JULY 6TH PART TWO: ITS YETI TIME! Except Not For Me Because I Dont Do Backwards. Seriously. I Dont Even Like Walking Backwards. Why I Volunteered to Give Dorm Tours at College I Will Never Know. NIGHTMARE. And, No, You Cant Request the Bigger Room at the End of the Hall For Your Son. Its Totally Random and Just Giving It to Your Kid Wouldnt Be Fair. This is College. No Snowflakes Allowed.
Well, from that
inspired title, you can see that we were headed to Disneys Animal Kingdom.
Nahtazu and all that jazz.
Traditionally, were a strict MAGIC KINGDOM FIRST OR DIE family, but we needed a change. Also, I really enjoy those paper straws. And some of Staceys best lines originated at the Animal Kingdom! LOOK AT THOSE CHOMPAS! WERE FOUR-WHEELIN NOW BABY! And, of course, the infamous *bites finger* *worried look* THERE DOESNT SEEM TO BE ANY TRACK.
Oh, Stacey, you beautiful, wonderful soul.
Anyway, lets rewind a bit to us getting on the bus.
As you may know, earlier this year we experienced quite the tragedy within the Disney fan community. Monorail Voice Guy was replaced. It came as a shock to us all. One that Im not sure I will ever get over. I didnt even have the chance to say goodbye.
Thankfully for us all, this mans sweet dulcet tones live on via Disney buses. Or motorcoaches as he would say. And boarding a glorious, purple-interior motorcoach and hearing his voice again drove me to tears. Well, glassy eyes. The tears never quite spilled over. I wouldnt want to be known as that crazy girl who cried over a bus spiel.
Who am I kidding? Thats exactly what Id want to be known for.
Because the ride to Animal Kingdom takes a while, I had plenty of time to sit back and bask in the magic of Bus Voice Guy. I also had the chance to bask in the magic of Prince Charmings face, as there was an ad for
Once Upon a Time hanging right across from me. Add a few puppies, a TV, and a guy handing out free Mickey Rice Krispy Treats and that bus wouldve contained everything I love.
When we arrived at AK, I hopped off the bus and booked it. Seriously. I got so excited that I left my family behind and took off. Im sure youve all experienced something similar. These things happen at WDW. Parks >>>>> Family.
Once I realized I was 8000 miles ahead of everyone else, I slowed down and took some pictures.
Look, pretty trees!
Look, more pretty trees!
I felt bad for that poor CM in the Dinoland costume. Those things are awful. Neon yellow shorts are never a good look. They dont look quite as terrible when surrounded by giant tourist trap dinosaurs, but, out in the regular world, its just sad.
And here it is! The entrance! And a bunch of random people! Yay!
Fun story: For whatever reason, the biometric scanner thing at the turnstiles wouldnt let me use my index finger to get into the park. I had to use my thumb. It was awful. I mean, I ALWAYS use my index finger. For as long as the stupid biometric scanner things have been there, Ive been using my index finger. I felt like an idiot for the rest of the trip because Id politely smile at the CM working the turnstile, start to put down my index finger, and then, at the last minute, be, like, OH! and slip my thumb in there. Ah, the life of the painfully awkward
Because the parks layout forced us to, the first thing we did was explore the Oasis.
Of course, by explore I really mean booked it through that hot, sweaty jungle as fast as humanly possible because there are rides to ride and shows to watch and the absolute last thing I want to see is a tree full of creepy parrots.
Regardless, I took some pictures of our exploration.
Those are some trees and stuff that we passed really quickly.
Thats a big rock thing and some vines that we passed really quickly.
And those are some more trees and stuff that we also passed really quickly.
We continued our power walk through Discovery Island. Im quite certain it got its name not because its home to several animals, a 3D bug show, and some character M&Gs, but because there is plenty of merchandise for you to
discover. This is Disney World after all. Gift shops aplenty.
The Tree of Life. Im shocked they didnt hang a giant WATCH OUT FOR FALLING BRANCHES (BTW BECAUSE WE WARNED YOU, YOU CANT SUE) sign on it. You would think legal wouldve been all over that.
I thought that yellow tree was really pretty. When you walk through the Oasis, its like green green green green green green and then you come over the bridge and its all BOOM GIANT SPLASH OF YELLOW. It made me smile.
I discovered this beaver hanging on one of the numerous Discovery Island gift shops and fell in love. I would like 6 for my house, please! Also a smaller one for the car. And an even smaller one to use as a key chain.
Our destination was Asia (hence the "Its Yeti time!" in the title) but, unfortunately for me, Animal Kingdoms Asia is roughly the size of the real thing. I was running on three hours of sleep, had just spent an hour and a half cramped in a car, and now had to walk 30000 miles to get to Everest. Thankfully, I had a ton of adrenaline or my body probably would have given out right around Yak and Yeti.
Anyway, Asia! Pictures! Fun times!
There were no monkeys on their little monkey island. I figured they all went west to
Disneyland. Why stay at WDW when they could be at Disneyland riding Radiator Springs Racers and eating dill pickle flavored popcorn?
Mom and Katie hopped in line for Everest and Dad and I headed down to the little viewing area that overlooks the ride.
Im kind of obsessed with the theming in Asia. Everything is so detailed! Its really beautiful.
Dad and I planned on taking pictures of Mom and Katie on the ride, but the sun was RIDICULOUS and we could barely see. With that plan scrapped, we headed into the gift shop. I bet Disney turned the sun up so we would do just that. Foiled again! One day I'll outsmart you and your earth-heating ways, Disney!
I love that Disney gift shops are thoroughly decorated. I mean, they could have just thrown a pile of plush Yetis on a table and called it a day, but, no, they went to town on this place.
Dad and I found a quiet corner of the store and chatted until Mom and Katie came back. We discovered that the store is the perfect size to hold one roller coaster train worth of people. A group would exit the ride, come in, look around a bit, and clear out completely right as the next group entered. It was like clockwork and I found it absolutely hilarious.
Never change, Disney.
Never change.
I've read both of your other trip reports and am looking forward to reading along on this one.
It just feels so welcoming. "Aesthetically pleasing" is the absolute perfect way to describe it!
I'm totally the same way with the resort welcome mats! I love when things are individualized.
Excited to read more...so I am going to go and read your previous TR. 
Until then though, the maniacal smile works. 
