Nala & pride "A Bucket Full of Magic" TR About This Page:

[southerngirl1014]

What a fabulous trip report. I have never stayed at BC but it is quickly climbing up my list as a must do!
More please

[OCEANGRLLG]

Great update! Cant wait for more!

[OhToodles!]

I loved the descriptions you gave about being home - made a little teary and wishing I was there right now.

[PrincessSharon]

Sounds like an absolutely perfect "homecoming." And I think I'll request a TOT view next time I stay at the BC! More, please!

[Wendyismyname]

Such a fantastic view!! I love it!!!

I cannot wait to go home again too, just two more months!!!

[Nala]

Wanting Sarafina to see what else her first stay at the BC, and her first stay on CL had to offer, I decided to show her the lounge. She was ready for a snack and so was Kiara, so the two of them grabbed a plate of goodies and a cold drink. When they finished, I stated it was time to venture out into the world. Epcot was calling and we were now at its back door. Since I was the only member of the pride that had skipped breakfast, I was getting close to starving. A Shawarma platter from the Tangierine Café was calling my name and I had every intention of answering! Grumpy was also ready for some fish and chips from the UK and he knew Kiara most likely would be too.

Off we headed to the International Gateway where we stopped at the ticket booth to turn in our vouchers for the Give a Day passes we had received. Our intention was to upgrade these one day passes to a six day park hopper and I was really hoping we wouldn’t have to go through the gate once to activate them before we could do the upgrade. I collected photo ID’s from everyone and fished out the copy of Kiara’s birth certificate. Much to my delight, when I asked the CM if we could upgrade, she told me it was no problem and went right to work on getting our passes. Yippee! That was much easier than I thought it may have been. She also gave us four volunteer buttons and I put mine on my camera strap.

We went into the WSC, and as we made our way up the hill, with every intention of hitting Yorkshire Country Fish Shop, it dawned on Grumpy and I that none of the counter services in the WSC opened until noon. We had about a half an hour to wait until that would happen, and before either of us had a moment to figure out what to do during the wait, Kiara tugged on Grumpy’s shirt and said “Dad, I want to do that.”

Kiara was pointing at the Kim Possible kiosk, and since she was so adamant about doing an mission, Grumpy stepped up to the line with her to get a FP. What a great time killer a KP mission would be. The CM that assisted the two of them asked if they had done a mission before, and Grumpy responded with a yes. He then asked which countries they had done. It was here that my memory, which is very good with totally and completely useless bits of information that shouldn’t be retained, but are, came in handy. A quick search of my internal data produced the response of “We have done France and Norway”. The CM took that information, asked if we were sure we hadn’t done the UK, and after a quick nod from me, Grumpy confirmed that the UK was indeed a new mission for us. He punched a few buttons and a few seconds later, out popped our FP for a KP mission in the UK.

Problem was, it wasn’t until two PM.

So much for our plan of killing time until the counter services opened in the WSC.
With about fifteen minutes to kill before the counter services opened, and two hours and fifteen minutes to kill before our first KP mission of the trip, we were forced to seek out other methods of entertainment. We decided to stroll around the WSC and take in the holiday decorations. Somehow between the IG and France, we managed to kill fifteen minutes. And with the hour of noon now at hand, as we strolled through France, I discovered my favorite drink kiosk was now open for business.

Wasting no time, I made a beeline and bellied up to the bar for my favorite adult beverage in all of WDW, a Grey Goose lemonade slush. Grumpy, much to my surprise, declined one of the frozen delights, (who are you and what have you done with my Grey Goose loving husband?) but Sarafina was game. I figured she would much more enjoy that other thing sold there, that of that orange flavored thing, that in my opinion is way too sweet, so I ordered her one of those.

The two of us stepped away from the kiosk and the above average warmth of the November afternoon quickly made our drinks a melting mess. The only thing to do was drink, and drink fast. I noticed that Sarafina, who does not often have adult beverages, and is therefore a bit of a mixed drink weenie, had a look on her face that hers was a bit too much for her. Mine on the other hand, was perfect. I continued slurping away at my little glass of Grey Goose heaven, and I figured if Sarafina couldn’t finish hers, either Grumpy or I would have to step up to the plate, take one for the team, and finish it off. But, that didn’t happen.

As we were making our way towards Morocco and my date with the platter, we noticed Belle out for a meet and greet. Kiara got excited when we saw her and wanted to get in line for a picture with her. Lucky for us, the line was short, as in only one person waiting behind the person she was greeting, so I took her by the hand and got in the very short line. It was then I noticed just how empty the WSC was. As I looked around, I think I only saw about 30 people, and 20 of them were CMs. It was the last time on this trip we would see a crowd level like that!

While Kiara was waiting her turn, I saw Grumpy, who was waiting outside the line, pointing to my backpack I had left with him and asking if I wanted the autograph book. Being that I was just getting acclimated to being in a park, I wasn’t quite ready to deal with the monster book, and when I declined, Grumpy gave me “the look”. Guilt overtook me, and I held out my hand in acceptance and he fished the thing out the backpack and walked it over to me. As soon as he did, the CM that was Belle’s handler, took notice of it and asked me if he could see it. I handed it to him, and he flipped through it looking at every page. Belle’s last guest had moved on, and she stretched out her arms to Kiara, who ran into them, without her handler even noticing. When he did look up from the book, he looked at Belle and said “You have to see this book”.




Like her handler, Belle then flipped through every page. I was so grateful the line behind us was not long, as I am sure if it was, we would have been taking up way too much time with a character to be considered socially acceptable. I was a bit overwhelmed by the praise that both Belle and her handler gave me for Kiara’s book, but it was nice to know that a few other people, other than Grumpy and Kiara, recognized all the love that I poured into the thing. It really was a warm, fuzzy moment.
　
　
　
After Belle had signed Kiara’s book and posed for a few pictures, we met back up with Sarafina and Grumpy, and since Belle’s line was almost empty, her handler came over and started chatting with us. He was such a nice man, and so very enthusiastic. He was a joy to talk to and let us know the times some of the story tellers in the area were coming out. He told me that I had to make sure to get their autographs in Kiara’s book, and that was a great piece of information to have, as I was not aware they signed them. Pere Noel had just stepped out in France, and he told us we should go hear his story while the crowds were low.

Unfortunately, my empty stomach was driving me in the opposite direction and we were unable to go see Pere Noel. I was beyond ready for a Shawarma platter, and after thanking the CM for his information and advise, I lead the pride to Morocco. Pere Noel would have to wait for another time, and possibly another day.

No one had any interest in food from Morocco, so I was the lone one placing an order. I, however, knew once I arrived at the table outside the pride had claimed, there would be many hands reaching to my plate for just a bite or two of what was on it. The meal went just as I expected, but thanks to the large portion of the Shawarma platter, I was able to get my fill.

Just as I was finishing up, I noticed Sarafina stretching out her legs. The size of her ankles made me gasp, as they were swelling up like balloons. Even though we hadn’t done that much walking by our standards, it had been too much for her.

Not wanting to kill the fun, I knew she would have kept on going, but I suggested we head back to the BC to take a rest. Grumpy was not thrilled about the idea, but Kiara perked up and asked if she could go for a swim. The day was perfectly warm, and as weather in Florida goes, I knew it may be her last chance for pool time. Back to the BC we went, with a little girl excited about getting some time at SAB, and a senior citizen grateful for the idea of some rest and a break from the walking.

　
Up next: A pivotal decision that saved the trip ………..
　
　
　

[lazanya]

Great time at Epcot!

[Wendyismyname]

Excited for more Val!!

[MMMD]

Great update!

[Colexis Mom]

Great update Nala! I hope Sarafina was okay!

[mpwife153]

Great update! I Kiara's autograph book & noticed when I made one for my last trip it got me a lot of attention from the characters.

TC is my fav place in WS to eat too!

I hope Sarafina isn't sidelined b/c of her ankles!!

[B.M.]

Great update! I hope the ankle swelling went down quickly.....

[Lillybug]

Awesome update, Nala! I know firsthand how beautiful the things that you make are! How could other people not notice???? I hope Sarafina's ankles hold up!

Tara

[lauriep]

Wonderful that Belle and her handler really appreciated Kiara's book. What a special keepsake that will be. Hope the rest helps Serafina's poor ankles!

[Cam22]

What a wonderful encounter with Belle and her handler! Glad you enjoyed your favorite FAB and the platter!