A Disney Dream Come True - Nov/Dec TR ~ Oct10 Another TR :)

[Stefy]

Ooh great start to your AK day, the PP photographer took some great shots with your camera. Those characters really did come out in a flurry, bet you were starving by the end

You got some great shots of AK, such a beautiful park isn't it

 

[wdwgirl03]

Looks like a great start to your AK day! Funny the characters all seemed to come before you even had a chance to sit down. But atleast you got to meet them.

 

[KathyRN137]

What an awesome safari! Love it when all the animals are out!

The photopass photog got some great family shots outside of Tusker House.... can you believe we've never done breakfast there? Although we did see Donald when he was at Restaurantasaurus.

Great day so far!


Kathy

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Ooh great start to your AK day, the PP photographer took some great shots with your camera. Those characters really did come out in a flurry, bet you were starving by the end

You got some great shots of AK, such a beautiful park isn't it

I've definately grown to appreciate the details at AK more than I used to. I was hungry while the characters visited!

Looks like a great start to your AK day! Funny the characters all seemed to come before you even had a chance to sit down. But atleast you got to meet them.

Yes! I certainly hope no families booked for breakfast were left without actually seeing the characters. When we were in line waiting to check in, they were still accepting walk-ins.

What an awesome safari! Love it when all the animals are out!

The photopass photog got some great family shots outside of Tusker House.... can you believe we've never done breakfast there? Although we did see Donald when he was at Restaurantasaurus.

Great day so far!


Kathy

I didn't even realize at first she was taking photos, I'd just set my camera down on the crate where you lined up for Donald. It was a nice surprise to see how they'd turned out. You'll have to get to Tusker House for your trip with Billy!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

OK! I should have a few hours to myself right now before heading out to our local AHL game with my boys, so I'm going to try for the trifecta of updates on all three reports I have going right now.... this TR, the Spectrum Moms TR and our Halloween PTR. Wish me luck!



Leaving off here, we'd just had breakfast (and lunch!) at Tusker House and gone on a two week Safari that unfortunately was cut short due to some poaching going on but turned out well because we helped capture them. We then had a gorilla sighting that I wish I'd had more time to stop and see but our day was already fleeting by. Whew! Busy morning!


Next on our list? Camp Mickey Minnie and Festival of the Lion King!!

But first, a few of the decorations in the area.....

Absolutely GORGEOUS!!


On to the show! I love how audience members are selected for different parts of the show and hope one day Ariana gets that lucky pick. Demetri too of course, but for Ariana... the Lion King is such a tremendous love of hers that to be chosen to participate in it would be incredible.

What a memory to take home with you!


I always take TONS of FOTLK pictures because I know Ariana loves to see them all. We had a small little photo album for our 2009 trip that we put some favorite pictures in to take to her classmates to see. She still carries it with her and it's constantly open to the photo of her at the One Man's Dream Lion King the Musical display. So enjoy!

Ariana's favorite section..... When she's flying through the air, she bounces in her seat with joy!

Always a highlight of our Animal Kingdom days!!


Moving on outside the theatre, I would have loved to see the characters in their Christmas outfits but of course coming out of the shows is the busiest times so we took only a few more pictures before heading out of the area.

Pluto's tree.....

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[Mickey_Mom]

I can't remember now if it was before or after we saw FOTLK that we ran into Whitney (20thingamabobs). I couldn't believe we just randomly found one another! We'd made plans for a DISmeet later that night for EMH at Expedition Everest, but as we were walking along a path, she was coming one way with her mom and I was walking the other way with my family. We made eye contact with one another and you could see the light bulbs go off above our respective heads as we recognized each other. A quick hello, introductions and confirmations we were still getting together later that night, we waved our goodbyes. They'd told us everything they'd already gotten accomplished that morning and we had just two things under our belt. Time to get a move on!

One of the things Demetri had been looking forward to this trip was finally being tall enough to get on more rides. The Aerosmith ride, RnRC, was about the only one he couldn't yet go on, but everything else he was tall enough for. Although we had reservations he would be OK with Dinosaur, it was something he wanted to try and we knew he'd be unhappy if he skipped it, so off we went.

He'd chosen Dinosaur for one of our movie nights leading up to our trip, so he knew the story and wasn't afraid from that perspective.

Waiting in line, he was very confident.

Now this was Daddy's and Kathryn's first ride on Dinosaur too. George had always chosen to be the one to sit out with Demetri. The bootleg ride photo of our crew is funny.... Ariana and I are smiling away and yet have never been the biggest fan of the ride. I like it, but it's one I would skip if we were pressed for time. Ariana likes it too, but she doesn't ask for it repeatedly like her favorites. Yet we're the smiley ones.

Alex looks like he's about to cry, yet he likes the ride and is usually the one that is trying to make the goofy faces for the camera. He says he misjudged the camera to look at and when so while he'd made an awesome funny face just moments before, when he turned to the flash of the actual camera he was caught completely off guard. Right.... that's his story and he's sticking to it.

The three newbies have various looks ---- George looks facinated while Demetri looks ho-hum-been-there-done-that. Kathryn is Demetri's hand holding support, again with a smile on her face. Seeing the picture, it was fun asking each person what it all meant. Demetri was a little shy and decided he really didn't like the ride after all and was grateful for Kathryrn's hand. Kathryn had enjoyed it but seeing Demetri's nerves offered her hand and he gladly took it. George didn't really know what he was thinking at the time of the picture, but said the ride was a little herky-jerky for his taste and would probably opt out again next time.

In the gift shop afterwards, a recovered Demetri wanted to bring home his own Dinosaur....

Now it was time to line up for the Jingle Jungle Parade. We'd only seen the parade once before, typically we'd use the parade time to head onto the rides for less crowds - but this time we wanted to see the Christmas parade. Staking out a good spot, George was rubbing his hands together in glee anticipating the last minute spot crashers and his satisfaction at politely telling them to move along.

Ariana plopped herself down and was having fun making different murals with the nearby leaves.

Mildly disappointed there was no one to cuss out, we had a great view once the parade started. We were on a slight curve next to some greenery so a lot of the characters came over to see the kids.

King Louie got right into Alex's video camera....

The floats were awesome and I enjoyed looking for all the details that are so typical.....

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[Mickey_Mom]

It snowed!!

A GREAT parade, I'm so glad we had a good spot to see it. We had a few more must do's for the day, and one of them was heading over to see Nemo. We always enjoy the Finding Nemo show - it's one of our favorite movies as a family to see and be silly.

Waiting for the show to start, I tried my darndest to snag a photo of Nemo in the bubbles but I couldn't time it right.

Some of my favorites..... We love Bruce!

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST.....

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Lastly, one of my favorite scenes.....

The skies were starting to darken and even though we knew we were coming back again to meet up with Whitney and her mom, we just had to go on the Yeti ride.

Time first for a quick bathroom break and while waiting for all of us to finish up, the kids and I enjoyed just watching the view.

Heading back....

Demetri wanted a super pose waiting in line....

Wooooo hoooooo!!!

In the shop after, I immediately saw something I knew I had to take home with me.

No, no, no, not him! Although seriously, how cool would that be? No, I'm talking about this guy.....

A little smaller but way cuter. He sits on my desk at work.


Up next.... Tasty eats and DIS meets!!!

 

[Kathy Jetson]

Great update! We love the Lion King show. River got picked in 2 yrs ago to be one of the kids that walk around in the little parade around the stage he loved it.

Demetri was very brave for his first time on Dinosaur. We took River on when he was 4 and he cried nonstop for 20 minutes afterward. I felt like the worst mom He loves it now though.

I've never seen the Nemo show I think I will have to make time for it on our next trip. It looks like he'd enjoy it.

Great Jingle Jungle Parade pics. We always seem to have luck with the characters coming up to us in that one.

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Great update! We love the Lion King show. River got picked in 2 yrs ago to be one of the kids that walk around in the little parade around the stage he loved it.

Demetri was very brave for his first time on Dinosaur. We took River on when he was 4 and he cried nonstop for 20 minutes afterward. I felt like the worst mom He loves it now though.

I've never seen the Nemo show I think I will have to make time for it on our next trip. It looks like he'd enjoy it.

Great Jingle Jungle Parade pics. We always seem to have luck with the characters coming up to us in that one.

The end of the Lion King show where the kids walk around makes me tear up. Yup, a sap I am. The absolute beaming face of a special needs young man put me right over. Man he was so happy!

Oh poor River! Good for him getting back on!!!

I do prefer FOTLK over Nemo if I had to choose, but luckily we haven't had to.

 

[ZeroToHero]

I love the pictures of the AK holiday parade! I don't remember it at all, but the Stitch on the train is adorable! And I like the Mickey Ice Cream bar stuck into the snow in another - you were right about how cool the details are!

I finally saw Festival of the Lion King, and I love it! You were right about how amazing it is. AND you can take flash photos! Big plus. Haha.

I love Dinosaur, but I haven't been on for a while - I never feel like it justifies the trip all the way over to Dinoland.

 

[Tinkermom76]

Great update! You got some really great pictures of the parade and in the FOTLK. My pictures in there always turn out crappy

I wanted to take home that Yeti too! but I didn't, maybe next trip!!!

 

[mousescrapper]

some great updates there Tracy...

I so know what you mean about the FotLK show...the twins were picked to be part of the show at the end one yr in 08 it was a fantastic memory and highlight...

Love all your parade shots too...so bummed we missed the snow, looks like everyone is having such a fun time and your pix from the rides are very cool too

love me some Yeti time too!

 

[Angies1274]

Love all your pics!! It looks like you had a great spot to watch the parade!! Too funny about King Louie getting right into Alex's video camera.

Yay for Demetri being able to riding Dinosaur! Too bad he didn't like it. It is quite scary! But, it looks like he recovered nicely...cute picture!! Noah wanted to ride for the first time on our last trip but I think we were rushed for time that day trying to make it to FOTLK and didn't make it. Hopefully, next time! (although I'm sure he'll probably feel the same way Demetri did.)

Aww....FOTLK and Nemo. We just love those shows!!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

great updates!! I love the xmas parade! I have the song on my ipod Working parade control at AK was one of my fav jobs that I got to do in my rotation (which had NOTHING to do with the kids clubs lol). I can't tell you how the families are picked though because I've never seen it! I did see one family get picked since another never showed up the one day but other than that, it's a mystery to me where and when they pick!

 

[Stefy]

Great update Loving the parade photos, do you know in all three trips we have never seen the parade at AK? Crazy right Defo going to make an effort this year me thinks Love the Stitch on the train, so very cool You had a really great spot.

 

[Mickey_Mom]

I love the pictures of the AK holiday parade! I don't remember it at all, but the Stitch on the train is adorable! And I like the Mickey Ice Cream bar stuck into the snow in another - you were right about how cool the details are!

I finally saw Festival of the Lion King, and I love it! You were right about how amazing it is. AND you can take flash photos! Big plus. Haha.

I love Dinosaur, but I haven't been on for a while - I never feel like it justifies the trip all the way over to Dinoland.

I had to go back and find the Mickey Ice Cream Bar on Donald's boat -- too funny! And I loved the roses tucked into Minnie's stocking too.

Yay for seeing FOTLK! And yes, I love being able to just snap away! I do wish they'd do more in Dinoland. We always just skip right over the carnival area (now if it was free we'd go ) and Primeval Hurl....

Great update! You got some really great pictures of the parade and in the FOTLK. My pictures in there always turn out crappy

I wanted to take home that Yeti too! but I didn't, maybe next trip!!!

I'd say my crappy to OK picture ratio in FOLTK is about seven to one. I'll remind you to get the Yeti -- he's so fluffy and cute! I brought him to work so the kids wouldn't steal him from me.

some great updates there Tracy...

I so know what you mean about the FotLK show...the twins were picked to be part of the show at the end one yr in 08 it was a fantastic memory and highlight...

Love all your parade shots too...so bummed we missed the snow, looks like everyone is having such a fun time and your pix from the rides are very cool too

love me some Yeti time too!

What a great memory for the twins at FOLTK! I wasn't expecting the snow at the parade, definately a fun surprise. More Yeti ride pictures coming up!

Love all your pics!! It looks like you had a great spot to watch the parade!! Too funny about King Louie getting right into Alex's video camera.

Yay for Demetri being able to riding Dinosaur! Too bad he didn't like it. It is quite scary! But, it looks like he recovered nicely...cute picture!! Noah wanted to ride for the first time on our last trip but I think we were rushed for time that day trying to make it to FOTLK and didn't make it. Hopefully, next time! (although I'm sure he'll probably feel the same way Demetri did.)

Aww....FOTLK and Nemo. We just love those shows!!

King Louie was hamming it up big time, it was hysterical! It was a great parade spot just coming out of Dinoland around that slight bend. We were the first family in the area to set ourselves up where we knew the rope was going to go and thankfully no one tried to muscle their way in.

I haven't asked Demetri yet if he's going to try Dinosaur again on our Halloween trip but it wouldn't surprise me if he said yes. Now that he has that first one under his belt he knows more of what to expect. Then again, he might flat out say NO WAY!

great updates!! I love the xmas parade! I have the song on my ipod Working parade control at AK was one of my fav jobs that I got to do in my rotation (which had NOTHING to do with the kids clubs lol). I can't tell you how the families are picked though because I've never seen it! I did see one family get picked since another never showed up the one day but other than that, it's a mystery to me where and when they pick!

I'd LOVE to be one of the families picked for the parade! How cool to sit in the float and wave to everyone --it'd be a blast! Another fabulous memory.

Great update Loving the parade photos, do you know in all three trips we have never seen the parade at AK? Crazy right Defo going to make an effort this year me thinks Love the Stitch on the train, so very cool You had a really great spot.

Oh, you have to see the parade at least once! I thought of you two when I saw Stitch there and knew I just had to get that picture right.

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Demetri's first Yeti ride was a smashing success and he was bubbling over with excitement at coming back to it again for night rides after dinner. I texted Whitney that we were going to head over to Restaurantosaurus and then meet her right after.

Heading back to Dinoland we passed this mammoth guy....

.... and headed in.

I totally forget what we all got but I'm sure it was good ole burgers and what have you. This place has a toppings bar too so I think I put mushrooms all over mine. Yum!

Some scenery shots while we ate....

We were sitting right in front of the fireplace.....

It was fairly empty in here and the food is not overly special but it was perfect for what we needed and hit the spot. Bellies full, we headed back to Yeti with a few pictures along the way....

I tried and tried to get nice shots of the lights over the water....

Right away we found Whitney and her Mom outside EE and George had the brilliant idea of getting Photopass pictures of our group. Can you believe this was our first Photopass pictures of the day?!? So much for all those special shots I'd wanted to get....


How cute are we?

Then it was on to the Yeti marathon! At least three back-to-back-to-back rides on EE and it was sooooo fun!

Ride number one!

Alex posed the wrong way again and the other three are just a hoot!

Whitney's, mine and her Mom's pic came out blurry and I couldn't snag another before it flipped to the next picture. Boo!




I think I missed the photos on the second ride altogether, and the third one I finally said I'd sit out while everyone else rushed on. Demetri convinced Whitney and her Mom into the third ride by sweet talking her and wanting to sit next to her. I made my way through the gift shop and got ready to get the ride photos....

One of my favorite pictures! The Yeti ride ROCKS!!


Bidding farwell to Whitney and her Mom, we slowly made our way out of the park.

I'd been trying all evening to get some great AK at night pictures and this particular one I was really hoping would turn out....

Not quite as crisp as some others I've seen, but still very pretty.


Still taking pictures walking towards the exit....

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST.....

 

[Mickey_Mom]

George, Ariana, Demetri and I were waiting by the tree while the others had headed off to the bathrooms once more.....

We bused it back to our rooms and these little guys were waiting for us....

In the end, there were a few things we didn't do that we normally would... Kali River Rapids but it was too flippin chilly for that anyway, the Pangani Forest Trail and the Maharajah Jungle Trek ... but it was a great AK day.

Next up.... Resort and DTD Day!

 

[KathyRN137]

I love all the nighttime AK pix; I've never been there past sunset!
Back-to-back EEs are amazing -- way to get the blood really pumping!

I wish they would do something more with Restaurantasaurus... after they moved Donald's Breakfast to Tusker House I was waiting for a change in menu there, but it never came. Great atmosphere, though!

Tracy, you need a cute ticker for the Five Girls and a Boy trip!!


Kathy