Where's My Free Cake? No Lines in August and Magical Dreams Come True *All Done!*

[ArmyWife3-4]

Once again, we were up bright and early to be at the park for opening. We swear by this strategy for an optimized touring plan. DH was a bit skeptical of this plan last year, but by the second day of our honeymoon, he was thankful for the limited wait times and cooler mornings.

The kids were wide awake and ready for another day, and once Mom and I got our coffee and Dad got his morning Diet Coke , we were on our way to Epcot!

Smile! It's 7:45 in the morning and you're on a bus to Epcot!!!

Catching the bus around 7:45 seems to put you at the parks at the ideal time. We were within the first 10 people at one of the turnstiles so we were happy. While we waited, S2 had to do her morning check in with DH.

I also had to give DH some loving...

I was really hoping the flag would blow in the wind a bit more for a better photo, but this will have to suffice.

In recent months I have become a bit obsessed with the flag...(hmm...I wonder why...

I took a few photos of the kids with the character while we waited for Future World to open.

Since my dad gets INCREDIBLY motion sick (he can watch kids on swings and start to get sick ), he would have NEVER survived Soarin'. Although I was bummed he couldn't experience my favorite ride, this was the perfect opportunity for the rest of us. Once we got through the turnstiles, everyone gave their park passes to my dad to get us FPs for Soarin' while the rest of us rode Test Track.

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

Thankfully, we were able to walk right not to TT. My mom was a bit freaked about it worrying that it would be too fast or could make her sick. I continually reassured her that it wasn't a scary ride at all, just a bit fast for a few seconds. She ended up really enjoying it and so did the kids.

Dad met up with us at the exit to TT with our FPs to Soarin', and we had a little time to kill before we could use them. We decided to check out my dad's favorite fountains. Clearly, Mom and Dad were having tons of fun!

S1 and S2 seemed to have a good time too!

By the time we played for a bit, it was time for....

WAHOOOOOOOO!!!!
Can you tell, this is my FAVORITE ride??!?!?! It is also DH's favorite ride so. He is a paratrooper so he though Soarin' rocked! Yes, he jumps out of planes with 100 pounds of Army gear at least monthly for the fun of it...Insane I know... )

After Soarin' it was time for a snack at Sunshine Seasons where I got a free cookie with my anniversary button! Mmmm... We love to eat the snacks here because the food is so fresh! We got was a mozzarella, tomato, basil salad and Dad's favorite, a chocolate covered rice krispie treat. It was great, as was the cookie and rice krispie treat! It held

I think at this point, we split ways with DCousins since they had done many of of the rides in Future World the day before when they had lunch at the Garden Grill. Mom, Dad, and I decide to head over to the Seas pavilion.

Mom and Dad hadn't been on The Seas with Nemo and Friends so I was excited for them to see that! Unfortunately, if you can believe it , they hadn't seen the movie. I told them it's a MUST now that they've seen the stage show and been on the rides. Regardless, they enjoyed the creativity of the ride.

Right after this photo, I got yelled at for taking flash photos. Oops! We were still in the loading area!

 

[bayoumama2]

Great TR and pics. I'm hooked. Glad your DH enjoyed the care package and I know you had just as much fun preparing the care package as he did receiving it. I used to have so much fun doing care packages for my DH.

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

By the time we finished up in The Seas pavilion, World Showcase was open. I love getting to WS early because it tends to be so quiet and peaceful. I know there are mixed reviews on WS, especially for families with kids, but I have always loved it! Perhaps that's the culturally aware part of me, but I just love to learn about other cultures and touring their little mini-countries in WS.

We spent the early afternoon strolling and eating around WS. I made sure to start out on the Canada said because we always, always start on the Mexico side and by the time we cross the bridge near Italy, we are spent. I wanted to change it up a bit! Dad was looking forward to seeing all of the gardens and plantings throughout WS.

I took some photos of Canda while we strolled along:

Can I live in this cute little cottage please?

I can't recall if these were in Canada or not, but they were so pretty!

As we continued out stroll, we came upon this hilarious little street skit.

I was surprised that even as it got closer to noon, I was able to get photos on the streets without people walking in front of me.

Ahh...Paris!

I didn't know they took a photo of my house and made it into a stained glass window! No one told me!

Now it was time for a stop off for a Grand Marnier Slush. Yes, I know it's only 11:30, no I am not going to wait until noon! The BEST drink in the park! I could have drank these all day long!...I wonder if the recipe is on the recipes board...hmm....

Don't I look like I'm on

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

11:30 who cares, it is 5 o' click somewhere.

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

great update and pics.

11:30 who cares, it is 5 o' click somewhere.

It sure is!!!!!

 

[dolfinjuls]

Thanks for the updates! I love all of your Epcot pics..I didn't get a lot b/c that's the day it poured all day for us!

And the Grand Marnier...YUM! I loved it!

 

[MEK]

I love your updates. I love that fountain at Epcot, too and I am definately trying that GM slushy - that looks so awesome!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

Hey Guys! I don't want you to think I've abandonded you! I have family coming into town for the weekend tonight so if I don't get a chance to update in the next few datys have no fear, I'll be back!!!!

Enjoy your holiday weekend!

 

[luvfigment]

Looks like your day in EPCOT was great. That Grand Marnier Slush looks yummy I think I will have to try one in a little over 1 week!!! Can't wait to see how the rest of the day went.

Hope you have a great holiday weekend!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

Hey Everyone! I'm back after a busy weekend of visitors. Violet and I are worn out so what better way to relax than reflecting on our WDW trip on the Dis!

After wandering around WS for awhile, we were starting to get hungry (and I needed some food to off set the GS slushie! ) I knew that I wanted to try the combo platter in Morocco after seeing photos of it on here, but we also wanted to check out a few other countries because, well really, isn't that the whole point of WS eating?!

Being Syrian, we were excited to try the foods in Morocco since many of them are similar to what we make. Yum! We decided to get one combo platter and split it three ways since we wanted to continue eating elsewhere.

It was INCREDIBLE!!!! The taboulleh was very similar to my mom's and the rest of it was just so good. We ate every last morsel of it! I will definitely be going back here again...and again....and again....I think sometimes the food in Morocco gets overshadowed by the other countries, when really it is quite good!

After filling out bellies, we shopped around a bit, and Mom found a book that nearly made her cry. It was called, 'What's the Matter with Habibi'. Habibi is a term of endearment that my grandmother used to use. The book was about a camel named Habibi and what was making him so sad. Mom was super excited about it for her grandbabies someday....I told her SOMEDAY was the key word in that phrase...not any time soon...Keep dreamin' lady!

While we were eating, I took some photos of the area...

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

After exploring Morocco, it was off to the rest of the world...

I love checking out the store in Japan. There are so many interesting things, and the prices aren't bad at all. I also have a renewed interest in the country because my close friend and neighbor is from Japan. She makes wonderful Japanese food, and we talk about the country frequently. I called her while I was 'in Japan' and she was so confused! I had to explan to her that no, I wasn't really in Japan....just sort of in Japan....

DH and I love sushi, and several years ago he bought me a sushi making set and all of the dishes to go with it. While shopping in Japan, I picked up some very cool bamboo chopsticks as well as some candy for DH's care package and some candy for my neighbor and her son.

Mom and Dad are not sushi fans so we decided not to eat in Japan and continued our way around the world...

While passing through the American Adventure, I had to snap a shot of this sign...

Now, I know the Turkey Legs are much disputed on the Dis. Personally, I am not a fan...I just find it quite humurous that all of the other countries have these great, unique foods to share, and all we have to offer are funnel cakes and turkey legs. We do have a lot we could offer as a country, but unfortunately, this is what we're left with...I'm also surprised at how many people in WS are eating turkey legs when there are so many other great foods they could be trying, some of which you can't get many of the places...Anyways....I'll get off my soapbox now....

Mom wanted to get some Chinese food so we headed over to China to see what we wanted to try over there. I love to remodel that WDW did of the CS restaurant here. The colors, tiles, and fixtures are just so unique.

We decided to have the veggie stir-fry and a few egg rolls for the rest of our lunch. For CS Chinese food, it was quite good, and Mom really enjoyed it. While we were sitting, I took some great shots:

I also took this shot, which I think is my favorite of the trip:

We were starting to get pressed for time so we stopped off at Norway, and grabbed a piece of cake at the bakery before heading over to AK to catch the parade with DCousins.

The cake wasn't to die for, but it was chocolate so I was happy!

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

We are eating at Marrakesh next week and I am looking forward to it.

 

[kryptonqueen]

This is such an entertaining trip report, I'm really enjoying it.

 

[luvfigment]

Another great update. DH and I love Sushi also and so does my really good friend that I am going with next week. I think the day were are in Epcot she and I are going to have sushi for lunch. DH and I will actually have lunch at Teppan Edo so I am excited about that.

I will have to look at their chopsticks b/c I have always wanted to get my own...thanks for the idea! Were they expensive??

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

Another great update. DH and I love Sushi also and so does my really good friend that I am going with next week. I think the day were are in Epcot she and I are going to have sushi for lunch. DH and I will actually have lunch at Teppan Edo so I am excited about that.

I will have to look at their chopsticks b/c I have always wanted to get my own...thanks for the idea! Were they expensive??

The chopsticks were actually really reasonably priced. Many of them were $3-4 each. They also have chopsticks with carrying cases to take with you to restaurants which were pretty cool too!

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

After filling up on goodies at WS, it was time to meet up with DCousins at AK for the Jammin' Jungle Parade. I knew Dad would love the elements in this parade. It is so unique and creative. It is my favorite day time parade.

We hopped on the monorail, and Mom asked if we could ride in front. We were the only ones in line for the front so we were able to hop right in. Unfortunately, our driver was kind of a dud. He wasn't much for talking....Boo...DH and I sat in the front last summer and had a similar experience. Maybe the stick the non-people CM's driving the monorail...

We hopped off at TTC, and then had to board a bus to AK. This actually wasn't as bad as I feared it might be. It didn't take long and was relatively easy to figure out. We don't usually go straight from one park to another so I wasn't sure how smoothly this would go.

When we arrived at AK, DCousins had already found a great shady spot to catch the parade. We were sitting just before the bridge to Africa on Discovery Island. It was perfect! Lots of shade and a nice ledge to sit on. DH enjoyed the foliage while we chit chatted and people watched.

I could just eat her up!

Crowd photo:

We got stuck next to some wacko family who crabbed at each other the entire time we waited for the parade. They had two young children, perhaps 2 and 4?, that were in a stroller near the rope. The dad went to buy everyone a Mickey ice cream bar before the parade started. Mind you, this was the hottest day of our week with nearly 97 degree temps and lots and lots of humidity. We were in the shade, but still sweating like mad. When he returned, he gave each child their own ice cream bar. Well what do chocolate and ice cream both do in hot weather?! MELT!!! The parents proceeded to yell for the next 20 minutes.
'You're getting chocolate all over the stroller!' 'Don't! No! Don't let it melt all over you!' 'Stop letting the ice cream get all over your hands!' 'Now we're all covered in chocolate and ice cream!' 'We're not going to buy ice cream for you again!' 'You're making a mess!'
Good lord! The kids are not even 5 years old! Give them a break! Nothing bugs me more at Disney than to see parents yelling at their kids or pushing their kids too much. You're on V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N people! Relax! The world won't end if you miss one parade or aren't able to fit in one more ride...Geesh!

Anyways, I digress! Once the circus was over next to us, there was a little mini-parade of musicians that came by. I am not sure where they were from, but they reminded me of the Native American Pow-Wows my grandparents used to take it to as a child.

there was a DS member helping to keep people entertained while waiting for the parade. He was super fun, and we had a good time talking about DH. He thought DH and I needed a photo together, and he was happy to help fill out DH.

The kids had a good time talking to him too!

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

the pic is funny with the cm holding flat dh.

I experienced some of those parents in January, I just don't understand it.

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

I have about a million photos of the parade. I just love it, and we had such a great location!