I have never seen a cheetah out there. And you caught not only ONE of the elusive warthogs... you caught the whole dang family!
Thanks!
The links help DD with the concept of time. Adding the trip wishes makes it fun for them to read through each night before bed.
Thanks Jenn! I had heard the cheetah was hard to find, but didn't know the warthogs were.
How's your DD doing with the countdown?
Awesome Safari photos, Janet!!!
You know those first few Safari rides early in the morning when the Park first opens are the very BEST!!! In January, both the lions and cheetahs were quite active, and I got some great shots of both. It seemed like all the critters were out enjoying themselves! Also, sometimes really late in the day before the Park closes, in cooler weather, they're out again, too! That's why I always head straight to the Safari when I get into the Park. Great job!
Thanks! We've always done the safari first thing in the morning, because we usually start our AK day at Tusker House. But this was the first time we had that much luck with the animals!
I'd love to do it later in the day too sometime just for comparison.
I can not believe you got those amazing lion pictures. Those are awesome! It was so cute that the male was grooming the female.
Looks like I need to start doing the safari ASAP in the morning.
I highly recommend it! But I really do think we just got lucky this time.
So jealous of those lions on your safari! How awesome to catch them active lol!
Hahaha Katie's duck pictures are too funny. At least she was taking time to notice the little things!
Aw I'm so glad you guys saw Cirque! It is really an amazing amazing show. We saw it on both our trips because I'm obsessed! I do agree that it's frustrating to not be able to take pictures but at least you just get to focus on enjoying the show!
The AoA pictures look gorgeous! We were thinking we'd stay there if we go in September but I think were going back to Pop instead but the pictures make me wanna change my mind!
I know we all keep repeating it but I really can't get over how much Katie matured! It's captured gorgeously in your photos!
A batch of updates well worth the wait!
Yeah, the duck pictures were fun. I'm not sure how much she loves ducks though and how much she was just messing with me. She really does have a great sense of humor.
Glad you're enjoying the AoA tour. More shots around the resort coming up very soon. I have some just about ready to go. And I made it to the other sections this time!
And yeah. I'm hearing a lot of comments lately about how much Katie is maturing. And not just here on the DIS. We went to a wedding this weekend and saw some friends we had not seen in a while. People barely recognized her I think! Of course, I think we confused things getting her contacts. Everyone had just gotten used to seeing her in glasses!
I have really enjoyed the update. The LM part of AoA is really fun to see through your shots. Looks SO cute! And the entire safari... Such a treat to see the animals so close and clear. Knowing how fast the drivers can go, your images are all the more impressive. Marketing shots!
Thanks you! That safari really is a challenge with all the bumps. I know that's part of the charm. But I do wish they'd stop more often for us photographers! The trick is to get a fast enough shutter speed that it doesn't matter. And even then there were a LOT of throw aways!
I know what you mean about trips seeming too much alike. We want to get on TS island, never do, see innoventions, never do, do our own animation at DHS... But I will say that Every time we are able to add new stuff, we do enjoy it. Being a once a year if that uber fan, I relate to you. I keep wanting a 10 day trip, hoping that will feel more relaxed or complete... But knowing me, it won't... 2 weeks perhaps... But school... And no way can I imagine summer there... Too humid/hot for me!
LOL, you sound just like me. Which is why we tried to do a number of new things this time. It really freshened things up for us! We actually made it to Tom Sawyer island in 2011 for the first time.
I also thought I'd slow down on a 10 day trip. Nope. I just can't help myself! And my feet pay the price when it's done!
I know how you feel about balancing with school though. I actually had a run-in with the school this year over this. Mostly because Katie has been sick a couple times this year in addition to the trip. That must have put her over the magic number they use to trigger a letter of concern. Well, turns out they have 3 letters they send. They "accidentally" sent us letter 3, the most serious one. It threatened to turn us over to the courts to pursue the matter. I was HOT and gave the vice-principal who signed the letter a piece of my mind. I offered to send her to school sick next time, but he declined. He did send an apology later. It seems "the computer" sent the wrong letter. We were just supposed to get one saying they noticed her high absences and wanted to let us know they were concerned. Of course, I'm not sure what the problem is since she made Principal's Honor Roll.
I was really afraid this would make her afraid to take any days off for Disney next year. But nope. She said she's definitely in now..... just to get even with that vice-principal! Hmmm.... wonder where she got that trait......
I hear you on the summer issue too. We're going to be heading down to Sanibel this summer, so not too far from Orlando. I hate to go half way across the country and not stop at Disney. But I don't do theme parks in the heat. So Katie and I are going to stop in for one late night EMH at the MK. We're going to be vampires...... just come out at night! We've done this a couple other times. It will still be hot, but we'll manage for 1 night! And it's my make-up opportunity..... my chance to do a few things (many photography related) I missed in December!
We are seeing MP as well in April. Must be headed to Mpls after MO. I'm excited, we love the film. I am eager to see it translated to the stage. I hope it is done really well and have heard only good things so they better be right! no messing up my MP! For me no photos helps with my guilt for not getting things scrap booked. No pics, nothing waiting for years to be scrapped!
Thanks for the AK taste.. Reminds me of the things I/we do enjoy about that park at a perfect time. We usually spend so little time there but think it will be our first day park in October, a Sat. Seems a good choice based on 2012 EasyWDW. Plotting ADRs now...
Sydnerella's Mama
Too funny! We'll have to compare notes on MP after we both see it!
We always end up doing AK on the weekends too. Seems to be a great choice!
I LOVED the picture of Characters In Flight All lit up. Last summer it was on my Must do list, but right before, was when it was taken out of comission for a while so we couldn't do it. It is on the list for this year. I would love to do it at night, but our DTD day is scheduled for the afternoon.
I'm wondering what the line ups are like in the evening, but It would only just be starting to get dark at 7:30/8 pm and I really want V in bed by 8 on our earlier nights.
Another time hopefully.
Katie looked like she had so much fun with her friend!
Years ago when V was 2 I took her to a Dora Stage show and it was about 20 minutes before the show started. I knew photography wasn't allowed during the show, but I took 2 pictures of V sitting in her seat for the show. The usher descended and was so rude and telling me not to and if I did it again she'd take my camera away! I just said to her, sorry, the show hasn't started yet, I didn't think it would be a problem. It wasn't even a picture of the set. Sheesh, relax!
I really don't know how the lines for Characters In Flight are in the evening. We didn't get close enough that night. Stay tuned though. More shots to follow.......
LOL on your Dora stage show. Sheesh. Why did they even let you bring it in if you couldn't take a shot before the show even started? I'm going to bring my camera along to Mary Poppins to take some shots outside by the sign and stuff. Just so I'll have something to put on a scrapbook page. I hope I don't have trouble just having it along!
I'm caught up again! OHMY on the Lion.
That woulda been tough to explain to my girls! Glad you got such a great safari trip! I LOVE the TH breakfast
Love love LOVE it.
And OMG, Katie! Seriously, your daughter has these moments in the pictures of being a kid and then being grown. Like, in the pool with her friend- little girl. Smiling with her glasses on her head? Grown! Sigh
I can't imagine! My girls are getting so big and they are only 4 and not quite 2.
I want to see Cirque! One day
Yeah for being caught up! I was waiting for you!
I was waiting for Carey too!
And ..... sigh.... .go ahead and keep saying how grown up Katie looks. I'm getting used to it these days. Your summary really hits the nail on the head though...... completely acting like a little kid one minute, then looking all grown up a moment later. It's really hard to process sometimes. Sigh......
And not to worry.... your turn is coming. Don't blink! Before you know it you'll be sitting at Cirque one night with your very own grown up looking girls!