Divas, Zebra Domes, and Pixie Dust! A Week in an African Paradise! New TR Link Pg.145

[lovedonaldduck]

I have been toying with trying to rent points at AKL for our trip next year and I think your trip report might just seal the deal. I am going to wait until after we get back from our September trip before I decide, I want to see how the one bedroom at BLT works for us.

I love the giraffe picture, I think it would be perfect blown up in a "Safari" bathroom. I am slowly working on transforming my pool bath (pool bath, but no pool ) to a safari theme. When I was expecting DD, my MIL bought a 3 foot wooden giraffe from her trip to South America for the nursery, since we didn't end up with a safari themed nursery, it found a home in the pool bath. Then, DD got DH a beautiful framed print of an alligator for Father's Day that will fit my theme perfectly. The Alligator Farm in St. Augutine is their place for daddy/daughter time.

Sorry to ramble on about me, back to your trip - I hope we have some close encounters on our next safari. That would be so cool. I think our husbands would enjoy touring Disney together, DH thinks a ride or two, a meal, and a few adult beverages make the perfect Disney day - although unlike Charles he doesn't have the excuse of not feeling well He likes to go at a much slower pace than I am comfortable with.

We have fed the giraffes at our zoo many times, DD is an animal lover.

 

[meeko_33785]

Great day! The giraffe photos were fantastic.

 

[DWGal210]

Great update! I LOVE that giraffe picture...I think she wanted to come back to the hotel with you guys! She was so beautiful!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Oh Jackie I'm green with envy over your giraffe encounter. I've had a special love for them ever since seeing the baby giraffes on safari both times I was pregnant in Disney.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

What a great giraffe pic! What an experience! I can't wait to try the Zebra domes! They sound great!

 

[cjackearl]

Karma’s long arm of retribution acted swiftly though and her own Mickey bar also collapsed into a melted mess upon the table.

Karma's long arm of retribution will get ya every time.


FLASHBACK TO THIS MORNING:
Me: Look, honey, there’s Pizzafari. That’s where I want us to eat lunch today.
Charles: Uh-huh.

BACK TO THE PRESENT:
Me: It’s on Discovery Island on the way to Africa.
Charles: Nope, I don’t know where it is.
Me: Sigh. Meet us at the Dawa Bar.
Charles: Okay. (Funny that he knew where the Dawa Bar was located.)

Hmm. Interesting.

This is with the zoom on -- isn’t she pretty? I am assuming she is a girl giraffe because of her long lashes.

Yep, definitely a girl.

I gestured towards the tables against the wall and asked Charles if he wanted to move.

He moved the table over about six inches.

I just let it go.





This was the view.

I had an Orange Dream drink, caught up on my trip journal, and read.

Perfect Disney bliss!

This one was just right for me.

This picture of you is so cute!

Then, we headed for the night vision viewing. In the words of Connor, “It was so cool!” We stood there looking out over the savannah, and it looked completely empty. But when we used the night vision goggles, we could see herds of zebra moving around. Too neat!

That sounds amazing! Did you feel like a predator stalking its prey?

 

[If U Had Wings]

The giraffe picture is amazing. Everytime I'm on the safari the animals are in hiding. It's a conspiracy or something.

And I don't know what this says about me, but I got the biggest laugh out of Chelsea losing her Mickey bar after laughing at Connor. I guess I'm just a bit twisted.

 

[manntra]

Ooooh! I love Ms. Giraffe!! She is gorgeous!! In January I got a good close picture of one of their bums! I love watching the giraffes from the AKV too....sitting on the balcony and watching them eat, and eat, and eat!
The night vision IS really neat too! You can't see anything then all of a sudden it is like BAM there they are!

 

[Happydog]

Alas, due to the 150-degree heat, Connor’s bar had managed to melt and drip and half of it fall onto the table before I had more than a fleeting thought of getting the camera out. Chelsea further added insult to Connor’s injury when she started laughing. Karma’s long arm of retribution acted swiftly though and her own Mickey bar also collapsed into a melted mess upon the table. So much for that idea.

Ha! That was funny, that is the problem with Mickey Bars we discovered as well... too messy in the summer! They melt so fast!! The ice cream sandwiches at Dino Bites are made with fresh baked cookies... VERY GOOD...

BACK TO THE PRESENT:
Me: It’s on Discovery Island on the way to Africa.
Charles: Nope, I don’t know where it is.
Me: Sigh. Meet us at the Dawa Bar.
Charles: Okay. (Funny that he knew where the Dawa Bar was located.)

[
We turned around and what did we see? Our very own tagalong giraffe!

This is without zooming in on the giraffe.

This is with the zoom on -- isn’t she pretty? I am assuming she is a girl giraffe because of her long lashes.

WHAT great photos!!! That is just so cool!!!!! I know this sounds weird but I can always imagine a conversation with a Giraffe when I see them close, they look like they are thinking about something when they look at you, they look "amused"...

With the line that snaked right by our table.

Nothing like eating with fifty people standing beside you.

UGH the rain! And yes, that was not expected, lunch with the PhotoPass line!
Glad you found the humor in the situation!

Back at the hotel, we headed to the pool. Oh, how I love the Animal Kingdom Lodge pool. No part of it is very deep -- the deepest part was about four and a half feet -- which meant that I could relax completely about Chelsea and Connor swimming. Pure bliss! I chose my chair near the pool bar, and it became my regular spot for the rest of the week.

This was the view.

The pool looks AWESOME, and really how relaxing not to worry, What a great rest of the day! I noticed a few bugs at AK, too....

Your fireside was at the Lodge, right? They have something similar at Kidani as well, right outside Sanaa? The rockers didn't look like those I saw there... which makes me think there are two areas? Maybe more?

Can't wait to hear about EPCOT That is our next update too!

 

[MEK]

Alas, due to the 150-degree heat, Connor’s bar had managed to melt and drip and half of it fall onto the table before I had more than a fleeting thought of getting the camera out. Chelsea further added insult to Connor’s injury when she started laughing. Karma’s long arm of retribution acted swiftly though and her own Mickey bar also collapsed into a melted mess upon the table.

Poor Connor. Poor Chelsea. Stupid 95 degree weather!

We needed to decide on a place to meet though. I knew I wanted us to eat at Pizzafari, so I suggested he meet us there.

Charles: I don’t know where that is.
Me (To Myself): We have been here a million times -- how does he not know where Pizzafari is? I even pointed it out to him this morning.

FLASHBACK TO THIS MORNING:
Me: Look, honey, there’s Pizzafari. That’s where I want us to eat lunch today.
Charles: Uh-huh.

BACK TO THE PRESENT:
Me: It’s on Discovery Island on the way to Africa.
Charles: Nope, I don’t know where it is.
Me: Sigh. Meet us at the Dawa Bar.
Charles: Okay. (Funny that he knew where the Dawa Bar was located.)

Navigationally Challenged Charles needs to meet Directionally Deprived Denny. Sounds like they have a lot in common!

My favorite animal encounter of the entire trip.

My favorite animal encounter EVAH!

The giraffes were feeling particularly friendly this Sunday afternoon and ahead of us a giraffe had started following the jeep in front of us. Just following along right behind the jeep and on the road.
Now all of a sudden there was a murmur of talking in the rows behind us. We turned around and what did we see? Our very own tagalong giraffe!

This is without zooming in on the giraffe.

This is with the zoom on -- isn’t she pretty? I am assuming she is a girl giraffe because of her long lashes.

I can not believe how close this giraffe is. What amazing pictures (although I am not 100% sure I cut and pasted the right ones since I can't see them at work). How cool to have a giraffe so close. That's like a picture you would get on one of those concierge safaris.

I can't comment on the rest right now because I just got a consult. I have to go do some work! The night vision sounds so cool! The evening at the pool - perfect!

 

[MegansMom]

What a truly perfect day at AK in my opinion!!!! I love the way your day ended.....spending relaxing time sitting by the pool, sipping yummy drinks, and enjoying the beautiful surroundings all around you!!!! I want a day like that!!!!

 

[jewels1916]

Hi Jackie! Now that I have finally made it back to Disboards, I have caught up on your TR! (Courtesy of your table of contents, thanks for that, btw!) Looks like you had a blast, those pics of the giraffe were awesome, as are all the pics of AKL. I am so excited to stay there in December! Keep the great updates coming!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Great update!! LOVE the giraffe and safari eeyore!I have finally gotten back from reading your 2008 report and PTR. I really appreciate your chapter links! If I ever do a TR, I'm going to need to know how to do that! (among other things!)

It's nice to see that you have had a relaxing trip and still gotten to do lots of things. We're hoping to add a night at AKL at the beginning of our trip in Dec. to enjoy the resort and see the animals because we won't be having a day at AK. The night vision thing sounds awesome! Not sure if we'll have warm enough weather to enjoy the pool in December though!

 

[JVL1018]

Just wanted to delurk and say how much I am enjoying your trip reports. I just found them a few days ago and I'm caught up with this one and am halfway through last year's and they are terrific.

I have kids around the same age as yours, (Julia will be 10 this year and Matthew will be 8) and both of yours remind me of mine-especially the boys-I can't even tell you how much your son reminds me of Matthew.
From the love of Star Wars and Indy and the Legos and most especially how he poses for pics-he has a twin up north here.

Anyway..really cute kids, great writing style, thanks for the trip reports!

 

[MagicShell]

Disney giraffes must be especially friendly. We had one stick its head into our jeep and lick my husband. It was amazing. I am glad you got to see them up close as well.

Good timing on the rain, too bad you had to eat with an audience though.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

That giraffe is just gorgeous. You took such a nice picture. I think rhinos are just unpredictable all around. We were within inches of being squirted by rhino pee last time we went to the zoo!

 

[jillyb]

Well...you know what they say about karma! I would be seriously depressed if I lost my Mickey Bar. How cool that the giraffe was following your truck too! The pictures are awesome.

Love the relaxing evening by the pool and seeing the animals with the nigh vision goggles sounds like lots of fun (minus the mosquitos!).

Sounds like a good day all the way around!

 

[xoktenox]

So everytime I fall behind (I had a good excuse this time, I was in Atlantic City Wednesday and Thursday) I say "oh I only missed the update by one day" and then I come over here and see I already missed like 5 pages...what the heck?!

Anyway, Miss Popularity, what amazing safari pictures! That giraffe is soooo beautiful! I wish I had lashes like that

That pool looks soooo wonderful and refreshing and your vantage point from your seat near the bar is heavenly I can't wait to stay there and all your pictures are just making me anticipate it more!

 

[wsushocker]

You must be a great photographer or you have better subjects.....


I think I had the same subject but my photo turned out like this....

​

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Again, my apologies....