AGLET – We're Gonna Tour The World Together! Updated 11/9!!!

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Yikes!! I'd be panicking too if I forgot my card! Glad they were able to hook you up in no time.
AK isn't my favourite park either, but I always enjoy my time there. I love taking my time and looking at all the animals.
Love your safari pictures!! Makes me want to be there right now.

I totally wasn't sure if they were able to replace it right there, so I was so afraid we'd have to leave right then!

We do usually enjoy our time at AK too, but I definitely enjoy our time at the other parks more!

Thanks!

I think AK always tends to look really jammed up in the morning, but it spreads out so nicely. Can't see your pics now, but aside from the card snafu, it sounds like you are off to a good start. I seriously hope you liked AK better this time!

That is true, certain parts of the park congest more than others! Thanks!

I am sure that you were relieved when they were able to reissue your park pass without having to go allllll the way back to the Polynesian. Whew!

I agree with Mary Ellen, it always seems like the front of the Animal Kingdom is packed but then the crowds disperse pretty nicely.

Great shots of the animals on the safari. You were even able to get a picture of the lion when he was awake! That's quite a feat!

Oh, I was VERY happy!! I'm pretty sure neither of us would have been too thrilled about having to go back!

I'm not sure what was up that day, but the crowd dispersing theory wasn't exactly on our side...

Thanks!! Hahaha usually I just get a big orange lump that I call "the lion".

OMG, not having your KTTW card at a park entrance... that is a nightmare and a half.

Wow, I'm glad it was so easy to get a new card! That's amazing. Disney MAGIC, really.

Love the safari pictures! The giraffes and elephants are the best part of the safari. But yeah, I'm very much okay with them doing away with the Little Red story. Do you remember when that was supposed to be happening, or has it already happened? I can't remember when it was supposed to happen!

It was definitely a scary moment!! I was so happy they were so easily able to replace it!

I agree, I love the giraffes and the elephants! I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be happening by the end of the year? I don't think it's happened yet, I know they have to re-build part of the savannah for the zebras.

That's pretty funny that you didn't take a picture of those people. I don't think that's ever happened where I've asked and people have refused. It's actually quite humorous! I'm sure that you and the poor family that never got their picture taken were very happy that you were able to get a new ticket reissued!

AK isn't our favorite park either - we're never really all that excited to go to it but once we're there, we always enjoy it - especially Yak & Yeti.

Can't wait to hear more!

Hahaha I really did feel bad about running away from her! I'm pretty confident she would be able to find someone else more than happy to take her picture though!

I've never been to Y&Y, it always sounds really good though!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Before I begin this update, I'd like to share the cake I made for Easter this year (inspired by the Internets).



(Homemade chocolate cake and chocolate icing, surrounded by Kit Kats, topped with M&M Easter eggs, and tied (reinforced?) with a jovial ribbon.)

(Oh yes, I chose the ribbon for its spunk and jovial appearance.)

Also, in our family, we have an annual tradition of Peep Jousting, in which the entire family gathers around the microwave and puts two Peeps into battle at a time, each wielding their own toothpick.

Yes, seriously.

Here's a slightly blurry video of Battle Stringbean vs Wingnut.

(My comment shortly after the video ended: "Clearly, we decided to give Peeps a chance." )

If you've never experienced Peep Jousting, well, it's great fun. Now's especially the time to give it a shot, since Peeps are now probably 75% off.

---

Having enjoyed our sights of the animals thus far, and being right at the entrance to the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, it made enough sense for us to meander down thataways. I had been on this trail on a visit years before, but Wingnut had never seen it.

We took our time and strolled between the various exhibits like good little trekkers.

Monkeys!



We soon enough came to the little enclosure where the frogs and bugs and other creepy crawlies live. It was just about feeding time for the frogs, so we hung around to watch for a few moments.





A brief video I took of the frog.

Nom nom nom...

(Not shown in the video, where I totally got awkwardly in the way of the CM's, and then just sheepishly - and equally awkwardly - left.)

I think lounging around in a sun lamp all day sounds like an awesome life.



(And no, that wasn't a Jersey reference...)

Next up, the aquarium room!



I thought these monitors were pretty cool.



Me: (whispering) Hey. Psst. C'mere.
Wingnut: What?
Me: I found these monitors. Cool, right?
Wingnut: (not impressed in the least) Well, obviously, they need to watch the animals somehow. And this screen is right in the middle of the room.

Sigh. Well I was impressed.

Has anyone else decided on a whim to watch an episode of Meerkat Manor, and then gotten totally sucked in to watching several episodes in a row of Sophie and the crew?

(Not that that's ever happened to us...)



Seriously, don't watch an episode unless you have like 5 hours to spare. It's addicting.



I'd caption this as an unflattering shot of a gorilla, but really, I can't even tell if it is. I'm not sure what end his head is even on from this angle. That automatically qualifies as an unflattering shot, then, right?



THAT'S better.



Baby Lily's getting big fast!



Keeping a close eye on the baby.



At this point, we were all being directed to turn back around and go out the way we came. I could have sworn that there was a bridge at this point over the gorillas, right? Or am I making that up completely? It just seemed bizarre to have to backtrack through the trail again, especially as it was starting to get a bit more crowded, and people kept giving us weird looks for going against the flow of most traffic.

I'M JUST FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS, OKAY?

One last picture from the trail:



I really did ponder how to avoid the sun glare in that one, but it seemed pretty hopeless.

Despite the strange conclusion to the trail, Wingnut and I both really enjoyed our trek. Would we be able to avoid the increasing crowds around us for much longer, though?

 

[annmarieda]

great update!

Love the peak joust.

And yes, I think you are correct that there is a way through the gorilla area that doesnt involve back tracking.

 

[tinacaplan]

Great pictures of AK! You're getting me very excited!!! Can't wait to see the gorillas.

AND THAT CAKE!!! That is amazing. Truly. It looks beautiful...and jovial...the ribbon might even be described as jaunty.

 

[MEK]

That cake is so freaking cool. It's like a chocolate addict's nirvana. Plus its so festive.

OK - off to a good start. So far I think you are enjoying it and your pics look great. I have no idea what position that gorilla is in.

Lily does look a tad bigger. She's so cute!

 

[smile4stamps]

Peep jousting is cute!

Love your Easter cake!

I've never done that trail at AK! Another To-Do! It does seem weird to have you backtrack! Very odd not to have a way to go to aleive congestion instead of make it worse!

 

[OrangeJuice]

Love the peep jousting. I'd never heard about it before and I love microwaving marshmallows so I'll be sure to try it. Also...that cake is gorgeous! I think that the bow is extra jovial.

 

[JolllyHoliday]

That cake looks great!!

 

[Simba22]

oh no!! you DON'T have to backtrack! There is a path that leads out and there IS a bridge where you cross over the gorilla area! You know how you're looking through the glass windows at the gorillas...then you turn around and the meerkats are kinda behind you but towards the right? If you stand in front of the wall with the meerkats behind you, there is a path on the left that takes you out. It's on the other side of the wall where they have the chalk drawing of the gorilla.

Peep Jousting = Genius! And your Easter cake was SO CUTE!! Awesome job!

That is a very cool pic of the hippo!

And no...I have NO IDEA what you're talking about regarding the Meerkat Manor marathons....the name Flower means nothing to me and I have no idea who the Whiskers Clan is.... Although...allegedly... it was wicked sad....

 

[marDgreen88]

That cake is just ADORABLE! Very nice work! Hahaha... peep jousting. That's just priceless.

I'm glad yall had a great start to your Animal Kingdom day!

 

[MeMom]

The Easter cake is awesome! I'll have to try that for the girls sometime.

Yes, there is definitely a bridge that goes through what they call 'the valley' area. Sometimes the male gorillas get a little riled up, so my guess is that there was possibly an altercation going on, and they were turning guests back because of that. We've been there twice when conflict has been building, and the cast members were very attentive and alert to the gorillas and the guests. We were not turned back, but we were sent on the way and not allowed to linger.

As for the lazy gorilla, head on the left - you can see the ear, big hairy arms, then down to those powerful legs on the right and feet up against the wall.

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

I love the cake you made. I saw a picture on Pinterest and wanted to make it but didn't.

Peep jousting? Never heard of it but so cute. May have the kids try it next year.

 

[teekathepony]

Oh wow! Your cake is gorgeous!!
Peep jousting is halarious, never heard that one before but it totally sounds like something my family could get into.
Love the animal pics, I am also quite sure there is a bridge over the gorilla enclosure that leads out of the trail.
I can totally make out that gorilla-blob! His head is on the left, his bum is the slightly pointy object on the right and he's got his legs pulled up fetal position style!

 

[Jennifer48]

Congratulations on the new job!

I'm sorry to hear about the steak & eggs. I know how much you were both looking forward to it.

Your Easter cake looks delicious!

Peeps jousting

 

[Nermel9]

Your Easter cake is so pretty!

I don't think I've ever done the Pangani Trail, it looks interesting! I had no idea they had meerkats there, they are so cute!

 

[Megablocks]

That cake looks awesome! And I loved the Peep jousting. I got some for Easter, but don't really care for them...I think I know what I'm gonna do now!

Going back a little bit, I am so glad it was so easy for you to get a new card. That happened to me a few years ago; my dad and I were on the bus to MK and as soon as we pulled out of Pop, I realized I forgot my KTTW card back at the room, but when we got to MK, I was able to get a new one, no problem. It's awesome how easy they make it!

You got some awesome AK pictures. I really need to spend more time there next trip!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I have to say, I'm going to steal that cake idea next year! That ROCKS!!!

LOVE the peep wars! We don't actually EAT the peeps around here, but we have peep wars as well, just in a different way...my friends and I like to "peep" each other. So, we will come out to our car and find peeps, once I even stuck a bunch of them on plastic forks and stuck them all over her yard when she was out of town for the night!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

great update!

Love the peak joust.

And yes, I think you are correct that there is a way through the gorilla area that doesnt involve back tracking.

Thanks!! I could have sworn it didn't! But it looked like the trail literally just ended there!

Great pictures of AK! You're getting me very excited!!! Can't wait to see the gorillas.

AND THAT CAKE!!! That is amazing. Truly. It looks beautiful...and jovial...the ribbon might even be described as jaunty.

Thanks!! Hahaha so soon!!

I thought the ribbon had a particular jaunty quality about it!

That cake is so freaking cool. It's like a chocolate addict's nirvana. Plus its so festive.

OK - off to a good start. So far I think you are enjoying it and your pics look great. I have no idea what position that gorilla is in.

Lily does look a tad bigger. She's so cute!

Haha thank you!!!

The male gorilla just laid there the whole time mushed up against the wall. I think he rolled over once.

Peep jousting is cute!

Love your Easter cake!

I've never done that trail at AK! Another To-Do! It does seem weird to have you backtrack! Very odd not to have a way to go to aleive congestion instead of make it worse!

It's a fun family tradition! Thanks!!

It was too weird for it not to be a special circumstance!

Love the peep jousting. I'd never heard about it before and I love microwaving marshmallows so I'll be sure to try it. Also...that cake is gorgeous! I think that the bow is extra jovial.

Thanks!! You should definitely give it a try!

Thank you!!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

That cake looks great!!

Thanks!!!

oh no!! you DON'T have to backtrack! There is a path that leads out and there IS a bridge where you cross over the gorilla area! You know how you're looking through the glass windows at the gorillas...then you turn around and the meerkats are kinda behind you but towards the right? If you stand in front of the wall with the meerkats behind you, there is a path on the left that takes you out. It's on the other side of the wall where they have the chalk drawing of the gorilla.

Peep Jousting = Genius! And your Easter cake was SO CUTE!! Awesome job!

That is a very cool pic of the hippo!

And no...I have NO IDEA what you're talking about regarding the Meerkat Manor marathons....the name Flower means nothing to me and I have no idea who the Whiskers Clan is.... Although...allegedly... it was wicked sad....

I KNEW there was a bridge!!! I was like, I swear this was different!

Thanks!!

I believed you until you said the Whiskers Clan! They're ridiculously addicting, aren't they??? Oh no, I haven't seen any sad ones! Only nerve-wracking moments with those babies meandering off!

That cake is just ADORABLE! Very nice work! Hahaha... peep jousting. That's just priceless.

I'm glad yall had a great start to your Animal Kingdom day!

Thank you!!! Hahaha so far, so good!

The Easter cake is awesome! I'll have to try that for the girls sometime.

Yes, there is definitely a bridge that goes through what they call 'the valley' area. Sometimes the male gorillas get a little riled up, so my guess is that there was possibly an altercation going on, and they were turning guests back because of that. We've been there twice when conflict has been building, and the cast members were very attentive and alert to the gorillas and the guests. We were not turned back, but we were sent on the way and not allowed to linger.

As for the lazy gorilla, head on the left - you can see the ear, big hairy arms, then down to those powerful legs on the right and feet up against the wall.

Thanks!!! It's really super-easy, I'm sure the girls would love helping make it!

Maybe that was why? I'm not sure. There didn't even seem to be anywhere to go beyond the gorilla building, maybe there was maintenance?

Hahaha got it now! He was VERY happy napping that morning!

I love the cake you made. I saw a picture on Pinterest and wanted to make it but didn't.

Peep jousting? Never heard of it but so cute. May have the kids try it next year.

Thanks!! That's where I had seen it too!

Hahaha it's a fun game, you should definitely give it a try!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Oh wow! Your cake is gorgeous!!
Peep jousting is halarious, never heard that one before but it totally sounds like something my family could get into.
Love the animal pics, I am also quite sure there is a bridge over the gorilla enclosure that leads out of the trail.
I can totally make out that gorilla-blob! His head is on the left, his bum is the slightly pointy object on the right and he's got his legs pulled up fetal position style!

Thank you!! Hahaha it really does bring the whole family together!

Hahaha he was so content just sleeping the morning away!

Congratulations on the new job!

I'm sorry to hear about the steak & eggs. I know how much you were both looking forward to it.

Your Easter cake looks delicious!

Peeps jousting

Thank you!!!

It stinks when you build something up in your mind and it's just changed, right?

Hahaha thank you!

Your Easter cake is so pretty!

I don't think I've ever done the Pangani Trail, it looks interesting! I had no idea they had meerkats there, they are so cute!

Thanks!!!

It's really convenient to go on right after the safari! They have a whole meerkat area, they're so cute!

That cake looks awesome! And I loved the Peep jousting. I got some for Easter, but don't really care for them...I think I know what I'm gonna do now!

Going back a little bit, I am so glad it was so easy for you to get a new card. That happened to me a few years ago; my dad and I were on the bus to MK and as soon as we pulled out of Pop, I realized I forgot my KTTW card back at the room, but when we got to MK, I was able to get a new one, no problem. It's awesome how easy they make it!

You got some awesome AK pictures. I really need to spend more time there next trip!

Thanks!!! Hahaha yes, having them joust is the perfect way to use unwanted Peeps!

It really is fantastic how easily Guest Services can replace the cards!

Thanks!!

I have to say, I'm going to steal that cake idea next year! That ROCKS!!!

LOVE the peep wars! We don't actually EAT the peeps around here, but we have peep wars as well, just in a different way...my friends and I like to "peep" each other. So, we will come out to our car and find peeps, once I even stuck a bunch of them on plastic forks and stuck them all over her yard when she was out of town for the night!

Hahaha it's really easy to make, you should definitely give it a try!!

I love your Peep war ideas!! I never thought of them as lawn ornaments!