We're Doing WHAT For My Birthday??? - Final Thoughts

[mnmrmustard]

Nothing like real life interfering with trip reports.

Yeah, tell me about it!

 

[kaoden39]

It looks so hot. I can't help but wonder if winter is the better time to visit.

 

[mnmrmustard]

It looks so hot. I can't help but wonder if winter is the better time to visit.

We went in January of 2008 and it was great other than the last day, which got a little chilly. Most of our 11 days there was low to mid 80s. However, my wife's boss and his family went in January of 2010, which was unfortunately when they had that big freeze. They were pretty miserable.

But April traditionally isn't as hot as we had it, we just caught it during some uncommonly hot weather. It is a total dice roll I guess. I know that in general I would avoid it from about mid-May to mid-September due to the excessive heat and crowds. But we all do what we can for the sake of that Disney magic.

I would still go back in April again given the chance.

 

[mnmrmustard]

We continued around counter-clockwise from Japan and found ourselves in the American Adventure Pavilion. We stopped by the big pin station they have there and found another one to trade. At this point we had traded out about half of our pins. They had topiaries here, which of course as part of an All-American theme were the classic characters. First up were Mickey and Minnie

Then on the right wing of the building we found Goofy, Donald, and Pluto

Here’s a large shot of the three of them

Pluto looked very chipper

I’m not sure what was going on with Donald’s head

And Goofy was his normal goofy self

I got Roxy inside to the air conditioning and a CM saw my button and said that there was a call for me. He directed me to a phone off to the side just inside the entrance. Mickey and the gang wished me a very happy birthday! Love those extra bits of magic that Disney and the CMs throw in :-] Roxy stayed inside waiting for the singers to start. I went back out into the heat to catch the pipe and drum.

I only had to wait a few minutes and there they were marching up the street

CLICK HERE for a video of them marching in

They called the kids up to help with the pledge of allegiance

Their leader was very energetic and seemed genuinely patriotic

They did a couple of more songs and went on their way

I headed back inside and was directed upstairs to where ECV/Wheelchair patrons were to watch the show. To my surprise Roxy wasn’t there. I called her and didn’t get an answer. Just as I was starting to get worried I got a text from her that she was heading back from the bathroom. I saved us a spot on the rail looking down on the singers. Roxy rolled up just before they started.

Here are some videos of them singing, they were very good

VIDEO #1 VIDEO #2 VIDEO #3

When they were done we were lead in and seated in the back row. Not the best placement or lighting to capture much.

Only got a shot of the statues

And Franklin and Twain on Liberty’s Torch

I liked the show very much. I’m a pretty patriotic guy. We left and it was my turn to make a pit stop. When I came out I missed Roxy and walked right by her …oops! We caught back up with each other and after stopping a couple of CMs to check out their pins we meandered on to the Italy Pavilion.

Cool architecture

They had Lady and the Tramp there. I continued to be amazed at the attention to detail they put into these things

I looked across and there was another great shot of Spaceship Earth and the lagoon

Large version of the same shot

From that vantage I also had a good shot of the gondola. Do they ever do rides?

Italy was a beautiful pavilion

Italy Pavilion Panorama

Just past Italy was a set of dioramas starting with a Tangled-themed Rapunzel’s tower

And an entire miniature village complete with several model trains running through it

I love stuff like this, it brings back memories of a friend of mine whose dad had his whole garage dedicated to an intricate train set with mountains and valleys and villages and server trains. You could pop up in the landscape through hatches to make changes to stuff.

Next up we tackle then entire second half of World Showcase!

Click here to view the next chapter: Day 3 Part 11 – A German, Chinese, Norwegian, Mexican Smorgasbord of Adventure

 

[kaoden39]

I could spend a long time looking at the miniature villages and the trains. I love the band and I would really enjoy that whole area. I am kind of silly that way I guess.

 

[DizNee Luver]

More great pics Mike!!! Really making my mouth water to go to WDW....especially during the Flower & Garden time......beautiful!!

 

[Trentmom]

Loving this update

Your photos in World Showcase are awesome!!!


I love the Pluto Topiary...He so cute

Wonder if they were in process of making Donald's hat and they had not shaped it yet?

 

[cherbear]

Donald has a giant pimple on his head...quick...pop it before it explodes!!!!


Le Cellier is mine and Mike's absolute favorite dining spot in the world. And I don't mean the "world". I mean...out of anywhere we have EVER eaten. I kid you not.

Anywhere we ever have steak, we have to say "Nope, doesn't beat Le Cellier"

I absolutely cannot step on WDW property without having a meal there. It's wonderful.

 

[mnmrmustard]

I could spend a long time looking at the miniature villages and the trains. I love the band and I would really enjoy that whole area. I am kind of silly that way I guess.

Me too, just so fascinating to see the detail they put into them. The band was fun, could have watched the whole show if I could have found some shade

More great pics Mike!!! Really making my mouth water to go to WDW....especially during the Flower & Garden time......beautiful!!

Thank you Laurie, I loved it and will be going back again at this time of year

Loving this update

Your photos in World Showcase are awesome!!!


I love the Pluto Topiary...He so cute

Wonder if they were in process of making Donald's hat and they had not shaped it yet?

Thanks much Kelly, it was fun looking for all of the topiaries. Yes, Pluto was very cute. I don't know what was going on with Donald, very strange.

Donald has a giant pimple on his head...quick...pop it before it explodes!!!!


Le Cellier is mine and Mike's absolute favorite dining spot in the world. And I don't mean the "world". I mean...out of anywhere we have EVER eaten. I kid you not.

Anywhere we ever have steak, we have to say "Nope, doesn't beat Le Cellier"

I absolutely cannot step on WDW property without having a meal there. It's wonderful.

LOL, that sounds about right on Donald's head

I'm on board with you and Mike. I'll compare every steak to theirs and will go there anytime we're in the Orlando area. Soooo gooooood!

 

[mnmrmustard]

We left the small world of trains and towers and entered Bavaria!

Large Shot of Bavaria

It was picturesque and did kick up some memories of my 2 ½ years stationed in Germany

But we were focused on spending some time indoors and sitting somewhere cool, and for us that meant tag-teaming Maelstrom and 3 Caballeros. We walked and rolled on to the other side of the pavilion and who did we see but Snow White. My character luck was again a bit off and her line was already closed too. But I did get a cute pic of her with a little princess.

Right next to here was one of the coolest topiaries of the bunch – Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

Big Panorama of Snow White and the Guys

Next up was the Africa Pavilion, which had some of our Lion King pals playing around

We came across another CM and had her take a pic of us together

Has anyone else noticed that the Africa area is kind of “blink and you miss it?” We moved on to the China Pavilion, stopping only for a couple of pics and to check out the smaller shop next to the lagoon.

The Gates

The Palace

Big Shot of the Palace

Cute Panda Bears, aye?

We were finally on to Norway!

This goblin was a cutie

More Norway

Viking Man!

Viking yard sale?

We were going to ride Maelstrom but it was unfortunately down. They said it would be back up soon but we didn’t want to wait around. Instead we headed on to Mexico. Once there I turned towards the lagoon and decided it was time for a BIG panorama!

Big Lagoon Panorama

The Aztec Pyramid was very impressive

Their addition to the topiaries were tropical birds

We headed inside to the marketplace

We made a beeline for the Three Caballeros, stopping only to check out some CM’s pins. We jumped aboard and were soon floating in front of the indoor pyramid

The boys started the show

Donald moving through the video clips was very entertaining. Cool backdrops too.

There’s that pic limit again. Next up we return to Nordic lands and say ‘hi’ to Lightning McQueen

Click here to view the next chapter: Day 3 Part 12 – Loco Donald, Heavy Seas, and Lightning Strikes

 

[kaoden39]

There are so many things that are different in WDW aren't there? Wow.


I can see why people think that Disneyland is a little park when they go after visiting WDW.

 

[cherbear]

oh that is such a bummer about Maelstrom!!! It's one of my favorite rides! I always thought it was "Awesome!" as a kid. And I still think so to this day....though I wish it had a few more drops, LOL

Your pictures are all great. I wish I had a panoramic computer screen to see those pics up close without scrolling

 

[GeminiAngel]

I love the 3 caballeros! Donald is so funny.
The candy shop in Germany is my favorite because I can get Haribo Raspberries! Love those things.

 

[Trentmom]

I love Mexico. My favorite country in the Showcase

You know what, I never knew there was an African section


Great pics as usual

 

[mnmrmustard]

There are so many things that are different in WDW aren't there? Wow.


I can see why people think that Disneyland is a little park when they go after visiting WDW.

Yes, it is a whole different experience. But that is part of the charm of DL, it is a little easier to take in. You really have to gear up and be ready to go and go and go and go some more when you go to WDW!

oh that is such a bummer about Maelstrom!!! It's one of my favorite rides! I always thought it was "Awesome!" as a kid. And I still think so to this day....though I wish it had a few more drops, LOL

Your pictures are all great. I wish I had a panoramic computer screen to see those pics up close without scrolling

No worries, we make it back in my next installment I have dual screens at work so I can see the panoramas a bit better, but when I'm on my laptop I'm in the same boat.

I love the 3 caballeros! Donald is so funny.
The candy shop in Germany is my favorite because I can get Haribo Raspberries! Love those things.

Yes, Donald was very funny in it Glad we went on it. And we made it back around to that candy shop before the day is done so I understand what you're talking about - yummy stuff!

 

[mnmrmustard]

I love Mexico. My favorite country in the Showcase

You know what, I never knew there was an African section


Great pics as usual

I haven't seen enough to know which is my favorite ...probably American Adventure at this point.

All I saw for Africa was some huts - don't know if it was meant to be an official statement for the country or not

 

[cherbear]

I have dual screens at work too Mike! I never thought to stretch the window out between the 2 screens. BUT, mine don't line up perfectly because my "dual" screens consist of my laptop screen (on the docking station) next to the regular screen. The laptop screen is smaller than the regular monitor.

 

[mnmrmustard]

I have dual screens at work too Mike! I never thought to stretch the window out between the 2 screens. BUT, mine don't line up perfectly because my "dual" screens consist of my laptop screen (on the docking station) next to the regular screen. The laptop screen is smaller than the regular monitor.

Roxy has dual screens at her work with two different sizes. Nice having the two windows to work with isn't it? Mine are two 19" screens so I can not only stretch the panoramas, I've found a way to stretch my wallpaper to a single panoramic image. Right now it is Wall-E. I should take a pic of it and post it

 

[kaoden39]

Roxy has dual screens at her work with two different sizes. Nice having the two windows to work with isn't it? Mine are two 19" screens so I can not only stretch the panoramas, I've found a way to stretch my wallpaper to a single panoramic image. Right now it is Wall-E. I should take a pic of it and post it

I would love to see it. I am a major Wall-E fan. I may be the only one I know.

 

[mnmrmustard]

I would love to see it. I am a major Wall-E fan. I may be the only one I know.

Really? I love Wall-E, it is in my top 5 of Disney movies

Here is the desktop as I see it

Here is a print screen of it for clarity

And here is a link the original file if you want a copy of it
Wall-E Desktop

I actually had to photoshop in the content on the left side of the pic by cloning and blending to get it the right width, but it was worth it!