Day 7 - Part 1 Gorillas & Giraffes & Rhinos - Oh My!

[CJK]

The Cast:

Goofy Gal (me) - Obsessive Disney Planner
Goofy Guy (my husband) - Tolerant of the Obsessive Disney Planner
Dapper Dad (my dad) - A fellow Disney lover!
Fanlover (my mom) - Fan of Disney, not fan of the heat
ToT Sis (my sister ) - Likes Disney, but Tower of Terror? Not so much...
Cocoa Bil (my bro-in-law) Likes Disney, especially their hot chocolate
Splashboy (my nephew) age 6 Never been to Disney, excited and nervous to try the big rides
Boomer (my nephew) age 4 Never been to Disney, age 4 going on 14

Dining Report
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=901786
Introductory Report
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=903652
Day 1 Peter Pan PLEASE teach me to fly!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=904193
Day 2 - Part 1 Prison or Disney?
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=904890
Day 2 - Part 2 The broom kissed the balloon
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=905052
Day 2 - Part 3 Conquering the Magic Kingdom
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=905863
Day 2 - Part 4 Splash Mountain vs. The Boy
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=906053
Day 3 - Part 1 Tower of Terror: Enter With Caution
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=907362
Day 3 - Part 2 Sittin' on Stranger's laps
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=908266
Day 3 - Part 3 Thank goodness for Dinosaurs!!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=908703
Day 4 - Part 1 Beware: Crush 'n' Gusher has a 48-inch height restriction
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=910433
Day 4 - Part 2 My Heroes: The Lifeguards
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=910561
Day 4 - Part 3 Move Over Tom Hanks - There's a New Man in Town!!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=911269
Day 5 - Part 1 Newsflash: Disney Waterslides Reveal Hidden Talents
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=912197
Day 5 - Part 2 Ghiradelli Sundaes and 4yr old Boys
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=913168
Day 5 - Part 3 Who Says Disney Isn't For Adults?!?
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=913984
Day 6 - Part 1 Becoming Famous in the Magic Kingdom!!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=914878
Day 6 - Part 2 Ballet Dancing Never Looked So Good!!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=915472

Day 7 - Part 1 Gorillas & Giraffes & Rhinos - Oh My!

Rise and shine! Fanlover was going to join us after all. I must confess I was a lot like a drill sergeant today. I noticed that it had recently rained and I knew that meant the animals would likely be quite visible in the Animal Kingdom. “Go go go” I yelled to my crew.

Fanlover was reconsidering her plan to join us.

We made it to Animal Kingdom just before the gates opened at 8am. We made a beeline towards the Safari ride, along with everyone else. I guess the secret is out that early morning is the best time to see the animals. We were in for a treat today.

Goofy guy and I have been on the Safari ride multiple times before, but never, I mean never, has it been this good. Not only did we see a lot of animals, they were also really close. They were all coming out to say hello to the funny looking Canadians I guess. I could have reached out and touched a giraffe. I could practically smell his breath.

Ew

We were then introduced to a rhino. He crossed our path, forcing our vehicle to stop completely. We assumed he was posing for pictures. Then, just in case we didn’t get a clear shot, he walked down the side, within touching distance of our boys.

Thanks for cooperating, rhino – your cheque is in the mail.

It became an ongoing joke between ToT sis and I that things were falling into place so unbelievably perfectly, that she thought Goofy guy and I had phoned ahead and ordered all this magic.

I didn’t, but I’m quite willing to take the credit.

After the Safari ride, we took the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. Once again, the magic was working overtime. I really am convinced that the gorillas were posing for us too. Just as soon as we took a picture of them, they scurried off into a bush. The boys were so excited! Splashboy loved having CM’s stationed by the different animals telling us interesting facts about the animals. He’s like a sponge in how he absorbs all the facts. If you have any questions, ask Splashboy.

We slowly made our way over to the Festival of the Lion King. I had been looking forward to this one all trip. This is without a doubt my favourite Disney attraction. I was anxious to share it with my family.

We made sure we sat down in the lion section because we were quite certain that our boys would love being lions. They sure didn’t disappoint. I sat beside Boomer and he may have been the best darn lion I had ever seen.

No bias here of course.

The show began and ToT sis and I were immediately struck by two of the performers. The first was the bass singer who sings, “Be Prepared” and the other was the woman who sings “Circle of Life”. Again, I’ve seen this show multiple times, but never have I heard two voices that were so spectacular. I had chills.

There was no denying it. The waterworks were coming. I had hoped that after seeing the show 10 times or so, I wouldn’t be moved to tears anymore, but apparently I was wrong.

Did I mention I was a Drama Queen?

I think I was moved by the whole experience. There I was listening to fantastic voices singing beautiful music, sitting beside my nephew who’s having the time of his life roaring like a lion, sitting with my entire family who was having the vacation of a lifetime. It felt like heaven. I’d say “pinch me”, but it really hurt the last time. I think I may have startled the boys a little by my sobbing. Thankfully their mother is a lot like me, so they quickly got over it.

We grabbed an ice cream as we walked out of the theatre. The plan was to go directly to Tarzan Rocks, but I decided to make a detour, by way of Divine. We enjoyed a bit of an African music show before we saw Divine.

Everyone was just enthralled. No one knew quite what to make of her. The boys said very little while they were watching her, but later that day Boomer said that he really liked “the tree lady”. Fanlover described her as spooky but beautiful. After a few minutes, we continued our walk towards Tarzan Rocks.

It was a HOT one today. Fanlover’s fan was working overtime again. I guess it’s true what they say about Energizer batteries. They really DO keep going and going and going. Just ask Fanlover. Maybe she could become their new spokesperson. It was really difficult to eat our ice cream in this heat. I think most of it ended up melted on the ground. I found solace in thinking it probably looked better on the ground than on my hips. Ya right! Give me my ice cream!

We arrived at Tarzan with only 5 minutes to spare. We managed to get seats far right, about halfway down the theatre. Our reactions to the show were pretty diverse. ToT sis and I enjoyed the acrobatic scene between Jane & Tarzan. We barely even noticed Tarzan’s physique…smile… We look over at Fanlover and she’s not even watching the show. She has the fan on her face, spraying water and has her eyes closed.

Did I mention it was hot?

Poor thing! She was positively melting. I realized right then and there that I can be insensitive. Yes, I know that probably shocks you people. But, I confess I found it quite amusing. I think ToT sis did too which means we’re both ungrateful brats. Hey, it could be worse – I could have taken her picture!

ToT sis noticed that they were selling frozen lemonade in the theatre. She asked if it was included on the meal plan, to which I replied “no”. Too bad though – it would have gone down rather nicely right about now! When the show was over, Dapper dad said that he understood why the show was closing. He thought it was pretty un-Disney. I liked the show more than he did, but my heart belongs to the Lion King.

My Kleenex does too.

We decided to have a quick lunch before leaving Animal Kingdom. Between our two days here, we had finished all that we wanted. The boys were excited to have some pizza, so we decided to eat at Pizzafari. Just as we entered the building, it started to pour rain. Our good luck trend seems to be continuing. But wait. My brain must be a little fuzzy from the heat – is there REALLY no pizza on the children’s menu??? That can’t be! Who loves pizza more than children?

ToT sis and Cocoa bil tried ordering pizza for the boys, but the CM said no because it read, “2 adults, 2 children” on their dining card. They could only order 2 adult meals and 2 kids’ meals. This is the first time they were pretty strict about it. The end result was an amusing scene of ToT sis and Cocoa bil eating kids’ meals and the boys eating their beloved pizza. Give these parents a prize! At least they got to enjoy frozen lemonades for dessert. Yes – not more than an hour after I told ToT sis that frozen lemonade wasn’t included on the plan, we now discover it was included as a dessert option at Pizzafari. Let that be a lesson to you:

Never ask me a question and expect a correct response.

The rain stopped just as we were leaving Pizzafari. The new plan was for Fanlover, ToT sis and the boys to go back to the hotel for a little down time while the rest of us continue on to Epcot. I was anxious to take Cocoa bil on Mission: Space. I was hoping he’d scream like a girl.

 

[wdwr]

GoofyGal,

I am still enjoying your trip reports. I will be very sad when you post your last day.

I think you need another trip so that you can keep us amused some more.

I have a question, where can you normally find Devine. Just a rough area, I am sure she moves around. On 2 separate trips I have not seen her or a group of ppl looking at greenery.

I want to see if I can find her in December.

You can PM me if you don't want to post the info.

Thanks
wdwr

 

[jennymouse]

More please.

 

[CJK]

Wow - thanks so much...again! I wish we were planning another trip in the near future, but Goofyguy said he has had enough of Disney for a while. I can't believe it!! I'll try to convince him though!

Divine is located along the pathway between Asia and Africa. Here's a website for you to check prior to your trip. It gets updated each week and provides show times (including Divine's schedule) for all the shows in all the parks. http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/index.htm Enjoy!

 

[Yardbird]

I have so enjoyed your trip report. I felt like I was right there with you. We will be going to WDW in 10 days, and you have added to my excitement! We are taking grandsons, 3 & 6, and I'll be sure to get them some Kryptonite ice cubes!

Thanks for taking the time to post. I'll be sorry when your report ends.

 

[babytrees]

You are going to continue the trip report even after the extended family leaves right?


Once again a riveting report!!!!

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

I LOVE your trip reports!

 

[CJK]

Thanks so much everyone!

I hadn't decided whether I'll continue the report after the extended family leave. I was thinking that a trip with just Goofy guy and I would be quite boring, comparitively speaking! I'll see how it goes!

 

[princesslily]

I thought that the meal credits were all lumped together! Why did they have to get a kid's meal? Has this all changed?

 

[CJK]

princesslily - No, it hasn't changed. Credits are still pooled together. It just seemed that at this particular restaurant, they REALLY pay attention to what is written on your card. It said "2 adults, 2 children" on it so they would only allow for 2 adult meals and 2 children meals. All other counter service restaurants didn't pay any attention to what it said on the card. I've heard other people complain about the same thing at Pizzafari.

 

[Ricky's Girl]

CJK - Your trip reports are so enjoyable. I can't wait until the next post! Please hurry! Thanks for the info on Divine and the website that posts updated schedules. We're headed to Disney in 28 days and I'm now on a mission to find Divine.

 

[dazzled]

And yet again you did not disappoint with this chapter! Keep it coming!

 

[tiki23]

I'm loving your reports! I wish you were my Aunt

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoyed reading your report ~ Thanx for posting.