Adopted ducks + Wild Africa Trek + seriously great food= an AWESOME trip! The end p10

[407-W-DISNEY]

HI April,
how are things? your fans are anxiously awaiting an update

hope all is well......

 

[aprilisis]

You guys did have a fun day!! I'm so glad your friend joined you for few days.
I don't know what most of that food is, either!! LOL
I've never been up to the observation deck - I didn't know what I was missing! The views are unbelievable and especially at Sunset!
All your pics are fantastic - as always!!

Thanks! The observation deck at CG is really cool. It gets pretty windy out there, though. They encourage people to go out during the fireworks, too. You definitely have to try CG at least once- or even just go up for a drink some night if you don't want to eat there.

First off, gorrrrrrgeous pictures! Love them all especially the ones of the sunset. Did you happen to notice that you took two hidden Mickey pictures? The first one is on the wall with the tiger painting on it. The other one is in the mural with the guy on it. His earring is a hidden Mickey.

Oh I almost forgot something. Are the grilled tomatoes sliced and the grilled or do they do them like roasted red peppers and grill them whole? I love tomatoes and may have to try grilling some.

Thank you! I didn't even notice the hidden Mickey's- but I do remember some of your close-up photos of the hidden Mickey's on the mural. It's funny- normally I'm looking for them all over, but I think my brain was melted from the heat that day!
The tomatoes are Roma tomatoes just sliced in half & they had grill marks on them, so they must have been right on the grill. I just got a charcoal grill this weekend & cooked on a grill for the first time last night! I grilled corn on the cob, veggie kebabs, & a burger for John. It turned out pretty good.

I don't know HOW I got that many updates behind.

First, let me just say that my next TR will be words only. You put us mere mortals to shame with our pictures after looking at yours! They are beautiful, spectacular, awesome, etc., etc., etc.

I love the fireworks pictures from the beach at the Poly.

I love Boma too -- I could drink a gallon of their juice.

Amazing--we've not been to Universal since 2004 and I cannot believe how much it has changed just from looking at your photos.

Thank you SO much!
OMG- I think I DO drink a gallon of that juice while at Boma!
Universal has gone through quite a few changes since then. I think they are in for more, too. I heard they are changing Jimmy Neutron to something else and that Terminator show needs to change to something new.

Just found you and joining in! I'll go back and read some later tonight...I hope you had a great time...can't wait to read about WAF!

Hi! I keep losing your TR. I don't know how the heck I'm not subscribed. I'm glad you posted so I can go & get caught up!

 

[aprilisis]

HI April,
how are things? your fans are anxiously awaiting an update

hope all is well......

I'm back! Work issues...ugh. All I have to say is that sometimes men are nuts.

 

[aprilisis]

The next morning, we slept a little late & I went over to the main pool. I just hung out in the pool for a while, then my friend arrived & convinced me to go to the quiet pool. The main pool was really crowded, but the quiet pool was nice. I swam for a little while, then back to the room. We decided to go to DtD. Both starving, we settled for RFC. The food was ok, but the service was sloooooooooow. It was getting very, very hot- there wasn't any breeze & there were no clouds in the sky, so I knew we wouldn't last long. We shopped in World of Disney, then continued on to Characters in Flight. It was operating! You can see everything from up there! I finally saw the reason it smelled like fire everywhere- there was a brush fire burning right near the Poly!

I know it looks like I took the same photo 10 times, but I was kind of frozen for a minute when we first went up because I felt unsteady on my feet. I didn't dare walk around, either! Maybe in November I'll go & take photos from the other side. The actual time "in the air" is less than 10 minutes. The view is fantastic & I think everyone should do this at least once- just to get a good look at the whole area from above. After we were back on the ground, we stopped for a water & noticed that the next group of people weren't lucky enough to have as smooth a trip as we did. The wind had suddenly picked up and the ride after ours was the last of the afternoon.

After CiF, we went back to the Poly to cool off & pack a little. As soon as the sun started to set, we took the boat from the TTC to MK.

Continued in next post...

 

[aprilisis]

We were both starving, so we wandered in search of food options. We went to Pecos Bill's & the food was pretty good- thanks to the 10-kajillion toppings I added to my veggie burger!!! I made a mess with that thing, but it was SOOOO good! I wish I took a photo of it. We went right to Pirates after that, then to Big Thunder Mountain, then to Haunted Mansion. I should have brought an additional lens to be able to take photos in the dark rides, but I didn't feel like carrying it. I didn't get too many ride photos.

Continued in next post....

 

[aprilisis]

I just realized I'm only 2 posts away from the end.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Oh my word! I can't believe you did Characters in Flight! I want to do it but am too afraid because of my fear of heights. You know me....I'm a fraidy cat. But, the view looks amazing!

I am betting your veggie burger from Pecos Bill's looked a bit like John's condiment salad.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Yay for being able to do Characters in Flight! I loved it when I did it last November. It took me 2 trips to DTD before it was open, and I'm so glad I did it. Not sure if I would do it again, but I might on my next trip. I was pretty scared going up, but once we got all the way up I walked around and got some good pictures of all angles. It is amazing how far you can see from up there.

 

[Chaitali]

I was just thinking yesterday that I've written about half of my trip already and there isn't too much more to go It has been fun re-living it and sharing through the trip report.

That's awesome that you were able to go on Characters in Flight! The view (and your photos) look amazing. I'm hoping to be able to try it next time if its operating.

 

[aprilisis]

Oh my word! I can't believe you did Characters in Flight! I want to do it but am too afraid because of my fear of heights. You know me....I'm a fraidy cat. But, the view looks amazing!

I am betting your veggie burger from Pecos Bill's looked a bit like John's condiment salad.

I'm the biggest chicken on earth, so if I can do CiF, anyone can do it! The view is really awesome from up there.
You know, I was thinking about John eating the condiment salad as I was eating all of the stuff that fell off of my burger!

Yay for being able to do Characters in Flight! I loved it when I did it last November. It took me 2 trips to DTD before it was open, and I'm so glad I did it. Not sure if I would do it again, but I might on my next trip. I was pretty scared going up, but once we got all the way up I walked around and got some good pictures of all angles. It is amazing how far you can see from up there.

You are much more brave than I am!! I couldn't move once we got into the air! It's funny, though- the first day in DtD it was closed, then it closed again after we finally made it up there. It really is amazing how far you can see from up there- it only goes up 400 feet.

I was just thinking yesterday that I've written about half of my trip already and there isn't too much more to go It has been fun re-living it and sharing through the trip report.

That's awesome that you were able to go on Characters in Flight! The view (and your photos) look amazing. I'm hoping to be able to try it next time if its operating.

It stinks when the trip is over- then reliving it again when the TR is over. Thank goodness we all have future trips planned!!!
You have to try Characters in Flight! I was scared, but I loved it. You will take some great photos from up there!

 

[aprilisis]

We watched the Magic, Memories, and You show, then Wishes.

Continued in next post....

 

[aprilisis]

We made a decision- Our last ride of the night was going to be splash mountain. I mean- if we got wet, who cares? We were leaving. We were delayed by the Main Street Electrical Parade (yay!). We watched the whole parade, then went to Splash.

There was no wait at all. I knew we were in for it when we went down that first little hill & water came over the side of the side of the ride vehicle & right onto the seat. We got through the rest of the ride without getting soaked- until the big drop. We went down the drop & when I didn't feel water splashing me I started to pick up my head- that is until I heard my friend exclaim something I can't repeat here. Picture it- the top of my head was facing the front of the vehicle (I was bent in half) & the water hit me right on the top of my head. Half of the water went right in my lap & half went on my back. I was SOAKED. We both started laughing uncontrollably- then it dawned on me- my t-shirt was white! Thank goodness it had print on it. We laughed our way out of the park, onto the boat, & then to sleep.

That was it- the trip was over. This trip felt so short- it FLEW by. I'm normally tired, missing Isis, and ready to go home by the end of a trip. I don't know why, but I felt like I could have stayed another week.

On Monday morning, we pretty much woke up and left. We got to the airport & parted ways at ticketing. I went to the Southwest counter & checked 2 bags. Thank goodness I separated everything- I didn't get the bag weight fee this time. (I also vowed to start to pack less) I got a CRAPPY boarding position even though I paid for Early Bird check-in. I sat next to a nice woman who talked a little, but not a ton. That is the perfect type of person for me to sit next to. The flight was very uneventful. I grabbed my bags & waited for John to pick me up. The weather in RI was rainy & cool and I instantly missed FL weather.

Up next: Final thoughts & favorite snapshots of the trip!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Your fireworks and parade pictures turned out so good. Every time I tried to take a picture of the parade floats, they turned out blurry. I like your's much better.

Your experience on Splash Mountain sounds just like our's. I was ducked down when I thought the splash was coming and all of the sudden "whoosh" water came down over me and I looked like a drowned rat. At least Splash was the last ride of the night and you didn't have to walk around soaked all day long.

I can't believe that the trip is over already. It's not supposed to pass by that quickly.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I agree with Lisa, those firework and parade pictures are fantastic.

I can't believe your trip is over already!

 

[Chaitali]

It sounds like you had a good last night! I guess its good to leave on a high note and while you're still wanting more.

The firework photos are great Did you have a tripod?

Glad to hear that you had an uneventful trip back. These days, that's about the best you can hope for with the airlines!

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

Yeah, glad to see an update from you! I know all about work issues...and nutty men

What a fun day!
I hope to go on CiF next visit....last august I think we only got to DTD once and CiF was not 'flying'...good timing on your part! Great views...and pics!
now, the 'bucket' you are standing in is a solid floor right, I mean its not metal grates that you can see the ground thru??

Leavin and going home stinks
especially when you come home to cold, wet weather

Can't wait for final thoughts!

 

[aprilisis]

Your fireworks and parade pictures turned out so good. Every time I tried to take a picture of the parade floats, they turned out blurry. I like your's much better.

Your experience on Splash Mountain sounds just like our's. I was ducked down when I thought the splash was coming and all of the sudden "whoosh" water came down over me and I looked like a drowned rat. At least Splash was the last ride of the night and you didn't have to walk around soaked all day long.

I can't believe that the trip is over already. It's not supposed to pass by that quickly.

Thanks! I can't believe the TR went by as quickly as the trip did! I think that my parade & fireworks photos were pure luck.
Isn't it funny how Splash is hit or miss with getting soaked?? I hope you have photos from your experience!

I agree with Lisa, those firework and parade pictures are fantastic.

I can't believe your trip is over already!

Thanks! I'm sad that the TR went by so fast. I'll have to start a PTR for November!

It sounds like you had a good last night! I guess its good to leave on a high note and while you're still wanting more.

The firework photos are great Did you have a tripod?

Glad to hear that you had an uneventful trip back. These days, that's about the best you can hope for with the airlines!

Thanks! I didn't use a tripod for the fireworks at MK. I was too scared that someone would knock it over! I really wish I did use a tripod, though. I'm going to have to figure a good spot to set one up.

I'm definitely happy that my trip home was uneventful.
I really can't wait to go back!!!

 

[aprilisis]

Yeah, glad to see an update from you! I know all about work issues...and nutty men

What a fun day!
I hope to go on CiF next visit....last august I think we only got to DTD once and CiF was not 'flying'...good timing on your part! Great views...and pics!
now, the 'bucket' you are standing in is a solid floor right, I mean its not metal grates that you can see the ground thru??

Leavin and going home stinks
especially when you come home to cold, wet weather

Can't wait for final thoughts!

Thanks! You have to try CiF! I think it is a solid floor- I'm not 100% positive, though. I was so concentrated on holding on that I didn't notice! I think I would have flipped out, though, if it wasn't a solid floor.
It's funny- I'm usually ready to go home at the end of a trip, but this time I just wanted to stay!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

trying to figure out where I left off! I had started your trek and think I finished....was about to comment and had to walk away from the computer when I came back lost track of where I was (this was last week) but I do have to say as always your pictures are excellant!

found where I left off; Tom Sawyer Island

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Wonderful trip report!!!

your pictures from the observation deck are awesome, a perspective I have not seen before!

I really enjoyed traveling with you on this trip! Thank you! again for the great pictures!!!

I laughed at your comment about Harry Potter! I am a huge HP fan but from things I have heard have not been as eager to visit as I was....it does look like a great way to immerse yourself into the book but very little excitment of attraction fun!

again, Thanks! for sharing your trip with us!

Connie