All I Want For Christmas Is an Okapi, a Dinosaur, a Herd of Elephants and ...

[lovedonaldduck]

I read all 107 pages today so I could be officially caught up! Happy to be back after over a year with no DIS. We welcomed baby number 2 in October and have taken some time off from the parks (since last Memorial Day) but we just booked a trip over Thanksgiving. Time to get back into Disney mode and plan an awesome first trip for baby number 2!

 

[LookinUp]

My thoughts are with Cara , and I'm praying for her whole family. I hope she's holding those boys tight & seeing her dad in them right now.

 

[MeMom]

Love, love, love the lion pics! I have never seen them up, much less roaring! Awesome!

There must be something about that Okapi. All my pictures of him have turned out blurry as well.

He was letting us know that was his place, for sure!

I would like to get a good okapi picture. Maybe one of these years...

I love the pictures of the lion. We have never seen him up roaming around much less roaring.

I tell you, it is very exciting to see the lions up and moving, since they are mostly lying around - and to hear the roar is an extra exciting bonus.

Congrats on the new princess! I love the name. Are the girls excited?
You guys always throw the best parties! Can you please adopt me?
I've been to Kidani, but never Jumbo. It's on my list for this summer. You know I'm loving the crafts. LOVE the pic of the lion. He's never awake when we're there.

Now that the speculation as to what the baby is is over, the fun has begun! The girls can call Sophie by name and make plans for her. Jill know she doesn't have to buy a while new wardrobe of clothes, too, so it's nice.

Any time you are in town, let us know and we will throw a party of some kind!

I read all 107 pages today so I could be officially caught up! Happy to be back after over a year with no DIS. We welcomed baby number 2 in October and have taken some time off from the parks (since last Memorial Day) but we just booked a trip over Thanksgiving. Time to get back into Disney mode and plan an awesome first trip for baby number 2!

Yay for new planning!

We have loved our November/Thanksgiving trips. We will be seeing Halloween decorations this year and not Christmas, so next year I am hoping we'll do Christmas again. Alternating them every other year would work,

or going at both times every year would work, too.

My thoughts are with Cara , and I'm praying for her whole family. I hope she's holding those boys tight & seeing her dad in them right now.

I am sure there have been a lot of hugs and a lot of thankfulness for having each other among her family members this week. Her boys are wonderful, and they will bring many smiles to her among her tears.

 

[declansdad]

Great safari pics, especially the lions!!

 

[mickeyfan71]

So jealous of the pics of the lion! I still have not seen him up-always sleeping!
Prayers to Cara and family

 

[DWGal210]

AWESOME lion picture!! Super cool!!

I think the safari is for sure in my Disney Top 5. I could do that every day!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Looks like Jarvis was happy in getting a picture of the lions in this 'half of Jarvis's head' shot.

That photo of Jarvis is funny!

It looks like you had a nice safari!

[/QUOTE]

Question on this picture for you. Am I right in thinking there is a bus that goes to HS from AK? Is there also a bus from HS to AK then? I'm just trying to plan our October trip and we're thinking about doing a split HS/AK day. Thanks MeMom!

 

[LookinUp]

In the better late than never department: I have not forgotten that I still owe you a post on our Dollywood adventure. First I lost several photos of attractions and shopping (how?? ). Then I tried to post anyway, but realized later that nothing actually posted here! So here's another try at highjacking us to Dollywood.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonypic/5201148777/

The chapel is one of my favorite things about Dollywood. It looks especially lovely framed with dogwoods in bloom. It's just enough out of the way to make for a quiet refuge -- except on Sunday mornings, when they actually hold services there!

The park is small compared to MK, but has enough shows and rides to fill a good couple of days. I had low expectations for theming, based on trips to other non-Disney parks, but found it impressive over all. Dolly, like Walt, aimed at creating an immersive experience.
Shopping was a shock. Reverse sticker shock set in upon seeing the prices -- very reasonable! Also, there are numerous attractions that do not send you out through a gift shop. Of course, you do exit the park through a giant emporium.
Best. Thrill. Ride. Ever. This is what we all declared about the brand-new 1st-in-the-US wing coaster, the Wild Eagle. We were lucky enough to be there before Tenn schools' spring break, so crowds were pretty low and we could ride multiple times with little to no wait. Also, the ropes course is unique in my experience of theme parks. A fun challenge where DD and I spent over an hour.
The food was unremarkable, just what you'd expect, except for the special offerings of the international festival. Kinda wish I'd braved the kangaroo stew ...
Shows were all over the map, from films to live animals, comedy, dance, & singing. Not always Disney quality, but what we saw was enjoyable nonetheless.
In fact, that pretty much sums up my feelings about Dollywood: Not Disney, but enjoyable. The 2-days-for-1 ticket cost made it definitely worth it.

 

[MaryAz]

Great safari shots-especially the lion! I am so happy we will get to meet up in June!

 

[jillyb]

Cara I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Great lion pics!!! I've never seen him up and about!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Of course I noticed the bowls. I look at all the details you put into your parties. I did notice the bowls matched the mickey plates.

WOW! Those lion pics are awesome!!! What a great safari!

My DMom may be able to tell you where every flower is in WDW...

I had to show Lexi the bus sign from AK. She was hoping our bus stops would be closer on this trip cause we are staying at POR. No such luck there.
I laughed cause it's only two stops from POP.

I probably won't be making it to AKL on this trip cause it's so short but watch out come August. You will receive lots of pics then.
We already booked a bkfst at Boma.

LookinUp Thank you for sharing your pics of Dollywood. It was so fun to see.
I enjoyed seeing all the decorations, trees and shows.
Dolly's RV was neat to see too.

 

[MHTeacher]

Great lion pictures.

The college here in our city, has two live lion mascots. Anytime I go to see them, they are usually being lazy!

 

[marDgreen88]

How cool that you actually heard the lion roaring! Funny, my mom and I were just talking about how we'd love to see the lion active this summer. These pictures make me want to see it even more!

 

[disneyfan61]

Cara you are in my thoughts & prayers.

Memom I had to show DH a picture of the lion roaring!! He couldn't believe it. We always see him sleeping. Two weeks ago-yup sleeping.

Great safari pics.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Thoughts and prayers are with Cara.

How awesome that you got a picture of the lion and he was roaring. I've heard the lion before, but was unable to see him at that time.

 

[Megablocks]

SO cool that the lion was up and roaring! We saw him up when we went in January, but not making any noise...that's awesome!

Isn't it weird how seeing something so small can make you want to be back there SO badly? I saw the bus directory and the Pop Century station, and it made me want to be back right now!

 

[micandminforever]

My thoughts and prayers are with Cara.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Great lion pictures! It almost looks like he is just yawning. LOL!

 

[DWGal210]

Hi friends: I have a family who needs your prayers today.

A young man from my town was horribly injured in Afghanistan yesterday. He went to school with my brother Stephen & his sister is my sisters good friend. We're unsure of the circumstances but he lost both legs, one arm & the hand on his other arm. He's going to Germany & is a medically induced coma.

I don't know if he'll make it but I'm praying like heck anyway. My brother Patrick is in the Army & so it hits home. I know Taylor & his family would appreciate your prayers & good thoughts.