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

[Native NYer]

Too funny about ITTBAB. Maybe they'll grow out of their fear of insects.

The photopass pics are great. Love the Simba one.

The empty pool first thing in the morning looks wonderful! What a relaxing way to start the day.

 

[Megablocks]

This update absolutely cracked me up! I've never seen ITTBAB and I highly doubt I will, because I am terrified of a lot of bugs (especially beetles -- I'm blaming that one entirely on my dad.) My mom STILL kills the occasional bug in my room, and I recently had to have my 16 year old sister kill a big one for me, because everyone else was asleep and I couldn't sleep knowing it was there. I would have laughed, too, especially after all the warning you gave them!

 

[kid-at-heart]

Oh my, the wee ones and Charles are afraid of bugs? Sarah, my daughter, loves bugs. In fact, come laundry day I have to check her pockets for rocks and dried up bugs. She only collects the deceased ones so I guess I should not complain too loudly.

 

[JenAusty]

Ohhh your morning seemed soo relaxing. I wish we would of had a "whatever" day. In the beginning I did have that planned but when days were shortened twice I just said forget it. hehe But its funny how just doing nothing on vacation seems fun.. even at disney world. Where you wouldn't think anyone would just want to do lounge around. hehe

You must be the coolest mom of all- Desserts for breakfast!!

hahahaha thats so funny- about the show. I absolutely love that show. I'm not one for bugs but its one of my favorites. I don't like the spider part- that I kind of close my eyes for.. and the "bee sting in the back" I always sit forward. Austin said it actually hurt the first time. hehe I laughed because I didn't feel it the first time because I was sitting up. But its not bad that you laughed- you can't say you didn't warn them.

 

[Disneyvirg]

I love the pics in this installment - especially the photopass pics. They turned out really well!

I love the bug story. Funny how kids just don't seem to realize that Mom ALWAYS knows best!

Looking forward to your review of dinosaur.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

That was funny! I am the same way with my kids...you know better, but chose not to listen!!!!

 

[Nicole786]

Just had to come here and advertise my pre-trip! I hope you'll come (link is in my siggy)

 

[praisehisname]

That is too funny! Hopefully they'll actually take your advice now!

Denise

 

[MagicShell]

I loved that update. We have never seen that show because we don't like bugs either. I hate them, but my kids take it to a new level. Like you said, they think the smallest bug will eat them alive or something. They have never asked to see the show, but if they did and were scared, I would laugh too.

 

[MaryAz]

Love those pics. I say say laugh all you want, sometimes moms are right

 

[Happydog]

Oh TOOOOO TOO funny about those dang bugs!! I have to admit I was startled when they run out under the seats, and DS4 was a little scared of the bug with the tongue!!! We all like it though! I think it is so cute! Funny finny about your two, though! You the bug killer in the family...

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

When I awoke Thursday morning, I was, of course, the first one awake. I took the opportunity to snap some pictures of the pool from our balcony. These were the pictures I used in the update about our room, but I will repost them here since this when I took them.

Early mornings simply sitting on the balcony and gazing at the pool are so peaceful and relaxing.

I was dying for a decent cup of coffee so outside the entrance of the park I stopped at the kiosk and got an iced mocha. Ahhhh. It was delicious and just what my body was craving!...

On Sunday when we had last been at Animal Kingdom, the kids had begged and begged to go see “It’s Tough to be a Bug.” I had managed to put them off, but as soon as I was finished with my coffee, their pleas resumed. Chelsea and Connor had not forgotten their desire to see this 3-D show.

Now before I go on with this GREAT story, let me explain.

I am the only one in our family not terrified of bugs.

When I say “terrified,” I don’t mean, “Eek! There’s a bug.” I mean “MOM!!! COME QUICK!!! IF YOU DON’T, I COULD DIE!!!” kind of terrified -- to which I go running in to discover there is a gnat in Connor’s room.

I have successfully saved all three members of my family from:
Gigantic bugs.
Really big bugs.
Big bugs.
Medium bugs.
Small bugs.
Tiny bugs.
Teeny tiny bugs.
Dust mites.
Bugs you need an electron microscope to see.
Bugs they claim are there and which I eradicate even though I can’t see them AT ALL.

See where I am going with this?

I tried to persuade my children that it was in their best interests to forego a 3D show ALL ABOUT BUGS. I even said, “Lots of people on the DIS boards say it is scary for people who don’t like bugs.” Chelsea and Connor were adamant -- they wanted to experience the show ABOUT BUGS -- WHICH THEY ARE DEATHLY AFRAID OF!

Sometimes you just have to let children learn from their lack of judgement.

Trooping merrily into the theater with their little buggy glasses, my children were blissfully unaware of what they were in store for during this show since they had willfully refused to listen to my dire warnings.

Thank goodness it is a relatively short show. I loved it -- I thought it was clever and cute and funny.

Meanwhile, Connor had his head buried in my lap.

Over on the other side of Connor, Chelsea had pulled her knees up and had her head down between them.

If they had been younger, I wouldn’t have laughed. Seeing as how they are older children, I giggle every time I think about this part of the trip. Call me cruel, but I wish I could have taken a picture of them to show their future spouses. I would preface it by saying, “I think you should know that you have a lifetime of killing real and imaginary bugs ahead of you.”

As we were leaving the theater, Chelsea exclaimed very loudly, “I NEVER want to do that again!”

UP NEXT: Dinosaurs are way less scary than bugs!

I think it sounds like you had a fabulous morning...

1. You got to go out on your balcony at AKL-I think the pool views are fabulous-very lush and green...

2. You got a great coffee outside AKL...

3. You properly and thoroughly warned your children-they chose to doubt your wisdom...then you got the satisfaction of laughing at them when they realized they should have listened...you were a little bit evil...I LIKE IT!...

 

[DreaGirl]

Love, love, love quiet mornings before everyone gets up! Beautiful pictures too.

I'll have to tell my husband about the coffee. He is always wanting "just another cup" so this way I can get him out the door faster on our AK days!

So funny about ITTBAB! I wish you would have gotten pictures, like you said, great info for future spouses!

 

[IluvXU]

This update will be great blackmail for later.... too bad there is not video of their actions.

 

[kschafer]

Charles and I are taking a quick weekend trip October 1 -- 4 to check out the Food and Wine Festival -- I am very excited!

I'm I the only one who finds it curious that Charles the absent wants to go on another trip? Food and wine must be a BIG draw for that guy

Love the morning pics from the balcony. I adore those moments of quiet solotude before the rest of the family wakes up!

 

[eandesmom]

Early mornings simply sitting on the balcony and gazing at the pool are so peaceful and relaxing.


Today was our “whatever” day with no set plans until our dinner at Boma at 5:55. We decided we had the most unfinished business at Animal Kingdom, so after a quick breakfast of leftover desserts -- which by the way, in case anyone was wondering zebra domes are just as good at 8:00 in the morning -- off we headed to the buses (Charles was planning on sleeping in a bit more).

I was dying for a decent cup of coffee so outside the entrance of the park I stopped at the kiosk and got an iced mocha. Ahhhh. It was delicious and just what my body was craving!

Once inside I insisted we stop for some Photopass pictures including the much coveted Simba photo. These are my favorite two of the group.

Chelsea and Connor had not forgotten their desire to see this 3-D show.

Now before I go on with this GREAT story, let me explain.

I am the only one in our family not terrified of bugs.

When I say “terrified,” I don’t mean, “Eek! There’s a bug.” I mean “MOM!!! COME QUICK!!! IF YOU DON’T, I COULD DIE!!!” kind of terrified -- to which I go running in to discover there is a gnat in Connor’s room.

I have successfully saved all three members of my family from:
Gigantic bugs.
Really big bugs.
Big bugs.
Medium bugs.
Small bugs.
Tiny bugs.
Teeny tiny bugs.
Dust mites.
Bugs you need an electron microscope to see.
Bugs they claim are there and which I eradicate even though I can’t see them AT ALL.

See where I am going with this?

Thank goodness it is a relatively short show. I loved it -- I thought it was clever and cute and funny.

Meanwhile, Connor had his head buried in my lap.

Over on the other side of Connor, Chelsea had pulled her knees up and had her head down between them.

If they had been younger, I wouldn’t have laughed. Seeing as how they are older children, I giggle every time I think about this part of the trip. Call me cruel, but I wish I could have taken a picture of them to show their future spouses. I would preface it by saying, “I think you should know that you have a lifetime of killing real and imaginary bugs ahead of you.”

is about all I have to say.

That and I love the coveted Simba picture and would REALLY like to be on that balcony right now, looking at the pool.

Not sure I could manage a zebra dome at 8am though!

 

[MEK]

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Trooping merrily into the theater with their little buggy glasses, my children were blissfully unaware of what they were in store for during this show since they had willfully refused to listen to my dire warnings.

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Oh CP. I noticed you did an update on 9/2 but for some reason I thought I already read it and commented. Silly me!

first - I love your pool pictures. I just made a shutterfly photo book with my pics and I put plenty of those same pool pics in there. I never get tired of looking at them.

second - I LOVE this photopass picture with simba. I think its such a cute shot, but I also think the two of you look especiallly cute. You look like a little girl - so cute.

third - so funny about your kids and ITTBAB. My DS Brian absolutely HATES this show. Always had, always will. He closes his eyes and puts his fingers in his ears. Yeah - its that bad! Fortunately he is old enough now that he never has to endure it when the rest of us want to attend.

 

[Preston Harper]

Hi,

Thanks for sharing your travel experience to africa.

Africa continues to enjoy the tremendous goodwill of holidaymakers worldwide.In Africa, the best places to see wildlife is at national parks. Private game reserves are not as expansive as the publicly owned national parks. Their key selling point is the superior accommodation and ranger escorted personalized tours. The national parks on the other hand are popular with self-drive tourists. They offer accommodation in a limited number of enclosed rest-camps, in thatched rondavels, bungalows and chalets.

 

[xoktenox]

Hey Jackie! I've been reading along the whole time but not getting a chance to comment much. This last week before the start of school has been busy! (I know you started a while ago but I don't start until Tuesday!)

I'm not a huge fan of ITTBAB either! The first time I saw it I was 11 and was totally freaked by the bee stings and the bugs under you at the end. I don't blame the kids! But they should have listened to their mother

I sure as heck hope we have a balcony view in our room like yours!

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

Loved the updates. Not having internet at the house has seriously affected my ability to keep up. Brooklynn wanted to do the face painting this past time but I just don't know that she can sit still enough for that long. I would definitely make it a point to be at Toon Town rope drop so you can see Tinkerbell and her fairy friends. It was a lot of fun because the characters were so into their roles. SO funny about the kids and ITTBAB. That is how I feel it is going to be with Brooklynn when she finally gets to ride Dinosaur. We've tried to explain it is a little scary but she insists she wants to ride it and if she gets scared she will just put her head in my lap.