A Salute to All Orlando Area Theme Parks But Mostly Walt Disney World ***THE END***

[Queenofallthings]

We love Yak and Yeti, have never tried the counter service but do plan on it! The past few trips we decided to book a lunch time ADR to get out of the heat as we usually only book one full day at AK so we need to get out of the heat for awhile

If I do nothing else at AK, I must do FOTLK, hands down, best show ever! I have the CD in my car and I blast it everytime I'm in there, makes Shanleigh so happy I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will still be there when we go in December as there has been rumours it could be going

Great pics from EE!

 

[Marsheliz]

I love Tough to be a Bug too!! )) It is kind of fun to hear everyone screaming though...

Can you believe I have never rode the Yeti!!! I was pregnant twice when we went and this last time, no one else wanted to ride ;(

 

[wiigirl]

Great update! Love the pics!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

FOTLK, multiple EE rides and FOOD. All my favorite things in one place! I accept!

I know right?? It's a great combination!

I do not accept it's tough to be a bug, I will NEVER sit through that, just no, NO, I would not do well in there and probably cry. Haha.

Bahaha. So you've NEVER gone to the show? You have to try it at least once.

Glad Katie enjoyed FOTLK! Obviously you know it's my favorite thing ever.

Haha, yes Katt, I def for sure know your legendary love for FOTLK. You'll be in it some day, I just know it!

Also, for your parents trip in fall do you know when you're going yet? Or just "fall"?

It's not 100% for sure just yet as they were the ones that used the "fall" designation.
I expect it would be somewhere between mid Sept and mid October for a couple of weeks. I'd like to do MNSSHP again, PLUS I just have to go back to Halloween Horror Nights which I'm guessing will start around Sept 20. It is EPIC! They have a Rush of Fear ticket at the beginning which lets you go every night in the first couple of weeks for the price of one night. That might push me to Sept. Plus, the rents can have some rest time since they would have NO desire to go to HHN, lol.

We left just before you arrived. Can't wait to hear what you thought of MNSSHP. I loved it! Being from Maine, though, I keep listening for the "aye"... (it's a regional thing) . I'll be following along. Thanks.

Hi and . I'm so very happy to have you here.

You know it's funny. I've heard a lot of people either left on our arrival day, or arrived on our departure day.
I'm starting to think people were avoiding me

Yes MNSSHP is for sure coming up in a future update. Spoiler... I loved it!

More fun at AK!
Good to see you got another shot or two at EE!

Hi Dee,
Oh, there's a bit more EE to come I assure you.

We haven't had lunch at Yak & Yeti QS. Sounds good, but my family has been going to Tamu Tamu- The Restaurant that Guests forgot. Nobody seem to know it is there on the corner of where the path from Asia meets Africa.

Yes, Yak & Yeti QS is very tasty plus it's pretty unique.

Too funny about It's Tough to Be a Bug. It seems innocent enough, but I have never heard more screaming and crying at Disney than at that show. My boys still won't go back from their first time when I failed to warn them about the stinging seats.

HAHAHAHA, the hornets or wasps or bees or whatever they are. I'm probably the only one that leans forward. And then I laugh at everyone.

The Lion King show is just spectacular! The songs are awesome, the performers are beyond talented and the sets and costumes are beautiful!

FOTLK is just amazing!

The picture of the tiger is timeless, so no problem adding that into the report, even if it wasn't exactly taken during this trip.

Haha, actually that tiger photo was taken this trip. It was just the only photo I took. Good thing though or I would have forgotten we did the trek.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

We love Yak and Yeti, have never tried the counter service but do plan on it! The past few trips we decided to book a lunch time ADR to get out of the heat as we usually only book one full day at AK so we need to get out of the heat for awhile

Jacquie, it is REALLY good. And it is so filling. One of the downfalls though is it does only have the outdoor seating.

If I do nothing else at AK, I must do FOTLK, hands down, best show ever! I have the CD in my car and I blast it everytime I'm in there, makes Shanleigh so happy I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will still be there when we go in December as there has been rumours it could be going

I couldn't agree more about FOTLK. 2011 was the first time I went to see it. I just didn't know what I was missing. That will never happen again! That's funny about the CD. It's a good thing you two are so close.

Good news.. I don't think it's going. They're building a new show building in Africa soon so that they can slide it over without shutting it down. It may be down for a short period, like maybe a week. At least, this is what I'm hearing. They'd be nuts to take it away completely. It really belongs in Africa anyway.

Great pics from EE!

Thanks. There's still a few more to come.

I love Tough to be a Bug too!! )) It is kind of fun to hear everyone screaming though...

OMG, I just find it too entertaining!

Can you believe I have never rode the Yeti!!! I was pregnant twice when we went and this last time, no one else wanted to ride ;(

OK, you NEED to ride Everest! Hey if no one wants to ride with you, hit up the single rider and beat the wait.

Great update! Love the pics!

Oh yay. Thanks so much for stopping in and taking a moment to say Hi! That just means a ton to me.

 

[emmysmommy]

I suspect that you know where the cameras are located for EE!! (That or you have such strange hand gestures on the ride! ) LOVE that ride and I completely agree - Disney does a great job!! Great photos from the peak!

I had forgotten about the oil rig platform being used for IT2BaB. And yes, pure, evil, joy for the reactions... mwah ha ha!! I don't mind being stung or poked but please don't squirt me!

FOTLK - pure entertainment! I love the acrobat dudes and the singing and the costumes.... yeah, pretty much everything.

Hurry back ya hear! I'm loving your updates.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I suspect that you know where the cameras are located for EE!! (That or you have such strange hand gestures on the ride! ) LOVE that ride and I completely agree - Disney does a great job!! Great photos from the peak!

I had forgotten about the oil rig platform being used for IT2BaB. And yes, pure, evil, joy for the reactions... mwah ha ha!! I don't mind being stung or poked but please don't squirt me!

FOTLK - pure entertainment! I love the acrobat dudes and the singing and the costumes.... yeah, pretty much everything.

Hurry back ya hear! I'm loving your updates.

Haha, yes, I think I know the camera location of all the rides. Despite that, I still always look like a doof on Space Mountain since the photo happens before you even really start and for some reason I always forget.

Bahaha, don't squirt me. It could be worse. At the 3d show at Busch Gardens (It was Sesame Street I think last time I was there), you really needed a poncho. And I'm not kidding.

FOTLK, yup agreed. EVERYTHING!

Aww thanks Brenda. I appreciate that so much. I love hearing that people enjoy them. It makes me glad that I decided to do a TR.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

ANIMALS, EXPEDITIONS, AND A FIREWORKS FINALE!
Day 3 – October 10, 2012 Part 4​

​

Hello again everyone. We are still at Animal Kingdom.

Our latest expedition complete, we grabbed yet another set of fast passes, and made the long trek back to Africa for one last afternoon safari.
I recommend an early and late safari since they’re usually so different.
Of course, even back to back safaris can be very different.

Well, at least the Lion was in view even though he was sleeping. He is a male after all.

It’s so funny how the anticipation builds as you approach Pride Rock. Will I get to see the lions?
For a lot of people, success or failure on the safari is completely dependent on seeing the lion(s).
Personally, I get more exited for the giraffes, but maybe that’s just me. I just love them.

Besides, I don’t really get too worked up with seeing the lions or not anymore since I got a great photo op with one in 2011 at Busch Gardens.

I just don’t think I’ll top that.

It was then BACK to Asia to hit the mountain one last time before finally departing.

We then reluctantly headed towards the exit because we had some important plans for the evening.

On the way, we passed this (fairly hidden) meet and greet with Pooh and Friends.
One of Katie’s priorities was a photo with Eeyore in which she held a photo of her sister since Eeyore is her sister’s favorite.

If you look closely, you can see the photo on her phone, though this picture is probably too small to see clearly.
Incidentally, her sister was dressed for Halloween which is why the photo may look a little strange.

I hadn’t mentioned it before, but I LOVE Tigger.
Not only is he AWESOME, but he’s given me some of the best interactions in the past.
It’s so strange that I didn’t jump in for a photo here.
I must have just been focused on getting K8 her pics.

Here he actually challenged me to a push up contest in the middle of DHS.

Best buds! Yes, I was wearing the same shirt as at AK. I love old school merch.

He wouldn’t let me leave until we did “tha gangsta pose”.

Anyway, our mission accomplished, along with some Pooh, Tigger, and Eeyore love, we were ready to head out for our evening destination of night time Magic Kingdom entertainment.

…But not before correcting yet another almost oops moment exactly like the day before.

Memories preserved once again!


TO BE CONTINUED…​

 

[Queenofallthings]

You definitely win the lion pose hands down That's a great pic!

I do love the push up one with Tigger tho! That's hilarious!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

You definitely win the lion pose hands down That's a great pic!

I do love the push up one with Tigger tho! That's hilarious!

Hahaha, thanks. I was pretty cool to be that close to a lion(ess).

Oh Tigger... such a scamp. I let him win though. I was on vacation... I wasn't doing a whole lot of push ups on vacation. I loved it though. Such a great memory. He really impressed me too. He would have been pretty hot.

 

[SimplyGoofy]

What a fantastic picture with the lion!

I love that you rode Everest so many times - a man of my own heart. Your pictures from the top of the mountain are great! Isn't the view awesome?!

Kate's pictures with Pooh and friends are so fun! I'm a big Eeyore fan, too!

 

[khertz]

That is a pretty amazing pic with the lion from Busch Gardens. Yep, I don't know that you or anyone could top that!

Love the one of you doing push ups with Tigger. How awesome is that?!

I lost count of how many times you went on Everest, but I will just say, AMAZING! I love thrill rides and I don't think I could go on EE that many times in one day! Very impressive!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

What a fantastic picture with the lion!

I love that you rode Everest so many times - a man of my own heart. Your pictures from the top of the mountain are great! Isn't the view awesome?!

Kate's pictures with Pooh and friends are so fun! I'm a big Eeyore fan, too!

Thanks Jenny. That photo was definitely unexpected, but I loved it.

Oh my Everest. I could ride it all day. So much fun. And yes, I absolutely LOVE the view up there. I have to wait for the front next time.
This was actually the first time I had hauled out the camera on Everest. Disney's so great like that.
I know you're just currently updating at IOA. Universal doesn't seem to like people taking pics of anything, particularly on rides. They're def not Disney.

Haha, I love Eeyore too. He just always seems so sad, you just want to cheer him up.

That is a pretty amazing pic with the lion from Busch Gardens. Yep, I don't know that you or anyone could top that!

Love the one of you doing push ups with Tigger. How awesome is that?!

I lost count of how many times you went on Everest, but I will just say, AMAZING! I love thrill rides and I don't think I could go on EE that many times in one day! Very impressive!

Thanks so much. I was quite happy about it.

Oh my Tigger. So much . He just never disappoints me.

Haha thanks. I think it was actually only 4 times. Believe me, if I had gone there first in the morning, that total would be MUCH higher.

 

[teekathepony]

Cool view of the lion! I have to admit I fall into the lion anticipation trap every time I ride the safari. Last year I got pretty lucky and saw him up and roaring, I guess I'm satisfied! Now on to hoping for another hard to see animal maybe.
Also... awesome pic of you with the lioness at Busch Gardens!
The character pics are awesome, all of them but especially the ones with Tigger. He's pretty cool that's for sure.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Cool view of the lion! I have to admit I fall into the lion anticipation trap every time I ride the safari. Last year I got pretty lucky and saw him up and roaring, I guess I'm satisfied! Now on to hoping for another hard to see animal maybe.
Also... awesome pic of you with the lioness at Busch Gardens!

The character pics are awesome, all of them but especially the ones with Tigger. He's pretty cool that's for sure.

Haha, I think everyone anticipates that lion shot. Wow, you saw him up and roaring. That would be seriously cool.

Tigger is just so great every time I meet him. Tigger's are wonderful things after all.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

ANIMALS, EXPEDITIONS, AND A FIREWORKS FINALE!
Day 3 – October 10, 2012 Part 5​

​

We sadly said goodbye to Everest and left Animal Kingdom, making our way to my favorite park of all, Magic Kingdom.

Oh who am I kidding… it’s my favorite place on Earth and any other planet as well.

There’s often a lot of discussion or debate on the subject of “Disney World” vs “Disneyland”, or more appropriately, Magic Kingdom Park vs Disneyland Park.
The only argument I won’t accept is the one that states that Disneyland is better simply because it was Walt’s park; it’s the only one he actually walked in, etc.
You will never convince me that Magic Kingdom isn’t Walt’s park too.
He may never have walked in it, but his presence is all over it.
It was and is his vision.

Because it was party season in the Kingdom, the MSEP and Wishes were only held on select nights.
So, the goal tonight was just that; MSEP and Wishes.

Amazingly (sadly… disturbingly), it was our 3rd day in Florida before FINALLY driving under this beauty.

It’s so amazing and wonderful how Disney magically pipes in that Angel harp music just as you drive under it too.

“Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww”

Or maybe it’s just in my head. Nah, I'm sure others hear it too.

You simply pass underneath this magical archway and “real life” is trapped in the force field that I’m convinced exits in between Mickey and Minnie.

You can pick that up when you leave.

Besides that, I’m a Disney shareholder.
Granted, I only have one share, but I do have a real Disney stock certificate and I do get genuine dividend cheques, though they are pretty small amounts.

My first was 30 cents.

I still framed it.

It is one of my most prized possessions.

Plus, I figure I can write off my Disney trips as business trips.
I have to keep an eye on my investment after all.

I’m not just a guest… I’m an owner.

You know the "d" at the end of the “Walt Disney World” sign when you drive in that I pictured above?
Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine.

We arrived at the TTC and I prepared myself for what is probably my most precious and thoroughly ingrained memory as a child.

“Please Stand Clear of The Doors. Por Favor Manténgase Alejado de las Puertas”.

I cannot hear it and not get chills.
I cannot think it and not get chills.
Apparently, I cannot write it and not get chills.

When I was a kid I fancied myself bi-lingual simply because I knew this one phrase of Spanish.
What do ya want…Kids are stupid.

But how did, what is essentially nothing more than a polite safety warning, become such a powerful, deep-seeded experience for so many people?

I don’t know… But it is. It just is.

The truly amazing thing about it is that for years I thought it was just me.
Then I came to the DIS and realized virtually everybody feels that way.

We’re all insane… and I love it.

I also want to mention that I do NOT like the new monorail voice guy.

As a shareholder, I should have been consulted!!
VITO!!!!!

Next order of business… Bring back the Orange Bird!

You’re welcome!

We arrived at the Magic Kingdom after entertaining Katie by showing off my Spanish speaking skills with OLD monorail voice guy in every instance it was played (and often when it wasn’t), and continued to do so periodically throughout the night.

As previously mentioned, it was party season in the Kingdom.

I had done the Christmas Party back in 2009 and loved it so I was REALLY looking forward to MNSSHP the following week which many say is even better.

It was one of the major reasons for this trip.

Tonight, however, was all about the regular everyday Magic Kingdom (like that could ever be anything other than amazing), albeit with a few extra garnishes.

I took the following photo on my phone and uploaded to Facebook immediately (Thank you again Disney Wi-Fi) with the simple caption…

“Happiness…”

And happy I was.

I was finally officially home.


TO BE CONTINUED…​

 

[katt789]

MAAAGGGIIIC KINGDOMMMMM!!

I have to say, I am a HUGE lover of all things Walt, and I adore and love that he was able to create so much and had so much brilliance in that head of his, and I know most people would think that would make me like DLR more than WDW, BUT, Walt himself said that he didn't like what Anaheim had done to DLR, he didn't like all the cheap motels and signage and all the "junk" that came all around! That's why he bought so much land in Florida, so that they could actually control everything that was going on. And his hopes and dreams for Epcot, ack! Amazing! I will still walk all through WDW and think it's Walt's place, his park, and his dream, and it's so amazing!

Anyways...

I deeply disagree with the new monorail guy, and yes, new people to Disney think that I'm so weird about the monorail speech, but hey, it's awesome!

 

[SimplyGoofy]

This picture is GREAT!

As for driving under the fantastic Disney sign, I totally hear the angel harp music, too! (You're telling me that other people don't?!)

 

[Queenofallthings]

Another great update! I have to agree with others, been to both parties and we prefer MNSSHP! You know how you think you own the "D" in the sign, Shan and I think the party is for us because that's when our birthday's are I can justify anything my friend, ever need help with that, I am here!

New voice on the monorail....WHAT????

 

[Marsheliz]

I can totally relate about the angels singing when you go under that fantastic arch and reality just dissappears and you just let your cares melt away AHH... I want to go to that place....

And the fall decorations are awesome too!