Wishin' & Hopin', Planning & Dreamin': Oct 2013 PTR - 10/20 UPDATE: Link to TR!!

[Chicago Mo]

YAY pictures!!!
Is it me or are the Princesses just not up to par??? their dresses are spectacular! Meg's favorite princess was always Ariel. so when we went we HAD to meet her. she was the BEST Princess!!! same as you she really went out of her way to make the kids feel comfortable!




need more..

 

[sweetpeaandevie]

Cute pics! We can't wait to meet the princesses! I'm sure my DH will be on overload by the end What am I talking about- he already is (which is why I am newly obsessed with this forum!

 

[Pixiedust530]

Awww... That is so adorable!

D~

Awww....thanks D~ Of course I think he's adorable...he is my baby after all!

YAY pictures!!!
Is it me or are the Princesses just not up to par??? their dresses are spectacular! Meg's favorite princess was always Ariel. so when we went we HAD to meet her. she was the BEST Princess!!! same as you she really went out of her way to make the kids feel comfortable!



need more..

Yeah...I'm not sure what was up with the princesses. Belle was super sweet...but the photographers kind of rushed us through the line to get our picture(s) and move on to be seated for lunch. Aurora was just EH! Ariel was SPECTACULAR and super sweet. Cinderella was very sweet but didn't spend much time. Snow White was very chatty, asked Caden if he would slay dragons for her and be her prince. She also talked to Wayne a little because he was wearing a Grumpy shirt.

Cute pics! We can't wait to meet the princesses! I'm sure my DH will be on overload by the end What am I talking about- he already is (which is why I am newly obsessed with this forum!

Welcome aboard! I love new readers and DISboard newbies! Beware...we will corrupt you and convert you to the Dark Side. Haha...just kidding. I will say...it is VERY easy to get obsessed and never leave the DIS. Best pull up a chair, grab some coffee and popcorn and get settled! You will be here often!

Meeting the princesses was super fun. I hope when I take Caden back again that he will want to meet with them again. I will be curious to see how he reacts when he is older!

 

[Pixiedust530]

I know Mo is getting antsy for more pics...so here they are:

Caden and Cinderella...he told me that she was really pretty! You think perhaps he was a little smitten?


Caden and Snow White...he liked her a lot too.


I might have already shared this pic (I'm too lazy to go back and look). Since Wayne was wearing his Grumpy shirt he wanted his picture with Snow White too!

 

[sweetpeaandevie]

very cute I love that smile!

 

[DMGeurts]

LOL - he is so adorable!!! I love his smile!

D~

 

[Pixiedust530]

very cute I love that smile!

LOL - he is so adorable!!! I love his smile!

D~

Thank you! Caden is definitely a ham for the camera. However, I think these pictures definitely captured a genuine feeling at just that moment.

 

[solana131]

Oh my gosh...he really liked Cinderella, didn't he! So cute

 

[Pixiedust530]

Oh my gosh...he really liked Cinderella, didn't he! So cute

Yes...he was a tad bit smitten with her. It was so cute. I'm sure by the time I take him back he probably won't think it's so cool to meet princesses!

 

[Pixiedust530]

Time for another post about MUST Do's in the parks. Today I will focus on EPCOT...but mainly just the rides and attractions (maybe mention a show or 2). I will do a separate post about the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival!

From my 2006 trip. I know most people didn't like this look for the golf ball...but there's something about it that I love!


A more traditional picture (from my 2011 trip). I just realized while going through my pics from 2011 that we really didn't get a great picture of the golf ball. I think it's because we had a DISmeet first thing that morning in EPCOT and we all headed straight to Soarin' to ride! I guess I need to add "getting a good photo of the golf ball" to the list of must do's!


As I mentioned previously, since this is an adult only trip our must do list looks a little different. Wayne and I go to spend some time in EPCOT just the 2 of us back in 2011 but it was mostly spent taking pictures. I think we'll have to make a little better use of our tie to get our must do list accomplished.

Without further adieux...here's the list of non-negotiable must do's and the "If we have time" list.
MUST DO
Test Track
Soarin'
Mission: SPACE
Living With the Land **
GranFiesta Tour **
Spaceship Earth
JAMMitors
Coca-Cola Club Cool ** (trick Wayne into drinking Beverly)
Explore INSIDE the countries (maybe catch a film or something)
World Showcase Wine Walk
Food & Wine Festival Booths (NOMS)
IllumiNations *

"If we have time..."
Sum of All Thrills
Ellen's Energy Adventure **
EPCOT Character Spot
The Seas with NEMO & Friends

* - Wayne has never ridden
** - Neither Wayne nor I have ridden (or I was too little to remember)


I definitely think that our EPCOT list is doable. We have 1 rope drop morning and at least 1 other late afternoon/evening planned at EPCOT...so I definitely think we can fit it all in. I really hope that we have enough time to devote in all the countries. We will probably spend less time taking pics and more time just exploring and having fun.

Some of you might be wondering about the Wine Walk mentioned above. Here's the scoop...I read about the World Showcase Wine Walk here on the DIS. From what I read, it's $20 per person for 6 tastings. It includes 2 tastings each in Germany, Italy and France, and you can begin and end in whichever of the 3 countries you like. HERE is a link to the Disney Food Blog and the details. Sounds like fun, huh?

I could use a little help with IllumiNations! We didn't see it in 2011. We had every intention, but we got out of dinner late and my family wasn't very cooperative with me in trying to locate a good viewing spot. Everyone was tired so we decided to leave...as we were walking through Future World to the exit the skies opened up and we made a mad dash to the car. Thankfully we weren't stuck on the other side of the lagoon...we would have been soaked! SO...I need help with a viewing spot. What are your favorite spots to watch? I would rather not have to camp out for over an hour for my spot...perhaps somewhere I can grap 30-45 minutes before the show?!? I definitely want to have a good (mostly unobstructed) view of the lagoon. Am I asking for too much here? Wayne has never seen IllumiNations and I really want him to be able to experience all the components of the show

I will leave you with a few pics from our 2011 trip in EPCOT.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I have heard of the wine walk as well, but when we went during F&W there was just no way we would have done that too...too many great drinks at the booths to try!

Illuminations is fantastic from almost anywhere, I have yet to see it from Norway/Mexico area, I think that would be a good spot. You shouldn't have to get a spot and wait with just 2 people in October. It isn't as hard to find good viewing like Wishes is.

The list looks good! Rey & I spent most of our time at Epcot during our trip, it was great to explore all the countries as well as eating around the booths!

 

[IowaTater]

We're not big wine drinkers but the Wine Walk sounds like fun! I know we're planning on eating around the world with the F&W (or at least as much as our bellies can contain!).

I've been on Gran Fiesta and I really enjoyed it. It's a great, slow paced ride that's perfect for a break from the heat.

Your plans look great! I know Epcot gets a bad rap sometimes but I think it's an amazing park. Maybe because, to me, it's seems much more leisurely.

 

[Pixiedust530]

I have heard of the wine walk as well, but when we went during F&W there was just no way we would have done that too...too many great drinks at the booths to try!

Illuminations is fantastic from almost anywhere, I have yet to see it from Norway/Mexico area, I think that would be a good spot. You shouldn't have to get a spot and wait with just 2 people in October. It isn't as hard to find good viewing like Wishes is.

The list looks good! Rey & I spent most of our time at Epcot during our trip, it was great to explore all the countries as well as eating around the booths!

I debated on doing the wine walk during Food & Wine, but honestly, I devote more of my time and money to all the yummy food at the festival. We will have one afternoon devoted specifically to the Food & Wine Festival but will also be back in the World Showcase on a separate evening for dinner at Via Napoli and IllumiNations. Now that I think about it, we might do the Wine Walk before dinner that night!

On our last trip we finished dinner in Japan and began heading in the direction of Canada. It seemed very crowded and I didn't notice a lot of viewing areas. This time we will be dining in Italy, so I think when we finish dinner we will head in the direction of Mexico and find a good viewing spot wherever we can.

We're not big wine drinkers but the Wine Walk sounds like fun! I know we're planning on eating around the world with the F&W (or at least as much as our bellies can contain!).

I've been on Gran Fiesta and I really enjoyed it. It's a great, slow paced ride that's perfect for a break from the heat.

Your plans look great! I know Epcot gets a bad rap sometimes but I think it's an amazing park. Maybe because, to me, it's seems much more leisurely.

Wayne used to HATE wine. We have several local wineries that have offered Groupon and Living Social coupons for wine tastings. We have made it an outing we do with our BFFs and Wayne has found that there are quite a few wines that he likes.

Glad to hear good things about Gran Fiesta. I think it looks cute, and as you mentioned...a great way to beat the heat!

I hated EPCOT as a kid (mostly because there wasn't much to "ride") but now it's one of my favorite parks. We spent a lot of time there in 2011 so I am scaling back just a little. It is definitely nice to leisurely stroll through the World Showcase!

 

[Pixiedust530]

Today is a great day to dance...
DOUBLE DIGIT DANCE!



After all that dancing and excitement, sometimes I just have to remind myself that the trip isn't here YET!! Sometimes you just have to keep calm...

​

 

[DMGeurts]

Hahaha!!! Love it! Congrats on double digits!

D~

 

[Chicago Mo]

Leaving the pictures BIG...

From my 2006 trip. I know most people didn't like this look for the golf ball...but there's something about it that I love!

I think this is cute! gives the golf ball SOME pep!

A more traditional picture (from my 2011 trip).

See boring!

Without further adieux...here's the list of non-negotiable must do's and the "If we have time" list.

What about that ride in Norway? Malestorm?

I will leave you with a few pics from our 2011 trip in EPCOT.

Beautiful!!!

Do you have any idea how hard it is to quote a picture when you can't see the picture???

Love this! I have one of the munchkins in there too! awesome photo op!

This is a riot!

WHAT exactly is this? We had a conversation with a CM there last time i still say it's a spider.

 

[IowaTater]

YahoooO!!! Double digit dance for you!!

It's so exciting!

P.S. I second someone else's suggestion about Maelstrom. I like it for the same reason I like Gran Fiesta.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

WooHOOOO for the double digit dance! I got to do that dance Friday! My dance is a little different since our trip involves different places this time...but still, how can you NOT get excited, right!?!!!!

Doing F&WF with my hubby is on my bucket list...I WILL do it someday. Can't wait to see the pics of you and yours doing it. And what a great preview picture with the Guiness guzzling Hubby!

 

[Pixiedust530]

Leaving the pictures BIG...

I have no clue how to make them smaller when quoting...so mine are always big...LOL

I think this is cute! gives the golf ball SOME pep!

Me too. Love it!

See boring!

Exactly...but I would like to re-do that shot and get the reflection on the water!

What about that ride in Norway? Malestorm?

We did Maelstrom on our last trip. It's just an ok for me, but if we find ourselves needing an escape from the heat we might just do it again.


Beautiful!!!

I LOVE Soarin'!

Do you have any idea how hard it is to quote a picture when you can't see the picture???

Haha...well...it's from Mission: Space...if that helps any.

Love this! I have one of the munchkins in there too! awesome photo op!

I need to get one of Wayne in there so we have matching pics...would be cute to frame them that way!

This is a riot!

We had fun trying on hats in the various World Showcase shops. This was perfect since he was drinking Guinness at the time!

WHAT exactly is this? We had a conversation with a CM there last time i still say it's a spider.

It is a Fleur De Lis


I am from Louisville, KY and the Fleur De Lis is part of our official seal. taken from the louisvilleky.gov website: the fleur-de-lis represents French aid given during the Revolutionary War. I would actually LOVE to have a Fleur De Lis as a tattoo. I also have a Fleur De Lis painting that I did hanging on the wall in my living room. I will take a pic and try to post it later.

ETA: Here is the canvas hanging in my living room that I painted!

YahoooO!!! Double digit dance for you!!

It's so exciting!

P.S. I second someone else's suggestion about Maelstrom. I like it for the same reason I like Gran Fiesta.

As mentioned above...I don't necessarily love nor do I dislike Maelstrom. If we happen to need a break from the heat or just have time we might jump on.

WooHOOOO for the double digit dance! I got to do that dance Friday! My dance is a little different since our trip involves different places this time...but still, how can you NOT get excited, right!?!!!!

Doing F&WF with my hubby is on my bucket list...I WILL do it someday. Can't wait to see the pics of you and yours doing it. And what a great preview picture with the Guiness guzzling Hubby!

YEY for double-digit dancing for you too! Sometimes the "different" trips produce some of the best memories!

F&WF was great in 2011 but it was the whole family (including a 4YO Caden). So it was MUCH more food than it was wine! This time it will probably be a better balance of both! I'm looking forward to it. Yes...Wayne sure loves his Guinness!

 

[Chicago Mo]

I am from Louisville, KY and the Fleur De Lis is part of our official seal. taken from the louisvilleky.gov website: the fleur-de-lis represents French aid given during the Revolutionary War. I would actually LOVE to have a Fleur De Lis as a tattoo. I also have a Fleur De Lis painting that I did hanging on the wall in my living room. I will take a pic and try to post it later.

ETA: Here is the canvas hanging in my living room that I painted!

I'm probably one of few people who actually do know what the fleur-de-lis is! Your Painting is beautiful!!!! Didn't know you you painted! this is amazing!!!!!
I was thinking your picture was this:
I see a spider...

As mentioned above...I don't necessarily love nor do I dislike Maelstrom. If we happen to need a break from the heat or just have time we might jump on.[/COLOR]

Agreed it's not the best ride. Yet we do it every time we giggle..

F&WF was great in 2011 but it was the whole family (including a 4YO Caden). So it was MUCH more food than it was wine! This time it will probably be a better balance of both! I'm looking forward to it. Yes...Wayne sure loves his Guinness!

Yum.. we did it in 2011!!!!! Agreed lots of food. we found the drinks.. I still remember the soup.. and some chocolate thing. other then that.. Nope. I remember the drinks.