Tag Archives: Orlando

Day 25- Tokyo Dining at Epcot

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Some days life happens.  We are living in a house that was once owned by a Disney Imagineer and we have been intrigued with all of the extra wiring and history of this home. When we had our basic cable put in, it took quite awhile while the technicians figured out all the extras in the network wiring.  Today, we had the security system activated. The technician took a look at the wiring and after a short time, he advised that this is a custom security system. This was going to be a full day’s work and we might have to reschedule. He had spent an hour assessing it, soon I found that he had called in backup and the two of them went into overtime. But, by 5:40 they successfully got our system going, trained me on how it works, and off they went!

We ran and picked up the pups from day school and take them back home, so we have a very short time to go to Disney and pack in some fun!

Epcot in the evening!

Three of the parks close early today, so off to Epcot! It is 7:45 p.m. and they are still parking lines of cars. We catch the Tram and head for Epcot. It is just me and Tooti today; Twinkie is at home sick.

Me and Tooti on the tram!

We walk to Japan as fast as we can. Our reservation is at 8:00 at Tokyo Dining and this is our first time to eat here. It is a beautiful setting and very elegant, located on the second floor in the Japan Pavilion.

Checking in…
Lots of stairs! 🙂
The entrance…

We were seated in a part of the dining area where you can watch the chefs make sushi. It was so nice! We had miso soup, hot green tea and vegetarian sushi made with a special gluten-free soy sauce they have available. It was fun time for both Tooti and me! As we were finishing, we heard the patrons say, “AH!” as Illuminations was starting. We looked and the fireworks were so vivid and bright, they seemed to be so close to the widows, they are beautiful!  We soon were on the porch and could see them so bright and beautiful.  What a wonderful surprise!

Place setting…
Menu
Yum!
Making sushi!
Green tea 🙂
GF Soy Sauce!
The restaurant
Miso soup
Vegetarian Sushi
Yum!
Fireworks…
right outside the windows!
Bright and beautiful!

I looked out and the whole area is full of people. It is 9:15 and it is time to go home. We had a wonderful relaxed evening and enjoyed our strolling through the sea of people as we walked back our car on aisle 20.  As we got closer to the car, we could see the Not So Scary fireworks going off towards Magic Kingdom and even saw the beautiful finale!  So nice!

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Fireworks in the distance!

Day 2- Hollywood Studios

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Hollywood Studios, what can I say about it? It has more fun skits and funny drama on the streets than your average theme park.  We saw Evie Starlight in her cute white car with her driver!  We waited a few minutes watching her hold babies for a picture, little girl climb up and sitting with Evie as she is talking in a 1940’s voice.  We talked for a minute as she asked what Twinkie’s name is, that started a fun exchange!  Then, Tooti went to get her picture and I heard, “Well, if her name is Twinkie, what is your name?”  The driver said, “Zinger?”  “Haha, my name is Tooti.”  Oh, that got Evie to talking and said that she wanted to be in our family, and asked what nickname would we give her.  After a few seconds, I said, “Bubbles!”  She loved it.  Fun time.

Walt Disney World!
The signs off World Drive…
The Main Entrance… 1 of 2 that lead into the HS parking lot.
One of the perks of an afternoon, off-season day… No Lines!
Frozen Summer Fun through Sept. 28.
Evie Starlight!
Evie Starlight and Twinkie!
Evie Starlight and Tooti!

We started to walk off when a little dude came from behind me telling her it was his Birthday, she came down and took his little hand and they walked to the center of the road and she yelled, “Hey everyone this is his Birthday, he will be 5.  Say Happy Birthday!”  Too cute, then she told him that was his gift and then, gave him a kiss on his cheek! His dad was out of battery on his phone, so we offered to take the pic, and his mom just walked up as we were getting ready to email it to them!  FUN!

Walked up to the cross street and saw the “Funniest” Citizens of Hollywood, listened to their skit of impromptu jokes, really funny.  Then we looked around at one of the stores nearby.  I love the architectural style of the building!  This store carries a good selection of merchandise, including the Disney Vera Bradley line and Disney bracelets by “Alex and Ani” (made in the USA!).  My girls love their bracelets, especially since they are fun to collect and you can wear different ones at once!

The Funniest Citizens of Hollywood!
One of the stores… Sunset Club Couture!
Any Tink fans? They have some cute merchandise…
Alex and Ani Bracelets

Off to look around in the Animation Building…  There are characters you can meet and lots of fun things to look at!

The Magic of Animation!
Great animation place!
A sneak peek!
Wreck it Ralph and Vanellope
Wreck it Ralph and Vanellope
Wreck it Ralph and Vanellope
Fun!
Waiting in line… Only 2 or 3 ahead of us!
Academy Awards!
Walt Disney’s

Before leaving home, we ate a small snacky lunch and we decided to grab a meal at the ABC Commissary.  Disney is testing a new gluten-free menu at a few select locations and this was one of them. (Usually, we have to speak with the chef or a coordinator and they will go over options that we can have and sometimes we have to read the ingredient list from their special binder as well before we make our selections, so this is really nice!) We picked the GF chicken tenders and split two between the three of us since each basket comes with four chicken tenders each… More than enough for one person!

GF Menu
The ABC Commissary
Walking in the door
The Menu

While we had a moment to wait for the food, we checked out the wait times… Got to love this time of year!  Toy Story Mania only had a 45 minute wait… It’s usually at least 90+ mins. during busier times.

Wait TImes…

We ended up in the Streets of America, I love it, my favorite is all of it, but I love seeing San Francisco.  As we were walking we saw the Frozen Show Ticket for the sing-a-long.  Only about 45 minute wait, so we grabbed a cup of coffee at the Writer’s Stop. We sat for a few minutes as Twinkie browsed the books. Then it was off to the Sing-Along!

We giggled at the Health & Beauty in the same window as Ice Cream!
Looking…
They are starting to put up the Christmas lights!
San Fran!
More lights!
Olaf and our Ticket!

As the Sing-Along started, I found myself tearing up.  I thought why am I tearing up so much?  Then, I listened quietly and heard the voices of all the Dads and Granddads singing along with the little ones!  Oh, my!  My tears were huge to hear these mighty voices singing along side their kiddos.  The play is so worth it.  I would not miss this for anything!

Taking our seats…
The stage
The Historians of Arendelle
Singing “Let it go…”
Elsa, Anna & Kristoff

What a wonderfully cool day!

Heading back home!

Day 1- Magic Kingdom

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The days before our start of 365 days at Disney were filled with total anticipation.  Where will this take us and what does God have in mind to send us on the journey?  I am so excited to see this unfold and glad to get to take you along with us on the ride!

We started our beautiful day going to Magic Kingdom. After you park, there are two options to get to MK- the Monorail or the Ferryboat.  We took the boat ride today and were so excited to see the boat not so full.  Maybe that means there won’t be long lines! We started across the water to see Cinderella’s Castle…  So pretty.  As we disembarked, the lines were pouring into the park from the Monorail, resort busses and the boats, so the area was full of people.

As we entered into Magic Kingdom, the place was bustling with Disney Magic.  Mickey’s signature flowers were out front, pumpkins dotted the landscape and the bustle of excitement is contagious.  Little people coming for the first time; their eyes sparkling with anticipation of what the day will hold.  Lots of families laughing together and making their way to the castle!  There, in front of the castle, was the “Move it! Shake it! Celebrate it! Street Parade” dance party going on.

IMG_0026

There’s just something about a dancing monkey… or orangutan!
After we watched the conga line start, we headed around Cinderella’s Castle and noticed the line for Merida was much shorter than summertime lines, so we stopped to meet her for the first time!

Shirley was attending the line to let us into Merida’s home…
A peek of Merida’s place.
Merida’s Family
Jimmy was the character attendant assisting Merida today!
Merida and Me
Merida and the girls!

After Merida, we headed towards Liberty Square and rode the Liberty Belle Riverboat for the first time.  It’s a great way to see Tom Sawyer’s Island and even watch Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as you pass by.

The entrance…
Walking on!
On the boat…
On the river…
Pretty views…
You can see the Castle!
Helloooo!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
How cool!

We then headed off to Pirates of The Caribbean, but the line was quite a bit longer than expected for an “off-season” September day. We did get to see a bit of the Pirate show with Captain Jack Sparrow though!  Next, we decided to pick up one of our favorite treats- DOLE WHIP FLOATS!  They are tasty and even gluten free. 🙂  Twinkie and I like the pineapple and vanilla swirl and Tooti likes the orange and vanilla swirl.  They make the floats with Dole Pineapple Juice instead of soda.  YUM!

Captain Jack!
The Pirates of the Caribbean ride…
A 40 minute wait or Fast Pass + Option
Aloha Isle
The Menu… It’s even on the Disney Dining Plan for resort guests.
Delicious!

We headed towards Main Street to head back to the front gates, but paused to watch the end of the parade on the way out.  The line for the Express Monorail was short and it was a quick trip back to the Ticket & Transportation Center and MK parking lot.

The parade coming back down Main St.
Express Monorail line
The Monorail arriving… and the Ferryboat in the background.

A fun first day!!