It’s Bird again!! I’m recently back from my trip to Walt Disney World! What a wonderful time we had, too! I have so much to tell you all, and not enough time to get it all out yet, lol!! It’s all coming soon though, I promise!
As you all know, we focused on Epcot here at Disney Guru last month, and what an amazing month it was! I don’t know about you all, but I learned quite a bit. Kudos to Kelly for such a wonderful series! Having only been back a week now, I thought I’d just follow up on my post from last month– let you all know what I marked off my list, and what, unfortunately, I was not able to accomplish. Here goes…
In Future World:
• Spaceship Earth – Accomplished! Twice!!
The group of us rode through once, and later when Bug and I were there for a late night, she begged me to ride it again! She enjoyed that history lesson, but she especially liked the interactive bit at the end.
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends – Accomplished!
This was a big hit with the kids (the grown ups, too!)
• Turtle Talk with Crush – Missed!
Unfortunately, when we came out of The Seas with Nemo we had to go straight over to Coral Reef Restaurant for our ADR and when we came out everyone was in a hurry to head over to the World Showcase. I was very disappointed we never made it back over there…
• Coral Reef Restaurant – Accomplished!
We dined here for lunch on my anniversary. There were some ups and downs… Check out DisneyBird in the coming weeks for the review.
• Club Cool near Innoventions – Accomplished!
Unfortunately I was only able to get Bug in here, and we were in a hurry so we didn’t get to go through all the flavors. I had her taste two and then hit her with “Beverly” Bwahahaha! Am I cruel or what?!
• Test Track – Accomplished!
Once the others left for the day Bug went over and stood in line for this one (I believe it was one of the longest lines we stood in at just over 30 minutes) She LOVED it!!
In World Showcase:
• All of the World Showcase pavilions (that should go without saying), especially Germany – Accomplished… sort of…
For whatever reason it seemed as though we just flew right through the World Showcase. I don’t know if the others were rushing through since it was so hot or what, but it seems like after we spent some time in the UK we were on a race to get through the rest. I felt like I was two countries behind the group at all times… I would definitely have loved a whole ‘nother day to have really been able to take my time through here…
• Impressions de France show – Missed!
• Bijutsu-Kan Gallery in Japan – Missed!
• The Pearl Experience in Japan – Accomplished!!
Bug and I had so much fun picking our oysters and being part of the ceremony! And I couldn’t resist getting us both settings. It was really neat to see them turn the pearls into beautiful pieces of jewelry! I’ve already worn my necklace this week!
• Paper Fans in Japan – Accomplished!
Grandma M, Grandma B (my mother-in-law), Cousin A, and Bug all got fans with their names on them. Grandma B even got a few extras for the ladies she works with. Excellent souvenirs for those that you want to bring something a little more “sophisticated”…
• American Heritage Gallery – Missed!
• La Bottega Italiana in Italy – Accomplished!
I loved the masks! OMG! How beautiful!!
• Der Teddybear in Germany (German toy shop) – Accomplished!
No purchases though 🙁
• Kunstarbeit in Kristall in Germany featuring glassware – Accomplished!
Talk about some beautiful pieces! OMG! The Cinderella Castle in there is gorgeous!!
• Sussigkeiten in Germany (German confections) – Missed!
Well, not missed so much as just too full to get anything…
• Volkskunst in Germany – Missed!
I just didn’t get to spend near enough time in Germany!
• Weinkeller in Germany – Missed!
• Die Weihnachts Ecke in Germany – Accomplished!
• Sommerfest in Germany – Missed!
Again, too full!
• Reflections of China show – Missed!
• The Chinese acrobats, street performers – Missed!
• House of Whispering Willows, an exhibit of ancient Chinese art – Missed!
We missed a lot in China, but we did get some special Disney Magic… not quite ready to share it just yet… I’ll be sure to let you know soon 😉
• Mexico’s frozen drink stand – Accomplished!
I got a yummy frozen lime margarita from the margarita stand in Mexico, and boy, was it dee-lish! Perfect to quench the thirst on a hot, hot day!! Mother of the year moment here, I even got Bug to snap a photo of my in the sombrero like Boo’s ’08 pic. He quickly told me his was better though when we went through the photos the other night, lol! (I think he’s just jealous he wasn’t there to have one!)
We made it to all of the KidCot fun stops!! Woohoo! That was quite a feat! I think that may be what kept me from keeping up with everyone. Bug and I would head straight for the KidCot while everyone else looked around. Once we were done and ready to check things out, they’d be ready to move on…
The craft at the KidCot stations was a Duffy fan on a stick. The kids were to get a stamp from each country on the fan handle and color a section of the fan. We also had another task at each station which I’ll be sharing with you soon (it was my favorite part!!). Though Bubby didn’t get all his stamps, or want to color his fan, he did carry it everywhere for two days. He used it for everything but a fan- a guitar, a broom, a gun, a sword, etc. In fact, at Chef Mickey’s the next day he somehow ripped a piece off and was quite distraught about it. The waitress kindly took it and stapled it back together!
As for IllumiNations, I had no idea it was such a short presentation! Bug and I were in line for Test Track in what I thought was plenty of time to ride, get out, and get a good spot to view. Clearly, I was wrong! I think the wait ended up being longer than was advertised, and when we were getting on the ride at 9:03pm, I thought we’d be able to get off and catch the end… Nope, when we made it out at 9:10pm they had the route over to the pavilions blocked off, and I didn’t see any action over that way. By the time we made it to the gift shop they herded us to, I asked about it and they said it was over! I was so disappointed!
Oh, and Soarin’! Alas, I didn’t make it this trip either… When the whole group was there we tried to make it over there after the World Showcase speed tour, but the wait was an hour and no one wanted to wait that long. So they all did The Lands while Bubby and I went in search of a cold beverage and called Daddy. A few of the group did go back bright and early the next morning just to do Soarin’ before our Chef Mickey’s ADR. They loved it!
While it seems we got a lot done, I feel like I missed so much!! I guess that’s where I say, there’s always next time!!
See ya soon!
Bird
Please feel free to come see me at DisneyBird in the coming days and weeks to see more in depth reviews of these attractions and activities.
6 Comments.
Ohhh! You’re making me so ‘homesick’ for WDW right now! So happy you had a fantastic trip; looking forward to reading more about it!
Oh, I know what you mean! Writing it made me ‘homesick’ and I just got back!
Kathy that you so much for topping by today!! Glad you enjoyed!! :0)
Busy, busy, busy! You really did get a lot done. When I first read your list, I thought there was no way you could do all that in a day. You’ll just have to go back!
We are using 3 park days to do EPCOT this trip. I just love that place!!
You’re exactly right, Lucinda! I’ll just have to go back!! 🙂 Good plan by the way! I’d loved to have had that much time for Epcot!
I think I am going to plan a few more full days at Epcot as well now that I think of it!! Thanks a ton Lucinda for the suggestion.