disneycub
King of Hugs & Smoochies!
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2000
- Messages
- 2,388
Friday, 10/5/01 - Animal Kingdom Backstage Safari and Halloween Horror Nights XI at Universal or Do I Hear Chicken Noises coming from the Direction of Disneycub? Bwawk! 
Friday rolled in with a wake-up call from Mickey around 6:00am. This day was heavily scheduled, and promised to be a late one. I decided the night before to have breakfast brought in from room service, which arrived at around 6:45am. The usual breakfast fare at highly elevated prices. But I felt it was worth it. If I ever see another breakfast buffet I will scream. Drinks extra.
Total price with tip: $49.
We got to the Animal Kingdom at 8:00 am in time for the big opening. The Circle of Life was booming from all speakers. Fortunately the cast members with the bugs and tarantulas had departed before I entered the park. YUCK!! I dont like spiders and snakes, and that aint what it takes to love me. Before your time? Never mind.
We made our way to the train to head to Conservation Station Im sorry Rafikis Planet Watch, where we were to meet our guide for the Backstage Safari tour. Paul, our guide, is a retired school teacher, and his wife was a horticultural secretary before the big Disney lay-off. I took to Paul right away. He had a kind face, a ready smile, and was a walking encyclopedia. Our group consisted of around 15 people. We were told that this tour had no animal viewing planned, and would last around 3 hours. Wrong on both accounts, fortunately.
We began the tour walking on the service roads around RPW. We saw the pens where Disney keeps their birds of prey collection, including a few very rare species. We walked by the llamas, and one brown llama came up to the fence to greet us. The expression on her face? Oh! Hello! Youve come to see me? You must pet me! I obliged her, with the lyrics to the Circle of Life blasting through my head. I have a thing with any kind of animal, and they respond positively to me. Ive walked up to trained attack dogs before, and have been able to pet them within seconds. Go figure.
Paul guided us over to the Rhino pens, where we had a talk with one of the trainers about her charges, their habits and how Disney takes care of them. We also saw a mama Rhino with her new-born. She was very skittish and very defensive as well. We also met a large white Rhino, and was given the opportunity to pet him. The blast of energy I received from that animal as I was petting him was indescribable.
Till we find our way, on the path unwinding in the circle, the Circle of Life
Maybe I missed my calling. Maybe I should have become a vet or been involved with animals in some way.
We learned many things about how Disney cares for the animals. It was obvious from speaking with the animal keepers, trainers, etc. what a fine group of dedicated people they are, from the food handlers on up. I was very impressed with the tour, impressed by the care the animals receive .and found some newly-found respect for Disney along the way. If you have any interest in animal welfare, go do this tour. I think it ran around $55 with a Disney Club discount. Ill pay gladly to do it again.
Suddenly, the lack of rides at Disneys Animal Kingdom didnt make much difference to me. The real attractions here are the animals, and the people who care for them. It is really an amazing park, and its too bad some people dont get it.
Anyway, at the end of the tour, we had a talk from a herpotologist (sp?), which is a person who studies reptiles. His talk was very entertaining, and he brought in a small python for us to touch. Sorry. I can feel my own skin in the winter, and it isnt half as scary as a snake. Well, to me anyway.
We were given field guides for the Animal Kingdom, which has pictures of the animals and plant life around the park, as well as descriptions. And a limited edition Backstage Safari pin (non-tradable). No, you cant have it. ::sticking out tongue::
This tour made my whole trip, to tell you the truth. Heres an interesting fact I learned on the tour. One of the main ingredients in Ralph Laurens Polo for Men Cologne is tiger urine. Guess I wont be wearing that any time soon! YEEEACH!
We made our way back to the AKL and I took a little nappy in anticipation of Universals Halloween Horror Nights XI. Disney had changed the hours at the Magic Kingdom, and had cancelled the fireworks and Spectromagic for tonight, so we decided to do HHR tonight, and finish off at the Magic Kingdom on Saturday.
We arrived at Universal Studios for HHR about an hour early, so we had dinner in City Walk at the Latin Quarter restaurant. I had a Cuban Sandwich (ham, swiss cheese, mustard dressing) and Malcolm had a Pork Loin. Both were delicious. While dining, we watched a Marc Anthony concert on their large video screens. I was very surprised when I received the bill. The tip was added onto the bill already. For a party of two? Since when? Oh well, that kinda torqued me off. Unfortunately for the waiter, the tip that was added was much less than I would have given him. Sorry, you lose honey. Bill with pre-assigned tip: $35.44
Upward and onward to Halloween Horror Nights. Let me say at the outset that I am not of fan of being jumped at in the dark, or being disoriented, or feeling like Im closed in anywhere. HHR was not my cup of tea at all. (Insert chicken noises here). I mainly went to see the new Men in Black attraction. I figured Malcolm could do all the haunted houses he wanted, but I wasnt about to, thanks for asking. Unfortunately for me, to get to the attractions, you had to pass through Fright Zones. These featured such wonderful creatures as chainsaw murderers, maniacal clowns (dont even get me started with clowns) and mutants. All to a throbbing rock soundtrack, complete with heavy fog and strobe lights. These things would jump out at you when you were most disoriented, buzzing their chainsaws or shaking noise-makers at you. I was not amused.
Malcolm said that for the most part, the haunted houses were pretty harmless. Not to an impressionable child like me. Im the guy with the nightlight in my room. There are monsters in the closet and under the bed. I thought everybody knew that.
The Men in Black attraction was done along the lines of Buzz Lightyear, but with three-dimensional aliens. Frankly, it was much more impressive than Buzz. Dont get me wrong I still enjoy Buzz, but MIB is better. If you go, look for the Steven Spielberg head inside the attraction. My score was completely embarrassing.
We also saw Terminator 2 3D, Twister Ride It Out!, and Back to the Future. Warning for those over 40. Back to the Future will eat your lunch. Or make you lose it. Its a very rough simulator ride, but unlike Star Tours, the movie is all around you, projected on a dome of sorts.
Next Our Last Day at Disney or Disneycub Gets an Incredible Bargain! including financial information (maybe).
Friday rolled in with a wake-up call from Mickey around 6:00am. This day was heavily scheduled, and promised to be a late one. I decided the night before to have breakfast brought in from room service, which arrived at around 6:45am. The usual breakfast fare at highly elevated prices. But I felt it was worth it. If I ever see another breakfast buffet I will scream. Drinks extra.
Total price with tip: $49.We got to the Animal Kingdom at 8:00 am in time for the big opening. The Circle of Life was booming from all speakers. Fortunately the cast members with the bugs and tarantulas had departed before I entered the park. YUCK!! I dont like spiders and snakes, and that aint what it takes to love me. Before your time? Never mind.
We made our way to the train to head to Conservation Station Im sorry Rafikis Planet Watch, where we were to meet our guide for the Backstage Safari tour. Paul, our guide, is a retired school teacher, and his wife was a horticultural secretary before the big Disney lay-off. I took to Paul right away. He had a kind face, a ready smile, and was a walking encyclopedia. Our group consisted of around 15 people. We were told that this tour had no animal viewing planned, and would last around 3 hours. Wrong on both accounts, fortunately.
We began the tour walking on the service roads around RPW. We saw the pens where Disney keeps their birds of prey collection, including a few very rare species. We walked by the llamas, and one brown llama came up to the fence to greet us. The expression on her face? Oh! Hello! Youve come to see me? You must pet me! I obliged her, with the lyrics to the Circle of Life blasting through my head. I have a thing with any kind of animal, and they respond positively to me. Ive walked up to trained attack dogs before, and have been able to pet them within seconds. Go figure.
Paul guided us over to the Rhino pens, where we had a talk with one of the trainers about her charges, their habits and how Disney takes care of them. We also saw a mama Rhino with her new-born. She was very skittish and very defensive as well. We also met a large white Rhino, and was given the opportunity to pet him. The blast of energy I received from that animal as I was petting him was indescribable.
Till we find our way, on the path unwinding in the circle, the Circle of Life
Maybe I missed my calling. Maybe I should have become a vet or been involved with animals in some way.
We learned many things about how Disney cares for the animals. It was obvious from speaking with the animal keepers, trainers, etc. what a fine group of dedicated people they are, from the food handlers on up. I was very impressed with the tour, impressed by the care the animals receive .and found some newly-found respect for Disney along the way. If you have any interest in animal welfare, go do this tour. I think it ran around $55 with a Disney Club discount. Ill pay gladly to do it again.
Suddenly, the lack of rides at Disneys Animal Kingdom didnt make much difference to me. The real attractions here are the animals, and the people who care for them. It is really an amazing park, and its too bad some people dont get it.
Anyway, at the end of the tour, we had a talk from a herpotologist (sp?), which is a person who studies reptiles. His talk was very entertaining, and he brought in a small python for us to touch. Sorry. I can feel my own skin in the winter, and it isnt half as scary as a snake. Well, to me anyway.
We were given field guides for the Animal Kingdom, which has pictures of the animals and plant life around the park, as well as descriptions. And a limited edition Backstage Safari pin (non-tradable). No, you cant have it. ::sticking out tongue::
This tour made my whole trip, to tell you the truth. Heres an interesting fact I learned on the tour. One of the main ingredients in Ralph Laurens Polo for Men Cologne is tiger urine. Guess I wont be wearing that any time soon! YEEEACH!
We made our way back to the AKL and I took a little nappy in anticipation of Universals Halloween Horror Nights XI. Disney had changed the hours at the Magic Kingdom, and had cancelled the fireworks and Spectromagic for tonight, so we decided to do HHR tonight, and finish off at the Magic Kingdom on Saturday.
We arrived at Universal Studios for HHR about an hour early, so we had dinner in City Walk at the Latin Quarter restaurant. I had a Cuban Sandwich (ham, swiss cheese, mustard dressing) and Malcolm had a Pork Loin. Both were delicious. While dining, we watched a Marc Anthony concert on their large video screens. I was very surprised when I received the bill. The tip was added onto the bill already. For a party of two? Since when? Oh well, that kinda torqued me off. Unfortunately for the waiter, the tip that was added was much less than I would have given him. Sorry, you lose honey. Bill with pre-assigned tip: $35.44
Upward and onward to Halloween Horror Nights. Let me say at the outset that I am not of fan of being jumped at in the dark, or being disoriented, or feeling like Im closed in anywhere. HHR was not my cup of tea at all. (Insert chicken noises here). I mainly went to see the new Men in Black attraction. I figured Malcolm could do all the haunted houses he wanted, but I wasnt about to, thanks for asking. Unfortunately for me, to get to the attractions, you had to pass through Fright Zones. These featured such wonderful creatures as chainsaw murderers, maniacal clowns (dont even get me started with clowns) and mutants. All to a throbbing rock soundtrack, complete with heavy fog and strobe lights. These things would jump out at you when you were most disoriented, buzzing their chainsaws or shaking noise-makers at you. I was not amused.
Malcolm said that for the most part, the haunted houses were pretty harmless. Not to an impressionable child like me. Im the guy with the nightlight in my room. There are monsters in the closet and under the bed. I thought everybody knew that.
The Men in Black attraction was done along the lines of Buzz Lightyear, but with three-dimensional aliens. Frankly, it was much more impressive than Buzz. Dont get me wrong I still enjoy Buzz, but MIB is better. If you go, look for the Steven Spielberg head inside the attraction. My score was completely embarrassing.
We also saw Terminator 2 3D, Twister Ride It Out!, and Back to the Future. Warning for those over 40. Back to the Future will eat your lunch. Or make you lose it. Its a very rough simulator ride, but unlike Star Tours, the movie is all around you, projected on a dome of sorts.
Next Our Last Day at Disney or Disneycub Gets an Incredible Bargain! including financial information (maybe).
