It's gonna take a lot to take me away from this view! 7/10 - Finished!

[emmysmommy]

Hi Wendy! Just saw your PTR link so I'm on-board for that!

Your phone photos of your AK day still perfectly capture the fun and the memories. I can see where you would have longed for your fancy pro camera for the shows though. But to sit back and enjoy - ahhhh.

I saw the last show of FotLK in the former theater on Youtube and even though I wasn't there I could feel the energy and excitement of that last showing before the hiatus. Of course I cried for that so I imagine if I'd have seen one of the last shows when you went it would be very sentimental. I regret that we didn't make it back there in December to see that show.

DVC wants you to see their sales spiel so they can suck you in since it's hard to resist once you see for yourself how future vacation ownership makes sense! Ha ha! I'm interested to see if you take the tour.

 

[KatMark]

Okay, how did I not know this was going on?

I'm about to go to dinner with my oldest son (hubby is in Vegas), but I'll be back to read and catch up.

 

[natebenma]

First, I'm going to slip in a PP pic I forgot to post in the last update!

I almost didn't recognize you without the camera around your neck!

Nice picture!

We ran to the photo counter. I LOVED the old cameras:

This reminded me of when someone goes on their first trip without the kids and find themselves gravitating to other people's children because they miss theirs!

Um, yeah, 17 rows on EE. Not that I'm a fan or anything.

Hey, didn't you once ride in every row, in order, on one of your trips?

 

[teekathepony]

Hi everyone! I just wanted to say that I have not abandoned you all. My boss has been on vacation (in Florida!) so I have only had Sunday off for two weeks. He's on his way home now, so things should be back to normal soon. I'll be off Friday, I hope to get an update done then!

Trawling for new TRs, found yours, caught up, love it! I love your photos, they are so great looking without being overly processed in post like so many that I see lately are (former art school student here!). I too tear up during FOTLK. I think AK is the only park I feel like I need to have the DSLR and a zoom lens. I can go without it anywhere else, but AK is so photogenic and it's great to get close ups of the animals! One day I will have to try it without. It is so freeing when I leave it at the hotel on other days!

So glad you found me! (And thank you for the photo compliments!)
I used to feel like AK was my one park where I needed my lens, but this one time was more about my desperation to not feel like a pack mule! It was a really free feeling!

Did you totally leave your camera in the room? On purpose? I have to give you props for leaving it behind and not taking any pics. Every time I say I'm not going to take pictures of something, I always do. I'm so fickle like that. But it is very liberating to just sit (or stand) and watch something.
I left my camera in the room on purpose. And more than that, I made a special trip back to the room to drop it off! It was liberating!

So will we hear about your DVC tour? That's the first step down the slippery slope. I have to admit that I have no regrets about buying DVC but I am concerned with the continual price increases in all other areas of Disney. But that's a whole other story.
Ahhh you will hear more on that subject, but not much. There's a whole other story to that too!

any how - fun update. I really need to check to see if I missed anything else!

Any DISers who says they don't get caught up in FotLK is lying. How can you not sing and dance along? Between the music, the dancers, the whole audience getting involved it's impossible not to.
I know! It's such a catchy show! I love getting in with a good audience!


That's amusing that you loved being camera-les for FotLK and regreted not having it for Nemo. Just gives you something to do on another AK visit.
I think it has to do with the fact that I've photographed FotLK lots, and not so much with Nemo.

Hi Wendy! Just saw your PTR link so I'm on-board for that!
Yay! Thanks Brenda!

Your phone photos of your AK day still perfectly capture the fun and the memories. I can see where you would have longed for your fancy pro camera for the shows though. But to sit back and enjoy - ahhhh.
It was really nice to sit back and enjoy, the small moments of wanting the camera were quickly forgotten!

I saw the last show of FotLK in the former theater on Youtube and even though I wasn't there I could feel the energy and excitement of that last showing before the hiatus. Of course I cried for that so I imagine if I'd have seen one of the last shows when you went it would be very sentimental. I regret that we didn't make it back there in December to see that show.
That would be really something to see, the last show. I can't see my eyes being dry either!

DVC wants you to see their sales spiel so they can suck you in since it's hard to resist once you see for yourself how future vacation ownership makes sense! Ha ha! I'm interested to see if you take the tour.
I'll cut the

Okay, how did I not know this was going on?

I'm about to go to dinner with my oldest son (hubby is in Vegas), but I'll be back to read and catch up.

Well hello there! I'm honoured to have you!

I almost didn't recognize you without the camera around your neck!
I know, right?

Nice picture!


Thanks!

This reminded me of when someone goes on their first trip without the kids and find themselves gravitating to other people's children because they miss theirs!


Omg that's the perfect way of looking at it!


Hey, didn't you once ride in every row, in order, on one of your trips?


(I was thinking that too!)

 

[KatMark]

Wendy, I'm too far behind to comment on everything, but I will make a few points and then keep up from now on.

First, your furbabies are all beautiful.

for an upgrade. Savannah views are the best!

Your photography is absolutely stunning and I thoroughly am enjoying your photos.

I liked all of your photopass pictures.

I'm not sure I saw a year...but are you there September 20 - 27 of this year? If so, perhaps our paths will cross. Mark and I are there the 19th until the afternoon of the 26th.

Looking forward to reading more.

 

[PopArtGal]

I agree with you that the benches at "Nemo" suck!

 

[teekathepony]

Wendy, I'm too far behind to comment on everything, but I will make a few points and then keep up from now on.


First, your furbabies are all beautiful.
Thank you (and I agree! I may be biased!)

for an upgrade. Savannah views are the best!
We were so excited, we didn't expect it at all!

Your photography is absolutely stunning and I thoroughly am enjoying your photos.

I liked all of your photopass pictures.
Thank you very much! (x2!)

I'm not sure I saw a year...but are you there September 20 - 27 of this year? If so, perhaps our paths will cross. Mark and I are there the 19th until the afternoon of the 26th.
Yes this year! Wow, so many Dis'ers will be there at the same time! I'm getting more and more excited! (Too bad we're staying offsite! Ugh, of all the trips too!)

Looking forward to reading more.

I agree with you that the benches at "Nemo" suck!

I can't figure out what makes a bench uncomfortable, but it's true!

 

[teekathepony]

I everyone! I hope you are all actually getting some SPRING weather! We are having a surprisingly nice day today (after our snow storm last night!)

I'm finally back for an update. Picking up where I left off...


Thursday November 14
"Photographer's Day Off"

Ready to finish up Animal Kingdom? I hate to say it, but I am. After this we get to the good stuff!

Ok, we last were just getting out of Finding Nemo. We headed to our next and final FP+ for the day:



We ran through the near-empty FP queue and I took this on the run:



I took no more, since we had no wait! We had a blast as always, we love this ride (we are both huge dinosaur nerds. One of our first dates was a Jurassic Park movie marathon.)

Next?

We really wanted to watch the Jingle Jungle parade so we found what we thought was a good spot.

This pair entertained us for a while as we waited:



When we realized that the parade was starting from the opposite direction to what we thought, we also realized we would be late for our early dinner ADR. While Johnny held our parade spot, I ran across the street to Yak & Yeti. I asked if it would be possible for us to check in after the parade and they said of course! No problem! Thanks for even thinking to ask!

Once the parade started coming our way we realized that what we thought was a good spot wasn't so hot. A guy to our left was leaning as far out into the road as the rope barrier would let him, meaning we saw nothing much until it was right in front of us. In hindsight it seems like no big deal, but at the time we were really annoyed. Shows how hungry we were!

Here are a few of the pics I snapped with my phone. I mostly sat back and enjoyed!







I was enjoying (though not blown away by) the Christmas overlay to this parade. It was bright and colourful and fun.











The end!

I know we didn't enjoy this parade as much as we should have. We had a big breakfast and skipped lunch, we were hungry, we were getting tired. We were out to fix the hungry part! Across the road we ran and checked in for our early dinner.


[Facebook: Check in


Early dinner! — with Johnny.

Patricia, Danielle, Kyle and 7 others like this.]


We were seated quickly downstairs and our waiter was great. Really friendly and very efficient. He laid the menus down in front of us but we both knew what we were getting.

"Crispy Honey Chicken - tempura chicken, broccoli, carrots, honey sauce with jasmine or brown rice $18.99"

Our waiter figured out that we'd been there before and asked if we also knew what we wanted for dessert. Yes! So we put in our order then:

"Fried Wontons - Skewers of fresh pineapple and cream cheese wontons, vanilla ice cream, honey vanilla drizzle $8.99"




In no time at all our waiter was back with our drink orders (two Coke, as boring as it gets) and then not long after that, with our entrees.



Yum!!

We got talking about how we were really running out of time. It was 4:15 when we got to the restaurant, and although our waiter was fast and our food was out quickly, time was slipping by. It was a special evening and we wanted to get out of AK soon enough to get changed and go to MK!

Our waiter wasn't about to hold us up though, bless him. These came in no time after finishing our food:



Sorry that I ate a LOT of it before taking a picture! I was so excited for them!

We asked for our bill and were brought it, settled it and were out of there in no time. We loved our food, everything was delicious. Our waiter was fantastic, attentive and fast but never hovering, and very friendly. A great meal for sure!

On our way out the Yak & Yeti manager surprised us with one of these:



... but we were in a hurry!

... but who can resist one last ride on EE?



We ran for the coaster and got through the line in less than 5 minutes. Another awesome ride, but this time we were wondering if EE on VERY full stomachs was such a great idea.

We got off EE and ran for the exit. We were really starting to run low on time!

One last PP pic:



Because of our one last ride on EE, we were part of the crowd all waiting to go back to the hotel. This was the first particularly bad bus experience -- a very long wait for any bus at all to AKL. I think we waited about 45 minutes before we got on the bus! By the time we got back to AKL we had no time at all. Grabbed the camera, ran for the bus stop just to see a Magic Kingdom bus just pulling away. Drat.

While we waited:

[Facebook: photo

Going to Mickeys Very Merry Christmas party!! — with Johnny.

Arthur, Patricia, Amy and 17 others like this.

Alyson: You two look so happy.

Kirsti: So luckyyyyyyyy]

Up next: Would we be late for our one and only Dismeet of the trip?

 

[BridgetR3]

Great update!! That dessert looks amazing but we've never been brave enough to eat at yak and yeti before. Lol...

I know who you are going meet!! Hope you aren't late!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

OOH, quite the little crowd in Dinosaur there. Haven't seen that in a while.

Wow, We also had BOTH of those exact "entertainers" pre parade as well.

Actually Wendy, what that guy beside you was doing drives me NUTS!!

I tried to get into it, but this parade just doesn't do much for me.

Aww how delightful to get an anytime FP. I know I can't resist one last ride on EE.

45 minute wait for the bus????? I'll keep my car thank you.

I kept thinking... what are you in such a hurry?? Now I know.

 

[teekathepony]

Great update!! That dessert looks amazing but we've never been brave enough to eat at yak and yeti before. Lol...
It took me a while to get the courage up too, I'm glad we did. The dessert alone is worth it!

I know who you are going meet!! Hope you aren't late!

Spoiler: We made it! lol

OOH, quite the little crowd in Dinosaur there. Haven't seen that in a while.
The standby was about 25 minutes I think? More crowded than I've seen lately too.

Wow, We also had BOTH of those exact "entertainers" pre parade as well.
Cool! We enjoyed them, that beak is something else!

Actually Wendy, what that guy beside you was doing drives me NUTS!!
Yeah, me too. If I'm in a good mood I try not to let it bother me but really, it does anyway. It's just so selfish.

I tried to get into it, but this parade just doesn't do much for me.
*Sigh* No, I have to agree. I had these memories of it being amazing, and then this time when we watched it (after missing it on every other trip!) I wasn't as impressed as I remember being.

Aww how delightful to get an anytime FP. I know I can't resist one last ride on EE.
It was wonderful! And clearly, neither could we

45 minute wait for the bus????? I'll keep my car thank you.
I'm telling you, I've never wanted a car before but that wait made me re-think Disney transportation.

I kept thinking... what are you in such a hurry?? Now I know.

 

[khaleesi]

Yak and Yeti has never even been on my radar because I tend to dislike "Chinese food", but that all looks delicious!!!

And YAY for a pixie dust fp!

Even if they don't wind up doing a lot with it, Disney definitely gets a lot of mileage out of the jingle/jungle thing! Makes me smile

 

[MEK]

I like the AK parade. I think I am just a sucker for bright colors and stilts.

Dinner looks yummy and Yay for an instant FP. Of course you couldn't turn that down. That would be blasphemy!

45 mins for a bus to go from the AK park to the AK Lodge just sounds absurd and then to miss the MK buss. BOO! You guys look beat in your selfie and I know you are going to have a great time. Can't wait!

 

[amazingact21]

Ugh, you would think people had never been in crowds before, the way they are not courteous at all. Sorry the parade wasn't as great as it could be. Hunger does that.

I guess, though, since the regular parade is ending that the holiday or will too. So at least you were able to see it one last time!

Glad Yak & Yeti didn't disappoint and the wontons were as delicious as you remembered them to be.


Guh, why is the bus always running late when you are crunched for time? It's inevitable...

 

[Queenofallthings]

Hey Girl, I am all caught up and I promise I will not fall behind again!!! Your post of Yak and Yeti has me so excited to eat there again, we just love it!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I really need to try Yak and Yeti. Every trip I have an ADR for it and every time without fail it gets cancelled for various reasons.

I don't think it was a small thing being irritated with the other person leaning forward like that on the parade route. I despise those people myself who deprives me of a good photograph.

And a big applause for your intestinal fortitude after going on EE with a meal like that. I know I would have been a mess.

 

[dramadrew]

I love the format of your review! I try to read the review threads, but I am a very visually person, so I can get distracted quickly. You have the right balance photos to show the story and small descriptions in between to narrate. I am going through your old reviews now because of this format! I am going to Disney World in May and your reviews make me excited to see everything and know what to look for to photograph.

 

[PopArtGal]

It was actually snowing again here today (I live near Montreal). Ugh I can't take it anymore.

Never tried Yak and Yeti. Mostly because of my food allergies but it seems I could eat what you guys got. Yum!

 

[teekathepony]

Yak and Yeti has never even been on my radar because I tend to dislike "Chinese food", but that all looks delicious!!!

And YAY for a pixie dust fp!

Even if they don't wind up doing a lot with it, Disney definitely gets a lot of mileage out of the jingle/jungle thing! Makes me smile

We're not fans of Chinese food either, this menu is a very mild selection IMO. The crispy honey chicken we had was a mild flavoured battered chicken with some plain veggies and rice We were hesitant to try it too, but I'm glad we did.
Hehe I like the jingle/jungle layover, its pretty adorable.

I like the AK parade. I think I am just a sucker for bright colors and stilts.
Agreed! I felt like my hunger was tinting my view of it though, I didn't enjoy it as much as I have in the past.

Dinner looks yummy and Yay for an instant FP. Of course you couldn't turn that down. That would be blasphemy!
Mmmm it WAS yummy! Especially dessert! And yeah, who turns down an instant FP?? Not this DISer!

45 mins for a bus to go from the AK park to the AK Lodge just sounds absurd and then to miss the MK buss. BOO! You guys look beat in your selfie and I know you are going to have a great time. Can't wait!
We were not happy with the bus system that night for sure, for the first time ever we were wishing for a car.
It did all work out for us though, mostly.

Ugh, you would think people had never been in crowds before, the way they are not courteous at all. Sorry the parade wasn't as great as it could be. Hunger does that.
It always amazes me how relative everything is, especially to hunger! And yeah... that guy was leaning right out in front of some little kids. That made me angrier than anything.

I guess, though, since the regular parade is ending that the holiday or will too. So at least you were able to see it one last time!
A very good point!

Glad Yak & Yeti didn't disappoint and the wontons were as delicious as you remembered them to be.
Oh it was great, and those wontons... I really could live off those alone/


Guh, why is the bus always running late when you are crunched for time? It's inevitable...
Every.single.time. I should have seen it coming!

Hey Girl, I am all caught up and I promise I will not fall behind again!!! Your post of Yak and Yeti has me so excited to eat there again, we just love it!

Hey Jacquie!! Welcome back! MMmmmm Yak and Yeti has turned into a favourite of ours!

I really need to try Yak and Yeti. Every trip I have an ADR for it and every time without fail it gets cancelled for various reasons.
I get that, we have a couple of restaurants that elude us every year. You should try Y&Y though, if only for the wontons!

I don't think it was a small thing being irritated with the other person leaning forward like that on the parade route. I despise those people myself who deprives me of a good photograph.
Hahaha yes I'm sure I would have been even more annoyed if I'd had my camera!

And a big applause for your intestinal fortitude after going on EE with a meal like that. I know I would have been a mess.
Had we thought it through I don't think we would have done it!

I love the format of your review! I try to read the review threads, but I am a very visually person, so I can get distracted quickly. You have the right balance photos to show the story and small descriptions in between to narrate. I am going through your old reviews now because of this format! I am going to Disney World in May and your reviews make me excited to see everything and know what to look for to photograph.

Oh, well thank you! I'm glad you like it. I am very visual too, which is probably why I do it that way!

It was actually snowing again here today (I live near Montreal). Ugh I can't take it anymore.

Never tried Yak and Yeti. Mostly because of my food allergies but it seems I could eat what you guys got. Yum!

We're battening down the hatches for a blizzard/hurricane/nor'easter coming Tuesday night.

 

[mickeymouse108]

enjoying looking at your trip report.