Seaworld, Disney, Celebrities, Friends, and a Hurricane Aug 16 to 26 - Update Dec 1

[afwdwfan]

Nice fireworks pictures!

I'm glad you got a night ride in on Space Mountain. I love that ride after dark too!

 

[declansdad]

Looks like much fun at 'Ohana.
It was odd having the check-in stand on the other side of the lobby, wasn't it?

Main Street at night is so pretty.

I feel safe with Sheriff Declan and Sheriff Dad on patrol. Cute picture.

Ma, you look lovely. I understand the not liking pictures thing, but you have no worries at all.

The new location of the check-in counter did throw us and so did the huge line. Luckily the people in front of the line told us it was for people without ADRs. They did get seated near us but we were just about done with our meal when they came in.

Glad we can make you feel safe Maam.

Nice fireworks pictures!

I'm glad you got a night ride in on Space Mountain. I love that ride after dark too!

Thanks, I love trying to get the fireworks pictures but thank God for digital photography.

Space Mountain is the best ride after dark, ever!

 

[declansdad]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. We had our family dinner yesterday just before watching the Habs beat the Jets (sorry Geodoc). To our American friends, I am hoping to be off on your Thanksgiving as well (there is always a NFL game or two to watch. )


So back to the report. The date is August 22 and we are heading to AK for the day. We had an ADR at Yak & Yeti for 2:30 so we wanted to arrive early and get lots in before that. This was also the day where the weather channel became a big part of our daily routine.

We arrived at AK by 9 and I made the dash to EE for FPs while Pooksma and Declan headed for the Safari. Somehow I managed to beat them there and waited about 5 minutes or so before they came strolling along. Apparently they stopped to talk to the CMs with the displays on the way through the Oasis.

The line was at the end of the queue and it was posted as a 30 minute wait. It ended up being about 40 minutes but this was one of the only lines we waited in so no worries. it was also early enough to see lots of animals and they were all fairly active.

After getting back from our 2 week safari that was once again cut short by those evil poachers, we started our trek to Asia so that we could search for the elusive Yeti.

Along the way we came across some nice rest stops.

Soon we were in sight of the mountain we would need to climb to find the Yeti.

We used our FPs with great success, we found the Yeti. To be sure it was him we used the single rider line to check again. Waited maybe 5 minutes and we all ended up on the same train.

I'll be back later with the rest of the day at AK including a fantastic, never seen before showing of FOTLK.

 

[afwdwfan]

It looks like the lion was as active as usual... and I'm sure the Yeti was just as active as the lion.

I'm hoping to get some of that single rider line mojo when we go. It would be awesome to hop on EE a few times in just a few minutes.

 

[declansdad]

It looks like the lion was as active as usual... and I'm sure the Yeti was just as active as the lion.

I'm hoping to get some of that single rider line mojo when we go. It would be awesome to hop on EE a few times in just a few minutes.

It was nice to see the lion get up and move around. The cheetahs were up and playing around as well but I couldn't get a good shot of them. The Yeti was actually working too.

Single rider lines can be great or they can be a pain. First time I tried one was on RnRC and after getting past the recording studio, I waited about 45 minutes to get on the ride.

 

[afwdwfan]

It was nice to see the lion get up and move around. The cheetahs were up and playing around as well but I couldn't get a good shot of them. The Yeti was actually working too.

Single rider lines can be great or they can be a pain. First time I tried one was on RnRC and after getting past the recording studio, I waited about 45 minutes to get on the ride.

I was actually being sarcastic. Must be the camera angle, but i thought the lion was just chilling up there on his rock.

The yeti actually moved????

I've never tried single rider, but with DW being pregnant, I'm sure I will this time. From what I've read, it looks like Test Track and RnR can be extremely hit or miss by going single rider, but I don't read as many horror stories about EE. I hope it works out for me!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Great shots! I have never seen the cheetah up if we see it at all I love single rider lines...more times than not we end up together so it works perfectly and we never buy the ride pics so what the hey I can't wait to hear what you thought of Yak and Yeti!

 

[declansdad]

I was actually being sarcastic. Must be the camera angle, but i thought the lion was just chilling up there on his rock.

The yeti actually moved????

I've never tried single rider, but with DW being pregnant, I'm sure I will this time. From what I've read, it looks like Test Track and RnR can be extremely hit or miss by going single rider, but I don't read as many horror stories about EE. I hope it works out for me!

LOL, actually he was just chillin on the front side but we when got around to the back he had started to walk around. This is only the second time I have seen the male lion moving around. The first time he was getting "active" with the female lion.

The Yeti was moving, it was incredible.

Great shots! I have never seen the cheetah up if we see it at all I love single rider lines...more times than not we end up together so it works perfectly and we never buy the ride pics so what the hey I can't wait to hear what you thought of Yak and Yeti!

Yak and Yeti was another "first" for us.

 

[dawnbu40]

Hi! I followed your link over from our TR and I'm all caught up!

You have a beautiful family and I love your pictures! (especially the safari!) I also loved hearing how wonderful the CM was after Declan lost his pins. That kind of treatment is the kind of magic that keeps us all going back to Disney

 

[loganpaulsmom]

I just read your entire TR.. Looks like you had a great time.. I can't wait to hear more.. With another trip in my future, I love hearing all the details of someone elses trip!

 

[declansdad]

Hi! I followed your link over from our TR and I'm all caught up!

You have a beautiful family and I love your pictures! (especially the safari!) I also loved hearing how wonderful the CM was after Declan lost his pins. That kind of treatment is the kind of magic that keeps us all going back to Disney

Thank you and welcome. I like how you have all been chiming in on the engagement part of your trip. It was a pretty fantastic proposal.

I just read your entire TR.. Looks like you had a great time.. I can't wait to hear more.. With another trip in my future, I love hearing all the details of someone elses trip!

Welcome!!

We had a great time and there is more to come.

 

[declansdad]

OK, the pool has been taken down and put away, the deck furniture was put away,and another night of football is complete. I guess I can finish off the rest of the day.

--------------------------------

So after EE, we headed for FOTLK and after getting push out of the way by some rude people, we made our way into the theatre. we were wondering what section we would get this time as we entered. Some CMs were talking and joking as we passed so I started talking to one. WE seemed to hit it off and next thing we know she grabbed my arm and started to look around for a place for us to sit and we ended up in the front row of the warthog section. Score!!

As we were waiting for the show to start, Declan was admiring the pins that an older gentleman sitting behind us had. After comparing trading stories, he gave Declan a rare pin and asked for nothing in return. A very nice gesture.

Time to start the show and this was our view.

Next thing you know I was approached by this lovely lady.

And she decided that I needed to come with her and lead the warthog section.

After that we sat back and enjoyed the show from the best seats in the house.

This is my favourite part of the show.

 

[declansdad]

After leaving FOTLK we had a bit of time before our ADRs so we took in It's Tough to be a Bug followed by another trek through the Himalayas on EE

Somewhere along the line we had grabbed FPs for Kali and we had time to use them before lunch.

We got a bit wet but not as bad as the people on the ride with us. And the wonders of Dri-Fit helped us dry off quickly.

It was time for our "first" visit to Yak & Yeti. It was a bit busy but we didn't wait long. Our seats were the greatest but they were ok. Not sure what we ordered but I think Declan had ribs, Pooksma had steak and shrimp and I had beef and broccoli. Declan added a Shirley Temple to his meal.

The food and service is pretty good here and I would go back again. I would try and sit upstairs at the front if I had a choice.

After lunch we said good-bye to AK and headed back to the resort around 4.

At the resort, we did some laundry and had a rest. Our plan was to go to DHS and do a couple of rides and catch the late showing of Fantasmic. Before we left the room, Declan said he wasn't feeling well but wanted to go anyway. We made it to the park around 8.

and headed here

Unfortunately we got just about to the door to enter the inside when Declan said he really needed to go so we headed back to the resort. On the way out, I picked up one of those black light string things that Declan wanted. When we got it back to the room, it wouldn't work.

Up next, a quiet day and dealing with the string thing.

 

[afwdwfan]

As we were waiting for the show to start, Declan was admiring the pins that an older gentleman sitting behind us had. After comparing trading stories, he gave Declan a rare pin and asked for nothing in return. A very nice gesture.

That's cool! Probably helped take a little bit more of the sting away from losing his lanyard.

Gotta love a good nose picking picture.

Unfortunately we got just about to the door to enter the inside when Declan said he really needed to go so we headed back to the resort. On the way out, I picked up one of those black light string things that Declan wanted. When we got it back to the room, it wouldn't work.

Up next, a quiet day and dealing with the string thing.

Hope he's feeling better by morning.

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Glad you had a good Thanksgiving! Turkey dinners are awesome!

I just got all caught up and I'M sorry Declan's lanyard was never found.
It was so nice of Molly to do something to cheer him up.
I hope he didn't loose any pins that were his favorites. Poor little guy.
I wish I had one of those Year of a Million Dreams lanyards to give him.

We had two incidents where we had items returned on this past trip.
My DMom left her purse the first day in a cab & she set her camera down in the food court on another day.
I was so thankful and relieved that someone was so kind as to turn both of these in and not keep them. Thank heavens! Loosing all those pics would have been aweful.
I wish you had a more thoughtful person find his lanyard.

We enjoyed SeaWorld and I agree that it isn't Disney but it was worth seeing.
We had a different Mime but he was just as funny.
Didn't do Manta or Kraken but we all went on Journey to Atlantis once. And that will be fine for me.
The feeding stations were fun and I was happy Lexi and I got to feed the dolphins.
You were right the food wasn't special. I loved the slush though! LOL
The shows are fantastic!

We had lunch at Yak n' Yetti for the first time too. We sat upstairs and the place was full of very cool and authentic details.
My DMom loved her salmon but Lexi and I didn't care much for our meals.

I was surprized to see the check in at 'Ohana was moved too.
Loved our meal there as always!
I even tried the infamous Lapu Lapu...that is one very strong cocktail. Whew!

Warthog! Too funny! What a magical moment to be picked!
They must stick all us Canadians there cause we were in that section too. LOL

I enjoyed looking at your pics...brings back happy memories of not so long ago.

 

[Queenofallthings]

You totally scored on those seats for FOTLK! My favorite show hands down ever on property, I can't get enough of it!!

Bad enough Declan was feeling bad but for the string thing not to work

 

[pooksma]

Just adding in here that I don't think I will ever be able to see FOTLK the same again. It was such an amazing experience sitting right at ground level and having everyone so close.

Loved seeing Devine again. One of THE coolest encounters at AK.

Yak and Yeti was great food but man was there food! Really DH and I could have shared one plate.

 

[declansdad]

That's cool! Probably helped take a little bit more of the sting away from losing his lanyard.


Gotta love a good nose picking picture.


Hope he's feeling better by morning.

He was pretty happy with the new lanyard and the new pin he got was pretty cool.

With the picture I think the actual quote was "Dad, take a picture of this!"

 

[declansdad]

Glad you had a good Thanksgiving! Turkey dinners are awesome!

I just got all caught up and I'M sorry Declan's lanyard was never found.
It was so nice of Molly to do something to cheer him up.
I hope he didn't loose any pins that were his favorites. Poor little guy.
I wish I had one of those Year of a Million Dreams lanyards to give him.

We had two incidents where we had items returned on this past trip.
My DMom left her purse the first day in a cab & she set her camera down in the food court on another day.
I was so thankful and relieved that someone was so kind as to turn both of these in and not keep them. Thank heavens! Loosing all those pics would have been aweful.
I wish you had a more thoughtful person find his lanyard.

We enjoyed SeaWorld and I agree that it isn't Disney but it was worth seeing.
We had a different Mime but he was just as funny.
Didn't do Manta or Kraken but we all went on Journey to Atlantis once. And that will be fine for me.
The feeding stations were fun and I was happy Lexi and I got to feed the dolphins.
You were right the food wasn't special. I loved the slush though! LOL
The shows are fantastic!

We had lunch at Yak n' Yetti for the first time too. We sat upstairs and the place was full of very cool and authentic details.
My DMom loved her salmon but Lexi and I didn't care much for our meals.

I was surprized to see the check in at 'Ohana was moved too.
Loved our meal there as always!
I even tried the infamous Lapu Lapu...that is one very strong cocktail. Whew!

Warthog! Too funny! What a magical moment to be picked!
They must stick all us Canadians there cause we were in that section too. LOL

I enjoyed looking at your pics...brings back happy memories of not so long ago.

Welcome back, glad you had a great trip.

Don't worry about the lanyard, Pooksma and I still have ours but he did lose a couple of really cool pins.

Pooksma and I ate the Yak & Yeti on the trip we don't talk about. We were seated upstairs by a window overlooking the park. It was a much better seat.

Glad you got your stuff back. It is a terrible feeling when you lose things on vacation.

 

[declansdad]

You totally scored on those seats for FOTLK! My favorite show hands down ever on property, I can't get enough of it!!

Bad enough Declan was feeling bad but for the string thing not to work

Those seats were fantastic and it is our favourite show to boot. It pays to strike up a conversation with the CMs.