ADP - Live From Disney World - Family Holiday Adventure

[safetymom]

It's a pretty ugly day here. It looks like the days I left behind in Pittsburgh.

 

[jen3003]

Have a great trip! Can't wait to see pics!

 

[Applemomma]

I'm in....I love living vicariously (did I spell that right?) through others!

 

[OKW Lover]

Looking forward to reading more of this Aaron. Have a great time and don't spare the details.

 

[ADP]

Hi everyone,

We've checked in the AKV Club Level. Our keys and check-in information was waiting for us at Bell Services. A Bellman took us up to the club level check-in where we got our room assignment, our itinerary, and of course, had some food and drink. Our room is ready!

The lobby looks gorgeous with all the Christmas decoartions and the giant Christmas tree in the middle. I'll post photos of the lobby later.

We are getting ourselves together and heading out the door to the Animal Kingdom for the Jingle Jungle Parade. We may hang out for a while after the parade to get an idea of crowds and do some shopping.

I'll be back later with pictures and an update.

 

[kpadalik]

Hi!! We are at the MK today. Holy crowds! Taking it easy though and enjoying the weather and the Xmas decor. Def looking forward to coming back in a month when the crowds are much lower!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

In Orlando. It's a balmy 58 degrees.

That's funny, because that's about what it got to in Plymouth today.

Have fun, Aaron and family!

 

[simonkodousek]

Have a great day!

 

[Madi100]

Aaron, I can't wait to read about your trip! Have a super time.

 

[mousehouselover]

Have a great time this week! We'll be there sometime on NYE to see other friends, maybe we'll run into y'all.

 

[3guysandagal]

We will keep an eye out for you Aaron!
Here until the 1st hopefully, if I can get a room for the 31st.

 

[AnneR]

Woohoo! An ADP trip report. Can't wait to follow along!

 

[dpuck1998]

We are at the airport and checked-in. 1 hor and 50 minute flight to Orlando.


Yea. I've got his number. We'll get together at some point.

How'd you get my number? Great now I have to change it again....first Lunny now you...

 

[DVCsince02]

Subbing for ADP's awesome trip reports.

Hope you, Kim and Anna have a great time!!!

 

[Madi100]

We will keep an eye out for you Aaron!
Here until the 1st hopefully, if I can get a room for the 31st.

You're still there????

 

[ADP]

We will keep an eye out for you Aaron!
Here until the 1st hopefully, if I can get a room for the 31st.

Holy Smokes! Why haven't you guys applied for Florida residency. You've been here for almost a solid month.

How'd you get my number? Great now I have to change it again....first Lunny now you...

Expect a lot of prank phone calls and deep breathing.

 

[ADP]

Sunday, Dec 27th

Hi Everyone,

We are back from our afternoon/evening at the Animal Kingdom. Surprisingly, the park wasn't too crowded at all. I expected crazy, busy type crowds, but only saw busy crowds. The wait time at Primevil Whirl was only 30 minutes at 7:00PM.

Before we entered the park we stopped and took some photos of the Animal Kingdom Christmas tree. It's my favorite tree of the 4 parks.

The ornaments are what make this tree the best

We arrived at the Animal Kingdom around 4:00PM. The bus ride from the Lodge to the park is under 5 minutes. We had to stop at Guest Services outside the park to exchange Kim and Anna's AP vouchers to actual APs. We entered the parks and staked out our spot on Discovery Island for the Jingle Jungle Parade. Basically, this is the Jammin Jungle parade with a Christmas overlay. The floats are very similar except with Christmas decorations and Christmas music.

Here are some photos from the parade today.
Mickey & Minnie - Minnie's float smelled like hot chocolate.

Rafiki

Pluto

After the parade ended we headed for the 5:45PM showing of the Festival of the Lion King. The theater was jam packed with guests. I love that Timon's mouth and eyes move to the script of the show. Disney has done a lot in the last 2 years with costume character technology. Watching the characters mouths' and eyes' move to words and music is truly amazing.

Anna met a friend while we waited in line for the show. We watched the show with that family. We spent the rest of the evening with the family. They even came back to the Animal Kingdom Villas with us to check out the resort. Anna is very sociable and enjoyed the company of someone her age.

I forgot how dark it got so early in December. When we left the Festival of the Lion King theater it was pitch dark. I love the Animal Kingdom at night. The park is lit really well with the ground multi-color lamps. Expedition Everest and the Tree of Life are lit beautifully giving the park a very unique effect.

After we came back to the Animal Kingdom Lodge we went to the Mara for some food. The Mara is the resort's quick service restaurant. The club lounge food was gone at 7:00 so we were stuck with the Mara. In case anyone wants to know you can buy a 5 pack of Zebra Domes inside the Mara. There's no need to pay for the buffet at Boma to get Zebra Domes.

After we left the Mara we went up to the club lounge for desserts and cocktails. There was a selection of cookies out along with Kahlua and other dessert beverages.

We are turning in early for the evening because we plan on getting up early to head to the Magic Kingdom. The Magic Kingdom has morning extra magic hours starting at 7:00AM. We are going to try and get there before 8:00AM so we can get on Big Thunder Mountain railroad without a 60 minute wait. We also plan on catching the Noon Christmas parade. Another order of business is to stop in the Art of Disney on Main St. and check out a piece of art I purchased at DAP from Larry Dotson. He is an artist who specializes in painting Disney attractions.

One final comment...I found the Christmas decorations at the Animal Kingdom to be sparse compared to the previous years. Is it me, or are Christmas decorations disappearing across property each year?
I did manage to take a picture of a rather large snowman in Dinoland that I thought was pretty cool.

I'll have more tomorrow from the Magic Kingdom.

Up Next:
The Magic Kingdom
The Magic Kingdom Christmas Parade
The Pirate League
Pictures from Around the Animal Kingdom Lodge
Animal Kingdom Evening EMH

 

[simonkodousek]

Sounds like you guys are having a great trip!

Can't wait to read more.

 

[disneyholic family]

i've never been at AK at night....it's now on my must do list

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Expect a lot of prank phone calls and deep breathing.

Oh, so that's who's been calling me...