"To Disney & Beyond" ~ Road Trip 2010 ~ Final Drive & Final Thoughts

[Spartangirl]

Saturday, July 31, 2010
Touring the WS "Our Way!"

For those of you who have read my TRs in the past, you have an idea of what to expect here...for those of you who have not, get ready!!!

Chris and I love the World Showcase, we love to explore the different countries, but we especially love to immerse ourselves into the different cultures. Get ready to come along with us and tour the WS "Our Way!"

The tour begins in Canada and Chris is up first with his "wild Canadian trophies!"

With it being so HOT and humid outside, we decided to check out Canada's movie, which is something that we never usually do. We actually loved it...it was fun to see so many of the places that we have already visited and it made us want to visit many of the beautiful places that we saw in the film.

We continued on our journey, but stopped when we saw a shady bench. We waited 10 minutes so that we could watch "Off Kilter" perform. They are quite entertaining!

The next stop on our tour was the United Kingdom and it was my turn for a picture.

Please excuse my "shiny, sparkling complexion!" Did I mention it was hot outside? The temperature was 97 degrees with a heat index of 114 and we felt it! Plus, we had just spent a 1/2 hour watching the band, without a breeze to cool us off. Are you ready for this? Chris couldn't stop laughing...he said he couldn't believe how well the camera captured it! Ewww...

Moving on......we noticed Pooh and Tigger were in the next room over with NO LINE! We had a great interaction with them and Chris couldn't stop laughing about the two of them pulling me in different directions to "take me away!"

France was next on our list...

Here, Chris channeled his "Inner Griswald" (National Lampoon's European Vacation).

We were a bit thirsty after this and decided to try the Grand Marnier Orange Slush...a great big YUM!!!

Morocco was next on the list...

I thought I'd start getting ready for my "Big Belly Dancing Number." Riiiiiiiight! Trying on the head piece was enough for me!

Japan was the next stop on the tour...

I happened to catch Chris "mid-Robot dance" in front of the bonsai trees. I about lost it...

As we were leaving Japan, we caught part of the drum show...incredible!

Next up was the good ol' USA...I was feeling very patriotic! I'll leave you with these last couple of pictures before the tour continues...

Next Up: Beginnings and the Rest of the World

 

[Spartangirl]

I have been thinking about writing a TR. I owe Disneygrl36 (I think that is Melanie's screen name) a report. I just started a job this week (after being unemployed for 2 years) so things have hectic.

Congrats on your new job!!! I definitely understand hectic...

I hope my hubby gets better to! He is working nights right now and he sent me an email about being sick, so tomorrow on his way home while I am work I have to figure out when I can get him into a doctor's office since he needs his sleep as well.

Fingers are crossed that he gets well soon...I know you both want to stay well for your trip!

Are writing trip reports hard?

I don't think they're hard to write...I actually enjoy writing them! Right now I don't have a Disney trip planned, so this is a great way to relive my memories and give me my "Disney fix" for the time being! Plus, you meet so many nice people on the DIS!

 

[Aburns8]

You two are hilarious! Great pics!

 

[Aburns8]

I don't think they're hard to write...I actually enjoy writing them! Right now I don't have a Disney trip planned, so this is a great way to relive my memories and give me my "Disney fix" for the time being! Plus, you meet so many nice people on the DIS!

Too bad I don't live in MI anymore or we could do a meet! I am meeting Lurkeyloo next weekend. We are both going to be at the D23 Sip and Stroll. Do you read her reports?

 

[Shannon84]

Aww I LOVE touring the countries your way We had a WONDERFUL trip, but I swear there wasnt enough time for everything!! Two regrets I have is that there wasnt enough time for us to really enjoy world showcase like I wanted to (it was DBF's first trip and all) and I wish we had tried the MNSSHP because we walked by to go to dinner via monorail and it sounded pretty spooky and fun I think I might try a TR this time around...hope you dont mind if I bug you with questions I may have. I have posted pics before and post a lot on threads, but never tackled a report before

 

[hlrababy]

LOL!!! Girl, you are too funny!!! You weren't sweaty..you were just a sparkling vampire like half the world wants to be right now!!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

That's funny - I haven't watched the vampire movies, and someone said our make-up make them look like Edward - I had no idea...

I would say you are glowing!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Your cultural immersion pictures are hilarious!!! Chris channeling his inner Griswold is hysterical!!! Who could ever forget Clark making his family wear those berets!!!

 

[MeMom]

Japan is the country we have for our Culture Week activities.
Maybe I'll get these guys to come up for a little demonstration.

Nice World Showcase pictures. No matter how much time we get in World Showcase, it's still never enough.

 

[Tracy161]

Absolutely loving the newest set of cultural immersion pictures!!! You two are hysterical and what a great way to get a feel for each country!

 

[TinksThree]

Love your day at Epcot so far! This is my favorite park and you tour WS like we like to do! I am really able to live vicariously through your pictures! They are so pretty, and I really like the angles of the buildings!

 

[ashleighbass06]

With it being so HOT and humid outside, we decided to check out Canada's movie, which is something that we never usually do. We actually loved it...it was fun to see so many of the places that we have already visited and it made us want to visit many of the beautiful places that we saw in the film.

I didn't see the Canada movie last time, but I've wanted to visit Vancouver since the Olympics...someday...

I looks like you had a ton of fun in WS! I have to say its probably one of my favorite things in WDW! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[ellie0311]

VICTORY FOR MSU!!!!

 

[Spartangirl]

You two are hilarious! Great pics!

Thanks so much, Andrea! We just like to make it interesting!

Too bad I don't live in MI anymore or we could do a meet! I am meeting Lurkeyloo next weekend. We are both going to be at the D23 Sip and Stroll. Do you read her reports?

I would have loved to have a meet if you were still in MI! What fun to be meeting Lurkeyloo!!! I haven't read her reports, but I may have to check them out!

Aww I LOVE touring the countries your way

Thanks, Shannon! We definitely have fun together!!!

We had a WONDERFUL trip, but I swear there wasnt enough time for everything!! Two regrets I have is that there wasnt enough time for us to really enjoy world showcase like I wanted to (it was DBF's first trip and all) and I wish we had tried the MNSSHP because we walked by to go to dinner via monorail and it sounded pretty spooky and fun

I'm so glad you two had a fantastic trip...there never seems to be enough time to do everything, does there? That means that there will have to be a next time!!!

I think I might try a TR this time around...hope you dont mind if I bug you with questions I may have. I have posted pics before and post a lot on threads, but never tackled a report before

You should! Please ask away!!!

LOL!!! Girl, you are too funny!!! You weren't sweaty..you were just a sparkling vampire like half the world wants to be right now!!!!

Ok, Heather...I didn't think of it THAT WAY! A "sparkling vampire" sounds MUCH BETTER than the way that I put it!!!

 

[Spartangirl]

That's funny - I haven't watched the vampire movies, and someone said our make-up make them look like Edward - I had no idea...

I would say you are glowing!

Sounds good to me, Tammie! I will take "glowing" over "sweaty" any day!!!

Your cultural immersion pictures are hilarious!!!

Thanks, Jackie! The lengths we will go to, to entertain ourselves!

Chris channeling his inner Griswold is hysterical!!! Who could ever forget Clark making his family wear those berets!!!

Clark W. Griswold is one of Chris' greatest heroes...at least for this picture!

Japan is the country we have for our Culture Week activities.
Maybe I'll get these guys to come up for a little demonstration.

MeMom...can you imagine them doing a demonstration for your class? That would be incredible!!!

Nice World Showcase pictures. No matter how much time we get in World Showcase, it's still never enough.

Thank you so much! I always feel the same way too...there is just so much to do and see!

Absolutely loving the newest set of cultural immersion pictures!!! You two are hysterical and what a great way to get a feel for each country!

Thanks so much Tracy! We love to have fun with each other...can you tell that we laugh A LOT!

 

[Spartangirl]

Love your day at Epcot so far! This is my favorite park and you tour WS like we like to do!

I love Epcot too!!! Isn't it fun to have a "different twist" on the WS? We always enjoy our time spent there!

I am really able to live vicariously through your pictures! They are so pretty, and I really like the angles of the buildings!

Thank you so much! I'm always looking for "new" angles and shots since we've been to WDW so many times!

I didn't see the Canada movie last time, but I've wanted to visit Vancouver since the Olympics...someday...

Vancouver is a neat place to visit...Chris and I spent some time there the summer prior to the Olympics! Definitely keep it on your to-do list!

I looks like you had a ton of fun in WS! I have to say its probably one of my favorite things in WDW! Can't wait to hear more!

We did have a lot of fun in the WS........it's one of our favorite things to do too...we always find ourselves looking forward to it!

VICTORY FOR MSU!!!!

YES!!! What a game and what a HUGE VICTORY! GO GREEN!!!

 

[redsox721]

Great pictures again. You two sure know how to have a great time. I need to travel with you. Can't wait to see what the next update brings.

 

[Spartangirl]

Great pictures again.

Thanks so much, Cheryl!

You two sure know how to have a great time.

There are definitely no dull moments...we love to laugh!

I need to travel with you.

That would be fun!

Can't wait to see what the next update brings.

Thank you for continuing to follow along and read! Maybe I'll get another update on here tonight!!!

 

[Spartangirl]

Saturday, July 31, 2010
Beginnings & The Rest of the World

It was around 5:30 p.m. and we decided to find seats in the American Garden Theater. The "Sounds Like Summer" concert series was featuring "Beginnings - A Chicago Tribute Band," and we thought it would be fun to check them out!

They were actually very good! Chris and I sat directly behind a couple of the wives of the band members, who said they were from New York. We learned that a few of the guys in the band are teachers and were thrilled to be able to come to WDW to perform. Here are a couple of shots that I took...

After the concert, we made our way over to Norway to eat dinner at Kringla Bakeri og Kafe'.

We had heard great things about the food here, so we wanted to check it out ourselves. I had a ham and apple sandwich with a side of fruit and a cloudberry horn for dessert.

Chris had a Norwegian club with turkey, ham, and bacon. His side was a cup of corn chowder and dessert was a sweet pretzel. I love how the pretzel is just about the same size as his sandwich!

The food was really good here...the sandwiches were huge and nice and hot when we got them. Plus, the desserts were fantastic! We will most definitely be back on a future trip!

After dinner we wanted to continue our "world tour," so we headed over to Mexico.

I joined the fiesta in the marketplace and grabbed a piñata for the celebration.

Before leaving, we took the Gran Fiesta Tour...we've done the Mexican boat ride many times, but this was our first time since the changes were made. Generally we travel during New Years and we refuse to wait 45 minutes or longer for THIS ride. On this day, it was walk-on!

Norway was our next stop...this time for pictures!

Chris took time out to battle the troll!

We continued on our journey and made our way to China where we checked out the tomb soldiers.

I took this next picture after I noticed the beautiful bird...so peaceful!

With the weather being so hot, I thought I should cool off and get some protection from the sun!

Germany was the next country of choice!

Chris grabbed a stein and got ready to get his drink on....but it looks like the chicken beat him to it!

Our final stop was Italy. I snapped a quick picture from the outside because now was the time to stake our claim for a prime location for IllumiNations.

Ten minutes into waiting for the show, the dark clouds started rolling in and lightning filled the sky. We were nervous to say the least. Would we be able to catch the show, or would the storm chase us out? Check out this short video clip. In the beginning, you'll hear the band that we listened to earlier. Watch for a few more seconds to see the incoming storm. You'll hear me say, "Did you get that?"


So...did we stay or go? What would YOU have done?

 

[ashleighbass06]

Isn't Kingla the best?! I ate there twice in one day last trip!

I think I would've stayed...everyone else would probably start heading out and in the event that Illuminations is on, there'd be less people and you could get a better spot. Can't wait to hear what you did!