addlema
Bonkers for Disney
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2004
- Messages
- 142
Day 2 A Lucky day in the Animal Kingdom?
Link to Day 1: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=828376
Cast:
Me: 28yo Network Security and Programming Engineer
Jennifer (DW): 26yo Early Childhood Education
And away we go ..
NO MORE SLEEPING! screams Stitch into my ear. We awake after Mickey apologizes around 6:30am. We are ready for our EMH at AK.
After grabbing a couple Kelloggs breakfast bars (this was a great idea btw), we catch the first bus out and quickly arrive at the gates about 30 minutes before opening. It actually amazed me how many non resort guests were milling about. I thought they didnt open the parking lots that early?
10 minutes before 8 they let us in as far as the Tree of Life and Goofy, Mickey, Pluto, and Minnie open the park for us!
As the ropes drop we follow the massive herd of flesh towards the Safari in Africa. It was amazing. We were moving fast but still had about a 10 minute wait when we made it. I guess one of our biggest problems is that I am 62 and my wife is 5 nothing. She has a real time keeping up with me especially when I have reverted to being a 10 year old and would be running at top speed if I could.
The Safari ride was as great as I remembered. Jennifer believes it was better. We saw some good wildlife. I would recommend doing that first if you can while most of the animals are still active.
It was about 8:30 as we left Africa. I knew my favorites in Dinoland didnt open until 9 so we had just enough time to catch Its Tough to be a bug. As much as we loved the Toy Stories, Monsters Inc, The Incredibles, and Nemo we had never seen Bugs life before a month or so ago. We were looking forward to this as we really enjoyed Bugs Life after all. What a great show. If you havent seen ITTBAB dont miss it next time!
It was about 9 so we headed towards Dinosaur and got in quickly. Afterwards we got fast passes for Primeval Whirl and got in the 5 minute standby line. This is one of my favorite rides in the world. I couldnt really tell you why, I just really enjoy it.
While we waited for our fast passes to come due we headed to Kauli River Rapids to cool off a bit. Our raft ride this trip was a little disappointing. The last drop was great, but overall the ride seemed really short, and not very rapids like until the hill. I would compare it to a lazy river even. I dont know what gives. I remember it being better the last time we rode it 2 years ago.
We headed back towards Dinoland and walked right into a showing of Tarzan Rocks. We were pretty impressed with the stunts and not so impressed with the Rock part of Tarzan Rocks.
We continued our journey towards the past and caught the Whirl again. As we wandered off the ride we saw a large group of people. We headed over and got LUCKY! Thats right it was Lucky the Dinosaur! Being a bit of a computer nerd (okay a lot) I was really looking forward to seeing this AI/Animatronics free roaming hybrid. He had a trainer with him that would help lucky interact with the crowd. It was really spectacular. He would sneeze, blow his nose in a kerchief, pose for pictures, steal hats from children, and make all sorts of cute noises. There was a point when he stopped before stepping on some blacktop, and wouldnt budge until his helper (with the help of the crowd) explained to him that it wasnt a tar pit and that he would be perfectly safe. The kids in the crowd (us included) were stunned by this completely life like Dino!
After Lucky headed back home we decided that we needed grub. We quickly headed for the Flame Tree BBQ. After a BBQ chicken salad and sandwich were shared we headed back towards the center of AK. There was only one other thing we wanted to do that day, The Lion King show. Unfortunately our timing was off and it was another hour until the show. As we had seen that show before, and Rafikis Planet watch was not our cup of tea we called AK done and headed back to the Pop.
After another refreshing dip in the pool and baking of flesh we showered and headed straight to MGM for some Star Wars weekends action. Actually it was kind of a let down. We didnt see that many characters at all, missed Millionare Star Wars edition, and The Tatooine traders was packed.
We headed straight into the Great Movie ride which we both always enjoy. We ran quickly to catch the Lights, Motors, Action Stunt Show. This was the best stunt show I have ever seen. It was fascinating what those drivers could do in such a small space. This is highly recommended! Go now! After the stunt show we walked onto the Backlot Tour. This tour has gotten proggresivly shorter and worse as the park has grown. All it is now is Catastrophe Canyon and the short PT boat movie sequence. I remember when the park first opened there was a 45 minute walking tour past all the active sets and departments (up in a hallway above it all) and then about the same length drive all around active sets and backlot areas. They used to show all these houses and such. Not anymore. You watch the people get wet in the PT boat, board the tram and get taken almost directly into the Canyon and then right back out. I was very disappointed by this. I guess since they really arent an active studio anymore they dont have that much to show. Its a shame and really the only real let down of the entire trip (other then Peter Pan being closed *GRRR*).
After the letdown we picked our spirits back up in Muppets 3d and Star Tours. Also, at this point my Disney vacation officially started as I found my first Churro cart. I love those little things more then life itself.
At this point we were starting to wind down and luckly it was almost time for our PSes at Sci-Fi Dine in! It also starting raining for the only time during our entire trip. The Sci-Fi is my third favorite restaurant in the world. I had the most awesome Rueben I have ever had (yes it is better then Penn Stations!). Jennifer had a marinated Vegetables dish mashed between two potato pancakes. She proclaimed the dish to be excellent. We shared a great batch of onion rings as well. Yummy!
I mentioned winding down. We were really tired and it was a little to late to hope for seats at Fantasmic so back to POP and our beds! I think tonight it may have been 10 minutes before we were out.
I would like to apologize if this is dry.. I think it might be just a bit . Its my first trip report! And Delswife I am not! Maybe it will get better when we have kids?
Tommorow look for Day 3: Back to the 20s and to the futureworld!
Link to Day 1: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=828376
Cast:
Me: 28yo Network Security and Programming Engineer
Jennifer (DW): 26yo Early Childhood Education
And away we go ..
NO MORE SLEEPING! screams Stitch into my ear. We awake after Mickey apologizes around 6:30am. We are ready for our EMH at AK.
After grabbing a couple Kelloggs breakfast bars (this was a great idea btw), we catch the first bus out and quickly arrive at the gates about 30 minutes before opening. It actually amazed me how many non resort guests were milling about. I thought they didnt open the parking lots that early?
10 minutes before 8 they let us in as far as the Tree of Life and Goofy, Mickey, Pluto, and Minnie open the park for us!
As the ropes drop we follow the massive herd of flesh towards the Safari in Africa. It was amazing. We were moving fast but still had about a 10 minute wait when we made it. I guess one of our biggest problems is that I am 62 and my wife is 5 nothing. She has a real time keeping up with me especially when I have reverted to being a 10 year old and would be running at top speed if I could.
The Safari ride was as great as I remembered. Jennifer believes it was better. We saw some good wildlife. I would recommend doing that first if you can while most of the animals are still active.
It was about 8:30 as we left Africa. I knew my favorites in Dinoland didnt open until 9 so we had just enough time to catch Its Tough to be a bug. As much as we loved the Toy Stories, Monsters Inc, The Incredibles, and Nemo we had never seen Bugs life before a month or so ago. We were looking forward to this as we really enjoyed Bugs Life after all. What a great show. If you havent seen ITTBAB dont miss it next time!
It was about 9 so we headed towards Dinosaur and got in quickly. Afterwards we got fast passes for Primeval Whirl and got in the 5 minute standby line. This is one of my favorite rides in the world. I couldnt really tell you why, I just really enjoy it.
While we waited for our fast passes to come due we headed to Kauli River Rapids to cool off a bit. Our raft ride this trip was a little disappointing. The last drop was great, but overall the ride seemed really short, and not very rapids like until the hill. I would compare it to a lazy river even. I dont know what gives. I remember it being better the last time we rode it 2 years ago.
We headed back towards Dinoland and walked right into a showing of Tarzan Rocks. We were pretty impressed with the stunts and not so impressed with the Rock part of Tarzan Rocks.
We continued our journey towards the past and caught the Whirl again. As we wandered off the ride we saw a large group of people. We headed over and got LUCKY! Thats right it was Lucky the Dinosaur! Being a bit of a computer nerd (okay a lot) I was really looking forward to seeing this AI/Animatronics free roaming hybrid. He had a trainer with him that would help lucky interact with the crowd. It was really spectacular. He would sneeze, blow his nose in a kerchief, pose for pictures, steal hats from children, and make all sorts of cute noises. There was a point when he stopped before stepping on some blacktop, and wouldnt budge until his helper (with the help of the crowd) explained to him that it wasnt a tar pit and that he would be perfectly safe. The kids in the crowd (us included) were stunned by this completely life like Dino!
After Lucky headed back home we decided that we needed grub. We quickly headed for the Flame Tree BBQ. After a BBQ chicken salad and sandwich were shared we headed back towards the center of AK. There was only one other thing we wanted to do that day, The Lion King show. Unfortunately our timing was off and it was another hour until the show. As we had seen that show before, and Rafikis Planet watch was not our cup of tea we called AK done and headed back to the Pop.
After another refreshing dip in the pool and baking of flesh we showered and headed straight to MGM for some Star Wars weekends action. Actually it was kind of a let down. We didnt see that many characters at all, missed Millionare Star Wars edition, and The Tatooine traders was packed.
We headed straight into the Great Movie ride which we both always enjoy. We ran quickly to catch the Lights, Motors, Action Stunt Show. This was the best stunt show I have ever seen. It was fascinating what those drivers could do in such a small space. This is highly recommended! Go now! After the stunt show we walked onto the Backlot Tour. This tour has gotten proggresivly shorter and worse as the park has grown. All it is now is Catastrophe Canyon and the short PT boat movie sequence. I remember when the park first opened there was a 45 minute walking tour past all the active sets and departments (up in a hallway above it all) and then about the same length drive all around active sets and backlot areas. They used to show all these houses and such. Not anymore. You watch the people get wet in the PT boat, board the tram and get taken almost directly into the Canyon and then right back out. I was very disappointed by this. I guess since they really arent an active studio anymore they dont have that much to show. Its a shame and really the only real let down of the entire trip (other then Peter Pan being closed *GRRR*).
After the letdown we picked our spirits back up in Muppets 3d and Star Tours. Also, at this point my Disney vacation officially started as I found my first Churro cart. I love those little things more then life itself.
At this point we were starting to wind down and luckly it was almost time for our PSes at Sci-Fi Dine in! It also starting raining for the only time during our entire trip. The Sci-Fi is my third favorite restaurant in the world. I had the most awesome Rueben I have ever had (yes it is better then Penn Stations!). Jennifer had a marinated Vegetables dish mashed between two potato pancakes. She proclaimed the dish to be excellent. We shared a great batch of onion rings as well. Yummy!
I mentioned winding down. We were really tired and it was a little to late to hope for seats at Fantasmic so back to POP and our beds! I think tonight it may have been 10 minutes before we were out.
I would like to apologize if this is dry.. I think it might be just a bit . Its my first trip report! And Delswife I am not! Maybe it will get better when we have kids?
Tommorow look for Day 3: Back to the 20s and to the futureworld!
