A Guide to Taking it Easy at WDW. Oct 2014 Mother/Daughter Trip Updated 3/6x2 The End!

[Chicago Mo]

Ugh those walls!!! cannot wait until it's DONE! Funny about the taking the lazy route on EE! another set of great pictures!

 

[KatMark]

Do you know I don't think I have EVER been on Triceratop Spin. I think Mark took the boys once when they were really young, and Mary always took Cayley while I took Avery on the Hurl ride. I'm glad you got to experience it once, along with the games.

That was very sweet of you to give your turtles away. I'm sure the girls loved them.

The picture of you on EE is a riot, and I look just like your mother when I USED to ride it.

The walls at EE...and I don't think they will be going away anytime soon.

 

[Pluto0809]

I also haven't ridden triceratop spin. It's just never appealed to me I am a dumbo fan tho. I love your Everest ride photo. The death grip reminds me on my grandma on dinosaur

I never gave it a second thought to ride but since we were right there and there was no line we decided to go for it. Dumbo though is a must do for me every trip.

I have no idea why Mom had a death grip going, she loves the trill rides.

Nice idea trying out Triceratop Spin, I've yet to go on it myself.

I definitely would not ride it if it had a line but being a walk on we went for it.

Omgosh the pic of your 2 stuffies is adorable! And nice of you to pass them on to those sisters.

They were very cute prizes but we really didn't want to be hauling them around all day.

Haha, a lot of the time I find that games area to be quite depressing. It always seems to be empty when I'm there and those poor CM's just bored out of their minds. Cute prizes though. And what a great gesture passing them on to some kids. Plus added bonus of not having to cart them around all day. WIN-WIN!

Yeah, they do seem empty most of the time, we were the only ones playing the game we were at. I've always liked to play the games at amusement parks so I'm surprised I've never tried those before. I have quite the collection of cheap stuffed animals from our local fair.

What a bummer about your Animal Kingdom Pluto pics!!! I think I would be seriously screaming and freaking out
So fun that you both won prizes--we've never paused to play any of those games either. Very magical of you to pass along your prizes (and your problem--ha!!) to the little girls.

I was definitely sad when they couldn't find them but luckily I've met with Pluto many, many times so this wasn't that huge of a loss. I don't think too many people do pause to play those games. That area always seems empty.

Catching up!

Great day at AK so far. Shame about all the construction walls.
So sorry that your PP pictures got 'lost'. I think you need to tell DH and your DM that you need to re-do this trip.

Hmmm, a redo, that would be wonderful. Mom did ask me if we were going this year but I don't think she will be able to afford it because she is going to France with her sister in July.

Nice ticking off another ride off your Disney list. And well done on the games! What did you do with your turtle prize?

We gifted the turtles to two sisters we saw. We didn't really want to carry them around all day.

 

[Pluto0809]

Ugh those walls!!! cannot wait until it's DONE! Funny about the taking the lazy route on EE! another set of great pictures!

Yeah, AK is a bit of a mess right now but I can't wait to see it when it's all done!

Do you know I don't think I have EVER been on Triceratop Spin. I think Mark took the boys once when they were really young, and Mary always took Cayley while I took Avery on the Hurl ride. I'm glad you got to experience it once, along with the games.

That's the first and probably the last for me unless I go with my cousin's kids again. I would definitely not ride it if there was a line and there is so much more to do in AK. It just doesn't have the same nostalgia as Dumbo.

That was very sweet of you to give your turtles away. I'm sure the girls loved them.

They did seem to really like them and it solved our problem of what to do with them the rest of the day.

The picture of you on EE is a riot, and I look just like your mother when I USED to ride it.

You know, Mom really loves that ride so I have no idea what the death grip was about.

The walls at EE...and I don't think they will be going away anytime soon.

I think the last estimate I read for completion was 2017 so yeah, they are probably going to be around for a while.

 

[Pluto0809]

I've almost finished writing this TR so I'm going to speed it up a bit since it's a lot of work writing two at a time. I'm going to do three updates a week now instead of one or two like I usually do. No worries though, I still have quite a few installments on this one. Things have just been very slow at work so I took advantage of that and did a lot of writing.

Also, Jim and I are headed back down to Orlando a week from tomorrow. We are not doing any Disney parks but instead are heading to Universal, Sea World and Legoland. We might swing by Downtown Disney for a few hours but that will be all the Disney in this trip. I haven't decided yet whether or not to do a TR for this one. Is anyone interested in reading a non-Disney TR? Let me know what you think.

When we left off, we were headed towards the Maharajah Jungle Trek. We got a little side tracked at Mandala Gifts. Mom was looking for some little change purses that would fit a gift card. If you followed my PTR you will remember that my Grandma (Mom’s mom) passed away a few weeks before this trip. Mom wanted to give some gift cards to the nurses and aides at the nursing home where Grandma was staying. She thought a cute little change purse would work to hold the gift cards. We looked for a while but they were all either not the right size or more than she wanted to spend so we moved on.



First up was the Komodo Dragon who was hiding in some grass.




Next up was the birds in the area that used to house the Tapir. I still miss seeing the Tapir.







Then it was time to visit some bats. Kathy look away! Oh, and you may want to cover small children’s eyes as I got some pretty good pictures of the bats extra-large, hmmm, well you know.







We were disappointed when we got to the tigers because there was only one out and he (or she?) was hiding behind some bushes.



At least you can always count on this tiger being there along with his Hidden Mickey.





Moving onto some other animals.







The trail was fairly empty at this time in the morning so I got some nice scenery shots.



Continued in Next Post

 

[Pluto0809]

Continued from Previous Post







Another Hidden Mickey!





Then it was time for the bird aviary. I’m surprised with as many times as I’ve walked these trails, I’ve never been pooped on by a bird.









I apparently really liked these blue birds. Or maybe that was the only ones we spotted that day.





It was getting close to our noon lunch ADR when we were finished with the trail so we headed in that direction. We of course got distracted by animals and the tree along the way. Cute baby monkey alert!











Up Next: Step 14: Have Lunch With Some Old Friends

 

[missangelalexis]

I would definitely be interested in your non Disney TR!

Great pictures in this update!

 

[rteetz]

I'd like to know what you think about universal. I have never been there always find the competition interesting.

 

[KatMark]

I know a lot of people do TR's for things other than Disney (can't remember where they put them). I'd be interested in reading about Sea World because we've probably not been there since 1994 or so. I have no interest in Universal or Legoland though. Sorry.

I love that trail. Pretty birds.

Thanks for the warning about the bats.

Too bad there was only one tiger out.

You got great pictures of some of the themeing without any crowds.

 

[missjackiemcg]

I'd love to read a TR about y'know, those OTHER parks! While I'm not sure I could physically be in Orlando and not set foot in any Disney park, I'm sure you'll have lots of fun adventures and I can't wait to read about them

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Ooh a moving Komodo. Actually seems to be quite rare.

Haha, nope, those bats sure aren't bashful.

Wonderful pictures Arianna.

 

[Chicago Mo]

First I have to say YES YES YES i would be interested in reading a report!!! I am sure you and Jim will get into some fun shenanigans!

The blue colorful birds are really pretty! Sorry the tiger was hiding from you. Shocking how much they sleep.

thanks for taking us on your walk!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Nice update and great pics of the birds.

Another vote of yes for a TR.

 

[Pluto0809]

I would definitely be interested in your non Disney TR!

OK, that seems to be the majority vote!

Great pictures in this update!

Thanks, the flags picture is one of my favorites from the trip.

I'd like to know what you think about universal. I have never been there always find the competition interesting.

OK, I am going to do one. I've already been to Universal once and had a lot of fun. We needed to go back to see the new Harry Potter stuff.

I know a lot of people do TR's for things other than Disney (can't remember where they put them). I'd be interested in reading about Sea World because we've probably not been there since 1994 or so. I have no interest in Universal or Legoland though. Sorry.

I'm pretty sure there is a Universal trip report board so I'll probably put it there. I don't have much interest in Legoland but Jim sure does. We had to do something he was interested in this trip. Although I am looking forward to the small section of Cyprus Gardens that still exists within Legoland.

I love that trail. Pretty birds.

Other than the bats, right?

Thanks for the warning about the bats.

You are welcome, I know a lot of people can't stand them but I find them fascinating.

Too bad there was only one tiger out.

We were very disappointed because we both love watching them.

You got great pictures of some of the themeing without any crowds.

That was definitely then nice thing about walking that trail in the morning. It wasn't crowded at all.

I'd love to read a TR about y'know, those OTHER parks! While I'm not sure I could physically be in Orlando and not set foot in any Disney park, I'm sure you'll have lots of fun adventures and I can't wait to read about them

It's killing me that we aren't going to any Disney parks. Jim was watching Gaston meet and greets on You Tube last night and it was making me so sad! At least we are going to stop at DTD for a few hours so I'll have a small Disney fix.

Ooh a moving Komodo. Actually seems to be quite rare.

Yes, most of the times I've been there it hasn't even been out so it was exciting to see!

Haha, nope, those bats sure aren't bashful.

Definitely not! And it was hot that day so they were spreading out even more to cool off.

Wonderful pictures Arianna.

Thanks, I was pretty happy with the scenery shots I got along that trail.

First I have to say YES YES YES i would be interested in reading a report!!! I am sure you and Jim will get into some fun shenanigans!

I think the consensus is to definitely do one. Guess I better take a lot of pictures again! Jim will be thrilled because he doesn't like me to "exploit" his food.

The blue colorful birds are really pretty! Sorry the tiger was hiding from you. Shocking how much they sleep.

I love all the birds in that area! Yeah, it was pretty disappointing to not see any tigers.

thanks for taking us on your walk!

You are welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures.

Nice update and great pics of the birds.

Thanks, I was quite pleased with the photos from that trail.

Another vote of yes for a TR.

That is definitely what the majority thinks so I will do one probably over on the Universal board.

 

[Pluto0809]

We headed around the park and made it in plenty of time to check in for our ADR at Tusker House. This was a first for both Mom and I. We usually just do Flametree or Pizzafari at AK. Mom found a seat right away at the bar and I went up to check us in. But then I had to go find her again because I didn’t realize you waited for the restaurant around back. We got our picture taken and then sat for a while waiting to be called.





We actually ended up waiting a bit to be called, probably about 15 minutes past our ADR time. We had barely sat down when Donald showed up to say hello.





Daisy was right behind him.



For some reason, I don’t have a picture of me with her. There was a break after Daisy so Mom and I headed to the buffet for some food. The buffet here is huge. This next photo only shows about half of it.



While we were getting our food, the characters had a parade with the kids in the restaurant.





Here’s my first plate. And yes, some of that came off of the kids buffet.



And Mom’s more adventurous plate.



We had plenty of time to eat before the characters started coming again. I know I went back up for seconds and I’m pretty sure Mom did too. I went up a third time to get dessert for both of us.



Just a small plate because we were pretty stuffed at that point. When the characters started back around, I think they got a little confused as to where they left off because Donald visited us again.





Goofy was next, he’s Mom’s favorite.





And finally Mickey.





No idea why I took this next creeper picture of Mickey but since I’m short on photos this trip I’m posting it any ways.



Everything was very good, we both enjoyed the meal a lot. I found plenty to eat even with as picky as I am, it was a good mix between African (none of which I tried) and American dishes. The only thing that would have made the meal better was if Pluto was there too.

Up Next: Step 15: Take a Two Week Long Safari

 

[KatMark]

you made it to your ADR on time. Boo you had to wait 15 minutes past your time. Great pics of you and Mom out front; I still don't know why they took Donald out from there.

We've only done breakfast at TH (a couple of times now) and we were very disappointed with it in June. There just didn't seem to be as much of a selection. I don't know if we'll ever try lunch because we like Yak & Yeti so much (after Flame Tree in September we won't be back...my ribs were awful and Mark can't eat chicken).

LOVE the pictures with the characters. I do like being able to see Daisy at a meal.

 

[missangelalexis]

I'm glad it was a good meal, love all the character pictures! You're right though, Pluto should be there! I never thought I'd like Tusker House because of the food options, but I'm glad to hear that there's a good balance and that there is at least something for everyone to enjoy!

 

[rteetz]

Yay Tusker House! This is my favorite character breakfast out of the ones I've done. Now that they are getting a character dinner soon I want to try that next.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I love a Tusker House meal. It has so much variety (at least during the times I've been) that it usually is a hit withe everyone in my family. So glad that you found things you liked to eat.

And its a great way to meet the characters; even if Pluto was MIA.

 

[PrincessInOz]

We've only done breakfast at TH (a couple of times now) and we were very disappointed with it in June. There just didn't seem to be as much of a selection. I don't know if we'll ever try lunch because we like Yak & Yeti so much (after Flame Tree in September we won't be back...my ribs were awful and Mark can't eat chicken).

That's really disappointing to read that. TH has always been a favourite of mine because of the wide selection of food.