AWilliams
Wishing on a star...
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2000
- Messages
- 325
For report with pictures:
AMY & JOE do DISNEY - Day 9
The Cast:
Amy - Trip planner and DIS fan!
Joe - Amy's DH, loves Baloo
Mel - Amy's sister, professional photographer
Justin - Mel's BF, Everquest addict
DAY 9: Saturday, May 10
Mickey called at 6am to get us up in time for the Sunrise Safari. I took a shower and then went up to the lounge to grab some coffee and register us for the safari. There was already a pretty big group of people up there. I picked up our nametags and was instructed to be back in the lobby in a half hour. When I returned to the room, Joe was just getting out of the shower. I told him we had some time before we had to be back upstairs, so we drank our coffee out on our balcony. There were many more animals out feeding this early in the morning.
When we got back upstairs there were even more people waiting in the lobby. The concierge asked everyone to go downstairs where we would meet our guides, get instructions, and board the bus. The guides were already in the room when we got there. They introduced themselves and then led us out to the buses. The bus ride was really quick as we turned in to the employee entrance to the park. I really like seeing the backstage areas and hearing details of how the animals are kept.
Sunrise Safari
When we exited the bus we were still backstage and had to walk to the entrance of the safari ride. Joe and I got on the first safari vehicle in line. We were both excited to get started! The animals came very close to the truck and anytime someone in the truck wanted to stop for a picture, the driver would stop. Our guide told lots of great stories and facts about the animals. Aside from the lions, we saw every animal on the safari. We had a great time! After we got off the ride we walked over to Tusker House. The park still wasnt open yet and it was cool seeing it so deserted.
Breakfast was in a private dining area in Tusker House. The buffet was all set up and it looked incredible! There were nametags on the tables, so everyone knew where to sit. We were seated at a table with three other couples. I thought that was really nice of them to really think out the seating arrangements. We had a great time chatting with the other couples at our table. Back to the food It was delicious! Between Joe and I, I think we tried a little bit of everything. The guides were visiting with each table and when ours came over, I asked him how one (I) could get a job like his. He had originally worked at Discovery Island, and then was moved to AK, then AKL. It was really interesting to hear his stories!
The sunrise safari experience was really amazing and I would highly recommend it to everyone! It is too bad it is only offered to ALK concierge guests. Maybe in the future they will make a change to that policy. After breakfast, we were really stuffed. We had seen everything at AK that we wanted to on previous trips, so we decided to just go back to the lodge and relax.
We returned to our room and I started packing everything up. There wasnt that much to do since we hadnt fully unpacked from our move. Joe wanted to go and hang out by the pool, but I wanted to take a tour of the entire resort. I really wasnt very happy here and wanted to see if there was something I was just missing. I grabbed my camera and the map and headed out. I stayed on the fifth floor and went to the end of the zebra trail. I walked out on a public balcony (fire escape) and took some pictures. Next I turned around and went all the way to the end of the next wing. It was all pretty much the same, but we definitely had the best view from our room! I changed into my bathing suit and met Joe down at the pool.
Joe was already hungry again and we decided to check out The Mara. I really liked this place. It was nice that it was so close to the pool. It was also great that it sold lots of snack and grocery-type items. I decided on a Mickey pop for lunch! Joe had a chicken sandwich. We took the food outside and ate on the patio. We swam and relaxed at the pool until it was time to get ready to head to the Poly.
The Polynesian
We took the bus to the Magic Kingdom and then got on the monorail to the Polynesian. This was our first time on the monorail this trip! We went inside and put our names in, but then decided to sit at the bar and listen to the guy playing guitar for a while. The hostess said she would hold our PS and just to let her know when we were ready to go in, great! Joe tested out a bunch of Poly specialty drinks and I stuck to rum and cokes. We discovered that they had the 151 for $1 special here also. The guitarist was really good and he played one of my all-time favorite songs.
When we finally decided to get seated, we were given the same table we sat at on our honeymoon. It had a nice view of the Magic Kingdom and we watched as it was already changing colors. Our waiter came and I asked for the vegetarian entree. Joe started in on the shrimp. This is one of Joes favorite restaurants. The food here is really endless and delicious. I love the pineapple with caramel for desert and the hot towels. After dinner we walked around the resort for a while. (We are planning on staying here for our 5th anniversary trip in September 2005!) Joe wanted to get a Hawaiian shirt, but we didnt want to carry it around e-night.
E-NIght
We took the monorail back to the Magic Kingdom and got in with no line! We switched our e-tickets for bracelets at City Hall. Again, there was no line! The parade had ended and everyone was waiting for the fireworks to begin. I was really surprised that it wasnt very crowded. Joe and I walked over to the bridge to Tomorrowland to watch the fireworks. Since the park was still officially open, we got to ride on the speedway and Dumbo before e-night started. Next we did Buzz and then headed for the mountains. We rode on Big Thunder three times and then had our own car on Splash. We strolled towards the exit. It was a beautiful night, a bit humid, but not too hot. We took some photos and watched the castle lights close-up. We had to be up and at the airport early tomorrow, so we left for the bus back to AKL. I said goodbye to Mickey for this trip.
It had been a long, great day and I fell right to sleep!
AMY & JOE do DISNEY - Day 9
The Cast:
Amy - Trip planner and DIS fan!
Joe - Amy's DH, loves Baloo
Mel - Amy's sister, professional photographer
Justin - Mel's BF, Everquest addict
DAY 9: Saturday, May 10
Mickey called at 6am to get us up in time for the Sunrise Safari. I took a shower and then went up to the lounge to grab some coffee and register us for the safari. There was already a pretty big group of people up there. I picked up our nametags and was instructed to be back in the lobby in a half hour. When I returned to the room, Joe was just getting out of the shower. I told him we had some time before we had to be back upstairs, so we drank our coffee out on our balcony. There were many more animals out feeding this early in the morning.
When we got back upstairs there were even more people waiting in the lobby. The concierge asked everyone to go downstairs where we would meet our guides, get instructions, and board the bus. The guides were already in the room when we got there. They introduced themselves and then led us out to the buses. The bus ride was really quick as we turned in to the employee entrance to the park. I really like seeing the backstage areas and hearing details of how the animals are kept.
Sunrise Safari
When we exited the bus we were still backstage and had to walk to the entrance of the safari ride. Joe and I got on the first safari vehicle in line. We were both excited to get started! The animals came very close to the truck and anytime someone in the truck wanted to stop for a picture, the driver would stop. Our guide told lots of great stories and facts about the animals. Aside from the lions, we saw every animal on the safari. We had a great time! After we got off the ride we walked over to Tusker House. The park still wasnt open yet and it was cool seeing it so deserted.
Breakfast was in a private dining area in Tusker House. The buffet was all set up and it looked incredible! There were nametags on the tables, so everyone knew where to sit. We were seated at a table with three other couples. I thought that was really nice of them to really think out the seating arrangements. We had a great time chatting with the other couples at our table. Back to the food It was delicious! Between Joe and I, I think we tried a little bit of everything. The guides were visiting with each table and when ours came over, I asked him how one (I) could get a job like his. He had originally worked at Discovery Island, and then was moved to AK, then AKL. It was really interesting to hear his stories!
The sunrise safari experience was really amazing and I would highly recommend it to everyone! It is too bad it is only offered to ALK concierge guests. Maybe in the future they will make a change to that policy. After breakfast, we were really stuffed. We had seen everything at AK that we wanted to on previous trips, so we decided to just go back to the lodge and relax.
We returned to our room and I started packing everything up. There wasnt that much to do since we hadnt fully unpacked from our move. Joe wanted to go and hang out by the pool, but I wanted to take a tour of the entire resort. I really wasnt very happy here and wanted to see if there was something I was just missing. I grabbed my camera and the map and headed out. I stayed on the fifth floor and went to the end of the zebra trail. I walked out on a public balcony (fire escape) and took some pictures. Next I turned around and went all the way to the end of the next wing. It was all pretty much the same, but we definitely had the best view from our room! I changed into my bathing suit and met Joe down at the pool.
Joe was already hungry again and we decided to check out The Mara. I really liked this place. It was nice that it was so close to the pool. It was also great that it sold lots of snack and grocery-type items. I decided on a Mickey pop for lunch! Joe had a chicken sandwich. We took the food outside and ate on the patio. We swam and relaxed at the pool until it was time to get ready to head to the Poly.
The Polynesian
We took the bus to the Magic Kingdom and then got on the monorail to the Polynesian. This was our first time on the monorail this trip! We went inside and put our names in, but then decided to sit at the bar and listen to the guy playing guitar for a while. The hostess said she would hold our PS and just to let her know when we were ready to go in, great! Joe tested out a bunch of Poly specialty drinks and I stuck to rum and cokes. We discovered that they had the 151 for $1 special here also. The guitarist was really good and he played one of my all-time favorite songs.
When we finally decided to get seated, we were given the same table we sat at on our honeymoon. It had a nice view of the Magic Kingdom and we watched as it was already changing colors. Our waiter came and I asked for the vegetarian entree. Joe started in on the shrimp. This is one of Joes favorite restaurants. The food here is really endless and delicious. I love the pineapple with caramel for desert and the hot towels. After dinner we walked around the resort for a while. (We are planning on staying here for our 5th anniversary trip in September 2005!) Joe wanted to get a Hawaiian shirt, but we didnt want to carry it around e-night.
E-NIght
We took the monorail back to the Magic Kingdom and got in with no line! We switched our e-tickets for bracelets at City Hall. Again, there was no line! The parade had ended and everyone was waiting for the fireworks to begin. I was really surprised that it wasnt very crowded. Joe and I walked over to the bridge to Tomorrowland to watch the fireworks. Since the park was still officially open, we got to ride on the speedway and Dumbo before e-night started. Next we did Buzz and then headed for the mountains. We rode on Big Thunder three times and then had our own car on Splash. We strolled towards the exit. It was a beautiful night, a bit humid, but not too hot. We took some photos and watched the castle lights close-up. We had to be up and at the airport early tomorrow, so we left for the bus back to AKL. I said goodbye to Mickey for this trip.
It had been a long, great day and I fell right to sleep!
