Out of bed at about 6am, we all felt SO refreshed after a good night's sleep! We got ready, and Emmersyn and Hartley ate some breakfast on their special table while watching Chuggington (which they really loved); we were out of the room around 8. We made a quick stop by the front desk to get this week's times guide, and then it was off to Hollywood Studios!
It was the last day of ESPN the Weekend, so we were sure to get over that morning to check things out. In a different year, we would have loved to spend more time at this event... but this wasn't the trip. We did really enjoy the themed Streemosphere performances and the very Sportscenter-esque opening (especially in place of the normal, quasi-boring DHS opening). When the park had opened, the girls and I tried to track down the characters that would ordinarily meet in place of the ESPN tW stage while Zach made a dash for decent Toy Story Mania fastpasses. While we were waiting for him, we got to hang out a few minutes with Dicky V! Ok, so not just us. The whole park... but it was still pretty sweet!
It turns out that the "Sorcerer Hat Greetings" were actually taking place inside the animation studio, so we had to wait a few more minutes for Zach to join us. The girls didn't mind though, as they fell in love with a giant mural of their favorite Playhouse Disney characters!
Our main goal
at the Sorcerer's Hat
at the Sorcerer's Hat
When we had said our goodbyes to our friends (so thrilled to have caught so many in such a short time, and with such great interaction!), it was time for the Voyage of the Little Mermaid show. Hartley and Emmersyn had not yet seen this one and we weren't sure what they would think. As expected, the laser lights, bubbles, fish and beautiful mermaid/princess won them over, and they were only slightly unsure of the dark, scarier parts.
After VOTLM we rode Toy Story Mania, where I - as usual - got my butt kicked. I had a cute partner though, don't you think?
We were too late to catch the Playhouse Disney Live on Stage show after TSM, but we did get to say hello to our buddy Leo before heading out of the park. Oh! And also before heading out, we had one more stop. We had previously been advised to try out a sweet treat or two from Starring Rolls Bakery, and MAN was that advice spot on. My Butterfinger Cupcake (with about 8 inches of icing (or, should I say icing + a little double-decker cupcake action)) and Zach's cherry turnover were absolutely to-die-for. And who says that's not a totally appropriate brunch?
Back at the hotel, it was time for the girls to eat lunch. While Zach parked the car we headed back up to the Contempo Cafe to get Emmersyn and Hartley started, and to wait for the arrival of Grandma Shelly and Grandpa Mike!
Grandma Mike and Grandpa Shelly had been to Disney World before, but only sort of ;) Zach, the girls and I were excited for them to visit some of the parks for the first time, see some of the Disney details that make it so special to us, try some of our favorite restaurants, stay on property and just get the full experience. At about 1pm on Sunday, they were in the Contemporary lobby! After a little bit of luggage rearrangement (and delivery to our room while waiting on theirs to be ready) we were on the monorail headed to Epcot (via the TTC).
While we ordinarily limit our intake of chicken fingers, fries & burgers while at WDW (well, and always, but especially at WDW with so many other top-notch options), the Electric Umbrella was pretty much our only valid option that afternoon. The World Showcase restaurants were too far (we needed to eat soon, as our dinner reservations were already only 4 hours away) and Sunshine Seasons wouldn't allow our girls to continue sleeping in the stroller. Still, at least Disney does Chicken Fingers and Burgers better than most, so it certainly wasn't settling too low!
When Emmersyn and Hartley woke up, we were off to find Nemo and Figment (Mignent), ride Spaceship Earth, play in "Project Tomorrow" and ride Living with the Land. I cringe when people say Epcot is not a park for younger kiddos, because - in addition to it being my favorite, hands down - it has some of my girls favorite attractions anywhere in the WDW Resort.
As dinnertime was approaching, we made our way over to the World Showcase. We took in the O Canada circlevision show (one of my favorite WS attractions) and exited just in time for our dinner reservations at Le Cellier. First, know that Le Cellier is one of the best restaurants on any Disney property, and arguably way up there on a list of steakhouses in the world. It also has such authentic Canadian offerings from various provinces (cheddar cheese soup, pretzel bread, King Salmon, Gnocchi, Maple Creme Brulee, etc) that - like vacationers from around the world fill the other World Showcase pavilions - native Canadians fill the restaurant while on their respective vacations. All of this to say that when the Canadian men's hockey team beatthe US for Olympic gold after losing a HUGE upset game to the United States earlier in the week and seemingly crushing their hopes for a medal, the place was ERUPTING with sounds of O Canada. I swear to you, there might have been ONE other table in the entire restaurant not standing and singing along with the entire staff. As a hockey fan and an American, it stunk. But wow, was it a cool sight - especially given Canada's propensity to be less than outwardly patriotic (per their own Prime Minister, not me!). If nothing else, it was a unique, extra-authentic experience this time! ;)
We skipped Illuminations since Mike and Shelly had yet to even get in their room, and instead made our way back to Bay Lake Tower. As we were heading over from the monorail, Wishes began just as we were on the observation deck. It was too cold to stay out for the whole thing, but the music was piped in and the view from the deck (and subsequently the walkway) were just a spectacular ending to the night.
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