Will You Chill Out if I Sprinkle You With Pixie Dust? The End p136 *New TR Link* p138

[Mndisneygirl]

A couple trips back, I asked my boss if she had a favorite Disney character (planning on what I could bring her back as a souvenir) and she said FIGMENT!!! I was so surprised!
She has a little Figment sitting on her shelf in her office!

ME - Sarah might just sing it for you - I'll make sure she's feeling like performing!!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I haven't been in the Figment section since '85! It was ok, not one of my favorites, but I think old Figment is cute in a sweet dragon sort of way!

 

[amazingact21]

Whoa, the pool was actually open?! Honestly, I just expected it to be closed for the duration of your trip. Glad to hear that was not the case and that you were able to enjoy it for a little while.


Oh my...taking 4 boys to dinner. I just envisioned lots of herding and shuffling along. Happy to hear it wasn't too crazy and that everyone wanted to return to Epcot to ride Soarin' again.


I enjoyed your Figment pictures; I've never been on the attraction before so it was nice getting an inside peek.

 

[MEK]

I am caught up!!

I am very impressed that you were able to get caught up so quickly! Yeah!

I can't think of all the comments I made in my head (well, sometimes they were out loud, but they were directed at your BR and SIL, so probably not DIS appropriate anyway....) but, I am REALLY happy you are finally going on a cruise! YAY! I hope you love it as much as we do!

I absolutely can not WAIT for the cruise. I am really looking forward to it. I wish Nick has wanted to go on one because we offered to take him for graduation. Oh well, he'll be sorry and we will have a wonderful time!

My bro and SIL - what can I say? They are their own people and they ended up enjoying the trip and the kids had a blast. That was my main objective - for the kids to have fun. So mission accomplished and all the annoying parts of the trip are slowly fading.

Best of luck on U of MD, or wherever else he applies-

Thanks. He is applying U of Md, U of D, VA tech, and he just received a free application for Drexel, so might as well. Other than that I am not sure.

Those boys are all so cute! And look like they are having so much fun!!

Those boys are adorable and they are each so completely different which makes being around them even more fun and entertaining.

YAY for that DISmeet!! What awesome DISers to meet!!!

I was very excited to meet Marc, Anita, and Baylor and to see Jen again, especially since she had such good news to share. It was fun!

And MOST of all-

OMG, you are a saint. I would have killed them both years and years ago. Are you REALLY going to do it again???

I may go with them again, but I sincerely doubt it will be this summer. Nick is graduating and I have to plan his party around every one else's, which will be a feat in and of itself. And since I am friends with a lot of his friends / parents, I think the summer will be filled with parties. However, I will consider going in 2014 with them. But, I have to have a part of the trip just for me and Denny so it all balances out.

Just keeping up!!I like Figment too, Not a big FAV. but okay !! The smell isn't that BAD!!!

That's what I said. I barely remember the smell. I mean, I guess it was there because that's what everyone says, but it couldn't have been THAT terrible.

A couple trips back, I asked my boss if she had a favorite Disney character (planning on what I could bring her back as a souvenir) and she said FIGMENT!!! I was so surprised!
She has a little Figment sitting on her shelf in her office!

That's cool! It is really interesting how some people really LOVE Figment and other's simply do not. I think I am definitely starting to warm up to him. He definitely appeals to the child in me.

ME - Sarah might just sing it for you - I'll make sure she's feeling like performing!!

Woo Hoo! Get her all warmed up so she doesn't chicken out on me!

I haven't been in the Figment section since '85! It was ok, not one of my favorites, but I think old Figment is cute in a sweet dragon sort of way!

I think I really need to google the old Figment or check Youtube for video because I totally missed this. It sounds like most people like the older version better and, seriously, doesn't every one love a dragon.

Doris - Woo Hoo for 2 days! So excited for you!!!!!

Whoa, the pool was actually open?! Honestly, I just expected it to be closed for the duration of your trip. Glad to hear that was not the case and that you were able to enjoy it for a little while.

I am glad that my nephews got to use it on their first day and last morning. I wish they had gotten to use it more, but they really enjoyed the Grandstand pool so no one was complaining. And I got to use the hot tub, so yeah!

Oh my...taking 4 boys to dinner. I just envisioned lots of herding and shuffling along. Happy to hear it wasn't too crazy and that everyone wanted to return to Epcot to ride Soarin' again.

It really wasn't. Nick probably piggy-backed CJ most of the way and the boys love Nick so they are generally well behaved around him. In retrospect, I am glad we got to spend that little bit of time alone with them. They are great kids.

I enjoyed your Figment pictures; I've never been on the attraction before so it was nice getting an inside peek.

Wow, you too? OK - I hope you are going to change that on your weekend getaway, which is really soon, isn't it? On second thought, I would probably leave it out of a short trip, too.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

I'm really good your bro found his smile... (like Peter Pan finding his shadow but more poignant...)

You are handling the monkey wrench your SIL threw in about dinner at WPE very graciously...(but I'm wondering if there is a correlation between some of that and your adult beverage consumption... It's really hard to judge travel time and distances at DWD when you haven't been there before which is why its so nice to be traveling with someone who has... just saying...I think you earned your wings...

Nick looks like he was being incredibly good sport with all those little guys... Ems like that with her cousins, who are much younger than her...

I had almost forgotten about Figment...

 

[DisMomAmy]

We finally took the boys on Figment for the first time in April. It was one of those rides that we always ran short of time to visit. Now we'll be sure to ride at least once every trip. There's never a line & it's very cute! The boys liked the fun stuff to do after the ride too.

Glad the pool was open... but sorry it rained on you! I hope you made it back.

I hope the rain didn't mess with your evening plans too much.

 

[CatNipRules]

Somehow I missed this update!! *head desk* I'm also in love with the Figment ride. I suppose it has something to do with the fact that my favorite color is purple. Or it could be because I have a little Figment stuffed animal that sits on my dresser next to my Make a Wish teddy bear. Which is also purple. LOL!!

Those sandwiches look insanely good.

I'm sure it's just me, but the rain always seems better at Disney. LOL!!

I'm loving those Einstein Mickey and Minnie's. They made me smile and hope they are still there when we go.

 

[MEK]

I'm really good your bro found his smile... (like Peter Pan finding his shadow but more poignant...)

I am so glad he found a ride that really made him smile. It will probably be first on his list if he does return next summer.

You are handling the monkey wrench your SIL threw in about dinner at WPE very graciously...(but I'm wondering if there is a correlation between some of that and your adult beverage consumption... It's really hard to judge travel time and distances at DWD when you haven't been there before which is why its so nice to be traveling with someone who has... just saying...I think you earned your wings...

Well, I kind of figured it was coming when she announced that she wanted to eat there for the date right after our first dinner there. I tried to convince her to try Les Chefs for lunch, but no go. But, you are right, an adult beverage can definitely help when you need to go with the flow.

Nick looks like he was being incredibly good sport with all those little guys... Ems like that with her cousins, who are much younger than her...

It's interesting, but kids really seem to gravitate to teens. There is something about that 8 - 10 year age difference that makes them bond. My boys were just like that with their older cousins. It's really cute to see.

I had almost forgotten about Figment...

Ah - good old Figment is alive and well.

We finally took the boys on Figment for the first time in April. It was one of those rides that we always ran short of time to visit. Now we'll be sure to ride at least once every trip. There's never a line & it's very cute! The boys liked the fun stuff to do after the ride too.

I'm so glad you boys liked it. They seem like the perfect age for it and I know your boys like interactive games. So, it really is a great place to sort of get away from it all and regroup.

Glad the pool was open... but sorry it rained on you! I hope you made it back.

We actually did make it back the morning we left. But no worries because I still have plenty of pool time left on this trip.

I hope the rain didn't mess with your evening plans too much.

Actually - no - the rain did not present much of a problem at all and everyone had a great evening. I am going to write about it very soon.

Somehow I missed this update!! *head desk* I'm also in love with the Figment ride. I suppose it has something to do with the fact that my favorite color is purple. Or it could be because I have a little Figment stuffed animal that sits on my dresser next to my Make a Wish teddy bear. Which is also purple. LOL!!

I am so glad there are so many figment fans coming out of the closet on this update. I, too, love the color purple. That's why I think that shirt is so cool.

Those sandwiches look insanely good.

The food at Artist Palette was pretty good. I actually thought the flatbreads where a tad better then the sammies. I was also quite pleased with the desserts since they were so fresh and tasty.

I'm sure it's just me, but the rain always seems better at Disney. LOL!!

Always better at Disney, particularly since it usually stops quickly.

I'm loving those Einstein Mickey and Minnie's. They made me smile and hope they are still there when we go.

Aren't they cute. I think we were looking for something for Nick to get his GF. He did not pick those, but I thought they were so cute I had to take a picture.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Well, hello stranger!
I'm going to use the links to get caught up.
I know this trip report has some good stuff to read.....

Wait a minute. There are links, right?!?

 

[ShortStuff]

Dang!! I got really behind!! I have been working and getting ready to leave on our trip Thursday!!!!! Woo hoo, I can't wait!

I LOVE the strawberry shortcake at Sunshine Seasons! On our first trip, we went to Epcot first. I will admit, we were totally overwhelmed!! We were shocked to see such long lines for Soarin' as in CA they have soft openings at CA Adventure and we would go in and ride Soarin' about 4 times prior to park opening!! Anyway, we ate there and I had the shortcake!! My grandmunchkin, 3 at the time, called it strawVERY shortcake, as it had so many strawberries!

As for Figment, we go on it every trip, usually staying on and riding it twice, or 3 times. My grandmunchkins love it. I think it's cute and so different, so that makes me like it even more!

How cool that your brother liked Soarin' so much! I'm feelin' his new found Disney love now. :

The cruise sounds great! My daughter is trying to talk me into a Disney cruise out of TX next year. Really the prices are not horrendous, but I told her we would do a cruise AFTER she gets a job.

Looking forward to you Epcot night!! I love Epcot!

 

[englishrose47]

Just keeping up so I don't get to far behind!!!

 

[MEK]

A Magical Night

This is Not a Magical Update. I literally worked on this for two hours and lost 2/3rds of my update. Ugh. I can't figure out where it went. I must have deleted it when I went to change a picture.

Anyway - I had some fun stuff to talk about, but I don't want to rewrite it, so I'll just go on with my update.

When I left off last we had entered Epcot in the rain. We headed right to Soarin to use those FPS.

I thought I had only taken a picture or two on our first ride in the afternoon before I got nailed for taking pics, but in actuality I found more pics on my phone. I doubt I had the nerve to take them that evening, but here they are. Oh - and every picture in this update was taken on my phone.

LJ ready to soar.

Here I was going for the golf ball shot

It didn't work, but at least I tried, right? Right?

The rain had cleared and it was shaping up to be a lovely night. We headed over to Mouse Gears so Nick could buy his GF a last minute gift. On the way....

Doesn't Test Track look dead. literally.

Walking to the world showcase

I don't think we visited Mexico. If we had, I am certain I would have had a rita shot to prove it.

But we did ride Maelstrom and I have one crappy picture to prove it

Make that two crappy pictures

After we rode Maelstrom we went to my favorite viewing spot in Norway to line up for Illuminations.

Why is it my favorite you ask? Well, because you can literally walk up to the spot one minute before the show starts and get a wonderful view. Very few people know to stand there. Is it the closest vantage point to the globe? No. But the unobstructed view makes up for it.

I took this picture right before Illuminations began and I instantly regretted not having my good camera (but don't worry - spoiler - I use my real camera twice before this trip ended).

So how about a few woefully subpar Illuminations pictures..........

I think Illuminations usually starts like this - with a bunch of fire and some fireworks. It usually takes awhile to figure what it going on.

Once the fireworks from the lagoon start to clear you notice this non descript globe

Continued in Next Post.......





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[MEK]

I really love when the globe starts to separate

There just really isn't enough zoom on a phone

Illuminations was breathtaking and heartwarming all at once. My littlest nephew, CJ, found a way to squeeze up against the railing and he did not move throughout the entire show.

I think everyone was touched. It was lovely. And I felt bad for my brother and his family because it was their last night. Tomorrow they would be packing to return home. I am sure they were all wishing that the magic could stay a little longer.

Up Next......And then there were two. But before that I am going to finish part of the update I deleted in the next update.

 

[MEK]

So the bulk of what I deleted was stuff I was just doing on the fly. Sometimes I write my wordy updates ahead of time and other times I just wing it. This was a wing it moment and I think I had a really fun update going, but I lost it. BOO.

Some of it was about my upcoming trips. I just add that to my next update.

But one part of it was about a DIS meet I had last night.

Yup, that's right - 3 DISers from Delaware and 1 DISer for PA met at the Cheescake Factory at a local mall for a Delaware DIS meet.

Unfortunately, I thought my phone would take good enough pictures. It did not.

So here's what you get. Pretend it's a game. A game called Guess the DISers.

This picture was taken with the flash. It stinks, but please note that a certain DISer is making rabbit ears behind my head.

This picture was taken without the flash. It barely better.

In case you don't know everyone, here we go, from left to right:

Dawn (chloe), Glenn (Glennbo), Glen's wife Judy, Mark's wife Julie, Mark (Captain Oblivious), me, and Denny. Somehow I managed to convince Denny that it was OK to go out to eat with internet strangers. And guess what, I think he actually enjoyed himself. I know the rest of us did.

This was actually my first time eating at the Cheescake Factory. I know. I know. I must live under a rock. But generally I am not a big fan of chain restaurants. I figured that the CCF would be like Applebee's or Ruby Tuesdays (which are OK, but I would rather pick a locally owned place over them), but it was not. It was really good. The food was good. The menu was expansive and the cheesecake. Well, I think this picture speaks for itself.....

And for those of you that count Judys.......

Oh, wait, wrong TR.

Up Next.....And then there were two and a trip status update.......

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I love Illuminations!! The music is so wonderful - I will listen to that at home, work, in the car...
Where precisely is that spot?? I may have watched from there in the past. We often end up near Norway or Mexico.

DH told me the other night that we (the DIS crowd that will be there in October) should all go in together and book a party or reserve or whatever you do to sit on that patio in Italy to watch Illuminations! I've no idea if that's possible or what. But I thought it was funny that he suggested it!

I love your evening shot of Spaceship Earth!!! I seem to take a lot of those - it's always so pretty.

Too bad your Bro's family is done. I hope they enjoyed it for the most part! And you and Denny can have some quality time too!! YAY!

 

[eandesmom]

What a fun meet! And it appears....adult only? wow!

I have a love hate relationship with the cheesecake factory. Menu is so big it annoys me, it is typically a long wait and it's a little on the pricey side to take the whole gang. But it is pretty good food! The funny part is I don't think any of us have ever actually had the cheesecake, we are too full!

I recognize the top you are wearing

Great update. The last fireworks show, anywhere, is always bittersweet. What a lovely evening for it. I really need to get that music.

DH told me the other night that we (the DIS crowd that will be there in October) should all go in together and book a party or reserve or whatever you do to sit on that patio in Italy to watch Illuminations! I've no idea if that's possible or what. But I thought it was funny that he suggested it!

How cute that he brought it up! Now that Jeff has been spoiled by an illuminations cruise, and TOL, he is looking for those kinds of things too. Once upon a time there was some talk about doing that but it never really went anywhere official.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

3 Judy's!!! (This is actually the first time I am FIRST at a Judy guess!! Can I get a half point for this or something??)

Yay for Illuminations!! I love love love that show!

I'm glad you liked the Cheesecake Factory! I love it there! (Not just because it was the location of DF's and my first date )

 

[ShortStuff]

I'm so glad to hear that your evening went so well and that Illuminations was enjoyed by all!!!

Wow, a hometown Dis meet!! How awesome!! Looks like fun and yumminess too!

 

[englishrose47]

MEK it looked like you enjoyed the cheesecake !! Than Glenn for sharing

 

[natebenma]

So sorry you lost your original post. I really wish the DIS had a better "redo" button that would restore what you had before the prior keystroke. I have certainly been there!

Great Dis Meet! I'm sure it was a lot of fun! I find everyone's trip report comments to be very clever so I'm sure it was lively conversation around the table in between bites of scrumptious food.

I don't think I have been to a Cheesecake factory!

Glad you had another great ride on Soarin'. Thanks for sharing your additional renegade photos.

Thanks for sharing your secret Illuminations spot! That does look like a great view! We (I) usually watch from the UK/France bridge so it doesn't take long to slip back to the Beach Club.

Beautiful pictures of the fountains AND Illuminations.