Feelin’ Groovy: A Cam and Luke TR Completed 7/31 About This Page:

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by purplegal

Another great set of pictures and a lot packed into your day. The boathouse meal sounds delicious, can't wait to eat there.

We'll definitely be back to The Boathouse. The atmosphere there is very open and breezy with lots of light.

Originally Posted by wheezie

9 miles??? Wow, that's a lot of walking-great job, especially since Luke was still recovering from surgery.

Love the VB purchases! And your meal looked delicious.

We actually didn't realize we'd walked that much, but I guess between AK and DS we covered quite a bit of ground.

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

How cool to be there for the macaw flight! Great pictures from AK, and all the PP ones as well! Your dinner looked delish! More great purchases!

The macaws' flight was one of the highlights of this trip for me.

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[Cam22]

Originally Posted by cattailmarsh

The macaw experience we have always missed...to see your pics & read your comments gave me chills. Thank you for sharing your TR & such detailed experiences with all of us. Just one more thing for the WDW bucket list.

You are welcome! I'm hoping we can time this right again in October when my sister's family is with us.

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

The macaw flight was so cool! Not sure I could've kept myself from ducking though.
That's a lot of walking - especially with someone still recovering from surgery!

Luke and I were both surprised that I remained standing. I was so determined to get a photo of some of these beautiful birds in flight. I actually loved being surrounded by them.

Our walking will tamper off in the days ahead.

Originally Posted by MikeL

Thanks for early heads up. Wasn't expecting to get mooned by Okapi's first thing this mourning. Boathouse sounds like might be worth a try even though Luke looked just so HAPPY

We stood for a while but those okapi refused to show us any other side.

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[Cam22]

Originally Posted by jackid2

YAY I found your TR!! Can't wait to read what else you did on this adventure. I love all the PP pictures, you guys are so cute!!

Glad to have you on board!

Originally Posted by SharonK0527

What a great day! Love the shots of the Macaws. Being a former parrot owner myself, I love birds. I know many people are afraid of them but I just love them

Dinner at The Boathouse looked delicious! Loved the photopass pictures of you guys at Disney Springs!

I'm sure the beauty of the macaws helped me not to be as afraid as I might have been if just any bird was coming at me. But it was such a thrilling experience to just let them all fly over and around me.

Originally Posted by Coop

No purchase at The Ganachery?! !
It all sounds good though - I may need to try those filet sliders!
I think that picture is at DTD (Springs) somewhere. I think it's in the newer section though - not sure exactly where.

I was really full from dinner or there might have been a purchase at The Ganachery. Your guess on the plaque is warm.

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[Cam22]

Originally Posted by Pris

Sorry the gorillas didn't give you a great show this time, but you still got some good shots. I've caught the Macaw show a couple of times since Laurie mentioned it in her final trip report. It always makes me think of her. I love the Disney shopping bags. That's one of my favorite souvenirs. I've got 4 or 5 of them and use them in my grocery trips. They always make me smile when I pull them out.

I thought of Laurie, too, as I was enthralled by the birds. We have a small collection of the Disney shopping bags, too. Some of them are even Star Wars.

Originally Posted by lexiemom

I love your Vera Bradley purchases! I'm looking at getting the Mini Hipster Bag in either the Plums Up Mickey or Midnight with Mickey print.

The Vera Bradley bags are all so cute. I love the mailbag for all its organization.

Originally Posted by bfth

The back of an okapi is better than no okapi at all!

Love your photos from the AKL.

You are absolutely right!

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[SuperDave]

Thanks for clearing that up regarding the Boathouse! Looks like a good one, but up in the air between this and Frontera Fresco as I love Mexican food and the latter, might be easier on the wallet!

[Cam22]

If I were choosing between The Boathouse and Frontera, I'd chose Mexican.

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by Cam22

If I were choosing between The Boathouse and Frontera, I'd chose Mexican.

I'm with you as The Boathouse is mostly your basic upscale food! (steak and fish) Seems quite pricey and the reviews have been somewhat mixed here. Besides, I love Rick Baylis' shows on PBS and I get so hungry watching them as it all looks amazing! My guess is my bill may be half of that of the Boathouse. But I will also be at another upscale venue in DS and Morimoto's a few days later, but definitely not changing that one as the menu looks incredible! Looking forward to hearing your take on that in the TR, even though, it's near the end! You could always jump ahead for my sake!

Thanks always for your great insight!

[tcmary]

Perfect timing for the macaws. The pictures are stunning. I would probably have ducked when they were flying at me. Thinking Alfredo Hitchcock and The Birds.

[lindawdw]

What a fun day you had at AK and Disney Springs!!! You and Luke were so lucky to catch the gorillas out for viewing. Pete and I didn't get to see them this trip as they were away eating lunch when we were there. I had no idea that they did the flight of the macaws at AK. You were certainly brave letting it skim the top of your head! My natural reaction would have been to duck for sure. I loved seeing all your Disney Springs pictures. We will definitely have to eat at the Boathouse next May together!

[KMB733]

Glad you finally found a Photopass photographer and you got the added bonus of seeing the macaws in flight. Dinner at the Boathouse looked delicious. Great purchases at World of Disney. I love that Vera Bradley pattern!

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

I'm with you as The Boathouse is mostly your basic upscale food! (steak and fish) Seems quite pricey and the reviews have been somewhat mixed here. Besides, I love Rick Baylis' shows on PBS and I get so hungry watching them as it all looks amazing! My guess is my bill may be half of that of the Boathouse. But I will also be at another upscale venue in DS and Morimoto's a few days later, but definitely not changing that one as the menu looks incredible! Looking forward to hearing your take on that in the TR, even though, it's near the end! You could always jump ahead for my sake!

Thanks always for your great insight!

I keep watching for ADRs to open up for Frontera in hopes that I can find a way to squeeze it in during our fall trip.

Originally Posted by tcmary

Perfect timing for the macaws. The pictures are stunning. I would probably have ducked when they were flying at me. Thinking Alfredo Hitchcock and The Birds.

Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds terrified me as a kid. But the beauty of these birds knocked those thoughts right out of my head.

Originally Posted by lindawdw

What a fun day you had at AK and Disney Springs!!! You and Luke were so lucky to catch the gorillas out for viewing. Pete and I didn't get to see them this trip as they were away eating lunch when we were there. I had no idea that they did the flight of the macaws at AK. You were certainly brave letting it skim the top of your head! My natural reaction would have been to duck for sure. I loved seeing all your Disney Springs pictures. We will definitely have to eat at the Boathouse next May together!

I have a strong feeling that the macaws flight right over my head will remain one of my favorite AK memories for years to come. The Boathouse would be perfect for us in May as you love seafood and I can have my filet mignon sliders again.

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[Cam22]

Originally Posted by KMB733

Glad you finally found a Photopass photographer and you got the added bonus of seeing the macaws in flight. Dinner at the Boathouse looked delicious. Great purchases at World of Disney. I love that Vera Bradley pattern!

I was amazed at how much busier PP photographers were on this trip. But this time of the afternoon, they were much less busy. I have really liked several of the Vera Bradley Disney patterns, but my favorite VB bag has always been the mailbag. I was so excited that this one was so similar to my first and favorite VB purse.

[Cam22]

Day 4 Wednesday, May 11, 2016 Part 1

The previous afternoon we had set a time to meet up with my DSis Pam and DNiece Charlotte. Our first FastPass+ was for 10:40 – 11:40 so we agreed to meet at the Epcot’s park entrance at 10:00 AM. We got up a little late and then stopped at Johari Treasures on our way out to the bus stop, picking up a quick breakfast of Fig Newtons for both of us. We already had bottled Cokes from the fridge in the room to wash the Newtons down. At 9:45 AM I sent Pam a text that we were still waiting for a bus. Pam replied that they were in some pretty awful Disney traffic, so at least, we were both delayed. In the end, Pam and Charlotte beat us to the park, arriving just a few minutes after 10:00 AM. We had finally gotten on a bus at 9:47 AM, and thankfully, made good time getting there only a little later than they had. We met up just inside the entrance and just past the ticket scanners.

Before I share the first photos, I should note here that on the bus about halfway to Epcot, Luke told me, “I’m sorry.” I asked for what, and then the look on his face told me he had forgotten to bring the camera. I teased him that is was ironic that he forgot it again on the F&GF just like last year. He said he’d go back and get it, but I wouldn’t let him. Truly, we’d both forgotten the camera. I had my iPhone, so that is what I used. Honestly, much of the festival looked that same as last year and the year before, so I wouldn’t have taken any more photos than I did with the phone. And so I did, though I did not take nearly as many as I probably would have with the DSLR. Back to our day, I had to stop for at least a couple of photos of the entrance topiaries because Huey, Dewey, and Louie were some of Stefanie’s favorites.





All four of us got lots of talking in as we caught up on just about everything while walking to our first attraction. Spaceship Earth – Pam loved it. The ride stalled temporarily, so I am now positive that the Civil War is Over! Extra! Extra! I asked what their future was like and Pam replied, “Like Charlotte!” They went snow skiing/boarding and Pam fell and broke her leg. We’ve never gotten anything remotely similar to that.

From Spaceship Earth, we walked up to the fountain area, stopping in Club Cool for a little liquid refreshment. Pam even found a cool keychain here. It had every kind of bottle opener imaginable. We kept walking until I noticed Butterflies on the Go, and we veered off to see our first of many gardens. I had trouble capturing the butterflies last year, but I had much better luck this time around. Last year the butterflies were not busy nor were they cooperative for photos. Today they were flitting everywhere, but many were also posing for the cameras.























As we exited the Butterflies on the Go, we moved over to the flower display under the monorail, hoping for a monorail to come by. But we didn’t get so lucky.



We wandered over to the Backyard Habitat Garden and Music Garden Melodies.











Back on Monday night, I had made arrangements to meet up with Regina (travismom) this morning at Epcot. We had sent some texts back and forth trying to see when our paths might cross, but hadn’t arranged anything yet. Fortunately, Regina saw us while we were exploring the Backyard Habit, and pecked me on the shoulder. Regina’s son Travis died a year ago May 8, which was Mother’s Day this year. This has been a hard trip, so hugs and tears were shared. It truly is hard to go back that first time when our children who made the magic come to life are no longer there to add new memories. Trust me the pain is deep. Even now Luke and I spend a part of each trip remembering Stefanie and her love of this place and her love for us. No picture yet, but Pam will help to rectify that later in the day.

Lunch time was nearing, and the CM at Music Garden Melodies had told me that her and her husband’s favorite food booth this year was Urban Farm Eats. We didn’t have far to walk as food booth was right next to the garden, and then it was time to eat. Charlotte got the Watermelon Salad with pickled onions, B&W Gourmet Farms baby argula, feta and balsamic reduction, and not a bite was left.



Pam and Luke had the Vegetable and White Bean “Naanwich” with argula pesto and oven-dried tomatoes. The “naanwich” also had Seeds of Change quinoa and brown and red rice. They thought this was an excellent sandwich.





I opted for the Seared Pork Tenderloin on the advice of the CM at the Music Garden Melodies. The pork came with a mushroom ragout, spring vegetables, and marble potatoes. She had told me not to share, so I took her advice, much to Luke’s disappointment. Delicious! The meat was tender, and the mushroom ragout blended well with the taste of the pork. I love potatoes and these were seasoned very well.



Luke also had the Peach Sparkling Wine, which he thoroughly enjoyed. I do NOT like peaches because my throat feels fuzzy afterwards. I can’t really stand the smell either though I took a whiff of his wine. Just not my style as Stefanie would have said.

By the way, Pam and Charlotte were such good sports to let me take photos of their food before they dove in.

We had to split up at this point as Pam and Charlotte could not get a Test Track FastPass. Luke and I did take a few moments at the Cactus Road Rally Garden.











On our end of Future World, Luke designed a cool SUV with lots of power. For him, it is always power over efficiency. , his cool ride beat all the others for power.



On the other side of Future World, Pam who loves to garden really enjoyed Living with the Land. We met back up at Mouse Gear for a little shopping. Funny story from Mouse Gear – Charlotte and I were walking a smidge behind Pam when Charlotte noticed a water bottle with the Finding Nemo seagulls calling “Mine, Mine, Mine.” She hollered at her mom who turned around and we thought acknowledged us. Charlotte and I then began doing the “Mine, Mine, Mine.” A few aisles later Pam gets all excited about the very same water bottles. When we started laughing, she asked what was funny, so we retraced what we’d done just moments before. Pam was obviously focused elsewhere when we were doing our little act.

In walking out of Mouse Gear, we turned left to check out a couple more gardens. I didn’t write these down, but I know one was Prehistoric Plants and another may have been the Water Wise Garden. Then we moved on up toward Mission: Space to check out the Buzz topiary.











Charlotte was game to try Mission: Space, and we all three quickly persuaded Pam to join us. The green/less intense line was literally a walk on. I could tell Pam was a little nervous as she gets motion sick very much like I do. She said she did pretty well until the end when it feels like the spacecraft is going to plummet down a cliff. So she was a little shaky when we got off. I’m guessing she won’t be doing that one again. There is a neat new feature at the end of Mission: Space, which we will discover at the end of a few more rides on this trip.





NEXT: A Close Encounter with Nature

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[wheezie]

Sounds like another great time at Epcot. Your pics are still great, even without your big camera.

I'm glad you were able to have a PP meet. It sounds like this was a very emotional trip for travismom. I can't imagine. Our sweet son passed away 13 years ago, but he was "just " a baby. I can't imagine losing an older child/adult child. (Obviously it's awful no matter the age-I'm just having a hard time putting into words what I want to say this morning. )

Anyway, I look forward to reading more.

[purplegal]

Glad you got to meet up with your family, the butterfly pictures turned out really well. My husband often uses his phone for photos now over the DSLR and the pictures turn out just as good.