A grand adventure of a lifetime! May 2014 ( THE FINAL)

[debsters41]

Hooray for the Luau! Your pictures are really fabulous. I know a lot more people than me are enjoying them, I just seem to be the most outspoken.

I am a little sorry to see that your husband was not feeling up to joining you for the wonderful show. I do hope things go better for him as the vacation continues.

I think it is great that the boys seem to be just the perfect age to be able to comprehend the different cultures that they are being exposed to. I bet after this, and the parks, that they are going to become avid travellers .

 

[TheMaxRebo]

you Elsa-bounding outfit is really nice ... also, looks like Elsa successfully frozen Noah in that picture

Glad you enjoyed Tony's - you don't always see great reviews from there but everything you go looked really good! Not sure if I had ever seen the flatbreads from there but they looks really good and great that the chef was able to make a special one for your son!

That's cool that you were able to see the silver lining to the rain and were able to get on some attractions you didn't think you would - and that you got to the parade in time and enjoyed it so much!

very nice family picture in front of the waterfall and glad you got the picture before they removed it - I know we are quite happy to have ours from our last trip.

The Luau looks like a lot of fun and glad you enjoyed the food as well.

Hope your husband is able to share in some of the fun later on!

 

[horse11]

Hooray for the Luau! Your pictures are really fabulous. I know a lot more people than me are enjoying them, I just seem to be the most outspoken.

I am a little sorry to see that your husband was not feeling up to joining you for the wonderful show. I do hope things go better for him as the vacation continues.

I think it is great that the boys seem to be just the perfect age to be able to comprehend the different cultures that they are being exposed to. I bet after this, and the parks, that they are going to become avid travellers .

We really loved the Luau! I would love to do that again! I am very greatful that you are outspoken. It sure makes writting this TR that much more fun. I am so glad you are along for the ride.

When we got back to our resort that night Bill had said he really thought they would cancel the Luau. I think he was also a bit worried thinking he let everyone down. We talked about it and I told him everything was fine. We can adjust as we go. He assured me he would join us at Animal Kingdom and that he was looking forward to being with the family. Talking to each other and being flexible to adjust is one of our strenghths. I usually take mental notes and will adust our next vacation.

Jaden especially is intrested in people of different cultures. he seems to take an intrest in it as well as important people of history.

 

[horse11]

you Elsa-bounding outfit is really nice ... also, looks like Elsa successfully frozen Noah in that picture

Glad you enjoyed Tony's - you don't always see great reviews from there but everything you go looked really good! Not sure if I had ever seen the flatbreads from there but they looks really good and great that the chef was able to make a special one for your son!

That's cool that you were able to see the silver lining to the rain and were able to get on some attractions you didn't think you would - and that you got to the parade in time and enjoyed it so much!

very nice family picture in front of the waterfall and glad you got the picture before they removed it - I know we are quite happy to have ours from our last trip.


The Luau looks like a lot of fun and glad you enjoyed the food as well.

Hope your husband is able to share in some of the fun later on!

Yes I noticed that. I think it was bad timing on the photographer but your interpertation of it is pretty fun

I have heard that about Tony's from several people. I guess I am just an odd Duck because it was my favorite. I can not wait to go back. Just hoping I will not be disapointed.

That family picture is going to be worth it wait in gold since It can never again be reproduced. It is just a shame that they are getting rid of it. That is a HUGE mistake IMOP.

The Luau was probally the bigest surprise for me personally. I never would have imagined it would be that good!The food was good nothing to write home about but I did enjoy it.

I have learned on this trip that Magic Kingdom and Bill do not blend however he did join us the following day and really enjoyed himself.

 

[DrTiger]

Wow! great pictures of the parade! Some of the best I've seen. And isn't it a great parade?

And I love your pictures with Anna and Elsa! Your outfit is so perfect.

 

[QueenJen]

Enjoying your report. Love 'Disneybounding'. I think it would be fun to do as a couple...but DH would never willingly join in the fun. Perhaps I could figure something out and suggest an outfit for the day without raising suspicion.

 

[Angeejoe]

I love your Frozen Disney Bound outfit!!!

 

[ElenaJane]

Man, I had a lot of updates to catch up on!! What an amazing first day! I love how the rain ended up being a blessing. I think Tony's doesn't get the popularity it deserves, but that is ok with me since it is easy to get an ADR! I had the pumpkin ravioli last October and it was amazing. I already plan on going in September! It is fun to eat on the porch and people watch. You get to see everyone's expressions as they walk into the park.

I love your costume changes!! Did Elsa mention your outfit?

 

[belle79]

looks like everyone is enjoying themselves!!!

 

[horse11]

Wow! great pictures of the parade! Some of the best I've seen. And isn't it a great parade?

And I love your pictures with Anna and Elsa! Your outfit is so perfect.

REALLY!!! WOW THANKS!!! I really have seen so many excellent pictures of the parade in others TR and taught mine were just ok. In fact look at others has insipired me to take more the next time. I LOVED that parade!

I was very proud of my Elsa outfit. Every thing I found just seemed to come together. Most of all I can wear each of the pieces seperately another time.

 

[horse11]

Enjoying your report. Love 'Disneybounding'. I think it would be fun to do as a couple...but DH would never willingly join in the fun. Perhaps I could figure something out and suggest an outfit for the day without raising suspicion.

Oh you just have to do it!!! It would be soooo much fun! Ariel and her bo would be easy enough and I bet if you put your mind to it there would be many others. If you google "Disney Bounding" you will find some much information and ideas. Have Fun!

 

[horse11]

I love your Frozen Disney Bound outfit!!!

Hey Thanks! It happened to be my favorite but I also like what I came up with for our Star Wars day. Did not find out about Disney Bounding untill close to our trip so I did not have a lot of time to plan. Next time though I am going to be sooooo ready LOL!!!!!

 

[horse11]

Man, I had a lot of updates to catch up on!! What an amazing first day! I love how the rain ended up being a blessing. I think Tony's doesn't get the popularity it deserves, but that is ok with me since it is easy to get an ADR! I had the pumpkin ravioli last October and it was amazing. I already plan on going in September! It is fun to eat on the porch and people watch. You get to see everyone's expressions as they walk into the park.

I love your costume changes!! Did Elsa mention your outfit?

I totally feel that way about Tony's! I have a very short side trip planned in October to having to go to a convention for work. As soon as I found out I was going for sure I booked Tony's right away! Since I will be going Solo (Hubby can not get off of work and boys will be in Football) I think I may just have to request the porch. That sounds like fun!

Oh yes both Elsa and Anna loved it! I think they were just being in character though. They both played it up for Noah even more. I think that was the first time I saw him blush.

 

[horse11]

looks like everyone is enjoying themselves!!!

Oh my yes! We are hooked! Mind you this was entended to be a once in a life time trip but...........

 

[BebopAngel88]

Yahh, I am finally all caught up! I am loving all the pictures and the luau looked really fun and exciting!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Great updates! In all of our trips to Disney, we've never eaten at Tony's but from the sounds of your report, we need to change that. It was so nice of the waiter to ask the chef to make a special pizza for your son. Disney service at it's best.

I was glad to read that the rain held off long enough for you to see the new parade. Your pictures are great! And, like you said, how neat that the castle is in the background on many of them.

Aww, I hate that your husband didn't come to the luau. We have been three (maybe four) times and we have enjoyed it every single time. Yeah, some of the parts are a little cheesy but it's a great show overall.

Love the beach shots of you and the kids and Mom and Dad.

 

[horse11]

Great updates! In all of our trips to Disney, we've never eaten at Tony's but from the sounds of your report, we need to change that. It was so nice of the waiter to ask the chef to make a special pizza for your son. Disney service at it's best.

I was glad to read that the rain held off long enough for you to see the new parade. Your pictures are great! And, like you said, how neat that the castle is in the background on many of them.

Aww, I hate that your husband didn't come to the luau. We have been three (maybe four) times and we have enjoyed it every single time. Yeah, some of the parts are a little cheesy but it's a great show overall.

Love the beach shots of you and the kids and Mom and Dad.

If you do go to Tony's hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Not sure if this make a difference but we had or ADR right at Tony's opening. Yes that really made my son's day and just added to our love for Tony's.

Honestly we were very lucky. I look at it it this way sometime when you have a little excitment like that it really adds to the story and makes you appriciate your trip that much more.

That was a very hard moment for me and was not any easier when writting about it. In all respect to Bill we just are not use to Florida weather. Who would have known that storm would have gone away and brought the sun back as if nothing had ever happened. By looking at that mean sky in some of the pictures of the parade I and can understand why Bill did not want to chance it. We did get a mild shower during the performance but it only lasted a few minutes and was very light. it never did interfer with the show. Guess everyone out there is use to it.

That beach was beautiful! I was so worried about all the construction and you know we never even noticed it. May be a different story right now. Again another reason to appriciate the fact that we got to see the Poly before the closing of the pool and the waterfall.

 

[sghm]

Love reading trip reports.

 

[horse11]

Love reading trip reports.

They are a lot of fun! I have learned a lot from others as well. By reading other trip reports it gives you ideas on what to do on your next trip.

 

[horse11]

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By the time we finally got the chance to lay down I don't think our heads even hit the pillow before we were asleep only to do it all again at Animal Kingdom the following morning. I had plans on getting up early before everyone else to check out our resort but it never did happen. Since we had an early ADR set up for Rainforest Cafe I was hoping to have some time later that evening. We all did manage to get up in order to get ready for rope drop. Bill would be there right along with us but would he make it through this time?

Our Animal Kingdom Itinerary:
#1 Africa
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Pangani Forest Trail

#2 Discovery Island
Discovery Island trail
It's Tough To Be A Bug
Tree of Life
Lunch at Flame Tree Barbeque

#3 Asia
Maharajah Jungle Trail
Flights of Wonder
FP+ Kail River Rapids


#4 Dinoland USA
FP+ Finding Nemo The Musical
Primeval Whirl
Tricera Top
FP+ Dinosaur

4:45 dinner ADR at Rainforest Cafe

Since we had our FP+ set up for the afternoon I wanted to get to the park at rope drop in order to head to Kilimanjaro first thing for two reasons. #1 I was told the animals would be more lively and #2 I was told the lines would only get longer later in the day. So we headed to the bus stop. We barely made it to the curb when our bus arrived. I had thought the first day was just a fluke but two day in a row was magical! My plan for the day was to make this more relaxing for everyone. Bill was willing to go along with the plan of rope drop. Surely it would not be as bad as Magic Kingdom. Once we arrived to the park I was not in any hurry to get to the front of the park. Instead I found a tree that my family could sit and rest peacefully while we waited for rope drop. I felt this may be a better plan to help Bill feel more relaxed. It worked like a charm. I could tell Bill was still a bit nervous but he headed in just like an old pro! I was very proud of his accomplishment! Animal kingdom rope drop was much more tame then Magic Kingdom had been.
So we were off to find some wild life that were suppose to be more wild then my family if that was possible.

As we entered the park I thought to myself how beautiful the park looked.I would have loved to just take our time and take pictures while we enjoyed the scenery. Our plan however was to head directly to Africa and not stop until we got to Kilimanjaro Safaris. So much for relaxing! Oh well it would be the only thing we did that we would have to rush to. Now I am no expert to writing trip reports seeing that this is my first but I am learning that I will do things a lot differently the next time. When we got to the line or the lack of a line I wondered why I just made my family race to get here. I guess I was still in the grove from our Magic Kingdom day. Now that I am writing I am wishing I had taken a picture just to prove how little people were in front of us. As we got on our truck Noah insisted he sit with Nana. I think he wanted to protect her.

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I was really impressed at how well Disney made the area look like a jungle. The first thing I noticed as I looked to my left while we were crossing the water was this pretty water fall.

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Now I was prepared to see the animals at their most active time. Here are some of the animals we saw.

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Wow that is a big boy! Feel safer since he is asleep!

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Even the king of the jungle was found napping. What a life!

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I was beginning to think I was observing my family when I have caught them fast asleep while lounging on the couch with the TV still on. There was a bit of action which too reminded me of my family's favorite past time.

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Now that is a face only it's mother could love.

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I loved what we called bird island

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We were even lucky enough to see eggs.

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It was really enjoyable to just sit back an relax and enjoy the the ride while we observed the wild life but we were ready to get up close and personal with the animals. Our next stop was Pangani Forest Trail. I was really looking forward to just taking our time and getting in some pictures.