Welcome to those of you joining me from The Many Adventures of a Dinsey-Lovin’ Spectrum Mom and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 2nd stop on out Magical Blogorail. So sit back and enjoy.
As kids we all dreaded when our parents took us on the ‘Living with the Land’ ride over at the Epcot’s The Land pavilion. It was probably my least favorite ride in all of Walt Disney World. Then I became an adult and suddenly I thought this ride was pretty cool.
At the end of the ride they always recommend the ‘Behind the Seeds’ tour. This tour is economical at $15 is only about 45 minutes long.
In 2008, my then fiancé and I said ‘what they heck – let’s try it out’. We also took with us my husbands then 12 year old son who at this point thought we were the worst people ever and looked longingly at the Soarin’ queue as we checked in for the tour.
First stop ‘bug room’:
- Here is where they introduce us to to good and bad bugs. (I think my interpretation of what a bad bug is definitely different than theirs!) They also look for 3 volunteers to release lady bugs (good bugs) into the garden.
- They typically look for children to do this so they can be involved in the tour. My fiance’s son, Sam, was chosen (he grimaced) and was handed a frozen lady bug. His job now was to warm up the lady bug so he would release a lady bug who was awake into the garden.
The tour continues on for a bit and then it is time to release the bugs. Sam would not even open up the container. And the idea of him holding the ‘bug’ in his hand was something that was not going to happen in the lifetime.
So after much negotiation – Sam got to hold Dad’s hand as Dad handled the ‘bug’. Now my husband is not a bug person either so this was an uncomfortable situation all around. But I enjoyed it immensely and laughed as I took photos.
- We learned a lot about hydroponics. You even get a take away sheet showing how to make your own set up at home. I had all intentions in the world to make one, but the directions still sit in my to do file.
- We also get to see the pumpkin and zucchini vines. And there were even a couple of pumpkins becoming Mickey Pumpkins ‘Earning their Ears’.
- The highlight was getting to see the huge tomato tree. We not only got to see the tree and learn how they do it but we also got to taste some of the tomatoes! Yummm. I have heard other tours get to taste other produce. I think they change it to reflect what they are picking that day.
Final stop Aquaculture:
- Here you are introduced to how they are farming fish, eels, prawns, and even ALLIGATORS. They are is a bit creepy. Their eyes seem to follow you as you walk by.
- The highlight of this area is that they let the children feed some of the fish. Let’s just say the fish definitely know this process and when they see children they get very excited. When the food goes in the tank fish are jumping out of the water splashing anyone near the edge of the tank. Some children giggled and kept throwing food in. Sam was not one of them! He jumped as the fish went CRAZY and would have left the entire area if he could!! I missed this photo opportunity and this is just a reminder to always have that camera out and ready.
After that we retraced our steps and the tour ended. I would definitely recommend this tour for people that are interested in more details about this fantastic Epcot garden. They keep it interesting enough for kids but I think they will still hold it against you.
And on your way out pick up one of their plants! They are relatively inexpensive and it is a great souvenir. I purchased a pineapple plant and it easily made it home by plane. What happened to it after we returned home is another story.
Thank you for joining me on my tour and letting me relive some memories.
Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail is The World of Deej.
Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail loop should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:
- 1st Stop ~ The Many Adventures of a Disney-Lovin’ Spectrum Mom
- 2nd Stop ~ Capturing Magical Memories
- 3rd Stop ~ The World of Deej
- 4th Stop ~ YourFirstVisit.Net
- Final Stop ~ DisneyFAITHful
I have always wanted to do the Behind the Seeds, but it seems the magnetic pull of Soarin' always changes our minds:)
I've never done this tour; thanks for letting me live it through you! I love your scrap pages, too! Are they regular or digi? ~ Kathy Kelly
Digital predesigned pages. Got to love quick and easy!
let's just say no plant should go that way
My little kids LOVE “the boat ride” as they call it. It's one of my very favorites and we never miss it.
I have been wanting to do the Behind the Seeds Tour for such a long time. I'm waiting until my kiddos get a little older since I don't want them messing up my tour and I don't want to leave them behind.
My oldest daughter's childhood best friend is a manager at The Land and she is in charge of scheduling these tours. I would love to work there. Maybe. Some day.
Thanks! I love the Land and thought about doing that pre-kids.. now I've got a few years, I guess.. very cool! Love the idea of taking home a plant!
Love your Ladybug experience, how weird that they're frozen and have to be warmed up!
Cute… you must let us know the final fate of that pineapple plant.
I've been tempted – so many times – to do that tour. I'm glad you posted about it, though, because my 5 year old son is DEATHLY AFRAID of bugs. We better hold off on this tour for awhile!
What fun!! I've always wanted to do the Behind the Seeds Tour. Definitely putting it on my bucket list now! Love your scrap pages! You are a scrapping genius!!!