EPCOT - around the world in 7 hours

After an all day adventure at Magic Kingdom, I had planned a late start on Wednesday.  On the agenda, Character Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare with Alice in Wonderland and Mary Poppins and then a day at Epcot.  Mommy got all the kids dressed up and looking cute, even the girl's American Dolls (Bella and Addy).  Gigi looked so adorable in her Snow White dress.  I was very impressed on how it turned out.    And if your asking if Addy has a Minnie Mouse dress on, the answer is Yes.  The girls both got to pick two things from the Disney store at Downtown Disney.  Rosie picked a mickey mouse mood bracelet and a pencil case with pencils, markers, eraser, and notepad.  Gigi picked out a Thumper the bunny stuffed animal and a Minnie dress for Addy. IT came with adorable shoes and Addy's own set of Mickey Mouse ears.  Seriously!  So of course she wanted to bring Addy to breakfast to meet Alice in Wonderland.  How can a mother say no to that face?

{a hairpiece I made Gigi to match her Snow White Dress}

{safety first -- the dolls rode to breakfast in style}

I had told the kids there would be mickey mouse shaped waffles and I was right!  Even though I didn't get a taste, they looked really good.  The buffet at 1900 Park Fare was amazing!  We all had our bellies full by the time we left.  The best part of breakfast was the characters.  No waiting in line, they come right up to the table and sign autographs and pose for pictures. 

Mary Poppins was one of our favorites.  We have watched the Mary Poppins movie a few times and Mommy knows all the words.  In fact, we were singing "A bowl full of sugar" on the way to breakfast.  Bubba got to tell Mary Poppins how much he likes her movie and his favorite part is when she sings.  She really liked that.  Mary (we are on a first name basis now) asked Rosie if she keeps her room clean.  Rosie sheepishly told her some of the times it is clean.  Mary told her she needed to keep it clean and to make it a game to tidy her room.  I like Mary's thinking!   

I made Nate get a picture with his old pal Winnie the Pooh.  He was reluctant but when we saw a table beside us with 6 grown adults (and no children to be seen!) getting pictures with the characters he agreed to ONE picture.  My how he has grown!! 

With our tummies full and "Chim Chim Cheerie" singing in our heads, we packed in the rental and headed to Epcot.  I think this was the hottest day of the trip.  Maybe it was because we were all tired and exhausted from the day before, but we were pretty miserable.  The good thing is that Epcot has lots of shows.  The bad news is that they seem miles apart and there seems to be no shade from country to country.  Our foreheads were glistening from sweat. 

{Rosie keeping cool}

In all the heat we managed to find some fun.  The kids kept entertained by getting stamps at every country.   They could sit and color their Duffy on a stick and get a stamp.  It kept us energized between countries. 

{our little viking}

{mommy and daddy }

There were lots of pretty photo ops along the loop around Epcot, but definitely by day 4 the kids were not impressed by having to get out of the stroller to stand in the heat for a picture.  So mommy resorted to just snapping pictures anyway. 

At Germany we met Snow White.  This was not happenstance.  I had heard the place to get Snow White's autograph was at Germany in Epcot.  Gigi was so shy when she met her favorite princess. 

{priceless}

We did the pledge of allegiance in the American pavilion.   We sat through the American History show.  It put 4 of the 6 of us to sleep.  Aunt Kathy, Rosie, Bubba, and Gigi all got a 35 minute catnap while mommy and daddy enjoyed the show.  It was the power nap they all needed. 

After the little snooze through America they had their energy back.  We had smiles and with the promise of supper at the Rose and Crown Pub, we all had a little pep in our step. 

{our little tourguide}

We played concentration everywhere.  When I say "we" I mean the kids.  Concentration is a hand clapping thing like patty cake but you go back and forth saying answers to a topic like Disney princesses:  Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Princess Tiana... etc.  When we were bored waiting in line for a ride, waiting for a show to start, or waiting for our food, it was a good distraction.  

The meal was delicious at the pub.  My fish and chips were fantastic!  Kathy ordered some Bubbles and Squeak for us to try.  It is a cabbage, potato, cheese concoction.  Now we can say we have had Bubbles and Squeak.  And what a way to end the meal than with an ice cream sundae!  Yum Yum

If you haven't ridden Soarin' at Epcot, it is a must do.  Aunt Kathy had been on the ride before and said it was awesome and it was!  you hang glide through California.  Even Nate who isnt' crazy about heights enjoyed the ride.  Pretty amazing what they can come up with.  Day 4 was a pretty laid back day.  We were back at the condo with time left to even go swimming.  We left much of Epcot unseen, but I know my kids limitations (and my husband's) and we knew when it was time to go.  After 2 days of heightened stimulation we needed a day of rest.  Next on the agenda -- more swimming and putt putt.  Woohoo!!