 Today
we head to the Animal Kingdom and our friends will meet us there.
First, we had to check into our one bedroom, which of course - on a
Sunday morning was not yet available. So, we had Bell Services
store our luggage for the day until we returned. We were
running a bit late, but took the car today and arrived easily before
the park opened. The parking fee has risen to $12 now!
:-O It really is such a high price to just park the car for
the day... Guess I'm glad parking is included in both the AP
and when staying on site. Yikes!
 We
jumped in the tram that was waiting and soon passed through
security. The guards really should all be the same when
checking bags. I would think consistency would be the best bet
here, but they vary widely. Some barely look at your bag while
others are very thorough and make you take off fanny packs, unzip
every compartment (which on a large camera bag are plenty!) and dig
to the bottom of each area. So, its just easiest to just take
off fanny packs and unzip every compartment from the beginning
because it moves the line along faster.
After that it was up
into line for the turnstiles. Our friends were running just a
bit late today due to some traffic issues I think, and arrived just
after they started letting us into the park. As the mob
crowded into the area before the split to Africa and Asia in front
of the Tree of Life I saw Jeff's head above the crowd. Thank
goodness for tall people when you are trying to find someone in a
crowd! ;-) And thank goodness for cell phones, because
there was NO getting through that throng to talk to him! Brinn
and I planned to head to Everest with Jeff to get Fastpasses while
the girls went straight through to Africa for the Safari.
This worked out nicely and Jeff easily caught up to Brinn and I as
we headed toward Everest at rope drop.
 We
worked out way through the crowd and grabbed 7 fastpasses for the
group. Then headed off to Africa to find the girls.
Corinne being pregnant meant that she'd want to bypass the Safari.
That is really too bad, since its only really bumpy because of
theming and that forced race for the poachers at the end.
It would be great if they had a truck that loaded every so often
that was just for those that can't handle the rough ride. I
know she was disappointed to miss this one since the rest of the
family could go.
We had a good Safari
and saw quite a few animals. Our guide as an older woman that
the kids referred to as our Granny Driver. But she did great
and was a fun driver. She spotted those animals very quickly
and had lots of info to share as we went. The Rhinos were quite
active and we saw three at the same time. Lots of elephants,
but the savannah area was pretty quiet. Finally saw a couple
Giraffes, but they were way in the back. Thank goodness for a
good zoom lens on the camera! The trucks were a bit backed up
today with animals on the road several times. This helped us
stop a couple times for some non-bouncy pictures here and there!
;-) I'm always amazed when a shot comes out because you bounce
so much in that ride!
 The
girls all enjoyed seeing the animals and soon we were back.
Corinne had walked the Pangori Trail (or whatever that is called...
I don't have a map while I'm typing this!) and we met her at the
exit of the Safari. It was already getting very hot, so we
passed on this trail ourselves in favor of heading right for Camp
Mickey Minnie. We arrived in time for the first Festival of
the Lion King (FotLK) show and GREATLY enjoyed the enclosed and air
conditioned theatre. I'd say this first show was only about
2/3 full. So, the park wasn't too packed yet.
Everyone loved this
show and I have to say its still my favorite. Nemo is very
good, but I LOVE the FotLK. I think the fire handler was the
most impressive to the newbies. And I have to agree. I
still wonder how he puts that baton right on his feet like that.
Ouch! But its all so good with the acrobats, signing and
aerial work. GREAT show! After that we found that if we
hurried we could make the first Nemo show as well. We made it
JUST in time with the straggler crowd. We ended up WAY in the
back of the theatre, but were able to see OK. This show as
about 95% full and again everyone really enjoyed it. Very well
done!
 Now,
we could walk over to Everest to use our Fast Passes. Brinn
doesn't even FLINCH at the thought of riding it now, but DID walk
over to where the drop is and surprised even herself that she would
do it! :-D that is QUITE a drop when looking from the
ground. A which point I said, "And exactly WHY I didn't walk
you by this view before you rode it the first time!" LOL
So, in we went with Corinne, Mallory and Jordyn waiting in the
store. Poor Corinne needs to return in a couple years to do
all the rides she is missing. She loves all these rides, but
can't ride while pregnant. We're looking forward to them
coming again when they are ready! :-)
The Fastpasses got
us on there pretty fast and it was a great ride. Jeff really
liked it and we still had a couple fast passes left over. So,
Brinn and Maddy got to ride a second time, and *I* got so me visual
proof of Brinn's bravery. All it took was taking a picture of
each car coming down the drop until they returned! :-D
Love that you can see their faces in the pic as well, although a bit
blurry zoomed in to that level. Maddy with her arms thrown
high and smiling, and Brinn smiling but holding on tightly!
:-D She'll be a hand raiser yet!
After that we still
had some time before lunch at the Yak and Yeti, so we headed for
Kali River Rapids for some fast passes for Jeff, Corinne, Mallory
and Jordyn. We did this the other day, and planned to leave
the park after lunch. Then it was on to the Maharaja
Trek! I love this path mainly for the bats and cats!
Those Fruit bats fascinate me. The kids think they are cool.
And Kristen appreciates them from a distance. Kinda. LOL
Same with Jeff and Corinne. I think they creeped her out quite
a bit, but Jeff thought they were VERY COOL. I got a few more
shots of one's face this time. I could watch them for hours.
 Then
it was off to the cats. The tigers are out today! YAY!
It was tough getting some pictures of them though because the people
were in quite a battle for position when they were visible.
But I finally got a few shots. It was VERY close to our
reservation time so we moved along quickly and then headed to the
Yak and Yeti which was just around the corner. I had in my
head this restaurant would be closer to Everest, but its just
outside the entrance to the Kali River Rapid area. Very nicely
themed and thank goodness - nicely air-conditioned. Its a
scorcher today! They took our name and we waited maybe 5 or 10
minutes to be called.
When I made the
reservation it was originally just the 4 of us. But the night
before Corinne asked if I could include them as well. I had
called that morning, and they were able to do two tables of 4, but
expect to be split up. But as luck (and good service!) would
have it, they created a table of eight for us and we all got to sit
together. This works out great because it lets the kids all
site together and entertain one another while the parents can relax
just a bit more and chat.
We had a nice meal.
I had the Beef and Broccoli which was very good. Kristen the
honey chicken, and the girls all ordered from the kids menu which
provided some NON Asian choices they all enjoyed. I also
got an appetizer of the Pork Egg Rolls that were very tasty.
The service was good with lots of follow-up and drink refills,
ESPECIALLY water! ;-) I think he needed to just
leave me a pitcher I was chugging it down so quickly!
After eating we
chatted a bit about what everyone was doing the rest of the day.
Jeff and Corinne were going to finish up at the Animal Kingdom and
then head over to Magic Kingdom for a while. They
offered to take Brinn and Maddy along (as guides I think! ;-)
) and they were excited to go. That left Kristen and I
free to head back to the resort and get settled into the new room. |
