City, Sand, and Savanna - Link to new trip report

[glennbo123]

Is Judy still mad at me for thinking she was an Alien !!!!You know I used to be an Alien !!!

Illegal alien maybe?

 

[glennbo123]

Sounds like a great day at HS...despite everyone getting a bit soggy.

We made the most of it, you can’t waste a park-day you know!

Oh my goodness I used to love piiiiigs innnn spaaaaceeeee!!!

That’s a show title you never forget!

Perhaps this is why you didn't get picked?

And here I was hoping that it would enhance my chances! I guess it was all or nothing.

 

[glennbo123]

Good thing no drink....

Rosie’s going to replace everyone’s keyboards for them.

 

[glennbo123]

Yes I am quite zany enuff sober !!!

A loveable zany though.

 

[glennbo123]

Caught up again!

How very nice of you to take one for the team and stay with the kids and go on those crazy thrill rides.

I’m glad you caught how I sacrificed.

I sure hope this weather lightens up later in your trip!!

It dries out eventually! But we move our non-park day to the next day, hoping that that’ll give the storm enough time to finally move out.

 

[glennbo123]

Okay people, were now up to Monday, June 25th in our trip report. Due to the rain from slow-moving Tropical Storm Debby, wed switched some things around and today was now our day off if you can have such a thing during a vacation&and during a Disney vacation, yes, a non-park day can seem like a day off. So, with that, I slept in until around 8 oclock or so. Once we got up, Judy and I went to the fitness center, Survival of the Fittest. We ran to it, dodging the raindrops, so I guess that was our warmup. This was the first time that Id actually used the equipment in there. Id walked in and checked it out on previous trips, but that was it. Anyway, we settled in on the elliptical machines for a 5K jaunt. They worked okay, but the TV feed kept cutting out, which was kind of irritating.

On our way back to the room I got some Nescafe coffee. It seemed okay. Im so confused, it used to be terrible. What kind of bizarro-world is this?

Back at the room, I found out from my parents that the TV was cutting out here too, so it must have been a resort-wide problem. Sorry I blamed you, elliptical machines. Can you please accept my apology?

I used the shower in my parents room since they were already up and around and Judy was using ours. If you remember from my past trip reports, the rainfall showerheads in the master bedrooms at Kidani were one of my favorite things about the suite. This time, the shower was like a blast of needles, no matter how I adjusted it. I guess they must have replaced the nice rainfall showerheads for some unknown reason, at least in this particular suite. I dont know how my parents showered in it every day, but Im sure it saved on hot water.

After my acupuncture treatment, I got dressed and decided to document the mornings weather out on the savanna.

I really liked that last one, so later on I enhanced it on Instagram.

I was about to eat some cereal but remembered that since today was our day off, it was also our big breakfast in the suite day, which wed bought groceries for, so I started working on bacon and eggs. We got everybody fed and I had to ask people to take seconds on the eggs so that they were all eaten.

Heres Marlene waiting for her eggs to be served up. Oh yeah, the roses! The ladies got them at check-in. Id forgotten about that with all of the drama of us searching for Poppy and Gram. How do you like our fancy vase?

I dont remember if I meant to take this picture focusing on the glass rather than the savanna, but it kind of sums up the morning.

Later in the morning, the rain was letting up and we Judy, Poppy, and Gram and I decided to go look at the animals from some of the viewing locations around the resort.

Apparently we stopped-in to Community Hall first, to see James in his natural habitat. Poppy contemplated the sport of foosball.

Okay, so get ready&this is about to turn into the obligatory chapter in any Animal Kingdom Lodge report where we share a gazillion animal pictures with you. Well start with a Zebra. (I know it all started with a mouse, but I didnt see one on the savanna.)

These Marabou Storks built a bird-pyramid, but then we figured out that it was just an optical illusion. Nice work though, guys.

Another Zebra. Or maybe its the same one. Feel free to compare the stripes to the earlier picture and get back to me.

And another. Out for a stroll.

Heres one, relaxing. At least I think he was relaxing. Either that, or he ate some bad dates.

Ahh, a Giraffe. Theyre so graceful when they walk.

An Eland. Yes, I referred to the Wildlife Field Guide. I cant remember some of these critters names.

This East African Crowned Crane was pretty close to the observation area so I was able to get a nice shot of him.

From there, we walked down the hallway to a window overlooking the Pembe Savanna.

Of course I have to include a shot of the back-end of an Ankole Cattle, but Ill keep it in the order the picture was taken and resist the urge to put it at the end.

It looks like this guy prefers the landscaping grass to the regular stuff.

Another Giraffe.

I think that ostrich is trying to photobomb my picture.

Judy and Gram went back to the suite to start getting ready for their Tea at the Grand Floridian, but James and Poppy and I went over to check out Jambo House. Poppy hadnt been there since Christmas of 2001. The lobby at Jambo was as awe-inspiring as ever, and my picture doesnt do it justice.

I love this window at the back of the lobby just as much as I love the initial entrance.

We walked out to the animal observation area, hung out there for a little while, and then came back through the lobby and out past the pool to another animal viewing area. I didnt take a lot of pictures, but I did capture this little guy who wasnt listed on the Wildlife Field Guide.

This Eland tried to hide in the tall grass, but we still saw him. Take a lesson from those storks, Mr. Eland, you cant fool us!

We came back just in time to catch the ladies before they left for their Tea at the Grand Floridian. They were all gussied-up and ready to go.

That seems like a good place to end the chapter. Next time, well hear all about the guys exciting afternoon at the resort, and maybe even have a brief report on the Tea.


Up next: Pinkies out! The Grand Floridians Afternoon Tea
Link to next chapter

 

[Millie12591]

Pigs in Space, rocked!!
I so loved watching The Muppet Show when I was a kid.

I will say, John and I have done (probably more he than I) a pretty good job exposing our kids to all the finer things we were exposed to as kids. Star Wars, The Far side, Fraggle Rock, Indiana Jones, The Muppets, Calvin and Hobbs, Disney Classics, Strawberry Shortcake, Barbie-Both for Mackie, Hot Wheels, Lego's-Both Kids, etc., etc.

I even managed to find and slip a Cherry Mash into my kids stockings this year. Just to see their faces when they bit into them!
Let's just say....they weren't impressed.

Loved the pics of your parents in their ponochos, so cute.

 

[SimplyGoofy]

Great pictures of the savanna!

Your trip sounds like it was so much fun. I'm excited to see what the ladies thought of their tea!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

ill say one judy
will read later

 

[Millie12591]

I was just thinking of you the other Day, Glenn. I was shopping (now that some of the spring line is out) for outfits for our trip coming up and remembered you saying how I needed to find a dress for Mothers Day tea. How right you were, and I actually liked trying on dresses again! Haven't enjoyed doing that in a really long time. Thanks Glennbo! If I hadn't remembered you saying that I might not have tried them on.

I'm not to the point of buying one yet, but I have one in mind, I think. Still too much weight to lose to buy just now. Although I was highly impressed I could get into the size 12 I did try on. Can't wait to see what size I'll be in when I can actually buy the dress!!

I really hope the ladies liked their tea time.

Oh! And I really liked all your rainy day pictures. Very pretty.

 

[glennbo123]

Pigs in Space, rocked!!
I so loved watching The Muppet Show when I was a kid.

I agree! They should have a Pigs in Space attraction near Muppet Show 3D. Or maybe one of the Star Tours scenes could incorporate it, since Star Tours and Muppet 3D are so close to each other.

I will say, John and I have done (probably more he than I) a pretty good job exposing our kids to all the finer things we were exposed to as kids. Star Wars, The Far side, Fraggle Rock, Indiana Jones, The Muppets, Calvin and Hobbs, Disney Classics, Strawberry Shortcake, Barbie-Both for Mackie, Hot Wheels, Lego's-Both Kids, etc., etc.

Ah yes, we've incorporated most of those into our kids' life-indoctrination also. With a heavy dose of the Beatles.

I even managed to find and slip a Cherry Mash into my kids stockings this year. Just to see their faces when they bit into them!
Let's just say....they weren't impressed.

I've never had one of those. Must be a southern thing?

Loved the pics of your parents in their ponochos, so cute.

Great pictures of the savanna!

Hey SimplyGoofy! What a coincidence -- I have your trip report open in another window. Unfortunately, lunchtime is winding down and it doesn't look like I'm going to get very far into it, but I'll be trying. It's always good to read another Animal Kingdom Lodge trip report.

Your trip sounds like it was so much fun. I'm excited to see what the ladies thought of their tea!

Thanks. Stay tuned!

ill say one judy
will read later

Correct. I won't keep Rosie in suspense....I'll go ahead and post updated scores now:

Marvin - 10 Judy-sighting wins, 4 Eagle Eye points
Pat - 6 Judy-sighting wins, 1 Eagle Eye point
Mark - 4 Judy-sighting wins
Dee - 4 Judy-sighting wins
Rosie - 3 Judy-sighting wins, 1 Eagle Eye point
Dan - 1 Judy-sighting win, 3 Eagle Eye points
Kelly - 3 Judy-sighting wins
Magdalene - 2 Judy-sighting wins
Katharina - 2 Judy-sighting wins
Jenn (elphie101) - 1 Judy-sighting win, First Subscriber Honors!
Tanya - 1 Judy-sighting win
Molly - 1 Judy-sighting win
Kathy - 1 Judy-sighting win
Mary Ellen - 1 Judy-sighting win
MissLiz - 1 Judy-sighting win

 

[glennbo123]

I was just thinking of you the other Day, Glenn. I was shopping (now that some of the spring line is out) for outfits for our trip coming up and remembered you saying how I needed to find a dress for Mothers Day tea. How right you were, and I actually liked trying on dresses again! Haven't enjoyed doing that in a really long time. Thanks Glennbo! If I hadn't remembered you saying that I might not have tried them on.

I'm not to the point of buying one yet, but I have one in mind, I think. Still too much weight to lose to buy just now. Although I was highly impressed I could get into the size 12 I did try on. Can't wait to see what size I'll be in when I can actually buy the dress!!

That's awesome! (Isn't it funny how you hear DISboard people in your head, that you've never met? ) Yes, don't get one yet because you'll be even skinnier by the time of your trip, so you'd better hold off.

I really hope the ladies liked their tea time.

Oh! And I really liked all your rainy day pictures. Very pretty.

Thanks Camille!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I think Dan's right. 1 Judy.

Once we got up, Judy and I went to the fitness center, “Survival of the Fittest”. We ran to it, dodging the raindrops, so I guess that was our warmup.

I would have called that the workout, but whatever.

They worked okay, but the TV feed kept cutting out, which was kind of irritating.

Yeah, workouts are twice as hard when you have nothing to distract you from the fact that you're working out.

On our way back to the room I got some Nescafe coffee. It seemed okay. I’m so confused, it used to be terrible. What kind of bizarro-world is this?

You went for coffee after a workout? I think we know Bizarro's origins.

Back at the room, I found out from my parents that the TV was cutting out here too, so it must have been a resort-wide problem. Sorry I blamed you, elliptical machines. Can you please accept my apology?

This time, the shower was like a blast of needles, no matter how I adjusted it. I guess they must have replaced the nice rainfall showerheads for some unknown reason, at least in this particular suite.

I don't remember that being an issue this summer. We need to send someone down there to see if this is really a problem. I'll volunteer.

I was about to eat some cereal but remembered that since today was our day off, it was also our “big breakfast in the suite” day, which we’d bought groceries for, so I started working on bacon and eggs. We got everybody fed and I had to ask people to take seconds on the eggs so that they were all eaten.

Didn't have that problem with the bacon, though.

Okay, so get ready…this is about to turn into the obligatory chapter in any Animal Kingdom Lodge report where we share a gazillion animal pictures with you.

Oh, come on. That never happens.

These Marabou Storks built a bird-pyramid, but then we figured out that it was just an optical illusion. Nice work though, guys.

Cool shot! Actually they all are.

Another Zebra. Or maybe it’s the same one. Feel free to compare the stripes to the earlier picture and get back to me.

Obviously different. He's facing in completely the opposite direction.

Either that, or he ate some bad dates.

+1 He's not wearing an eyepatch, though.

The lobby at Jambo was as awe-inspiring as ever, and my picture doesn’t do it justice.

I love this window at the back of the lobby just as much as I love the initial entrance.

I didn’t take a lot of pictures, but I did capture this little guy who wasn’t listed on the Wildlife Field Guide.

It's a gecko, often found in car insurance commercials.

 

[englishrose47]

Well Thanks for not keeping me in suspense but you could have called me as you were posting so I could be first to say 1 JUDY!!!! Now I too will go back and read!!

 

[englishrose47]

Itried comparing Zebra stripes ,but due to Dementia , I forgot what the other one looked like !!!I am sure Marv with his magnifying Glass will be able to tell!!

 

[MEK]

I'm going with one Judy, too!

I love your animal pictures. Wow - they are really nice! Especially the close ups - yeah, even that lizard thingy!

It really does look like a terrible weather day. A perfect day for a day off.

Can't wait to hear what the ladies think about tea at the GF!

Oh guess what - I joined Longwood. I am now an official member for the next year!

 

[afwdwfan]

So, with that, I slept in until around 8 o’clock or so. Once we got up, Judy and I went to the fitness center, “Survival of the Fittest”. We ran to it, dodging the raindrops, so I guess that was our warmup.

What's up with this??? A little rain and all of a sudden you stop doing your "early morning photography stroll so I can put off working out."

This was the first time that I’d actually used the equipment in there. I’d walked in and checked it out on previous trips, but that was it.

My idea of checking out the fitness room at the resorts is more like "it's over there somewhere."

Hey, how many miles do you walk in a day in the parks anyway? Who needs an extra workout?

On our way back to the room I got some Nescafe coffee. It seemed okay. I’m so confused, it used to be terrible. What kind of bizarro-world is this?

You're probably going to be the first person to walk into the Starbucks retro-fitted Main Street Bakery and demand they give you Nescafe instead of that nasty crap they're serving.

I don’t remember if I meant to take this picture focusing on the glass rather than the savanna, but it kind of sums up the morning.

Excellent day to skip the parks...

It looks like this guy prefers the landscaping grass to the regular stuff.

Hey, why bend all the way down to the ground when you've got that stuff already at mouth level?

Just livin' the life...

That seems like a good place to end the chapter. Next time, we’ll hear all about the guys’ exciting afternoon at the resort, and maybe even have a brief report on the Tea.

OOOh!!! Let me guess... James goes to the Community Hall... but you can Poppy are just a little bit harder to guess...

Pinkies out!

Did anybody else think of Ace Ventura when they read that?

 

[Flossbolna]

What a rainy day!! Big breakfast in the villa sounds really nice for such a day.

I loved your animal pictures, you really got some very good ones! How long did you hang out at the observation area to get so many good shots? Or did you have a very good zoom lens?

I will never have to look up an Eland after I saw one walking past directly behind our tent on the first campsite we stayed at in Namibia. I just came out of the shower building and there it was walking ever so slowly past our tent down to the river just at the sun was setting. It was the second night of that trip and impressed me so much! Ever since then I had a soft spot for Eland. And for Kudus - because they remind me of Mickey because of their large ears.

This is a Kudu calve picture from Wikipedia to illustrate the ear thing:

I wish they had those at AKL. They have them at the very beginning of the safari, but one rarely sees them very well.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

We ran to it, dodging the raindrops, so I guess that was our warmup.

actually i have watched the myth busters and they did a whole thing on running vs walking in the rain, you actually get less wet when you walk. run causes you to hit more drops on the front of you.

they tested both running and walking and the clothes were always heavier from rain after running through it.

Ahh, a Giraffe. They’re so graceful when they walk.

you tube the giraffes fighting by swinging there necks at each other. talk about wipe lash.

 

[eandesmom]

I've fallen into a another world. You slept in until 8 AND didn't think the nescafe was horrible.

I think the rain got to you.

And it looked like there was a LOT of it. Still some really fabulous animal pictures!!!! Love the zebra on his back, for some reason that one cracks me up. Looks like the no park day reschedule was a wise move!