[gcbdad]

Cast of Characters

Myself
DW
DD8 - Grace
DD6 - Claire
DS6 - Ben
DD1 - Susannah
DMIL
DMILBF

We got up early and had a quick breakfast then loaded up the van. I had packed all of our necessities the night before so all we had to do was eat and get dressed. We were on the road by 8:15 and off towards EPCOT for our 12th Anniversary and the Flower and Garden Festival. Traffic wasn't bad and we pulled into the parking lot around 9:10. As we got out of the van we noticed that it was a little chilly but we just walked on. Of course all of us were in shorts planning on a nice sunny day. The weather was beautiful but a little chilly. Anyway we were close enough to walk to the gates. The lines were pretty short so we got in line to get our fanny packs, back pack and cooler of water checked. We always bring a soft sided cooler with us when we come with the stroller. We picked up the Flower and Garden brouchers and immediately noticed that the hedges in the courtyard were sculptured like the fab five; Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy and Donald. So we decided to get a family photo. I love the new PhotoPass system. It makes up for those of us who aren't the best shot takers. Anyway after a quick pit stop we lathered up with our sunscreen. We were supposed to meet up with DMIL & DMILBF at 10:00 and after checking our watches we saw that we had 30 minutes. So we decided to go on Spaceship Earth.
We actually went through the ride without breaking down at least once. We got off then ride then went to pick up our stroller and noticed the Character Caravan was just pulling into the front courtyard. Since we were waiting anyway we headed up front and saw a few characters. The lines were long so we got in a few shorter ones. We went up to Robin Hood and Fryer Tuck and I let Susannah go to see them. She was really excited then as she got close she got scared and ran back to me. I got a picture with Grace and them instead. Then we went over and saw that Gepetto was available so DW carried Susannah up and she seemed to like him. We checked our watches and it was 10:20 and no DMIL. So we decided to go on and she could call us when they arrived. We were heading toward Ice Station Cool and I said we should check the Pin Trading Post for the event pins. We looked around and they only had the Passholder pin, Snow White & the 7 Dwarfs, but we didn't really want it.
We then went to Ice Station Cool and just before we went in my cell phone rang. I waited and met DMIL and DMILBF by the fountain while the rest of the gang went into Ice Station Cool. We all went in and everyone said their hellos. We had a few drinks and headed out. DW checked the brochure and saw that there was "Minnie's Magnificent Butterfly Garden" so I asked for directions and we headed out. It is located over behind MouseWorks. It was amazing and the kids loved the butterflies. We have a small butterfly garden in front of our house and have some cocoons in an aquarium in the back so this was old news to my kids. Just outside of the garden was a play area set up with a bunch of ropes like a couple of spider webs. The 3 older kids went to check it out and Susannah and I carefully took a look. We played for about 15 - 20 minutes then we decided to head for Soarin'. The best way to get back out of the area was to walk through MouseWorks. We normally don't hang out in the stores but this was pretty cool. They have a smaller version of the Mr./Mrs. Potato head station so the kids made one each. We decided not to buy them and headed out. We walked over to the Land area walking past an orchestra of kids from a Portland school. We knew that Susannah couldn't ride this attraction so DMILBF decided to wait outside with Claire and Susannah. The Land pavilion is boarded off with an small entrance and an exit. We walked up to the entrance and they were checking to make sure that everyone was a passholder or a guest of a passholder. As you go through you walk into the Land Pavilion then go down the escalator then into the entrance which is where the old Food Rocks attraction was located. There is a height check for kids under 40". You walk through an area with some beautiful pictures of landmarks and some trivia. Then you are sent to concourse 1 or 2. We went to concourse one. Then you go down another hallway and put into your rows. There are sections with 3 rows of 10 riders. You see a little movie on the overhead Plasma screens describing the safety procedures. The host is the guy who voiced Kronk. He was also on Seinfeld. I don't remember his name. We were in row 2. The door opens and they let in the rows one at a time and you go to your seat. There is a seat belt with an optional loop on the seat for kids to be more secure. Now Ben was a little leery because he doesn't like the unknown and the dark. In front of the rows is a huge round screen. The ride starts and you are lifted up. Row one goes to the top with Row 2 in the middle and row 3 underneath. The movie starts and you fell like you are Soarin' over California. The seats go up and down and turn a little to give you the feeling that you are actually hang gliding. They add smells as you travel to make you think you are actually in a pine forest or over an Orange Grove. It ends with you going over Disneyland and watching the fireworks show. It was amazing. DW and DMIL say it is now their favorite attraction. Even Ben liked it. We headed off and walked through the exits and met up with the others.
We then headed over to Journey Into Imagination to see Figment. Susannah really loved this and couldn't stop screaming when she saw Figment. She screams when she is excited. It is really cute, but loud. We walked through the "What if Labs" and took a few pictures. I have an email of Claire as a flower and Ben as a Chimp but I am looking for the picture of Grace and myself. I took the picture with her but she edited it and DW sent it home I think. If I find it I will add it to the post.
We walked out and then decided it was time for lunch. We weren't real sure where to eat so we decided to walked towards Canada and then decide where to eat.
On the way we stopped at Farmer Mickey's Maze. There were allot of vegetables and some play areas for little kids (2-5). There was a little craft area next door where the kids made Tooth Brush Holders. We walked on through the rose garden and I must say that the roses and all of the flowers were breathtaking. We walked up to Canada and there was a display in front with hedges of Bambi, Thumper and Flower. Again amazing. We talked it over and decided to go to Morocco for lunch. Susannah had fallen asleep, so we strolled on our way. On the way we noticed that the crowds were picking up. We walked through Canada, then the UK and France and finally stopped in Morocco.
We ate lunch at the Tangierine Cafe counter service and found a nice table outside. The weather was great so sitting outside was nice. After lunch the kids decided to make a mask. Susannah woke up so DW fed her lunch while the older kids decorated.
With masks in hand we were off and stopped in Japan to color the mask. I waited with the kids while the other adults went into the huge store next door. We met up and were soon off again.
We stopped at the American Adventure for a pit stop then decided to see the show. We had never stopped to see this before so we weren't sure what to expect. We came into a big hall and had to wait. While we waited they had two singing group, America Vybe and the Voices of Liberty, to keep the audience entertained. American Vybe which is a younger group with an almost a capella group with only a standup Bass player. They were very good. During one of the songs a girl came up to Ben and his face went beet red and he covered his face. Everyone thought this was hilarious. What a lady killer. Then when they were through the Voices of Liberty came to sing. They were an a capella group and sang beautifully and wouldn't you know it there was a song by one of the women who came over to, you guessed it, Ben, and again he got beet red and hid. Again, the crowd laughed. I told Ben that he better get used to it. It is a curse that the men in our family have had to deal with. Yeah, I wish. Anyway we went in to see the show and I thought it was very good. I love the shows with Audio-Animatronics. The show was over then we headed to Italy where the girls got their masks stamped. Susannah took the moment to walk around and check out the fountain of Neptune/Poseidon. Then it was off to Germany again we stopped for the masks. We walked through the toy store and then headed towards China. As we walked up the Dragon Legend Acrobats were still performing. I don't think that we ever got to see the entire show . We always seem to walk up to the crowds then try to sneak a peek. The show was over quickly then we walked to Norway. We decided to let the older kids burn off some steam so we sat by the Viking ship and let them run around. DW, DMIL and her beau checked out the Church and I watched Susannah. When they came out we sat and rested and decided that we would try to get dinner in Norway I went to check on a seat and they told me they were booked up all night. So we talked it over and decided to go to the Boardwalk and see if we could get a bit to eat. We picked up the kids and started walking. We went through the back gate and there was no boat in sight so we decided to walk. Just as we hit the bridge we saw a boat coming. Oh well. We hit the boardwalk and were looking for a Seafood restaurant. We walked and walked and reached the end and scratched our heads. We looked back and DW went to check at the Big River Grille & Brewing Works. The man at desk said that there were two choices, The Flying Fish Cafe and Cape May Cafe. We decided to check the menu for the Flying Fish Cafe and thought it looked too pricey so we checked out Spoodles next door and decided to give it a try. It was very good. Everyone thought their choice was good and we topped it off with "make it yourself" sundae's. when we came out of the restaurant we felt a little chill in the air and decided to take the boat back to the EPCOT gate. We were soon off and back through the gate. It was around 7:15 and we were all tired so we decided that we would head back It was getting a little chilly and after all the next day is Monday and the kids had school. We walked though the UK, and Canada and stopped at the entrance to the World Showcase to get one of the Event Pins. There were 2 single pins and a 3 pin set. One of the single pins has Tinkerbell on it. DW loves Tinkerbell, so that was the choice for us. We walked back through on one of the gardens and after a quick pit stop were out the gate. We said our goodbyes and were soon in the van and on the roads. The kids were bummed but hey, we are coming back to the MK on this Friday. We had a wonderful day. The weather was beautiful and we got to try one of newest favorite rides, Soarin'.
Of course what would be better than topping off this day with a traffic jam on I-4 on the way home. It wasn't too bad we were only delayed by 30 minutes. We got home around 9:30, washed up the kids and put them to bed. All in all a great day and a memorable anniversary.

I hope to add pictures later this week.

[Baloo85]

wow...sheesh, you think you got everything there...hehehe! liked the pic!! :)