Back from Wonderland:wAlice,Madhatter,ChesCat&White Rabbit 11/11Thank You

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hooray for pics! They are fabulous!!! Can't wait to see where you got that yummy drink!

It was very good...Shhh don't tell......I got it at dinner at the Yak and Yeti later that day...you'll see-I kind of needed it by that point...

I know, I know, really slow but thanks for the tour of NYC! I've never been before and think it would be a really fun place to visit based upon your time spend there!
Back to reading....

I do love being close enough to day trip in or overnight in NY-we're going for an overnight in November...

Oh my gosh! A double upgrade?!? You must be living right!
Back to read.......

...

Sorry for all the posts but it's getting late and taking notes would slow me down.
Very cute Alice earrings! I love Peter Pan's Flight at well, especially flying over London. I agree Piglet is tooo big and tooo pink!
You really do need to get to 1900 Park Fare for breakfast one of these days!

Back to read.....

Thank you about Piglet....Yes...I have a kindred spirit on this one...I like him on tv, in the ride and as a stuffie...but I thought I was the only one that was a little weirded out by the huge very pink, costumed Piglet...

Sorry again, I'm all caught up! Whew! It is still late but for some reason I'm hungry for bacon.....
Sorry White Rabbit wasn't fond of HM, at times it freaks me out a little too. I'm sure he will learn to love it as he gets a bit older.
Great choices on the Mickey ears!
Yummy Jiko! Maybe next June.....
Love the larger pictures and you have really pretty hair!

Yes...Rabbit isn't into the scary so much ...even when we went to the Pirate's League he wanted to be a funny pirate like Smee as opposed to a scary pirate...hmm...I guess that kind of worked out...

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

I don't think I've heard one really negative thing about this Character Breakfast......

It's a pretty close to being a perfect character breakfast...

LOVE the larger photos!

My, but you have a good looking family - the one of your DH smiling is GREAT! Do we ever get to see one of you with a full smile?

Can't wait for more!

Mrs. Spratt

Thanks about the family-I think they're all keepers... Sigh...I think I look weird in pictures so I think I tend to smirk or grimace more than smile...it has been the topic of conversation amongst Alice and Hatter on a variety of occasions...I'm sure I'll come up with a smile somewhere along the way...

Wow - lots of great amazing updates! All caught up now. I'm glad you figured out how to make the pictures larger. I think they changed the options or something, as I was having the same problem!

DH really likes AK as well. We used to see it as a half day park, but there really is so much to see and explore when you look deeper at it.

Tusker house looked yummy! Maybe DH would be willing to try it for breakfast since he swore he'd never go back there again after lunch a couple of years ago.

Photobucket and I are frenemies...

You might have gone to Tusker House before the changed it...it used to be counter service and now it's buffet all day (characters only at Breakfast...)

All caught up! So you got sucked into the ear making vortex too, huh? The kids did a great job with their picks.:thumbsup:

Ice tea, a balcony and a good book=

ITA re: Animal Kingdom, although the heat does sometimes suck all reasonable or creative thought from my body. Tusker House intrigues me. It's now on my ever growing restaurant list for next time.

Oh, thanks for the preview of your photo shoot. Based on the sample, I can't wait to see the rest!

Vortex is a very good word to descriibe it...

I miss my little balcony...it was my happy place...

Oh I understand the heat thing...and at some point I remember wondering if you could have over 100% humidity...because it sure felt like you could...

I'm glad you liked the AKL photo shoot photos because there are a lot more where those came from...

 

[jordanyosh]

I don't think my family is interesting in either Boma or Tusker House. It may be one of those places I try on the solo portion of my trip...Thanks for the detailed review. It really help folks get a clear picture of what to expect. Thanks!

 

[PNO4TE]

You know what they say... better late than never. How the heck have I missed this TR?? Glad to finally read about your amazing trip, Patricia. I promise I will keep up now that I know where and when.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

I don't think my family is interesting in either Boma or Tusker House. It may be one of those places I try on the solo portion of my trip...Thanks for the detailed review. It really help folks get a clear picture of what to expect. Thanks!

You are welcome...

You know what they say... better late than never. How the heck have I missed this TR?? Glad to finally read about your amazing trip, Patricia. I promise I will keep up now that I know where and when.

Hey Elin... thrilled to have you...

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Well fed from TH and happy, we prepared to tackle Everest...

There was a rope...across the path that leads from Africa to Asia...but it seems to me that the CMs back there were pretty mellow...and they dropped a little early so I was able to walk at a reasonable pace towards Asia with Alice and Rabbit...not Hatter though...he was on the go to score fast passes...

and it was a good thing too...

because as soon as we we passed Discovery Island...I saw a massive sea of people headed in our direction...lots and lots of people moving quickly and with the same goal as us...to tackle Expedition Everest...(I was reminded a little of the stampede scence in the gorge in Lion King...)

Alice, Rabbit and I picked up our pace...was joined by this crowd and made it tothe EE standby where we met Hatter....madly waviing around his fast passes with great glee....amd we got in line to ride standby first...15 minute wait...which gave me time to think...Think about what I was planning on doing...

Anyone who has ridden this ride...knows just how amazing the theming and the queing area is...so I was partially distracted by that but I was a bit nervous...

And this must have shown on my face...because a CM popped up behind me at the loading platform...and cried out in a loud falsetto "Oh no please, please don't go!", which freaked me just a pit and amused my family to no end...ok-funny man-I'll show you...

I think that EE started out deceptively calmly...even counting that very steep incline...then you hit those twisted track and the real party begins...

All in all I really liked it...I do think it was pretty intense...I remember reading on another thread that its just like BTMRR with different theming...don't think so ...I think this is a serious coaster...not a lot of really high drops...but some intense moments just the same...(Alice and Rabbit thought it was awesome and Hatter liked it as well...)

and of course I was thrilled to have conquered Everest...going through the gift shop we saw Baby Yetis-that I knew we'd be back for...

I will say I was a little dizzy for about 5 minutes when we got off...mostly a little disoriented...but I did it and I was feeling pleased with myself...

(Sadly I have no Everest Photos because I was too nervous to remember...and Hatter just does not seem to appreciate the need to capture these moments for future generations...and Dis readers...

Our next goal was Dinoland because Rabbit and Alice have to ride Primevil Whirl-and I see this as a bit of the Dumbo of AK-the line just keeps getting longer-and sure enough it was already showing a 40 minute wait...so Hatter jogged over to Dinosaur to grab some fast passes while we waited in line...I really do enjoy this ride too...I kind of look at it as tea cup let loose on a mouse trap-good, good times...

We took a whirl on Triceratops Spin...and went into Hester and Chesters

the kids could ride this multiple times...but we had a very important bear to find...

Baloo...

Alice absolutely and irrationally adores Baloo-her adoration began about the time she first saw the Jungle Book when she was about 5 or 6 and has continued to this day...sadly on our last serveral trips she had been anxious to track him down to no avail...but I had read that Baioo now does regular character greetings so we weren't going to miss him...(she even had her stuffed Baloo in her backpack-my normally pulled together 14 year old was 6 again...

Well we found the appropriate character greeting area and first came to Turk...sorry Turk-we'll be back-we are having a Baloo crisis...and we score...Baloo...and King Louie...

now King Louie is nice and all, but Alice was really all about Baloo at this moment-but how do you say to one of the characters...um yeah can you just sit this one out...we like the other character better than you...?

So Alice got her Baloo love and decided to give Turk a chance as well....

It was time to make our way back to EE to use our fast passes but first...a stop at Andapor Tea for refreshments...an amazing Frozen Chai for me...it was pretty yum...let me tell you...

Next :Should we ride Kali w/ a 40 minute wait & it was time to reride EE...hmm...would everyone make it...?

 

[dismagiclover]

You found Baloo! What a great moment for Alice. I love how Disney brings back that childhood feeling even for 14 year olds! I hope when mine are 14 they can still have moments like that! We also had one of those moments when one of the characters in the Meet 'n Greet was ignored. If you remember from my TR Chewie got a little upset that the Ewok was getting all the love
Oh and congratulations on conquering Everest

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Yippeee for finding Baloo!! I love the picture of Alice hugging him!!!

So, I'm wondering if you'll ever ride EE again. Cause DS6 would love to give it a try but I have to admit I'm a little nervous to try it! My biggest fear is that my on again/off again vertigo will decide to be on again and I'll be a basketcase!! Seeing how DH gets really bad motion sickness I'm the only adult available to take him. I do great on BTMRR but EE, not sure!!

Can't wait to hear more about your AK day!

 

[jenjolt]

Awww...I'm so glad Alice was able to get her beloved Baloo time...he is so much fun!!!!

YAY for you conquering EE...that is definitely a thrill ride and I love it!!!! I'm glad you enjoyed it and you are right that queue is amazing!!

Frozen Chai...I have to remember to get me one of these...I have heard nothing but amazing things about the Frozen Chai and I really really want one LOL!

 

[Charleston Princess]

You go, girl, for riding Everest! I do think it is a wonderful ride, and we have our baby yetis as well!

Awww, I love Emily's excitement over meeting Baloo! That is so sweet!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Just hop on over to my thread and borrow my EE photos! I'm glad you rode it and hope that everyone made it for a second ride.
Loved the pictures with Baloo, that is so cute that Alice had her own Baloo in her backpack. Even a teen can be a kid at Disney!

 

[Flossbolna]

Baloo is great, one of my favourite characters, too! I guess, I really should try to meet him! Where was he?

And for going on EE! The more often you go on it, the more it will become like a fast BTMRR. And the queue is really worth it to be explored. I actually let people pass me in the line in order to be able to explore the museum in more depth once.

 

[cjackearl]

You are much braver than I for riding EE! Good for you.

How awesome that Alice got to meet Baloo. She looks positively thrilled. Love the Baloo hiding in her backpack.

I love the photo of you all in Triceratops Spin with your finger in the air like, "Wait a minute, honey!"

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

You found Baloo! What a great moment for Alice. I love how Disney brings back that childhood feeling even for 14 year olds! I hope when mine are 14 they can still have moments like that! We also had one of those moments when one of the characters in the Meet 'n Greet was ignored. If you remember from my TR Chewie got a little upset that the Ewok was getting all the love
Oh and congratulations on conquering Everest

It was very sweet and it gave me a huge smile......it's nice to know that that little girl is still in there......your kids are lovely-they'll be great ...the thing is they sort of remain who they are but with a jolt of hormones and emotions that does complicate things and I think confuse them......Alice and most of her friends are all still really great, sweet kids...(they just have their moments and teen posturing...-but that's pretty minimal)

I know-poor Chewie-how can you put a cute little fuzzie Ewok next to Chewie and not expect the Ewok to gather the lion's share of the attention...(I love Ewoks myself...-Rabbit thinks its cute...)

I feel sorry for those neglected characters though...I remember being at the Studios once when they had Mr. & Mrs. Incredible taking photos and signing and poor Frozone...(he was Mr. Incred's super hero friend) was being all neglected so I had the kids go over and pose and get his autograph...Frozone seemed to happy to have the attention....

Everest and I are tight......

Yippeee for finding Baloo!! I love the picture of Alice hugging him!!!

So, I'm wondering if you'll ever ride EE again. Cause DS6 would love to give it a try but I have to admit I'm a little nervous to try it! My biggest fear is that my on again/off again vertigo will decide to be on again and I'll be a basketcase!! Seeing how DH gets really bad motion sickness I'm the only adult available to take him. I do great on BTMRR but EE, not sure!!

Can't wait to hear more about your AK day!

Yes I would definitely ride EE again...It really is fabulous...an Imagineering Masterpiece...It is tougher than BTMRR-but there aren't any really steep drops...(at least maybe I've blocked them out...) The thing that's tough with any of the rides that are new for you...is that the first time is always the toughest because you don't know what to expect...and the unexpected is always the scariest...I actually was having a teeny bit of vertigo myself because of something going on with my left ear-you can take Dramamine...it really helps...If DS wants to do it and you think you can...go for it...if you really dislike it-you don't have to do it again...but YOU WILL HAVE CONQUERED EVEREST...and that's kind of cool...

Awww...I'm so glad Alice was able to get her beloved Baloo time...he is so much fun!!!!

YAY for you conquering EE...that is definitely a thrill ride and I love it!!!! I'm glad you enjoyed it and you are right that queue is amazing!!

Frozen Chai...I have to remember to get me one of these...I have heard nothing but amazing things about the Frozen Chai and I really really want one LOL!

Alice + Baloo+

He was great and all excited to see her stuffed Baloo, which was so cute...

Yeah, I can't deny that I'm pretty pleased with myself for doing EEand I'll do it again...

If you like tea and Chai in particular-you MUST get one of the frozen chais...very yum...they also have a nice selection for hot and iced teas for non Chai fans......but to me Chai smells and tastes like Christmas in a cup...

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

You go, girl, for riding Everest! I do think it is a wonderful ride, and we have our baby yetis as well!

Awww, I love Emily's excitement over meeting Baloo! That is so sweet!!!

That's right I am now an Everest Godess...-I wonder if you could have that put on a t-shirt...?

Getting our baby Yeti was a huge thing...I had told Rabbit that we would get it after we rode EE and it would be the mascot of our Jack Prelutsky poetry club...(OT-when I found out that David liked Jack P-I jumped on it and the two of us sort of formed the JP poetry club-its' informal-we do it once a week-you have to share a funnyish poem...and we eat a sweet treat...(I know we are really weird but a nice happy kind of wierd......so the deal was that after we rode EE...we would buy the Yeti and he would be our mascot...He is now our official mascot...-except he occasionally spends time in the fridge to cool down...don't ask...

Just hop on over to my thread and borrow my EE photos! I'm glad you rode it and hope that everyone made it for a second ride.
Loved the pictures with Baloo, that is so cute that Alice had her own Baloo in her backpack. Even a teen can be a kid at Disney!

Thank you for the photo offer...you may be shocked if you pop here one day only to find some suspiciously familiar photos staring back at you...

It was huge think for Alice to find Baloo-I"m so grateful we found him...

Baloo is great, one of my favourite characters, too! I guess, I really should try to meet him! Where was he?

And for going on EE! The more often you go on it, the more it will become like a fast BTMRR. And the queue is really worth it to be explored. I actually let people pass me in the line in order to be able to explore the museum in more depth once.

Baloo and King Louie are apparently regulars now at AK on the path that leads from Africa to Asia closer to Africa...there are other characters lined up along there too...Turk and we saw Flik further down...

The detailing in that "museum" at EE is staggering......so cool...

 

[mousescrapper]

Hi Chessie or Triple P (whatever mood you happen to be in)

love the latest update!

Whoever thinks EE is like BTMRR is way off IMHO...EE is way more intesne w/ going backwards, in the dark....it is a bit smoother than BTMRR...they are both cool and I love them, but totally different!

I so loved my first ride on EE, nothing could compare, the 2nd ride was equally fun, but that butterfly, OMG anticipation and excitment wasn't quite there...

I really wanted a name tag thing that said I surrived EE, but I didn't see one w/ my name on it on 08 and I don't recall seeing them this yr. Michael has a mini Yeti plush magnet, that my Mom got him in 08..it's cool!

Oh and I so agree about the queue line...it's like walking thru an exhibit at the Field Museum in Chicago.

So very neat about meeting Baloo, that is one character we have not met. I love Jungle book...I have an old child cup w/ jungle book characters on it in my bathroom that holds little supplies....

I so love how happy Alice looks, her smile is great! Don't you just love those moments

J-

Oh and I must go to the tea shop some time, that frozen chai sounds delish

 

[Flossbolna]

Yes I would definitely ride EE again...It really is fabulous...an Imagineering Masterpiece...It is tougher than BTMRR-but there aren't any really steep drops...(at least maybe I've blocked them out...) The thing that's tough with any of the rides that are new for you...is that the first time is always the toughest because you don't know what to expect...and the unexpected is always the scariest...

While the first time is always the scariest, it is also the most intense in a positive way! I still remember my first ride on EE early in the morning and when we pulled into the station, everyone on the train was cheering and clapping. I had this happen at Soarin', too. I think it is a sign of how well designed (or better: imagineered) those rights are that people feel that they need to show their approval of the experience!

In a way I would love to be able to experience the big attractions again without knowing them to get back that thrill. I hope giong with a first timer will let me experience that wow effect again a bit by proxy...

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

You are much braver than I for riding EE! Good for you.

How awesome that Alice got to meet Baloo. She looks positively thrilled. Love the Baloo hiding in her backpack.

I love the photo of you all in Triceratops Spin with your finger in the air like, "Wait a minute, honey!"

Nah...less brave than -I put myself into a denial zone...and by the time I start to have second thoughts...I'm on the ride...

I know I think that Alice meeting Baloo was really just one of those moments
kind of like when Rabbit...well you'll just have to wait for that

Yes-I thnk I may have mentioned that I am not a great photographic subject...I tend not to smile right, I move...all kinds of stuff...poor Hatter-for all of my teasing...he's a pretty tolerant fellow...

Hi Chessie or Triple P (whatever mood you happen to be in)

love the latest update!

Whoever thinks EE is like BTMRR is way off IMHO...EE is way more intesne w/ going backwards, in the dark....it is a bit smoother than BTMRR...they are both cool and I love them, but totally different!

I so loved my first ride on EE, nothing could compare, the 2nd ride was equally fun, but that butterfly, OMG anticipation and excitment wasn't quite there...

I really wanted a name tag thing that said I surrived EE, but I didn't see one w/ my name on it on 08 and I don't recall seeing them this yr. Michael has a mini Yeti plush magnet, that my Mom got him in 08..it's cool!

Oh and I so agree about the queue line...it's like walking thru an exhibit at the Field Museum in Chicago.

So very neat about meeting Baloo, that is one character we have not met. I love Jungle book...I have an old child cup w/ jungle book characters on it in my bathroom that holds little supplies....

I so love how happy Alice looks, her smile is great! Don't you just love those moments

J-

Oh and I must go to the tea shop some time, that frozen chai sounds delish

I always tell everyone (when they are trying to give me a nickname for Patricia...you can call me what you want as long as you say it with a smile...

Yeah...methinks there aren't really too many similarities between BTMRR and EE either...hm...they're both fun?...

I agree with you-I think EE is smooth-just really fast and a little disorientling...

gotta have a yeti...

I have heard such fabulous things about the Field Museum......I probably wouldn't want to leave but then there's the Chicago Art Institute and...

Oh Baloo is just so huggable...Alice was just totally unguarded... not worrying about what anyone thought...just giving a hug to big old Baloo...

btw...I miss your trip reports...

 

[mousescrapper]

I always tell everyone (when they are trying to give me a nickname for Patricia...you can call me what you want as long as you say it with a smile...

Yeah...methinks there aren't really too many similarities between BTMRR and EE either...hm...they're both fun?...

I agree with you-I think EE is smooth-just really fast and a little disorientling...

gotta have a yeti...

I have heard such fabulous things about the Field Museum......I probably wouldn't want to leave but then there's the Chicago Art Institute and...

Oh Baloo is just so huggable...Alice was just totally unguarded... not worrying about what anyone thought...just giving a hug to big old Baloo...

btw...I miss your trip reports...

I love your name....one of my Aunt's is a Patricia and she is AWESOME! I'm sure just like you...

yes I would have to be partial to Chicago's Museum's

and thanks for missing me... you're sweet as a cupcake checkin the BLOG action at all....have had a rough week w/ being and all the kids too....so I haven't worked much on the first Disney book...but soon I should have enough to post about it.

Scrappie (J-)

 

[Charleston Princess]

That's right I am now an Everest Godess...-I wonder if you could have that put on a t-shirt...?

Getting our baby Yeti was a huge thing...I had told Rabbit that we would get it after we rode EE and it would be the mascot of our Jack Prelutsky poetry club...(OT-when I found out that David liked Jack P-I jumped on it and the two of us sort of formed the JP poetry club-its' informal-we do it once a week-you have to share a funnyish poem...and we eat a sweet treat...(I know we are really weird but a nice happy kind of wierd......so the deal was that after we rode EE...we would buy the Yeti and he would be our mascot...He is now our official mascot...-except he occasionally spends time in the fridge to cool down...don't ask...

Everest Goddess -- I like the sound of it!

The Jack Prelutsky poetry club is such a cute idea! I may have to borrow it!

Chelsea and Connor's yetis have been known to show up in our fridge (it began in the fridge at POFQ in 2007) -- Connor claims it is because it reminds them of their home.