At Walt Disney World, everyday is a celebration. The music and lights, colors and characters, the shows and attractions, and the nightly fireworks extravaganza combine to amuse and entertain all the senses and provide for a perpetual party. For our family, today was the first day of our own special celebration. Andrew will be seven on June 3rd, so starting today, we all wore buttons proclaiming we are celebrating Andrew’s birthday (except for Andrew who wears the “Happy Birthday!” button). All the cast members acknowledge his special day, and he is treated like royalty.
The Epcot Character Spot was our first stop today where we collected autographs and pictures with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto. At The Land in Future World, we rode on Living with the Land and viewed The Circle of Life film featuring characters from “The Lion King.” These environmental based attractions helped prepare us for the Behind the Seeds tour we were scheduled to take at 11:15. An intern took us on a guided journey of the innovative gardening
and farming techniques used right at Disney to grow and harvest food that is used right at the parks. We got an in-depth look at hydroponics as well as other new ways to garden that are used in lieu of growing plants in the soil. Bev asked very good questions as an avid gardener, and we all got to see a nine pound lemon and a mouse shaped pumpkin. After the tour, we went on the Soarin’ ride again. (If anyone knows what happens to your shoes if they fall off during the Soarin’ ride, will you please email Bev with the answer?).
In the World Showcase at the Teppan Edo in Japan, we were treated to dinner and a show as the cook prepared our food right at the table. Eri, our cook, tried to make Andrew believe that mushrooms were chocolate, and the castle she made for us out of onion rings doubled as a steaming volcano and a tasty addition to our meal. Andrew received a special birthday ice cream treat and chef’s hat, and everyone sang to him as well. Mary ate most of her meal with her chopsticks, and then we fought over the rights to the Chocolate Ginger Cake.
The Epcot Character Spot was our first stop today where we collected autographs and pictures with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto. At The Land in Future World, we rode on Living with the Land and viewed The Circle of Life film featuring characters from “The Lion King.” These environmental based attractions helped prepare us for the Behind the Seeds tour we were scheduled to take at 11:15. An intern took us on a guided journey of the innovative gardening
and farming techniques used right at Disney to grow and harvest food that is used right at the parks. We got an in-depth look at hydroponics as well as other new ways to garden that are used in lieu of growing plants in the soil. Bev asked very good questions as an avid gardener, and we all got to see a nine pound lemon and a mouse shaped pumpkin. After the tour, we went on the Soarin’ ride again. (If anyone knows what happens to your shoes if they fall off during the Soarin’ ride, will you please email Bev with the answer?).
In the World Showcase at the Teppan Edo in Japan, we were treated to dinner and a show as the cook prepared our food right at the table. Eri, our cook, tried to make Andrew believe that mushrooms were chocolate, and the castle she made for us out of onion rings doubled as a steaming volcano and a tasty addition to our meal. Andrew received a special birthday ice cream treat and chef’s hat, and everyone sang to him as well. Mary ate most of her meal with her chopsticks, and then we fought over the rights to the Chocolate Ginger Cake.
At some point today, Club Cool and a souvenir shopping stop at Mouse Gear occurred where the boys got frozen Cokes and Mary purchased her very own stuffed Mickey Mouse. We also had a chance encounter with Baloo and an Aristocat who were out in the park greeting guests, signing autographs, and posing for pictures.
After lunch we checked out the 3-D “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience” attraction, Journey Into the Imagination with Figment, and ImageWorks interactive labs in the Imagination part of Future World.
Our supper reservations were just for the girls (and Baby Brad) in Norway at the Akershus for the Princess Storybook dinner. A three-course meal and princess encounters made this a great dining experience. Belle, Cinderella, Ariel, Aurora, and Snow White all greeted us for pictures and autographs. Clearly, Baby Brad was most enamored with Snow White, but it was Belle that gave him the peck on the cheek.
We met up with Patrick, Andrew, and Christopher in America after supper to view the American Adventure—an inspirational story of America and its people. Immediately after the show, we found a spot from Japan to watch the amazing IllumiNations Reflections of Earth. This outstanding show with the wonderfully choreographed music, lights, fire, water, and fireworks is breathtaking and should be something everyone makes sure they see when going to Disney.
Today were extra magic hours at Epcot for those staying in Disney Resorts, so midnight was park closing for us instead of nine. Bonus attractions we went on during the magic hours included the Maelstrom boat ride in Norway, the Gran Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros in Mexico, and Mission Space in Future World. I was a little leery of riding Mission Space, but Patrick wanted Mary and I to try it, so we finally gave in to go on the less intense journey to Mars. I figured if my cousin Beth would go on it, surely it was safe and I would be able to handle it!! Little did I know she would ditch us and not ride it after Mary and the boys and I had already gotten into our space pods. Mary actually enjoyed it, but I probably won’t go on it again.
Konnichiwa! and domo ari goto for the blog.
ReplyDeleteMmmm! That meal at the japenese restaurant sounded awesome! Looks like you're having a blast! How cool is it that you got to experience someone having their birthday while you were there! Can't wait to hear more~
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