This is the last trip the 4 of us ever take to WDW. Nov 2-12 *FinalUpdate 3/19* Pg.59

[that's nice]

IMHO I was happy to be strapped in a couple of times during the Trek...especially when we crossed the rope bridge

Strapped in? What's the fun of that?

Juliana is one smart little cookie, sure having grandma there helped get a few more ears too ....Megan has accured quite the minnie mouse collection over the years, think she's at 30+ thankfully they are the little ones and are packed away since she hasn't added any recently!

Kids have a knack to hoard things like that don't they?

Juliana has well over 100 stuffed animals.

I have no idea how I missed the last update.

Slacker. Plain and simple.

I love Ana's ears...she looks adorable.

and she kept them on most of the day. Imagine that!

Poor Christopher...he did not look happy on his safari at all.

No, not too happy. He calmed down but lost it for a few minutes.

You got some great animal shots; especially the back ends of the rhinos.

Thank you... i think.

That snow! Has life even returned to normal yet?! We might get more snow next week too...

YUP. We got more snow.

Things are not really normal but we are getting there. Slowly.

The picture of Christopher crying and you just grinning away made me chuckle. It's all you can do in those moments is smile and get through it! What a great safari! I've never even really SEEN the lion and lioness other than the bits of their heads, you got some fantastic pictures.

Sometimes you have to laugh or you're gonna cry.

Thanks Brook. The safari was really fun. I think I'll bring a steak next time. That might wake up that lion.

HI, I've been lurking around on this thread since the start of the TR and I just finally decided to make a comment.

Thanks for posting!

1. Love the TR and the pictures. Please keep them coming as it has been some time

Thanks for reminding me.

Life has been hectic for a few weeks. Trying to post an update today for ya.

2. I'm pretty sure that I read everything but did you (the OP) go into why you titled this thread "the last trip they will ever take?"

I'm curious.

Thanks!

I did not reveal it yet but I think I will be within the next day of the TR.

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[that's nice]

Not going to post popcorn ( I get busy w kids and life) just stopping by to say Hope everyone is well.

WHAT?!?!? No popcorn? I'm disappointed in you!

Spoke to Tim yesterday and today and Ana has the flu and streph throat...poor angel...and just before her birthday. He hasn't had time to DIS, but hope he gets back soon.

I had a feeling it was something like that. Poor Princess. I hope she gets well soon.

oh no...hope they are feeling better today

I talked to Tim yesterday and they were a tad better...but not great. I got a text message from him today to tell me Ana's birthday gift arrived despite them getting another foot of snow last night.

Thanks for your concern. Yesterday was Juliana's 7th birthday and lucky for her, she was able to go back to school for the first time in over a week. She still has a slight cough but feels 100x better. Christopher still has a cough too but he is feeling a lot better as well. Thank goodness.

Glad to hear everyone is on the mend! I hope Juliana had a great b-day despite the storm and sickness! How crazy was this last snow storm? I closed on my house on Wednesday and started moving yesterday and my spot had not been plowed. My dad and I had to use my emergency collapsable shovel to shovel out the ice sculpture.....I mean snow bank that was left behind! Those dinky shovels are not meant to shovel ice. So much for the 3-6 inches we were supposed to get. We ended up with 22 inches!

Congratulations on your house! That must be exciting!

They predicted 3-6 inches here too and we ended up with around 15'' although it started melting pretty quickly.




**So much for writing another update. I didn't have my pictures uploaded yet. UGH. Guess I'll work on that now.**

 

[marvali]

Hey everyone... sorry I've been MIA. I have had no energy or time to DIS for the last few weeks. I usually write my updates during the day when Christopher is sleeping and Juliana is at school. She has been home a lot recently. First we had the blizzard which kept Juliana out of school for almost a week. Then I've been painting my basement for over a week and laid ceramic tile. Then as Kathy told you, both Juliana and Christopher came down with the flu this week. Juliana has strep throat as well. She missed only 4 days of school this week because we got hammered with snow again last night and school was canceled today. Official total was 14'' in our town. I hope to get a few updates done here and on the other report that I'm writing in the next few days. I hope you all have been well.

Wow Tim, you have really been swamped it sounds like. Sorry to hear about the kids getting the flu. Glad they are getting better and on the mend!!!

Thanks for your concern. Yesterday was Juliana's 7th birthday and lucky for her, she was able to go back to school for the first time in over a week.

Happy Belated 7th Birthday to Princess Juliana!!!!

 

[dizneeat]

I am glad to hear that Juliana is on the mend, Tim!

Very happy belated birthday to her!

 

[luckylady]

Sorry to hear the kids have ben sick. Hope the feel better soon. That's a lot of snow. Guess now wouldn't be the time to tell you my windows are all open huh. Trip reports can wait family can't.

 

[that's nice]

We had a great breakfast at Tusker House and just gotten off the safari when it was time to.... see more animals? Why not?

Just in case our guides tried to shake us down for more money to get us home, I memorized this map so we could find our way back.

We had to keep a keen eye and a sharp ear. Just in case...

Judging the size of these anthills, buffalo weren't the only things we should be on the lookout for.

As we moved along the trail, there was wildlife all around us.

Our expert guide saw something moving above us in the trees and pointed it out to us.

Luckily, we didn't have any garbage with us. If we did we would of been sure to recycle! (Pay no attention to that reflection in the glass)

We came across a cottage.

We knocked but no one was home. The door was unlocked so we went in. Someone must of left in a hurry- they left their cooler.

One of our guides was teaching us all about the different birds we would be seeing along the rest of our hike.

Good thing we packed our own drinks, as the sun was beating down on our guide and he needed to take a little rest in a vehicle he called his 'stroller'.

We saw tons of fish...

And our guide pointed out some birds too.

We even stared down a hippo!

We did see a peculiar pumpkin and wondered how that got there?

Oh I see. It is a house for a meerkat. Or is it an outhouse?

Our tour was coming to an end and I wish I was doing this:

Our guides safely navigated the forest trail and got us back to Harambe just in time to watch some local entertainment.

Up next... He is done, spent, & finished

 

[that's nice]

Great update!

Thanks!

Wow Tim, you have really been swamped it sounds like. Sorry to hear about the kids getting the flu. Glad they are getting better and on the mend!!!

Thanks Marv. It has been a heck of a week.

Happy Belated 7th Birthday to Princess Juliana!!!!

I'll show her your post tomorrow!

I am glad to hear that Juliana is on the mend, Tim!

Very happy belated birthday to her!

Thank you Karin. Thank goodness she (and Christopher) are better.

Sorry to hear the kids have ben sick. Hope the feel better soon. That's a lot of snow. Guess now wouldn't be the time to tell you my windows are all open huh. Trip reports can wait family can't.

LOL.. we had our door and windows open on Sat & Sun. It was 50 here!!!!

Hopefully I can get a move on with this TR.. oh yea and the other one I am writing too. What was I thinking?

 

[jenseib]

Cute update. I want your guides next time. They look like fun!

 

[mommy2mrb]

Happy belated birthday to Juliana! hope it was fun!

love the update! you need to "rent" out your guides, they did a great job! on all of our WDW trips we've never been on the trails...need to make sure to do that in Nov!

BTW I started my TR ...doing update today too!

 

[Deesknee]

Thanks for the update. I agree with the pp that mentioned how cute your tourguides are. Cute pumpkin. with the animal in it it looks like Mickey has a Pinocchio nose. Glad your kids are feeling better. Hope Julianna had a nice bday!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

We had a great breakfast at Tusker House and just gotten off the safari when it was time to.... see more animals? Why not?

Hey, it is the Animal Kingdom. Why else would you be there?

Judging the size of these anthills, buffalo weren't the only things we should be on the lookout for.

Are you sure that's an anthill? It looks like the triceratops "pile" they investigated in Jurassic Park.

We knocked but no one was home. The door was unlocked so we went in. Someone must of left in a hurry- they left their cooler.

Did they leave any beer?

Good thing we packed our own drinks, as the sun was beating down on our guide and he needed to take a little rest in a vehicle he called his 'stroller'.

Your guide made you push him around the trail? That guy gets no tip.

Oh I see. It is a house for a meerkat. Or is it an outhouse?

Is that allowed at Disney?

Up next... He is done, spent, & finished

Christopher, or you?

 

[that's nice]

We watched the drummers in Harambe for a few minutes then walked over to Camp Micky Minnie.

The FOTLK was about to start. We made it there with 2 minutes to spare.

I wasn't able to get many good pictures. I was holding Christopher and he was losing it. We tried his water, a snack, toys, and even his pacifier- with no luck. We was crying and didn't want to be held. It was an all out meltdown. I had to take Christopher out of the show. We walked around for a few minutes and I tried to get him to calm down. I was able to get him into his stroller and walked around with him for a bit. Giving him a bottle helped too. By the time the girls joined me after the show, Christopher was passed out. WHEW.

Now that Christopher was sleeping, I thought it was a good time to hit up a ride or two. We crossed the park and headed for Dinosaur. My mom had never been on it and I was able to talk Juliana into riding it too. Hopefully that wouldn't be a mistake!

We got on the ride and I think we made it about a minute in before Juliana stuck her head into my arm for the duration of the ride.

She didn't find it too amusing. I don't think she will be riding on it again anytime soon.


Continued next post....

 

[that's nice]

Time to head towards Chester & Hester's.

We stopped in the gaudy gift shop and played a few carnival games before we kept walking towards Asia.

The CM were telling people to hurry up to get into Nemo. It was about to start. I asked the girls if they wanted to watch the show while I kept the sleeping Christopher with me. My mom had never seen the Nemo show either. They agreed and went into the theatre... Just in the nick of time.

I had to figure out what to do with my 'free' time. First order of business grab a beer. It is hard to drive a stroller, drink a beer, and take pictures at the same time but I managed to get a few.

I found a trail that brought me right next to the Tree of Life. It was awesome to see the carvings close up. There is so much detail.

I found another trail which brought me past some more wildlife...

I got a text from the girls saying they were done with the show. I started to walk back to Nemo and passed where I wanted to grab a little lunch.

I wasn't too hungry after eating a huge breakfast at the Tusker House but I've skipped Flame Tree the last few times we've been in AK.

I waited outside of Nemo for the girls and I couldn't find them. I called Melody and they were in front of EE. As I walked over to them, Christopher woke up. He had close to a 2 hour nap and he really needed it. Juliana was getting hungry and we were close to Yak & Yeti CS so we just went there. My BBQ would have to wait for another day.

My mom wasn't too hungry, so she did as any adult would do- eat ice cream.

Takes a lot of thought to eat chicken fingers.

Melody & I split the honey chicken and pork egg rolls.

It was good and it hit the spot. I hope I didn't eat to much before I went on a mountain climbing mission to find the Yeti.



Up next... wrapping up AK

 

[mommy2mrb]

bummer you didn't get to see the shows with the girls!

has Julianna "forgiven" you for taking her on Dinosaur yet I still won't go on it

hmmm, drinking and walking again looks like you did pretty good this time and got some great photos

good call grandma on ice cream for lunch Julianna looks pretty wiped out there with her chicken fingers

 

[Deesknee]

I'm with Grandma on the ice cream lunch. That little place right near YAk & Yeti has the best ice cream.
Poor Christopher. Poor Dad.
Funny how different kids are...my 9 yr. old DD loves Dinosaur. I think last trip the count was 5 times. Her new favorite ride. But, she hates Splash Mtn.
Glad the rest of the family got to enjoy FOTLK & Nemo. Sorry you didn't. And sorry you didn't get your BBQ...at least yet.

 

[jenseib]

Icecream for lunch is a fabulous idea. We did that one day too!

I'm so glad Christopher got that much needed nap!

 

[that's nice]

Cute update. I want your guides next time. They look like fun!

I will rent them out to you for free! Come and pick them up anytime!

Happy belated birthday to Juliana! hope it was fun!

She was happy to be back to school. That was a good birthday present. (all the american girl doll stuff she got didn't hurt though)

love the update! you need to "rent" out your guides, they did a great job! on all of our WDW trips we've never been on the trails...need to make sure to do that in Nov!

You and Jen can take 'em. No really come take them!

The trails are fun and usually not too crowded.

BTW I started my TR ...doing update today too!

I saw some of your FB pics... I need to get over there.

Thanks for the update. I agree with the pp that mentioned how cute your tourguides are. Cute pumpkin. with the animal in it it looks like Mickey has a Pinocchio nose. Glad your kids are feeling better. Hope Julianna had a nice bday!

I'm trying to get a move on. Knowing how many days are left on this TR are making me stress.

The pumpkin was funny. I was taking a pic of it with my cell when the merkat hopped in. I tried to get one with my camera too but he was already out.

Hey, it is the Animal Kingdom. Why else would you be there?

To ride Tower of Terror. DUH.

Are you sure that's an anthill? It looks like the triceratops "pile" they investigated in Jurassic Park.

I assumed it was an anthill. But you know what they say about people who assume....

Did they leave any beer?

Unfortunately no... that or Carl got there before I did.

Your guide made you push him around the trail? That guy gets no tip.

It was weird. He gave US a tip when we were done..... right in his pants!

Is that allowed at Disney?

When you gotta go be you human, beast, or mite, you gotta go!

Christopher, or you?

Yes.

 

[mommy2mrb]

I'll come get them anytime! cool she got lots of AG stuff, sure she's having fun with all the outfit changes!

BTW we might be up in the Boston area this summer visiting the Gengel family and other DIS friends up in that area, how close are you all????

 

[that's nice]

bummer you didn't get to see the shows with the girls!

Yea but I've seen it a few times already. I was fine missing it this time.

has Julianna "forgiven" you for taking her on Dinosaur yet I still won't go on it

I am forgiven but she didn't forget.

hmmm, drinking and walking again looks like you did pretty good this time and got some great photos

I couldn't use the cup holders in the stroller. It was way to bumpy. I was spilling beer al over the place. So I HAD to hold it.

good call grandma on ice cream for lunch Julianna looks pretty wiped out there with her chicken fingers

I think it was the timing of the picture that made Juliana look like that.

I'm with Grandma on the ice cream lunch. That little place right near YAk & Yeti has the best ice cream.

My mom can't eat a lot. She had surgery to stop her from getting reflux and it shrunk her stomach. Honestly, I wasn't too hungry either. That's why Melody and I split a meal.

Poor Christopher. Poor Dad.
Funny how different kids are...my 9 yr. old DD loves Dinosaur. I think last trip the count was 5 times. Her new favorite ride. But, she hates Splash Mtn.

Juliana hasn't gone on SM yet. She is scared of it... but some other rides she will go on just fine.

Glad the rest of the family got to enjoy FOTLK & Nemo. Sorry you didn't. And sorry you didn't get your BBQ...at least yet.

Now you have me thinking.... did I end up getting my BBQ???

Icecream for lunch is a fabulous idea. We did that one day too!

I guess when you are an adult, you can eat anything you want.

I'm so glad Christopher got that much needed nap!

Me too!