Miffy2003
<font color=orange>I've got Saratoga Springs - mak
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2003
- Messages
- 12,175
Saturday 18th December
Today we ask Amber & Erin what they would most like to do. Dig in the Boneyard they chorus. I wont say the thing about travelling thousands of miles only to play in a big sandpit! On arrival at the Animal Kingdom we head straight for Dinoland USA and let the girls have a good dinosaur bone hunt. We spent ages here and had a good look around Dinoland itself, and wandered around the Cretaceous Trail. I have to say, was that it? I would deem that more of a bit of atmosphere setting rather than warranting an attraction title! Still, the dinosaur fans among us enjoyed having their pictures taken and reading about the Terrible Lizards.
We were getting quite hungry so decided to grab some lunch at the Flame Tree Barbeque. Now this wasnt cheap but the food was great and portions huge! Be warned! One portion of fries is definitely enough between two people, and the onion rings were yummy. Jon said the ribs were melt in the mouth. I think the seating area is very pleasant outside but covered; I would not come here in August, however. I imagine the heat would make this very toasty! There were squirrels everywhere, so I kept my feet up above the ground to avoid becoming lunch
We decide to head to Asia where weve never been before, and I think this area is beautifully themed. Somehow the presence of the crowds (and they werent that big) makes it more authentic. I like Africa, but its not as well done as this. This is definitely my new favourite area in the Animal Kingdom.
Julie wanted to go on Kali River Rapids You cant get that wet, can you? but Ive seen the Disney video and I know all about the possibility of getting drenched! Although the weather was warmer today it most certainly wasnt warm enough to get away with soaked clothes all day. Julie wouldnt take my word for the wet aspect of the ride but luckily at that moment someone walked out of the exit and they were soaked to the skin! Julie changed her mind then.
We went for a wander around the Maharajah Jungle Trek and again the wonderful theme was executed perfectly. We particularly liked the bats and the Komodo dragon but unfortunately the photos didnt come out very well.
After seeing the tiger, we headed out to Flights of Wonder.
This is a very clever show, with a careful mix of audience participation, humour / story and a showcase for the talent of the birds. Its very impressive when they fly right over your head. I do think the storyline could become tired on a second viewing however.
As the sun was shining we decided to brave the elements and go to Blizzard Beach. The forecast for the next 4 to 5 days was giving temperatures in the 40s and 50s so we figured it was now or never! We nipped back to ASMo to pick up our swimming gear and drove off to Buzzard Beach (as Julie called it). Clearly few others had had the good idea of coming to the waterpark, as there were less than ten cars in the car park. We got in quickly and grabbed some loungers near the main pool. Quite why I say grabbed I dont know as there was no competition for them! We hardly saw anyone the whole time we were here and it felt like the park had been opened just for us. Well Ive always wondered what it would be like to be a celeb, and now I know!
The girls were persuaded to try the family raft ride and they loved it. Maybe theres hope for them on the scarier rides yet? We went on this several times as there was obviously no queue and compared it to the last time we were here (in August) when there were queues of over an hour for everything. Although it was lovely to have no queues, I could have done with a little more heat! We think it was about 65 degrees today. The girls had loads of fun playing in Tikes Peak and the Ski Patrol Area; we braved the lazy river and after a quick circuit decided we werent quite that brave (or stupid) and got out.
We got dressed and waited ages for Julie to do her hair
and Jon got a nice Buzzard Beach T Shirt. We decided to do the other half of Winter Summerland and set off around Winter. Now I thought this was definitely more difficult than Summer, but fantastic interactive fun again. Derek won this time but Jon was clearly in the lead until he threw away 6 shots on the squirting water hole in an attempt to avoid getting wet. The wimp!
We headed back to All Star Movies and agreed to have dinner at the resort again. We made up for this by imbibing more than a few cocktails and the girls had a lovely long play in the arcade.
Today we ask Amber & Erin what they would most like to do. Dig in the Boneyard they chorus. I wont say the thing about travelling thousands of miles only to play in a big sandpit! On arrival at the Animal Kingdom we head straight for Dinoland USA and let the girls have a good dinosaur bone hunt. We spent ages here and had a good look around Dinoland itself, and wandered around the Cretaceous Trail. I have to say, was that it? I would deem that more of a bit of atmosphere setting rather than warranting an attraction title! Still, the dinosaur fans among us enjoyed having their pictures taken and reading about the Terrible Lizards.
We were getting quite hungry so decided to grab some lunch at the Flame Tree Barbeque. Now this wasnt cheap but the food was great and portions huge! Be warned! One portion of fries is definitely enough between two people, and the onion rings were yummy. Jon said the ribs were melt in the mouth. I think the seating area is very pleasant outside but covered; I would not come here in August, however. I imagine the heat would make this very toasty! There were squirrels everywhere, so I kept my feet up above the ground to avoid becoming lunch
We decide to head to Asia where weve never been before, and I think this area is beautifully themed. Somehow the presence of the crowds (and they werent that big) makes it more authentic. I like Africa, but its not as well done as this. This is definitely my new favourite area in the Animal Kingdom.
Julie wanted to go on Kali River Rapids You cant get that wet, can you? but Ive seen the Disney video and I know all about the possibility of getting drenched! Although the weather was warmer today it most certainly wasnt warm enough to get away with soaked clothes all day. Julie wouldnt take my word for the wet aspect of the ride but luckily at that moment someone walked out of the exit and they were soaked to the skin! Julie changed her mind then.
We went for a wander around the Maharajah Jungle Trek and again the wonderful theme was executed perfectly. We particularly liked the bats and the Komodo dragon but unfortunately the photos didnt come out very well.
After seeing the tiger, we headed out to Flights of Wonder.
This is a very clever show, with a careful mix of audience participation, humour / story and a showcase for the talent of the birds. Its very impressive when they fly right over your head. I do think the storyline could become tired on a second viewing however.
As the sun was shining we decided to brave the elements and go to Blizzard Beach. The forecast for the next 4 to 5 days was giving temperatures in the 40s and 50s so we figured it was now or never! We nipped back to ASMo to pick up our swimming gear and drove off to Buzzard Beach (as Julie called it). Clearly few others had had the good idea of coming to the waterpark, as there were less than ten cars in the car park. We got in quickly and grabbed some loungers near the main pool. Quite why I say grabbed I dont know as there was no competition for them! We hardly saw anyone the whole time we were here and it felt like the park had been opened just for us. Well Ive always wondered what it would be like to be a celeb, and now I know!
The girls were persuaded to try the family raft ride and they loved it. Maybe theres hope for them on the scarier rides yet? We went on this several times as there was obviously no queue and compared it to the last time we were here (in August) when there were queues of over an hour for everything. Although it was lovely to have no queues, I could have done with a little more heat! We think it was about 65 degrees today. The girls had loads of fun playing in Tikes Peak and the Ski Patrol Area; we braved the lazy river and after a quick circuit decided we werent quite that brave (or stupid) and got out.
We got dressed and waited ages for Julie to do her hair
and Jon got a nice Buzzard Beach T Shirt. We decided to do the other half of Winter Summerland and set off around Winter. Now I thought this was definitely more difficult than Summer, but fantastic interactive fun again. Derek won this time but Jon was clearly in the lead until he threw away 6 shots on the squirting water hole in an attempt to avoid getting wet. The wimp!
We headed back to All Star Movies and agreed to have dinner at the resort again. We made up for this by imbibing more than a few cocktails and the girls had a lovely long play in the arcade.
great reports 
Welcome Home neighbour. 
