The Pursuit of Disney Magic (June 7-14, 2008) ~ UPDATED 9/30 pg. 191

[Jules3Kids]

I agree with the previous poster...those France pics are amazing! And the kids look so cute! I think that was a highlight of our trip....I absolutely loved France in WS. I could have stayed there all day!
I look forward to reading more!

 

[shannon47142]

great atmosphere shots!!
Rose and Crown does look like a great spot to eat at especially if the weather is good for an outside table

 

[Supermom3]

Great updates! My internet has been down for a few days and I had been going through DIS withdrawl. I know this is unpopular, but I actually like the Beverly drink at Club Cool. Of course my kids think I'm nuts, but I find it refreshing since it's not too sweet.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I like the empty streets! It so pays to be at rope drop...even for World Showcase.
I think Connor has a future in film or print ads! Such an actor!!

It was so nice and quiet -- it was the same way in Mexico, Norway, and China on Monday when we got there at "rope drop."

He is a ham! Last night he was being a ninja, and I glanced over while he was in some sort of Karate Kid pose.

Cute pictures of your little French artists! One of my favorite pictures ever of Drew is when he was at Epcot with a beret and blue smock painting a picture. He was about five, I think - a little Korean French artist grinning from ear to ear. It was precious!

I think all of the architecture in World Showcase lends itself to many good pictures, but there's something especially peaceful and quaint about the UK and Canada buildings, I think. It seems like it is quieter over there; at least the times that I've been there.

I bet that picture of Drew is precious!!! I know I will treasure all these pictures of my kids!

I love WS and its photo ops! Great Britain and Canada do seem quiet when the British Invasion and Off Kilter aren't playing.

I love the pic of Morocco from across the water. GORGEOUS.

great update and pics.

Thank you! I just adore Morocco!

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so cute!!!!!








that's so great!!!

I love it when my kids decide to be silly all on their own -- it lets me know I have managed to instill the important things in them -- like enjoying WDW!

Okay...

I am wondering how you got lost in Morocco?

And it has totally perplexed me to the point where I'm having trouble focusing on what I really wanted to say...

ah yes!

Shopping in Epcot is always good. And a little bait for your DH in England I hope will work like a charm! I love the photos of the kid as usual, and it's nice to see you and DH as well.

You will see -- it's not necessarily the kind of lost that you would assume...

World Showcase shopping is one of my favorite things to do...you will see if my bait works . We do actually make it into a couple of photos here and there.

Love the pictures of Connor and Chelsea as artists! Those are so cute!

It looks like it was a beautiful day in the world--the sun was out and sunshiny (as we can tell by Connor's squintiness in some of the pictures ) and the only clouds in the sky are picturesque ones.

I'm looking forward to your take on Marrakesh and even more to Teppan Edo next week!

Thank you! It was gorgeous, but a little hot. I wish I could figure out how to fit more WS eating into each trip.

Your World Showcase photos are wonderful!

I loved the use of French to describe the photos. I minored in French, but I don't remember so much of it these days. It's a shame...

The artist pictures are so cute. I laughed quite loudly about "We won't ask what kind of French artist."

Thank you! I took 7 years of French through high school and college and was pretty fluent at one time. Alas, I was hard pressed to remember what I did for the update. I regret that I've lost so much of it.

I love the totem pole pic!!

I think that one was Chelsea's idea.

We're trying to spend a couple (few?) evenings at Rose & Crown.

Take photos, please!

We are blessed with another picture of you! Yay!! The sun must have been in all of your eyes. You look like you're squinting.

I don't take many because I am so not photogenic!

The sun was in our eyes -- that's why the children look like they are in pain!

I LOVE Connor the artist!

LOL on Chelsea's pic for a french artist. Can can, anyone?

Dying to know if you made it back to the English shops.

Another fun update Jackie! Thanks!

Thank you! I love those pictures of them.

 

[swwake]

I don't take many because I am so not photogenic!

We all think that about ourselves. In your case, you're completely wrong!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Great update Jackie!!!

I love the photo of French artist Connor. That's such a great shot!

Hmmm I'm curious to see if Charles went back to England to check out the soccer gear. If he would have only let you look through the shops. So typical of a man!!

I want to see if you took pics of Moroccan food!!!

Thank you! It is so typical of a man -- especially mine! I won't keep you in suspense -- there are no photos of any food -- not even the Moroccan food.

Okay.... these might be the cutest kid pictures I have ever seen at EPCOT! How fun! Thanks for sharing.. I agree you can get to EPCOT ASAP from POFQ!

Wow! Thank you so much! I thought they turned out pretty good, but being their mom, I am really biased!

I guess POFQ is literally around the corner from Epcot -- which was nice.

OMG Joey did the same thing with the beret and posing with the paint brush. It's one of my favorite pictures from our trip.

I want to eat at Rose and Crown too!

I went back to your TR to look at Joey's picture again and cracked up -- they did do the exact same thing! Too funny!

It is on my must-do list (I think) for next summer!

I love how your shots are so peaceful, so few people in them! Must have been nice to stroll without the crowds!

We loved how uncrowded it was -- it was such a nice break and made me wish I could travel in the off-season!

I love the french artist pose!

I don't understand why some people hate ws...........I could spend DAYS wandering through it!

I think Charles's mental block about WS is the way he has been forced to tour it in the past. This time, I was determined that he would love it as much as the kids and I do.

Great update! Love your pictures! It looks like it was very empty in WS when you were there! Gosh, seeing them makes me want to go and SHOP! NOW! LOL!

Looking forward to the Marrakesh review! I still have an ADR there I am not sure what to do with.

Allyson

You get to take all the time and shop for as long as you want to soon! I can't wait to see your photos from that!

I would eat at Tangeriene Cafe instead, if I were you.

I am so loving this WS update!! Since we haven't really been able to explore it with Megan the last few trips, I have really begun to miss how beautiful it all is! I know she will get there at some point! Right now, it just doesn't interest her much!! Like you said though, so much more reason to keep going back!

Thank you! We really took our time this year there. For little kids, WS doesn't quite hold their interest like other places in Epcot -- but one day Megan will have a blast there, and you can take lots of great Megs shots for us to enjoy! I can't wait!

The totem pole picture is so freaking cute! As are the french pictures. I have decided that you do need to take an October trip because I really enjoy your pictures and TR's.

Thank you! I really want an October trip -- either to HHI or Disney -- I am pretty sure I can't wait a whole year for another trip. It's deciding between the two places that is the hardest right now! There are so many pros for both of them!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yes, I agree. You need to do an October trip!

Unfortunately, our fall break is October 10-13 so I wouldn't be able to come to IpDip.

Fabulous pictures!! I love seeing everyones shots from the WS, I still don't feel like I have seen 1/3 of what is there!

There are still things we missed this time around -- I think I need some sort of master list so I can keep track of everything!

I wouldn't want to disappoint Cherie (Winkers) and not say ................ it's not a booth it's a box

I've got photos of me as a kid sitting on the lions at Trafalgar Square

Love the artist photos

Do you know that as soon as I typed that I said to myself, "I wonder if Jo or Cherie will correct me?"

I love that you have a picture sitting on the Trafalger Square lions! So, Chelsea could pose on the monuments? Hmmm...

Thank you!

Umm, I used to loathe WS, really hated it. I do blame it on my parents though for dragging me through in the middle of summer at 16 years of age. Since then I have done everything to avoid the place... up until our past 2 trips. On previous trips we hightailed it to the countries with rides only. BUT, We had a glimpse of the glory in 2005, so in 2008, along with a wonderful homemade unit study dedicated to WS, we took our time and went through each country. Slowly-it took us 2 days. Well, maybe 1 and a half-but we have a new found love for it! I can now say that EPCOT takes us 2 full days to get through, the park i used to avoid!
Love the updates!!!

Lori

Hurray! I am glad that you have learned to love World Showcase!!! It's one of my fondest places at Disney because it's one of my mom's favorite places and we would always spend so much time there on each trip!

Such an honest mommy comment! LOL

DARLING!!!

Well, they are -- . I try very hard to not think my children are perfect all the time.

Thanks!

I love these pictures from "France". They came out so good!!!!

Thank you!!!

I agree with the previous poster...those France pics are amazing! And the kids look so cute! I think that was a highlight of our trip....I absolutely loved France in WS. I could have stayed there all day!
I look forward to reading more!

Thank you! We enjoyed all of the countries, but did opted to skip the films -- there were no takers in my group. Next time, I want to find the Beauty and the Beast stained glass window and drink a Grey Goose slushie.

great atmosphere shots!!
Rose and Crown does look like a great spot to eat at especially if the weather is good for an outside table

Thank you! I took a lot of WS photos to use in the scrapbook (of which I have not started).

Great updates! My internet has been down for a few days and I had been going through DIS withdrawl. I know this is unpopular, but I actually like the Beverly drink at Club Cool. Of course my kids think I'm nuts, but I find it refreshing since it's not too sweet.

Isn't it supposed to cleanse the palate or something?

We all think that about ourselves. In your case, you're completely wrong!

Ahhh, you are so sweet, but you haven't seen the pictures that didn't make the TR cut!

 

[jordanyosh]

You're welcome.

 

[Charleston Princess]

You're welcome.

More goofy pics of my kids coming up later today...

 

[trixiequilts]

I just wanted to say that personally, I'm glad you didn't get to be one of "The Moms". You would have to give everybody all the PC answers that Disney wants you to give, not the honest reports that I love so much!!! Thanks for your wonderful reports, my DDs and I have learned (and laughed) a ton!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I just wanted to say that personally, I'm glad you didn't get to be one of "The Moms". You would have to give everybody all the PC answers that Disney wants you to give, not the honest reports that I love so much!!! Thanks for your wonderful reports, my DDs and I have learned (and laughed) a ton!!!

You know what? You just made my day!!! That is one of the sweetest things ever!!! Thank you!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Finally, we arrived in Morocco via Canada to Great Britain to France.

I think Morocco is the most beautiful of the World Showcase countries. All that tilework!!! I would love to visit the real thing one day.

Chelsea took two pictures of Charles and I so I will be nice and post both of them.

We were still a little early for our ADR, so we explored the shops a little. I swear to you, everytime I turned around Connor was trying on a fez -- he really developed an affinity for the red fez while we were there. Guess how much I wish I had a picture of that???

Charles kept begging me to buy one of those belly dancer costumes. I did not. End of that story.

After looking in all the shops we wandered back towards Restaurant Marrakesh.

Let me spend a few minutes digressing. I have wanted to eat at this restaurant ever since it opened oh so many years ago. Really and truly. My parents never believed in paying sit-down meal prices, and I had been unable to convince Charles when he was looking at the menu on allears. I was dying for kebabs and baklava. So, yes, I totally snuck this one in when we cancelled Boma the day before as in, "Guess what, honey? They had an opening for lunch at Marrakesh!!!" Since Charles has a memory like a sieve, he did not remember that there wasn't anything on the menu that he was wowed by.

We were still a little early, so we sat in the little waiting area. Marrakesh has this very interesting book featuring pictures of all the food that they serve there. I guess it is to give Westerners an idea about what to expect from Moroccan food. Ummmm...I don't think those pictures have been updated since 1984. Seriously. For the record, those pictures would scare anyone who was having doubts about eating there in the first place. They desperately need to have DISers take new pictures for them or something. Anyway, I flipped through it and refused to let the rest of the family go over and look. I knew it would predispose them to complaining.

We were seated at a great table right by the dance floor. The restaurant is gorgeous! Just beautiful! Here is the section of ceiling that we sat under.

As Charles and the kids sat looking at the menus, I could begin to see "the looks." I kept reminding them that we had a big dinner at Teppan Edo to look forward to, so just go with the flow and enjoy trying new things.

Charles started off his "trying new things" with a Kasbah coffee -- it had chocolate liquer, coffee, and whipped cream, and the sip I had was quite tasty -- I wanted to sing "Rock the Kasbah" but managed to contain myself. I knew I wanted a Tangerine Daiquiri from the counter service after lunch so I ordered mint iced tea which was also quite good.

Charles and Chelsea decided on the shish kebabs, I ordered the chicken kebabs, and Connor, never one to deviate, ordered chicken fingers. The food was bland at best. Everyone ate their meat, but Charles and Chelsea took one bite of hummus and my couscous was not earth-shattering. The food was just not tasty, and I wanted to love it so much. For dessert we got the Moroccan Symphony, but the four bite-size pieces were not up to my baklava standards. I was very disappointed.

On the plus side, the service was impeccable, and the belly dancer and musicians were so much fun to watch.

Afterwards, we headed to the Tangerine Cafe so Charles and I could get Tangerine Daquiris. We walked in there and Charles first words to me were, "Why didn't we eat here?" Their food looked soooo good and the slices of baklava in the dessert case were as big as my head!

Lesson learned: Sometimes the CS is better than the TS!

I have a new favorite drink in World Showcase -- that daiquiri, I thought at the time, was the best drink I had ever had!!!

So far I had eaten at Marrakesh and gotten the tangerine daiquiri that I had wanted -- the next thing on my list was getting a henna tattoo so we headed for the henna artist's tent which sits right by the lagoon. I chose my design and decided I wanted it on my hand. I love the smell of henna!

Chelsea also decided she wanted a henna tattoo and even though she actually got it after we visited Japan, since we are in Morocco, I will post the pictures of us sporting our henna now.

Before we left Morocco, we got two more daiquiris and a henna kit for my brother which elicited another stroll through all the shops and a few more tries of fez (is there a plural for fez) for Connor.

All in all we spent over two hours in Morocco -- hence the "lost" part -- we just completely lost track of time and purpose while we were in that little part of the World!

UP NEXT: In Which Our Intrepid Adventurers Resume Their World Tour!

 

[julezdisney]

Charles kept begging me to buy one of those belly dancer costumes. I did not. End of that story.

Great update! I bet I'll love Morocco someday as well whenever I get to the World- it's just gorgeous! Love all those pix!

 

[swwake]

Great update! Mom wants a henna tattoo, so I am sure we'll see a lot of this pavilion in just over 2 weeks!! We don't have Marrakesh reservations, but we might try that CS at Tangerine Cafe. I may have to try one of those daquiries too.

 

[stagemomx3]

I wish we had spent that much time in Morocco, it's so pretty there. Where was the henna tattoo place? That is on my next time list for Daisy.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Great update! I bet I'll love Morocco someday as well whenever I get to the World- it's just gorgeous! Love all those pix!

Thank you! It's my favorite country -- I really could spend hours there!

I wish we had spent that much time in Morocco, it's so pretty there. Where was the henna tattoo place? That is on my next time list for Daisy.

If you are looking at the water, there is a shop that sells a lot of brass stuff -- the henna tattoo artist sits on a kind of tented platform to the left. She was so fast, but did a great job!

Great update! Mom wants a henna tattoo, so I am sure we'll see a lot of this pavilion in just over 2 weeks!! We don't have Marrakesh reservations, but we might try that CS at Tangerine Cafe. I may have to try one of those daquiries too.

Thank you! They are sooo good. There is another drink in Morocco that we discovered we liked later in the day. I bet Katie, her friend, and you would also enjoy getting henna tattoos!!!

 

[MegansMom]

Loved the update--so sorry the restaurant didn't hold up to your expectations!!! The gang ate there the night we went to Akershus, and they pretty much said the same thing! Couldn't believe how beautiful it was, but the food didn't hold up at all for them either. That daiquiri sounds heavenly!!!!

 

[ampc3]

GReat updates Jackie, love all your WS pictures...

sorry to hear the food wasn't that great, I am not a very adventureous eater, so I don't think I will be adding that to my list, but the inside looks really pretty.

Love the shirt you are wearing that is really cute.

Can't wait for the Teppen Edu review, have lately heard really good things..

 

[Supermom3]

As usual, loved the update. I have the same picture of my kids in front of the fountain in Morocco. Sorry about the disappointing lunch. I can't wait to hear about Teppan Edo.

 

[Lady Lallie]

It's so nice to see a picture of you two.

Charles kept begging me to buy one of those belly dancer costumes. I did not. End of that story.

[Charles started off his "trying new things" with a Kasbah coffee -- it had chocolate liquer, coffee, and whipped cream, and the sip I had was quite tasty -- I wanted to sing "Rock the Kasbah" but managed to contain myself. I knew I wanted a Tangerine Daiquiri from the counter service after lunch so I ordered mint iced tea which was also quite good.

You have amazing self control, I think I would have AT LEAST hummed it or something.

[Afterwards, we headed to the Tangerine Cafe so Charles and I could get Tangerine Daquiris. We walked in there and Charles first words to me were, "Why didn't we eat here?" Their food looked soooo good and the slices of baklava in the dessert case were as big as my head!

How sad that it wasn't how you imagined. I have heard great things about Tangerine Cafe, I think DH wants to partake in some of their goodies while we are in WS.

[

Those are so much fun! Did it take a long time for them to do? How much was it if you don't mind me asking....??

Great update!