The one with the dusty, wrinkly, moldy-oldy 4 day park hopper ticket from 1992! (August 2025)

[uem]

Great trip report. Thanks for taking us along.

 

[MamaMouse0920]

Where we last left off, we were just beginning DS5's special night out with just mom & dad, this time heading to Epcot!



He was so excited for this special time (though I think still would say that DD6 had the better deal that's how popular Grandma is!) and so were we. We don't get a lot of 1:1 time with each kid typically and it's something we really need to prioritize more often!





^ Get a load of this guy, just living the dream.









We made it into Epcot around 6:45pm and were on a mission for dinner! But first, DS5 had found a dime at some point on our travels from AoA > Skyliner > International Gateway so we first stopped by the fountain in France so DS5 could make a wish. No pictures, only video so use your imagination

I will preface our dinner story with this little fact: up until just a few weeks ago, DS5 did not care for cheese. "but you like pizza, don't you, DS5?" "yes" "and you like mac & cheese, right?" "yes" "and grilled cheese sandwiches?" "yes" -- you see where I'm going with this. He thinks he doesn't like cheese, so we've been known to lie on occasion when asked "does this have cheese in it?" (depends, do you like it?????) and generally have to get creative with what we're presenting to him. Now I don't know how or why or what changed on this particular day, but he agreed to try a *gasp* ham & cheese croissant from France.

Yup. So I picked up the goods while Matt & DS5 staked out a table in Les Halles.



He LOVED it. I mean ate every last bite (Matt and I were banking on eating more of this, so we were still hungry!). And I think this encounter was what ultimately changed his opinion on cheese forevermore- thank goodness!!!

Unbeknownst to us, DD6 was having dinner at the exact same time with grandma! Looks like she opted for the less daring chicken strips & French fries



In no time at all (since DS5 wolfed that sandwich down) we left Les Halles and made our way to pick up more food for Matt & I since we had been shafted with our shared dinner.

 

[lacy1101]

Really enjoying your trip report! Sorry if this has been asked already, but where did you get your adorable fanny pack?

 

[MamaMouse0920]

As we left France I spotted this woman in the window and said "man, I aspire to be like her when I'm older". Drinking a (very full) glass of wine & not a care in the world (I too wouldn't mind living permanently in Disney World ) so had Matt take a picture with my new role model:



For whatever reason, on our stroll we decided to stop for an impromptu photo shoot:







Eventually continuing our way into the United Kingdom, where we could hear some bumpin music in that back garden area (which we'd never been in before)- again 90's music! I once again only have video (and TONS of it) and no pictures, but DS5 was absolutely GROOVING - I'm sure drawing quite an audience with his dance moves, ha! After about 15 minutes of dancing, the performers wrapped up and so we left the area with the crowd, but first stopping for a telephone booth picture:






Stopping again at the fountain, I think perhaps we took a potty break at these restrooms as well.





DD6 meanwhile had moved on to dessert:



As we walked through Canada, I decided to have Matt and DS5 go ahead toward Figment while I got in line for some maple popcorn and another (shared) Canadian beer. I waited my turn, placed my order, and between paying & getting my beer (the popcorn was given immediately) the keg popped. The CM alerted the crowd (who were all waiting on the beer) as to what had happened and said you could hang out and wait for it to be switched our be issued a refund. Everyone else got their money back and left, while I waited. Suddenly the CM had been notified of lightning in the area and shut the entire cart down. Wait a minute!! So I had to quick stop a CM and say "uhhh can I get my $14 back?" which unfortunately took a long while but did eventually get sorted out. Only popcorn in tow, I scurried toward Figment to beat both the lightning/rain and re-join Matt & DS5.



We hung out in the after-ride area for a short while, it being after 8pm by this point. We figured we had time for one more ride so made our way to the Land Pavilion and joined the 10 minute standby for Soarin'. By the time we got off it was about 8:45pm and we had promised DS5 a treat so we power-walked as fast as our legs would carry us to France to get some ice cream at L'Artisan des Glaces- only to be greeted with a long line. Doh! While Matt and DS5 held our place in line, I went next door to get some champagne for Matt and I- deciding ultimately on getting the flight. It was so fun watching the CM pour the champagne, he was an absolute pro and filled it to the very brim... my kinda guy! Except then I found myself in the predicament of how exactly am I going to carry these 3 flimsy/cheap plastic champagne flutes that are absolutely to the top filled across the alley to Matt.......

So I took a sip from each til each glass was a bit safer to transport and made my way back to Matt. A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!

 

[MamaMouse0920]

When it was finally our turn to order, we got a Croque Glace with mint ice cream (Matt & DS5's favorite) and a cone - I had asked the CM what their favorite was and they said hazelnut - so that's what I got! Unfortunately, the Croque Glace was NOT enjoyable thanks to the mint ice cream, unfortunately it wasn't the fake mint that we're clearly used to, this tasted like straight up mint leaves that had been chopped up and blended into ice cream We ate it, but none of us really cared for it. Next time I'll try a different flavor!







The hazelnut though was absolutely delicious, and thus taken over by DS5. This guy had once again monopolized our food!



We moseyed our way toward the International Gateway, the fireworks in full swing by this point (we couldn't really see them from the back of France) so we stopped and ate our ice creams while watching the fireworks- in the way back of the crowd so not a spectacular view or anything.



After battling some crowds we were on the Skyliner and back to Art of Animation by 10pm, and after super quick showers & brushing of teeth we were in bed by 10:30pm. What an absolutely amazing day we had!!!

TOTAL STEPS: 24,478 (11.3 miles)

Up next: Monday, August 18th (Day 6)

 

[MamaMouse0920]

Really enjoying your trip report! Sorry if this has been asked already, but where did you get your adorable fanny pack?

You're so sweet! It's a DIY by yours truly Both the bag & the patch were purchased from Amazon and then I used some industrial strength adhesive to glue the patch on to the bag!

Crossbody: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B27HTQGB?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

Patch: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDTDFSWT?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_15&th=1

All said and done it's < $30 so not bad compared to the pricier inspiration (Stoney Clover)!

 

[lacy1101]

You're so sweet! It's a DIY by yours truly Both the bag & the patch were purchased from Amazon and then I used some industrial strength adhesive to glue the patch on to the bag!

Crossbody: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B27HTQGB?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

Patch: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDTDFSWT?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_15&th=1

All said and done it's < $30 so not bad compared to the pricier inspiration (Stoney Clover)!

Bravo!

 

[RN_Mama_inFL]

Where we last left off, we were just beginning DS5's special night out with just mom & dad, this time heading to Epcot!

View attachment 1014329


Did you notice the reflection in the background? So cute!

 

[ThreeBoyMama]

Isn’t it such a treat to get one on one time with your kids? I still feel this way and mine are 23, 21 and 16 LOL but it was especially fun when they were little. The trip my youngest son and I took to WDW when he was 8 was just the best