How Do You Think We Stay So Happy?*Final Thoughts & Farewells* 10/7 p100 - Page 68 - The DIS Discussion Forums

Nermel9 · 08-06-2011, 10:06 AM

Wow the trek looks amazing!!!

I would love to do that someday! Those bridges look like so much fun!

I can't wait to see your lunch, I love that little hut they brought you to, so cute!

I Believe In Magic · 08-06-2011, 10:36 AM

Great update!! The Trek looks like a lot of fun!! I am definitely putting that on our list of new things to do. (That and TSI!! LOL)

This TR is inspiring to try new things!!

saintstickets · 08-06-2011, 07:03 PM

Loved the TR update about the Animal Kingdom Trek. Do you know if you need part tickets to do this? We are going in May, 2012, staying at VWL, but will not go in the parks for this trip. If we can do the Trek without requiring park admission, we would love to do it. If not, it will wait until the next park trip. Keep up the great TR!

TanzUnited99 · 08-06-2011, 07:14 PM

I'm glad the bridge didn't fail you and you were able to make it across safely! I love all the shots and yay on having a personal jeep and being able to be up close and personal with the animals!

Can't wait to see what you guys got for lunch...

MEK · 08-06-2011, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chloe770

The trek (minus those bridges) looks like a lot of fun. Definitely something I would like to do in the future when the kiddies are older.

You pictures ,as always, are beautiful !

The trek was so much fun! If you ever get the chance to do it, go for it! I would think it would be appropriate for kids probably 12 and over. There was one young girl there who seemed to really enjoy it.

thanks for the compliment on the pictures!

Quote:

Originally Posted by glennbo123

MEK, I liked your Samuel L. Jackson look-alike story!

Oh - how I wish I had a picture because he really DID look like Samuel L Jackson and that outfit. Comical!

Quote:

Originally Posted by glennbo123

I know what you mean about your lenscap. I lost one one time and now I'm paranoid.

That stinks. I am very afraid of losing my lens cap because then what do you do until you get another????? Your camera can't touch anything. It would be so awful to scratch my lens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by glennbo123

That trek looks really cool! Going to that out-building looks like a reward trip on a Survivor episode. Did you find any scrolls with clues, rolled up in amongst the food? And speaking of food, how could you end this post without showing us any food pictures!!

No - No scrolls with clues! But it sure does looks like a reward trip! I really did intend to post the food pics, but I just got so darn tired last night. Maybe I can get to it tomorrow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunny_stace

It's too bad Samuel L. Jackson couldn't come on the Trek with you guys!

That would have been hilarious!

He did look a really fun guy! That would have been a hoot!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunny_stace

The trek really looks like fun but I really dont think I could handle those bridges! It's cool that you get an upclose look at the crocs and the elephants! That would be amazing! I'm hoping they'll make a tour that's just all walking through the savannah - on the ground!

Well - I don't think they will ever take the bridge part out, but seriously - it is so safe. Just don't look down. Look out at the horizon. It doesn't feel like you are up that high - really!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nermel9

Wow the trek looks amazing!!!

I would love to do that someday! Those bridges look like so much fun!

I can't wait to see your lunch, I love that little hut they brought you to, so cute!

You really should put it on your Disney bucket list! It is a must-do!

The bridges were fun, not scary at all. I'm serious - my scariest moment was thinking I might drop my lens cap.

That hut was cool. Wait till you see the bathroom!

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Believe In Magic

Great update!! The Trek looks like a lot of fun!! I am definitely putting that on our list of new things to do. (That and TSI!! LOL)

This TR is inspiring to try new things!!

I love trying something new every time I go to Disney. I'm not sure if I have anything new in store for December, except for Star Wars. I would love to do another tour but I'm not sure if I can talk DH into it. He's not a believer in doing the extras.

Definitely put the Trek on your bucket list. It was very fun!

Quote:

Originally Posted by saintstickets

Loved the TR update about the Animal Kingdom Trek. Do you know if you need part tickets to do this? We are going in May, 2012, staying at VWL, but will not go in the parks for this trip. If we can do the Trek without requiring park admission, we would love to do it. If not, it will wait until the next park trip. Keep up the great TR!

I'm pretty sure you do need park tickets because you are in the middle of the park when they let you out. I think its really only the day long tours where you don't need a ticket. However, I'm not positive so go check it out on allearsnet.com.

Have you stayed at VWL before? Have you done the lodge tour? That is a definite must do. It's free and it runs almost every day at 0900. Ranger Joe is awesome. You will love this tour if you haven't done it already!

How about a segway tour? There is one at the Fort Wilderness which looks super cool and I would love to do that someday!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TanzUnited99

I'm glad the bridge didn't fail you and you were able to make it across safely! I love all the shots and yay on having a personal jeep and being able to be up close and personal with the animals!

.

That bridge was a piece of cake!

Seriously - it was more fun than scary!

It was fun having our own jeep. I loved that and all the information we got. Our guides were so well informed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TanzUnited99

Can't wait to see what you guys got for lunch...

I hope I can remember what everything was inside that tin! I can tell you this - it was all good!

Charleston Princess · 08-07-2011, 07:39 AM

Oh my goodness! I knew the Wild Africa Trek sounded like fun before reading about your experience and seeing the pictures. Now I am convinced I need to be saving my Disney pennies for it! So cool!!!

2xcited2sleep · 08-07-2011, 02:01 PM

Mary Ellen does such a tremendous job with photos and summaries that I couldn't possibly add much value to the discussion but for those of you TR addicts, like me, who enjoy any/all pictures, I will add mine for your enjoyment.

The Trek does require park admission. You meet with the trek guide just after you've entered through the turnstiles. There are multiple treks offered throughout the day. I think ours was one of the first. I believe "word on the street" is that the earlier treks are 'better' as animals are more likely to be active before the heat of the day sets in and I suppose the same goes for us humans!

It was getting hot while we were out there - especially with those weighted vests on- but not unbearable. I'm not sure if the offered times are extending through the end of the day but I also think sunset would be a wonderful time to try this. The views from the savannah "rest stop" are just spectacular!

So you start out getting outfitted for the trek. The requirement is to wear close-toed shoes. FYI, in case you forget they do have extras for loan. I think it was Chatty Cathy/Know it All Nancy who didn't have the right footwear and they were able to accommodate her. You can only take with you on the trek what you can clip onto your vest. So if your camera has a strap, you can take it but if not (i.e. iphones etc.) you can't. You are given a locker to put your belongings in that you won't be taking with you.

You also get a silver thermos for water - you can see them in some of the pictures - to take with you on the trek and keep as a souvenir.

I forget the order in which things occur but you get a bit of jungle juice to start the trek off and also practice crossing a practice bridge so that you know what it will be like and I suppose test that you can make it through without freaking out. The planks are not evenly spaced so you need to pay attention but not so far apart that you are jumping. And there is net underneath the planks such that even if you missed the step you still wouldn't be plummeting to your death or engaging the harness.

Before we departed into Harambe we stood in a circle and introduced ourselves, saying our name and the state we were from. The guide remarked how we were from all over but still friends and how did we meet? None of us wanted to admit to being "crazy internet friends" at that moment.

Walking through the park was funny. You could definitely feel people looking at you and wondering what in the heck you were doing. We also got earphones/radio devices so that we could always hear the guide no matter where we were in the group. That was very helpful.

You start by trekking through the woods and come across some interesting finds. Quite a coincidence to find a skull here, don't you think?

Believe this is a hippo skull in keeping with the spot we were about to visit.

Soon enough we were visiting the hippos. Here we had to attach our harnesses to some contraption and that allowed us to lean over the edge of the "cliff" to get a better view of the hippos. I still had two feet firmly planted on the ground but could lean forward to the point that you felt the harness was holding you, if that makes sense. The hippos appeared to be conditioned to their daily visitors and opened wide as soon as they saw watermelon. Hard to believe these cuties could crush you to death, but that is what I'm told.

I just love their little whiskers!

This shot give you a better perspective of how close we were without the zoom:

One last shot of the cuties. They were adorable. It was funny because one of our cues to leave was one of the hippos relieving himself... apparently there are some things Disney can't control!

More to come...

chloe770 · 08-07-2011, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2xcited2sleep

I just love their little whiskers!

More to come...

Awwww. He's smiling at you!

MEK · 08-07-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charleston Princess

Oh my goodness! I knew the Wild Africa Trek sounded like fun before reading about your experience and seeing the pictures. Now I am convinced I need to be saving my Disney pennies for it! So cool!!!

It is really worth it, especially if you are an animal lover. It was very cool and a great way to spend the morning, especially for someone who has done so many of the other things Disney offers. I actually think Connor would probably love this tour.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2xcited2sleep

Before we departed into Harambe we stood in a circle and introduced ourselves, saying our name and the state we were from. The guide remarked how we were from all over but still friends and how did we meet? None of us wanted to admit to being "crazy internet friends" at that moment.

that's right - we did keep that on the low-down, didn't we? I mean, who wants to explain that?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2xcited2sleep

I just love their little whiskers!

.

I love

this picture. That hippo does look so cute! Talk about deception!

Quote:

Originally Posted by chloe770

Awwww. He's smiling at you!

I think he actually might be smiling because he just ate a 1/2 watermelon in 10 seconds flat!

KatMark · 08-07-2011, 05:57 PM

Great photos, Christine. You are right...his whiskers are cute.

eandesmom · 08-07-2011, 10:56 PM

He REALLY did look like Samuel L Jackson. Oh I wish we took a pic!

Christine, I love your pics!

Bear in mind everyone although that hippo "could" crush you...he's a vegetarian!

I am

about none of us fessing up how we knew each other, I forgot about that!

As to the "bridge" , the height and all that. Here's the thing. It is about as manufactured as it can be. So yes, the boards are not evenly spaced or even always full boards but they are so perfectly imperfectly falling apart you know there is no way you are going anywhere other than in your mind. Between the harness, the bridge, and the net below, you really couldn't be safer.

And so I admit.

I bounced.

More than once.

Not sure everyone appreciated it but...well...I couldn't resist. It was a bouncy bridge (or two) after all and well, I was wearing Tigger orange. Some things cannot be helped.

Photo pass pics coming up soon.

MEK · 08-08-2011, 04:47 AM

It all about the Food!

I was totally intrigued by the tin the cast member put in front of us. She was actually giving instructions on how to open it. The food on this trip was billed as a "snack". I think it was way better than any snack I normally eat.

On top of our snack was an edible flower

Inside our snack was two layers of awesome yuminess

On top there was a little compartment of yogurt, fruit, and cheeses.

On the bottom was a finely slice meat similar to prosciutto, salmon, a flavor full slice of cake, and two small biscuits for making miniature sandwiches.

It was all quite good and I tried, and liked, everything. Who's surprised by that? I found the quantity to be adequately filling without being over filling. I think it probably had the right amount of protein, fat, and carbs for extended fuel. Perfect.

Here we are getting ready to enjoy our meals.

We also got to refill our water bottles and partake of jungle juice, should we desire. (BTW - that's chatty Cathy on the left - ready to put her two cents in because she probably researched the food)

Now - no trip to a "survivor" hut would be complete without a trip to the bathroom, and no trip to the bathroom would be complete without a camera, especially since one of the girls told me how pretty it was.

Tile Everywhere!

What a pretty floor!

After our siesta we all headed to another viewing area.

Group shots:

I tried to get a few more random shots before it was time to leave.

Back in the jeep!

Our trek was coming to a close now. I have a few more pictures that I will add with my next update. Unfortunately, the photopass pix are not on my CD, but I have lots of Dawa bar pictures. LOL! So Cynthia graciously agreed to add the photopass pictures from the trip. Thank you cynthia. gotta go get ready for work!

brookelizabeth · 08-08-2011, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEK

It wasn't just the questions. She started out just asking questions, but then she proceeded into making comments to showcase her animal knowledge. I felt like she read all about the tour first and then tried to impress us with her knowledge. THAT was annoying!

Ughhhhhhhhhhh!!

(but at least you had some great TR fodder from the experience with her, right?!

)

The Samuel L Jackson story made me laugh out loud!

Love it!

Those rope bridges look SCARY, but Cynthia you reassured me a bit. And I gotta say, I love that you felt the need to bounce like Tigger!

Beautiful pictures! That snack/lunch looked delicious and that bathroom is gorgeous!

MEK · 08-08-2011, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KatMark

Great photos, Christine. You are right...his whiskers are cute.

I didn't notice there whiskers until I saw this picture. That hippo just looks so adorable!

Quote:

Originally Posted by eandesmom

He REALLY did look like Samuel L Jackson. Oh I wish we took a pic!

He did. there was a shocking similarity.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eandesmom

Bear in mind everyone although that hippo "could" crush you...he's a vegetarian!

He may be a vegetarian, but with a mouth that opens that wide I would be scared $#!*@!! to get anywhere near him. Yikes. I still can't get over that jaw capacity.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eandesmom

And so I admit.

I bounced.

More than once.

Not sure everyone appreciated it but...well...I couldn't resist. It was a bouncy bridge (or two) after all and well, I was wearing Tigger orange. Some things cannot be helped.

Being at the tail end I missed all that!

Quote: