From Europe to Africa in America - A Sisters' Expedition

[Flossbolna]

Once we arrived at Epcot, our first thing to do was get a Soarin FP. I really love the electronic board in the courtyard with the Fountain of Nations behind Spaceship Earth which tells you all the wait times for the attractions as well as whether FPs is available. It makes it so much easier when you know wether it is worth it to make the track down inside the Land pavilion.

Since we had not had any time to check out Innoventions, I told Katharina to go and have a look while I got the FPs. I then tried to find her, but she was already outside, she hadn't found anything of interest to her, only a Playstation game for Up!, but that was broken.

Well, we wanted to get started on the WS anyway. We passed by the Imagination pavilion:

and arrived at the WS:

Just as we were about to arrive in Mexico, Katharina got a call from her DH, so she sat on one of the benches there for a chat while I continued on towards Mexico where the Mariachi band was playing. I listened to them for quite a while and they were really good. But their costumes were quite a shock! They looked like they still wore the same ones which they got for the opening of EPCOT Center in 1982!! Perhaps that still is the style of the Mariachi band costumes in today's Mexico? But it looked very outdated to me...

Once Katharina had finished her call we continued inside to go on the boat ride. Cute, but nothing special. We looked at the shops and also at the Margarita bar. But it was still around lunch time and not time for a drink yet... But we each picked a drink that we would have gotten if we had bought some. Katharina wanted the Pineapple and for me it would have been the Blood Orange!

Outside in Mexico we saw Donald without a real line. So we decided to get some pictures with him – which was more difficult to achieve than we had thought due to Donald's hight and his choice of hat as you will see:

We continued to enjoy walking leisurely around the WS. We were headed towards the American Adventure. I guess we did see it since it appears in my notes, but I don't remember it. I have seen a few times now and think it is an impressive show. I am sure Katharina will remember whether she has seen it or not?

I have no idea, sorry


One thing we had on our to do list for this trip was to try a turkey leg. Another thing, which still is on the bucket list for next trip despite best intentions. So at least we got a picture of a turkey leg sign:

I am sure that the combination of turkey leg and popcorn is very historically authentic.

In Morocco we came across some flower beds which after closer scrutiny turned out to be cabbage beds:

By now it was late enough in the day that we felt that we could start drinking. Fortunately we were in the vicinity of some pretty tasty alcoholic offerings in France. However, we also felt pretty hungry and drinking on an empty stomach did not seem the wisest thing to do... So we came up with a great plan!! Get drinks in France, carry them over to the UK, get chips (i.e. fries) there and then enjoy both of them together.

So, I got the Grey Goose Lemon Slushie and Katharina got the Pomegranate Kir:

And yes, this is my full drink! In the past I used to get a much fuller glas, but the CM on that day was very careful not to give a too full glas... To be honest, it was still plenty and I really enjoyed it. It is a lovely lemony drink. Katharina liked hers as well, but there was too much liqueur in it, she said, which made the drink very sweet.

It was a little overpowering


The chips we got in the UK were very good and very fresh. I think we had them the proper way: with malt vinegar!

Is there another way to eat chips?

We went to the little seating area down by the water behind the chip shop. Which was nice, but extremely windy! Not the best place to enjoy a meal. But with a nice view:

I had seen the photopass photographer on the bridge between France and the UK, so we returned there for some more pictures.

This picture is with our camera:

and then the official one:

We returned to Future World and I wanted to get another pic with SE. Here we had a really funny guy who took our picture and we got some special ones:

The last one is one of my favourites!!

Onwards to a last ride in the hang-glider over California (also called Soarin) with our FP and then we needed another snack - a cake in the Seasons food court:

A pineapple upside down cake. We somehow expected more from this cake. It was a bit bland. Well, at least it was something new for us and fell into the category of typical American foods we need to try!

Continued in Part 2

 

[Flossbolna]

Of course we could not leave Epcot without some more shopping.

I saw this pin which I nearly bought:

I really like the fact that I share my birth year with WDW. But I hope to get more merchandise with that fact this year for the 40th celebration.

And finally we found something that we had been looking for since the beginning of this trip: a necklace. Katharina even found two she liked so much that she got both!

This one each of us bought:

And that's Katharina's second one:

We also admired some new flowers. The frost had really done a lot of damage to the greenery while we were there, but there were some really pretty new displays:

And I found out that the Electric Umbrella has outdoor seating after I was told here on the DIS that it did not have any:

One last spin on TT:

And then it was time to say goodbye to the third park! Katharina had to take some pictures of the Siemens private lounge at Spaceship Earth and of the signage for her DH who works (indirectly unfortunately) at Siemens:

Goodbye Epcot!

Up Next: Chapter 37: A Meal and a Meet

 

[lovealldisney]

The chips we got in the UK were very good and very fresh. I think we had them the proper way: with malt vinegar!

Is there another way to eat chips?

How about with Ketchup??? Wait that's the American way.

I am sure that the combination of turkey leg and popcorn is very historically authentic

Well of course we always serve popcorn with our turkey legs in the good ole USA.


Loved the Stich pictures! And I love the necklace choices too! Nice update ladies.

 

[glennbo123]

Outside in Mexico we saw Donald without a real line. So we decided to get some pictures with him – which was more difficult to achieve than we had thought due to Donald's hight and his choice of hat as you will see:

His hat would be fine for pictures with kids, but not so much with adults.

One thing we had on our to do list for this trip was to try a turkey leg. Another thing, which still is on the bucket list for next trip despite best intentions. So at least we got a picture of a turkey leg sign:

I am sure that the combination of turkey leg and popcorn is very historically authentic.

That is an odd combo!

The chips we got in the UK were very good and very fresh. I think we had them the proper way: with malt vinegar!

Is there another way to eat chips?

Yes! With mayo -- the Belgian way!

The last one is one of my favourites!!

I love that one!

 

[All7OfUs]

Nice update!

I just love the Mexico Pav. and I really do enjoy Mariache Cobre too. I think you're right, the costumes could be updated. Too bad it was too early for happy hour while you were there. The margs are fantastic!

Those "chips" looks so fresh and nice!! I haven't had fries and vinegar in such a long time!

Turkey legs and popcorn? Authentic? Maybe.

All in all, some nice last touring in EPCOT.

 

[englishrose47]

If you are eating "CHIPS" the ONLY way is with Malt VinegarOf course truly old fashioned Fish and chips were wrapped in newspaper and this made them sooo much better !!
Now as you got them at the American Pavillion they were French Fries and can be eaten with catsup!! But again France is closer to Belgium so I guess mustard is also correct!!Now how is that for a diplomatic reply!!!

 

[Poolrat]

Outside in Mexico we saw Donald without a real line. So we decided to get some pictures with him – which was more difficult to achieve than we had thought due to Donald's hight and his choice of hat as you will see:

If you were a little shorter or Donald was a little taller he could have put an eye out with his tassels.

I just went back to check and Donald had a similar hat but the brim was rolled up more with us. Probably for the same reason. It still was in A's Face though but the brim was a bit smaller. Your Donald had a very "intrusive" hat on.

The last one is one of my favourites!!

I like that one too.

This one each of us bought:

And that's Katharina's second one:

Nice necklaces.

His hat would be fine for pictures with kids, but not so much with adults.

Unless you were short like me.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I really love the electronic board in the courtyard with the Fountain of Nations behind Spaceship Earth which tells you all the wait times for the attractions as well as whether FPs is available. It makes it so much easier when you know wether it is worth it to make the track down inside the Land pavilion.

I agree! Kind of wish the other parks had a display like that, but I guess they don't fit their themes as well.

We continued to enjoy walking leisurely around the WS. We were headed towards the American Adventure. I guess we did see it since it appears in my notes, but I don't remember it. I have seen a few times now and think it is an impressive show. I am sure Katharina will remember whether she has seen it or not?

This show always reminds me of Sam The Eagle's line in the Muppets 3D movie: "It's a tribute to all nations, but mostly America."

I am sure that the combination of turkey leg and popcorn is very historically authentic.

Absolutely! If by "historically authentic", you mean "something a college student might scrounge up for dinner".

The chips we got in the UK were very good and very fresh. I think we had them the proper way: with malt vinegar! [/SIZE][/B][/COLOR]

Is there another way to eat chips?

Yes! Slathered in cheddar cheese, bacon, and sour cream. It's called a "heart attack on a plate".

Great one!

And I found out that the Electric Umbrella has outdoor seating after I was told here on the DIS that it did not have any:

Great spot! We sat there at night, eating dinner and watching/listening to the fountain show. Very underrated spot.

Goodbye Epcot!

 

[vamassey1]

Another great update.

Your photopass fun pictures are great especially the ones with Stitch. Prefect expressions.

Love the necklaces too.

Ready for the next stop.

 

[nodnol]

If you are eating "CHIPS" the ONLY way is with Malt VinegarOf course truly old fashioned Fish and chips were wrapped in newspaper and this made them sooo much better !!
Now as you got them at the American Pavillion they were French Fries and can be eaten with catsup!! But again France is closer to Belgium so I guess mustard is also correct!!Now how is that for a diplomatic reply!!!

I'm not so sure about mustard... But of course chips can be only eaten with vinegar, fries are a different story. In Germany you can order them with ketchup or mayonaise or rotweiß (red white) with both.

 

[Flossbolna]

I'll do the single digit dance with you!

Yeah!! And we are already about halfway through the single digits: 5 days from today!!

Getting caught up. Your mk afternoon looked like a lot of fun....so did your dhs day. We had a fun experience with one of the streetsmosphere people one year. It was the old hollywood diva....she was playing up todannys video camera....put on quite show. Only to find out Danny double bumped the button and didn't record any of it!

Looking forward to your Paris trip! And you have another Disney trip this nov? How fun

Hi, great to see you on my thread again! I have seen a bit of the old diva on another trip and thought that she was hilarious! What a shame that you did not manage to get it on video though... She is one that I would love to see again!

Yes, two Disney trips in 2011! March 20-23 in DLP and then October 11-22 in WDW.

Great news on the booked flights!! And even better news on your changed dates!!! My dates are the 15th-22nd so I am so excited to be able to meet you both!! I have been looking at fights too...I like to have it all booked and handled but I haven't committed to any airline yet!

I am calling this Tuesday to see about changing resorts. I am currently at Kidani which of course I adore. Would love BWV or BCV but those may not be likely during F&W although I may try those first. If either of them do not work then I shall try BLT.

Your next trip is so very close!! You both must be so excited!!

Tracy

Good luck with changing your resorts! I kind of remembered that your trip was planned for mid October as well and I am really happy to hear that we are there at the same time!! I really hope that we will be able to meet up! If you manage to get BCV or BWV that would make a meet really easy. But I am sure we will manage anyway.

 

[Flossbolna]

How about with Ketchup??? Wait that's the American way.

Well of course we always serve popcorn with our turkey legs in the good ole USA.

Loved the Stich pictures! And I love the necklace choices too! Nice update ladies.

As Katharina said, Ketchup is common for fries in Germany as well, which we call by their French name: Pommes Frittes, pronounced "pommfrits" or pomm-mess for short.

I am sure that turkey leg and popcorn was the staple diet of the pilgrim fathers.

His hat would be fine for pictures with kids, but not so much with adults.

Ok, so you say it was our fault to take part in this children's activity??? Donald is indeed very short, I am sure that only very petite women can be "friends of Donald"...

That is an odd combo!

Isn't it?

Yes! With mayo -- the Belgian way!

As Katharina mentioned, we even combine the Belgian and the American way...

I love that one!

Thanks!

Nice update!

I just love the Mexico Pav. and I really do enjoy Mariache Cobre too. I think you're right, the costumes could be updated. Too bad it was too early for happy hour while you were there. The margs are fantastic!

Those "chips" looks so fresh and nice!! I haven't had fries and vinegar in such a long time!

Turkey legs and popcorn? Authentic? Maybe.

All in all, some nice last touring in EPCOT.

Those margaritas are very high on our must do list for the next trip!! The wonderful thing will be that we will be able to walk back to our room after indulging at the Ditch and won't have to fight for a place on a bus after Illuminations...

After I wrote my update I did search for pictures of Mariachi combos and all seem to feature very similar costumes. So this might just be the general style.

I think we did spent some good time at Epcot and Katharina grew to like it a bit better. I remember that she did not enjoy it very much when she first saw it. I had the same first reaction. While FW has some wonderful rides, it is very much a mess with regard to design. I really hope that they will get there act together and make it less cluttered. And WS feels a bit like a very upscale shopping mall with shops and restaurants... But it is a great place to relax. It is not a park built for rushing around!

 

[Flossbolna]

If you are eating "CHIPS" the ONLY way is with Malt VinegarOf course truly old fashioned Fish and chips were wrapped in newspaper and this made them sooo much better !!
Now as you got them at the American Pavillion they were French Fries and can be eaten with catsup!! But again France is closer to Belgium so I guess mustard is also correct!!Now how is that for a diplomatic reply!!!

Oh, the chips were from the UK pavillion, so they were really chips and had to be eaten with vinegar. Did you notice that they came on some fake newspaper? Of course no printer's ink would come off of that paper though... So I guess it does not make the chips taste any better like your original would have.

If you were a little shorter or Donald was a little taller he could have put an eye out with his tassels.

I just went back to check and Donald had a similar hat but the brim was rolled up more with us. Probably for the same reason. It still was in A's Face though but the brim was a bit smaller. Your Donald had a very "intrusive" hat on.

That was indeed a rather dangerous Donald!! He also grabbed our hands and did hold them very strongly, as if he was afraid that we would run off. This resulted in our arms being hold rather strangely as well... Strange...

I agree! Kind of wish the other parks had a display like that, but I guess they don't fit their themes as well.

I think if it was done with style, it could look good. It does not have to be the same style as in Epcot, but a large LCD screen type board could still look very into the theme. And especially at DHS they could do something like that... I have this idea that DLP actually has an electronic tip-board, but i might have dreamt that. Will have to check in 5 days!!

This show always reminds me of Sam The Eagle's line in the Muppets 3D movie: "It's a tribute to all nations, but mostly America."

Yes, it is a bit over the top for foreigners. But it is still a well done show.

I actually love the Eagle's line in the Muppets film.

Absolutely! If by "historically authentic", you mean "something a college student might scrounge up for dinner".

Ah, that's where it comes from!

Yes! Slathered in cheddar cheese, bacon, and sour cream. It's called a "heart attack on a plate".

Oh, I never understood that cheese on fries thing that seems to be popular in the US. Good name for the dish, though!

Great spot! We sat there at night, eating dinner and watching/listening to the fountain show. Very underrated spot.

I am quite determined to spend some time sitting there (or at the Fountain View Cafe) on my next trip to watch the fountain show! I have been meaning to watch the fountain since my very first trip and never did it...

 

[Flossbolna]

Another great update.

Your photopass fun pictures are great especially the ones with Stitch. Prefect expressions.

Love the necklaces too.

Ready for the next stop.

Thanks! I think by the end of the trip we both had quite a lot of fun acting for the photopass photographers. But I remember that the photographer was also very enthusiastic and that makes it much easier to get into a silly mood as well.

Next update coming up!!

 

[Flossbolna]

This post is a tribute to many TR writers, but mainly to Glenn!!

 

[Flossbolna]

After we left Epcot, we returned to AKL for the evening. We had planned an evening at the resort to start our packing and wind down towards the end of our trip. But we still had something to look forward to: Dinner at Jiko and a DISmeet with Laura (RachelTori) at Victoria Falls.

Upon arrival at AKL we were greeted with another towel animal in our room:

Our ADR for Jiko was for 7:15pm. So we still had some time to hang out n the room before we made our way down to the restaurant.

I did not take any pictures of the inside, only of the little bar area at the entrance:

I have heard that this is a real bar where you can also go for a drink besides Victoria Falls. But I never tried it myself.

Jiko is a very beautiful restaurant. Here is a picture from 2008 so that you can appreciate what I am talking about:

I loved the way the table was set with the colorful wine menu on it:

As you can see, Katharina got a birthday card and a birthday button.

Here is a close up of the wine menu:

Jiko was very special. Because not only did a really very nice chef come out to speak to Katharina, he also handed her a special menu: A lactose free menu! There were some dishes on it that weren't on the normal menu (well, at least they were changed from what was offered on the normal menu). The chef talked the menu over with Katharina because besides the dairy issue, she also should not eat tomatoes. It was really wonderful and I think it was one of the few (if not the only) occassions where it wasn't just: you can have this or that, but where there actually was some creativity going into it.

We decided to split an appetizer: Crispy “Savanna” Rolls*- with Sweet Corn, Bitter Greens, Goat Cheese and Curry Vinaigrette:

They were very delicious! Unfortunately they aren't on the menu anymore though.

I was very tempted to get the same entree that I had on my two previous visits. But since that was the fish, I decided to get something different:

Roasted Lamb Loin - with Herbed Couscous, Sun-dried Cherries, and Red Curry Sauce:

Very good as well. A bit sweet and the lamb was very tender and had a nice spicy crust.

Katharina got something which I did not approve of. I thought it was sooooo boring. But she later explained to me why she chose that and I really understand her reasoning now:

Filet of Beef with Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes:

I guess she will add her thoughts about why and how much she loved it...

The Filet was unbelievably delicious and tender. I think I had only once or twice a filet that good before. I chose the dish (I think), because I alreday had in mind to order something later on which might not totally agree with me. As we had told Disney only about lactose, tomatoes and raw onions, I wanted to order something where I could be quite sure that nothing is in there, which I shouldn’t eat. There is actually more, but the thee above mentioned affect me the most, so I usually stick to them when eating out. The Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes actually found their way on my cooking repertoire.



Since it was our last evening we did indulge and I got a dessert:

Kenyan Coffee and Koeksisters - Kenyan Coffee Ice Cream with Spiced Doughnuts:

While Katharina decided that the idea our server at Artist Point had was great and she ordered a glass of dessert wine:

During our meal a mother and daughter at the table next to us started to talk to us for a bit while they were waiting for their check. They were originally from Norway and had wondered which language we were speaking because it sounded vaguely familiar to them. Somehow I had been wondering during the course of the evening whether they were DISers, they were at least DVC owners...

We left at 9 pm and still had one last very important event planned. But first we did stop at the Jiko bathroom:

Then it was up a flight of stairs to the Victoria Falls Lounge where we met Laura for drinks. However, somehow nobody ever came to take our drinks order so we just sat there and chatted without any drinks. Which was fine for all three of us. It was really wonderful to meet Laura, she is such a lovely lady. It really added a lot for us to our trip! We were really sad when we had to leave, but we had plans for the next day...


Up Next: Chapter 38: Starting the Last Day in Style

 

[glennbo123]

Nice update on Jiko. Would you believe I still haven't eaten there? I have to remedy that.

During our meal a mother and daughter at the table next to us started to talk to us for a bit while they were waiting for their check. They were originally from Norway and had wondered which language we were speaking because it sounded vaguely familiar to them. Somehow I had been wondering during the course of the evening whether they were DISers, they were at least DVC owners...

I think it's neat how at Disney you can hear so many different languages being spoken. It's an eye-opener for my kids, where everybody that they come into contact with are pretty similar to themselves.

We left at 9 pm and still had one last very important event planned. But first we did stop at the Jiko bathroom:

You are a DISer through and through Magdalene. Good job getting the restroom photo!

 

[englishrose47]

Food Allergies or not I huighly approve Katharina's choice , that fillet looked delish!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Nice update on Jiko. Would you believe I still haven't eaten there? I have to remedy that.

I think it's neat how at Disney you can hear so many different languages being spoken. It's an eye-opener for my kids, where everybody that they come into contact with are pretty similar to themselves.

You are a DISer through and through Magdalene. Good job getting the restroom photo!

Jiko is one of my overall favourites at WDW. I know that many people had not so great meals there in the past (there were periods when Jiko wasn't very consistent it seems), but I always had wonderful servers and very tasty food! It's on the list for October for Katharina and me. I guess it has written date night for you and Judy on it in very bold letters!

I get your point about languages. We here in Europe very much grow up with different languages around us. It does not mean that we learn to speak all of them, but there is more awareness. I never thought that WDW would be an educational experience in this regard, but I guess it is!

It is really funny how the DIS makes you take pictures of things other people would not think taking pics of!

Food Allergies or not I huighly approve Katharina's choice , that fillet looked delish!!!

The fillet was really very good!

 

[All7OfUs]

Wonderful update on Jiko.

I would imagine if there are chairs at the bar, they'd serve. In fact, I think I saw a few patrons sitting there on our visit. I'll go back and look at some photos to check.

It is such a lovely restaurant! And so many great choices. I'm so pleased that they were creative for Katharina's issues.