A Tale of [family madness in] Two Cities - Final Thoughts & PTR Link!

[brookelizabeth]

We left off leaving the crazy crowds at AK and heading back for a lazy afternoon around Kidani Village. Henry got the cue on the bus ride back and was already napping.

Of course on the way back to the room I get caught up by the beautiful sights on the Savannah...as I did every time I walked past the windows!

Detail on a rocking chair around the fire pit

Looking over to Jambo House

Of course my, "I'm just going to grab a few pictures and I'll be back to the room" comment to the family turned into a mini-photography adventure. Along with the savannah, there are so many details to be found...I loose track of time!

This lobby is lovely. Quaint, quiet and cozy. So warm and welcoming!

After my lobby exploring I almost made it back to the room, but was once again stopped in my track at the windows leading down the hallway.

I eventually did make it back to the room - where if memory serves me correctly the boys grilled out while the gals stayed back at the room and waited for the food! I like that.

The grills were not close to our room....they are quite the hike down by the sports court/entrance to the villa.

Around 6:00, after dinner was eaten in the Villa, we decided to brave it back to AK. The park was open late that night, until 11:00 I believe.

Joe, KK and I had a goal: Ride EE. During the day we had navigated over there but the wait time was 100 minutes and we didn't want to make Henry, Poppa and Grammy wait on us, so we skipped it.

It was still chilly out and we had woken Henry up from his marathon nap - hence his blanket coming along. He was still a bit groggy!

But soon woke up!

When we arrived we knew the EE FPs would be long-gone, so instead of darting over there we decided to catch the last showing of the Festival of the Lion King first - something for everyone to enjoy. The crowds were much, much lower, to the point where it seemed empty in the Oasis!!

The show was scheduled to start just about 15 minutes after the bus arrived. It was just a remote hope that we would get it - remember the line at Nemo? Would it be the same at FOTLK? Was there ANY hope of getting in?

We approached the area and saw this:

Oh! So that is where the crowds are!


Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

But we didn't let that sight deter us...we got in line.

They spotted Poppa's wheelchair and we were brought behind a rope to a different line where we were about the 5th group.

Everyone in the wheelchairs were brought in first and we were told where to sit. Then the let the mobs in!

While we waited for the crowds to settle in.

It was a good long while for that theater to fill up. The CM that was directing people where to sit was standing right next to our row and despite him practically shouting at people on where to sit, MANY ignored him completely. I commented to him about how frustrating that might be, and while he kept on his "Disney face" with a smile, he readily agreed!

Eventually the show started - but they continued to let people in for standing room. That was a bit annoying to us because they walked through our direct line of vision and would often get confused on where the CM told them to sit so they would stop right in front of us...BUT, aside from that, awesome show, as always!!

Henry has never seen the Lion King, but nevertheless loved how Timon came right up to us!

Best part of the show! These guys never fail to impress...and make me gasp in fear when they fly through the air!

Not only does he wear stilts, but he dances on them.

Another incredibly impressive part of the show. But I promise you, this girl does NOT get paid enough to do what she does!

Someday Henry will be up there, marching along!

Everyone loved it and couldn't decide which show they liked better, Lion King or Nemo. They are both so different and so well done, I was very glad we were able to get both in that day!

Lion King Video:

• Show intro/section assignments (2.5 minutes)
  
• In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight! (3 minutes)
• Be prepared! (2.5 minutes)

After the show let out we immersed into the park and saw this:

Yep that's right. We saw NOTHING. Remember those crowds?! Ahhhh, it felt great to just mosey through the park. We headed straight for EE and soon realized that is where everyone was. While there were crowds over there, it still wasn't nearly as much as earlier in the day. I cannot recall what the wait time for EE was but KK, Joe and I hopped into line while Henry, Poppa and Grammy wandered a bit.

They had the line winding around outside of the actual queue, which was very weird, but I guess that is due to the higher crowds earlier in the day. The line moved very quickly and I remember us commenting about how it wasn't as long as the wait time said, which seemed to be a theme for the week.

I've ridden EE once at night before and screamed the entire way - that ride is INTENSE at night! Joe wasn't able to ride with me during my first experience of EE at night, but he was this time and enjoyed every moment of my screaming my head off, he just laughed and laughed. We all loved it, as we knew we would! KK was very impressed with that ride, the backwards moment took her by surprise. Unfortunately we didn't get to see the big yeti, that is always the best part when you get him...it's so unexpected!

We emerged with giant smiles on our faces, met up with Grammy, Poppa and Henry and slowly made our way out of the park. They had wandered through Dinoland, done some shopping,

and just sorta hung out and enjoyed the park.

I just wish they had gotten to see more in the daytime, I can tell by Poppa's pictures he really enjoyed the scenery of what he was able to see.

On our way back to Kidani Joe, KK and I decided that we would hit up MK again tonight after putting Henry to bed. After all I still hadn't had my Corn Dog Nuggets yet...

 

[brookelizabeth]

I just have to share...

I recently picked up Henry some new summer jammies - and while I wasn't willing to pay $12 for a double set of jammies due to being a cheapskate, I WAS will to fork over $10 for a Buzz Lightyear set.

It came with matching green shorts, not the blue as seen in the picture.

I had just pushed his wings button - and he was shouting, "Buzz Lightyear to the rescue!"

We all loved Toy Story 3, Henry got all nervous during the intense parts to the point where he jumped into my lap. He truly thought Buzz and Woody were doomed. Meanwhile I was a basket case...I didn't realize tissues were needed!

If you haven't seen it, GO. You'll love it!

 

[TyRy]

Wow - did that park empty out! Sounds like a late night in the MK coming up - something I've always wanted to do, but haven't really had the chance. Although we've stayed still about midnight, I want to go one night when it's open really really late!

Thanks for the advice about the wheelchair/scooter. We'll have a car, so we could break the scooter down. I'm just not sure about all the pushing of the chair we'd have to do. May have to talk to DH about that and see if it's even an option. Although, if my dad wanted to walk a while, he could just get out of the chair and push it. Maybe it is a better idea.

 

[Flossbolna]

AK at night - such a rare sight! This is one of the advantages of crowded season - during low season you have to make it to EEMH otherwise AK closes before sunset...

The PJ is very cute! Is Henry going for a trendy hairstyle or did you just not have time to take him to get a hair cut? Which reminds me: I really like your current haircut. The short hair looks very elegant!

Also thanks for the Kidani pictures. Once again, they show how much talent you have in taking wonderful pictures!

 

[jenjolt]

Once again I love the pictures of AKL...such a gorgeous place!!

Henry looks so cute in his Buzz Lightyear pjs and he is growing up so fast Brook!!!!! He is becoming a little man!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Animal Kingdom looks so cool at night!! Fun!!

I love Henry's pjs. I can't believe how BIG he's getting. Wow. Tell him to slow down.

 

[PopArtGal]

I always skipped Nemo for FOTLK before March. I won't now. I'll do both!

 

[PopArtGal]

You didn't answer my question though. Can I still call him Dut Dut?

 

[PopArtGal]

Timon's my guy! Happy that Henry enjoyed him

 

[luvfigment]

Great update. I don't know if I already said it but I am enjoying all the pictures of Kidani. We are hoping to stay there next year in a 2 BR Villa. How did the 2 BR Vila work out for you?

EE sounds like fun at night and will have to try it sometime. Looking forward to seeing how the night at MK was and if you ended up with your corn dog nuggets.

 

[praisehisname]

Absolutely gorgeous pics from around the resort!

That's so awesome that you were able to see FOTLK and ride EE in the dark! It's amazing how much the park emptied out.

I really hope you get your corn dog nuggets!

 

[A.Mickey]

Glad crowds were a tad lighter for you guys!!

Will you get corn dog nuggets this trip! You have to!!!


Wasn't TS3 the best! I loved it! I also am a fellow basketcase.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh, I love your little photo tour of Kidani especially the rocking chair detail shot!

Glad the crowds were much more manageable at Animal Kingdom when you returned! We have never ridden Everest at night -- I can only imagine how intense that must be!

Henry's new Buzz pajamas are very cute!

 

[ptcrn]

I'm glad your family got to see a couple of good shows at AK, at least! I loved watching your FOTLK videos, it's almost as good as actually being there! Can you believe I've never done EE? I've either been pregnant, or alone with David every time. I'm hoping to be able to go in September.

Love the Buzz pajamas! We are very into Buzz at our house right now too. I hear a lot of "to infinity and beyond!" as well as "don't touch my Buzz Lightyear buttons" It's so funny what they get obsessed with!

We loved TS3 too, I think David spent half of it in my lap though. I didn't expect it to be quite as scary as it was. I forgot tissues- boy was that a mistake!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

You take really nice photos Brook. AKL has never really appealed to me until lately when I am seeing some of the most gorgeous photos on the TRs I am reading. I'm glad the park cleared out some and you were able to get two of the most wonderful things about Animal Kingdom done. What a great evening!

 

[of the seas]

So has Buzz and Toy Story 3 taken the top spot over Lightening McQueen and Cars for Henry?

Also, do you guys plan on getting his hair cut again at Disney?

 

[mickeysmyboy]

I'm still so bummed that we didn't get to ride EE in January!! No fair! I love the pictures of you guys all bundled up! You look like we did in January!

All your Kidani pics are fabulous! I LOVE it there so much!!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

So glad the crowds had thinned out by the time you guys got back to AK! I've never ridden EE at night, I bet that is intense!

Cute pic of Henry in his Buzz jammies, he looks so much more grown up than he did in December! It's amazing how quickly they change isn't it?

 

[jenseib]

Ya for EE at night. I hope to be there in the dark sometime. Love the new Jammies
Yes I took Claire and a friend to see TS3. During that intense moment.. I had Claire on one knee and the friend on the other. And when the yall held hand to accept their fate, the tears were streaming down my face. Same with the end. It was a major tear jerker.