The Twelve Days of Swinter: From Castaway 'Key' to a Partridge in a Palm Tree!

[pooh'smate]

Great update!!! I can't wait to go back.

 

[MEK]

I kind off wonder if that DVC guy had been selling timeshares somewhere else before Disney. That would explain his attitude.

Another great update. Your Morocco pictures are simply gorgeous. I enjoyed each of every one, even the ones with those two people.

I also love the CM picture - that was great. I love your quest to take pictures of all the different CMs in the different countries. I might have to steal that idea for my next trip.

That ice cream did look good. No wonder DD was so distracted.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

NOT boring at all, love hearing it ALL!!!

Well I'm glad you are enjoying it. I hope everyone else feels the same.

Just caught up on your updates!
Love the pics of DD and the fan!!!

I can't tell you how much I would love to get a hold of that DVC guy. I think I could give him a run for his money....

I bet you could Wigd! I would actually love to see that! He was just young and cocky and needed to be knocked down a peg or two. I'm not a betting girl, but if I was, my money would be on you!

If it's any consolation though, he is the only rude DVC person we have ever talked to. I am sure he was the exception, not the rule. And he didn't turn me off from DVC. I'd still love to have it!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Great update!!! I can't wait to go back.

Thanks! Me too!

I kind off wonder if that DVC guy had been selling timeshares somewhere else before Disney. That would explain his attitude.

Another great update. Your Morocco pictures are simply gorgeous. I enjoyed each of every one, even the ones with those two people.

I also love the CM picture - that was great. I love your quest to take pictures of all the different CMs in the different countries. I might have to steal that idea for my next trip.

That ice cream did look good. No wonder DD was so distracted.

IDK, he was so young that I think he may have just graduated from kindergarten.

Thank you so much for the nice comments. Morocco is so pretty and I love taking pictures there.

Feel free to steal any idea you want. I certainly do that! That's one of the main reasons for reading TRs! It was fun talking to the CMs. They have very interesting stories to tell, and I love their costumes/uniforms.

That ice cream did look really good didn't it? That definately was not your average cone!

 

[MeMom]

The weather was absolutely gorgeous that day. . I remember how cool it felt in that room with all the tiling and what a nice breeze there was blowing through the open ceiling and the keyhole doorway. I was so thankful just to be there and wished we could stay forever!

Time for a little shopping! Again, the pavilions in World Showcase have such interesting things to marvel at, and Morocco is no exception. To me Morocco seems like a very mystical and exotic place.

There you can have anything your heart desires with just the rub of a lamp.

Staying forever sounds perfect! I don't really want to leave Tennessee, so if they could just move WDW up here, I'd be good with that. And they would have to bring all the palm trees, too, of course!

Although nothing in Morocco goes with my home decor, I still enjoy looking at all of the unique merchandise there.

Why have I not bought myself a genie lamp yet??? I can think of a wish or two that I would like granted.

DD has an eagle eye for ice cream stands, and as soon as she saw it, she had to have one. She deemed this chocolate waffle cone ‘awesomely good’!

Looks awesomely good to me.

Raise your hand if you’d like to be sitting right there eating an ice cream cone as we speak…

 

[jenseib]

I want a magic lamp now!

 

[mom2rtk]

I want a magic lamp now!

I know! I might have to get me one of those. To get me over life's little bumps.......

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Staying forever sounds perfect! I don't really want to leave Tennessee, so if they could just move WDW up here, I'd be good with that. And they would have to bring all the palm trees, too, of course!

Although nothing in Morocco goes with my home decor, I still enjoy looking at all of the unique merchandise there.

Why have I not bought myself a genie lamp yet??? I can think of a wish or two that I would like granted.

Looks awesomely good to me.

Well I would like to see WDW moved here to NC. Maybe we could compromise and move it to Gatlinburg. Palm trees in Gatlinburg... I can just see it now!

I never buy anything in Morocco either. I don't think there is a single thing there that would 'fit' in my house, but it's so neat to see all those unique things. I do think we need that Genie in a lamp though! Can you just imagine what we could conjure up with one of those!

How did I know you would be the first one to raise your hand!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I want a magic lamp now!

I know! I might have to get me one of those. To get me over life's little bumps.......

Looks like those lamps are a hot commodity! I so would've rubbed that thing if I knew no one was looking!

 

[Woth2982]

What a great update! I had been missing them! DD and I would get along fantastically I think. I too am an ice cream fiend! I used to work at at inc cream stand in high school and college. I think I ate about half the profits. Oddly I did not gain weight until after I quit working there my Junior and Senior year of college. My dad has learned the hard way not to eat my ice cream, I give him the silent treatment, and he cannot stand it when I don't talk to him because that means he has to listen to my mom lol.

I once ate at Marrakesh, and wish I hadn't. My friend picked the restaurant, I don't even think I ate half my meal. It was so bad. I wish I ordered off the kids menu. At least it was free dining.

Just reserved my spot for the Wine and Dine 5K so I am looking forward to round 2 at the F&WF. Your photos make me so hungry!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Rinky, I love the story of your username. That is adorable!!

The Moroccan CM sounds so nice! I love that wonderful, Disney kindness most have.

I also have no desire to eat at Marrakesh. No thanks.

Have you ever tried TGM? Last trip I joined a photopass share there so I only had to pay a fraction of the cd price. I'm not sure how "kosher" that is but it was very well worth the price. Just something to keep in mind for the future.

In case you couldn't see me all the way up here in Minnesota, I am raising my hand! Yes I would love to be sitting there, eating an ice cream cone right now! Pick me, pick me!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

What a great update! I had been missing them! DD and I would get along fantastically I think. I too am an ice cream fiend! I used to work at at inc cream stand in high school and college. I think I ate about half the profits. Oddly I did not gain weight until after I quit working there my Junior and Senior year of college. My dad has learned the hard way not to eat my ice cream, I give him the silent treatment, and he cannot stand it when I don't talk to him because that means he has to listen to my mom lol.

I once ate at Marrakesh, and wish I hadn't. My friend picked the restaurant, I don't even think I ate half my meal. It was so bad. I wish I ordered off the kids menu. At least it was free dining.

Just reserved my spot for the Wine and Dine 5K so I am looking forward to round 2 at the F&WF. Your photos make me so hungry!

That's funny about your mom! I don't know how you didn't gain weight working at an ice cream shop though! I wouldn't be able to work anywhere like that. I know my limitations.

I've never been interested in Marrakesh either. Every review I've read has pretty much been just what you said. And we ate at the counter service place there once and I didn't like it at all. I think it just isn't my thing. It's a little too funky for me. Plus, I don't care to see a bellydancer while I dine. And if she started shaking her maracas in my DH's face I'd probably strangle her with the string of jingly gold coins wrapped around her hips. All things considered, it's best if we eat elsewhere.

Congrats on round 2 of F&W!! Eat a lobster roll for me!

Rinky, I love the story of your username. That is adorable!!

The Moroccan CM sounds so nice! I love that wonderful, Disney kindness most have.

I also have no desire to eat at Marrakesh. No thanks.

Have you ever tried TGM? Last trip I joined a photopass share there so I only had to pay a fraction of the cd price. I'm not sure how "kosher" that is but it was very well worth the price. Just something to keep in mind for the future.

In case you couldn't see me all the way up here in Minnesota, I am raising my hand! Yes I would love to be sitting there, eating an ice cream cone right now! Pick me, pick me!

You know I have never read a TR where anyone ate at Marrakesh. And I have read a LOT of TRs. The reviews on allears are pretty bad though.

I have never used TGM. I've always used Touring Plans. I'll think about that for next time though. It surely isn't worth $100 anymore unless they greatly increase the number of PP people.

I'm so glad you told me, b/c I did not see your hand up out there in MN. I wish I could take us all to get an ice cream cone right now. Especially since it is 85 degrees here.

 

[petals]

Luvin your updates. I think your DD's photopass pics are great considering someone was stealing her ice-cream, if it was me the pics would be of meshouting STOP EATING MY ICE-CREAM

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Luvin your updates. I think your DD's photopass pics are great considering someone was stealing her ice-cream, if it was me the pics would be of meshouting STOP EATING MY ICE-CREAM

Thanks! Yes, she was not one bit happy about that! She does not believe in sharing her ice cream with anyone! I can't blame her though... it sure looked good! I'm going to have to get one of those next time!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Considering the fact that a certain someone was eating her ice cream, your daughter did a great job posing. Speaking of posing, I see that the fan was still making it's way around World Showcase.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Considering the fact that a certain someone was eating her ice cream, your daughter did a great job posing. Speaking of posing, I see that the fan was still making it's way around World Showcase.

 

[katt789]

Gah! I've missed so much! Well, caught up now! I love the journey aronud Epcot! I always end up skipping so much in WS as were always so tired by the time we're tehre, I really want to explore the pavillions and get more pictures! Loved the updates!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Considering the fact that a certain someone was eating her ice cream, your daughter did a great job posing. Speaking of posing, I see that the fan was still making it's way around World Showcase.

Let me just tell you about that fan... I have been uploading some more pictures to Photobucket from the next few days of the trip and that fan is STILL hanging around! I guess I had forgotten how long it lasted on that trip! The hat and the fan really should've been in the TR title somewhere! They just aren't getting their due!

Considering the fact that a certain someone was eating her ice cream, your daughter did a great job posing. Speaking of posing, I see that the fan was still making it's way around World Showcase.

You are such a DIS superstar that they think they should post your comments twice.

Gah! I've missed so much! Well, caught up now! I love the journey aronud Epcot! I always end up skipping so much in WS as were always so tired by the time we're tehre, I really want to explore the pavillions and get more pictures! Loved the updates!!

Thanks! I was worried that everyone was having WS overload! I only have one more WS update though and then we are moving on to fun stuff elsewhere.

I really do love WS though! And I know what you mean about being exhausted. Is is a pretty long haul around that lagoon and if you take the time to go into each country and explore, it can be an all day event. Then if you are back there for Illuminations, it seems like 40 miles to walk to front of the park and out to the buses. Epcot is sooooo big. It always wears me out too. I never really feel that way at MK or HS, but Epcot is pretty tough on the feet.

 

[mickeystoontown]

You are such a DIS superstar that they think they should post your comments twice.

You are too funny! The Dis has been acting crazy this afternoon and I didn't even realize that it posted twice.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

It’s tea time! Grab a scone or some shortbread with jam and fill your cup to the brim because we are being transported to enchanted England! And how do you know when you have arrived? Well, passing by Marry Poppins on the street is a pretty good clue!

Anyone up for Bangers and Mash or some Fish and Chips? I think you can get your fill here…

It looks crowded in this picture, but it really wasn’t.

There was just a group standing around watching this…

I really want my DH to get roped into one of these shows one day!

And way in the back, in this quaint little shop…

We made a new British friend!

Wow, she is so tall! How nice it must be not to need a step stool to do everything! I’ve always said if I could be any Disney character it would be Elastigirl from The Incredibles. If I had stretchable, rubber band arms and legs, I would be dangerous!

And did you notice what was in my child’s hand? I cannot believe she was still eating that ice cream cone! I guess that proves just how good it was. She was trying to savor every last chocolately drop!

Ok, enough about HER snack, I want my own! I spotted the Ireland F&W booth across the way and knew they had something I wanted to try.

When I was doing my research about the dishes that were offered at the F&W Festival, the Lobster and Scallop Fisherman’s Pie from Ireland was mentioned repeatedly as the favorite of many people. In fact, Allears.net posted a survey they had conducted that had hundreds of people rate all the festival offerings, and this dish took top honors. So with all the hype, it was at the very top of my ‘must try’ F&W list. Would it live up to such a stellar reputation?

I was so sure we would love it that I ordered two so DH and I could each have our own.

So was it as awesome as I had read?

Not exactly.

The best way I can describe it is to say that, for me, the flavors didn’t seem to go together and it was a bit bland. Basically, it was a pot pie filling with shellfish instead of chicken, topped with mashed potatoes versus a pie crust. I wasn’t impressed after the first bite, but I kept working on it thinking that it might grow on me… but it didn’t. DH didn’t care for his either. Oh well, maybe we’ll have better luck in…

Colorful Canada! This pavilion takes the cake for best landscaping, don’t you think? It’s just gorgeous! Wouldn’t you love to walk out into a backyard like this every day?

We did a quick scan through the gift shop. I was very tempted to buy a maple leaf shaped bottle of this syrupy goodness but it was a bit too pricey for me. We’ll just have to stick with good ol’ Mrs. Butterworth’s.

We always have to go down and see the gardens up close. They are just too pretty to bypass.

And the conclusion of this trip around the world would not be complete without…

Another photoshoot for THE FAN!

That girl is a N-U-T!

This is quite possibly my favorite spot in all of World Showcase. I love this whole waterfall area. It looks just like one of the waterfalls that we have hiked to in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park of NC.

Continued in next post