It's A BuckeyeFortFamily Spring Break 'EGG'stravaganza!!

[BuckeyeFortMama 43]

Thanks TCD!

 

Well, let's make hay while the sun shines and try to get an update or two on while the site is up.

 

It's Day 3

 

 

Saturday March 23, 2013

It was barely raining as we left the campgrounds just after 8am. We saw some utility trucks on our way out. 

 

We are off to EPCOT. We have some new things to check out and report on and some limited time fun to have.

Sometimes driving a BIG truck just doesn’t pay.  They waved us way down to the end of the next row because we were so big.

 

 

See that tiny red car over BFF’s shoulder? That’s where they were parking everyone.

 

 

 

Good Morning EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival at Rope Drop (Lou-no official rope today).

 

 

After making us say hello in all the languages of the World Showcase, they open the turnstiles and we are off. Hands down the LAMEST opening in the WDWorld.

 

 

First stop.

Someday we can all just walk onto Soarin’, but for now we BABYSWAP it.The boys decided to stay with BFF while I took the girls.

 

We got the FFF ride which upset BFK1. Just look at this face. I had to take of picture of the drama over a few dangling feet in front of us.

 

I assured her she could get the row she wanted with BFF on the very next ride (which she did).

I took BFK4 and we headed for Test Trak FP’s.

It was a beautiful morning.  I took some pictures while I waited for my husband and the girls.

 

 

The flowers around the Electric Umbrella were gorgeous. I wish my flower beds looked like this.

 

 

That's all I got because we had a coaster to build and a new exhibit to check out.

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Having feet in your face SMB.

[BuckeyeFortMama 43]

BuckeyeFortFan and our firstborn BuckeyeFortKid 1 took off for one of her favorites 

while BFK 2-4 and I started our research.

We read this sign and wondered what this warning meant.

This is a group experience requiring moderate physical exertion. If you have any conditions that may be aggravated by this activity, please pace yourself accordingly.

 

Hmmmm, what is “moderate physical exertion?”

 

Superhero posters outside

 

  

Entering the simulator

 

We were asked to stand on one of these.

 

Then our Castmember started our instruction and training.

 

Then he turned it over to this lovely lady.

 

 

They gave us simple motions to fight our enemies. Then somehow the the computer would show how each of us performed on our spots. You can see the hero demonstrating one of the moves in the upper right corner.

 

 

There are 3 heroes. This one is the hero that is supposed to be a chunky little boy who is trying to be more active. They made him look chunky by dressing him in 2 really baggy shirts. There was a woman who fought dehydration, and man who fought poor food choices.

 

The next room had 3 different colored TSM pop guns on either side of long hallway.

 

You fought for your particular hero based upon color. For example if you chose a blue pop gun then you were fighting dehydration.

 

 

 

 

Please do not be fooled by the pop guns and cartoon villians, this is serious business.

 

 

 

 

Ok, I never experienced the first habit heros, but didn't this type of thinking get them in trouble?

 

Oh wait they have a disclaimer.

They told us the struggle will make you stronger. 

 

The last room has RFID readers and 3 different colored cards.

 

Here’s our explanation of what to do from the healthy eating hero.

 

We passed the all 3 tests. 

  

But wait the world needs habit heros.

 

Everyone needs to chose a bracelet for the type of habit hero you want to be.

 

 

  

We have our missions.

 

  

And now we are ready to be habit heroes all day long.

 

  

Actually the kids enjoyed the experience and BFK1 was upset she missed out on it. They talked about being habit heroes the whole vacation.

  

Was it a time suck? Certainly!

 

Did it SMB? No, the kids loved it and honestly if I can’t sort trash to make a playground anymore, this will do.  

 

 

 

I wanted to get Habit Heroes on it's own post so that I wouldn't hit the picture limit.

 

I'll post more after I get the kids some dinner.

[rush 7]

I wish I could get the pictures to come up......sounds great though.

[BuckeyeFortMama 43]

Having feet in your face SMB.

 

I can't believe I am actually going to say this.  I sound like Lou...

 

Honestly, what's a few feet? The ride is awesome no matter where you ride.  It's just a ride.

 

Enjoy the smells and look at the screen. Don't focus on the feet.

 

Ok, that sounds harsh. It does SMB!

 

I wish I could get the pictures to come up......sounds great though.

 

Oh no.  Was it all the pictures or just the last post?

 

I tried something new with how I post the pictures. I can see them all.

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

I can't believe I am actually going to say this.  I sound like Lou...

 

Honestly, what's a few feet? The ride is awesome no matter where you ride.  It's just a ride.

 

Enjoy the smells and look at the screen. Don't focus on the feet.

 

Ok, that sounds harsh. It does SMB!

 

 

Oh no.  Was it all the pictures or just the last post?

 

I tried something new with how I post the pictures. I can see them all.

 

Pics are all showing for me. 

[BuckeyeFortMama 43]

Pics are all showing for me. 

 

Whew!

[momof3kids-Yvonne 594]

I've been reading along, but haven't had a chance to comment yet.

 

Like everyone has already said before love how your GAG changed into a HDDR.  

 

I see you have your children travel trained too.

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

Ha ha! You do sound like Lou.

 

I love SOAT.

 

Not sure about that Habit Heroes attraction.

[BuckeyeFortMama 43]

Ok, it’s test track time (10:45am).

 

We went for a our baby swap only to discover BFK4 was tall enough. So we gave it a try.

 

We fill the whole car.

 

 

BFK4 was not a fan. It went TOO FAST!

 

So we made it up to him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After checking out his friends from Radiator Springs and playing on the playground he forgot all about that scary ride.

 

 

 

 

This was a fun picture to get. I call it monorail over Radiator Springs.

 

 

It was time to gather kids so we could change out those tired old paper Annual Passes for some cutting edge RFID ones.

 

 

They were ready for lines but fortunately for us there were none. There was even a castmember to make small talk with us while another castmember actually processed our cards.

 

 

 

For a full report on this AP experience see the thread on RFID AP conversion. I’m glad we made the change. The RFID’s work so much better I think. They make getting into the park smoother and faster. I’m a fan of that.

 

We left the Odyssey Center around 11:15 and we had a Via Napoli ADR a 12:45. So we head out towards Mexico and checked out the floating flowers on our way.

 

 

 

We had no agenda (yes Lou… even the “planners” sometimes just wander) as we walked through the world showcase.

 

As we were walking towards Norway I see this.

 

Here’s a closer look.

 

Ok, this is definitely a Figment on an Easter Egg.

 

I guess we have stumbled upon the Limited Time Magic Vinylmation Easter Egg Hunt in the World Showcase. We hadn’t decided if we would search for them but since we found this one we just started looking and taking pictures. 

 

While we were egg hunting in China we found this cool dragon.

 

 

AHA! Chip is stuck in the rocks.

 

 

And now Dale in Germany

 

 

We had to check out the trains.  The flower and garden festival in miniature. There are little flower and garden festival flags on the flag pole and those mini green blurrs at the top of the photo are the topiaries one can find around the park.

 

 

Never noticed this one before.

 

Goofy is in Italy.

 

 

And Italy brings us to lunch. 

 

All this egg hunting was fun, but we are now starving.

 

I must thank DaveInTn for introducing us to Via Napoli through his trip reports.  This was our first time here.

 

Pizza never tasted so good.

 

I need to warn all readers of the mouthwatering pood forn that is about to follow.

 

We started with Sangria. Awesome! and for Disney, it is priced quite nicely.

 

 

In the glass, it looks even better.

 

 

Appetizer. Caprese salad, buffalo mozzarella and a slice of tomato with olive oil drizzle. A little balsamic and this would have been perfect.

 

 

We ordered kids meals for BFK2, 3, and 4.

 

BFF and I shared our grown up pizzas with our oldest.

 

 

Yes it is as good as it looks.

 

 

Ok, after that we ALL need a break.

 

 and by break I simply refering to the trip report. There's plenty more EPCOT to come.

 

 

 

[BuckeyeFortMama 43]

I've been reading along, but haven't had a chance to comment yet.

Like everyone has already said before love how your GAG changed into a HDDR.

I see you have your children travel trained too.

Thanks for reading.

I still giggle when I think about the GAG.

Many years of the same trip has really got them in a groove when we travel.

[BuckeyeFortMama 43]

Ha ha! You do sound like Lou.

 

I love SOAT.

 

Not sure about that Habit Heroes attraction.

 

Oh, the implications of even having a 'Lou...' thought let alone actually admitting it.  What does that mean? What does that say about me?

 

I have only done SOAT once, as we only have 1 tall enough to ride who isn't too chicken and I am not the parent who enjoys coaster.

 

I really can't complain though. My kids have always loved innoventions clear back to the one about ants living under the ground.

 

I mean honestly my youngest 3 can easily kill 15 minutes just playing in that stupid little playhouse in front of the green home.

 

Habit Heroes is more fun than holding a flashlight for the Findmores or Searchwells (and we actually like to play the 'firehouse' game) but I would say not as fun as the Great Piggy Bank Adventure.

[Lou... 3,118]

Oh, the implications of even having a 'Lou...' thought

What does that say about me?

 

 

Don't give Kelly any ideas. She'll want to make a list,.......a long list.

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

Don't give Kelly any ideas. She'll want to make a list,.......a long list.

 

Hmmmmm...... tempting....... Should I start a thread?

 

 

[Big Kahuna aka John 71]

Hmmmm. Pizza looks delicious...  Sangria even better...  This is on the short list!  Thanks!!

[BuckeyeFortMama 43]

Hmmmm. Pizza looks delicious...  Sangria even better...  This is on the short list!  Thanks!!

 

It should be. We lived near a number of really great Italian restaurants so we have avoided this restaurant, but after DaveInTn's rave reviews we thought we'd try it and now it's one of our EPCOT favorites.

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Nice job on the egg hunt.

The pizza looks delish.

Looking forward to more.

[13.1ToGo 0]

Just started reading.

 

Loved your trip down photos!  Amazing how cold spring break was this year.

 

Habit Heroes looks like a must try  for my younger kiddos in May.

 

Egg hunt looked like fun.

 

Can't wait to read more!

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Great updates, BFM.

 

Epcot doesn't look very crowded at all.  Good job going for rope drop!  That SMB big time that you had to park at the end of the row like that!  You need a AAA pass.  Do you know about those?

 

Now that both you and DIT have endorsed that pizza (along with other Fiends), I am going to have to try it.  I always figured we get good pizza at home, so why bother eating it at Epcot, when there are so many other things to choose?  But since every one raves about that pizza, I'm going to have to try it.

 

We also still have not tried Habit Heroes.  The last time we were there, we were going to have to wait 20 minutes just to start.  I assume we would then be in the attraction for another 15-20 minutes.  That seems like too much time to invest just to be told I'm fat and need to watch what I eat.  Since you say it's OK, I will give it a go one of these days.

 

TCD

[BuckeyeFortMama 43]

 I need to get this EPCOT day finished up tonight, but first some housekeeping.

 

Nice job on the egg hunt.

The pizza looks delish.

Looking forward to more.

 

 The egg hunt was a fun way to go through the World Showcase with the kids. That was the fun part. The stupid keychain was ugly and useless. Was that too snarky? I just don't get the vinylmation craze.

 

Just started reading.

 

Loved your trip down photos!  Amazing how cold spring break was this year.

 

Habit Heroes looks like a must try  for my younger kiddos in May.

 

Egg hunt looked like fun.

 

Can't wait to read more!

 

Thanks for reading!

 

 I can't wait to post more. 

 

Great updates, BFM.

 

Epcot doesn't look very crowded at all.  Good job going for rope drop!  That SMB big time that you had to park at the end of the row like that!  You need a AAA pass.  Do you know about those?

 

Now that both you and DIT have endorsed that pizza (along with other Fiends), I am going to have to try it.  I always figured we get good pizza at home, so why bother eating it at Epcot, when there are so many other things to choose?  But since every one raves about that pizza, I'm going to have to try it.

 

We also still have not tried Habit Heroes.  The last time we were there, we were going to have to wait 20 minutes just to start.  I assume we would then be in the attraction for another 15-20 minutes.  That seems like too much time to invest just to be told I'm fat and need to watch what I eat.  Since you say it's OK, I will give it a go one of these days.

 

TCD

 

Our whole trip was great crowd wise!

 

Is the AAA thing something you can do even if you have an Annual Pass?

 

Via Napoli--You sound like my husband almost exactly! BUT honestly the pizza is awesome!

 

I kept thinking on my way through Habit Heroes "what would TCD take a picture of?"  The message was nice. Be healthy not lose weight you big fatty.  Not worth the 20 minute wait though. You go enough you'll hit it with no wait one of these times and get to play the fun games.

[BuckeyeFortMama 43]

March 23 continued

 

After lunch we enjoyed a street performance from the yelling sisters.

 

We completed a masterpiece.

 

 

 

 

 

We loved the Lady and Tramp topiary. Although I don’t know what has Lady so upset.

 

Off to the American Adventure in search of sweet smelling strawberries.

 

 

We took this picture and then…

 

 

 

found Mickey when we turned around.

 

 

Minnie was in Japan. She took a while to find.  We finally gave up and walked down the steps from the tranquil garden behind the pagoda and lo behold across the way there she was.

 

Donald was in Morocco.

 

 

We played on a playground set up between Morocco and France. The kids were all given squeezable applesauce-FREE.  But not free because now they want Mama to buy them that kind of expensive applesauce, but I digress.

 

While we were playing on the playground we looked towards France and found an egg. It wasn’t until we got closer did we discover it was Daisy. 

 

I think the topiaries in France and the UK were our favorites. I haven’t seen them in other trip reports so you get to see them all because I can't decide which are the best.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just when you thought we gave up looking for eggs, we found this one.

 

There's gotta be one in Canada, eh?

 

Perry? The kids loved finding this one. It must speak to their generation.

 

Now it's off to pick up that vinylmation key chain. The kids thought it was a horrible prize for the hunting, but they enjoyed finding the eggs and putting the stickers on the paper.

 

While we were there BFK2 just had to give BFF a hard time.  He hates the premise behind Duffy, so she LOVES to love Duffy. So she just had to meet him.

 

Darn she looks happy. Is it meeting Duffy or knowing that this picture is going in her father's trip report??? hmmmm, this might be our snarkiest kid.

 

[BuckeyeFortMama 43]

Ok, it's 3pm. Time to get in a swim before supper.

 

The girls head straight for the slide.

 

BuckeyeFortKid #1

 

Now BFK2

 

What are the boys doing? Well, my little surfer dude BFK3 is just playing.

 

And BFK4 loves the kiddie pool.  He could care less about the water playground. 

 

I love how the swim always wears them out.

 

It's time to fire up the grill to cook our cheeseburgers and hot dogs so we can do some looping before bed.

 

MK rope drop tomorrow. We need our rest.

[Beckers 1,136]

Good times! That pizza does look awesome and good pizza in Disney doesn't exist anywhere so I think this will be on the to do list whenever we go again.

[alexwyattmommy 181]

The egg looks like fun, mostly because you didn't plan to do it.  It just happened.

The pizza looks good.  Not sure I can get my husband to fork over that much for pizza though.  He doesn't get pizza like a New Yorker gets pizza.

We, meaning me, are doing more cooking back at the ranch this trip.  

I think Snarky runs deep in your family.  That girl is good.

[BuckeyeFortMama 43]

Good times! That pizza does look awesome and good pizza in Disney doesn't exist anywhere so I think this will be on the to do list whenever we go again.

 

You won't regret it.

 

I had to twist BuckeyeForfFan's arm to get him there and now I'll have to twist his arm to get him into any other restaurant at EPCOT.

 

Especially with the cheap but really good Sangria.

 

The egg looks like fun, mostly because you didn't plan to do it.  It just happened.

The pizza looks good.  Not sure I can get my husband to fork over that much for pizza though.  He doesn't get pizza like a New Yorker gets pizza.

We, meaning me, are doing more cooking back at the ranch this trip.  

I think Snarky runs deep in your family.  That girl is good.

 

See my response to SSBB about the pizza. It really is THAT GOOD!

 

Snarky does run in the blood of the entire BuckeyeFortFamily.  Sometimes that's not so good, but fortunately we have the fiends to appreciate that!

 

I'm uploading March 24th to photobucket right now and hope to get our MK day on today.