A Winter Escape to the Enchanted Forest-Jan'13 TR:**5/21 Parting Thoughts/New PTR!

[jecskc]

De-lurking to say I have been following along. Love your Yeti photo !!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

De-lurking to say I have been following along. Love your Yeti photo !!

Welcome!! And thank you for following!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

All caught up! As usual, reading your report makes me SO ready to go!! Love the AK updates--Flame Tree is my favorite quick service in all of WDW!

Love the story about the wedding, too! That music sounds wonderful!

And reading your PTR makes me want to go again sooner than next January!

The more I think I about it, that wedding is becoming one of my favorite weddings that I've attended. And the more I think about it, the more I'm kicking myself for not bringing the camera.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Time to change out my iPhone cover. My new one came in the mail today!


Untitled by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Saturday, January 26th - 3:30pm

It was about 3:30pm when we left the theater and it was time to find a place to camp out with some snacks along the parade route. I found a nice shaded spot near the bridge that connects Africa to Discovery Island by one of the kiosks selling Disney pins. The kids were getting hungry again especially after watching the family sitting next to us enjoying their popcorn. I ventured off to look for a popcorn stand never bothering to look what was being sold immediately to the left us us. Instead, I walked forward and across the parade route into Tusker House area and found a bakery. As I got in line, DW called me on the cell asking where I was. I told her I was in line at the bakery and she said there was a popcorn stand right next to us! So I backtracked, used our snack credits to get a couple of popcorns for the kids, and cinnamon almonds for the adults. By 4:15pm the parade finally reached to our section of the route and DD was ready for it. DS on the other hand fell asleep after finishing his snacks while sitting on DW’s lap.

The highlights of this parade I think are the animal “floats” and how creatively they are put together. The character interactions are always fun. They also have three families picked out to be the marshals of the parade riding on various floats. The first family was a dad with two kids. The kids were excitedly waving at the crowd but the dad had this expression that said “I really am not enjoying this!” or maybe it was “I’m not feeling so good in the sun and feel like throwing up!”. He had a completely stoic expression staring blankly ahead of him and not a single wave. I have to assume that it was probably that he wasn’t feeling well. Usually when CMs go hunting for the marshals for the parade, I have read and heard that they look for families who appear to be having a whale of a time with lots of smiles. So he must have been excited to be on the parade especially if he agreed to it. Or maybe they were just wearing matching t-shirts? The rest of the parade was very enjoyable. A couple of the supporting CMs walked over to our sleeping DS and playfully asked him to wake up. I think DS briefly opened his eyes, gave the CM an evil eye, then went back to sleep.

Here are the pictures!


IMG_5879 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


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Is that PASCAL??

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Next Up: Tiger Trail

 

[khertz]

Awesome pictures of the parade! Seeing it for the first time this past trip, I really really loved it! It is so creative and the floats are just incredible. You got some really great photos of them too. Plus it's cool getting to see some of the more rare characters like Br'er Rabbit and Br'er Bear.

Too funny about the snacks. I'm a little curious as to how you at least missed the popcorn SMELL from the cart right next to you! I swear they are pumping out the smell from those carts with some kind of enhancing agent because every time I pass one I start drooling!!

 

[afwdwfan]

Nice pictures of the parade. I just wish that you would have included one of the less than impressed dad.

We've still never managed to hang around AK long enough to see it, but it definitely does look like it is one of the better daytime parades in any of the parks.

Too funny about the snacks. I'm a little curious as to how you at least missed the popcorn SMELL from the cart right next to you! I swear they are pumping out the smell from those carts with some kind of enhancing agent because every time I pass one I start drooling!!

Good point!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Awesome pictures of the parade! Seeing it for the first time this past trip, I really really loved it! It is so creative and the floats are just incredible. You got some really great photos of them too. Plus it's cool getting to see some of the more rare characters like Br'er Rabbit and Br'er Bear.

Too funny about the snacks. I'm a little curious as to how you at least missed the popcorn SMELL from the cart right next to you! I swear they are pumping out the smell from those carts with some kind of enhancing agent because every time I pass one I start drooling!!

I was thinking the same thing when I came back to the popcorn stand. Have no idea how I missed the sight and smell of it!

Nice pictures of the parade. I just wish that you would have included one of the less than impressed dad.

We've still never managed to hang around AK long enough to see it, but it definitely does look like it is one of the better daytime parades in any of the parks.

Good point!

I was hoping I had taken a snapshot of the guy's float from at least faraway but couldn't find it. I usually don't take close up shots of other visitors and families without their permission and given his expression I was afraid he would either yell at me or throw up on me if I had asked.

The AK parade along with Celebrate a Dream Come True are our two favorite parades. Less focus on the characters and more on the floats and parade CMs. We love it.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

IMG_7409 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

I caught this view on my way back to rejoin my family in Fantasyland after making a FastPass run to BTMRR. I think it was around 9:30am. It was the first time I saw Rapunzel's tower across the river. Sort of has a surreal feel seeing her tower in the same shot as the Haunted Mansion and the Liberty Belle.

 

[jecskc]

That photo is amazing !!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

That photo is amazing !!

Thank you! One of those pictures that makes me miss Disney and Magic Kingdom.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

DW wasn't feeling to well this morning so I took the kids over to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in DC which has become a kids' favorite. The museums are so empty during the winter months and with plenty of free street parking behind the museum I try to take the kids to the museums as much as I can during these slow months. We toured the usual favorite sections of the dinosaurs and fossils followed by the gem and minerals. The minerals exhibit has a section where they re-created a mining cave with exhibits inside of it. The kids love walking through it pretending that they are exploring a cave. Today, the kids also requested to visit the butterfly pavilion so we tried that one probably for the first time in about a year. The kids loved it at first but the humidity eventually started bothering them. Briefly visited the insect exhibit afterwards and the kids had a good time playing inside the termite mound. Grabbed some lunch in the cafeteria and then drove back home.


IMG_7789 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


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[StitchIsOurHero]

All caught up!! Love the updates!! The picture of Rapunzel's tower is amazing!!! Can't wait to see it in 18 days!!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

All caught up!! Love the updates!! The picture of Rapunzel's tower is amazing!!! Can't wait to see it in 18 days!!

So excited for you and your upcoming trip!

The Rapunzel Restrooms might be open by the time you're there! I'm still in disbelief that they're putting so much work and theming into a restroom and stroller parking area. Poor Rapunzel. Ariel and Snow White gets a new ride. Belle gets a new restaurant and a library. Rapunzel gets a bathrooms and diaper changing stations.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Saturday January 26th - 4:20pm

Once the parade was over, we put sleeping DS into the stroller and asked DD if she wanted to go on the safari ride again. To my surprise she said no. I think the thought of tempting fate with that old creaky bridge didn’t sound too enticing to her. We still had some time before our FP window for EE opened up. So we walked over to Asia. DD and DFIL watched the Indian dancing at the entrance to Asia. Talk about high calorie aerobics for those dancers although it appeared that they switch out the CMs fairly often.

We entered the Maharajah Jungle Trek. DD jumped at the opportunity to grab a trail guide and was excitedly mapping out our course and telling us which animal we would be seeing next based on the map. She really enjoyed playing the tour guide. She got an up-front look at the Komodo dragon. There were the bats which always seem to be hanging upside down on the same spot each time we visit. Sort of freakishly big if you ask me. Didn't get to see the tigers that much. There was one roaming in front of the viewing windows. I was more impressed with the theming of the whole trail. The ruined temples reminded me of parts of Jungle Cruise.


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DS was still sound asleep during the whole trek. We also found a set of pail and shovel that lost its way all the way from the Boneyard sitting in the middle of a viewing area which I found amusing. Probably a child had taken the toys from the Boneyard and the parents found out about it too late until they were all the way over in Asia and decided to leave it there for a CM to find.


IMG_5949 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

After we were done, we made our way towards EE when we spotted this guy (or gal) making a rope crossing.


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So we stopped to watch for a couple of minutes. Reminded me of a similar set up they have here at the National Zoo in DC where the Orangutans move across a segment of the zoo high above with crossing ropes and wires.

I should tell you at this point that DD had been asking for her "souvenir for the day" pretty much every 15 minutes since morning when we first got off the Safari ride and she spotted a kiosk with a stuffed animal for baby Simba wrapped in a leaf blanket. DS then decided he wanted a baby zebra although I did not see one hanging on the kiosk. I had been telling them that we would get them near the end of the day. Since it was about 5:20pm, and we were headed to our last stop I figured this would be a good time to get the kids their toys.


IMG_5958 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

So I stopped at a kiosk halfway to EE, and sent DW and DFIL ahead to go on EE using the FPs. DD finally got to wrap her arms around baby Simba. I was actually able to find a small zebra stuffed animal as well and DD placed it gently next to DS who was still sleeping in his stroller. That boy can sleep through anything! I struck up a brief conversation with the CM at the kiosk as I saw her university listed in her name tag and asked if she was part of the college program at Disney to which she said yes. Today was her first day on her own after having completed her training. I had already noted a lot of trainee CMs during the first two days at Disney this trip with their small redtags underneath the name badge indicating their trainnee status.

The kids and I walked up to the exit area for EE where a couple of minutes later, DW and DFIL came out.


IMG_5959 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

DW exaggerated her state of equilibrium by laughing and pretending to stumble out. DW had to sit down with the kids because she was indeed feeling a bit dizzy. DFIL and myself went in the FP lane one last time and I was ready this time to try to snap as many pictures as I could with my camera after setting the shutter speed very fast. Here’s what I got including the lucky yeti shot I shared with you on an earlier post.


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When we walked out and met back up with DW and the kids, I could tell that she was not feeling well. DW gets motion sickness pretty easily and in general does not do well with rides that involve a lot of spinning which is why she usually skips out on the tea cups or RnRC. She was now dealing with a massive headache. I had packed some ibuprofen in my backpack so I gave her some to help her feel better in time for the upcoming dinner. We walked out of the park and to our minivan so that we could drive over to Animal Kingdom Lodge for our dinner. I dropped off everyone at the hotel entrance and found a spot in the parking lot. When I got to the lobby, both kids were wrestling with grandpa on one of the couches and DW sort of slumped over waiting for her ibuprofen to kick in. Our ADR was for 7pm and it was only 6:15pm. I had intended to give us some time to tour AKL but clearly we weren’t in shape for it. So I walked downstairs to Boma and asked the CM at the check in desk to see if we could get seated a little earlier. He gave me a pager and said that we should be able to be seated in about 20 minutes. I walked back upstairs to let my family know but as soon as I got there the pager went off! So we all moved back downstairs and got seated at our table.


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Boma was my and DFIL’s favorite restaurant from our previous visit and it didn’t disappoint this time either. I went for three plates of entrees again! The kids got their chicken and mac/cheese and were perfectly happy with it. Our server was helpful. Poor DD accidently knocked over her cup of milk on the floor but fortunately there was a cap on it so the amount of spillage was only about a third of the cup. Another CM came by and saw what happened and helped clean up the spill. My favorite dishes for this evening were Matar Paneer and the Bobotie. Favorite dessert was the eggnog cheesecake – awesome! No pictures of food during this trip. I was just too busy eating.

After the meal was over, we picked ourselves up and headed back to our hotel room. When we walked in the room, we were greeted by a couple of towel animals that the housekeeping CM had prepared for us. Also found a note from her thanking us for the tip. Everyone pretty much crashed after giving the kids’ their baths. Lights were out by 9:30pm for everyone!

Next Up: Rope Drop at DHS

 

[khertz]

IMG_7409 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

I caught this view on my way back to rejoin my family in Fantasyland after making a FastPass run to BTMRR. I think it was around 9:30am. It was the first time I saw Rapunzel's tower across the river. Sort of has a surreal feel seeing her tower in the same shot as the Haunted Mansion and the Liberty Belle.

Stunning photo!

Loved the little side trip photos from the Natural History Museum. DH and I went to D.C. a couple of years ago when I was pregnant, and that was one of our favorite museums. We actually went twice! DH dissolved into his 5 year old self when he found out there were dinosaur skeletons there.

And more great AK pictures in your trip update. You got some really great shots on EE. I showed DH your Yeti picture, and he said he would love to take photos on there but he is always too afraid to have the camera out. Maybe he will see it's possible and give it a try next trip!

Stinks about DW's motion sickness. I have struggled with that in the past too. What works for me is taking the Less Drowsy Dramamine at night so I can sleep off the drowsy effect (it's still there, just less than regular Dramamine) and it lasts 24 hours so I'm good all the next day. My problem is more nausea though than headaches. And I carry ginger pills for any breakthrough nausea. Hopefully she can find a solution that works for her, because it is really the pits!

 

[afwdwfan]

DW wasn't feeling to well this morning so I took the kids over to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in DC which has become a kids' favorite. The museums are so empty during the winter months and with plenty of free street parking behind the museum I try to take the kids to the museums as much as I can during these slow months.

I love the Smithsonian! That's great that you have the opportunity to do that. Sounds like a fun and inexpensive way to spend the day with the free parking on the street.

DD jumped at the opportunity to grab a trail guide and was excitedly mapping out our course and telling us which animal we would be seeing next based on the map. She really enjoyed playing the tour guide.

Fun and educational! Just like the Smithsonian...

DD finally got to wrap her arms around baby Simba. I was actually able to find a small zebra stuffed animal as well and DD placed it gently next to DS who was still sleeping in his stroller. That boy can sleep through anything!

I'm glad that you finally found him a zebra. I just hope that is still what he wanted when he woke up!

DFIL and myself went in the FP lane one last time and I was ready this time to try to snap as many pictures as I could with my camera after setting the shutter speed very fast. Here’s what I got including the lucky yeti shot I shared with you on an earlier post.

Awesome shots!


Looks like a nice meal at Boma. Hopefully your DW wasn't feeling too miserable to enjoy the evening.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Stunning photo!

Loved the little side trip photos from the Natural History Museum. DH and I went to D.C. a couple of years ago when I was pregnant, and that was one of our favorite museums. We actually went twice! DH dissolved into his 5 year old self when he found out there were dinosaur skeletons there.

And more great AK pictures in your trip update. You got some really great shots on EE. I showed DH your Yeti picture, and he said he would love to take photos on there but he is always too afraid to have the camera out. Maybe he will see it's possible and give it a try next trip!

Stinks about DW's motion sickness. I have struggled with that in the past too. What works for me is taking the Less Drowsy Dramamine at night so I can sleep off the drowsy effect (it's still there, just less than regular Dramamine) and it lasts 24 hours so I'm good all the next day. My problem is more nausea though than headaches. And I carry ginger pills for any breakthrough nausea. Hopefully she can find a solution that works for her, because it is really the pits!

I was a little worried at first holding out my camera during EE especially since I had just upgraded my lens to a nice and pricey one. So had a death grip on it during the whole ride.

She usually tries to take Dramamine when she can anticipate some activity giving her trouble. She used to take those when we were younger and used to visit Cedar Point in Ohio since she knew that the whole day was going to be filled with spinning type rides. I think she was caught a little off guard with EE. Will have to have her try the ginger pills next time!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I love the Smithsonian! That's great that you have the opportunity to do that. Sounds like a fun and inexpensive way to spend the day with the free parking on the street.


Fun and educational! Just like the Smithsonian...


I'm glad that you finally found him a zebra. I just hope that is still what he wanted when he woke up!


Awesome shots!


Looks like a nice meal at Boma. Hopefully your DW wasn't feeling too miserable to enjoy the evening.

Forgot to mention in the update - DW recovered quite nicely by the time we were being seated and the ibuprofen had kicked in. She had a great meal as well.

Thankfully, after DS woke up he was very happy with the zebra purchase!

 

[arbolita]

You got some amazing detail shots in Animal Kingdom! Boma is high on my list of restaurants we want to try - hopefully on the next trip.