A seed was planted and here’s what grew....Magical Memories About This Page:

[kmurburg]

I loved your account of Characters in Flight! That's something I'd love to try - but don't know if I can get my big chicken DH to go up! Great day at Epcot! The Kim Possible missions sound cool - another thing to try!
Hope you get good news from Lenny's doctor!

[HollyH]

Just catching up now. What a great trip so far! I really want to try a KP mission, but so far DS hasn't wanted to. We loved the GG, too......but haven't been for quite a few years. And your manatee story reminds me of the time we were at the Coral Reef and the sea turtles started, um.....playing....in the window in front of a restaurant full of people trying to eat dinner !

[MelissaSue]

Originally Posted by CinderAbby

... And what I saw was definitely an indication of playing, but not the type a child would understand. Abby watched them for a minute than wandered somewhere which kinda made me happy because as I left, the two manatees were at the very bottom of the tank. I know birds do it and bees do it , but I didn’t need to see manatees do it - nor did I want to explain it to Abby on vacation.

I read this out loud to FDH, and we both laughed and laughed!!

Glad you had such a great day at Epcot, and hope Lenny's stress test is going well.

[missminniedreams]

Looks like you had a great time! Kim Possible sounds fun. My girls have been watching the Disney Vacation Planning video NONSTOP and that's one of the things they say they want to do when we go to Epcot. And the Garden Grill looked great! How fun that you got so much time with Mickey!

[Katie]

Great update, wonderful pics, oh boy those manatees

[smoore424]

Sounds like a fun day! WOW you sure lucked out with the rain storm. The kimpossible mission sounds like something my kids would like (even DS15) I will have to plan that for our next trip.

[mcc0313]

So glad that you decided to go to the Characters in Flight before Epcot. Looks like everyone enjoyed the ride. We had that on our list as well and on the first day at DTD it was just so hot that no one felt like going on it and the second night that we wanted to it was down because of the wind. After hearing about your experience I definitely have to put it on next years list.

What a great day at Epcot and glad that you were able to miss most of the rain. Seems like Abby sure enjoyed the Kim Possible Adventures...it is a really fun activity for the kids. We did two adventures this trip and then the heat just really got to us. Mexico is a great one because it is almost all in doors, at least you get to enjoy the AC while on your adventure

[bitterchickey]

Another wonderful day-sorry if I keep repeating myself, but it's so TRUE!!
Love your little comments about the glasses-I remember that incident from your last trip!
One thing I don't think I've said is how great all the photos are! I also remember Abby taking pics last trip & they were great too.
The KP missions sound like a great way to experience the countries! Wonder if they're only for younger kids?
So enjoying this!

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by mdobereiner

Another great update!! I've never thought about doing Characters in Flight but after seeing your pictures, I'm inclined to check it out. It would very cool to see the various Disney landmarks like that! I'm so glad to hear that you all avoided a lot of the rain at Epcot that day, good planning on your part .

Hope Lenny's tests are going well. Can't wait to read your next installment.

Mel

Thanks Mel. It was really cool to see Disney from the balloon - that's why I have so few pictures. The few I tried to take were no good so I just spent the time enjoying the view instead of trying to get good pictures. As for missing the rain - that was luck, not planning. Abby enjoys taking her time in the pavilions at Epcot, especially Nemo and Imagination and I'm more than happy to go along with that.

As for Lenny's tests, the doctor hasn't gotten back to us yet - no surprise there. But I suppose that in itself could be looked at as somewhat good news. We'll just have to wait and see. If she doesn't call today I'll have him call her on Monday when he has the day off.

Originally Posted by Vonnydee

Great photos once again. Abby looks like she really enjoyed things. We (DH DG and me) hope to do the Charachters in Flight. I dont have a great head for heights but would love to do it for the view. Great reading the update so far. Cant wait for the next episode.

Thanks Yvonne. Abby absolutely loves Disney and she really is happy pretty much the entire time. Every so often she's not that happy - like with the rain, but at least with that, especially at Epcot it just gives her more of a reason to explore wherever we are and I'm happy with that.

Originally Posted by saibot0001

Loved your day at Epcot. We want to try the Kim Possible missions on our next trip. Glad to see that Abby enjoyed them. Do you remember how long the missions take, and as an adult, did you enjoy them too. Just wondering.
I love Soarin too! Oh and your comment:

I know birds do it and bees do it , but I didn’t need to see manatees do it - nor did I want to explain it to Abby on vacation.

made me chuckle. I would have felt the same way. lol
Glad you all had a great day, and I hope you all find out good news today about Lenny!

Thanks. The KP missions took about 20 or so minutes I'd say per country but that also depends upon how fast you find the location, how often you redo the event if you can, etc. As an adult, I did enjoy them because the effects to me said Disney and not only were they cool to see, sometimes it made me wonder "how did they do that?" Plus too, some of the effects made other people stop and stare, take photos, etc and for me, it was cool to know we (in a way) were making the things happen and the people watching didn't seem to have a clue

I still chuckly about my manatee comment and I knew some of my fellow PP's would too. Lenny didn't think I should have included that portion of our day but in a way, it's helpful info for parents to know (at least in my mind it is ).

Originally Posted by B.M.

Great day at Epcot! Glad Abby enjoyed Kim Possible so much. And glad yall were finally able to ride the hot air balloon in DTD! More please

Thanks. I'll do more soon.

Originally Posted by Roxie2006

Very enjoyable update. Sending prayers and pixies for your husband hope all goes well!!!

Thank you very much for the compliment and the pixies.

Originally Posted by WeRDisneyFanatics

Another great update! I'm so jealous that you got to go on Characters in Flight. Both times we've been there it was down for wind. Sounds like you had fun with the Kim Possible Missions too.

Thanks. I'm glad you're still enjoying it. We enjoyed Characters in Flight and all I can say is if possible, try like we did - first thing in the morning. It opens at 9 am. KP was fun too. I figured we'd do one country, maybe 2 tops so I was surprised Abby wanted to do more.

Originally Posted by mzozzietj

Another great update, thanks Darlene!

What is Fantasy Theatre? Can you use your photopass or is that something you purchase separately?

I am so excited to read your report about Garden Grill as we have reservations here as well and I hadn't really read much good about it. Since our DD is so little the character interactions are really what we are looking for this trip. Thanks for providing so much detail on your trip, it's really so very helpful!

I hope the test results come back soon and go well so you can finally relax again!

Thanks again. The Fantasy Theater, when you come off the Imagination ride, is over to the far left past the email things. As your heading to the gift shop, on the right you'll see all the types of pictures they can take and what they can do (pictures, puzzles, etc). It is separate from Photopass and the prices vary. The 5x7's were (I believe) 12.95 each but if you ordered more than 1, the price came down to I want to say 9.95 for the second one. Don't quote me on that though as I don't have my slip in front of me. It is fun but not something I would do every trip.

I like to add all the details because I'm into details and planning (as if you guys didn't know that already) but it makes me really happy to hear that some of what I write about is helpful to others. It's nice to know my TR's are not only entertaining but informative.

No results as of yet for Lenny but I know if the results aren't that good, I'll be letting you guys know in the form of a pixie request. And if we don't hear today, I'll have Lenny call on Monday. I'd call myself but that stupid HIPPA law prevents that.

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by SharonK0527

Thanks so much for the review of Garden Grill. We are having DD's birthday dinner there next month and are really looking forward to it!

Looking forward to the next update.....

Thanks. I hope you enjoy the GG as much as we did. And hopefully your daughter gets the same cake Lenny did - it was good. And maybe you'll luck out and have a character there to help sing Happy Birthday like Dale did for Lenny.

Originally Posted by Wolfy6688

I didn't know you guys had a pet bunny! I used to have a lot of rabbits as pets and show rabbits (4-H and otherwise). They're a lot of fun, I miss having them around.

Another great update! I want to do the Characters in Flight, but I'm not sure how DBF or my brother will be with the heights aspects. If we do it, I'll know to do it during the day when it'll be warmer - I bet it's very chilly at night from the extra wind.

When we went to Sea World in 2008, some dolphins were "playing" like those manatees. It was horrifying. I love nature and animals, and I know obviously things have to happen, but it looked a little too human-like for me.

Can't wait to read what happens next!

Thanks Amy. Yes, we have a pet bunny or maybe I should say she has us. Her name is Rapunzel (I have a picture of her somewhere on here) and boy does she have a personality. She literally has the run of the downstairs with our 3 Goldens and we know when we've displeased her in some way. Either she starts "clinking" her dishes together (hence her knickname Colonel Clink) or she throws her food around. There have been many times I've found her lettuce thrown outside of her cage or into her litter box or her entire hay bowl dumped out. Or worse, you approach her and she jumps into her litter box and just sits there and stares at you. Actions with her certainly speak louder than words but she is fun and enjoyable.

Hopefully you get to try Characters in Flight. Maybe your BF and bro will be okay with it. If not, just let the pilot know and they'll let you off. Out of curiousity, I asked how often people have problems with the height and the pilot said usually if someone is going to have a problem, they have it a few feet from the ground and don't make it to the top. If they can make it to the top, then they'll be fine. I know I was. I absolutely hate heights and as long as I kept looking out towards things and not down, I didn't have a single problem. The one time I did look down, Abby caught my attention by pointing something out and the moment passed. And plus going during the day, not only will it be warmer, you should be able to see more - and if you can, bring a small pair of binoculars.

And I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who has had one of those awkward animal moments.

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

What a great day Darlene! Glad you were able to get on both the balloon flight and get all that done in Epcot! Love the pictures!

Thanks Marnie.

Originally Posted by CitrusSwirl

It seems like you had a really great day at Epcot! Characters In Flight looks like it would be fun to try. My daughter saw your pictures of it and immediately said she wanted to do it.

Thanks Tracey. We did have a great day. And sometimes all it takes is seeing picturs of someone having fun to have someone else want to try it so good luck with that.

Originally Posted by omd

Wow another busy day! I have to say that I love the picture of Abby with Pluto but my absolute favorite is the one of her near the Manatee tank. She just looks so happy and like she is having a wonderful time.
Your update was great as usual and the pictures were too.

Thanks Olive. It was busy but not that busy that we were exhausted that night. And that picture is one of my favorites too. She does look happy and in the one where she's looking at me instead of the tank, she looked very peaceful and relaxed.

Originally Posted by sc507

Oh my! The manatees! I would have hightailed it out of there with my kids too Sounds like you all had a great time saving the world! One of these days, we'll get on that Characters in Flight balloon - it was closed when we went this year....

We did have fun with KP and hopefully the next time you go, you can get on Characters in Flight.

Originally Posted by kmurburg

I loved your account of Characters in Flight! That's something I'd love to try - but don't know if I can get my big chicken DH to go up! Great day at Epcot! The Kim Possible missions sound cool - another thing to try!
Hope you get good news from Lenny's doctor!

Thanks Karen. If you can't get your DH to go up, go up without him and rub it in all the things he missed seeing . KP was cool. I would do it again.

Still no news from the doctor though so Lenny will have to call on Monday.

[KMB733]

Glad you made it on the Characters in Flight balloon! What a wonderful way to kick off a great day. Sounds like you had a wonderful time at Epcot!

[Pinkyt177]

I always think no news is good news. I would love to do characters in flight too but I don't like edges heights are fine. My heart still flutters when I think of royal gorge bridge and how you can see through the spaces in the bridge those edges ugh who knows I get a little freaked at 3 d movies too ugh.

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by HollyH

Just catching up now. What a great trip so far! I really want to try a KP mission, but so far DS hasn't wanted to. We loved the GG, too......but haven't been for quite a few years. And your manatee story reminds me of the time we were at the Coral Reef and the sea turtles started, um.....playing....in the window in front of a restaurant full of people trying to eat dinner !

Thanks Holly - we did have a great trip. Next time you go, you should tell your son you want to try and maybe he'll agree. Abby didn't have much interest at first but then she did get into it. GG really was enjoyable too and will be included on future trips. If I thought the manatees were bad, those turtles were worse. At least with the manatees we could leave the room.

Originally Posted by MelissaSue

I read this out loud to FDH, and we both laughed and laughed!!

Glad you had such a great day at Epcot, and hope Lenny's stress test is going well.

Thanks Melissa. I'm glad you guys are laughing about my comment. I had to write it family friendly and that's the only thing I could come up with.

Lenny's test went well according to him but we haven't heard anything yet. I'm going to take that as good news for the weekend.

Originally Posted by missminniedreams

Looks like you had a great time! Kim Possible sounds fun. My girls have been watching the Disney Vacation Planning video NONSTOP and that's one of the things they say they want to do when we go to Epcot. And the Garden Grill looked great! How fun that you got so much time with Mickey!

Thanks, we did. Abby did the same thing - watched the planning video up until we left. I would definitely give KP a try but tell your girls you'll have to share one Kimmunicator. If you need more info and to find out where I read that, go to Brads site, Stitchkingdom.com. He has a lot of info on there that's really helpful. GG was great and I was really surprised by how much time we got with Mickey and the other characters. That alone made the meal worth it.

Originally Posted by Katie

Great update, wonderful pics, oh boy those manatees

Thanks Katie. I'm glad you're enjoying it - and I know what you mean about the manatees.

Originally Posted by smoore424

Sounds like a fun day! WOW you sure lucked out with the rain storm. The kimpossible mission sounds like something my kids would like (even DS15) I will have to plan that for our next trip.

It was a fun day and we did luck out. If it weren't for Abby enjoying her time in Nemo, we probably would have gotten caught in the rain at least once. The other storm we missed was during dinner so I guess that one was good timing on my part. If your kids are into interactive things, then yes I say even at 15 try it.

Originally Posted by mcc0313

So glad that you decided to go to the Characters in Flight before Epcot. Looks like everyone enjoyed the ride. We had that on our list as well and on the first day at DTD it was just so hot that no one felt like going on it and the second night that we wanted to it was down because of the wind. After hearing about your experience I definitely have to put it on next years list.

What a great day at Epcot and glad that you were able to miss most of the rain. Seems like Abby sure enjoyed the Kim Possible Adventures...it is a really fun activity for the kids. We did two adventures this trip and then the heat just really got to us. Mexico is a great one because it is almost all in doors, at least you get to enjoy the AC while on your adventure

We did enjoy it and we couldn't have asked for better weather. With Florida being so unpredictable, I had the no or never feeling so I'm glad we made it. And like I said elsewhere, try for early in the morning if you can. It should be cooler and it was definitely interesting seeing how uncrowded DTD was that early.

The heck with the kids, KP was fun for us adults too. We got to explore some of the countries and enjoyed our time. It's a shame Abby didn't want to do Mexico. Since it's so dark inside, that one must have been interesting trying to find everything. Plus there's the AC like you mentioned.

Originally Posted by bitterchickey

Another wonderful day-sorry if I keep repeating myself, but it's so TRUE!!
Love your little comments about the glasses-I remember that incident from your last trip!
One thing I don't think I've said is how great all the photos are! I also remember Abby taking pics last trip & they were great too.
The KP missions sound like a great way to experience the countries! Wonder if they're only for younger kids?
So enjoying this!

Thanks Chantel. Repeat yourself as much as you like. I know I do. I know I do . I was wondering how long it would be before someone caught onto my glasses - I had the feeling it was going to be you (I mean that in a good way). Thank you for the compliment on the photos. Abby does so well sometimes I have trouble knowing which ones she took and which ones I took. This year she took all the ones on the safari again and any picture I'm in, she took too (obviously ). Pictures that don't have any of us are a toss up as to who took them unless they're blurry - then Lenny might have taken them (his hands aren't too steady at times). I took a few blurry pictures too so Lenny's not entirely to blame but most of them were his . And what's nice about the pictures this year (IMO) is the fact that I'm using photobucket too so I can actually add a lot more. I didn't have a lot of space left here on PP for photos and I didn't like the thought of not having pictures or just having pictures of only us so I came up with a way to have so many. I opened a photobucket account and any pictures that are strictly Disney and not of us are in there and any pictures that have us are uploaded here. Call me strange if you want for doing it that way but it's what makes me more comfortable. And that way I have plenty of room for both "sets" of pictures.

[CinderAbby]

I always think no news is good news. I would love to do characters in flight too but I don't like edges heights are fine. My heart still flutters when I think of royal gorge bridge and how you can see through the spaces in the bridge those edges ugh who knows I get a little freaked at 3 d movies too ugh.

That's the way I have to think of it - especially with the weekend here now. If I thought of it any other way, I'd probably go crazy.

I'm not sure what you mean though that you don't like edges but heights are fine. Does that mean you could go up in the balloon but because the only place to stand is at the railing (the edge per say) , that's what you have trouble with but you'd be okay if there was a middle to the balloon and you could just look out? Like I said, I'm just not sure and would like to understand better.

[Pinkyt177]

Originally Posted by CinderAbby

That's the way I have to think of it - especially with the weekend here now. If I thought of it any other way, I'd probably go crazy.

I'm not sure what you mean though that you don't like edges but heights are fine. Does that mean you could go up in the balloon but because the only place to stand is at the railing (the edge per say) , that's what you have trouble with but you'd be okay if there was a middle to the balloon and you could just look out? Like I said, I'm just not sure and would like to understand better.

The second part, if I didn't have to be on the edge I would be fine. I just can't look over an edge, even stair can bug me if I'm carrying a laundry basket and just catch the edge, so strange I know but. . .