"This is NOT the once in a lifetime trip I was hoping for!" - (Baby Simba - 12/18)

[cheekypoppins]

I love that shirt! I wear it all the time.

me too and the best part is i've got shorts in the exact same colour that I bought at walmart for 7 bucks

 

[ronnmel]

me too and the best part is i've got shorts in the exact same colour that I bought at walmart for 7 bucks

Oh, that's awesome!

 

[ronnmel]

Day 2 part 2 – The One Where We Repeat History


As soon as the parade was over Ron speed walked (since you’re not allowed to run) to Asia to get FPs for Expedition Everest, while I changed poo poo Peanut’s diaper (our nickname for her when she’s a little stinky). I have a picture to prove it...

Did ya really think I would have a different photo? LOL

He came back and it was finally time to go on our first attraction of the trip. What do you do when you are at Animal Kingdom in the middle of the day, on one of the most crowded days of the year? You take the train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch! Yep, that was our very first attraction. Plus, we had already been in Disney for over 24 hours. Thank you Holidays and being sick.

There were quite a bit of people, but we got on the first train that arrived.

Claudia seemed to enjoy the train ride. Otaku enjoyed taking this, hum, interesting photo of her dad.

Otaku had never been on this train before. She got her first look at where they keep the animals at night.

We let the crowds go ahead while we put Claudia back in the stroller, and then walked to the Conservation Station.

I taught Otaku about how there were lots of hidden Mickeys in the mural, so we searched for them.

There’s one.

I walked around. The vet’s office was decorated for the Holidays.

Otaku was watching a CM do a presentation about snakes.

When it was over she got to touch the snake. She is scared of every little bug out there, even cute lady bugs and butterflies, but reptiles are cool.

I see a certain resemblance...

I did my first pin trade of the trip. Then Claudia & I got to repeat history. Our first character meet of the trip, and her first ever (besides Santa) was the same first character her dad and I met during our Disneymoon. Rafiki!

She wasn’t sure what to think of this giant furry creature.

Since it was so late in the day, the petting zoo was closed. We only stayed there about 30 minutes before heading back. Otaku spotted her first (but not her last) HM.

It was already 5:30pm and Rafiki’s Planet Watch was closing in 30 minutes, yet there was a huge line of people waiting to board the train to head there.

We went the other way.

We were not leaving the park though. No! You see, for the very first time ever, I would get to see Animal Kingdom AT NIGHT! I was looking forward to this!! Everything in Africa was closed. On our way out of there we stopped to play with the drums while Ron bought a better pen for our autograph book.

I also discovered this beautiful “hidden” place. It’s a seating area behind the snack place Tamu Tamu and it’s gorgeous! I’d love to relax in there with a drink one time!

Up Next, An Evening in Asia (and the Land of Dino)


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[PhoenixStrength]

Funny that Otaku likes reptiles but no bugs. Even funnier that the first HM she found was in the butterfly!

So jealous you got to see AK at night!! I can't wait to see what all you did.

 

[ronnmel]

Funny that Otaku likes reptiles but no bugs. Even funnier that the first HM she found was in the butterfly!

So jealous you got to see AK at night!! I can't wait to see what all you did.

Haha, I hadn't noticed the irony of her finding her first HM in a butterfly.

AK is so pretty at night! I'm so glad I got to see it. I hope you get to see it one day too.

 

[shan23877]

So glad that Ron found you some Pepto Bismol!

We've never stayed in AK long enough to see the parade there, we're going to have to one of these days-it looks cute!

Rafiki's sounds like it was the way to go with the way you'd been feeling.

I can't wait to hear how you enjoyed AK at night!

 

[katt789]

I never thought of people taking it slowly after NYE, ahha, I guess that sleep ins even do happen in Disney. That’s good that they had that little stand, clearly that’s for busy times, I didn’t see it at all when we were there!

Oh Man!! I know the feeling with the Mickey ears! I bought a really awesome pair that after a bit of wearing them my head hurt all week, I ended up actually breaking them trying to “stretch” them out, sad face! When I compared them to my other ears they were WAY smaller than usual!

Aww! How cute that Claudia recognized Mickey!!

 

[ronnmel]

So glad that Ron found you some Pepto Bismol!

We've never stayed in AK long enough to see the parade there, we're going to have to one of these days-it looks cute!

Rafiki's sounds like it was the way to go with the way you'd been feeling.

I can't wait to hear how you enjoyed AK at night!

Pepto Bismol was a life saver! We ended buying a bottle of it and I pretty much finished it by the end of the week. It helped me get going on many mornings.

The AK parade is my favorite daytime parade, but it does lack princesses so I can see why you haven't made it a point to watch it.

Rafiki's was great not only for how I was feeling, but mostly for the crowds!

I never thought of people taking it slowly after NYE, ahha, I guess that sleep ins even do happen in Disney. That’s good that they had that little stand, clearly that’s for busy times, I didn’t see it at all when we were there!

Oh Man!! I know the feeling with the Mickey ears! I bought a really awesome pair that after a bit of wearing them my head hurt all week, I ended up actually breaking them trying to “stretch” them out, sad face! When I compared them to my other ears they were WAY smaller than usual!

Aww! How cute that Claudia recognized Mickey!!

On most nights families with small children will back at the resort and in bed early. The latest they'll stay up is for Wishes at 10pm, but that's usually it. On NYE almost everyone makes it a point to be awake for the countdown. Plus, with THREE parks opened until after midnight (DHS was opened until 2am and MK 3am), not to mention all the other NYE festivities at the resorts and DTD, it's not surprising people slept in.

That morning is the only time I ever saw that cart, so I'm guessing you are right.

The ears at AK seemed to be made for children they were so small. I ended up buying a different pair that wasn't as small, but they did hurt after a while and were definitely smaller than my bridal ears I had 2 years ago.

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw that not only she recognized mickey, but she did even though he was on a float several meters away.

 

[Aussiesalad]

Rafiki's sounds like the perfect way to spend the afternoon when you're still not feeling crash hot.

That is so funny that Otaku has no problem touching a snake but is afraid of bugs

AK at night? I'm so jealous!!
Cant wait to hear about it!

 

[ronnmel]

Rafiki's sounds like the perfect way to spend the afternoon when you're still not feeling crash hot.

That is so funny that Otaku has no problem touching a snake but is afraid of bugs

AK at night? I'm so jealous!!
Cant wait to hear about it!

We enjoy Rafiki's a lot. We like to go there to escape the heat and the crowds.

Maybe she's afraid of bugs because they are so tiny? I'm not afraid of snakes either, and am afraid of several bugs so I can understand her.

I came here to post the next update.

 

[ronnmel]

Day 2 part 3 The One With The Beautiful Park


We left Africa and walked towards Asia. I love how the leaves frame the Tree of Life.

It was getting dark and things were lighting up. Whoever said AK is pretty at night is right. Its beautiful! Otaku and I stopped at the Yak & Yeti counter-service to get ourselves some dinner while Ron went to get Primeval Whirl FPs.

I got Chicken Fried Rice.

Otaku got Beef Lo Mein.

We sat in the little courtyard behind it to eat.

The low lighting was perfect since Claudia was napping. When Ron came back he ate our leftovers. We started walking through Asia. I made everyone stop several times to get pictures.

My cheapo camera does not do this beautiful park justice.

We got to Dinoland.

Once at Primeval Whirl we asked for babyswap, then Ron and Otaku went on the ride.

I found a spot to look at them.

They loved it!

I was still not feeling awesome (better, but I didnt want to risk it), so Ron and Otaku went on the ride a second time. It was time to use the Expedition Everest FPs. Even when I feel top shape this ride makes me queasy, so obviously I avoided it. I did manage to take this pic of the queue from outside of it. So many details!

I found a little seat just outside the gift shop.

I had a nice view of the mountain.

Once they were done Otaku came outside and found me. Her stomach was hurting a lot so I told her to sit there next to the stroller while I went inside to tell Ron where we were. He was waiting in line to get the ride picture, since we got photopass +.

Otakus stomach was not any better so they skipped going on it a second time (we had gotten a babyswap pass again).

I took one last picture of AK at night.

We got photopass pictures in front of the Tree of Life. Otaku opted out since she wasnt feeling well.

I took a shot of the Christmas Tree all lit up.

Some ornaments up-close.

We also got one more photopass picture.

Once at AoA we stopped by the food court so that Otaku and I could get gelato. I know I got chocolate, but I cant remember what she got. It was all very yummy though. We also got a tropical fruit smoothie for Ron. When we got back to the room everybody went straight to sleep. For once I had energy, so I decided to go for a walk around the resort. Plus, it was my last shot to take lots of pictures of the beautiful grounds.

You can see them all HERE if you havent read my Art of Animation review yet. Just keep clicking the links at the end of each update.

I dont remember when or where exactly, but a Cm struck a conversation with me at some point. Maybe it was the cashier at the food court? Anyway, he asked how my day had been and I said we had gone to AK and I had not done a single ride. He replied that you dont need to do rides to enjoy yourself. He was so right. I had had a GREAT time at AK that day. Being sick forced me to slow down and I realized that its not that bad.


Disney Accomplishments Day 2

Being at Animal Kingdom at night
Watching the Jingle Jungle Parade
Walking around Art of Animation at night


Up Next, Lunch With Fish or Fish For Lunch?
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[cheekypoppins]

it's so nice when you don't have to rush because you know you'll be back there are still days when i go full force into Disney mode but some days that I take it easy too and I find I enjoy things so much more when I have trips with the perfect mix.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

AK at night is GORGEOUS!!!!! I'm glad you were able to enjoy your day there without one ride. It is nice sometimes to just look around and enjoy your surroundings instead of just what you get done.

 

[gracer9977]

Yeah, so happy for the new update and glad that you were feeling a little bit better at the end of the night.

Animal Kingdom looks so amazing at night, I would love to ride EE in the dark just once.

 

[SAT887]

I really enjoy your pics from AK! I have never been there at night. You have added a few things to my must do list for our next family trip! I haven't gone to Rafiki's Planet watch in ages or have I seen the parade. I'm so sorry you weren't feeling great on your trip. I hope it gets better!

 

[Curiouser&curiouser!]

Yippee! Lots of updates!!

First of all, glad to hear you were starting to feel a bit better. Even though I know that isn't the last we will hear about sicknesses this trip.

We used to be the "up at dawn at the parks from open to close' couple. Then DS came along. It is amazing how much slower we take things, but how it is absolutely just as fun!

 

[reelmom]

Usually a lurker so I am stepping out to say "Hi!" We are thinking about staying at the Beach Club in 2014 so I am excited to see your review of it.

 

[mickeystoontown]

It's good to hear that you were starting to feel better as the day went on. It's been a really really long time since we've been in the Animal Kingdom after dark. I forgot how pretty it was.

 

[monica23535]

Hi Mel, I'm glad you still had a great time at AK without riding anything, well except the train to Rafiki's Watch!

Your nighttime picture are lovely, we've never stayed until dark there as DH gets a bit fed up with the park after a few hours lol

I love your EE picture, that guy in front of Otaku looks as if he's about to cry!

 

[disneybarbie]

Lovely update Mel.. I have never been to Animal Kingdom in the evening, the park looks so pretty!

It's great you had a nice day despite not doing any attractions


Emma x