Get "Inside Out" at the Flower and Garden Festival!

When I went to Epcot in April, there was a fun display, an Emotion Garden, for the upcoming Pixar animated movie, "Inside Out", as part of the Flower and Garden Festival displays.

It featured plants and flowers as each of the emotions shown in the movie: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust.

I took some pictures to share with all of your - check them out! And be sure to mark the weekend of June 19th on your calendar, as that's opening weekend for this newest Pixar flick! I can't wait to see it!

 

 

 

 

Have a magical day!

Club Cool!

One of the fun (and free!) things to do at Epcot is visit Club Cool. Sponsored by Coca-Cola, Club Cool has all sorts of fun Coke merchandise including cups and tee shirts.

But perhaps the best reason to visit Club Cool is that you can try sodas from all around the world, for FREE!

Right in the middle of Walt Disney World, you can enjoy drinks from Thailand, Japan, Peru, Brazil and more!

Next time you're in Epcot, make sure you stop by Club Cool and try them all.

If you've been to Club Cool, which ones are your favorites? What sodas were perhaps less enjoyable for you?

Have a magical day!

Dining Review: Nine Dragons

On Tuesday September 2nd I headed into Epcot and my lunch reservation at Nine Dragons, at the China pavilion in the World Showcase.

This was a bit of a "cheat" on my goal of eating at different Table Service restaurants this trip, as I had been here before.  However, I really enjoyed it back in March and wanted to give it another try.  Plus, I ended up having 1 extra Table Service credit on the Dining Plan (I had canceled a meal earlier in the week) and so I thought, why not?

Nine Dragons doesn't get much love from Disney bloggers and the Disney fan community, and I honestly have no idea why. Both times I have been there, the food is good and most importantly, the service is top-notch.  I think some of the nicest, best cast members at Disney work here at Nine Dragons - they do a phenomenal job.  This meal was no exception.

I arrived at Nine Dragons and although I had a reservation, I was not in their system.  But no matter, they weren't busy and were able to seat me right away (I still don't know WHAT happened to that dining reservation - it's floating around the interwebs, I guess!). I was escorted to a table near the front of the restaurant, and my waitress came by soon after.

She took my drink order (my usual Diet Coke) and then gave me some information about the menu.  Like a number of the Table Service restaurants, they had a Prix Fixe option where for one price you got a soup, your entree and dessert.  She also said not to look at the entrees listed on the table tent for the Prix Fixe, that I could choose any entree from the menu that I wanted. That was great, as none of the listed entrees really excited me.

After a short deliberation, I chose the Hot and Sour Soup, the Sesame Chicken and the Ginger Cake for dessert.

The soup came first, and it was SO GOOD.  I didn't get a picture, because I was enjoying it so much I didn't stop to take one!  It was the perfect blend of hot and sour (thus the name) and was just delicious. If I could have bought a thermos of it to take with me, I would have!  So good.

It was then time for the entree, and my portion of Sesame Chicken, with fried rice, was *just* right. The perfect portion where I felt satisfied when I left, but I was not bursting at the seams.  Just looking at it now makes me salivate for this lunch - I really need to learn a Sesame Chicken recipe so I can attempt to recreate this at home.

The dessert was also quite good - and like a bad blogger, I of course didn't get a picture of it.  Grrr. I really enjoyed it; it was light and almost refreshing, and was the perfect end to my meal.

I had another great experience at Nine Dragons, and will definitely be coming back again.  Not only was my food good, the correct temperature, delivered in a timely fashion, etc - - the service was wonderful. Everyone from the hostesses to my waitress was kind, friendly and struck the perfect balance between being an attentive waitress, but not hovering over me.

Nine Dragons is still on my list of favorites - and is quickly becoming a place I HAVE to go to when at Disney World!

What is your favorite Table Service restaurant in the World Showcase?

Have a magical day!

Dining Review: Les Chefs de France

Today I am going to share my dining review of Les Chefs de France, located at the French pavilion at Epcot's World Showcase.

I was on a mission this trip to experience Table Service locations that I haven't visited in the past, and Les Chefs de France was on the list.

I toured Epcot on Tuesday, September 2nd and had a wonderful day (a full blow-by-blow of this day to come later!).  After a ride on Mission Space, I made my way back to the World Showcase and to Les Chefs for my 6:30PM reservation.  I was a few minutes early but I was able to be seated right away.

My waitress was great, very friendly.  I was seated at a 2-top table (I found this was the case for every Table Service meal I had) and was given a menu.  I ordered my normal Diet Coke, as sodas are included on the Dining Plan, and looked at what I would like to eat.

For each Table Service meal on the Dining Plan, you get your entree, dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage.  However, Les Chefs has a Prix Fixe option (as do many other locations) that is included on the Dining Plan and ends up giving you more food.   If I had paid out of pocket, it would have been $39.99 (plus tip).

I chose the french onion soup, the Gratin de macaroni for my entree and their strawberry and creme cake, which also came with a small scoop of sorbet.

The first course was the soup, and it was a large serving.  I was expecting more of a cup of soup, but this was a large bowl.  It also came with a good sized full baguette, which I didn't eat as I wanted to have room for the rest of my meal.

My main course was the Gratin de macaroni, and I had been anxious to try this.  Mac & cheese is one of my favorite meals to make at home, so I had high hopes for Les Chef's version.  As you can see in the picture, it was another HUGE serving and I only ended up eating about 1/3rd of it. It looked to be nearly a full box of pasta in just that one dish.  I have to say, honestly - I was a bit disappointed in it.  I didn't have much flavor and was very rich.  I think my macaroni I make at home is better, so that was a disappointment.

At this point, I was already pretty full but wanted to try a few more bites of the dessert.  I LOVE the dessert / pastry shop at the French pavilion so I was looking forward to dessert but again was underwhelmed.  It was fresh and the cake was a good consistency, but again not very flavorful.  The sorbet, however, was incredible - it tasted like it had been made fresh that day and it was probably my favorite part of the meal.

Here are some more pictures for you:

I didn't dislike the experience and I wasn't upset; my waitress was just lovely and the atmosphere of the restaurant was top-notch.  I will give them another try some time in the future - I like to give a restaurant at least a few tries before I decide not to go again, just in case they are having an "off" night. However, I'm sorry to say Les Chefs de France didn't make it onto my "must have" list for Disney Dining.

I was glad I was able to make it there this trip and try it out for myself.

Thank you for reading - and have a magical day!

Two Weeks from Today...

When a trip is to Disney is getting so close I can almost taste it....I like to play the "where will I be __ days from today?"

And today's answer?  Two weeks from today, I'll be spending the day at this lovely place.  Hello, gorgeous! Cannot.  Wait.

In the meantime, I have lots to do before the relaxation starts - but mentally going to the Disney Place helps me get in that "vacation" frame of mind!

What games do YOU play while waiting for your vacation?

Pre-Trip Report: Tuesday, September 2nd

Happy Tuesday, readers!  And the first day of July...this summer is just whizzing by!

And you know the other cool thing?!  Starting today, I get to say - "I am going to Disney next month!" (OK, yes, I know LATE next month but it's the little things, right?!)

The next day of the trip will take me to Epcot ~ I just love this park - - both because of the attractions (like Soarin and Test Track) and also the World Showcase.  As with my Magic Kingdom day, the crowds on this day are predicted to be pretty low, so I am hoping I can get in multiple rides on some of my favorite attractions!

I plan to get to the park when it opens, so I can have plenty of touring time before lunch.  Since the World Showcase doesn't open until 11AM, I will get in plenty of rides on Soarin, Test Track, Mission Space and Living with the Land. I may even hit up the Character Spot and get some pictures with Mickey, Minnie and the gang!

I'll plan on being in the World Showcase when it opens at 11AM, so I can do a leisurely walk around the lake before lunch.  I plan on picking up a Times Guide at the start of the day, so I can catch some of the fun performances and special events at the different countries in the World Showcase.

One of the things I am looking forward to with touring solo is the ability to stay in the shops and countries as long as I want.  Some people like to rush through this part of Epcot but there are so many cool things to see and do.  It'll be nice to wander and see what I like, at my own pace.

After a relaxing morning and early afternoon, I will head over to Les Chefs de France in the France area of World Showcase.  This is another one of the restaurants I have never tried and am excited to eat there for the first time.  The menu sounds very good and I can't wait to be there!

(pictures courtesy of DisneyWorld.com)

After lunch, I will wind my way around the last 1/3rd of World Showcase, stopping in the UK and Canadian sections before making my way out of Epcot.  As I've mentioned before, September tends to be HOT and my plan at this point is to tour in the mornings, and then head back to the resort in the afternoon for some pool and relaxation time.

Epcot's nightly fireworks show, Illuminations, is a favorite of mine.  If I am feeling up to it this night, I will head back into the park later in the evening to catch the show.   I am still getting the knack of fireworks pictures, but I think these turned out pretty cool!

What are your favorite things about Epcot?

Have a magical day!

The Epcot Flower & Garden Festival

Last week, I got to experience the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort.  Since we were staying at the Yacht Club Resort for the Agent Education conference, it was a quick 5 minute walk over to Epcot and so we were there quite a few times.

There are gorgeous flowers and plants, topiaries of your favorite Disney characters, as well as seminars and talks by those in-the-know in the gardening world.   There are also food and drink kiosks, similar to what they have for the Food and Wine festival in the fall.  (In the French pavilion, you HAVE to get the Vie en Rose frozen cocktail.  Those were THE BOMB.)

Me and my girl Ellen visited this place a few times!

It was so great to be able to see things blooming, and green grass!

There are lots of things to see and enjoy, so kick back, grab a Vie en Rose and walk through Epcot with me!

(Who wants more play areas like this at Disney?! Wouldn't that be great?!)

There is also merchandise available during F&G - I purchased a Mickey paver stone for my front yard!  And never fear about carrying that bad boy home on the plane - for a reasonable shipping fee, Disney will mail it to your house!

I just loved this Mary Poppins topiary!

I was glad I got to experience Flower & Garden Festival, and I'm hoping I can get to Orlando for a long weekend in 2015 to experience it again.

Hope you all have a magical weekend!

Walking Through Epcot...

One of the great benefits of staying at either the Boardwalk or Beach & Yacht Club resorts is that you're just a short 10-15 minute walk from your hotel to the International Gateway at Epcot.  This is such a pretty walk, and once you enter Epcot you're greeted with scenes like this (the buildings across the way are in France).

Also, as we celebrate Christmas Eve, I wish you & yours a very blessed and safe Christmas!

Hello, Epcot!

Today's post is pretty simple, just a picture that makes me happy.  I took this in October 2012 as we were heading into EPCOT and I just love the way it turned out.  The sphere against the backdrop of that perfect blue Florida sky is pretty cool, and takes me back to that day.

Bonus points and a whole lot of kudos if you can tell me the technical name of the Epcot sphere.  And no, "giant golf ball" is not the correct answer, but thanks for playing.

(And don't forget - you have today and tomorrow until Midnight to enter for your chance to win the Elsa and Anna dolls from Disney's Frozen!  All you need to do is leave a comment on any post on this blog, and you're entered to win!)