!" Of course, I wouldn't want to deal with squishy socks in wet shoes!

I totally would've shouted out "cow" too when asked about the closest relative of the manatee!

Ooo, I love the close-up picture of Mickey from the opening show! Definitely the kind of pic to put in a scrapbook album!

WOW, you got a great shot of the lion! What great safari experiences! I see the lion and part of me is scared, but the other part of me is like, "He could be super nice and kind, like Aslan." HAHA.

I can't wait to finally truly understand that whole part in KK2 when I see the tiger section!

I really like that they change up the things that are shown in the Flower and Garden Festival. That way it's never the same thing each year. It wouldn't be Disney if it weren't changed!

 

[amyrella]

I finally caught up. I was away from the boards way too long! Dont deal well with Disney Post partum. Sorry you had all that rain!! Rainy days are no fun on vacations!

 

[Queenofallthings]

The topiaries are so beautiful...I love Lightning McQueen! That is so nice!

Your pics with Duffy turned out great...we're looking forward to meeting him too! Can't wait to hear what you thought of Via Napoli!

 

[Villainess]

I'm excited to see that Duffy is in Epcot! I bought the bear for DD before she was born along with a book and it is a favorite of DD and DS.

 

[wisblue]

Sarah, here's a picture with Pooh and Tigger from the UK taken in January 2010.

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Great F&G pictures. Both your and Claire's monorail pictures were great!

Cute picture with Duffy. I can't help but marvel at the marketing genius behind him.

Can't wait to hear about Via Napoli. I was bummed we missed out on trying it last trip!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Oh, you got the cute little keychain Duffy! I have been tempted to buy him for quite some time....

Yes, I couldn't resist the Duffy cuteness completely!

Very nice F&GF pics! Don't worry, you're not the only one scared of butterflies. My DBF is terrified of them But don't tell him I told you that! It might hurt is ego....

Can't wait to hear about Via Napoli

haha, I won't tell him.

Duffy is cute, I debated during the whole trip if I wanted to get one or not.

Yeah, he is really cute but I already have a few Disney stuffed animals I've collected over the years. The keychain ended up being a good pick.

Thanks for posting the story of Duffy, I had no idea where he came from, just that he was this new bear in WS and that kids could now color him on a stick at the kidcot stations

LOL! No problem.

 

[wdwgirl03]

All of your flower pictures are just amazing. Disney really knows how to color things up don't they.
Kadence is afraid of every bug in the world,(she screams when she sees an ant crawling) so butterfly house may be out for her. I would love to take phots in there.

Aww, thanks. The butterfly house is cool but yeah, it is just weird with them all flying around in there!

Butterflies are very creepy. I never go in the butterfly house with all of them flying around loose.

I love seeing all the pictures from the F&G Festival. I thought the festival was really pretty this year.

OK, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks butterflies are creepy.

I agree, but it is pretty every year.

Beautiful F & GF pictures. I am just obsessed with those topiaries, haha. I think your Duffy picture came out so cute, it's definitely frame worthy!

Thanks!

Duffy is cute! Hmmm I might need one next time

He is very tempting, especially with all the cute outfits you can get for him too for all the different countries. It's almost like a Build-a-Bear.

Nice monorail shot I like the reflection in the water.

It's considered good luck for a butterfly to land you so keep that in mind next time it starts to freak you out

Isn't Duffy adorable?! I love him!

Nice update

I do too...it looks pretty cool.

haha, I'll have to remember that. It still freaks me out though!

I love Duffy too! I remember they used to sell just a "Disney bear" and we always wanted to get one because they were so cute. They had them in different colors too and now they go for hundreds of dollars on ebay.

Wow your flower pics are amazing!! I really hope I get to go back next May, I really loved Epcot during the F&G festival!

Ugh, I can't stand butterflies, they freak me out...I literally run from them when they fly near me outdoors, and everyone I know laughs at me. It's nice to know there are similar freaks on the DIS boards!

Oooh, I love that Rapunzel pin!

The F&GF is a great time to be in Disney. I hope I get to go next spring break too.

Nope, you're not alone!

Thanks! You have no idea how hard it was to find that Rapunzel pin though. I think I mentioned a while back how I literally looked in every store and couldn't find it. I finally found it on our last day at DHS. Woot!

I love Duffy!!!!! I saw him in March too

Yes, I know you love Dufy too! I remember you posting how you got one of them.

Hi Sarah! I just wanted to respond to your comment about that afternoon in EPCOT and not knowing if we did any rides. I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think that was the day we did Living with the Land. I think it was the day we were there in the morning.

Was it really that rainy morning? I guess that makes more sense though. I think I'm just imagining going on it when it was nice. haha

Catching up from ... WOW ... end of April!

Every time you write updates about DAK (hehe, added the D just for you), it REALLY makes me want to go! How is that I've only been once in my entire life? That rope bridge over the crocs thing looks crazy though! But WOW to your lion pictures!

I'm one of those who also doesn't believe that they use actual PhotoPass pictures in the projection show. It all looked too perfect. Haha, I mean, I know that with the program that was written, they could very easily just pick stuff out from the day and replace it, but isn't that a lot of unecessary work? Haha, why not just play the same thing every day? I was just waiting for someone to go, "HEY! That's my kid!" or "Mommy, I'm on the castle!" Regardless of where the pictures come from, I thought it was fantastic!

I wonder if it will do any of that pouring rain next May. I bought ponchos for the 2010 trip, but we didn't have to use them. I feel all prepared though that PART of me is thinking, "It'd be kinda fun if it rained and it sent everyone home!" Of course, I wouldn't want to deal with squishy socks in wet shoes!

I totally would've shouted out "cow" too when asked about the closest relative of the manatee!

Ooo, I love the close-up picture of Mickey from the opening show! Definitely the kind of pic to put in a scrapbook album!

WOW, you got a great shot of the lion! What great safari experiences! I see the lion and part of me is scared, but the other part of me is like, "He could be super nice and kind, like Aslan." HAHA.

I can't wait to finally truly understand that whole part in KK2 when I see the tiger section!

I really like that they change up the things that are shown in the Flower and Garden Festival. That way it's never the same thing each year. It wouldn't be Disney if it weren't changed!

YAY, you are back!

If we are ever in WDW at the same time again we should go. I LOVE the Animal Kingdom!

I know, I kept watching thinking oooh, maybe I'll see us. Yeah, that never happened. The pictures seemed too perfect too. But who knows, maybe they are new each day.

No, believe me you do NOT want any rain like that, even if it does clear out the parks! It just got depressing after a while.

I loved our safari rides this trip (not that I don't otherwise). I couldn't believe we got to see the lions that out in the open! Amazing. haha, speaking of Aslan we finally got around to watching the newest Narnia movie. It was pretty good!

I think they do "recycle" some of the topiaries though. Like the Bambi ones that were in the butterfly house...I know we've seen those before-once at the Animal Kingdom and then I think at the Magic Kingdom another trip!

I finally caught up. I was away from the boards way too long! Dont deal well with Disney Post partum. Sorry you had all that rain!! Rainy days are no fun on vacations!

Believe me, I understand. That's partly why I'm taking forever to write this TR. I don't exactly know when my next trip will be. Glad you are back though.

The topiaries are so beautiful...I love Lightning McQueen! That is so nice!

Your pics with Duffy turned out great...we're looking forward to meeting him too! Can't wait to hear what you thought of Via Napoli!

I am anxious to see what the new Cars movie is going to be like!

Hoping to have the next update done soon...

I'm excited to see that Duffy is in Epcot! I bought the bear for DD before she was born along with a book and it is a favorite of DD and DS.

I have a book too where Mickey goes through the parks with his Disney bear (it was from before he was known as Duffy). Very cute book!

Sarah, here's a picture with Pooh and Tigger from the UK taken in January 2010.

I can't believe I never knew they were there. That's cool!

Great F&G pictures. Both your and Claire's monorail pictures were great!

Cute picture with Duffy. I can't help but marvel at the marketing genius behind him.

Can't wait to hear about Via Napoli. I was bummed we missed out on trying it last trip!

Thanks!

Aww, bummer you missed Via Napoli. Hopefully you'll get to try it on your next trip. We both enjoyed it.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

You have some awesome Flower and Garden Festival pictures. I don't think you left one place untouched. Some of these topiaries I don't think I've even seen on other TRs. WOWZERS! And I love the whole story of Duffy thing. I never understood what Duffy's purpose was, so its cool to know. Love the little pins you got from this trip and can't wait to hear about your Via Napoli ADR!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Happy Saturday everyone! School is officially over now-I had this week off and then starting Monday I'll be teaching summer school. So that'll keep me busy for a few weeks.

I also noticed on my sister's Disney CP blog she leaves in only 66 days (I don't know if she realizes I found it...). So crazy. Still hoping I'll be able to go sometime this fall. If there was nothing stopping me I'd love to go over the former "teachers' convention" and go to MNSSHP. I know that's a longshot though. We'll see. Now back to the TR!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011 cont'd (part 6)

After meeting our new pal Duffy, we slowly made our way toward the Italy pavilion. We made a few stops along the way, again, just soaking up the sunshine and the nice afternoon/evening.

I know I've said it before, but now that I'm older I have a greater appreciation for World Showcase. When my sisters and I were younger, we hated when our mom would always want to go through the countries (WS is one of her favorite things). But it is neat to see all there is to offer. I still don't spend enough time there though.

As we continued on our way, we also spotted the Rapunzel tower.

We still arrived in Italy too early so we found a table near the front of the pavilion and just hung around for a few minutes. While we were sitting there, I noticed a CM talking to a family. She was giving them a World Showcase quiz which was kind of cool.

Even though we were early we decided to go check in at Via Napoli. The hostess told us it would be a few minutes so we found a bench to sit on in the waiting area. Well, no sooner did we sit down and it was time to go to our table already! Keep in mind our ADR was for 5:45 and this was still just a little after 5:30. Once at our table, our server took our drink orders right away while we looked over the menu (even though I had decided several months ahead of time what I was going to get ). We both chose these fruit drinks, or acqua frescas,-Claire got a blood orange one and I got strawberry. And what do you know, I actually took a picture! It's not too often I take food pictures but this time I did.

After bringing us our drinks, our waitress (I'm pretty sure her name was Donna?) took our orders. Claire decided on chicken parmesan and I got the Margherita pizza. We were told that they wouldn't be done at the same time though. Not a big deal. Here's a picture of the inside of the restaurant. You can see the ovens where they make the pizzas.

The thing about Disney dining is that they are usually pretty quick at serving you. I think it took all of five minutes before Claire got her meal and maybe a couple minutes more for my pizza. We kept joking how we were going to be done eating before our actual ADR time!

I couldn't wait to try the pizza. I had read good things about it and hoped it lived up to the hype. It certainly looked delicious!

I guess I was just a little disappointed. I don't really know what I was expecting after seeing the various reviews but I guess I was hoping it was going to be better. Now, don't get me wrong, it was still really good pizza. Like I said, I guess I was just expecting more. Does that make any sense? Overall though, we really enjoyed Via Napoli and I would definitely go back again. I just love Italian food in general and I'm sure Dad would like to try it sometime too!

When we were done with our dinner, we continued to circle around World Showcase until we got back to Future World. Some of the sights along the way...

I think this was the first time I've ever seen the drummers in Japan.

And of course more topiaries.

Closer to Future World we saw the sand sculpture promoting African Cats. After all the rain on Monday I was surprised it was still standing which made me wonder if it is more than just sand...

As you know, Dad and I both saw the movie shortly after it was released. We're looking forward to the DVD!

Since it was such a nice evening, Claire wanted to stay to see Illuminations. It was still a couple hours away and I was getting tired since we hadn't been back to our room all day. So needless to say I wasn't too enthusiastic about staying. But, with more rain in the forecast we didn't know if we'd have another chance to see it so we ended up staying. We ended up going into the Character Spot to kill some time (I don't know what happened to all the pictures though) before going back to find a spot for the show.

We found a good spot in between those two shops, right at the beginning of World Showcase so it would be easier to get out. There was a family sitting right in front of us who had three younger boys. I kept wondering if the mother was a teacher because to pass the time, they were playing a game called "I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing ____________" and the kids would have to come up with something for each letter of the alphabet. It just seemed like a game a teacher would play. And I have to admit, I was sort of playing along with them in my head. At one point, they got to the letter K and the oldest boy couldn't think of anything so he asked for a clue. The mother said it was a drink and I couldn't keep quiet any longer so I blurted out "Kool-aid!". They all started laughing then. I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. But it was fun hearing some of the stuff they'd come up with too and it definitely passed the time.

We don't have any Illuminations pictures either but as usual it was a good show. When it was over, it was finally time to head back "home" after a long day in the parks.

Good-night, Epcot!

So now we've reached the halfway point of this trip....

up next: Another morning at the MK and exactly how long did we wait to meet Rapunzel and Flynn Rider???

 

[bellebookworm9]

I know I've said it before, but now that I'm older I have a greater appreciation for World Showcase. When my sisters and I were younger, we hated when our mom would always want to go through the countries (WS is one of her favorite things). But it is neat to see all there is to offer. I still don't spend enough time there though.

Closer to Future World we saw the sand sculpture promoting African Cats. After all the rain on Monday I was surprised it was still standing which made me wonder if it is more than just sand...

I feel the same way about World Showcase (and really Epcot in general). When I was there at age 15, I thought it was pretty boring. Then again, we really only looked in the shops that trip. Last year I loved it!

And I must admit, I wondered about the African Cats sculpture as well. I saw a picture of it several months ago and Mom and I were both going, "But what if it rains? Doesn't it wash away?"

 

[Villainess]

We usually go at F&G time and I've thought about the sand sculptures too. Do you think they spray it with something?

 

[PlutosRHM55]

I'm sorry Via Napoli didn't live up to your expectations. It still looked like it was pretty good, like you said. I'm not a huge fan of the thinner-crusted pizzas, but when they have some nicer toppings, I'll love it And yeah, they definitely have something else with the sand to keep the sculptures together, though I think they have to, because I'm guessing it takes awhile to build them, so I'm sure they want to minimize upkeep by taking some little shortcuts (Way to be authentic, Disney!) And that's so funny that family was playing that game! My mom is a teacher and introduced me to that game, we play it a lot at restaurants and I think we may have played it at Disney at our ADRs, but I'm not sure, it just passes time. And I love your pictures of Spaceship Earth at night! So pretty!

 

[PirateKate]

I had never thought of what would happen to that sand sculpture when it rains. Surely the rain would destroy it, if it were indeed made only of sand. How interesting.

It's kind of too bad that WS has it's only two rides right on the edge in Norway and Mexico. Maybe if they were spread out more, kids wouldn't feel as ride-desperate walking through WS.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Well your pizza sure looks good, sorry it didn't live up to expectations.

I think I would have been playing along with that game waiting for Illuminations too, sounds like a fun way to pass the time

 

[onelilspark]

You should try the green lasagna or the 4 cheese pizza next time at Via Napoli!

 

[Queenofallthings]

When we went to Via Napoli I had the spaghetti and Jasine had the lasagne...I was going to try the pizza this time around, but now maybe I`ll stick to the spaghetti

I didn`t appreciate WS on our first trip when Jasmine was 6...I think mostly because she was tired and there was really nothing to catch a 6 year olds attention...she does love to wander there now though!!!