There is NO random dancing at Disney! A June TR *NEW 9/19 *FINAL THOUGHTS*

[carissanboys]

Looks like a great Father's Day, except for the heat! And glad to see you loved HDDR as much as we did. I really hope to go back one day.

 

[cjackearl]

It was our last Disney evening and since it was Father’s Day it was all up to George and George wanted to see Illuminations. Ok with me!! We drove back to the BC, picked up the stroller, and were off. As we strolled slowly over the International Gateway my mind was on our departure the next day and what was still left undone on my Disney agenda. The scrolling “what we would have liked and didn’t get to do” list was causing me to be far, far from “in the moment”. I needed to change my thinking. Our family spends a week every other year on Sanibel Island, FL in a time share. We enjoy the beach and pool, visit the nature sanctuary, bike to the Lighthouse Café, and generally enjoy our time without too, too much of an agenda and we’re happy as clams. OT, but if you’re looking for a wonderful vacation spot, put it on your list! Anyway, I’m nearly always in the moment on Sanibel and I began to wonder why. I think that we’ve been so many times that I’m no longer concerned with what we need to accomplish, but whether we’re having fun doing what we’re doing. I decided then and there that I was going to focus on whether we had enjoyed the things we’d done in Disney World rather than on whether or not we’d done all the things we would have enjoyed. Disney has so much to offer that I’d never be content if I looked at everything we hadn’t gotten to as a disappointment. Anyway, epiphany over, I happily joined my family in the present as we crossed over to France.

If you look beyond the crazy kid giving her ear wearing sister another pair of ears, you can see the far away look in my eye.

We browsed the gift shop for awhile and Amelia painted a masterpiece.

From France we strolled to Morocco, where I had my heart set on some tiles for my kitchen. Unfortunately, the tiles weren’t quite what I’d had in mind, so after Amelia and Ian worked some on their masks and we took some pictures, it was time to pick some pearls in Japan!

Madeline’s channeling her inner genie.

The pick a pearl “attraction” in the Japanese pavilion had been beckoning Amelia for oh so many a long month before our WDW trip. I had told both girls that I’d pay for their pearl picking and they’d have to use their money for any setting they chose. She had planned and plotted what type of setting she’d buy and which chain she’d bring from home and gazed on greedily when I looked at pictures from other TRs of pick a pearl jewelry. Finally it was time and while both girls were looking forward to the experience, Amelia was the one who was all a twitter. I paid and was given a number which was called in short order and the girls picked their oysters from the tank.

The CM who helped us was full of character and made the experience really fun. He opened the oysters, pulled out the pearls, measured them, banged on this gong thing if they were a certain size and put them in a bowl of salt and showed the onlookers what the pearls looked like.

The girls both got nice pearls. Amelia’s was bigger and Maddy’s had, I thought, a little prettier color. The CM put their pearls in little zip top bags with the pearl size on them and while Madeline wanted to bring hers home to set, Amelia was immediately checking out the case. She knew she wanted the butterfly cage for her pearl. It was inexpensive and cute, but there was one problem. Her pearl was too big to fit! Ah well. I’m going to get both girls’ pearls set for them for Christmas. We decided to take the pearls and our children and go find a spot for Illuminations. We didn’t feel like walking far so we found a place right outside of Japan which, although not the best, was good enough and soon the fireworks started. Let me say, I’m not a huge fireworks fan, but I loved Illuminations. I think it had more to do with the music and the pavilions lighting up and the globe acrobatics than the actual fireworks. We all enjoyed them immensely. These pictures are quite blurry, but I can’t resist putting up our pictures of Epcot at night.

And with that we concluded our evening at Epcot and our very last evening in Disney. We walked slowly down the International Gateway for the last time, up to our much loved room at the Beach Club and tucked ourselved into our comfy Disney beds for the last time. Tomorrow was departure day, but first we had an early morning breakfast at the Magic Kingdom.

Next Post: We’re late, we’re late for a very important date!

 

[dismagiclover]

Of course you can probably guess what I'm going to say about this update, but I'll say it anyway! I love Epcot evenings, and what I love even more is the International Gateway and the location of the Beach Club. It is just so relaxing to pop into World Showcase, browse around, watch Illuminations and casually saunter back to your room How will we ever be happy anywhere else? I'm sad to see your trip report coming to end. I'll miss reading about your fabulous vacation which reminds me so much of mine

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Great update Christine! The picture of Madeline and her "genie" pose is awesome! I love when the "big" kids join in the silliness!

Good for you for having an epiphany about Disney fun! You're right...so much to do, so little time.....ENJOY what you do get the opportunity to do!

The pick-a-pearl looks fun. How cool that you are going to get them set for Christmas...the girls will love that!

I love Illuminations for the same reasons...there's nothing prettier than the WS all lit up in celebration! I love how they turn on one country at a time around the lagoon....*sigh*!

Sad that the vacation and TR are coming to an end, but I can't wait to hear about your very important date!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your epiphany -- I think I would be wise to think like that, too!

Our girls are so similar! Chelsea was all about getting a pearl in 2008, and then brought it back this year to have it set. It was the one thing she really wanted to do.

I Illuminations! It is such a neat show to watch!

I am rather sad that your TR is ending soon.

 

[Stefy]

Great update

Pick a Pearl is awesome and that pearl looks gorgeous. The butterfly setting sounds lovely. I am obsessed with PaP (just ask DF) I have 4 so far and plan on doing this at least twice next year.

The Morocco pics look really good, love the Genie pose and the masterpiece pic is v cool too

Looking forward to reading more

 

[lisalonglash]

Sorry, I'm still trying to get caught up!

What a great update! Your epiphany just helped me chill out - thank you!

Wonderful pictures - love the genie one

The pick a pearl sounds like so much fun! What a lovely idea to get their pearls set for Christmas

I'm sad that I found your fantastic TR so late because it's almost over!

Looking forward to your next update though

 

[vamassey1]

I love this update. I'm going to keep your insight in mind. At the end of our trips I was think of the things we didn't get to do and want to do next time. I need to remember what we did do and how much we enjoyed them. Of course the "I didn't dos" keep us coming back.

I'm sad too that your trip is coming to an end, I've really enjoyed it.

 

[jenjolt]

You know what, you hit the nail on the head!! Sometimes we plan plan plan that we forget to enjoy enjoy enjoy!! That was what January was all about for me no rush I did what I want when I wanted and it gave me a whole new perspective on Disney!! I always have a full itinerary but I don't rush anymore, I try to stop and smell the roses and really enjoy what is in front of me and HAVE FUN!! Good for you for realizing this and having a great last night with your family!!

I so want to Pick a pearl...its on my must do list for this trip LOL!!!

Great last night!!!!

 

[luvdumbo]

 

[Porturican]

I am going to try and use your Ephiphany as advice fo rmy upcoming trip. I tend to do DL commando style and although this will be our 1st trip to WDW I'm going to try n just relax and enjoy it. Now knowing myself that will take me a few days to sink in still.

Ahhh the pick your pearl my daughter would love that if she was on this trip with us, next time for sure! Seeing your pictures of it reminded me of when I was younger and my mom would have Pearl Parties (i loved when the oyster I picked would have 2 pearls!) also I believe we used to pick pearls when we would go on vacation in Hawaii and I was so dissapointed when they didnt do that anymore at this one spot we used to always go to.

Cant wait till you update again...but is it really almost over?

 

[Angies1274]

What a great update!!

Love all your pics!!--and the pick a pearl looked like a lot of fun.

I know that I am all about the planning when it comes to our trips and often think about what we haven't accomplished instead of just being in the moment and having fun. Great epiphany--I need to start thinking like that!!

So sad that your TR is starting to wind down. I've had such fun following along on your adventure.

Can't wait to read about your last morning at MK.

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Another great update.

Question, How early did you get a spot for Illuminations??

I am sad that your TR is almost over. Not Late for Breakfast I hope!

 

[manntra]

Loved the update Christine! That is such a wonderful idea of getting the girls pearls (rhyme lol) set for a gift. Maybe my niece and I will do that this trip....I always forget about it but she has a lot of money that she has saved from mowing my lawn and birthday money so we will look it up on our tour of the Japan......I wonder if there are any Mickey head pearls, I would be interested in those

Tracy

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Oh no Christine! You're winding down I've had so much fun reading your TR and I'll miss your updates when you're done.

I haven't done pick a pearl but its a must for me now.

There's always some component of Illuminations that brings out a 'whoa' in me each time I see it. I love the little whispered blow out of the fire torches just before the show begins.

The masterpiece is a hoot, the inner genie made me chuckle and Ian always seems to have a big smile on his face. Well done!

 

[MeMom]

And with that we concluded our evening at Epcot and our very last evening in Disney. We walked slowly down the International Gateway for the last time, up to our much loved room at the Beach Club and tucked ourselved into our comfy Disney beds for the last time. Tomorrow was departure day, but first we had an early morning breakfast at the Magic Kingdom.

On the last night, you just want to soak up the last precious moments of Disney after dark.

Planning a meal for the last day has to take the sting out of an otherwise sad and dull departure day.

Can we look forward to seeing the pearls in their finished state at Christmas?

 

[Happydog]

Hey that was a great reflection! It is funny that we rush rush and plan plan and in our effort to make the best vacation possible it is really easy to not 'vacation'!! So good for you. The pick a pearl in Japan looked so neat when we were there we watched, I think it must make a great momento!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm caught up!! You know having surgery really puts a damper in your DISing. I feel like I will never catch up.

You know, it's really hard to look at the bigger picture when you are at Disney and you feel like you missed out on so much. Heck, I even get that way when I'm planning a trip and trying to squeeze every little thing I want to do into the itinerary. It's hard. I just think that means I need to buy DVC.

On an unrelated topic...do we get to see a picture of the Chicken Run? I want to have chickens someday!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I should never have let Aisling look over my shoulder for that update! You just cost me $$$ She absolutely MUST do the pearl this "next time we go to Disney" What is this butterfly setting???

I loved your epiphany. I often feel the same way on the last night. I really worried about that for this trip. We got spoiled with our 9 day trip last night and 6 days is going to seem super rushed (although it was supposed to be a quick "weekend" trip )

 

[cjackearl]

Of course you can probably guess what I'm going to say about this update, but I'll say it anyway! I love Epcot evenings, and what I love even more is the International Gateway and the location of the Beach Club. It is just so relaxing to pop into World Showcase, browse around, watch Illuminations and casually saunter back to your room How will we ever be happy anywhere else? I'm sad to see your trip report coming to end. I'll miss reading about your fabulous vacation which reminds me so much of mine

The Beach Club definitely spoiled us. It was great not to have to fight the crowds after Illuminations making their way into Future World. We did have somewhat parallel vacations, didn't we?

Great update Christine! The picture of Madeline and her "genie" pose is awesome! I love when the "big" kids join in the silliness!

I thought that picture was great too, although she doesn't like how she looks in it. She's not ever made comments about feeling unattractive until the past few months and it makes me sad.

Good for you for having an epiphany about Disney fun! You're right...so much to do, so little time.....ENJOY what you do get the opportunity to do!

Its so easy to get caught up in planning the perfect vacation, that the vacation passes you by.

The pick-a-pearl looks fun. How cool that you are going to get them set for Christmas...the girls will love that!

We all enjoyed the pomp and circumstance that the Japanese CM put into our experience. I'm looking forward to picking out some settings for the girls. I'm not sure what yet.

I love Illuminations for the same reasons...there's nothing prettier than the WS all lit up in celebration! I love how they turn on one country at a time around the lagoon....*sigh*!

It was worth seeing for sure. We all enjoyed it!

Sad that the vacation and TR are coming to an end, but I can't wait to hear about your very important date!

I know, me too. Its been so fun to share our trip with other Disney lovers.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your epiphany -- I think I would be wise to think like that, too!

I think it should be my mantra, "savor the moment, savor the moment..."

Our girls are so similar! Chelsea was all about getting a pearl in 2008, and then brought it back this year to have it set. It was the one thing she really wanted to do.

Ooh, can't wait to see what Chelsea picked for her setting. I've thought the same thing about Chelsea and Amelia, girly girls with a bit of a dramatic flair!

I Illuminations! It is such a neat show to watch!

So much more than just fireworks.

I am rather sad that your TR is ending soon.

Aw, thanks. I'm glad I've got yours to keep away the Disney blues.

Great update
Pick a Pearl is awesome and that pearl looks gorgeous. The butterfly setting sounds lovely. I am obsessed with PaP (just ask DF) I have 4 so far and plan on doing this at least twice next year.

How fun!! What have you gotten yours set in?

The Morocco pics look really good, love the Genie pose and the masterpiece pic is v cool too

My girls are soooo talented!

Looking forward to reading more