1st time F&W, MNSSHP, Africa Trek & no kids! (Updated 5/11/14)

[khertz]

I love that RnRC ride photo!! You definitely went all in on that scared face!!

That breakfast looks heavenly. I'm hoping for a red velvet cupcake kind of breakfast when we are in DHS.

I miss doing the animation academy. It's so much fun! You & DW are quite the artists. I love that you "customized" yours into Mickey. So cute!

The meal at bluezoo looks awesome! Nice recommendations.

I love the photos of the Yacht Club at nighttime compared to the ones earlier in the update during the day. It's so pretty, no matter what time of day it is!

 

[KatMark]

Hi, Bill. I'm Kathy (KatMark here on the DIS). MaryEllen (MEK) was surprised that I didn't know you (she thinks I know everyone on the DIS ). But from what she said, I figured it was time I get over here and read one of your TR's. Obviously, I'm a little behind and it will take me a bit to catch up, but I will.

 

[ElenaJane]

Just got caught up again! I love your PP+ pics. I never can remember where the cameras are! I loved your pics, especially the one of Beach Club at night. Never stayed there, but that one looked magical! Can't wait to see if you guys liked the Wild Trek. I've been curious!

 

[KatMark]

It took me longer to get back here than I wanted, but I read your TR during my lunch break today.

Too much to comment on so I'll just comment on a few things.

I'm sorry you didn't have a better experience when you arrived at the Beach Club. We stayed there last June and we had the same experience (it was the first of a number of things that made me dislike the resort in general).

I love ALL of your photopass pictures.

That is horrible about your meal at Cape May. We agree with you...no desire to go back.

I'm glad you enjoyed Be Our Guest. I've read more bad reviews than I have good review. However, Mark and I have now eaten dinner there three times and enjoyed it each and every time.

Great jobs on the Mickey drawings.

I love the fall decorations. We've done the Halloween Party and the Christmas Party twice each now. We planned on skipping them for awhile because they are too crowded (Disney really needs to stop overselling the things). But we are meeting friends from the DIS in September and will probably do the party with them.

We too will be at the Boardwalk...but in September, not June. But for my girls trip, we are at Disney the same time you are. We arrive on May 29 and depart on June 6 (we're staying at Old Key West).

I should stay caught up now.

 

[saintstickets]

I understand not wanting left over merchandise that has a date on it but one would think Disney would be able to plan better than this.

You would think Disney would have some better planners in their merchandising departments, but ask any mom with a girl under the age of 10 how impressed they are with the availability of Frozen merchandise...

Yikes!! I can't imagine with popularity of Frozen what parents with young girls are going through when they visit Disney. DD (26yo) and DSiL will be with us in June. Maybe they will be restocked by then in case she wants something?!

I love that RnRC ride photo!! You definitely went all in on that scared face!!

Maybe I missed my calling? Hollywood here I come? NAH!!!

That breakfast looks heavenly. I'm hoping for a red velvet cupcake kind of breakfast when we are in DHS.

Oooohhh...that sounds good...I'll have to try that too!

I miss doing the animation academy. It's so much fun! You & DW are quite the artists. I love that you "customized" yours into Mickey. So cute!

Awwww...thank you ma'am. With proper inspiration even a novice can turn out something acceptable from time to time!

The meal at bluezoo looks awesome! Nice recommendations.

BlueZoo is definitely in our top 5 restaurants at WDW now!

I love the photos of the Yacht Club at nighttime compared to the ones earlier in the update during the day. It's so pretty, no matter what time of day it is!

It does take on a whole different atmosphere at night...but then again, just about everywhere at WDW does and I love it!!

Hi, Bill. I'm Kathy (KatMark here on the DIS). MaryEllen (MEK) was surprised that I didn't know you (she thinks I know everyone on the DIS ). But from what she said, I figured it was time I get over here and read one of your TR's. Obviously, I'm a little behind and it will take me a bit to catch up, but I will.

Hiya Kathy and welcome aboard!! Glad you could join us for this little trek down memory lane. I think MEK is the one that knows everyone on the DISboards!

Just got caught up again! I love your PP+ pics. I never can remember where the cameras are! I loved your pics, especially the one of Beach Club at night. Never stayed there, but that one looked magical! Can't wait to see if you guys liked the Wild Trek. I've been curious!

Thanks for the pic comments. BC/YC and the whole Boardwalk area is a fun place to stay. Lots to do and plenty of places to eat plus you can't beat the proximity to EPCOT! Your curiosity about the Wild Africa Trek will soon be taken care of...just a few more pics to upload to Photobucket!!

 

[saintstickets]

It took me longer to get back here than I wanted, but I read your TR during my lunch break today.

Too much to comment on so I'll just comment on a few things.

I'm sorry you didn't have a better experience when you arrived at the Beach Club. We stayed there last June and we had the same experience (it was the first of a number of things that made me dislike the resort in general).

WOW...that was quick. Glad you're caught up in time for the next post. The greeting at BCV wasn't a deal breaker for us but you're so excited to be there...you've just arrived after however long your trip took you...you can't wait to hear, "Welcome Home!" and then.....nothing. It was a let down but as stated earlier, we refuse to let those inevitable moments ruin the trip!

I love ALL of your photopass pictures.

Since we love to get the ride pics, PhotoPass+ (now MemoryMaker) is the way to go to get tons of pics for one price.

That is horrible about your meal at Cape May. We agree with you...no desire to go back.

If there weren't SOOOO many other places to eat, we would probably give it another try but until we complete our bucket list of restaurants to try...sorry Cape May!

I'm glad you enjoyed Be Our Guest. I've read more bad reviews than I have good review. However, Mark and I have now eaten dinner there three times and enjoyed it each and every time.

I will probably regret saying this because we are eating at BOG again in June but I don't know why people are complaining. The prices are in line with any other restaurant at Disney. The theming is fantastic and you get a free meet and greet with the Beast. It's a win, win, win!!

Great jobs on the Mickey drawings.

Thanks!!

I love the fall decorations. We've done the Halloween Party and the Christmas Party twice each now. We planned on skipping them for awhile because they are too crowded (Disney really needs to stop overselling the things). But we are meeting friends from the DIS in September and will probably do the party with them.

We've done each once but we will be back in October this year for F&W and MNSSHP and then back in December, 2015 for MVMCP and our favorite during that time, the Candelight Processional! It will be interesting to see what they do for Christmas on Main Street this year. The new parade has a float that is too tall to pass under the decorations that span Main Street. Surely Disney thought of this...right?

We too will be at the Boardwalk...but in September, not June. But for my girls trip, we are at Disney the same time you are. We arrive on May 29 and depart on June 6 (we're staying at Old Key West).

Oooohh...love OKW! It is so laid back there. The only thing they need to do is provide a better QS option. Olivia's is great but Turtle Shack and Good's Food To Go could have more seating area and maybe a few more menu items. Other than that, I would stay there anytime! You will be there when we are? Do I detect a potential meet up?

 

[KatMark]

Oooohh...love OKW! It is so laid back there. The only thing they need to do is provide a better QS option. Olivia's is great but Turtle Shack and Good's Food To Go could have more seating area and maybe a few more menu items. Other than that, I would stay there anytime! You will be there when we are? Do I detect a potential meet up?

Well, since I've had two meals with MEK now and she has met you, I guess it is inevitable that we meet. I'll be there with MaryAZ here on the boards and her two girls, Avery and Cayley. If you want to pop in on my PTR, you can see what parks we are at and maybe we will overlap.

 

[TinksThree]

The GF DVC looks incredible! I'd never want to leave! I can't wait to see the Poly's DVC!! MNSSHP is on my bucket list...hopefully soon! When in October are you planning to go this year? I wasn't a fan of the lamb chop either. And finally, Blue Zoo looked great!! And up next...another bucket list item!! Can't wait to here all about the Trek!!

 

[saintstickets]

Well, since I've had two meals with MEK now and she has met you, I guess it is inevitable that we meet. I'll be there with MaryAZ here on the boards and her two girls, Avery and Cayley. If you want to pop in on my PTR, you can see what parks we are at and maybe we will overlap.

From what you have posted thus far on your PTR, it looks like we'll have a good chance to meet!! Did I read correctly that you are returning in Sept/Oct? When? DW & I will be at WDW from 10/05-10/10 following a cruise on the Dream. Maybe we'll have multiple chances this year?

The GF DVC looks incredible! I'd never want to leave! I can't wait to see the Poly's DVC!! MNSSHP is on my bucket list...hopefully soon! When in October are you planning to go this year? I wasn't a fan of the lamb chop either. And finally, Blue Zoo looked great!! And up next...another bucket list item!! Can't wait to here all about the Trek!!

The Poly DVC cabanas over the water are coming along nicely. I know they are trying to make it look like Bora Bora but they'll never get the water at Poly to clear up! It still should be great!

Are you going in October? DW, myself, DS1 and DDiL will be at BCV from 10/05-10/10. It would be great if y'all were there then too!

 

[TinksThree]

Maybe!! Keith and I are planning a secret trip and I have ADRs for Sept 21-27 and Oct 4-12. I'm waiting to confirm based on discount extensions for military or package discounts. I feel guilty holding two weeks of ADRs but Disney delays announcing military so late. So I blame them!! Haha I'm hoping for October since my birthday is that week!

 

[saintstickets]

Maybe!! Keith and I are planning a secret trip and I have ADRs for Sept 21-27 and Oct 4-12. I'm waiting to confirm based on discount extensions for military or package discounts. I feel guilty holding two weeks of ADRs but Disney delays announcing military so late. So I blame them!! Haha I'm hoping for October since my birthday is that week!

Ooh, ooh, ooh...I vote for Oct 4-12! By that time maybe Keith will be over gloating about the USM/MSU game!

 

[saintstickets]

Now...back to the TR!

Thursday – October 24, 2013
Today is Animal Kingdom park day. Here are the plans –
8:45am – Wild Africa Trek for 3 hours
12:00pm – FP for Expedition Everest
2:05pm – FP for FOTLK
5:30pm – ADR at Tusker House

We arrive at Animal Kingdom about 8:25 for our Wild Africa Trek. AK doesn’t open until 9:00 this day but there are already crowds gathering. We ask a CM where we are supposed to meet for the WAT and they sent us to Guest Relations. After about 15 minutes, I’m getting worried so I ask someone else.

“Oh, you are supposed to be at the Harambe area check in.”

The let us through and tell us to go to Africa! That’s it…that is all we were told. After fast “trekking” past the Oasis, past Discovery Island, into the Africa section and past Tusker House, we see a CM.

“Are you the Browning’s?”

“Uh, yeah!”

“Right this way. We’ll get you signed in and hooked up!”

We were already ready for our first rest stop!!

Naturally we were the last ones to arrive. First, you sign a liability waiver so in case you get eaten by the alligators, Disney is held harmless. Then they give you your name tag and a nice water bottle.



There are lockers available, at no extra charge, to put items you do not wish to carry during the trek.

Next we were told that we needed to get strapped in to our harness. Now people, this isn’t a shoulder harness or an upper torso harness. This is a full body harness and by that I mean it straps betwixt the legs in addition to over the shoulder and around the waste. The upper part is mesh so it’s not uncomfortable. When you are tethered to a line, you are only going as far as the tether will allow so don’t worry about falling in the alligator or hippo pit! Either for liability reasons or for some perverted pleasure reasons, the CM has to put you in your harness and adjust the straps to your individual body contour. This includes adjusting the straps….uh….down there. You can tell they have done this numerous times and it doesn’t bother these young ladies but if you’re going to adjust anything on me…DOWN THERE…I want some say-so in these adjustments!!! I’m sure any male readers will understand. DW is about 15 feet away from me getting all fixed up as the CM puts on my harness. Now I’m still the same person that told the PhotoPass CM that he really shouldn’t ask brother and sister to kiss when he took DW and my picture the other day. Soooooo…as she makes the final adjustments to my harness…DOWN THERE…I couldn’t resist. I gave a little body wiggle and went up on my toes as I said in a falsetto voice, “Ooooh!” The CM drew back as if she had seen a snake (no comments please) and was totally flustered when she said, “Is it too tight?!?” And in my smoothest Southern drawl I could muster, I said, “No ma’am. It’s perfect. It’s just that I’ve been married for 31 years and that’s the most activity I’ve had down there in a month!” As expected, I received the look of exasperation that for some strange reason, DW gives me quite often. I don’t understand really but the CM recovered quickly and after a rolling of the eyes, a shake of the head and a small, wry smile, she said, “You’re done. Follow those people over there.” DW knew something was up by the Cheshire Cat grin on my face as I approached her. “What did you do now?” she asked. I told her. Then DW said something I hear quite often, “Just keep it up.” Then she added, “Your mouth is going to get you in trouble. That young lady is going to do something to make sure you don’t have ANY “activity” for a long time and I’ll either help her or lie and swear she had nothing to do with it!” Trust me, I believe her so it was time to behave….for a while anyway!

Don’t go hating on me now. I’m just trying to do my best to provide these CM’s stories to remember and tell in their golden years about things that happened when they worked at Disney. If you think about it, I’m providing a community service. Maybe comic relief? How about proof that it takes all kinds in this world?

(Continued in next post)

 

[saintstickets]

(Continued from previous post)

After the “getting-to-know-you” harness is applied to all those signed up, we meet our two guides.




Then we take our group picture




You can see what I’m talking about regarding the harness straps in that group picture…especially on the males.

Everyone has a remote listening device in order to hear your CM guides. Even though the groups are limited in size, sometimes you can be a far enough distance away from the guide so that you cannot hear them. These devices worked real well. As I usually do, because of my height (and girth), I stayed at the rear of the group so others could see without obstruction. This worked out well for me because one of the CM guides will trail the group to make sure no one wanders off and I was able to talk to her and ask plenty of questions. Obviously this wasn’t the same CM that helped me with my harness.

Here are a “few” pics taken along the trail.











(Continued in next post 2)

 

[saintstickets]

(Continued from previous post 2)






There is a station you walk through that has a glass wall that has a nice view






And some remnants of previous habitants?





(Continued in next post 3)

 

[saintstickets]

(Continued from previous post 3)

Outside again…I hope these guys aren’t waiting for us to pick our bones clean too




And soon enough, we arrive at one of the main attractions








Because we had one of the early tours, we arrived to meet one of the Vet CM’s during feeding time



(Continued in next post 4)

 

[saintstickets]

(Continued from previous post 4)

Notice all the harness tethers? I told you it wouldn’t allow you to fall in! If you are on the Kilimanjaro Safari, when you pass by the hippos, you can see this area across the gulch.








And part of the price of admission is some souvenir pics

PIC 360 (WAT015)

Notice the Safari truck in the background in the previous pic?




More pics of the hippos







(Continued in next post 5)

 

[saintstickets]

(Continued from previous post 5)

We untether from the safety line and are shown some more skeletons








We were told some facts about hippos….
1-Their bodies are so dense, they cannot swim. They can hold their breath for several minutes and they use their feet to skip along the bottom of whatever body of water they find themselves.
2-Their teeth are aligned such that as they bite down, they overlap and actually sharpen themselves by rubbing the top and bottoms together.
3-They are not the harmless, loveable animals we see in cartoons. They can be very aggressive to intruders to their territory especially when young hippos are present. Their jaws are not hinged like ours. They can open their mouth to almost 150 degrees. Humans typically open ours to around 35 degrees. By being able to open so wide and being very protective of their territory, hippos have been known to swallow small children that wandered where they didn’t belong!

Back to the tour…I’m getting a little worried as to why these guys are still hanging around. Perhaps I shouldn’t have made those comments earlier to the CM fitting me with my harness?



(Continued in next post 6)

 

[saintstickets]

(Continued from previous post 6)

After a short walk through the woods, we arrive at another pit




DW isn’t so sure




You want us to go over this?






With those down there?!?



(Continued in next post 7)

 

[saintstickets]

(Continued from previous post 7)

Okay…we’re tethered, remember? But just in case, DW…you go first. Since I weigh so much more, I don’t want to damage the bridge and make it unsafe for you…that’s it…that’s my story!






My turn….Our Father, who art in heaven….




Watch your step!




I think I'll take a pic of those critters in case the crime lab needs evidence!




Don’t look so hungry guys



PIC 379 (3943)



(Continued in next post 8)

 

[saintstickets]

(Continued from previous post 8)

I ask again…why are these guys hanging around so much?




Wait a minute…you mean we have to go on a 2nd bridge?!?!




Does she looked worried or is she deep in thought trying to think of a way to untether my tether?




And finally…we survive to make it to the end. Take that buzzards!! I wasn't worried or scared in the least bit!!!













(Continued in next post 9)