Celebrating my big 4-0 with the Big Cheese - Update 11/13, page 19

[MeMom]

I had a little flashback to pictures on reports when I went to the New England Aquarium a few weeks ago -- they have an area where you can watch the vets doing their thing. Obviously not as good as at AK but it reminded me of there.

Good job, Meghan! Don't you love it when something 'out here' takes us 'you know where'?!?!?

 

[DWGal210]

What fun Photopass pictures - awesome!! I love the ones they do with the kids holding Simba - precious!!

 

[Happy Elf]

Great photopass pictures! Love the one with Tink!

You pointed out some animals that I've not seen before! The elephant looks so cool! The hidden Mickey on the bird is great! :

Can't wait for more!

 

[kschafer]

Awwww, that is seriously cute that he was worried about missing the boneyard. That is just too sweet.

I love the AK photopass pictures, very cute, especially the simba ones.

Lesson learned that morning...let the kids pick because saying "we'll do that on our next day here" just isn't going to cut it!

Wonderful PP pic. I agree that the simba pictures are simply adorable. I also love all the pics you took of the conservation station. That's for allowing me to see all that detail. I haven't been back there since 2006!

You are clearly off to a great day at AK. Glad you finally update. Looking forward to more!

I'm not sure I would visit without little ones either so I'm glad I finally took the chance to go.

It won't be so long before the next update I promise!!

Oh, I haven't been on that train, or to the conservation station, in SO long! Definitely a must-do in January. I had a little flashback to pictures on reports when I went to the New England Aquarium a few weeks ago -- they have an area where you can watch the vets doing their thing. Obviously not as good as at AK but it reminded me of there. Love your PP pictures too!

I had a loaf of bread last night than when sliced looked like a flattened mickey head...finding Disney wherever you look is a symptom of a sickness you know!

I love all of your super-cute photopass pictures! I never take the time to do it and I really should! I love the boys' expressions in the one where you are holding Tinkerbell! Very sweet! It looks like you guys were off to a great start at AK! That is so adorable that Patrick was so worried about missing the Boneyard! I'm glad you were able to figure out the root of the problem! Looks like Daniel was really loving Planet Watch too! I love it there too! And I've never seen a pelican x-ray before! Pizzafari is always a good bet for lunch too! This day definitely sounds like fun to me!

I wanted to take a family picture each day of our trip but you will see we didn't quite make it. Greg was kind of picky about when he wanted to stop (and I realized after I received my CD that our last day family pics were not on there )

Pizzafari was really yummy!!

Katie, great update. I like the fact that you took your time at AK and took in some of the sites. We've not done that train ride in years and I hope to squeeze it in this trip.

The photopass pictures are terrific!

Daniel really enjoyed exploring all there was to see which was a surprise because that's more typical of Patrick. I had to push down my commando persona and realize that he was having a blast catching little details and learning new things at the same time. Once I did that, I enjoyed our time there.

Still cute, even when trying to be scary. Great family picture!

It's nice to get a Cruise Line bus to a park every now and then. Something different, and for me, probably the only time I'll ever be riding one, since going to a ship in one is not likely to happen.

Those elephants at Rafiki's are so kind not to mind all of our DIS kids climbing all over them all the time.

Nice update. You know how much I love to see AK pictures.

Too bad the bus wasn't taking us to the big boat but we enjoyed the trip for sure!!

I definitely thought of your 2 rats when the boys posed on the elephants

 

[kschafer]

Good job, Meghan! Don't you love it when something 'out here' takes us 'you know where'?!?!?

What fun Photopass pictures - awesome!! I love the ones they do with the kids holding Simba - precious!!

Those really did turn out cute. Our PP photographers the first 2 days were some of the best we had the whole trip

Great photopass pictures! Love the one with Tink!

You pointed out some animals that I've not seen before! The elephant looks so cool! The hidden Mickey on the bird is great! :

Can't wait for more!

The boys really enjoyed trying to spot different animals. The elephant is one of my faves for sure! On our second day, we were going to walk the trail behind the tree to get an up close view but Greg wasn't feeling it so we ended up skipping it.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Wish all the Disney buses were as comfy as that one that took you to AK that morning!

I haven't been out to Rafiki's Planet Watch in a long time. One of these trips I want to go out in the morning and see if I can catch the vets at work, but I'll have to force myself to let go of my race to EE & the safari to do that!

 

[Megablocks]

Good job, Meghan! Don't you love it when something 'out here' takes us 'you know where'?!?!?

Yes!!! Charles understands when I talk about my DIS friends and is super tolerant of my obsession but I KNOW if I started talking about how that reminded me of Disney I'd get the combination eye roll/head shake/smile! He always tells me I have two types of radar, "puppy radar" (I LOVE dogs and can spot them from a mile away), and "Disney radar" (obviously.) When we were at the venue where the Boston Bruins play looking for tickets earlier in the year, we stopped in the pro shop after and I was in the back of the store when I heard from one of the mounted TV's at the FRONT of the store, "Disney's Animal Kingdom..." then "...Expedition Everest..." and I started making my way towards the front. I think I kept saying I heard something about Disney and Charles kept on asking what set off my radar. I had no idea what sports player was there, I just wanted to see Disney!

I had a loaf of bread last night than when sliced looked like a flattened mickey head...finding Disney wherever you look is a symptom of a sickness you know!

It's a good thing I finished my coffee before I read this!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I know that I have NO right to feel this way but now that free dining has been announced for the week of my birthday...IT'S KILLING ME THAT I'M NOT GOING!!! Yes, 2 weeks with the whole family was much more special than 1 week with just the boys would be but I can't help but feel a bit pouty about it If I had been able to make the b-day trip work, my parents would have joined us and my brother and I keep trying to talk them into going and doing the dining plan (Dad has said he would like the freedom but Mom isn't convinced on the cost) so I was really hoping for that chance for them too

Never hurts to put down a deposit. Just sayin'...

As we sat there, I discoverd Patrick's real problem was that he was anxious to get to the boneyard which wasn't on the schedule until our second AK day. He promised he would be OK if we used our FP's for the safari first then head in that direction. Lesson for the day...have a discussion the night before about everyones most wanted for the next days park!!

That is pretty stinkin' cute. I'm sure it was a bit frustrating at the moment due to plans, but looking back....

Wonderful AK pictures! I don't even remember seeing the rock leaves or the animals in the cement at Rafiki's!

 

[jbschafer]

BAD diser!! I hang my head in shame for having neglected my TR for so long!!

And yet, a month later we are still waiting for the next installment.

 

[MEK]

Come Back!

 

[kschafer]

Wish all the Disney buses were as comfy as that one that took you to AK that morning!

I haven't been out to Rafiki's Planet Watch in a long time. One of these trips I want to go out in the morning and see if I can catch the vets at work, but I'll have to force myself to let go of my race to EE & the safari to do that!

Greg was hoping for a cruise bus the rest of the trip! Maybe I can entice him to book a cruise by promising one of those busses

It was my first visit to Rafiki's and I enjoyed it but it would be hard to let go of that race! I wonder how the Avitar addition will affect those crowd habits?

Yes!!! Charles understands when I talk about my DIS friends and is super tolerant of my obsession but I KNOW if I started talking about how that reminded me of Disney I'd get the combination eye roll/head shake/smile! He always tells me I have two types of radar, "puppy radar" (I LOVE dogs and can spot them from a mile away), and "Disney radar" (obviously.) When we were at the venue where the Boston Bruins play looking for tickets earlier in the year, we stopped in the pro shop after and I was in the back of the store when I heard from one of the mounted TV's at the FRONT of the store, "Disney's Animal Kingdom..." then "...Expedition Everest..." and I started making my way towards the front. I think I kept saying I heard something about Disney and Charles kept on asking what set off my radar. I had no idea what sports player was there, I just wanted to see Disney!

It's a good thing I finished my coffee before I read this!

My boys have pretty good Disney radar after this trip too!! I love that they have fine tuned it so well!!

Never hurts to put down a deposit. Just sayin'...

That is pretty stinkin' cute. I'm sure it was a bit frustrating at the moment due to plans, but looking back....

Wonderful AK pictures! I don't even remember seeing the rock leaves or the animals in the cement at Rafiki's!

A trip won't be in the works for this year but perhaps next year...I've started working on Greg for a possible Thanksgiving 2012 trip

My BA is in geology so I tend to notice rock details like that

And yet, a month later we are still waiting for the next installment.

Aw man...scolded by a newbie...and not just any newbie! My brother has been corrupted enough to join the Dis!! And can I just say how much I hate you for having a ticker too

Mom said today that when they visited they kept having to listen to the girls talk about Disney rides and plans, we'll have to get together sometime soon so I can join in You can help me work on convincing Greg to go next Thanksgiving so Mom and Dad can use their passes! Mom said something today about us coming to visit them without a Disney trip and Greg laughed and said that wouldn't happen...my corruption plans are working!!

Come Back!

I'm hoping things will settle down a bit and I can get back to my report soon. I haven't forgotten all of you (although I am dreadfully behind on all of your reports also...did I see something about yours wrapping up already? )

 

[MEK]

I'm hoping things will settle down a bit and I can get back to my report soon. I haven't forgotten all of you (although I am dreadfully behind on all of your reports also...did I see something about yours wrapping up already? )

Already???? I started it in MAY! It's almost been 5 months! So get on over before its completely done. You still have time.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Don't hang your head in shame! I'm just glad to see I'm not as far behind as I thought I would be on your TR, I took the last month off myself with school starting, August vacations, work, work, work, etc. - same thing all of us moms are doing. I will look forward to the updates, when you have time! Have a great week! Erin

 

[kschafer]

I’m BACK!!!!

Life has been just busy enough to keep me away from the Dis for awhile. Please forgive me for neglecting you! I’m desperately scared of what I have missed on all of your TR’s so I will just say I hope all is well with everyone and wish you a great trip if you have one coming up. Thank goodness for FB that I at least know when some of you are in the world!

This update came as a surprise to even myself! I have had the next set of pictures on my computer desktop forever (OK, just since my last update which feels like forever) and I went to edit and resize and found they had already been done. Then I went to photobucket to upload them and found they were already in there. THEN I went into my TR document and found the update all written. All I had to do was insert picture links and I was good to go…what a nice surprise!!

So here we go….

After lunch, it was time for our safari so we made our way back in that direction, quickly made our way through the FP line and boarded the jeep.

A new favorite critter in our house…

One of my faves, I can’t explain the appeal of a hippo! It doesn’t even make much sense to me, yet I seem to love them

Also love the crocs, but only from a distance of course!!

Anyone know what kind of antelope these are?

We had a great safari guide who actually stopped for a few seconds whenever we had a nice view, like these guys

And these beauties!

I’m also a sucker for the elephants, especially the little ones

Not the biggest fan of birds but these are pretty ones

It was funny to go through my pictures because I used that burst setting a lot then picked my favorite of the bunch. Take the elephant for example…you can see how it moves over a period of several seconds

 

[kschafer]

The rhinos on the other hand, not so much!! The only change I got with these guys was a slight change in angle as the jeep moved and the birds around them

This fella was coming around a corner as our path crossed and he was NOT happy we were in his space!

Typical lion photo…lazy!!

I don’t remember ever seeing the warthog before so this was exciting

Some kind of cattle? Reminds me of our visit to the state fair this summer…my city boys were really confused, they had no idea there were so many different types of cows, pigs, sheep and goats. We even watched a goat judging contest for a few minutes but none of us had any clue what they were looking at!

I kind of like this one

As luck would have it, we scared off some poachers!

You gotta love Disney theming!

The boys took a restroom break and I spent a few minutes watching these gentlemen

Coming around the back side of the park, I saw this lovely lady for the first time!

More first noticed animals…my hippo

And a peacock

We finally arrived at Patrick’s much anticipated spot!

Greg and I sat while the boys played, thank you to the wise imaginer who decided to put those shade screens above this area!!

It was time for a little snack…I think this maybe was my first Mickey bar!!! I was expecting to enjoy it because of what it is but it was better than I expected, really nice chocolate!

After our snack, we were on our way to find Nemo!

 

[kschafer]

Already???? I started it in MAY! It's almost been 5 months! So get on over before its completely done. You still have time.

It's probably already done but it's bookmarked so I will enjoy it sometime this winter when I need a fix of springtime! I'm writing this knowing you are back already. Hope you are having a great time at F&W!!

Don't hang your head in shame! I'm just glad to see I'm not as far behind as I thought I would be on your TR, I took the last month off myself with school starting, August vacations, work, work, work, etc. - same thing all of us moms are doing. I will look forward to the updates, when you have time! Have a great week! Erin

Glad you are still around

 

[Poolrat]

An update. The safari is so great since you never quite get the same experience twice in a row.

I think way backwhen, the boneyard did not have the shade. Glad it is there now.

 

[MEK]

An Update It's about time! seriously - all kidding aside, I'm glad you were able to find the time Sometimes its impossible.

And - No - I'm actually NOT at F&W. How I wish I was. That's everybody else and their grandmother. But I AM going in 2012, no matter wHat!!!!!!!

And I'm leaving for Disney's HHI in a week, so I can't complain. I actually started a new TR to outline my adventures there and elsewhere.

Loved your update. You know I am a big fan of the animal kingdom. And those boys - they just get cuter and cuter. Those last couple of pictures are amazing! So darn cute!

I hope you are able to keep going with this for awhile!!!!

 

[sunny_stace]

Yay! An update from Katie! It really is crummy when life gets in the way of Dis time! I hate it when that happens!

Looks like a great time was had on the safari! I have never seen an ostrich there! That is so cool! And I have never noticed the peacock on the tree! This year I noticed the giraffe and an owl which are probably really noticeable but I spent more time actually looking on this trip. I've never gone in the dig site but it looks like the boys loved it!

 

[brookelizabeth]

So glad you scared off those poachers. Whew! Looks like you had a great safari!

Love the Boneyard, always a good place to blow off some energy.

And your first Mickey bar! Aren't they fantastic? Mmmmmm!