WDW in October vs. Hilton Head in March: a tale of two trips NEW! 10/6 p20

[wigdoutdismom]

That's one of the things I was thinking of for next year, as well.
Not that it is 'screaming' out to me or anything...

...but it is one of my top three choices right now.

I'm also thinking of a Mickey and Minnie safari theme, since we have 487395 animals.


Part of me wanted to keep the Toy Story stuff up for a second year, but since I started pulling things down to get ready for testing, I went ahead and pulled some of those bulletin boards down, too. I'll just put it all in a tub and do Toy Story again in a few years, maybe. Perhaps there will be a fourth Toy Story movie down the road?

Why don't you hurry up and decide. If I have some things I can throw in the car and bring to you, I will. Well, with the exception of Monsters U. I don't really have that stuff yet. I do have some Monsters but not the U.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

You just send her on down. Although my principal informed me that my 5th grade students would not respond to my themed rooms like the little ones did. So I might want to tone it down.....

Really?

I am moving up 3 grade levels.
I know they are older.
Hmmmmm.....
What do you think about

Monsters University?

Well my almost 5th grader would respond to a Disney themed room, but she's not quite like all the others! HA!
Monsters University would be funny - there's a lot of kind of childish/crude type humor that 5th graders would respond to I'm sure!

That's one of the things I was thinking of for next year, as well.
Not that it is 'screaming' out to me or anything...

...but it is one of my top three choices right now.

I'm also thinking of a Mickey and Minnie safari theme, since we have 487395 animals.


Part of me wanted to keep the Toy Story stuff up for a second year, but since I started pulling things down to get ready for testing, I went ahead and pulled some of those bulletin boards down, too. I'll just put it all in a tub and do Toy Story again in a few years, maybe. Perhaps there will be a fourth Toy Story movie down the road?

You have so many great ideas! I wish my kids had teachers who loved Disney so much!! I've only got one more year of elementary school. I love our teachers, but they aren't super into Disney. Maybe I can convert them?

Hey Sheree! I finally made it back to the Dis and am all caught up on your report. I am still so very bummed I missed you while we were there at the same time. How fun it would have been to meet you and your family! Great report so far and I look forward to reading more.

Hi Kelli!! Glad you're back around! I'm moving sooooo slowly on this even though I didn't plan to. It's just hard to find time. I think when I do find a couple hours, I'm going to do lots of the writing part ahead of time. Then it will be easier to get the posts up. (maybe even some tonight!) I wish we'd gotten to see you too. Sometime when you're up in the Twin Cities area, you'll have to let me know - maybe we can meet somewhere!

Why don't you hurry up and decide. If I have some things I can throw in the car and bring to you, I will. Well, with the exception of Monsters U. I don't really have that stuff yet. I do have some Monsters but not the U.

I could have helped with Monsters stuff before - when Sarah was 2, she was OBSESSED with Sully and Mike - she got tons of that stuff! I wonder if I still have any around? I like how you said "yet"!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Monday, October 15

Epcot today!! YAY!

Who's ready?
After donuts in the room, we headed to the bus stop. We waited 15 minutes, and then a 15 minute ride later we were walking through the gates!


First thing was a ride on Spaceship Earth – a walk on!



Then we headed to get FPs for Soarin’ – Holy cow, everyone else was there too!
It was 10:55 and the return time was at 1:25!!


I guess we had some time to kill. What would we do?



Living with the Land


I didn't write down that we rode Nemo, but I think we did!




Figment




Got a pretzel and slushie for a snack (some of our group couldn't wait for F&W! I was holding out for the good stuff!

Hit the Festival Center and did some shopping, got a free peppermint Ghiradelli and a soda in the Chase Visa lounge!








We got our free wristbands for the preferred viewing location of Illuminations.
Since we were so close, we did something we hadn’t done in oh, forever! Rode Ellen’s Universe of Energy. Talk about LONG! We are good on that one for a few more years. I’m not sure if the kids had ever been on it.



We shopped in Mouse Gears and headed back to use our FPs for Soarin’. One of my all time favorite rides!

cont. in next post.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

cont...

Then it was time to get over to World Showcase for some Food and Wine!
We passed by the Cranberry Bog – brought to you by Ocean Spray (who else?)



And the Watermelon patch


Let the wining and dining begin! Let me say we did a lot of sharing, but I was mostly the one doing the drinking. DH did taste some of the drinks though.


Our first stop was the Caribbean!



Here we sampled the Ropa Vieja, the jerk spiced chicken drumstick with mango salsa and a frozen dragonberry colada. LOVED the ropa vieja! The chicken was okay, and the colada – well let’s just say that wasn’t the only one we got!! Of course, it was about the size of a dixie cup.
Sadly, I don't have a picture of the Caribbean food! Must have eaten it too fast.

In Argentina I got a beef empanada and I didn’t note anything on my passport, so it must have been okay.

Here's a picture of the empanada and the remainder of my dragonberry colada



Then we went for a ride on the Gran Fiesta with Donald in Mexico! We also sampled a beef and shrimp taco. Quite tasty.

You can see the kids have their Duffy or Perry kidcot things. We tried to hit some of those stops in between eating!


It was here that Sarah dumped out a whole bottle of water (that we’d been carrying around all day). DH had told her to dump the water out of the cup of ice water, and pour the bottled into the ice so it would be cold. She did not quite comprehend the instructions! DOH!

Stopped for a visit with Donald


Next we headed to Norway
I wanted the kids to ride Maelstrom. I was pretty sure Sarah had been on it before, but Paige took some convincing. We got Fps, and Sarah rode once with each of us. We got FPs for later and hoped Paige would go!

Hanging around Norway while Sarah rode Maelstrom



Then we were headed to China


No this is not from the F&W - it's from the China QS place. Boring old Orange chicken for Sarah! I tried the Sunny Guava with Coconut Rum. If memory serves, it was pretty good!


We caught some of the Chinese acrobats performance - Oh my - the flexibility!



Sometime in here we hit the Cheese booth and got the cheese fondue with sourdough bread and an Artisan Cheese Selection.
The fondue was kind of blah. The other cheeses were good.




We swung through Germany to Karamell Kuche to get some treats



Sometime around here we went back to use the Maelstrom FPs! Guess what, third time's the charm! Paige finally agreed to ride it! I think she was okay, although was a little scared about the giant troll and going backwards. She typically freaks out about a ride, and then when she gets on it, she loves it and says it was no big deal! (See previous report of us dragging her on Test Track!)

cont...

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Okay my notes and pictures seem out of order, but Italy came before the US pavilion, so I'm guessing we went there first.

Ravioli di Formaggio and Cannoli along with Paige's caramel apple
We should have gotten two of each - they were YUMMY!!




I loved hanging out in the Italy pavilion - the juggler/whistle-blowing entertainer guy was out and we found a little table to sit at.


Where do we go next?

To the good old US of A! I stopped at the kiosk and got a jalapeno pretzel and a slushy. Sarah went with her big girl KTTW card and got chicken nuggets from the main building.

Air Supply was playing in concert at the America Gardens Theater, so we enjoyed a little blast from the past!
Paige and I tried to share a lobster claw cuddler from Hops and Barley. I have to say I was disappointed in this. For the price, you didn't get much lobster. Not a fan of the herbed mayo either. It would be better just to give me a hunk of lobster and some drawn butter!



We did a little browsing in the shops in US and Italy and worked our way to Japan. We didn't get anything there today, but spent some time shopping.
Then we headed to France to smell perfumes and shop, and we went to see the movie - I remember vaguely seeing it once before, and thought maybe we'd see some sights we recognized from our trip. It was okay.





We went over to the UK and shopped some more (we must have gotten full by now!) and paid a visit to Tigger and Pooh!



Off to Canada!
I was needing some mushroom filet by now!


Apparently you don't get to see a picture of the yummy mushroom filet tonight! I may have gotten it another time though!
As you can see, it was getting dark. Time for Illuminations!!
We got to the seating area (on the concrete by the Port of Entry store I think) and sat down just about 9:00. LOVE this show so much! I listen to the music often when I need a little escape! I took no pictures, but really enjoyed the location of the viewing area.
We got out of the park pretty quickly and got on the first AKL bus. Of course we stopped at Kidani first, but we were back in our room and to bed around 10.

Sleeping in tomorrow!!
We will be doing some brand new things!
Stay tuned!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

What yummy looking foods you guys tried! I have to agree, though, the lobster doesn't look very big at all.

Air Supply! Are you freakin' kidding me? I loved them! Well, actually, I still love 'em. I'm All Out Of Love, I'm So Lost Without You

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

So tell me about the wrist bands for the viewing area for illuminations. I didn't know anything about that. Is it a Visa or AP thing?

 

[MEK]

So tell me about the wrist bands for the viewing area for illuminations. I didn't know anything about that. Is it a Visa or AP thing?

Visa. They gave them out in the Chase lounge.

What a great Epcot day. You really did eat all the way around the world. Sorry the lobster claw was disappointing. That could definitely go either way.

The girls are adorable in all their pictures.

What lovely pretty pictures in France. Can't believe it was already dark at 6:30pm, but, yeah, it was.

Can you believe I never tried the filet? So many foods I still need to try.

Great update.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

What yummy looking foods you guys tried! I have to agree, though, the lobster doesn't look very big at all.

Air Supply! Are you freakin' kidding me? I loved them! Well, actually, I still love 'em. I'm All Out Of Love, I'm So Lost Without You

Thanks - we generally enjoyed most of the foods we tried. A couple were kind of "meh".
Air Supply YES! It was hysterical singing along with many other 40 somethings and our kids looking embarrassed and confused!

Great update!

Thanks! Hopefully I'll keep this thing going strong and not wait a month for another update!

So tell me about the wrist bands for the viewing area for illuminations. I didn't know anything about that. Is it a Visa or AP thing?

Oh Anita, if it were an AP thing, you'd know about it before I would!! HA! It is for the Chase Visa cardholders. It doesn't have to be a Disney one either. So if you have a Chase card, you can go in the lounge, have something to drink and sit and relax, and get a wristband.

Visa. They gave them out in the Chase lounge.

What a great Epcot day. You really did eat all the way around the world. Sorry the lobster claw was disappointing. That could definitely go either way.

The girls are adorable in all their pictures.

What lovely pretty pictures in France. Can't believe it was already dark at 6:30pm, but, yeah, it was.

Can you believe I never tried the filet? So many foods I still need to try.

Great update.

It was a great Epcot day and thankfully, not the only one! There was still plenty of eating to do! Yeah, the lobster was not what it could or should have been in my book!
Thanks - the girls love to pose at WDW!
I'll be honest, the evening France pictures surprised me when I was doing the update. I didn't remember them and was happy how cool they turned out! Who knew I could do that?
Seriously, never tried the filet???? How is that possible? Even Dave thought it was good and he doesn't eat mushrooms (he scraped them to the side for me to eat). You better be going back next fall for F&W and you better get it then!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

We have a Chase Visa.....
I knew they had that lounge, but we have never gone in there.
Do they always to the wristbands for Illuminations?

 

[MEK]

Seriously, never tried the filet???? How is that possible? Even Dave thought it was good and he doesn't eat mushrooms (he scraped them to the side for me to eat). You better be going back next fall for F&W and you better get it then!!

I've had it in the restaurant, but I skipped it over in F&W. I have NO idea why? Maybe the line was long? Don't worry - next year!!!!!!

 

[MEK]

We have a Chase Visa.....
I knew they had that lounge, but we have never gone in there.
Do they always to the wristbands for Illuminations?

I know they had them most nights when I was there. I think you have to stop in fairly early or they run out.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I know they had them most nights when I was there. I think you have to stop in fairly early or they run out.

What she said.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I've had it in the restaurant, but I skipped it over in F&W. I have NO idea why? Maybe the line was long? Don't worry - next year!!!!!!

Well, I will forgive you since you had it in the restaurant. But, you have to go back and get it at F&W. I think it was even better as a small sample because it's easier to cook the meat consistently. Maybe that's my imagination!

 

[uncw89]

What she said.

Ok....so where is the Chase lounge? I definitely have the Visa and know about the free picture, but I didn't know about the lounge or the wristbands!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Ok....so where is the Chase lounge? I definitely have the Visa and know about the free picture, but I didn't know about the lounge or the wristbands!!!

It was inside the Festival Center, over near Ellen's Universe of Energy.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Great updates!!

Looks like a good time was had by all at the F&WF! And lots of yummy food!

We've never done Universe of Energy. For the reason you said -- too long!! I have always wanted to go see what it's all about, but never wanted to give up that much of my Epcot time!


Love all the great pics!

 

[Monny2AE]

Now I'm hungry after seeing all the food pics!

I don't think we've ever done the Energy attraction. Guess after hearing your rave review we'll continue to skip it....unless it's air conditioned and we're too hot in June.

I wish they offered the Chase lounge year round and changed the theming according to the time of year.

 

[jenseib]

Is the chase lounbe year round or just during wine and food? And do you show your chase to get in? I have 2, so I am prepared.

The food looks good. I never tried a single thing when there though. We were there on one of the last days and only had a few hours and we already had an ADR. I might need to get back and try some things someday.