We happened to be in town when the International Flower and Garden Festival was on the go at Epcot. We were there on the second last day of the Festival and the gardens and character topiaries were simply phenomenal! There were also presentations by designers and appearances from some of the HGTV celebs as well as the Flower Power Concert Series. Starship starring Mickey Thomas was there... You know them! It's the "We built this city" band!
Have a look at some of these gardens and character topiaries!
Amazing Right?
I knew that Daisy and Goofy would be hanging out just inside the entrance around the time we were arriving (thank you planning) so that was our first stop... and Jodi's first pair of autographs! It was cute cos she was really nervous and was dancing around looking like she needed the loo! Once we had Daisy's autograph and I picked her up she felt more excited and actually touched Daisy's shoulder during our photo opportunity!
We walked under the giant ball, the iconic Disney geosphere (which has a ride inside it!), and took a right turn to head to The Seas - the Nemo & Friends ride, which was awesome! And Jodi loved it too =)
Epcot is all about the World Showcase, it shares the culture and cuisine of 11 countries: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the United States, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom and Canada.
Before our trip, I had a look online to see which of the countries were best to visit at the World Showcase based on other toddler mom's comments and blogs. I didn't want to drag a little two year old to each country, so here are some of our highlights.... but before that, let's talk Mickey and the gang! Our longest wait By Far! was a 45 minute wait to see some Characters. Thankfully there were a tonne of other kids around to keep Jodi entertained in the queue, and the wait was to see three characters, not just one. Give it up for Mickey, Minnie and Pluto! Whoop Whoop!
We bumped into Donald in Mexico, dressed in his Poncho and Sombrero and grabbed a quick hug, high five and autograph from him.
We left the park after our lunch and headed to Typhoon Lagoon for a few hours of water fun. The three of us LOVED it, especially Castaway Creek, the lazy river. Jodi ended up having a little nap on me as we were floating around.
Every 90 seconds there is this loud THUD noise and then screaming (which you hear wherever you are in the waterpark), it's the people in the water of the lagoon screaming as the big wave comes at them.
Here's a somewhat dramatic description from the Disney Website: "Hear the thunderous “sonic boom” and the eager squeals of swimmers as gentle waves become big kahunas. Look over your shoulder and feel the excitement build as a cresting wave heads your way. Stand poised to paddle for all you’re worth. Then hang on as you’re swept ashore by forces rivaling those of Mother Nature."
Growing up in Bluewater Bay with plenty of "big kahuna" waves and dangerous rip currents, this was nothing... but it was still loads of fun with Jodi! (That's if you don't mind people trying to jump over a large wave that's broken instead of going under it, and they end up accidentally landing on your face! Hahaha!)
As the sun started to set we dried off and headed back to Epcot for the amazing Fireworks display (and made sure to get some French Pastries from Les Halles Boulangerie & Pâtisserie in France before the start of the show)!
Jodi danced around while we ate our creme brulee and waited for the sun to set and the Illuminations fireworks display to begin. It takes place on the water so you can get a great view from pretty much anywhere around the World Showcase Lagoon. Just be sure to notice which direction the wind is blowing from if there is a breeze, as you don't want to only be enjoying the smoke from the fireworks (another handy tip I read in someone else's Disney blog)!
What a full, tiring and Amazing day at Epcot and Typhoon Lagoon. We only got home around 10pm, so a later start on the cards for Day 3 at Hollywood Studios.
Just a little note for those never-been-to-Disney readers... there is SO MUCH MORE in each park than what I'm writing about in my Disney posts. For example, at Epcot, I didn't even touch on Future World, Dive Quest, Behind the Seeds, Seas Aqua Snorkeling adventures, over 35 more international cuisine eateries, crafts for kids at the different countries, stores in each country selling wares, character meets (eg. Jasmine and Aladdin in Morocco, Alice in Wonderland and Mary Poppins in the UK, Belle and Princess Aurora in France), musical entertainment and more!
Jodi's 3 Steps on how to meet a Disney Character
We walked under the giant ball, the iconic Disney geosphere (which has a ride inside it!), and took a right turn to head to The Seas - the Nemo & Friends ride, which was awesome! And Jodi loved it too =)
Epcot is all about the World Showcase, it shares the culture and cuisine of 11 countries: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the United States, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom and Canada.
Before our trip, I had a look online to see which of the countries were best to visit at the World Showcase based on other toddler mom's comments and blogs. I didn't want to drag a little two year old to each country, so here are some of our highlights.... but before that, let's talk Mickey and the gang! Our longest wait By Far! was a 45 minute wait to see some Characters. Thankfully there were a tonne of other kids around to keep Jodi entertained in the queue, and the wait was to see three characters, not just one. Give it up for Mickey, Minnie and Pluto! Whoop Whoop!
Next along the path was Tinkerbell's Butterfly House
Right, so across the bridge into the World Showcase we go!
Looking across the lake to Germany, Italy and America
Trainspotting in Germany
A late lunch in Italy at Tutto Italia
Video: A Lesson in Table Manners for our daughter (click on blue video icon below)
We left the park after our lunch and headed to Typhoon Lagoon for a few hours of water fun. The three of us LOVED it, especially Castaway Creek, the lazy river. Jodi ended up having a little nap on me as we were floating around.
Every 90 seconds there is this loud THUD noise and then screaming (which you hear wherever you are in the waterpark), it's the people in the water of the lagoon screaming as the big wave comes at them. Here's a somewhat dramatic description from the Disney Website: "Hear the thunderous “sonic boom” and the eager squeals of swimmers as gentle waves become big kahunas. Look over your shoulder and feel the excitement build as a cresting wave heads your way. Stand poised to paddle for all you’re worth. Then hang on as you’re swept ashore by forces rivaling those of Mother Nature."
Growing up in Bluewater Bay with plenty of "big kahuna" waves and dangerous rip currents, this was nothing... but it was still loads of fun with Jodi! (That's if you don't mind people trying to jump over a large wave that's broken instead of going under it, and they end up accidentally landing on your face! Hahaha!)
As the sun started to set we dried off and headed back to Epcot for the amazing Fireworks display (and made sure to get some French Pastries from Les Halles Boulangerie & Pâtisserie in France before the start of the show)!
Jodi danced around while we ate our creme brulee and waited for the sun to set and the Illuminations fireworks display to begin. It takes place on the water so you can get a great view from pretty much anywhere around the World Showcase Lagoon. Just be sure to notice which direction the wind is blowing from if there is a breeze, as you don't want to only be enjoying the smoke from the fireworks (another handy tip I read in someone else's Disney blog)!
What a full, tiring and Amazing day at Epcot and Typhoon Lagoon. We only got home around 10pm, so a later start on the cards for Day 3 at Hollywood Studios.
***
Just a little note for those never-been-to-Disney readers... there is SO MUCH MORE in each park than what I'm writing about in my Disney posts. For example, at Epcot, I didn't even touch on Future World, Dive Quest, Behind the Seeds, Seas Aqua Snorkeling adventures, over 35 more international cuisine eateries, crafts for kids at the different countries, stores in each country selling wares, character meets (eg. Jasmine and Aladdin in Morocco, Alice in Wonderland and Mary Poppins in the UK, Belle and Princess Aurora in France), musical entertainment and more!
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