An Animal Kingdom State of Being with Cam and Fam COMPLETED 9/18 - Page 129 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I think taking it slow with time to "smell the roses" as it were is a great tour plan! DH and I will probably be doing the same in November! And as always - you have great photos!
It's the best touring plan for us!
Quote:
Originally Posted by travismom
Love your pictures of China! I had never been inside to see the exhibits, so last October, my sister and I walked through with amazement! It was all so interesting. Your pictures brought back lots of memories!
Can't wait to see how you like Via Napoli!
I agree that is very interesting!
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhinohunter
Thanks for showing the inside of China. It seems we have always been moving tooooo fast and have never been inside. Must add this to the "have to" list for the next visit.
For the past several trips, we've really slowed down so can enjoy the deeper layers of each park.
WDW - August 1997 Off Property
WDW - January 2005 AKL
WDW - May 2006 Pop Century
WDW- november-dec 2007 pop century
WDW- dec/jan 2009/2010 pop century
WDW- oct/nov 2012 art of animation
WDW- sept 2013 port Orleans riverside
WDW- july 2015 beach club
More great photos! We just discovered the terra cotta warrior exhibit on a recent trip, and I was thrilled to run across it. Actually, if I remember right, we only discovered it because of Kim Possible!
Lovely photo of the ceiling! I took the same photo on our last trip, but was frustrated that I couldn't fit the entire thing in my camera frame, even after I laid down on the floor. Thankfully, it wasn't crowded. DH had wandered off somewhere, and he returned to find me on my back, on the floor, camera pointing up.
Can't wait to hear your thoughts on Via Napoli, as we have not yet had an opportunity to try it, but it is on our ADR list for December.
We may have to play the Kim Possible game sometime to see if it helps us to uncover more Epcot treasures.
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvnwdwgal
I always enjoy the China pavilion. It's one of my favorites. So much to see!
This pavilion is growing on me as we used to just watch the acrobats here, but we wander around it now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by langefamily4
DS loved the photos of lightning and mater...wonder if they will still be there next week????
I would be surprised if they were still there as they were first put up in April, I believe.
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I just love your China pictures. It's so nice to get a different perspective from another persons view. That's what I love about your family-you guys are all about stopping to smell the roses. Great trip report.
Betty
Up Next: Those are made of what? I didn’t get as far as thought in the last installment. Plus What do we think of Via Napoli?
June 15 Part 2
From China we ventured over to the African Outpost. As we entered the Outpost I remembered to check out the Coca Cola coolers mentioned in The Hidden Secrets book. Too funny! (Spoiler Alert: They are rigged to squirt water, but it was wonderful on this hot day.) Then I checked out the carvings of Andrew Mutiso, but did not buy any. Next I became fascinated by the recycled paper beads made by African women using old Epcot and other park maps. The profits are returned to the women to aid them in building better lives. So I purchased one of the bracelets in yellow. Such a wonderful idea and a beautiful end product!
From Africa we entered Germany walking first through the caramel shop, smelling all the yummy goodies. We then proceeded through all the German shops, though one section was closed off for refurbishing. It was the area where the cuckoo clocks were formerly sold.
At this point it began to sprinkle, and we all needed a potty break, so off to the restrooms in Germany. It was still sprinkling when we came out, so I donned my ball cap and we wandered over to the train layout, watching the trains briefly.
As it started to rain harder, we rushed to the Italian pavilion, specifically the perfume shop. We sampled a number of Bulgari perfumes/colognes for men and women, but did not purchase yet as we couldn’t decide. We roamed through the other shops, stopping to check out various wines at one point. Still no purchase though.
The rain was just a sprinkle again so we moved on to the American Adventure. I was thrilled to discover that the Voices of Liberty were just beginning to sing. I have never heard a full set before as for some reason we are usually come in during the last song. I was in awe. WOW! Every voice is incredible but yet a true and pure blending of each into one voice!
The last song had tears running down my cheeks! Even Luke and Stefanie were quite impressed, too.
I love the American Adventure show as it appeals to my love of history and animatronics. I am always teary-eyed by the end of it. I’m sure some of the patriotism can be over the top for foreigners, but it truly displays the love many of us Americans have for our country.
By now our Soarin’ FastPasses were nearly ripe, so we took a Friendship Boat from Germany to Mexico. By the time we’d walked from there to The Land, we were able to move into the line. We were boarded onto Concourse 1 about 15 minutes later and scored Row 1 seats (yeah, no feet!). Then we were off on a most enjoyable aerial view of California.
Now we needed to head back to Italy for our ADR at Via Napoli, so back to Mexico to catch the Friendship Boat back to Germany. There was a line forming outside the restaurant of folks who were hoping for walk up seating. We went right in though and about 5 minutes later we were shown to a seat in the main dining room.
Light fixture in the waiting area.
Our server was extremely fast and efficient, maybe too much so as she took our glasses while we still had Coke left and then returned with new ones and new straws. At least she was taking care of us. While we waited for our food to arrive, I acted like paparazzi, taking photos of the chefs.
I actually took all of these photos from our table as we had a superb location. So what about the food? For our appetizer, we chose the Arancini. Our entrée was the large Pepperoni Pizza, which earned three thumbs up from the Matthews. Dessert for Luke and me was Zeppoli with chocolate sauce. Extremely delicious! Stefanie had a chocolate dreamy sundae that she loved. Our entire meal cost us $40 less than any of the character meals and was way better. We will be returning as the pizza was scrumptious.
While still in Italy, we returned to purchase our perfume/cologne. The CM who had waited on us earlier, remembered us and thanked us for coming back. Luke got the Bulgari Aqua and I chose the Bulgari Omnia Crystalline.
She also through in some samples, too. Also in the picture is my recycled bead bracelet.
At dinner we had decided to finish our tour of the World Showcase and then call it a night. First up was Japan where we checked out the Art Exhibit and the stores. No purchases though.
Second, we wandered Morocco, touring the fashion exhibit and the shops. Then we were off to France where we quickly browsed the shops as rain looked imminent. In fact as we came out of the last shop, the lightning was flashing ominously and thunder was clattering. We booked it through England and Canada. I don’t really remember passing by each as we were focused on beating the storm. We had toured both earlier when we ate at Rose and Crown.
At the entrance to Future World, Luke picked Stef up as the crowd was worsening. I carried our purchase along with the camera, which I placed in the bag to keep dry. The crowd thinned out at Spaceship Earth, so he was able to put her back down safely. Back Note: I had forgotten to mention in my notes that way back with the first sprinkles, the temperature had dropped at least 15 degrees and remained quiet pleasant for the rest of the afternoon and evening. If it hadn’t it would have been difficult for Luke to carry an extra 47 pound that far. At some point I was actually a little chilly when the wind would pick up.
Now back to our story in progress. The rain was coming down a bit harder, but we walked to the left of Spaceship Earth under a covered sidewalk to the exit. When we passed through the gates, it was just sprinkling again, but there was also much more lightning. At the bus stop we waited about 20 – 25 minutes, but the bus arrived just as the wind and rain were picking back up, so good timing.
Stefanie and I got a seat right inside the door. She was on my lap along with my backpack plus our shopping bag between my legs. Luke stood at the very back of the bus. Once again we were crowded on like sardines, but we were glad to be inside from the storm.
Soon enough we were back at AKLV and off at Kidani. The covered walkway proved to be less than helpful in staying dry as it is so high that the rain manages to come underneath any way. Luke announced that we’d made it back before 9:15 -- our earliest evening this trip at WDW.
Back in the room, I repacked some of my suitcase, downloaded pictures, wrote notes, played Words with Friends, watched the final game of the Stanley Cup and the news while Stefanie called her Mamaw and Luke rested his swollen feet. Lights were out at 11:43.
Up Next: Fulfilling a Meltdown Promise from Days Before
What a fun day at Epcot! You sure did cover a lot of territory!
That yellow bracelet... that was made out of old Disney park maps? How in the world do they look so much like beads? Are they varnished? (I'm just fascinated!)
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WDW - August 1997 Off Property
WDW - January 2005 AKL
WDW - May 2006 Pop Century
WDW- november-dec 2007 pop century
WDW- dec/jan 2009/2010 pop century
WDW- oct/nov 2012 art of animation
WDW- sept 2013 port Orleans riverside
WDW- july 2015 beach club
More absolutely beautiful photos of WS. I'm glad to hear your positive review of Via Napoli. I have an ADR there for November and have been debating whether or not to change it to Tutto Italia, which I love. I love the jewelry made from recycled paper. It's so beautiful and the creativity is fantastic. I've also seen various items made by the same women from soda cans (trays and beautiful woven bowls) and soda bottle tops (trays and boxes).
And I am SOOOOO excited about Via Napoli now! As soon as I get done posting this, I am headed to allears to check out what you ordered...
Is the Voices of Liberty schedule posted anywhere? In all of our trips to WDW, I have never stepped foot inside the American Pavilion, and this is a MUST DO for us this trip.
__________________
Saturday, October 9, 2014 - Kaitlyn and I before the Happy Haunted 5K at ESPN Wide World of Sports
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I have stopped more than once and looked at those beads made out of the maps! I almost purchased a necklace for a friend, but ended up telling myself to think about it and I never got back to get one!
I love all of your purchases!
And the pictures of WS are beautiful!
I am so happy to read your review of Via Napoli. It sounds delicious!!
Sorry you had to dodge the big rain and storm!
I can't believe you are packing.......
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Our entrée was the large Pepperoni Pizza, which earned three thumbs up from the Matthews. Dessert for Luke and me was Zeppoli with chocolate sauce. Extremely delicious! Stefanie had a chocolate dreamy sundae that she loved. Our entire meal cost us $40 less than any of the character meals and was way better. We will be returning as the pizza was scrumptious. 
As soon as I get done posting this, I am headed to allears to check out what you ordered... 
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