Epcot & The International Flower Festival

Although Epcot is typically thought to be a more adult friendly park, we all found plenty to enjoy.  Mommy especially loved being here in time for the annual International Flower Festival.  All of the flower sculptures were so beautiful.  Evan's favorite parts of this park were probably riding Maelstrom (the viking boat ride) and riding Soarin' (the hang gliding simulator that flies you over California).  Brody's favorite part was probably meeting all of the characters, especially Minnie Mouse.  Daddy enjoyed Soarin' and probably would have liked to enjoy the more adult oriented parts of visiting the different countries a little more.  We chose to visit Epcot first because we heard that sometimes kids who have already visited Magic Kingdom and the other more exciting parks will be especially bored here.  Plus, we wanted the kids to be able to meet all the characters early.  Epcot's Character Spot is a great way to meet all the characters in one place while standing in line inside an air-conditioned building.

Our family picture at Epcot.  Yes, Brody was sleeping.

We arrived just in time to catch the end of the flower festival.

The big ball and a lovely sculpture inspired by "Fantasia"!

The first of many rides ~ this was a very low key ride, but Evan enjoyed the aquariums.  

Evan checking out the unique fish. 

Ah!  Mommy and Evan almost got eaten.  Luckily, this was one of those "nice" vegetarian sharks from "Finding Nemo"!

A lovely floral butterfly. 

Lots of these floral arrangements floating in the water around the park. 

It's Winnie the Pooh!  I am a little sad that Evan really doesn't know much about these characters.  

Eeyore and Piglet too!

Mommy and Brody with the beloved bear.  We got to meet the real one too!

It's Paris!  (Yeah, I wish!)

For our first night at Epcot, we took a stroll through the countries, ate dinner, and watched the fireworks over the water. 

Prince Charming and Cinderella

Prince Philip and Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)

A lovely view of the ball across the water

Daddy and Brody go to Japan!

And Evan found his pal, Lightning McQueen, gearing up for a race in Tokyo!

And Woody and Buzz too.

Ready for the beautiful fireworks show, The Illuminations of Earth. 

Epcot is definitely the prettiest of the parks.  I loved this view at night.

This was Brody's face during the entire fireworks show.  He loved the lights and fire!

The look of amazement is priceless!

The huge globe showed photos from around the globe as it made its way across the water.

The Tramp and his Lady ~ my favorite Disney movie!

That beloved little alien, Stitch.

Captain Hook and Peter Pan

And that dear ol' croc too!

Those famous mice

And their beloved pooch, Pluto

Evan was a little disappointed he was just a hair too short to ride this cool ride.  *Sigh*

Standing in front of Jupiter

MEXICO!

Those sweet Reese boys in front of the Mayan pyramid

I love them!

Mommy and her little man hanging out in Mexico.

Brody enjoyed the shade of these Mayan ruins. 

Oh, how cute!

The boys go on a boat ride through Mexico. 

NORWAY!

Going to Norway to meet some vikings.

Look at those cute vikings!

CHARACTER SPOT!

That must have family picture with Mickey!

Brody petting Pluto.

Brody loved seeing Minnie Mouse. 

Minnie was so sweet. 

Obviously, Brody was in love!

Mouse kisses!  His face says it all!

Donald is #1!  I love that Brody was reaching up to touch him. 

We met the Goof too!  

Brody pulling Goofy's long ear.

Chip and Dale were beloved by all.  Dale was up to his usual tricks and looking for snacks.  He tried to steal our backpack, and Evan told him to go find some nuts.

Beloved by all.  Mommy obviously loved all the magical photo editing options on photopass.

Brody squeezing Dale's big red nose.

*Note - Photopass is a great option for getting great professional looking pictures of the whole family at Disney.  We love all our photopass pictures!