Celebrating Mother’s Day

by Donna Brewer
May 2004

So how did you celebrate Mother's Day? Breakfast in bed, lovingly made by your husband and kids? A barbecue in the backyard? Or did the family take you out somewhere for a delicious meal? I'm sure you had a wonderful time however you celebrated the day. Darling Hubby planned something a little different for me this year. Let me tell you about it!

First I should tell you that Hubby sits across the hall from me at work, and in our "lovely" cubicle environment I could hear him softly speaking with someone on the phone – obviously not wanting me to hear. Little did I know that he was on the phone with Disney making the arrangements for an impromptu trip to WDW, including resort reservations (Pop Century), and Mother's Day Brunch at Epcot. He even booked our flight and car rental! And since Epcot was hosting the Flower and Garden Festival, I couldn't think of a better time to celebrate Mother's Day at Disney. It would be like all those flowers were there just for me!

We arrived in Florida late the Thursday before Mother's Day, picked up our rental car, and drove to WDW where we checked into our resort. We were put in the 60's buildings (giant yo-yo stairwells). Our room was typical of Disney's value resorts – bright colors and decorated to fit the 60's theme.

We spent Friday and Saturday wandering the parks having lots of fun. Lines were reasonable, the weather was beautiful, and we were having a good time. Several friends were also visiting WDW, and we spent as much time as possible enjoying each other's company.

Sunday morning, Mother's Day, the sun was brightly shining, and we couldn't wait to get to Epcot. We tucked some shorts and comfortable walking shoes into a bag and headed out to the bus stop. Within a few moments we were entering the gates at Epcot. (Funny story here: As we were standing in the security line, a woman came up and tapped me on the shoulder. When I turned around to see who it was, she smiled and offered to "arm-wrestle" me for my shirt! Now I have to admit, I've never had anyone ask to arm-wrestle me for my clothing, so I was a little taken aback. However, as she explained to me, her sister had given her a pair of slacks that would go perfectly with the shirt I was wearing and she figured it was worth a shot. Well, since I wasn't willing to risk losing my shirt, I told her where I bought it instead.)

As we entered Epcot, I was given a beautiful white carnation and I was wished a happy Mother's Day. While Hubby headed over to rent a locker to put our clothes in, I started taking photos of the fantastic topiaries that highlight the Flower and Garden Festival. At the main entrance I was greeted by the beautiful "Magical Gatherings" topiary of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto and Goofy having a picnic among the flowers.

The fountain in front of Spaceship Earth had a spiral-shaped topiary with Tinker Bell fluttering at the top. She had generously sprinkled "pixie dust" all over the topiary.

By this time Hubby had returned, so we headed toward West Future World where photographers took a special Mother's Day photo of us. The pond behind us with beautiful flowers covering its banks would make a wonderful background for the photo.

The "Mom's Getaway Garden Brunch" was held at the old Millennium Village building between Canada and the UK. This building is quite large and a perfect venue for the event. As Hubby checked in at the podium, I was invited to get out of the heat and go inside where I'd find lots of lovely air conditioning. I had no sooner walked through the door than I encountered Snow White and her very handsome Prince just as they were leaving. I hadn't known that royalty would attend the Brunch, and I was sorry to have missed the opportunity to get a photo! A few minutes later I saw Sleeping Beauty and her Prince exiting.

However, I wasn't to be disappointed long. At the side of the waiting area, Cinderella and her Prince were graciously posing for photos. By this time Hubby had signed us in and found me standing there, enviously wishing for a photo op. He convinced a CM to come over and take a photo of us with the beautiful couple using my camera. I tried to convince the Prince to join us for brunch, however Cinderella wouldn't give him up.

The waiting area had a beautiful flower-bedecked gazebo in the center of the room. We discovered later that this was where Snow White and her date were sitting for photos and autographs. Near the entrance to the dining area sat a table with coffee, sweet rolls, and other light nibbles for those who just couldn't wait to get inside and eat!

It wasn't long before our name was called and we were taken to our table. If you haven't been in this building since the Millennium Celebration, or if you've never visited, it is huge! And it is even more spacious without all of the booths and displays it housed during the celebration. This makes it a perfect place to hold special events.

Along the outside of the room large screens made of cloth rose from the floor and spread out to reach the ceiling and had flowers projected onto them. Similar screens were placed down the length of the room to form small "rooms" in the middle. In front of these screens were stations where you could get made-to-order omelets, freshly sliced New York Strip Loin of Beef, pasta prepared to order, or Cajun Rubbed Pork Loin sliced to order. Dessert tables were set up in the middle of some of the small "rooms", and buffet tables lined the walls. A bubbling fountain could be found toward the back of the building, and a small stage hosting a harpist was in the front.

We were presented with a menu listing all our dining choices, and our server explained the set up to us. Hubby ordered mimosas and coffee, and then he was off to explore the many food options. I grabbed my camera and went the opposite direction. I'm sure there were people who thought I was a bit odd – taking photos of the buffet!

There were so many choices! And everything looked and smelled delicious! Hubby went straight to the loin of beef and I headed over to the breakfast foods. Even the kiddie buffet looked appetizing. …especially the little ice cream cones filled with chocolate and topped with white icing and sprinkles…

The menu listed the following food options:

Wine was available by the glass and bottle, and beer was available. And, of course, they had mimosas (of which I had two…).

Although I'm not normally a dessert person, I did try the English Trifle. It was very rich and tasty. Hubby found a tray of cookies and ate two of them, proclaiming them quite delicious.

The cost of the brunch was $29.99 plus tax per person (beer and wine were extra) – and well worth every penny! There is no way you can walk out of there hungry! Because this special event is held only during Mother's Day weekend, you should make your Priority Seating as soon as it is announced to ensure seating.

So after our server rolled us out in a wheelbarrow, we headed back to the locker and changed into shorts and comfortable walking shoes. I had lots of flower photos to take and Test Track to ride. And we really needed to walk off that wonderful brunch!

Believe it or not, after all that food, Hubby and I got together with friends for dinner that evening at the Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki Dining Room in Japan. We had never eaten there before and were looking forward to it. And somehow we managed to put away that delicious dinner.

The evening was over all too soon. Good food and good friends make the time fly by so quickly. As we walked toward the front of the park, we felt that tug at our hearts that we always feel as we leave the park on our last day. It's a sad feeling, but we know we will be back soon! Yes, a very satisfying Mother's Day trip!