4 Parks in 3 Days!! EPCOT w/F&W & MK w/MNSSHP~1880 pics so far! DHS almost complete!

[DisneyStitch626]

No apologies necessary Laurie! We are known for over-apologizing though. And I have noticed that I do it sometimes too! Must just be a Canadian thing! Lol. If you liked the Canadian Pavillion to need to visit British Columbia if you ever get the chance to come to Canada. Vancouver and Victoria have some beautiful gardens that those were modeled after, as well as the beautiful mountains (those are in Alberta too, though!).

Loved all your photos! Love the one of you hugging Mickey. So cute! Derek and Megan looked bored on Test Track, lol. Wish I could have ridden that one, but it was closed for refurb when we were there.

We really enjoyed Illuminations too. Such a nice show.

 

[DizNee Luver]

No apologies necessary Laurie! We are known for over-apologizing though. And I have noticed that I do it sometimes too! Must just be a Canadian thing! Lol. If you liked the Canadian Pavillion to need to visit British Columbia if you ever get the chance to come to Canada. Vancouver and Victoria have some beautiful gardens that those were modeled after, as well as the beautiful mountains (those are in Alberta too, though!).

Loved all your photos! Love the one of you hugging Mickey. So cute! Derek and Megan looked bored on Test Track, lol. Wish I could have ridden that one, but it was closed for refurb when we were there.

We really enjoyed Illuminations too. Such a nice show.

LOL.....it really isn't a bad thing for being overly nice & apologetic!! I wish American's would pick up on that a bit. We've become very "entitled" and it totally disgusts me!

I'd love to visit Victoria......it's on my bucket list! It would be the only other country I would be willing to go to.

Derek isn't thrilled with the remodel on Test Track.....he's not a fan of "TRON" either and that's what it reminded him of.

 

[maryr1oz]

Great report Laurie, looking forward to reading about Day 2!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Great report Laurie, looking forward to reading about Day 2!

Thank you....I should be starting it tomorrow!!

 

[Trentmom]

You hit the jackpot with the character spot

I am shocked you made it on mission space . I have never been on it . Too afraid . Too small for me lol

Great shots of illuminations .

Love all photo pass pics

Can't wait hear about day 2

 

[DizNee Luver]

You hit the jackpot with the character spot

I am shocked you made it on mission space . I have never been on it . Too afraid . Too small for me lol

Great shots of illuminations .

Love all photo pass pics

Can't wait hear about day 2

I know....I couldn't believe we walked right in!!

Well.....if I had know we were going to be closed in like that....I probably wouldn't have done it. Derek said it was like doing Star Tours.....so I guess I figured it was in a more open area. The take off was freaking me out....because of my fear of heights.....but once we got "in space" it was like Star Tours. I was glad to get out when it was done!

Mike did get some good pictures of IllumiNations....we're quite happy!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

What an absolutely fabulous EPCOT day! You sure did a lot...I love EPCOT and especially WS, strolling through the countries. Canada is beautiful ...every time I go (since it opened in '82) I come away with a different country favorite. UK often tops the list I have visited England a few times and just love it there...well, have visited Canada too...and Italy and Germany...maybe that is why each visit I love them all!

It is amazing how much can be done on a 4 ngt, 3 day visit - I've done the same several times, especially the years I had an AP and lived in Boston, where flight cost was quite reasonable. It was just TOO easy to go down and meet a friend for a long weekend with an AP!

LOVE all the pics!!!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

What an absolutely fabulous EPCOT day! You sure did a lot...I love EPCOT and especially WS, strolling through the countries. Canada is beautiful ...every time I go (since it opened in '82) I come away with a different country favorite. UK often tops the list I have visited England a few times and just love it there...well, have visited Canada too...and Italy and Germany...maybe that is why each visit I love them all!

It is amazing how much can be done on a 4 ngt, 3 day visit - I've done the same several times, especially the years I had an AP and lived in Boston, where flight cost was quite reasonable. It was just TOO easy to go down and meet a friend for a long weekend with an AP!

LOVE all the pics!!!!

It really was a great day......my favorite day for sure!! I couldn't believe how much we got done! We were picky when we went thru the World Showcase so we could get thru it....but if I had known, we would have extra time (which we did).....I would have stopped to see the films in France & China. We ended up filling our time back in Future World with things like the Figment ride & Circle of Life. But I'm not sorry for any of our choices that day. Very MEMORABLE!!

I'd love to have the opportunity to go back.....but I'd want more time. I do feel like we rushed thru the other parks. They were also busier making it harder to tour like we had at EPCOT.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I was hoping to bring you some new updates today but realized my very first post contains some pictures that Mike needs to fix. His camera setting got bumped and he has about 10 pictures that are over exposed. He takes pictures in raw form so when things like this happens...he can go in and make the required adjustments.....but I'm stuck until he can do that. Hopefully he can do that this afternoon.....that way I can get moving on our Magic Kingdom day over the weekend!

 

[DizNee Luver]

After an amazing first day at EPCOT, we were ready to tackle our Magic Kingdom day. We were tired and decided not to attempt rope drop. We caught the bus from our resort to MK about 9am. Here's the MK sign from the bus.



Mike also got a picture of the Contemporary while on the bus.



We get dropped off & head to the security bag checks......woof....so many people!



We let Mike go ahead since I took the backpack & he headed in to get pictures of the entry.











The tunnel that leads to Main Street and a look at Main Street. (the next 6 pictures, Mike's camera settings got bumped and this was after fixing the over exposure....so not the greatest but still wanted to share)













More from Main Street.





Pumpkin figures.







Let me take this moment to share our thoughts when we stepped thru the tunnel. Holy cow.....what a lot of people! It was hard to see things that are ground level. All we saw were bodies.....everywhere. It didn't give me the butterfly feeling I get when we go to Disneyland. Some of it looked familiar but something was missing.........

 

[DizNee Luver]

The Horse Drawn Trolley.





More Main Street.





Our first glimpse of Cinderella's Castle.



More Main Street.









Cinderella's Castle.





More Main Street.







Cinderella's Castle.



Here we are with the castle in the background.





More as we made our way down Main Street.





The beautiful castle.

 

[DizNee Luver]

We moved over to the Partner's Statue and had our picture taken.





More Cinderella's castle.











Unlike at Disneyland, you aren't able to walk thru the castle.

From the side of the castle.









These are from Liberty Square that we were entering from the left side of the castle.









We headed towards the back side of the castle & Fantasyland.

 

[yupikgal]

Although I am really enjoying your pictures and trip report, and I am excited to go back to WDW, but I am so fond of DL, I am scared that I will be sad for my beloved DL!

I guess the long planning time that I'll have to get everything "just right" will help, right? Since there would be 5 of us (adults) I am trying to figure out whether we will have two separate rooms in a value resort, or stay at AofA, but I'm also going to look into renting a villa if we went in the off season (January or February)

 

[DizNee Luver]

Although I am really enjoying your pictures and trip report, and I am excited to go back to WDW, but I am so fond of DL, I am scared that I will be sad for my beloved DL!

I guess the long planning time that I'll have to get everything "just right" will help, right? Since there would be 5 of us (adults) I am trying to figure out whether we will have two separate rooms in a value resort, or stay at AofA, but I'm also going to look into renting a villa if we went in the off season (January or February)

Just go into MK knowing that it is its own park. Different than Disneyland but some similarities. I like each for being different. I favor DL and always will. People that grow up at WDW probably feel the same about their MK.

I would not try to put 5 people in a value room.....that would be tight. 3 adults was plenty in those rooms.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Mike found this Cinderella Statue behind the castle.



A few shots of Fantasyland.











Mike wandered a little further and found this musical group by the carrousel. I have no idea what was going on but love the gal's expression!!





Another shot of the back of the castle.



While Mike was taking pictures, I was checking us in for our 10:10am breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table. After checking in, you get in line & wait to be escorted inside.





In the outside lobby area are these mosaics on the wall.







Even the pillars had touches of Cinderella's story.





Details everywhere.



The large light in the outside lobby.



The menu board.



Above the door where you go in.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Once you're invited inside, you continue to stand in line and these were on the wall as we waited to turn the corner to see Cinderella.









We finally made it inside the same room as Cinderella.





Stained glass window.





More details in the room.







Cinderella.....My Favorite Princess!!!!



You have your picture taken for the portrait package you get during your meal. (I'll have those pics at the end of our MK day) Once you've had your picture taken, you are then sent up the spiral staircase to the restaurant. This stained glass Cinderella was about half way up.





Taking a look back down the stairs.



We finally made it inside the restaurant!!







When you get to the top of the stairs, you wait until someone comes & seats you. We unfortunately didn't get a window seat.....but we were still INSIDE the castle!! We were seated at an outside table in the lower level. Mike & I actually got to watch when the princesses came out.

 

[DizNee Luver]

This was the place setting at our table.



The breakfast menu.





Derek picked the Caramel Apple Stuffed French Toast with Bacon.



Mike chose the Steak & Eggs while I chose the Lobster & Crab Crepe.



More inside the restaurant.









The CM Wait Staff costumes.



After placing your order and receiving your drinks, your wait person brings out a plate of pastries.



The high chair backs had Mickey heads......awwwww



While we were enjoying our pastries, we heard an announcement that Ariel would be arriving. (We missed catching Snow White & Aurora coming out)



Then Jasmine's announcement.



The first princess to make it to our table was Snow White. She was very nice & actually talked with us for a bit. She was telling me a secret in this picture....just don't recall what it was....lol

 

[DizNee Luver]

Aurora was next to our table and she was also quite nice.





Our breakfast came out~~Derek's Caramel Apple Stuffed French Toast. He said it was good......the bacon is "Disney bacon".....super thin & no flavor.....lol. Mike tasted his dish and said the consistency would have gagged me. Maybe bread pudding like.



Mike had the Steak & Eggs and said the amount of chipotle they used totally ruined the entire dish. I told him he could send it back & ask the chipotle be left off but he didn't. He did ask for just a plate of eggs.



I had the Lobster & Crab Crepes. Oh my.......so delicious!! I love seafood, but then add on the egg & hollandaise & you have a hit!!



Ariel arrived at our table and she was a lot of fun. Very chatty and going on & on.





After talking for a bit.....she looked down & realized what my breakfast was. I got scolded for eating her friends.....lol



......but she forgave me!!



She made Mike get in a picture with her.



And then Derek. Don't they make a cute couple??





Jasmine was next. What is it about the gals that play this character?? They are never very talkative or overly friendly. I got this picture before she moved on.



As we finished our breakfast, our portrait package was delivered to our table.

This meal ran $159.86 for the three of us and included the tax & tip. This meal also includes the portrait package and a magic wand or swords for the young at heart in your party. We decided to pay out of pocket for this meal and save our dining credits. If you use the dining plan, this meal will run you 2 credits.

One more picture looking out the windows.



On the stairway heading back down. (there is only the one staircase, and you exit the same way you came in). There is an elevator available for those needing one.





The pretty glittery pumpkin in the downstairs meet-n-greet area.



I loved this meal for a lot of reasons~~LOVED the location.....being inside the castle was a special experience, the character interaction was very good (except for Jasmine.....but Ariel more than made up for it), the service was very good.....our server kept us in drinks and any requests we had and the food was really good. Even Mike enjoyed his meal....he just wish they had gone lightly with the chipotle. It was spendy but a must at least once if you can swing it.

 

[Trentmom]

Mike got so many good shots of the castle. Kudos to him

His inside pics were just as good. I never noticed so many of details that he capture. I guess I should be more observant

You got a good Aurora. I have never seen one that didnt look drunk

Snow White and Ariel were adorable. I have noticed the same thing about Jasmine, never very friendly. Very blah

 

[DizNee Luver]

Mike got so many good shots of the castle. Kudos to him

His inside pics were just as good. I never noticed so many of details that he capture. I guess I should be more observant

You got a good Aurora. I have never seen one that didnt look drunk

Snow White and Ariel were adorable. I have noticed the same thing about Jasmine, never very friendly. Very blah

I took about half of the outside pics of the castle....even my point & shoot does well!!

He's getting better about picking up on the smaller details, since those are the ones I tend to zoom in on.....this time he found some on his own. I know I pointed to things for him to take pics of this trip....."oh, take that".....lol

I thought this Aurora was pretty....usually they are a little more homely.....I'm not sure I'd say drunk looking though.......

I don't get the Jasmine thing........I think over the last 8 years, we've had one nice one. Not that they're mean.....just short on time and they don't tend to chat it up with you.