Firsts, Fourths, and Farewells (4/28 Back to the Future!)

[nnjamison]

LOVING THIS TR!!

 

[MEK]

Kids are adorable (us usual).

Great pictures of Asia and Yak & Yeti.

As far as the trek - I could have done without the snake!

Your food does look extra delicious. Yum. I did use my AP discount but its 10% off entrees so it really didn't add up to much. I know when I do go back I'm having that steak!

 

[boxmaster]

Yeah, reliving the Animal Kingdom is making me want to go again.
We hadn't planned to on our next trip (which is in 6 days BTW - X and I are going to cheer J on as he takes the Goofy Challenge).
But now we're leaning towards going back to AK for a day and letting X try Dinosaur!
In fact, I just booked Yak & Yeti for a late lunch.
Surprise J!

Definitely a good surprise. I can already taste the Steak and Shrimp.

So looking forward to this trip, and getting the Goofy Challenge out of the way already. I'm SO anxious to just get it done!

And getting you and X (if he's tall enough) onto one or two rides, hopefully, that you've shunned for ages.

 

[thecapells]

LOVING THIS TR!!

Thanks so much!
Always happy to hear that others are enjoying our adventures (and insane amount of details).

Kids are adorable (us usual).

Great pictures of Asia and Yak & Yeti.

As far as the trek - I could have done without the snake!

Your food does look extra delicious. Yum. I did use my AP discount but its 10% off entrees so it really didn't add up to much. I know when I do go back I'm having that steak!

That's true - it's only 10% off entrees.
Then again, I think we may only go with entrees next trip since we'll be paying out of pocket.
What say you J?

Definitely a good surprise. I can already taste the Steak and Shrimp.

So looking forward to this trip, and getting the Goofy Challenge out of the way already. I'm SO anxious to just get it done!

And getting you and X (if he's tall enough) onto one or two rides, hopefully, that you've shunned for ages.

Yeah, I booked it and we'll see how things go.
It's still a steep price for lunch.
Luckily this is one I can still cancel last minute without penalty.

 

[thecapells]

We headed deeper into the jungle away from the exotic cultures of Asia and into the forests of Africa.
Along the way we stumbled into my new favorite photo spot for the Tree of Life!

The surprises kept coming as around the corner we stumbled across our first gorilla sighting.
It was Terk from Tarzan – a character we’ve never met before!!

Luck was definitely on our side and we knew our expedition would be successful.
So we pressed our luck and tried a trick.
Mom is a huge fan of gorillas but we didn’t have time for the entire Pangani Forest Trail so we headed in through the exit to catch a peek.

And boy did we catch a peek.
First a raging waterfall.

And nearby was the highlight - a band of silver backs out and about.
Mom grabbed the camera and went to work.
DS was excited too but his luck had run out.
He wanted to try out his new camera (his grandmother bought him a cheap one to play with).
But, when he started to use it, we found out it was broken.
It either needed new batteries or it was defective.
So he was pretty upset.
But even his grumpiness could not ruin Mom’s gorilla excitement!

And then Jared and his gorilla butt.
What a way to cap off a scenic picturesque spot.
And don't even start discussing what he happened to be doing at the time.
Thanks J…

 

[boxmaster]

And then Jared and his gorilla butt.
What a way to cap off a scenic picturesque spot.
And don't even start discussing what he happened to be doing at the time.
Thanks J…

Hey, I don't have a gorilla butt. Certainly not prepping for the Goofy Challenge.

 

[thecapells]

In addition to the gorillas, we stumbled across a roving Photopass photographer.
What a great area for Photopass!
As you might expect, we indulged our khaki-clad friend.
And we got some great pictures out of it!

And then we got the babies.
From Baby Simba

To the Sleeping Baby (not quite a baby but you get the point)…

This was a great place for a photopass shoot.
Usually at the front of the park, the sun is right in your eyes in the morning as well as in the evening while it’s setting.
This vantage point, while not having the Tree of Life, was a great place to represent Animal Kingdom.
So we stayed a while and enjoyed the pictures and the serenity of the waterfalls and the gorillas.
Finally, we pulled Mom away and headed around the corner.
We had something else up our sleeves that the kids had never done.
Come take a ride with us…

 

[dawnbu40]

I don't think I've ever seen Photopass pics from that spot. I love the waterfall as the background and the pics look great

Happy New Year

 

[thecapells]

I don't think I've ever seen Photopass pics from that spot. I love the waterfall as the background and the pics look great

Happy New Year

I hadn't either which is why I was so excited.
On our last trip, we found a Photopass photographer in even ANOTHER fun spot.
Lesson of the story - be on the lookout throughout the jungles of Animal Kingdom!

 

[thecapells]

Around the corner we thought we’d hop the Wildlife Express to Rafiki’s Planet Watch.
Okay – that’s a stupid name.
It sounded better when the whole area was called Conservation Station.
I’m gonna stick with that.
Anyway, besides another train ride for X (who loves trains), there are some rare characters that hang out there we’ve never met before.
So off we went!

Problem was X was still sleeping.
We tried to wake him for the ride but it didn’t work.

So Mom took the kids to wait for the train while J and I got our trigger fingers busy.
The Harambe Railroad Station has a lot of fun little details all about.
Let’s take a look…

And then the train arrived.
Check out the flags and the animal head adorning the train.

These trains are interesting in that you sit looking out the side to get a good view the entire time.
Oh, and make sure you don’t start cooking on the journey – that’s forbidden.

And, of course, no dancing on the train.

Along the way, guests get a nice sneak peek backstage of Animal Kingdom.
Here’s some shots of the animal houses and even some animals.

Stay tuned to see where we ended up!

 

[thecapells]

Happy New Year!!!

 

[thecapells]

The train station at Rafiki’s Planet Watch – scratch that – Conservation Station is much smaller but still nicely decorated.
From the seal on the floor to the statues and fixtures, the animal and conservation themes cannot be missed.

There’s one path that leads to the Conservation Station.
Along the way, however, are smaller exhibits about habitats and conservation.

And don’t worry - you won’t get lost.
Just look “beyond what you see.”
Rafiki will lead the way!
“Asante Sana! Squashed banana!”

 

[MEK]

Those are lovely photopass pictures of the whole group. What a lovely backdrop for pictures. I would consider that a major score. Too bad X slept through the entire photo session.

I just noticed the mickey print on his stroller - how cute is that?

Thanks for the lovely pictures going out to the conservation station. I've only ridden the train once and I keep meaning to do it a second time. So much to see. Oh - and I didn't know the train stopped in Salisbury....as in Maryland?

 

[thecapells]

Those are lovely photopass pictures of the whole group. What a lovely backdrop for pictures. I would consider that a major score. Too bad X slept through the entire photo session.

I just noticed the mickey print on his stroller - how cute is that?

Thanks for the lovely pictures going out to the conservation station. I've only ridden the train once and I keep meaning to do it a second time. So much to see. Oh - and I didn't know the train stopped in Salisbury....as in Maryland?

Mom gets credit for the Mickey print blanket - we always bring it along to keep the sun out of his eyes is he's napping.
And X always seems to sleep through at least one photo session a trip.

As for the train, I did find the list of stops amusing as well.
Gotta love all the little details!

 

[thecapells]

Sure enough Rafiki leads you to Conservation Station.

Inside hallways are lined with a huge animal mural filled with animals as well as tons of Hidden Mickeys.

Inside the station and “just around the riverbend” are two characters that never, ever seem to have a line.
And it was the first time we got to meet one of them!
With no lines, there’s great interaction here with the characters and the kids.
First up, the elusive (to us anyway) Native American Princess… Pocahontas!

There’s a pond in the center of the room with animal sculptures in it.
It almost seems to be a remant of the Tree of Life.
And, of course, many have thrown in coins for luck!

Next to the Native American princess is good ol’ Rafiki himself!

 

[thecapells]

And then, one of the main reasons I wanted to come here.
It was time to let our conscience be our guides!
We were so excited to finally meet Jiminy Cricket himself!

Jiminy Cricket wanted some pictures with the sleeping toddler as well.
We could definitely oblige!

Mom took DD out to the Petting Zoo but the boys stay inside and explored the station.
There’s some great details in here along with some great exhibits and CM’s actually taking care of animals.
Then again, as you can see in this picture, Minnie was also ready to go!

Next to the pond in the middle of the room, another CM was introducing everyone to one of the local residents of this area.

On the other side of the room (near Pocahontas) is Grandmother Willow’s Song of the Rainforest exhibit.

The Conservation Station is a great place to explore.
Lots of characters, interesting things to see, and no lines.
Only downside is that it’s tough to get to and there’s no Photopass around.
But we had a good time.

And after all the character meets, there’s always the fun of Hidden Mickeys!
It was time to let the boys loose - the Hidden Mickey hunt has begun!
See how many you can find!

During our hunt, Jiminy looked bored.
So we went back for solo shots.

 

[thecapells]

Meanwhile, back at the ranch – or the Affection Section petting zoo in this case – Mom and Princess were chasing sheep and llamas apparently.

Then it was time to return – there were several more things to see and Animal Kingdom was almost closing.
Along the path on the way out, I noticed another sign from Rafiki.

And the train ride back had a different view.
This time some African villages with huts raised in the air to remain safe from floods and animals.

And Mom and J fought over who could get a picture of this silly little sign.
I think J finally won out.

Finally, as the train pulled back into the Harambe Station, guess who decided to wake up.

And, of course, he demanded another ride on the train.
But we had things to see.
Luckily, down the road, we found something that could distract little X.
Come find out what it was!

 

[Curoly06]

Is Jiminy Cricket always there? He's my niece's favorite character and I would love for her to be able to meet him!

 

[dawnbu40]

Awww, poor X missing out on the fun.

I love all the pictures with Jiminy. He's so cute

 

[lledman]

Maybe it's just me but I can't view your photos anymore, says you are too popular with photobucket - lol!!!!!!