They Tried To Make Me Go To Rehab, But I Said No No No! Updt 11/7: Solo no more Pg.27

[MomofCKJ]

I've never seen that show but it is on my Epcot to do list for next weekend!

Allyson

 

[Sarilas]

I'm a first generation American (my mother is from Russia) and I still get teary-eyed and emotional around patriotic events! I'd be a MESS in there!

 

[DisneyTiger]

It was a very powerful, emotional moment listening to these majestic voices. This was surely one of the highlights of my entire trip.


The VOL are absolutely in my top 5 things of "Must Sees" when we go to Disney. I have heard them quite a few times and it NEVER gets old. We usually try to see them multiple times a visit. I'm sure they think we're stalkers! But seriously, it is very powerful. The little blond is the soprano. She hits notes that I'm sure only my golden retrievers back home can hear! She's amazing. They all are. You should definitely try to see them at Christmas time. Their clothes are even more elaborate. They dress up like classic Dickens carrolers, in top hats and coats. And the Christmas music is just beautiful. We have all the CD's. Yeah, we're dorks. Anyway, so glad you liked them and gave them a shout out!

The blond girl isn't in this clip but this soprano is awesome too! I'm ready for Christmas now!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9pcjdQDlZI&feature=related

 

[DisneyTiger]

Obviously, I still haven't figured out how to reply to only a part of a quote! I'll get it one day!

 

[Leslieann1024]

I'm in, jonesing for the next update ! Thanks for sharing !

And btw, your boys are adorable ![

 

[Backstage_Gal]

I just discovered your TR today, loving it. Wonderful photos!!

 

[jake&samsmom]

Wow! I don't normally spend much time in world showcase and I have never even stopped by the America part, but based on your report and beautiful photos I will definitely be visiting it this trip. Plus, I'll have a 71-year old and a 10-month old with me so we'll be moving at a slowwww pace -- all the better to take in all the great details around ws!

I think your 71 y/o will love the rich history and architecture, and your 10 month old would like all the sights and sounds

I've never seen that show but it is on my Epcot to do list for next weekend!

Allyson

Hope the weather turns pleasant for you. Take care!

I'm a first generation American (my mother is from Russia) and I still get teary-eyed and emotional around patriotic events! I'd be a MESS in there!

Bring your tissues if you're watching the show! I had to use the back of my hands as I didn't have anything else.

I'm ready for Christmas now!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9pcjdQDlZI&feature=related

Thanks for the link, it was way cool! I love Christmas (and Halloween, btw) and that video was making me yearn for a Disney Christmas!

I'm in, jonesing for the next update ! Thanks for sharing !

And btw, your boys are adorable ![

Thanks for being here Leslieann, and for the kind compliments about the boys

I just discovered your TR today, loving it. Wonderful photos!!

Thank you for reading, I have plenty more pics to come soon.

 

[jake&samsmom]

When I last left y'all, I was exiting the American Adventure walking towards Disney East. It's weird to me how the buildings to the right of Spaceship Earth (if you're directly facing it) are in the West, and to the left of it are buildings to the East.

Found out that Epcot faces Northwards, so now it all makes sense (duh!)

Anyway, I stop to get a bottle of cold water outside the American pavillion. How disappointed I was that Tinkerbelle and Cinderella's Castle aren't featured on the Dasani label anymore. I wonder why?! Fortunately, I saved one from last October, I keep it safely in my nightstand drawer

I now walk towards:

Italy!

More specifically, Venice, Italy.


The outside facade of the pavillion recreates the actual Piazza San Marco in Venice:

I was looking around for someone to ask to take my picture, but everyone was walking fast, and I felt embarrassed to ask anyone to stop.


You can clearly view SE from this pavillion:

At this point the commando-in-chief (me ) was itching to go on a ride, any ride (I was aiming for Maelstrom which I had never been on before). What can I say? Once a commando, always a commando! So I decide to skip exploring Italy, and keep walking on.....


On to (guess where?):

Recognize this village?

How about this river?

As y'all might have already guessed, I am now in Germany!


And here is when I wish the boys were on hand to see the miniature train village:

Except that the train wasn't operating, so the boys would have probably been disappointed anyhow - see, everything happens for a reason (like a solo trip thru Epcot)


A view of the German courtyard:

Note the statue of St. George, the patron saint of soldiers (on the bottom left). Legend says he slayed that dragon during a trip to the Middle East:

These three staues represent three German/Hapsburg emperors:

I stop by the Christmas shop, hoping to purchase an ornament for home. But I couldn't decide which one to get, and I ended up simply enjoying the loveliness of the Christmas tree instead:

As I walk on over past the Outpost towards China, I see a bunch of people gathering to the right of the little bridge. They are all pointing to something, and being curious as I was, I looked along beside them.

This is what I saw:

The inferno barges being prepared for tonight's Illuminations show! Very cool!

I see Norway in the distance. I get all energized up, brimming with anticipation about finally getting on a ride!

I zoom past:

China!

My Mom and I toured the "real" China waay back in the '90's, (Hong Kong and Thailand too) so I didn't feel too bad skipping it. Next time, when the boys are with me, I'll make sure to explore further.



Up next:
The Commando Rides Again!
Please stay tuned

 

[MomofCKJ]

The girl in the green shirt in your Germany pic looks sooooo ticked off! LOL! Not having a good day in Epcot I guess!

My son would have been bummed had the train been out of commission too. It is cool to see, all those tiny trees and buildings!

Allyson

 

[earthfaries]

I Love Epcot and World Showcase, there are just so many wonderful things to experience there I've never stopped by America either, but I will have to next time, I'm sure the singers were great, I love a capella singing.

Germany is beautiful too, and China. I love Maelstrom, I bet you liked it too

 

[k_reile]

The girl in the green shirt in your Germany pic looks sooooo ticked off! LOL! Not having a good day in Epcot I guess!

My son would have been bummed had the train been out of commission too. It is cool to see, all those tiny trees and buildings!

Allyson

she's probably mad that he is hogging all of the drink.

 

[earthfaries]

Eagerly awaiting another update!!!

​

 

[jake&samsmom]

The girl in the green shirt in your Germany pic looks sooooo ticked off! LOL! Not having a good day in Epcot I guess!

she's probably mad that he is hogging all of the drink.

You know, I was thinking the same things as I was reviewing my Epcot photos!

I Love Epcot and World Showcase, there are just so many wonderful things to experience there I've never stopped by America either, but I will have to next time, I'm sure the singers were great, I love a capella singing.

Germany is beautiful too, and China. I love Maelstrom, I bet you liked it too

If just for the Voices of Liberty, a stop in the American Adventure is worth it!

Eagerly awaiting another update!!!

​

Update coming up soon Thanks for sticking around

 

[aprince&princess]

Great TR. I am really enjoying your first experience of WS; my family always enjoys just strolling through the countries. And your pictures of all the details are amazing. Can't wait to hear more.

 

[jake&samsmom]

When I last left you, I was desperate to get on a ride.

Now, if you had read my October '07 TR, you'll know that it is very unusual for me to be in a Disney park and not be running from ride to ride

We are a proud family of commandos -- and I am the Commando-in Chief

So it is with great delight that I reach:

Norway!



More specifically:

Maelstrom!



As I approach the entrance, I see that the standby time is only 20 minutes, but when I get in line, the time suddenly changes to 40 minutes! This was devastating to me, to say the least! I stay in line, contemplating whether to wait or move on to the next ride. And since I was desperate enough, I decide to stay.

It was a good choice because the wait turned out to be only 15 minutes afterall!

A photo of the mural at the beginning of the ride:

I get to sit in the first row of the Dragon-headed longboat that takes me on an adventure through a fishing village, then beside a family of polar bears, almost falling over a cliff(!!), coming face to face with some scary trolls , down a waterfall to the sea, then finally back to land. Phew. Did I mention that this is my first Maelstrom ride ever? I liked it well enough to make sure the boys get on it on our next trip.

As instructed by my friends in the Dis Theme Park Strategies Board, I skip the little film after I exit my boat:

I meet this very famous guy who seems to be in every TR I have ever read on the Dis:

I shake his hand, excited at meeting a true Dis-celebrity:

I then explore the Norway Stave Church Gallery:

And inside, I meet various brave Vikings (on display along with their weapons). They remind me of the Riders of Rohan from Lord of the Rings


As I leave the church, I hear a beautiful choir of voices singing in a language quite foreign to me. I stop to watch:

Spelmanns Gledje! I am intrigued by their music which is unfamiliar and yet entrancing.


I walk around and see this replica of a real Viking ship:

I feel much energized at this point, having achieved one of my ride goals


I continue on towards this Aztec Temple:

I am now in the last WS East country, Mexico!


I go inside the cool air-conditioned comfort of the temple:

Inside, there is a market area, restaurant, and another ride that'll be a first for me - The Gran Fiesta Tour:

I am missing the boys plenty now Especially my baby boy Sam who is a huge Donald Duck fan. (Anyway, I try to think positive and console myself by saying Sam will have plenty of opportunies in the future to see all this).

I love the pretend fireworks during the last part (look up to the ceiling towards the end), it is a pretty conclusion to a calm boat ride.


Up next:
Future World by Royal Command(o)
Stay tuned

 

[jake&samsmom]

Great TR. I am really enjoying your first experience of WS; my family always enjoys just strolling through the countries. And your pictures of all the details are amazing. Can't wait to hear more.

Thank you for visiting my TR The countries are beautiful, and I wish I had more energy to explore everything in detail. I also hope that one day I'd be less of a commando, and be more cool and laid-back.

 

[BellaSoleil]

I can't see the pictures from your most recent update.

Looking forward to more....

 

[MissMagnolia]

I can't see the photos either - it says bandwith exceeded.

 

[OnceAgain]

I found your first trip report a couple days ago and have now read all through it and this one.. it's been a great vacation for me! Thanks for sharing.

 

[jake&samsmom]

I can't see the pictures from your most recent update.

Looking forward to more....

I can't see the photos either - it says bandwith exceeded.

I found your first trip report a couple days ago and have now read all through it and this one.. it's been a great vacation for me! Thanks for sharing.

Hi Everyone!

I found out from Photobucket that I had exceeded the allowed bandwidth for free accounts! So I upgraded to the "Pro" account to get unlimited allowance of photo images and hits! So sorry about the mix-up

Anyway, I think the problem is solved now. If it still shows up as "exceeded bandwidth" please let me know...You may have to erase your cookies via the "tools" section of your browser: Click tools then click "internet options" then click "delete cookies". You can then refresh the page, and hopefully the pictures show up (fingers crossed).

Thanks for sticking around and reading! Update coming shortly!

Jen