Lets just do everything... Sept 2015 TR WDW, USO, HHN, CBBR - updated 31/10 Day 6

[BagOLaughs]

Really enjoying your TR

Thanks DisneyJo, its lovely to have you!

 

[jandlinz]

It's so interesting for me to see the Universal pictures. I went a long time ago and it has surely changed. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

 

[Robo56]

Love the trip report so far. You are a cute couple. I am finding things in your photos I never paid attention to in all the years I have been going to Universal. It is always so interesting to see Universal from someone else's eyes.

 

[fantasmicfantastic]

I work in a chocolate factory

Do you work in a factory that makes chocolate, or is it a factory made out of chocolate? Either way...AWESOME!!!


OK, I'm done being a dork.

I'm loving the trip report so far, and you are making me more excited for my first USO/IoA visit next year.

 

[samsteele]

Chocolate frogs yey! I would like to buy one of these but $12 for a piece of chocolate is a bit ridiculous especially seeing as I work in a chocolate factory.

I hear you on these prices! A few years ago, I think these were under $10 (bought 2 for a niece) so major inflation right there. Years ago, I had a client who worked in the Hershey's Smiths Falls factory (now closed with production moved to Mexico) and she told me she had lost at least 15 lbs because the smell of sweet chocolate all day, every day, turned her right off sweets.

Wonderful trip report! Loving all the pics! You did an incredible job documenting your vacation.

 

[BagOLaughs]

It's so interesting for me to see the Universal pictures. I went a long time ago and it has surely changed. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

I'm glad you're enjoying the Universal pictures... there will be some Disney ones next

Love the trip report so far. You are a cute couple. I am finding things in your photos I never paid attention to in all the years I have been going to Universal. It is always so interesting to see Universal from someone else's eyes.

Awwwww thanks Robo, my partner and I do get along sometimes , being in Cabana bay and having unlimited access into the parks really allowed us to slow down and see the sights as well as ride the rides.

Do you work in a factory that makes chocolate, or is it a factory made out of chocolate? Either way...AWESOME!!!


OK, I'm done being a dork.

I'm loving the trip report so far, and you are making me more excited for my first USO/IoA visit next year.

It would be pretty amazing if the factory was made out of chocolate! It would be fine in the English winters but we might have some issues in the summer. haha. Looking at your name you're going to love day 3 posts... bit of a spoiler right there.

I hear you on these prices! A few years ago, I think these were under $10 (bought 2 for a niece) so major inflation right there. Years ago, I had a client who worked in the Hershey's Smiths Falls factory (now closed with production moved to Mexico) and she told me she had lost at least 15 lbs because the smell of sweet chocolate all day, every day, turned her right off sweets.

Wonderful trip report! Loving all the pics! You did an incredible job documenting your vacation.

Thanks Sam! Unfortunately I love the brand of chocolate that we make in my factory and I just can't help myself. I put on 10kg (not sure what that is in pounds) and had to swear off chocolate completely to loose the weight again!

 

[BagOLaughs]

Day 3 - Its time for Africa!

I woke up at 7:30am the next morning ready for our 1st Disney day. I always wake up 1st becuase I take longer to get ready. Somehow Martin can be ready in 10 minutes... I think its witchcraft.

We jumped in the car and put our destination into the sat nav. In fact that reminds me... I have a Samsung Galaxy S6 and I created a special holiday home screen. To start with it looked like this screen shot below. Just the weather app for where I live in the UK but more importantly not one but two count downs! I took this screen shot on the way to the airport.



On our 1st day in orlando I re-arranged this page to look like this. We used accuweather to give us up to date rain forcast. At the bottom you can see the universal app and MDE. Navmii was the sat nav we used. It allowed us to pre download Florida maps so we didn't have to use any of our mobile data (and thus avoid roaming charges). However after the 3rd day we didn't actually need the sat nav any more because the drive was so easy!




We were in the car about 8:30 am and soon enough we saw this...



and then this...



I'm so glad we went the week we did. Literally when we got back home I read on the Dis the parking went up to $20... for us it was $17 (I think... or $18... errrr can't remember).

So I'd made our FP+ reservations 30 days in advance... I'd purchased our tickets and linked the accounts and this was the 1st time we were going to use our tickets. Were they going to work... The 1st mickey head flashed green... I scanned my finger and everything glowed green we were in! YEY!

We were there slightly before park opening (08:45am) so Devine was about entertaining people.



And we also saw a snake... sorry for the blury picture. For some reason the snake would just not hold still for a picture. I got to stroke her... so smooth.



Of course there was the obligatory CM just behind with a squirt of hand sanitiser.



Photo in front of the tree of life and then we were off. Off too...

Oh no wait we saw a super cute tamarin monkey, with a great hair doo... so we HAD to stop and take some pictures (its the rules). too cute.



and THEN we were off to...



Yes that's right Kilimanjaro safaris. You can see below our FP+ selections for the day. My plan had been to ride the safaris 1st because apparently the animals are more active than later in the day. you'll also see a bit of a spoiler for where we ate later on in the day...



There was no queue at all so we were straight onto a truck.

Coming up - animals, lots and lots of animals.

 

[ScarletBegonias]

I am loving this TR so far!!!! I think Cabana Bay looks so cool and I'd love to stay there some day! Sounds like you guys get a lot done! Can't wait to read more!

 

[BagOLaughs]

Day 3 - Animals, lots and lots of animals.

I think Animal Kingdom really is one of the best themed parks in the world. The level of attention to detail is mind blowing. The Africa area is one such example of how it can just transport you to a completely different place and its so easy to forget that your in Florida, except for the crushing humidity first thing in the morning of course.



5 minute stand by line thank you very much!



And just like that we were on a truck. Easy! I'm super excited!



First on our 2 week tour we see this delightfully confused animal. Other wise known as an Okapi. He was right at the back of the paddock but nothing my zoom can't handle! Ah interesting tit bit about our tour. We were driving behind a training vehicle which was actually quite great because the CM being trained was taking a little longer than usual going around the track so we got to have more time looking at the animals. yey.



Next up was this beautiful rhino who poised so lovely for my photo. Thanks mr/ms rhino.



Then we saw some Hippos... I always love seeing these guys as I can't think of a single zoo (other than Longleat but that's a safari park too) were you actually get to see hippos in the UK.



Hurray for horribly blurred motion selfies.



When the safari opens out like this its truly breath taking.



Mr wildebeest just chillin'. Everyone says Scar killed Mufasa but I really know it was these blood thirsty animals that trampled him to death, forever cementing them into psychotic murderers in my eyes. He can't trample me as there's only one of him and we're in a truck haha.



Up next - you guessed it more animals (and a surprise!)

 

[BagOLaughs]

Day 2 - you guessed it more animals (and a surprise)

Still in the grassy bit of the savannah we saw some antelopes. We did also see giraffes but I don't have any good pictures as they were hiding away from the truck.



I wish my life could be like Africa...



I forget which order these next photos go in as my computer has jumbled them all up but it doesn't' really matter where there are baby rhinos! commence with high pitched awwwwwwwww!



I also have a picture of a very large elephant.. wow this guy was big.



Flamingos too. My mum loves flamingos.



We also saw some macaques. Or rather... a macaque. Or the back of a macaque... the back of a macaque, maybe named zac who's friends with a yac? Ok I'll stop now



And at some point we saw lions. The lioness were doing the lazy lion thing and sleeping on their rocks. One at the top...



and one sandwiched between two rocks...



but this is where the surprise comes in that I mentioned in the title. The male lion was sitting up! Obviously he was very proud about something.



The truck went nuts as everyone scrambled to get good pictures but we were so lucky because we were on the side closest to him. mwahahaha! A photo below from Martin's phone too.



And that's all the safari photos I've got! We disembarked and decided to being an new expedition.

Coming up - more baby animals, awwwww

 

[BagOLaughs]

Coming up - more baby animals, awwwww.

We set out on the pangani forest exploration trail as we still had lots of time before our 1st FP+ at Everest. Firstly we came across another okapi.



The CM offered to take a picture with him in the background. She told us he could be a bit grumpy and doesn't get along very well with the other okapi in the safari enclosure so they take turns in each area.



Up next we saw a lizard. I like lizards, not sure why... as I've said before scaly things are cute in my eyes.



We entered the bird enclosure and I spotted this fluffy dude. I think he's trying his hardest to fool us into thinking he's part of the log, but its not very convincing. However I didn't tell him this because I wouldn't want to hurt his feelings of course.



Again, I love seeing the hippos. Especially when they're as close up as this. Hey fish get outta the way, no ones interested in you.



Meerkats watching a zebra.



I managed to snap a photos just as one guy turned round.



Finally this is what you've all been waiting for... the super duper cutie cute cute cute...



Awwwwwww!



There's a bit of a size difference between the two don't you think?



next up - a few more pictures of babies...

 

[BagOLaughs]

Day 3 - just a few more pictures of babies...

I love gorillas. They are just so human like. When you see their eyes they have a real depth to them like they understand everything that you do. Amazing.



And of course when they're little they are A.DOR.A.BLE!



This little one was trying to get up the rocks...



... apparently momma had decided she needed a bit of alone time.



After finishing in the Pangani forest exploration trail we decided to make our way over to the Maharajah jungle trek because we still had loads of time before our fast pass and both attractions are fairly close.

On the way we stopped for tree pictures of course. Yes Martin feels the need to put a union flag on his hat... maybe he's frightened he'll forget where he's from, I dunno. I roll my eyes but what ever makes him happy I suppose.



We started out with bats. Martin always takes a photo of one of the fruit bats and sends it to his mum, she really really hates bats. He's so mean. I love them as I think they look like fluffy foxes.



We saw a tigger. Except this tigger didn't like to bounce. She was just chillin' next to her big red ball.



Into the bird enclosure. I'm such a sucker for a pretty bird. Check this guy out... he's beautiful.



I made a friend of this guy, He was hiding in the bushes and I wanted a photo because of his funky hair do. When I bent down he came out of the bushes and started walking around my feet.



Finally to finish the trek photos a posh duck in a fountain.



Next up - another expedition? thats the 4th one today!

 

[BagOLaughs]

Day - another expedition? thats the 4th one today!

Yes indeed it was time for another expedition... to Everest! (well actually to the forbidden mountain but lets not get technical about this). This was another 1st. We approached the FP+ scanners, the stand by was about 30 mins from memory. We held our card up and low and behold the mickeys turned green. Woooo! I then put my card away... big mistake. There's another reader just before you board. ops.



Also another spot of luck we were on the front row! Woo hoo! It was great. Also being at the front of this ride helps when going through the backwards section. For some reason the short backwards section in the dark always makes me feel a tad sick. I'm generally aright once the train stops in the chamber when you watch the yeti rip up the tracks but I just can't hack that couple of seconds going backwards. It also means I can't do this ride more than once. I need to have a break after riding. After barrelling under disco yeti we were back out again for some pictures.



I always find the light so difficult around this area for good photos.



We had a while to wait for our next FP+ so we decided to do something we'd not done before (also it included air conditioning) and that was watch festival of the lion king. A friend of mine recommend we go see it, so go we did.



We were in the warthog section. yey Pumba!



The costumes where really amazing for this show. I liked to look through all the different animals and choose what costume I'd like to wear as a dance. I think I'd like to be the crocodile. Their costume was pretty darn cool.



These monkeys were so funny and the tricks/stunts they do were really amazing to watch. I couldn't imagine doing what they do every hour or two.



Finale picture! All in all this show was great! I loved the monkeys, the costumes were amazing and the puppets were also really cool. It was a fantastic way to spend 30 mins or so relaxing in the air conditioning. Martin also really enjoyed it, he like me likes shows of skill and so he liked the acrobatic monkeys too.



We ambled around the tree of life after the Lion King because I wanted to get some photos. We also spotted some macaws.



This was the best photo I could get... not bad.



As we still had lots of time before our next FP+ even after the lion king we decided to watch flights of wonder as we were pretty much where the stadium was.

Coming up - flights of wonder.

 

[BagOLaughs]

Day 3 - Flights of Wonder

This show is fun. I always enjoy the chance to watch some birds do some fun and amazing things. Below is the grape catching bird.



And then of course, the parrot who can sing loads of different songs.



I love taking a split second photo of the part of the show where the random two are selected from the crowd to be flown over by this big ol' bird. Fantastic.



Fights of Wonder is good but the best bird show I've seen, by a million miles, is the Bird show in Port Aventura in Salou Spain. The guy who does that show is so funny and its always the same dude. I don't know when he takes a break but he is hilarious and has to speak in multiple languages to keep up with all the visiting Europeans.

Then it was time to head over to Dinosaur for our next FP+. On the way we saw Pluto and Goofy.



Dinosaur time!



Yet again FP+ scanners went off without a hitch. I love Dinosaur, Martin's not such a big fan. I've also been on the Indiana Jones in Tokyo DisneySea which has the same track layout (and is pretty much identical to Disneyland Cali's version), but just for pure nostalgia reason I actually prefer Dinosaur (not the common thing). Its just so wacky and fun I end up laughing the entire ride.

On the way out we saw Donald. Oh hey Donald!



We were a bit peckish after Dinosaur and so we decided to go to Flame Tree BBQ. Again, on our last visit I'd totally missed eating here. I knew about it but for what ever reason we never did eat here.



A rare menu shot from me, but there wasn't much else to do while queueing.



We both ordered ribs. I also ordered a large drink which was such a big mistake. It was huge! There was no way I was going to finish that all off haha! The food was really good. The ribs were flavourful, the beans were saucy and the corn bread was so nice. I was totally stuffed after this meal... which I later came to regret in part.



To finish a picture of a lizard telling us to ignore the sign he was basking on... yes we should feed him (we didn't)



Coming up - getting wet...

 

[BagOLaughs]

Day 3 - getting wet.

Digging through the photos I found this picture Martin must have taken of me trying to finish my gargantuan coke. I really hate things going to waste so I'll usually force myself to finish something if I've ordered it.



We chilled out by the river side for a bit. The seating area of the Flame Tree BBQ is really nice. I love all the different animal statues and the water feature pond thing. Its all very relaxing and away from the hustle and bustle.

It was now time for our Kali River Rapids FP+. At the gates we got green. It was baking hot by this point in the day (hence why I'd booked the FP+ for this time) and we were ready to get wet.

More amazing queue theming.



just too pretty...



We have a lot of queue photos because I don't actually have any ride/post ride photos. I know, I'm sorry. It just they want you to stow all your non-water proof, quite expensive camera away. So I did, and then forgot to get it back out after.



However just take my word for it we got very wet. We were sat with a cute family from Chicago. Their eldest boy was a water ride pro and loved this ride. Their youngest wasn't sure what to make of it until a big wave swamped him, poor little guy. He initially cried but then decided there were far more interesting things to look at. Bless him.



We got quite wet on this ride. When walking down the exit ramp which is right next to those who are waiting to get on, I overheard a lady say loudly, "Oh my gosh, yes you do get wet look at the girl ringing her hair out." The girl was me... yes I was that wet! However this is where my choice of clothing for the day comes into play. You'll have noticed by now I was wearing a dress. This dress was made from super light weight material and was completely dry within about 20 minutes. Under the dress I was wearing board shorts which also dried in about the same time. Now that's wardrobe planning!

It didn't matter too much because I had a spare pair of clothes in the boot of the car, but I didn't need them in the end. And that was where we were off to next (the car that is). We'd done all we wanted to do in AK and it was time to park hop. But first we did a bit of golden cheek gibbons spotting.



And then we were off... and suddenly *banf* we were here...



Ahhh no hat! I like seeing the Chinese theatre, and I'm so glad that blooming stage is gone! I'm probably more happy about the stage than I am the hat. Before any more photos we headed towards this... nope not to ride it but to get a 4th, oh yes I said a 4th FP+. We went to the kiosks and managed to get Rock n' rollercoaster for about an hours time. yey! This FP+ malarkey is easy! The one strange thing about the kiosks is they don't really work when you use your finger tips on the touch screens, if you use your nails or a pointy pen they work perfectly... very odd.



Ok now we had time for some pictures. Martin you're so silly.



And that's it for tonight you'll have to wait for the rest of our afternoon in Hollywood Studio's. But it may/may not include a indoor outdoor dining experience.

 

[BagOLaughs]

I am loving this TR so far!!!! I think Cabana Bay looks so cool and I'd love to stay there some day! Sounds like you guys get a lot done! Can't wait to read more!

Hellow ScarletBegonias, thanks very much I'm glad you're enjoying it. CBBR is really amazing and I could see it being a prefect hotel for familys as the rooms are amazing. Thanks for following along! I've got lots more to share.

 

[schumigirl]

Nice pics Rachel......glad you were having such a nice time.........

 

[samsteele]

AK is an incredible park! The theming is par none. Wonderful that you enjoyed the Kili Safari & Lion King show. I remind myself that I have to get over to Rafikis Planet Watch to catch one of the vet procedures. There are just so many other things to do that I end up missing it. I also love Flametree BBQ but agree that the portions are huge. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Loving your pics!

 

[Jon84]

Also another spot of luck we were on the front row! Woo hoo! It was great. Also being at the front of this ride helps when going through the backwards section. For some reason the short backwards section in the dark always makes me feel a tad sick. I'm generally aright once the train stops in the chamber when you watch the yeti rip up the tracks but I just can't hack that couple of seconds going backwards. It also means I can't do this ride more than once. I need to have a break after riding. After barrelling under disco yeti we were back out again for some pictures.

I love front row Everest, when you get to the broken track it's an amazing view!

 

[BagOLaughs]

Nice pics Rachel......glad you were having such a nice time.........

Thanks Schumi. I do love Animal Kingdom because I love to see exotic animals

AK is an incredible park! The theming is par none. Wonderful that you enjoyed the Kili Safari & Lion King show. I remind myself that I have to get over to Rafikis Planet Watch to catch one of the vet procedures. There are just so many other things to do that I end up missing it. I also love Flametree BBQ but agree that the portions are huge. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Loving your pics!

I totally agree Sam, AK is beautiful!


It was our 1st time at the front. It was amazing.