Epcot's 30's anniversary! On October 1, 2012!

Well, the anniversary was on October and it is April 30, but who's really counting.  So happy 30 1/2 year Epcot.  

I visited in June 2012 as well which I did not feature on my blog as I was taking time off from it. So here you go.
Brave came out in the summer time and before the film came out they had Highland Games at the entrance to the World showcase.  You could be separated into clans and earn badges (a button) once you completed the games.  The most impressive thing was a huge sand sculpture.  Merida is sand, with all that hair, very impressive!

Then onto characters.  Surprisingly Merida was not in Epcot, but the Magic Kingdom, but there were plenty of other characters to see.  We stumbled upon a character explosion next to the American Adventure and found Mr. Smee and Max!  If only we had made it there about 20 minutes early.  There were about 12 characters out all at the same time.  Why doesn't this happen every visit?

To close out one evening we ate at the Rose and Crown in the British Pavilion.  We enjoyed the dinner on the patio, the side unfortunately.  But I had read that they have a Illuminations viewing patio so we asked and we were let in.  I'll have to say that Illuminations is a not my favorite show.  I fell it's kinda boring, low fireworks, fire, low fireworks, turning globe, low fireworks, then everything together.  Meh.

Now I'm back to September 2012!  In April 2013!

But the real reason why I spent the most time in Epcot than I ever had before was the Food and Wine Festival.  I tried going in 2011 but it didn't work out so I was very happy to make it in 2012.  

All the food comes in tapas form.  Usually about $3-4 you can easily eat your way around the world.

I found Jiminy Cricket and Stitch!  Two unusual characters to me that I had to see.  I was the last one to see Jiminy for the day.  For the win!  Rachel finally found out what my love of characters was all about and had a hilarious game of charades with Chip and Dale.  One of my best memories of the trip for sure!

It was the last day of my trip to WDW that also happened to be the 30th Anniversary of Epcot.  They gave out cool maps that showed the changes over the years to Epcot and a button.  Rachel could not make it into the park because of work so I got her a set too!  I love free buttons!  I wasn't able to make it to any of the presentations because I was occupied by eating around the world and having to fly out at 6pm.

I would love to go back to Epcot during the food and wine festival.  The food, in the restaurants or pavilions  is the real reason to visit Epcot at any time of the year.  But there is nothing really like eating around the world with a friend during the food and wine festival.
Up next, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Roasterie Tour

It's time to be a tourist again.  But this time in my own city.  Kansas City has a lot to offer.  It's finally time to get out of the house and explore the city that I call home.

The first adventure was to Southwest Boulevard to The Roasterie.  The Roasterie is a coffee roaster here in KC.  Instead of the classic barrel roasters, think barrel driers, they use air and heat.  Kind of like an air popcorn popper.   They are one of the few Air Roasters from around the country and probably the only one in KC.  Kinda cool.

The tour started with a short video about the history of the Roasterie, where they get their beans from and how their process works.  From there it was into the cupping room.  This is where the tasters check out the sample beans from the growers to decide to buy and check the current day's batches.  Our tour guide showed us how the tasters slurp the drinks to hit as many taste buds on their tongue.  A little difficult with hot coffee.

 Our tour continued in the warehouse/roasting space.  The warehouse holds the beans that are ready to be roasted.  Most of their stock is not held on site but in a humidity controlled warehouse in California.  I love those coffee bags.  I have one from Hawaii from two years ago that I still need to make something out of. 

The next stop was at the roasters themselves.  You can't see to much outside of a couple beans popping towards the top.  They were only running one roaster but from what I can remember they have 4 different size roasters.  And I started on of them.  How exciting!

One more stop around the floor to the bagging area.  They vacuum pack each bag as to reduce the oxygen level to practically nothing.  And I learned something.  The vent on the coffee bags are to let the gasses that come off after the bagging to be released.  Good to know.  Finally they stamp their coffee as bagged/roasted on instead of a use by.  

 At the end of the tour you return to the Coffee Shop.  They should give you a sample like they do a Boulevard.  Maybe more people would come, only 5 people on my tour where Boulevard tours are often full.  Anyways when we were waiting for our drinks I checked in.   It prints out a little boarding pass.  A great continuance of the retro plane theme

I went back today to The Roasterie Cafe in Leawood.  The White Chocolate Macadamia Nut latte was so delicious.  Why go to Starbucks when you can go to a local company with much better coffee!

Hollywood Studios aka the Park of Terrible Shows

Hollywood Studios is truly a theme park with shows.  Good shows?  Maybe not.  

The first show that I saw was The Little Mermaid.  Thank goodness it's only at 20 minute show because it was awful!  Ariel was underpitched the entire time, Eric was a bit fluffy, and the show was so chopped to bit is wasn't enjoyable even if the actors were good.  I wanted to leave but I was sitting in the middle of the row of a full theater so I stuck it out.

One thing I always enjoy in the park is the Magic of Disney animation area.  They always have displays set up for the next Disney or Pixar film.  As I was there in September they had Wreck it Ralph. 

As always I look for characters both inside and outside the Animal courtyard.

The next show was the parade.  They use music from the two California Adventure parades with only about half the interesting floats.  But I do love the music anyways and seeing characters you can't see in meet and greets in the park.

Rachel and I also hit up the 50's Prime Time Diner.  I got a pot roast and Rachel the pork chop.  And man were both of them delicious.  Followed by their smores, what could be better?  We both cleaned out plates but did not get stickers.  I want my money back!

Now to my last adventure in June.  I saw the Beauty and the Beast show.  It is one of my favorite full length musicals so I was excited.  The theater is very nice but the show again is a bit disjointed, but not as much as the Little Mermaid.  The show was decent but there was one thing that still sticks in my head.  What is the deal with the bright pink dresses?  Why?!  They are so ugly!

And finally from my trip in June was Fantasmic.  I love the show in Disneyland.  It is my favorite show there and when I visit I never miss it.  I must have seen it about 50 times.  

The Walt Disney World show just doesn't quite have it.  Missing are my favorite parts with the large boats around the Rivers of America.  There is one part where characters are stuck it bubbles that goes on for about 2 mintues, why?  The changes from the original show certainly don't make it better in my opinion.

I think that Hollywood Studios may have made it's way to the bottom of my Walt Disney World trip.  I certainly spent the least amount of time there compared to the other three parks.  

Up next, Epcot.

Crafting made easy - table top trash can

What's not to love about making your life a little bit easier.  I had a little pail that I picked up in the dollar section at Target after season.  What not to love about something that is 50 cents.
And what do I use it for?  A table top trashcan.

I feel it's one of my better inventions.

Off to Animal Kingdom

This might be a crazy statement to most but Animal Kingdom is probably my favorite Walt Disney World Park.  It's a zoo, which I always love, with a budget!  

Kilimanjaro Safaris is the icon attraction for the park and rightfully so.  What's not to love about a narrated safari with animals that are always in view.  

My other favorite attraction in the park is Everest.  It's a fantastic roller coaster with a temperamental yeti.  The best moment for me on the attraction is riding up the mountain for the first time.  Look to your left and you will see the Epcot ball, the Swan and Dolphin hotels, and The Tower of Terror.

And of course the characters.  The lines for characters in Animal Kingdom are always reasonable if non existant for characters like Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger.

The details of this park are what set it above any other.  It feels more like Disneyland when it comes to attention to detail.  Good job Mr. Rohde.  Walt would be happy.  It's like the Jungle Cruise he always wanted.

And more characters.  It was my first time visiting with Russel and Dug.  Gotta love new characters, ka kah!

And finally Dinosaur.  It's the terrible version of Indiana Jones.  But it is my favorite bad ride in the parks so I must go on it each visit.  I never quite remember where the camera is so the picture is always fantastic.  We're the bottom two on the left.  I usually have a "you cannot be serious" face.  Rachel does not look happy either.

Until next time Animal Kingdom!

Up next, Hollywood Studios

10,000 Hits on my blog

Thanks to everyone for visiting, reading, and checking out all my pictures.  It's been a little less than two years and I've had 10,000 hits!  

I hope to go on more adventures soon, make new things and write about them.  

Here are a couple photos that I love from my recent posts.

Paris Patisserie

  Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris Map

A Little Bit of Everything in London

 Edinburgh

 Walt Disney World Characters

 The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

KU Basketball in Allen Fieldhouse

 And from some upcoming posts

Magnolias in Bloom from Loose Park in Kansas City

 The Roasterie in Kansas City

 Awolnation Concert in Lawrence

Thanks for looking!  Keep coming back!

Walt Disney World for the third time in one year!

Ahh the Magic Kingdom.  I got there before the official park opening to find that they open the park with tons of characters on the train every morning.  How fun is that!  If only I were selected to open the park with them.  My guess is that they don't often choose a single person to do it.  Sadness.  

Anyways once I was in the park I was happy to see all of the Main Street vehicles out and taking guests to Cinderella castle.  And the Dapper Dans doing a show on the horse drawn street car too.  Where was this on my last three visits?

The relocation of Dumbo was new to me.  I don't think that I ever made it to Toontown Fair but that is where Storybook Circus is now.  And these days there are two Dumbos spinning next to each other, Barnstormer (a small kiddie coaster), Casey Jr. Soak zone water play area, and a huge shop in the land.  I'll have to say that I think that the painting on the Dumbo attraction is garish.  Clashing colors and too much gold does not make me happy!  And I just missed the opening of the New Fantasyland with the Be Our Restaurant, now open!

Of course there were characters.  I couldn't help myself than to join every character line I could find.  Princesses, Mice, Ducks, Pixar characters, and every other one I could find and get their autograph!

This time around I saw the Main Street parade.  Mainly just to see the characters.

The stepsisters were having a bit too much fun as they were booty scooting down the street.  Cinderella was not amused!

And the finale float with the rest of the princesses and princes.  I can't help it.  I just love those couples!

Now for my favorite picture of the trip.  Walt Disney World band, clear day, open street and the castle in the background.  What's not to love!

And more characters.  My favorite interaction was with the evil stepmother and step sisters.  The mom and child infront of me asked someone to hold onto their ice cream while they were taking their photo.  Being the former Disneyland cast member as I am I offered my help. They thanked me and the next two groups cut in front of me.  I finally made my way up to them.  They though that someone should buy me an ice cream and that everyone else was being very rude.  The evil stepsister and stepmother may be evil but they notice things!

And as always I finished my adventures in the Magic Kingdom with Minnie and Mickey.  Gotta say goodbye to the boss.