We Turned Her Into A Disney Lovin', Character Huggin', Thrill Ridin' Girl! COMPLETED 7/11 About This Page:

[shnewell]

Oh my gosh, there were so many wonderful things in this update!!!

First, going back to your response to my Special Olympics question:

Jamie and my brother, Kevin got a lot of exercise yesterday and Kevin posted on FB "Just left the special olympics with selah, didn't realize I would be competing but I'm fairly sure we got 1st place. #lovethatkid"

This made me smile so big. Awesome! Glad Selah and her daddy and uncle had a blast.

Ok, now on to my 8 zillion comments on this installment of your TR...

I'm so happy Selah loved Soarin'! It is one my very favorite rides in all of Disney and lifts my spirits every time I ride it, so I'm glad it did the same for her.

Glad you remembered about the indoor tables at the Cantina. Fighting off the birds while you eat is no fun at all! : But I'm with you on the Tres Caballeros. I liked it much better when it was the Rio de Tiempo (it was more like IASW).

Too bad your Kimmunicator went wonky on you. We love the KP missions! In fact, I find them more fun without the kids because we don't have to deal with arguing over who is hogging the Kimmunicator. Well, except when it's just David and me and then I feel like he's the one hogging it. One of these days, I'll do a solo trip and I'll have the spy gear all to myself!!

Jamie sounds just like David -- once he sets his mind to something, it WILL get done! I hate to laugh at your slight misfortune, but I literally laughed out loud when I read that the CM pulled a new one from behind the counter then hung the untangled one back on the display.

In Japan, that is so cool that Asher made a new friend! And Wanda looks like she's about to swipe that kaki gori from Jamie. Can't wait to hear what you thought of Teppan Edo!!

[Cam22]

Glad Soarin' was another success with Selah! We love Mexican food and like the CS La Cantina! We made the mistake of eating outside last June, but I keep reminding myself that we need to go inside this year. What a neat interaction with the Japanese CM for Asher! ! Can't what to hear how you felt about Teppan Edo.

[CatNipRules]

I'm glad that Selah liked Soarin! It's a great ride!

You know, in all the times that I've been to EPCOT, I've never had a kaki gori. I'm think that I'm going to have to try it on our upcoming visit.

And I agree with you on the Mexico ride.

[chezp]

What a wonderful time at Epcot!

[Colexis Mom]

Great day at Epcot! Glad Selah enjoyed Soarin'! Can't wait to hear about dinner!

[OneLittleSpark]

I think it is so neat that Selah loves all the "thrill" rides and is bored by the slow ones. She is my kind of gal!

So neat that Asher got to use some of his Japanese language skills with that CM, so cool that you got a picture too. My DD watches Ni Hao Kai-lan, and everytime I am in China I always say hi (ni hao), thank you (shei shei) and your welcome (goo-ka-chi) to the CM's in there, and they always get a smile and look like "Wow!" Thanks kiddie cartoon! I do have to say though, that I wrote out those words in phonetically (sic?) not how they are actually spelled.

Sounds like a great day so far. Can't wait to hear about dinner!

[Tabitha34]

Originally Posted by stardust190

Glad you all got to enjoy Sorin'. And you were lucky with the Maelstrom wait. We never did make it on that ride because every time we passed it was at least 30 min. I'm interested to hear your opinions on Teppan Edo. We ate there in 2009 and we liked it, but didn't think it was anything all that special.

We were glad that it wasn't a long wait either. We like this ride but we wouldn't wait 30 min to ride it. My thoughts on Teppan Edo coming up soon!

Originally Posted by misty hailey

so much fun!!

It was!!

Originally Posted by cindybelle

Tabitha, parts of your story have me really . How awesome about Asher speaking Japanese and making a new friend!

The necklaces made out of maps -- that's news to me. I may have to look into that on a future trip.

I'm glad you are enjoying it! Parts of it make me laugh too, even if i wasn't laughing in the moment. Asher was pretty excited about talking to her and learning some new Japanese.
I think the necklaces are called Beads For Life. I saw some stuff about them on here before our trip and that is the only reason I knew anything about them. If I remember correctly the proceeds go towards water wells in... I don't remember. Africa? I'm not sure. I know some one on here will know. They are made from recycled park maps. They were really cool.

Originally Posted by queen2

So enjoying your TR. Love the picture with Asher with his new friend. Awesome he could speak to her in Japanese.

Thanks! He was pretty excited about talking to her.

Originally Posted by MayraLR

Glad Selah enjoyed Soarin! You've got a thrill junkie in your hands.

Can't wait to hear about your meal at Teppan Edo. I'll be eating there this summer.

I think we do for sure.
My thoughts on Teppan Edo coming right up!

Originally Posted by lauriep

I guess starting the morning with a thrill ride is the way to get Selah into a good mood! How great that Asher is learning some Japanese in his karate class. Sounds like he has a really good sensei.

He has an awesome sensei!

Originally Posted by shnewell

Oh my gosh, there were so many wonderful things in this update!!!

First, going back to your response to my Special Olympics question:



This made me smile so big. Awesome! Glad Selah and her daddy and uncle had a blast.

Ok, now on to my 8 zillion comments on this installment of your TR...

I'm so happy Selah loved Soarin'! It is one my very favorite rides in all of Disney and lifts my spirits every time I ride it, so I'm glad it did the same for her.

Glad you remembered about the indoor tables at the Cantina. Fighting off the birds while you eat is no fun at all! : But I'm with you on the Tres Caballeros. I liked it much better when it was the Rio de Tiempo (it was more like IASW).

Too bad your Kimmunicator went wonky on you. We love the KP missions! In fact, I find them more fun without the kids because we don't have to deal with arguing over who is hogging the Kimmunicator. Well, except when it's just David and me and then I feel like he's the one hogging it. One of these days, I'll do a solo trip and I'll have the spy gear all to myself!!

Jamie sounds just like David -- once he sets his mind to something, it WILL get done! I hate to laugh at your slight misfortune, but I literally laughed out loud when I read that the CM pulled a new one from behind the counter then hung the untangled one back on the display.

In Japan, that is so cool that Asher made a new friend! And Wanda looks like she's about to swipe that kaki gori from Jamie. Can't wait to hear what you thought of Teppan Edo!!

Thanks!
The time at Special Olympics made me smile pretty big too. Selah has a great daddy and a great uncle!

I was really glad Selah liked Soarin' too because it is one of our (mine, Jamie's and Asher's) favorites too. So we were so happy that she shares that love with us.

I was glad I remembered too. I almost didn't! I had made a mental note (those sometimes get lost) about the tables inside and when I was looking for a table I was not happy about not being able to find one and it was hot that day. Then I remembered... Inside!

We were a little disappointed about the Kimmunicator too but we had a lot we wanted to get done this day so it was ok. There is always next time! I love that David hogs it just like your boys do.

It's ok that you laughed! I would have laughed too.. if it were someone else.

I think she was! I don't remember what was happening there but I think it was about to drip so Jamie was remedying that and he told her and Asher to hold on. Asher was standing behind Jamie so he was not in the picture. I was wanting to get a picture of the Kaki Gori.

My thoughts on Teppan Edo coming right up!

Originally Posted by Cam22

Glad Soarin' was another success with Selah! We love Mexican food and like the CS La Cantina! We made the mistake of eating outside last June, but I keep reminding myself that we need to go inside this year. What a neat interaction with the Japanese CM for Asher! ! Can't what to hear how you felt about Teppan Edo.

We Love Soarin' so we were so glad Selah shares that love with us.
We love Mexican food too and we usually eat at this CS when we are in Epcot and were excited to try it since it had been refurbed. Jamie just wished he would have got the Nachos instead.
Asher was pretty excited about talking to her and learning some new Japanese.
Teppan Edo coming right up!

Originally Posted by CatNipRules

I'm glad that Selah liked Soarin! It's a great ride!

You know, in all the times that I've been to EPCOT, I've never had a kaki gori. I'm think that I'm going to have to try it on our upcoming visit.

And I agree with you on the Mexico ride.

We were glad too!
You really need to try the Kaki Gori! We love it! It is a must have for us.

Originally Posted by chezp

What a wonderful time at Epcot!

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Great day at Epcot! Glad Selah enjoyed Soarin'! Can't wait to hear about dinner!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by OneLittleSpark

I think it is so neat that Selah loves all the "thrill" rides and is bored by the slow ones. She is my kind of gal!

So neat that Asher got to use some of his Japanese language skills with that CM, so cool that you got a picture too. My DD watches Ni Hao Kai-lan, and everytime I am in China I always say hi (ni hao), thank you (shei shei) and your welcome (goo-ka-chi) to the CM's in there, and they always get a smile and look like "Wow!" Thanks kiddie cartoon! I do have to say though, that I wrote out those words in phonetically (sic?) not how they are actually spelled.

Sounds like a great day so far. Can't wait to hear about dinner!

We were really surprised by her reaction to the rides. We are pretty excited about how much she loves them!

Asher was pretty excited about talking to her. It was definitely not something that we had planned. We did not even think about him speaking any Japanese while in Japan. She said good afternoon and that made him think about talking to her and learning some more.
I can't spell any of the Japanese words either. I think I know how they are spelled when I hear them but when I see them on paper it is nothing like what I thought.

[Tabitha34]

Day 3 Epcot Part 2 Teppan Edo, Some Upside Down Fun, A Wild Ride and What is Selah Looking At? 1/31


We were seated with a couple and their grandson who was 4 years old. He was a having a great time at Disney World. His grandparents seemed to very much be enjoying spending this time with him.



Selah is telling the server, "thank you" for her drink. She does her own kind of signing. Where ever her hand is that is where the thank you comes from.





We loved this restaurant but it was not very different from the Japanese steakhouses around here. I was really hoping for more because it was Disney but there really wasn't anything that made it different from other Japanese steakhouses. All that said, we still enjoyed it very much because we like Japanese steakhouses. The food was very yummy and it was a fun place to eat. Jamie had the steak and shrimp, I had the the steak and chicken, Asher had the kids shrimp (he also ate my steak, I don't eat steak, I got it for him), Selah had the kids chicken and Wanda had the cold water sea scallops. We all cleaned our plates here. Then for dessert we had the ginger cake, fruit cup and ice cream. One thing that I was wondering about though, while he was cooking our food he did the onion volcano but it was just smoke. No fire. Do they not do the fire there? I did know if that was normal or if maybe he didn't do it because he was concerned the kids wouldn't like it. If they normally do it I wish he would have because Selah would have loved it. Oh well. It was still good and we all had fun. Asher also shared some of his Japanese knowledge to the CM's there. They were impressed.

After we finished our yummy meal Asher and Selah were ready for some more rides so we made our way back to FW continuing through WS through the countries we had not yet been to. We did not get to spend any time in them but at least we were able to walk through there. Asher wanted to go on Figment, Spaceship Earth and Test Track. Our first stop was Figment. When we walked in, there was not only no one in line but the ride wasn't even moving because it had been a very slow night for them. They sent a ride vehicle through for a quick test and then they loaded us in our vehicle. While we had been waiting a line started forming behind us so we got there just in time. We had some upside down fun with Figment and when we finished on the ride Asher created his own Figment. Then we headed to Test Track. Jamie is the only one who has been on this ride so we were all excited for the new experience. Asher was a little nervous after going on ToT the day before but still excited too. He asked a LOT of questions leading up to the ride. We were taken through an alternate entrance and were in our car fairly quickly. Me, Wanda and Selah were in the front row with Selah in the middle. Jamie and Asher were in the back row. Asher in the middle. Selah got very excited when we buckled her in. I think she had figured out that when she was buckled in to something the ride was going to be fun so she was all smiles now. This ride was so much fun! Selah and I laughed the whole time. Wanda screamed a lot but she loved it. Asher screamed when he thought we were going to hit the wall. Selah was just laughing and squealing the whole time. She loved this ride!
Ok so in the picture I look a little worried too and I have my arm over Selah but I was not worried at all.
Jamie is explaining to Asher that we are not really going to run into the wall.

I wish we could have done it a second time but we were all wanting to do Spaceship Earth still and then get a spot for Illuminations. So after Test Track we headed to Spaceship Earth on the way I said something to Jamie about checking out Club Cool so we made a stop there first and tried all the different drinks. We really didn't like any of them but it was a fun stop. While we were in there Selah saw a Minnie Mouse that she really wanted and since it was purple and this is Mimi's favorite color, Mimi bought it for her. Then she saw a bag of taffy and wanted that too. So Mimi got her that also. After the purchases were complete and Selah was sampling her candy we headed on to Spaceship Earth. We get all the way to the front where the line is and find out we had past the door we needed to go in to take the stroller in. We almost just parked the stroller but decided to just walk back there. We sat down inside and waited our turn. I think we waited about 5 min. before we were taken to our ride vehicle. I was a little concerned with how Selah would do on this ride but remember, she has just got a big bag of taffy. She did fine and didn't even eat that much taffy, thankfully. Her favorite part was where we went backwards. I think she likes that sensation. All the rides that did that she liked that part. We all enjoyed our ride. We had not been on it since it was refurbed and the end is very different. I miss some of the stuff they use to have at the end but I did like the thing with building our future. Once we were off the ride we collected our stroller and then checked out the new stuff inside. Now I am really glad that we did not choose to park the stroller outside. We spent a good amount of time in there and we would not have been able to do that if we did not have the stroller with us. Selah would not have stood for it. I mean that in so many different ways.

After we were done playing in here we went to find a place to watch Illuminations. I didn't want to go into to the WS because I knew Wanda was getting tired from all the walking so we went to see if there was a spot between the two stores by the friendship docks on the FW side of WS. Make sense? When we got over there we found that there was a handicap viewing area by the Duffy store so we asked the CM there if we could come in there to watch Illuminations. At first she said no and then she saw our wheelchair sticker on Selah's stroller and she told us to come right on in. This was the perfect spot to watch it from. There was nothing obstructing our view and there was no one crowding in on us here. I wish we would have found the handicap viewing areas for the parades too. Oh well. We learned something. After we got the stroller parked the CM told us that once it started we would have to stand behind the stroller to allow for more wheelchairs and we were perfectly fine with that. We all took a seat on the ground to rest some while we waited. Then I started thinking about how long it had been since I changed Selah. So I told Jamie I was taking her to the Baby Care Center to change her. Luckily our viewing area was right there close to the Baby Care. So Selah and I headed over there letting the CM know on our way out that we would be right back. I took her in to Baby Care and when I did I did not park the stroller. If you have ever been in Baby Care Centers you know that Strollers are not allowed, only wheelchairs. Well, I go in and the CM says hello and then just stares at us. So I say, "I just need to change her diaper". I should also mention that I have never been in this BC before so I don't know where the changing tables are. She said, "ok" but continued to just stand there and stare at us and she was standing in front of me so I couldn't get to the changing tables if I did know where they were. Then I said, " where are the changing tables? We have never been in this Baby Care Center before?" While I was saying this I was moving the wheelchair tag around so it was more visible and she noticed and immediately said, "oh! You haven't!? It's right over here!" So, I guess she was not wanting me to go any farther with the stroller but at the same time did not want to tell me that I couldn't. Then when she saw the tag her whole demeanor changed. I thought it was very strange. She could have just said, "I'm sorry but strollers are not allowed in here and I would have showed her the tag. No big deal. Instead she stared at me for a while not saying anything and not letting me through. It must have been a long day for her.

We finish the diaper change and go back to our spot. Then I need a potty break so I head back to where I have just come from. I was wishing at this moment that I would have taken someone with me when I went to change Selah so that I could have stopped at the bathroom on the way back but I didn't think about it. To help this make more sense, in case it doesn't. I can't take Selah in the bathroom with me because out of her stroller she would stay with me and in the stroller, well, the stroller doesn't fit in a stall. Anyway, I go to the restroom, I come back and now I sit. I was feeling the day on me at this point. We had done a lot of walking. We had about 20 min before Illuminations started and it was a nice night. The weather was perfect. The kids were both playing games. Selah on her iPad and Asher on Jamies iPhone.


Now you may remember I posted a picture several post back of Selah looking at something and she was mesmerized by it. I am finally going to reveal what had Selahs attention.

Illuminations!







She loved it! The look on her face was so incredible. We were standing behind her stroller but we could see the look on her face as she watched and I reached my hand around and took pictures of her in hopes that I was capturing her expression.
Seeing that look on her face was worth staying all day for and being exhausted.

After Illuminations was over Wanda wanted to look in some of the shops so we headed over to Mouse Gears. Asher was really wanting some candy, so he looked at all the candy in there and bought… nothing. He just couldn't decide. Then he thought he might want a Phineas and Ferb shirt but again could not decide. When we were all done we headed out. It was time for bed. On the way out Asher saw a cart with light up toys and wanted a sword. The sword he got is very much like a light saber but it is not the kind that closes inside itself and Asher has 12! light sabers at home. Why does he need another light saber?! Oh well. He was happy. All the way to the car he was fighting dark forces. We tried to get pictures of this but were very unsuccessful. If I find out Wanda got a good one I will post it later. Before we walked away form the cart he was testing it out to make sure it was working and the CM who sold it to him asked him where he got his moves. He said, "Karate".

When we got back to our room there was a surprise waiting for us. Now I mentioned that we were having issues with Mousekeeping not taking our envelopes. This morning before we left we wrote a note to Mousekeeping saying that we had tips for them in these envelopes and we would like for them to take them. We left the note (written on a big piece of paper) and the tips for 3 days in the middle of the bed. That night when we got back to our room, not only were the tips gone but we also found this.


Now I know a lot of you have said that whether or not you leave a tip does not contribute to whether or not they make you towel animals but up until this night we did not have towel animals or the kids stuffed plushes arranged for them when they got back to the room. Maybe a coincidence but I don't know. Asher was very excited to see the tips gone and the surprise that was waiting.

Up Next: Animal Kingdom! What Were We Thinking Going on That?!?!

[Colexis Mom]

Great night at Epcot! Glad Selah enjoyed TT! Great pics from dinner and IllumiNations!

[JKnott17]

Great dinner at Teppen Edo, it looked delicious! Glad you all enjoyed Illuminations, the pictures of Selah's reaction are priceless! We've yet to see that show, but it's on the top of my "must do" list for our next trip!

[lauriep]

Ah, so it was Illuminations that produced that beautiful, peaceful look on Selah's face! How wonderful. I love the way her face is lit (from without and within) in that shot.

[chezp]

Wow, you guys certainly had a wonderful day! I love the look on Selah's face - I'm guessing sometimes I look just that mesmorised, as I love that show too.

[OneLittleSpark]

Great pics again! Those pics of Tabitha are priceless. After hearing about all the rides she loved and the loud noises and whatnot. I should have guessed that Illuminations was when that pic was taken!

[Tabitha34]

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Great night at Epcot! Glad Selah enjoyed TT! Great pics from dinner and IllumiNations!

It was a great night at Epcot! We did not get as much done of that park as we would have liked but we had a great time! I'm glad she liked TT too because now it is a family favorite and we will be doing that again. Thanks!

Originally Posted by JKnott17

Great dinner at Teppen Edo, it looked delicious! Glad you all enjoyed Illuminations, the pictures of Selah's reaction are priceless! We've yet to see that show, but it's on the top of my "must do" list for our next trip!

You really do need to try to see Illuminations because it is an awesome show. If Selah likes it everyone should see it.

Originally Posted by lauriep

Ah, so it was Illuminations that produced that beautiful, peaceful look on Selah's face! How wonderful. I love the way her face is lit (from without and within) in that shot.

Thanks! We really like that picture of her too. It was just so perfect.

Originally Posted by chezp

Wow, you guys certainly had a wonderful day! I love the look on Selah's face - I'm guessing sometimes I look just that mesmorised, as I love that show too.

What's not to love about that show! I think if we took our time to look around at those around us we would see that look everywhere but who wants to look around at everyone else when Illuminations is going on.

Originally Posted by OneLittleSpark

Great pics again! Those pics of Tabitha are priceless. After hearing about all the rides she loved and the loud noises and whatnot. I should have guessed that Illuminations was when that pic was taken!

Thanks! We love those pics of her too. Of course, I know you meant Selah and not Tabitha since I am Tabitha but I totally take that as a compliment. Oh to look like a kid again.

[cindybelle]

Wow, this seems like your best day yet! I know just how Selah felt, looking at Illuminations -- because I feel that way every time.

Your Test Track story is great, and I'm so glad you got that wonderful vewing spot that night.

And of course your son needs more light sabers.

And I do believe tips and notes ensure towel animals etc. So glad you all had that terrific surprise waiting in your room that night!