Can I Survive 5 Days in Disney With My MOM - A Mother-Daughter Trip Updated 7/23

[tazdev3225]

Oh....My.....Gosh! You saw your mom smile - could this be the beginning of Magical trip after all??!! (j/k I'm glad she enjoyed seen Devine. How did you know where to find her?)

We shall see if she ever gets the Magic. I saw Devine for the first time this past December so I knew it was a must for mom. Devine is in Africa. She comes out next to Tamu Tamu refreshments.

Hi! I am enjoying your TR so far. Very funny! I have not seen that "tree person" before. How cool! I think we were there at the same time staying in the same resort. We did CBR May 1-9. I look forward to hearing about more mother and daughter time.

We were there at the same time. We were at CBR from April 20-May 4. We were in Aruba. It was my second stay there. I loved it.

 

[tazdev3225]

Sorry for the delay to my TR but I am having computer problems.

When I last updated we were getting ready to go on the Kilimanjaro Safari. I love this attraction. We have a really good zoo here in Philly that I do go to but the safari is so much better. I also love trying to get good pics on it. Once I told mom what this was about she was excited to try it. Now you must uderstand that my mom is a city girl. We have always lived in the big city. At heart my mom is a country girl. We are close to Lancaster PA which is farm land. She loves going there in the spring to smell manure. : There was once a buffalo farm there and she knew all of the buffalo by name.

We got in line. The wait time posted was 20 minutes. If it was it was a very fast 20 minutes. I went an ECV when I'm in Disney, I have knee issues, so I get a unique perspective from my ride. If this is anyone here on the DIS I apologize but remember you are in a wide open place. First I got adjusting the pants

Then we had the bra problems.

Sorry but no matter how many times you adjust them they are going to show.
But I think this was the best. They are really cute little shoes, but to hike through Disney in. My feet hurt in symapathy.

The group in front of us was annoying me to top it all off. I don't mind loud to some extent but I really don't want to hear your entire conversation. I have been known to use bad words but not in Disney there are kids around. What really got me angry was a favorite pet peeve here on the DIS. The older woman and a companion forcrd their way in front of us. OK you need to get there seconds before me isn't going to make the wait go faster, I can deal with that. When we have been in line for 5 minutes do not have a group of people, with a stroller, push past everyone to join you. OK rant over.

As we walked through the queue we saw a shy tortoise

We were finally on board the safari and readyt o go when a guinea hen and her companion decided to cross the road. I only have this one

up next a hippo

termite hill, glad it's not at my house

giraffe

now in all my safari rides I have never gotten a decent shot of the giraffes. Here I got 2 and they were staring at me. In all fairness we were stuck at this spot so I managed to get a few good shots.

Never saw this before. I looked it up on-line and I believe it is a Mandrill. The blue nose is what caught my eye

elephant, another animal that tends to escape me

flamingos

the best I could do for a lion

I was showing the pics to my DGS. He is almost 12 and a bit of a clown. He decided this was a 6-legged, 2 headed animal. It is actually 2 Okapis

I had more pics but these were among the best. Mom loved the safari so we had another success.

Up next the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail

 

[tazdev3225]

Moving on we are now entering the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. I have somehow managed to miss this on my last couple of trips. I love all of the photo ops I got here but I have huge fear of birds. My mom knows this but doesn't seem to care. Fortunately when I am taking pics of them I forget I'm terrified. This will be a mostly pic update.

African Green Pigeon

Bearded Barboset

I just liked the way this pic came out

Another pic of what I thought was "King Julian" actually a Meerkat

and the best part of the trail for me was the gorillas. When my kids were little we would spend hours watching them at our zoo. My DS loved how much they were like people. We had a fire at our zoo that wiped out all of our gorillas about 15 years ago and it devastated my DS. He willlove this when we go next year.

the baby. I believe the CM said she was born in February

Mom and baby

Mom loved this. She didn't want to leave for awhile. She kept asking the CM questions. The only bad part was a bunch of nitwits who thought it was fun to wave and clap at the gorillas and bang on the glass. Gorillas take this as a sign of aggression and they were getting agitated. The CM kept telling them to stop. I was afraid I would get to see security in action but thankfully they left. Mom had a smile on her face again. Another success.

On the way out we saw the silverback gorilla

I had animals staring at me again. We were starting to get a little hungry at this point. It was about 1:30 and we hadn't had anything to eat other than the snacks on the plane since about 7 in the morning. Mom treated to eggrolls at what I believe was the Yak and Yeti stand. I liked this

the eggroll

We both got the chicken and shrimp with a soda. It was good, not the best I have ever eaten but it was good. It definitely hit the spot as I was really getting hungry.

Hunger satisfied we were off to our next adventure. What will it be? Stay tuned.

 

[tazdev3225]

I left off eating an eggroll. It was good and enough to take the edge off of our hunger. We were off to find more adventures.
Along the way I came across some gibbons sharing a tender moment

We then headed over to the Maharajah Jungle Trek. First I saw an interesting flower

cardinal looking at me

tiger staring at me

this reminded me of Comet in The Santa Clause

in all of my trips I never noticed the bike before

slightly lopsided Hidden Mickey

blue-billed duck

crested wood partridge

plum headed parakeet at least that's what mom swears it is. I'm not to sure

bird giving me the evil eye

an elusive golden pheasant

another bird looking at me

I once again forgot my overwhelming fear of the birds. I am either paranoid or those birds were sizing me up. I swear they were staring at me. I do wish you could take a paper copy of the bird identifier with you however. I ttok pics of a few but I missed most of them. I would really like to know what they were. Oh well, an excuse for another trip.

We left the trek and wound up at the Gibbons again. Mom really enjoyed them so we spent a little time here.

staring at me

staring at me again

this guy reminded me of my grandson

mom and baby and possibly the reasons for the stare

This was another success. My mom loved the baby and kept asking me if I got a good picture of it. She seemed to be once more.

Up next I finish Day 1.

 

[tazdev3225]

Day 1 ends. I finally convinced mom that I had good pics of the baby and we were off. We headed to EE and I convinced her to go on.

I take pics on as many rides as I can. The wait time was posted at 20 minutes but I don't think it was more than 10. I didn't have time to take pics in the queue, although I did get a couple.

Mom actually said it was OK. I don't know if she really liked it but at least she gave it a shot.

Next up was Dinosaur. The wait time here was about 10 minutes but only because we had to wait for the doors to open. As we waited we looked around and both said that my one DGS will love this ride next year. He has loved dinosaurs since he was really little.

Mom and I are in the middle row. I have the camera in hand hoping for a good shot. I really didn't take any pics along the way. That ride is dark and bumpy.

Then it was time for a few pics of us

I was hungry again. OK not really but I wanted a funnel cake.

One final shot of us

We did walk around a bit but the park was getting ready to close. We headed back to the resort and got off at Old Port Royale. We decided it was time for some real food. Mom got a tuna sandwich. She liked it. I opted for the vegetarian platter. I am not a vegetarian but I get in moods for them and it looked good.

I got corn, broccoli and mashed potatoes with a corn bread. All pretty standard foods. I also got the black beans which were really good and the fried plantains. I had never had them before. They are a little starchy and sweeter than bananas. They were good also.

We then headed over to the room. I wanted to see Illuminations from the beach so I went down there and relaxed on a hammock.

my newly pedicured foot

I had never had one of those before so I took an off beat pic

Our section Aruba at night.

We heard Illunminations but didn't get to see them as they were behind us. Mom and I did relax on the beach for awhile and then headed back to the room. She went to bed and I watched TV for a bit.

Over all it was a good first day. Animal Kingdom was a good choice and mom enjoyed herself. I had survived the first day. Will this continue? Stay tuned. Up next Day 2 and my aunt joins us.

 

[KELLY]

Great Pictures! How was CBR?
We only had CBR and POR to choose from for our next trip. We chosse POR since we usually stay at POFQ.

 

[heaven2dc]

I have to say....I am highly impressed with your first day! What a fabulous photographer you are You definitely have an eye for getting the out-of-the-norm photos - plus the one you got of that monkey on the safari (can't remember the name but I've never seen one like that before). You did get every one of them to look right at you (what was your secret?)

 

[tazdev3225]

Great Pictures! How was CBR?
We only had CBR and POR to choose from for our next trip. We chosse POR since we usually stay at POFQ.

I love CBR. It was my 2nd stay there and I am booked there again in October. I know people complain about the size but it really isn't that bad. There is an internal shuttle but we have never used it. The walk around the grounds is lovely. Thanks for reading.

I have to say....I am highly impressed with your first day! What a fabulous photographer you are You definitely have an eye for getting the out-of-the-norm photos - plus the one you got of that monkey on the safari (can't remember the name but I've never seen one like that before). You did get every one of them to look right at you (what was your secret?)

Thank you. I love taking pics. I try and go for something offbeat when I can. The monkey on the safari was luck. The blue nose caught my eye and I snapped hoping for something decent. I think getting them all to look at me was setting myself up in the right spot and waiting. It did give the unique perspective of them staring right at me. Keep reading I will have a lot more in the way of photos. I took over 2000 in the 5 days we were there. I won't post them all.

 

[Kelrykengab]

What fabulous pics!! You made me wish we spent more time appreciating AK! Next time I guess.

 

[tazdev3225]

What fabulous pics!! You made me wish we spent more time appreciating AK! Next time I guess.

Thank you. I always say that everytime I miss something I have an excuse to go back again. You really should spend time exploring AK. I am still finding things there that I never noticed before. I really love that park.

 

[2BoysMom]

I have no idea who this is but I had never seen him before

I couldn't resist not answering this.....
This is Terk. She was the best friend-gorilla of Tarzan. In the movie, her voice was performed by Rosie O'Donnell.

 

[tazdev3225]

I couldn't resist not answering this.....
This is Terk. She was the best friend-gorilla of Tarzan. In the movie, her voice was performed by Rosie O'Donnell.

Thank you. I have never seen the Tarzan movie. My DGS was never interested and the younger ones watch Princess movies or Monsters Inc all the time. Thanks for reading along.

 

[tazdev3225]

To all who have read along I'm sorry for the delay in an update but I had some computer issues. They have been resolved so the TR returns.

DAY 2

The day started off on a bad note. My mom gets up early, before the sun rises early. At 6 AM she is trying to wake me up. I am not a morning person, I never have been, mom knows this. I told her my alarm was set and went back to sleep. At 6:30, a much more reasonable time, I got up. After checking the weather and finding out the weather was still calling for HOT I made some coffee, and yes I know many people do not consider what they have in the hotels to be coffee, but if it is wet, brown, hot and has caffeine it is coffee. While the coffee brewed I took a shower. By 7:30 I felt human again. My cell phone rang and my mom was getting a little mad. She thought it was my DD but no, it was my aunt. She was at the hotel and needed to know where to go. Mom went out to meet her with the parking pass. I love my aunt she bought really good Hawaiin cookies, chocolate chip muffins and bottled water with her. I had breakfast for the week. By 8:30 we were at the bus stop and on our way to EPCOT.

We were at EPCOT by around 9:05. I was happy I really wanted to get an early start. While mom and my aunt went to get my aunts 4-day Florida residents pass I went to take pictures. My main purpose for this trip was the Flower and Garden show. The topiaries as you enter

In no time my mom (Esther she hates her name), me Lorrie, my aunt Anna were posing for our first pic together

The photopass CM was really nice and tried to get us top hang around so he could get us with the TRON monorail in the background but mom was anxious to move on.

I got one more pic of this flower

so pretty and so deadly. It is the digitalis plant.

We headed over to the Land pavilion. I have never wanted to go on Soarin. I get sick and dizzy at IMAX theaters. Mom knows this but she and my aunt wanted to go on so we got in line. It was about 9:30 and there was a 20 minute wait. It went really fast because there was a school group in front of us. My mom started talking to them and found out they were a band and orchestra group. She told them all about my brother who was in his school orchestra. They were a really nice group of kids and were very nice to my mom as she tortured them. I took a couple of pics as we waited.

We wound up in a front row. I closed my eyes a few times because I was getting a little queasy but overall I really enjoyed the ride and will go on it again. When we got off the wait time was up to over an hour .

We were then off to the Living With the Land ride. This was actually a walk on. I also knew my mom would like this. She has a garden every year in a tiny plot and started a Victory Garden at our church this year with the youth. She didn't remember the ride so it was like having a new experience.

I got this because my dad loves buffalo

Disney grows coffee and yet serves Nescafe

never saw a pinapple growing before. I always thought they were in a tree

I just want to now what you do with a 9 LB LEMON

A success. My mom and aunt were both impressed. We were then off to see a fish. I knew mom was not going to be happy with the changes here. This was one of my parents favorite attractions years ago. This was another walk on. I got a shell to myself and mom and my aunt rode together. They thought it was cute, code for I didn't really like what they did here. I took pics but this was my favorite

Turtle Talk was being seated so we headed right over there. I knew they would find this to be cute, code for I liked iot. I have to interpret them sometimes. I was right they thought it was cute.

Then we were off to see Figment.

This was another success. Of course my mom feels all kids should ride this to see that an imagination is an important thing to have. She is a little weird someytimes. We then went on Honey I Shrunk the Audience. I even managed to stay awake for most of it. I like the attraction but it really does put me to sleep. Then the moment I had plotted for

Beverly. I knew I was going to get them with this. I actually looked forward to it. I told them that we could get free soda samples and the one from Italy was really good. Their reactions were worth the wait. When my aunt asked me if I liked it I told her I had never even tried it. I knew better. It was fun.

I will leave off her. Day 2 will continue.

 

[tazdev3225]

DAY 2 continues

When I left off I had tricked my aunt and mom into trying Beverly. A mean trick perhaps but who among us hasn't tried to get an unsuspecting family member to try it. We then wandered around a little and I got some shots of the Flower and Garden show.

The Lion King

I loved this flower

It was now getting to close to our Afternoon Tea ADR. The ADR was for 2 PM and it was after 12:30. My mother is obsessed with not being late. We got a pic on the way out with Stitch

I knew this tea was a must from the moment I knew mom was going. She has always wanted us to have tea parties. When my aunt was joining us I knew we had to do it. We hopped on the monorail and then switched to the resort monorail and we got to the Grand Floridian early. This made mom happy but annoyed me. We were a 1/2 hour early. We explored a little and watched a couple of weddings get their pics taken. We weaited, and waited and waited. I had checked in but theere was a reception in the Garden View lounge. Around 2:30 I was getting angry. I complained as did several other people. We were soon seated in a corner with a great view of the lagoon and the Polynesian. If we had waited for the reception to end we would have never been seated. They were still there when we left.

The tea settings

The view

We all ordered the Buckingham. I got the pressed pot of coffee

The tea sandwiches, they were really good

scones, tart, jam and clotted cream. My mom had clotted cream in England and kept saying how good it was. She was right these were great

we all got the eclair and cream puff

All I can say is that if you have never tried this you should. The total cost was around $25 A PERSON and well worth it. It really was a wonderful experience. Mom and my aunt thought I was crazy getting coffee but the tea was a success.

Another of the little details that is Disney. This was on the floor outside the Garden View

Day 2 will continue as this update was about the tea.

 

[tazdev3225]

Day 3 begins

My mom and aunt are early risers so by the time my alarm went off at 6:30 AM they were up and getting dressed. I made the coffee and then showered. By the time I was dressed the coffee was ready and so I headed to the courtyard for breakfast, a chocolate chip muffin and caffeine. The courtyard was a very pleasant way to sit and start the day, minus the crows that liked to visit. Afew pics from this area

As I ate my breakfast I went over the map of EPCOT to see what I had missed of the flower show the day before. With my breakfast over, my camera bag packed and a gameplan for the day we headed off to Old Port Royale to refill the mugs. A few pics along the way

In no time we were at the bus stop and arriving at EPCOT by 9:02. I have never been there that early. SE was a walkon so we did that again. A few pics because I was happy with the ones from the day before

This face was inspired by Jordan on the Sweaty Asian TR's. I have lurked in the background there and loved his faces. I have to work on mine. My mother thought I was a little crazy but I had fun.

Next up as Mission Space, the Green side. I like this ride and mom and my aunt were game so on we went - literally. There was no wait except for the mission briefing. Now I don't know if pics are allowed on this ride, I have never heard anything to the contrary so I took a few - with NO flash. I actually was quite happy with them.

I didn't hear anything from my mom and so we were off to Test Track. My mom and aunt were game for everything. The wait here was again only 5 to 10 minutes. A few pics of TT.

And the closest thing I got to a picture on this ride as the camera was broken

It was then time to head to WS. First some Mickey and Minnie Gothic topiaries

and the garden behind them

Up next we arrive at Mexico on our tour around the world.

 

[heaven2dc]

Great update! Loved your pics of the topiaries - I would love to go during this time of year. Your mom and aunt really seem to be getting into the hang of everything - loved that they went on Mission Space & Test Track.

 

[kaetra]

Your photos look really great! Can't wait to see how the trip turns out!

I don't think I could handle a trip with my mom, you are a very strong person.

 

[tazdev3225]

Great update! Loved your pics of the topiaries - I would love to go during this time of year. Your mom and aunt really seem to be getting into the hang of everything - loved that they went on Mission Space & Test Track.

Thanks. That really was a great time to go. The Flower and Garden show really was worth the trip. I'm hoping my DH will go woth me one yesar.

Mom was willing to try a lot and my aunt went along so that was really nice.

Your photos look really great! Can't wait to see how the trip turns out!

I don't think I could handle a trip with my mom, you are a very strong person.

Thanks, I love taking pics. I don't know if I'm strong but it was an interesting trip at times. More will be coming over the weekend.

 

[tazdev3225]

For those who have been reading thanks. I know you are out there. Don't be shy, let me know what you think. I am sorry for the delay in updating but it's the summer and I'm at the pool most days.

Without any further ado I am on to DAY 3 the WS.

When I left off several weeks ago we were heading towards Mexico. We went on the Gran Fiesta which I enjoy.

Donald taking a pic of me

I took pics on tthere but they were my favorites. When we got off I roamed around looking at some merchandise. This made me think of my DD. She is into skulls.

And as we exited I grabbed this pic.

We moved onto Norway. When we were preparing for our ay my mom and aunt were just a little upset with the fact that I refused to leave Disney to go to church. They go 2 times a weekend when they vacation together, once at my aunts denomination and once at my mom's. I was not going. When we got to Norway I showed them the Stave church. They bought it so the church thing was resolved.

The Troll topiary

In the church

And we were off to Maelstrom. We literally walked right on.

This was without flash

and we're done

I did not want to watch the film, mom and my aunt did so I left to wander the store.
The troll shot

That was taken for my DGS. I had my hand up its nose. He does that every trip.

We were then onto China. We went in and saw the tomb warriors and then mom and my aunt went to the movie there. I went out and took pictures.
The topiaries were the Chinese Zodiak

The tiger

The rabbit

The rat

The dog

The ox

The pig

The rooster

The sheep

The horse

The snake

The monkey

There are a couple others but I don't seem to have them in my photobucket account.

One of my favorite pics

The dragon bromeliad

The Giant Apostle's Iris

I have hit my limit so we will continue

 

[tazdev3225]

I met Mulan

I also got a mango green tea slushie. That was really good and it was hot out so it was very refreshing. We left China and headed on to Germany and the Snow White Topiaries

Italy and I think where the new restaurant will be opening

On we went to the American Adventure. We were all a little hungry at this point so we stopped here for lunch. Mom and my aunt split a chicken wrap and I had a chili cheese dog.

They were really good and hit the spot as I was starving. After we ate I got pics of the topiaries here.

We then went into the show at the American Adventure pavilion. We watched the chorale and then were seated inside the theater. If you get the chance to look around check out the statues they have in there. They are attributes of the American spirit.

and the show

My mom loves history so she really loved the show. We were doing good. We then headed over to Morocco. We explored a little and I got a baklava.

That was really good and they didn't want to share so I had it all to myself.
Thre was a photopass photographer outside Morocco so I made them get in a pic

We were off for Japan.
The bonsai

The Koi pond

and I swear this fish was posing

I also got my 2 pearls. I get them every trip and now have 8 or 10 and have never done anything with them. I keep saying I will but now who knows.

I will continue.