Expedition Orlando! - actual update! Nov 22nd

[Turtle]

What was up with those free pins? I went the same time as you (just not as long, the 16th and 17th), and I got one of those free pin coupons on my parking thingy. (I didn't notice the ticket the 1st day, so I couldn't get the pin for that day. ) Anyway, the one I did get was a Mickey/Minnie Mary Poppins one. It wasn't very cute. Probably they were giving away all of their worst selling pins.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

I was WAY behind on your TR, but finally got all caught up. Love the approach you took on it. Can't wait to see how the safari turns out.

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Sounds like a fun day so far! Shame about the madagascar hissing cockroach - that would have been a nice feature in your future home.
Maybe next time....

Can't wait to read some more!

Di x

 

[bucci818]

Another great update! I hope the house hunting is going well!! Can't wait to read more......

 

[Philadisney]

For the longest time my DFi thought I was telling him stories about DeVine and that she didn't exist. Thankfully we caught her on our last trip. Your pictures of her are great!

It is easy to walk right by her and not even notice. Sometimes when she stands completely still she's practically invisible!

Great update! You and your mom must have had a blast! How cool get get in free with the secret employee entrance! And to see Divine! How lucky! Can't wait for more!

Good luck with your house hunting! You'll find the perfect house! We put in 10 offers prolly over a year and now we are at a house we just love. We were in the mind set of we are not overpaying so we walked away from alot of houses. I am so glad we did as I just love our home and could not imagine being anywhere else!

I can't tell you how comforting it was for me to hear your story! I have only been looking for four months and have put in three offers. It is good to hear from people who have been there.

I am so enjoying your travel journal! How cool is free entry at AK? That is awesome. I've never seen DeVine either -- your pictures of her are great!!

Thank you! We really lucked out with the free entry at AK. Every time something cool happens at WDW my mother assumes I set it up somehow and she was trying to figure out how I pulled that one off

Just checked out the first couple of pages...love how you started it so far! So cute. I'm subbing so I can come back and read more!

Thanks! Hopefully by then there will be more to read, I'm going to try and update tonight if I don't fall asleep first (for some reason I thought staying up until 1:30 AM last night to watch Law & Order SVU reruns was a good idea)

This is pretty much what happens with me, too... I always have the best intentions to exercise at WDW, but it seldom (okay, never) happens.

What about the Naked Mole Rats?! Worth the price of admission, alone.

Naked Mole Rats!?! How did I miss them?? I guess I'll have to go back

What was up with those free pins? I went the same time as you (just not as long, the 16th and 17th), and I got one of those free pin coupons on my parking thingy. (I didn't notice the ticket the 1st day, so I couldn't get the pin for that day. ) Anyway, the one I did get was a Mickey/Minnie Mary Poppins one. It wasn't very cute. Probably they were giving away all of their worst selling pins.

I did eventually find a way to use the horrid Tink pin to my advantage I don't even remember what other pins I got for free, I traded them all away!

I was WAY behind on your TR, but finally got all caught up. Love the approach you took on it. Can't wait to see how the safari turns out.

Thank you!!

Sounds like a fun day so far! Shame about the madagascar hissing cockroach - that would have been a nice feature in your future home.
Maybe next time....

Can't wait to read some more!

Di x

I would love to see my cat encounter a madagascar hissing cockroach

Another great update! I hope the house hunting is going well!! Can't wait to read more......

Thanks! We're still struggling - put in another bid on another house last weekend and got outbidded. So it goes! We're not in a rush. We're lucky that both our landlords are very understanding and allowing us to go month-to-month, so we can take all the time we need.

I saw Divine on my second trip to AK on my trip in March. But it was a different Divine, but just as great!

It was definitely a highlight. My pic is here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2071052&page=10

Just scroll down.

You're having a great time so far! Looking fwd to the rest of your trip.

Wow you got an amazing picture!! I wonder how many Devines there are? Talk about a cool job...

 

[Philadisney]

As we wandered through the African wilderness, I told Mother of a surprise I had planned – reservations for a two week safari! She was delighted, but I was a bit nervous that we wouldn’t make it in time. We were quite lost in the jungle. I paused to ask a local meerkat for directions.

fig A

I was confidant that we would discover many creatures in the Orlando wilderness. We boarded a safari vehicle with our knowledgeable guide, good ol’ Whatshisname.

fig B

Mother was delighted that some of her avian friends came out to greet us.

fib C

We spotted some marvelous new breeds of animal, which I, as their discoverer, took the liberty of naming:

fig D – Rock Beasties

fig E – Long-Necked Cows

fig F – Thorny Moose

Then the most crushing thing happened – our safari adventure was cut short by poachers! Luckily, I used my astute detective skills to locate their captive, a baby elephant, and their evil plan was thwarted.

As we exited our safari vehicle we decided to sample some of the local fare, a cold dairy treat in the odd shape of a mouse’s head.

fig G

I soon forgot about our ill-fated safari, as our next adventure was even more spectacular!

 

[KathyRN137]

As we exited our safari vehicle we decided to sample some of the local fare, a cold dairy treat in the odd shape of a mouse’s head.

fig G

I soon forgot about our ill-fated safari, as our next adventure was even more spectacular!

Yum!

You and your mom are having such fun... looking forward to what will top a two-week safari!


Kathy

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

[
fig D – Rock Beasties

fig E – Long-Necked Cows

fig F – Thorny Moose

You are such a nut! Thanks for the laughs, your TR is always entertaining!

 

[MeMom]

It's the darnedest thing. Our safari was cut short by poachers, too.
They really need to stop ruining everyone's trips.
If we pay for two weeks, we oughta get two weeks!

Looks like you and Mom are having a good time.
The Mickey bar picture is perfect for a signature/avatar picture.
It's classic Disney, and the greenery in the background is pretty.

 

[LISAMWDW]

Yum! Mickey Bar! I'm craving one right now!

Looks like you both had so much fun!

 

[Carol17]

Hi Kelly! I am so glad I came across your new TR!I really enjoyed your last one and I am so happy to see you have started another! I just returned from a great week staying at YC. I am thinking of starting my very first TR, but after reading your reports, I'm not so sure I can be as witty and exciting to read about!

Cann't wait to read more!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Oooh!! I just can't wait to go on the safari!!

 

[PrincessV]

fig F – Thorny Moose

"Thorny Moose" - I love it!

 

[Philadisney]

Still weary from our safari, and getting warm in the hot sun, Mother and I decided to take a swim. A quick dip in the ocean was sure to be refreshing. Well, I certainly was not prepared for our next discovery!

Diving deep down into the briny depths of the ocean deep, we were startled to come across a band of singing fishes! Most impressive was a gigantic seagull, nearly seventeen times the size of your typical land seagull!

figs a-b:

(Please forgive the blurriness of these photos, I foolishly failed to bring my underwater camera along.)

The fish serenade eventually ended, and we swam back to surface, where we came across a delightful trio of tree-monkeys who were sharing citrus.

fig c:

It was then that I spotted the great mountain – Everest!

fig d:

I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance! I convinced Mother to make the trek.

figs e-f:

All of the information we read on our hike through the Everest welcome center indicated that this would be a perilous months-long journey, and I was prepared for the challenge. But truly, the trek was so exhilarating it felt as if it were over in a matter of mere minutes! I suppose that was for the better, as a yeti had ripped up some of the track, and later appeared to scream at us. We escaped of course, but I was quite worried about Mother, who spent our entire hike screaming in absolute terror. Afterwards she purchased a commemorative Everest windchime (not pictured) to forever remind her of the horrible experience.

At this point we were feeling a bit thirsty and tired, and decided to retire to a nearby lodge for drinks.

fig G:

Mother’s Glowtini and my Moonstar Glowy Punch Beverage both arrived bursting with neon! We were shocked, but luckily the drinks tasted good. Though the pulsating light show in my glass gave me a bit of a headache. (Or maybe the rum gave me a headache. Maybe both.)

fig H:

Soon a group of Mother’s friends joined us and we ordered another round (agave margarita for me this time). Then we wandered outside, exploring the lodge and all of the animals that resided there.

figs I-K

Mother and I were even able to have our picture taken with one of the animals (seen behind us, with a white chest and brown head)

fig L:

Soon it was time to dine at Jiko, where we had chicken BBQ flatbread, the oak filet with macaroni and cheese, scallops with butternut squash, and strawberry mousse. Our server Mary was divine, as was the food.

That night we slept soundly, though I was excited about the promise of the next day – my first solo adventure of the trip, into the most magical of kingdoms!!

 

[Philadisney]

OK firstly - It has been nearly three weeks since I updated this thing! If anyone is still reading, I apologize! Things have been crazy with work, as well as with house hunting (we're almost there!!! though I don't want to get too excited until everything's final I'm getting back into the swing of things and have finally finished the first day. Hopefully I'll be able to get the rest done in a more timely manner!

Oh and gotta add a shameless plug - for those of you that missed it, my episode of What Not To Wear will be on again this Friday the 29th at 4pm on TLC. Now back to your regularly scheduled comments!

"Thorny Moose" - I love it!

Thanks! I had fun with that

Oooh!! I just can't wait to go on the safari!!

You are there right now! I am catching up on people's threads and found your Twitter page. Love it! You were on Soarin' just a few hours ago...I'm jealous!

Hi Kelly! I am so glad I came across your new TR!I really enjoyed your last one and I am so happy to see you have started another! I just returned from a great week staying at YC. I am thinking of starting my very first TR, but after reading your reports, I'm not so sure I can be as witty and exciting to read about!

Cann't wait to read more!

Thank you so much! You should do a TR if you want to, it is fun and a REALLY great way to stretch your trip out (especially if you are like me and spend six months writing the darn thing )

Yum! Mickey Bar! I'm craving one right now!

Looks like you both had so much fun!

Ooooh....now I am too! I just had a Klondike bar....not quite the same

It's the darnedest thing. Our safari was cut short by poachers, too.
They really need to stop ruining everyone's trips.
If we pay for two weeks, we oughta get two weeks!

Looks like you and Mom are having a good time.
The Mickey bar picture is perfect for a signature/avatar picture.
It's classic Disney, and the greenery in the background is pretty.

Good point! I didn't even think to ask for a refund. I wonder if Animal Kingdom's guest services ever had to field a complaint from a guest who wants an instant Fastpass for the safari because their trip was ruined by poachers.

You are such a nut! Thanks for the laughs, your TR is always entertaining!

Thanks Lessa! Looks like I missed your send off too! I hope you and your mom are having an amazing time, I know you must be. I am confused though, I see your ticker says 11 months! Did you add another trip??

Yum!

You and your mom are having such fun... looking forward to what will top a two-week safari!

Kathy

Only a fabulous deep sea adventure and narrow escape from the Yeti, of course!

 

[MyMuse]

Whoo-hoooo! An update!

Glad to see that you made it through the big E mountain alive.

 

[Turtle]

Hey! Long time no see. Good to see that you're still alive.

 

[bucci818]

Your back! I loved this update. It put a smile on my face after a not so good day. I love the picture of you and your mom! Did you find out what species of animal was in the background of the picture?? Hope everything goes well with the house hunting!

 

[jcc0621]

Diving deep down into the briny depths of the ocean deep, we were startled to come across a band of singing fishes! Most impressive was a gigantic seagull, nearly seventeen times the size of your typical land seagull!

What did you think of the show...haven't seen it yet and it is on my maybe list

but I was quite worried about Mother, who spent our entire hike screaming in absolute terror. Afterwards she purchased a commemorative Everest windchime (not pictured) to forever remind her of the horrible experience.

Welcome back. Hope the house hunting is going well!

 

[Philadisney]

What did you think of the show...haven't seen it yet and it is on my maybe list

I liked it! I'm not a big fan of the sons but it's worth seeing once just for all the amazing puppets and costumes. Just make sure you get there a little early so you don't have to watch the show in the back where it's standing room only...that happened to me last time and it was so uncomfortable.

Your back! I loved this update. It put a smile on my face after a not so good day. I love the picture of you and your mom! Did you find out what species of animal was in the background of the picture?? Hope everything goes well with the house hunting!

Thanks so much! Funny, I couldn't find that creature in any of my animal research books

Hey! Long time no see. Good to see that you're still alive.

Thanks I am embarrassed by my lack of DISing! I have so many threads I need to catch up on too. I think I need a day off to just sit on my couch with my laptop.

Whoo-hoooo! An update!

Glad to see that you made it through the big E mountain alive.

It was a lot scarier than I remembered from the last time I had ridden it! I was truly scared for my mom, she was freaking out!