Today was the last full day of our awesome Disneyworld Vacation! We chose to go to Epcot to check out some new rides and walk around the World Showcase.
The first ride of the day was Sourin'! Like most other days this week, we were in the situation where we had to pick one "hot" ride to get a FastPass for and race to the other "hot" ride so we could beat the crowds. So we flew by the giant golf ball (sorry, that is always what I see when I see the big ball of Epcot) and raced over to try our hand at hang-gliding over the Earth.
The kids really liked the ride... we all did. Basically you are strapped into these hang gliders that are raised to be in front of stadium size TV screens. With wind and sound effects, you feel like you are souring over California and other beautiful places on Earth. They even pretend to be falling to give you a small thrill as part of the ride. Definitely glad we tried it, as this was new to all of us, but I definitely wouldn't ever stand two hours in line to do it again.
We just so happened to be at Epcot during the annual Flower & Garden Festival, so the grounds were covered with vibrant colorful flowers and all the bushes were trimmed like your favorite Disney characters. The kids loved it - so you will see many pictures throughout as we made our way around Epcot.
Yes, sweet KK is dressed up like a princess today. She brought a crown and clock to wear, as today is the day she will be meeting Elsa and Ana in person... more to come on that later.
Of course we had to go back to the golf ball for a family picture!
Daisy Duck was behind them holding flowers - so pretty!
HERE WE ARE AT EPCOT!
KK wanted her own picture with the ball!
So up next was our FastPass for the "hottest" ride in town. We weren't sure what to expect, but we knew that AJ was going to love it. We were surprised to find that KK loved it just as much. We went to Fast Track.
So at Fast Track, you get to design your car on touch screens. Everything from the motor to the shape to the wheels. Even the paint color! The kids go crazy navigating their way through, deciding if they want their car to be fast versus safe versus environmentally friendly. All these factors will be tested against the other cars being made around you on the track.
AJ's 1st car
KK's 1st car
After that is complete, we got into these open top race cars and each of our cars is tested on a test track that we are inside of. We go through wet weather, quick stops, fast starts... and finally (and the kids absolute favorite part) the ride ends by speeding up to 65 miles per hour and going outside of the building and on a race track that is on top of the building in a big circle... Open roof, 65 miles per hour, 30 feet off the ground. Yup, our little thrill seekers loved it!
We would have gone for round 2 but we were late for our lunch in Italy. Not wanting to waste time, we left the stroller and started running around the World Showcase to Italy. Having left our map in the stroller, we were blissfully unaware that our 11 a.m. lunch reservation was halfway around the World. KK and Daddy were running non stop... AJ and Mommy opted for a speed walking pace, especially after someone's little legs gave out on him and he had to be carried. By the time we got to Italy, we saw a line of people that were waiting for a table and realized we weren't that late after all. Too bad we were sweating, breathing hard and exhausted. Daddy was considering laying down on the sidewalk to catch his breath. Nothing like fun family time haha!
Here we all are, a little cooler and ready for some yummy food!
KK was digging on the mozzarella balls and fruit cups.
AJ loved the brick oven Italian pizza
I got a pizza with cantaloupe and pancetta. Daddy got a supreme like pizza, only the Italian version.
And of course we had to try dessert. We shared tiramisu and pistachio gelato to share. Yum! The kids had vanilla and chocolate gelato.
So after our delicious lunch, it was time to meet the Frozen Princesses. We knew going in that this was going to be a big time commitment for our family. The lines averaged to be 4 hours long. We talked with the kids, and KK's biggest wish for our trip was to meet Ana and Elsa. So AJ and I went to Norway to save our seat in a four hour line while Daddy and KK walked around the showcase to get our stroller that we had hastily left behind.
Daddy and KK took the camera with them and found some more amazing character bushes.
Cinderella (my favorite)
AJ got to see these guys in person later that night!
An hour later, they returned. It was 85 degrees and there was zero shade in line. But we knew that this meant a lot to KK, so we took turns sweating in the hot Florida sun while the other parent took the kids to nearby worlds like China to window shop in air conditioning. It wasn't a fast wait, but when you are surrounded by equally crazy Frozen fans, you begin to make friends and spend the time chatting and laughing at yourselves. Crazy things you do when on vacation in Disneyworld...
The kids found some rocks to climb on to pass the time...
So there is only one store in all of Disney World that has the most Frozen items. But things go fast. Apparently earlier this week they received over a thousand Olaf stuffed animals. By Wednesday they were sold out. The kids were sad, as we had hoped to get one for each of them today. But our luck wasn't gone! On hour 3 of our 4 hour wait, they received a shipment of Elsa dresses and Ana and Elsa Barbie dolls. Another crazy thing you do on a Disney World vacation? Grab an overly expensive I-can't-believe-anyone-would-spend-that-much-on-a-dress-up-dress and fight a mob and crazy people to do it.
The things we do! Good thing she looks beautiful in her dress... She was so surprised and so excited. She had to put it on immediately so she could wear it when she meets Elsa in person!
And four hours later... our moment arrived! AJ with his sword (the only boy item I could find to give him when I got KK the dress) and KK in her dress. Would this be worth a four hour wait?
YES!
KK ran straight to Elsa and they hugged as they compared their beautiful dresses.
Ana and AJ had discussions about his cool sword and if AJ could chop ice like Kristop, which AJ thought was an awesome idea.
And they weren't just going to take pictures and go... they hugged the kids more and talked with them for a bit. Loved that they didn't rush this moment for them, especially after four hours.
Anna and AJ really hit it off, he showed her his sword and how he would chop ice with it. Elsa held KK's hand the whole time. I mean these kids were in heaven!
Here is our official shot with the princesses:
And of course we had to have a family picture too!
And then big hugs all around as we said goodbye. Wow, they were amazing and so kind. Worth the wait, just based on the big smiles on the kid's faces.
We weren't done with princesses yet! We had dinner reservations at Akershus in Norway next.
Good thing KK was already dressed for dinner in her Elsa gown, and AJ the prince with his mighty sword!
We walked right in and there we met Belle all dressed up in her ball gown too!
Love KK's little curtsy she did in the picture.
So how was the day going guys? I think their excited smiles say it all! We were ready to meet more princesses and get our autograph books filled up!
Dinner started with a dance around the dining room!
Then one of my favorite princesses arrived to greet us: Cinderella!
She was so sweet and let us take a lot of pictures! This was KK's first princess she ever loved when she was little - a dream come true meeting her and hugging her!
Snow White surprised us next, her voice was high pitched just like in the movie! It had to be the real her!
AJ surprised us tonight, he was all about the princesses and hugs, even though they were girls ;-)
Halfway through our meal, Aurora (aka Sleeping Beauty) arrived to say hello.
AJ wanted to make sure he sword was in the picture..
Mommy got excited and got in a picture too!
KK wanted one more picture :-)
And before our dessert came, we got to meet Ariel. She wasn't sure what to make of AJ and his sword, after she asked him if he thought his sword was better than Prince Eric's and AJ responded "of course"!
I think she fell under AJ's spell... She also loved KK's dress and hugged her tight before saying goodbye.
After dinner we decided to make our way back to Fast Track by walking around the world and taking in the sites.
KK in China
The golf ball across the lake
Germany! Oma's favorite stop!
The kids wanted a picture to say hi to Oma! We stopped to get some gummy bears and some German chocolate yum!
Snow White was in Germany along with
her friends!
All of them made of flowers... wow!
Here is Italy!
We found Lady and the Tramp here.
Now here is Japan
Madrid?
The Tick Tock Croc! KK had to pretend she was a croc too.
AJ and Hook with their swords!
Mickey and the broomsticks dancing...
Before we knew it, we had walked around the world and were back at Fast Track to ride a few more times before the park closed.
AJ and KK had a blast going 65 mph several more times before it was time to head home.
But on our way out, we had to visit McQueen and Mater so AJ could see them in all their glory.
A great ending shot to a long but fun day! It seemed like we didn't have time to see every country, but meeting Elsa and Ana made the day. The kids feel asleep with smiles on their faces. Tomorrow we have only a few hours until we head home...
Sweet Dreams Y'all!
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