A Halloween Adventure in Autism (11/7) Prayer Request for Catie (p.129)

[miabellarose]

I loved the tiger pictures. They're so cute! What a relaxing start to the day. I'll have to try that sometime, but since I feel like I'll be missing something if I don't do the parks commando-style, even though I know I can't do it all, it may be awhile!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Ahhhh....I love AK! How awesome to have the freedom to just relax and enjoy!

EE is one of our family's favorites! I get motion sick as well and usually riding backwards would send me over the edge, but I agree that the short period of time makes it manageable.

I love that water fountain as well...such great theming. One of the reasons I love AK!

Cool tiger pictures...they really are beautiful!

Not sure I wanna hear about bird issues!! I don't like the creatures as it is!

 

[KathyRN137]

Chapter Seventeen: Everybody Duck!


Sunday Afternoon
November 1, 2009
Animal Kingdom



After thoroughly enjoying our trek through the land of tigers and bats we ambled along the wooded path trying to decide what to do next. We past the entrance to Kali River Rapids and I offered it up for consideration... it certainly was warm enough that day. In a shocking reversal of roles, it was the youngsters who voted thumbs-down... Billy because he does not like the scene with the rainforest fires and Catie and Tricia because they did not want to get their hair wet and “frizzy.” (I think they didn’t want to run the risk of looking goofy in the ponchos they knew I would force upon them!) Oh well, there was plenty more to do here.



We turned right and began walking toward Africa. It was around 3:30 and I was getting a bit hungry; we had eaten our breakfast at around ten-ish that morning. I was about to suggest lunch when we came upon a rather interesting demonstration outside of the Flights of Wonder Theater. A young animal handler stood on a small, elevated stage holding a rather large owl. She was doing a pre-show question and answer session with a growing audience of guests.

The animal handler was very engaging and the girls were immediately drawn into the presentation... she would make a great teacher. Ed realized that the next show was about to begin and he wanted to see it, so we joined the queue.


Soon we were let inside the open but shaded theater and we easily found seats on the second bench in the middle section. The theater is deceptively large... it actually seats 1,000! The show has a conservation theme that is given some entertaining comic relief from Guano Joe, a “tour guide” who mistakenly wanders into the theater.

Somehow Guano Joe is persuaded to participate in the show, despite the fact that he is very much afraid of birds. You might even call him a big...





CHICKEN!

We are introduced to various exotic birds and they roam and/or fly about freely on stage. We are then treated to demonstrations of their natural talents: a parrot sings “How Much is that Doggy in the Window”, a raven “steals” Joe’s bright red tour flag, and a hawk in mid flight catches grapes tossed by a young volunteer from the audience.

​

Here’s our friend from the pre-show with a familiar bird:

At one point a hawk was released and flew to a perch atop the sound booth at the back of the theater. An audience volunteer was given a glove and the bird swooped down right over our heads and we all ducked instinctively! The bird landed on the quivering perch with ease. Catie brought her hand up to the top of her head and exclaimed, “Aunt Kathy, I felt that bird touch my head!”


I’m sure she just felt the movement of air as the bird flapped its wings above her, but you never know.... She is a tall girl!


After the show the handlers invited the audience to come down to the stage and get a closer look at a few of the show’s stars and ask questions. The girls went briefly, took a few pictures and then returned. Meanwhile, Billy began asking for lunch and I remarked that it would be a good idea to eat something before it got any closer to dinnertime! Suddenly they all realized how hungry they were and we set off in search of a counter service place that all would enjoy.



Unfortunately that eliminated Yak & Yeti, which I would have liked to try but which did not appeal to the masses. So, it looked as if our choice was between two of our old standbys, Flame Tree Barbeque or Pizzafari. What a surprise...the kids voted for pizza. That was really okay by me... it would be good to sit inside with a little air-conditioning for a while.

This feline fellow guards the door:

Oh, it's so hard to be a teenager... your mother is always trying to take your picture....

It was four o’clock but there were lots of other folks in line to order either a late lunch or early dinner... Somehow I had imagined that we would have the place to ourselves! Nevertheless, it didn't take long for us to get our food: individual pizzas for the three kids, an Italian sandwich for Ed, and a chicken Caesar salad for me. I was sad to discover that they no longer had the frozen lemonades that we usually like to get for our dessert. They were so light and refreshing! Instead, we could choose between chocolate cake and apple pie. The boys had gone ahead to get a table so I got one of each, although I knew that Billy would not eat either one.


The restaurant is so large that we were practically the only ones sitting in the dining area Ed had chosen. We washed up and dug in. Sorry, no food pix (too hungry!) but Tricia did get one rather blurry picture of the tile detail from the table:

And here is a tiny bit of the colorful mural on the wall:

Billy scarfed down his pizza and even had some of the girls’, which they traded for his uneaten dessert. I suppose I was the slowest eater because I got stuck with the lone apple pie... everyone else wanted the chocolate cake. The pie was warm and it wasn’t too bad; I ate about half. I still missed my frozen lemonade.


After a trip to the restroom we struck out onto the paths once more... this time we were headed for Africa!

Kathy

 

[AmandaSparks730]

First!

Wishing I was in WDW...*sigh*. It's too darn cold up here!

 

[Hedy]

How brave of you to see Flights of Wonder after what happened to AR on the trail in '07. LOL.

Tricia's face in that photo made me LOL. (Same photo every teenager has, right?)

 

[MEK]

Kathy -

Another great update! I love the bird pictures form "Birds in Flight". I have only seen that show once and I thought it was really entertaining. It was closed in Sept, so thanks for reminding me that I would like to watch it in May.

Yummmm...Pizzafari....probably my fav counterservice as AK, thanks to the AC.

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Oh Kathy, what a nice picture.

You know, every year we've contemplated watching the Flights of Wonder show and each time we've decided against it. Hearing your details though, we might give it a try. I think Ariana might be a bit leery of the free flying birds but we should try it. Something new!

 

[jcc0621]

I would have freaked if I had been the one who felt the bird touch my head. Needless to say I have never seen Flights of Wonder. I have seen Alfred Hitchcocks The Birds too often

Love that picture of you and Billy

 

[KathyRN137]

Sounds like your AK day is going really well! I love those tiger pics!

Thank you...we were taking things slow and easy and it felt great!

I loved the tiger pictures. They're so cute! What a relaxing start to the day. I'll have to try that sometime, but since I feel like I'll be missing something if I don't do the parks commando-style, even though I know I can't do it all, it may be awhile!

I truly understand... it took me awhile to slow things down, too. Because we have DVC I have it in the back of my mind that there will eventually be another Disney trip around the bend. It really helps my mindset!

Ahhhh....I love AK! How awesome to have the freedom to just relax and enjoy!

EE is one of our family's favorites! I get motion sick as well and usually riding backwards would send me over the edge, but I agree that the short period of time makes it manageable.

I love that water fountain as well...such great theming. One of the reasons I love AK!

Cool tiger pictures...they really are beautiful!

I could just walk around AK all day and do nothing but admire the scenery!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

First!

Wishing I was in WDW...*sigh*. It's too darn cold up here!

I know what you mean!

How brave of you to see Flights of Wonder after what happened to AR on the trail in '07. LOL.

Tricia's face in that photo made me LOL. (Same photo every teenager has, right?)

Oh yes!

Kathy -

Another great update! I love the bird pictures form "Birds in Flight". I have only seen that show once and I thought it was really entertaining. It was closed in Sept, so thanks for reminding me that I would like to watch it in May.

Yummmm...Pizzafari....probably my fav counterservice as AK, thanks to the AC.

I know... when its hot we eat at Pizzafari and when its cool we eat outside at Flame Tree!

Oh Kathy, what a nice picture.

You know, every year we've contemplated watching the Flights of Wonder show and each time we've decided against it. Hearing your details though, we might give it a try. I think Ariana might be a bit leery of the free flying birds but we should try it. Something new!

If you don't sit in the middle section you won't be under the flying bird. That one hawk was the only bird that flew over the audience, all the rest fly around on stage. They are obviously well-trained.

I think Ariana would like it... Guano Joe is funny! My kids thought it was hysterical that he was afraid of the chicken!

I would have freaked if I had been the one who felt the bird touch my head. Needless to say I have never seen Flights of Wonder. I have seen Alfred Hitchcocks The Birds too often

Love that picture of you and Billy

Thanks!

Like I told MickeyMom, if you aren't in the middle section of the audience, you are safe!



Kathy

 

[joy13]

Great update! We didn't see Flights of Wonder this past trip - but enjoyed it in 2007 when we saw it.

 

[eandesmom]

Great update! I loved hearing the details about the FOW show, I've always wondered. You guys must have been starving if breakfast was at 10!!!!!!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

We have never done Flights of Wonder, but after reading your update and how fun it was, we may have to try it out this summer! I would love to see some of those birds up close.

Pizzafari is always a good stand-by. My favorite part is that it is inside out of the heat -- always a plus when it is miserably hot outside.

Hurray for heading to Africa! My favorite of the AK lands!

 

[All7OfUs]

Such a lovely update, Kathy. I, too, love the photo of you and Billy!! But, how he's grown. YOu know, it won't be too long before he is as tall as you!!!

I"m not sure pizza is where we're headed, but I do have it on my list to get over there just to see the murals and take some photos.

I also have FOW on my list of to-dos, I'm sure I'll have time, since we have about a day and a half scheduled there. They have a nice bird show at the Portland, OR zoo as well, and those suckers can fly very, very low!! We always enjoy it.

Yeah, too bad you didn't find a lemon slushie. Last time we were there, we actually found a cart just outside the park entrance that had several flavors of slushie, lemon included. It was perfectly refreshing and not overly sweet!

 

[buzz for boys]

another fab update you describe things in so much detail I feel like i sat with you guys.
Lovely mother and son picture !!

 

[praisehisname]

I had no idea the FOW show was so fun! We'll really have to make that a priority when we go back!

Denise

 

[carissanboys]

Three trips and we still have never seen Flights of Wonder or eaten at Pizzafari. Flights of Wonder is something I really want to do next time. That stinks they no longer had your frozen lemonade.

 

[KathyRN137]

Great update! We didn't see Flights of Wonder this past trip - but enjoyed it in 2007 when we saw it.

Thanks! Sometimes it's nice to take a year off from a particular show or attraction. It makes you appreciate it more when you do see it again.

Great update! I loved hearing the details about the FOW show, I've always wondered. You guys must have been starving if breakfast was at 10!!!!!!!!

There weren't too many crumbs left over, that's for sure!

We have never done Flights of Wonder, but after reading your update and how fun it was, we may have to try it out this summer! I would love to see some of those birds up close.

Pizzafari is always a good stand-by. My favorite part is that it is inside out of the heat -- always a plus when it is miserably hot outside.

Hurray for heading to Africa! My favorite of the AK lands!

I think FOW is somewhat underrated; it's actually a good show and a nice break if you need to sit down for about 20 minutes! Pizzafari is always nice and cool, plus it's just so colorful and pretty inside!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

Such a lovely update, Kathy. I, too, love the photo of you and Billy!! But, how he's grown. YOu know, it won't be too long before he is as tall as you!!!

I"m not sure pizza is where we're headed, but I do have it on my list to get over there just to see the murals and take some photos...

The murals are so pretty! And you're right about Billy... he's growing both up and out! His medication really stimulates his appetite... I'm dreading when the teenage appetite hits as well... I will need to work full-time just to feed him!

another fab update you describe things in so much detail I feel like i sat with you guys.
Lovely mother and son picture !!

Thanks... he's always such a good hugger!

I had no idea the FOW show was so fun! We'll really have to make that a priority when we go back!

Denise

I think you'll really enjoy it... it's a fun and educational show!

Three trips and we still have never seen Flights of Wonder or eaten at Pizzafari. Flights of Wonder is something I really want to do next time. That stinks they no longer had your frozen lemonade.

I know... chocolate cake just does not go with pizza or salad!

The boys would really enjoy the show.


Kathy

 

[carissanboys]

The boys would really enjoy the show.


Kathy

That's what I thought too! They love animals and science, etc. But, on our last trip, as we were walking by the entrance to the show, they said they weren't interested.