Jen80370
07-10-2002, 08:32 AM
Day 2- From the jungles of the Animal Kingdom to the Table at V&A
Our cast of characters includes: Me (Jen) 31, planner of all things Disney; Bill (DH) 32, the yin to my yang; BJ (DS) almost 14, the reason for this trip…his graduation from middle school; Nico (DF) 14…BJ’s compadre; Bob (35) DB, Gina (35) DSIL, Steven (DN) 8, Brianna (DN) 2-1/2.
We started our day early when we realized that Nico still didn’t have his park pass. We went to the lobby at the Dolphin and got him an Ultimate Park Hopper. We had World Passes from the UK, and we wanted him to have the same access we did. His parents sent money for a 6 Day Hopper, so we just ponied up the difference so he and BJ could DisneyQuest at will.
We headed over to Animal Kingdom and got our picture taken at the entrance. It was HOT here folks…the reports are true…it is about 10 degrees hotter here because of the foliage.
The first place we went was Dinoland for Steven, who is a paleontologist hiding in an eight year old’s body. His teacher gives dinosaur lessons and he corrects her. We started on the Primeval Whirl (or is it hurl?) and then headed for the Triceratop Spin before heading to the Boneyard. Can I just say here how I do NOT understand how anyone can NOT use Fastpass? It was a dream.
We then headed to Dinosaur because we were hot and it was air conditioned. WOW what an amazing attraction. I highly recommend it. The detail is astounding!
We headed to Restaurantosaurus. Most of the menu is McDonalds food, but really good and fresh. I had their Grilled Chicken Salad as I was saving fat grams for dinner. This is a great place to partake in the Animal Kingdom Meal Package. You can buy it at any restaurant in AK. It includes a combo meal at lunch as well as an additional drink and snack in the park. I ended up getting a huge grilled chicken salad, a large iced tea, a frozen chocolate covered banana and a large bottle of water for $10.99. I was pleased.
After lunch we headed to the safari. It was looking like it might rain. Yup and I might be tall (for the record I am 6’1.).
As we headed into the covered line for the ride, it started to rain. We were excited because we were covered. By the time we got in our jeep (only a 20 minute wait at 1:30p.m.) it was a monsoon. Yes the jeeps have a canvas top but the rain was soaking through the canvas and it was raining horizontally. There was lightning in the distance and the thunder was LOUD! I was waiting for the little ones to panic (8 & 2). The two year old could not stop LAUGHING! She thought they were special effects! The added bonus was the added activity of the animals in the rain. They love it!
I was in a mild panic as the jeep had to pass through three foot puddles, but hey it is vacation…an adventure.
Our jeep really wasn’t into the whole poachers plot of the ride, so it took on a Poseidon Adventure feel.
I was the one who planned everything for the vacation, so anytime something great and unexpected would happen, my DB would ask, “Is this another service of Jen’s Travel?” He had fun with the rain for sure. As we departed the ride, he asked, “OK travel agent, can you make it stop too?” I joked, “Sure…give me a minute though.”
By the time we arrived at stroller parking…the rain STOPPED! My brother in shock said, “Umm, sis, remind me not to tick you off this week ok?” It was a great moment.
From there we decided to hit the Tree of Life before heading back to the hotel. What a GREAT MOVIE! My two year old niece LOVED IT!
After that we picked up a few souveniers (how nice to SEND them back to the Dolphin rather then carry them) and headed back for swimming and naps. We’d have a big night ahead of us.
For a review of our dinner at Victoria and Albert’s, click here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=229459
After dinner we came back to the hotel for our nightly rounds of billiards with the boys (BJ and Nico) before turning in. We regaled them with the dinner as they filled us in on everyone they met at the pool and at Tubbi’s where they had dinner. They had debated taking the bus to DisneyQuest, but had too much fun at the pool. A side note…if you have an only child teenager…consider bringing a friend(choose wisely so they don’t fight). He thoroughly enjoyed having someone to pal around with, and I worried much less because he was using a cell phone and the buddy system.
In case you need to catch up, here are links to our Preamble
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=227144
And Day One:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=228858
Any questions, just ask!
Our cast of characters includes: Me (Jen) 31, planner of all things Disney; Bill (DH) 32, the yin to my yang; BJ (DS) almost 14, the reason for this trip…his graduation from middle school; Nico (DF) 14…BJ’s compadre; Bob (35) DB, Gina (35) DSIL, Steven (DN) 8, Brianna (DN) 2-1/2.
We started our day early when we realized that Nico still didn’t have his park pass. We went to the lobby at the Dolphin and got him an Ultimate Park Hopper. We had World Passes from the UK, and we wanted him to have the same access we did. His parents sent money for a 6 Day Hopper, so we just ponied up the difference so he and BJ could DisneyQuest at will.
We headed over to Animal Kingdom and got our picture taken at the entrance. It was HOT here folks…the reports are true…it is about 10 degrees hotter here because of the foliage.
The first place we went was Dinoland for Steven, who is a paleontologist hiding in an eight year old’s body. His teacher gives dinosaur lessons and he corrects her. We started on the Primeval Whirl (or is it hurl?) and then headed for the Triceratop Spin before heading to the Boneyard. Can I just say here how I do NOT understand how anyone can NOT use Fastpass? It was a dream.
We then headed to Dinosaur because we were hot and it was air conditioned. WOW what an amazing attraction. I highly recommend it. The detail is astounding!
We headed to Restaurantosaurus. Most of the menu is McDonalds food, but really good and fresh. I had their Grilled Chicken Salad as I was saving fat grams for dinner. This is a great place to partake in the Animal Kingdom Meal Package. You can buy it at any restaurant in AK. It includes a combo meal at lunch as well as an additional drink and snack in the park. I ended up getting a huge grilled chicken salad, a large iced tea, a frozen chocolate covered banana and a large bottle of water for $10.99. I was pleased.
After lunch we headed to the safari. It was looking like it might rain. Yup and I might be tall (for the record I am 6’1.).
As we headed into the covered line for the ride, it started to rain. We were excited because we were covered. By the time we got in our jeep (only a 20 minute wait at 1:30p.m.) it was a monsoon. Yes the jeeps have a canvas top but the rain was soaking through the canvas and it was raining horizontally. There was lightning in the distance and the thunder was LOUD! I was waiting for the little ones to panic (8 & 2). The two year old could not stop LAUGHING! She thought they were special effects! The added bonus was the added activity of the animals in the rain. They love it!
I was in a mild panic as the jeep had to pass through three foot puddles, but hey it is vacation…an adventure.
Our jeep really wasn’t into the whole poachers plot of the ride, so it took on a Poseidon Adventure feel.
I was the one who planned everything for the vacation, so anytime something great and unexpected would happen, my DB would ask, “Is this another service of Jen’s Travel?” He had fun with the rain for sure. As we departed the ride, he asked, “OK travel agent, can you make it stop too?” I joked, “Sure…give me a minute though.”
By the time we arrived at stroller parking…the rain STOPPED! My brother in shock said, “Umm, sis, remind me not to tick you off this week ok?” It was a great moment.
From there we decided to hit the Tree of Life before heading back to the hotel. What a GREAT MOVIE! My two year old niece LOVED IT!
After that we picked up a few souveniers (how nice to SEND them back to the Dolphin rather then carry them) and headed back for swimming and naps. We’d have a big night ahead of us.
For a review of our dinner at Victoria and Albert’s, click here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=229459
After dinner we came back to the hotel for our nightly rounds of billiards with the boys (BJ and Nico) before turning in. We regaled them with the dinner as they filled us in on everyone they met at the pool and at Tubbi’s where they had dinner. They had debated taking the bus to DisneyQuest, but had too much fun at the pool. A side note…if you have an only child teenager…consider bringing a friend(choose wisely so they don’t fight). He thoroughly enjoyed having someone to pal around with, and I worried much less because he was using a cell phone and the buddy system.
In case you need to catch up, here are links to our Preamble
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=227144
And Day One:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=228858
Any questions, just ask!