"Five Mickey bars hit you like two glasses of wine!" a Jan 2019 adults-only TR *COMPLETED* 6/25

[AggieDizzer]

Wow OK I am just seeing this but I am impressed with this boffo trip report. I was hooked right off the bat - well done!! I have trip report envy. I will be going to World in June and was thinking about how I could write my first trip report. I haven't even gone on my trip yet, and I can pretty clearly see where the bar is around here!!


Nicely done. On to part deux.....

 

[dolewhipdreams]

Wow OK I am just seeing this but I am impressed with this boffo trip report. I was hooked right off the bat - well done!! I have trip report envy. I will be going to World in June and was thinking about how I could write my first trip report. I haven't even gone on my trip yet, and I can pretty clearly see where the bar is around here!!


Nicely done. On to part deux.....

First of all, welcome to this, my personal corner of internet silliness.

Second of all- oh man so fun that you are getting ready for your first TR! My tip is to take notes, especially of anything that's silly or special. That's what makes writing the TRs so fun

 

[dolewhipdreams]

Porg Nuggets

The next morning started a little slow for us (probably because I took too long getting ready, but what's new) but eventually we got on a bus.

​

We got to the Animal Kingdom about 30 minutes later than we wanted. And of course it’s the days when you’re late that the security and tapstile lines are the longest because #disney.

We made it back to Expedition Everest right before our FP time was up, but the ride broke down as we were in line. They gave us an anytime FPs on our way out, so at least we knew that we would get to ride it later.

Since we were right there we went for a stroll through the jungle and I spent a strangely long time staring at the tigers (as usual). This time daddy and one of the kids were out chilling and I took the chance to talk to one of the CMs about the Sumatran tiger breeding program that they’re involved with. So now for your enjoyment some fun facts about tigers getting it on:

• Daddy dearest has been super busy- he’s had 7 cubs of his own through the program.
• Getting mom & dad to meet took 3 years to make sure all the conditions were right to get some cubs out of the ordeal
• The two cubs had to go through a boot camp to learn how to interact with their habitat

[You take a load off, big guy- you've earned it]​

We meandered through the rest of the trails (although really anything after the tigers is just boring) and I practiced my wildlife photography.

[These two look like they're just talking smack on everone]




[Dude was straight up posing. What a guy]​

After a brief snack stop, we made our way to Kilimanjaro Safaris for a ride with what turned out to be the most incoherent guide I’ve ever encountered. I could understand about 10% of what came out of his mouth….and I know the script.

However, the lack of diction was balanced by an abundance of animal sightings. We were in the very back row of the truck and it made it easy to turn around and get some nice shots of animals without anyone else’s arms or phones in them (especially of the giraffes).

[So many amazing caption opportunities here but I think I'll go with "bon-got milk?]










[There's a cheetah back there somewhere...]


[There's a lion up there somewhere...]​

We got off the bus giggling over how the CM said the final bit about kwaharini (it was somehow full of s’s??) and saw that a FotLK show was due to start in about 15 minutes. I’ve never had a problem getting into FotLK last minute so I suggested we get that out of the way since we had time before our next FP in Pandora.

Naturally, that day proved to be the exception of that rule. We got there and the line stretched back toward Tusker House (and I’m using ‘line’ loosely here, it was definitely more of a blob than something distinctly linear). The guy in front of us in line was just not having it. He was just complaining about the lack of line and being an overall sourpuss.

​

After a few minutes some CMs came out with more ropes and poles to make more of a line and the guy was rude to them (I know you’re shocked) and told them “this should have been done hours ago” but as we were moving into the line he ran into like three poles. So there, rude guy making way too big a deal out of stuff. I hope you enjoyed your bruises.

However, during this moment we realized that they were filling the line for the 2pm show…and it was 12:55…. We were most definitely NOT about to wait in line an hour for that show so we popped out of line and went to get lunch instead. Knowing I was about to eat lunch at my favorite WDW QS spot helped ease the pain of that FotLK experience.

It was P&As first time in the lovely world of Pandora so we let them do the ‘oo and ahh’ thing before going back to eat (although I was super focused on eating so I may or may not have rushed them through).

There wasn’t a line at Satu’li Canteen and we had our food in no time!

​

I had my usual- a salad with chicken and the creamy herb dressing, and Jon changed his order up and went with noodles, chicken, and the creamy herb. The last time he ate there he didn’t enjoy what he got (I think it was beef, hash, and the black bean dressing) but he said he liked this one a lot more. P&A also enjoyed it, and liked having a healthier option.

Side note- IDK if any of you are paying attention to SWGE then you might have seen the photos of the food they have in store for the land and it looks like they used the same sort of inspiration as they did for Satu’li and that makes me SO HAPPY! I don’t know if I would have appreciated waiting in line for hours for something like porg nuggets.

After we were good and fed we went on a proper tour of Pandora and I took some photos because you have to it’s the rules.

[Ahh the rare and beautiful Pandoran butterfly]

​

Our grand and miraculous photo tour took up the time until our Nav’I River Journey FP opened. I’m thankful for FPs for that ride because it really is beautiful but I would hate waiting in line for it.

A and I convinced the menfolk to stop at a PhotoPass stop to capture their first time in Pandora.

​

While in line for NRJ we grabbed a FP for the next FotLK so we wouldn’t have to face another situation like earlier. BUT FIRST I had to try a snack that had yet eluded me- the pongu lumpia. I love egg rolls, cream cheese, and pineapple so it seemed like the perfect storm.

[It was fine but I’ll probably never have it again]​

When we got to FotLK we still had about a 20 minute wait. They eventually let us in we got a seat in the elephant section.

Everyone enjoyed the show and I know for sure that I teared up during Can You Feel the Love Tonight because I always do (always, without fail).​

​

We emerged into the sunshine and went to use our anytime FP to finally ride Everest.

[Buckey is a little scared of heights, but he was pretty brave]​

That was our last ride at DAK for the day because we were on our way for bigger and better things that evening. On the way out we stopped for one more PhotoPass!

​

See ya later DAK!

 

[pkondz]

We got to the Animal Kingdom about 30 minutes later than we wanted. And of course it’s the days when you’re late that the security and tapstile lines are the longest because #disney.

Also the day you think you're going to rope drop FOP.

We made it back to Expedition Everest right before our FP time was up, but the ride broke down as we were in line. They gave us an anytime FPs on our way out, so at least we knew that we would get to ride it later.

Good thing you got that, otherwise you could've just come later.

• Daddy dearest has been super busy- he’s had 7 cubs of his own through the program.

• Getting mom & dad to meet took 3 years to make sure all the conditions were right to get some cubs out of the ordeal

• The two cubs had to go through a boot camp to learn how to interact with their habitat

Thanks for the info.
Now I know!

[You take a load off, big guy- you've earned it]

[Dude was straight up posing. What a guy]

Either animatronic or he gets paid by the hour.

After a brief snack stop, we made our way to Kilimanjaro Safaris for a ride with what turned out to be the most incoherent guide I’ve ever encountered.

That's... odd. I wonder if it's some kind of equal opportunity thing.
"I'm sorry, but you can't just hire people who speak well. That's discrimination."

We were in the very back row of the truck and it made it easy to turn around and get some nice shots of animals without anyone else’s arms or phones in them (especially of the giraffes).

Holy crap! I never would've thought of that!! That's a great tip!

[So many amazing caption opportunities here but I think I'll go with "bon-got milk?]

I keep thinking of lines and...

"How about... uh, no... I'd get banned."
"Oh! Maybe... nope. Banned."
"Ah!... Banned."
"... Banned."

[There's a cheetah back there somewhere...]

Or a T-Rex. Or both.

[There's a lion up there somewhere...]

Actually, that's a really good shot. Much better than a lot I've seen.

The guy in front of us in line was just not having it. He was just complaining about the lack of line and being an overall sourpuss.

Disney brings out the worst (and best) in people at times.

the guy was rude to them (I know you’re shocked)

but as we were moving into the line he ran into like three poles.

Good!

There wasn’t a line at Satu’li Canteen and we had our food in no time!

I don’t know if I would have appreciated waiting in line for hours for something like porg nuggets.

I disagree! Porg nuggets! I'm in! (Do they look as cute as real nuggets?)

After we were good and fed we went on a proper tour of Pandora and I took some photos because you have to it’s the rules.

Nice!

Nicer!

Nicest!!

I’m thankful for FPs for that ride because it really is beautiful but I would hate waiting in line for it.

I'll never wait more than 5-10 minutes if I can help it.

That darn bug. It's ruined more photos...

I love egg rolls, cream cheese, and pineapple so it seemed like the perfect storm.

Um... no. No it doesn't.

[It was fine but I’ll probably never have it again]

A ringing endorsement!

 

[dolewhipdreams]

Also the day you think you're going to rope drop FOP

Key word there being "think"

Thanks for the info.
Now I know!

Either animatronic or he gets paid by the hour.

There was a CM standing near him giving off strong celebrity body guard vibes

That's... odd. I wonder if it's some kind of equal opportunity thing.
"I'm sorry, but you can't just hire people who speak well. That's discrimination."

I'm not sure what it was but I feel for anyone who had never been on that ride before

I keep thinking of lines and...

"How about... uh, no... I'd get banned."
"Oh! Maybe... nope. Banned."
"Ah!... Banned."
"... Banned."

Hahahaha there's some great opportunities there! My favorite part of the photo is probably that the mom is just staring at me like "whatchu looking at, punk?"

I disagree! Porg nuggets! I'm in! (Do they look as cute as real nuggets?)

See if they're going to do a porg nugget I would rather it not be cute. I can eat chickens because they're ugly. I have a harder time thinking about eating cute stuff.

A ringing endorsement!

Disney food marketing, if you're out there I'm available for hire.

 

[redlight]

The pictures are amazing. Sounds like your experience with the animals was epic, despite your tour guide being Charlie Brown’s teacher.

 

[dolewhipdreams]

The pictures are amazing. Sounds like your experience with the animals was epic, despite your tour guide being Charlie Brown’s teacher.

Yeah the animals were really out in for that day!

 

[missangelalexis]

Sounds like a great time at AK! I love all the photos!

 

[missjackiemcg]

Your photography skills are making me jealous. My safari pics are always full of "where'd he go, that lion was there a minute ago?!" and the like LOL Well done!!

 

[LeiaIsAPrincess2]

Key word there being "think"

See if they're going to do a porg nugget I would rather it not be cute. I can eat chickens because they're ugly. I have a harder time thinking about eating cute stuff.

Wouldn't something like rotisserie porg be more authentic to the movie? I'm with you though, non-cute food is better! Maybe space worm pasta?

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

When you said that you were going to practice your wildlife photography, I completely died laughing. That is because in your 2nd picture, all I could find were humans.

I am always in the mood for some FOTLK. I love that show for so many reasons!

 

[Cloe Colton]

Porg Nuggets
We got to the Animal Kingdom about 30 minutes later than we wanted. And of course it’s the days when you’re late that the security and tapstile lines are the longest because #disney.

UGH OF COURSE

We made it back to Expedition Everest right before our FP time was up, but the ride broke down as we were in line. They gave us an anytime FPs on our way out, so at least we knew that we would get to ride it later.

That was nice of them! I know when DH and I got in the FP line once and the ride went down for weather and I assumed they would give anytime FPs out for that too and they were all like NOPE. You are SOL

​

However, during this moment we realized that they were filling the line for the 2pm show…and it was 12:55…. We were most definitely NOT about to wait in line an hour for that show so we popped out of line and went to get lunch instead.

I think with the number of FPs they give out now and the Tiffins lunch packages there are very few stand by seats left!

​

Side note- IDK if any of you are paying attention to SWGE then you might have seen the photos of the food they have in store for the land and it looks like they used the same sort of inspiration as they did for Satu’li and that makes me SO HAPPY! I don’t know if I would have appreciated waiting in line for hours for something like porg nuggets.

LOL porg nuggets

[Ahh the rare and beautiful Pandoran butterfly]

LOVE this photo! I wish Disney actually did have like a butterfly garden in Pandora. I could see butterflies being on Pandora! ​

[It was fine but I’ll probably never have it again]

I did not like these. I thought I would since I love pineapple and cream cheese but this was way too warm and mushy for me ​

 

[CaseFace5]

Love all your AK pictures, looks like a great morning, even if you started a little behind. Looking at all your pictures really make me want a better camera..

[Buckey is a little scared of heights, but he was pretty brave]

..But was he with you until the end of the line?

 

[Lesley Wake]

Awesome safari photos!

This time daddy and one of the kids were out chilling and I took the chance to talk to one of the CMs about the Sumatran tiger breeding program that they’re involved with. So now for your enjoyment some fun facts about tigers getting it on:

• Daddy dearest has been super busy- he’s had 7 cubs of his own through the program.
• Getting mom & dad to meet took 3 years to make sure all the conditions were right to get some cubs out of the ordeal
• The two cubs had to go through a boot camp to learn how to interact with their habitat

I chatted with them too. I guess Dad gets to stick around for another breeding program. The babies will eventually move on to other locations - they just don't have room for everyone at AK, especially since tigers are solitary.

 

[dolewhipdreams]

Sounds like a great time at AK! I love all the photos!

Thanks friend! It’s up there as far as my favorite places to photograph.

Your photography skills are making me jealous. My safari pics are always full of "where'd he go, that lion was there a minute ago?!" and the like LOL Well done!!

Those animals are tricky! Honestly safari photos are so much based on luck because it’s not like you can wait around for a good shot!

Wouldn't something like rotisserie porg be more authentic to the movie? I'm with you though, non-cute food is better! Maybe space worm pasta?

Okay we need to find the middle ground because space worm pasta is too gross

When you said that you were going to practice your wildlife photography, I completely died laughing. That is because in your 2nd picture, all I could find were humans.

I am always in the mood for some FOTLK. I love that show for so many reasons!

Hahaha but they were so camoflauged!

I assumed they would give anytime FPs out for that too and they were all like NOPE. You are SOL

Yeah it’s so hit and miss!

I think with the number of FPs they give out now and the Tiffins lunch packages there are very few stand by seats left!

Ohhhh I didn’t even think about that...

LOVE this photo! I wish Disney actually did have like a butterfly garden in Pandora. I could see butterflies being on Pandora!

I would totally go to that!

but this was way too warm and mushy for me

Yep, exactly.

Looking at all your pictures really make me want a better camera..

Oh what kind do you have now?

But was he with you until the end of the line?

<3 <3 <3

Awesome safari photos!

Thanks friend!

The babies will eventually move on to other locations - they just don't have room for everyone at AK, especially since tigers are solitary.

Which will be so sad! They said they’re actually surprised the siblings still tolerate each other. Any day now they’re supposed to get really aggressive toward one another, then they’ll have to move.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Which will be so sad! They said they’re actually surprised the siblings still tolerate each other. Any day now they’re supposed to get really aggressive toward one another, then they’ll have to move.

I know! So sad! In December I visited a few days after they first separated them from the mom. The keepers said one day she just decided enough was enough and swatted at them, so they were on their own! In February they were still cuddling together! I'll have to see if they are still together in May!

 

[dolewhipdreams]

I know! So sad! In December I visited a few days after they first separated them from the mom. The keepers said one day she just decided enough was enough and swatted at them, so they were on their own! In February they were still cuddling together! I'll have to see if they are still together in May!

You’ll have to let me know if they are! I’m so invested in these tigers hahahaha

 

[suse66]

This moment was exciting because all of TSL was completely new for all four of us, so it was fun to see it all for the first time together. Usually what happens is that I experience something for the first time by myself, then I drag Jon along and get to watch him experience it for the first time. (I actually could have gone to see TSL during my birthday trip but I resisted, knowing that it would be special to see it this way instead. Feel free to applaud my incredible self-restraint).

That is tremendous restraint! There is so much DH hasn't seen as he hasn't been back since 2016 but his lovely wife has done 4 solo trips since then. I will love seeing his reaction to everything though!

Two things in this queue were awesome: 1. I realized for the first time that the pillars in the room right before the FP merge points are guitar necks. How have I never noticed that?? And 2. There’s a poster in there for a venue on Sunset Boulevard called Whisky A Go Go, and Jon’s band played there on tour once so I made him stop and get a picture.

I had no idea they were guitar necks!

P&A were feeling a funnel cake to take to Fantasmic so we stopped at the funnel cake stand. Jon couldn’t resist the cookies and cream funnel cake. It sounded good, but I didn’t like how soggy the ice cream made the center funnel cake. Jon didn’t mind though so I ate the dry bits around the outside and he ate in the center. (#teamwork)

Yum!

We made it back to Expedition Everest right before our FP time was up, but the ride broke down as we were in line. They gave us an anytime FPs on our way out, so at least we knew that we would get to ride it later.

I am cursed when it comes to EE....last summer I got evacuated off the ride and had to climb down 17 stories....this March it broke down when I was in the single rider line.

We meandered through the rest of the trails (although really anything after the tigers is just boring) and I practiced my wildlife photography.

Your pictures are lovely!

However, the lack of diction was balanced by an abundance of animal sightings. We were in the very back row of the truck and it made it easy to turn around and get some nice shots of animals without anyone else’s arms or phones in them (especially of the giraffes).

Will have to remember to ask for back row this summer.

Naturally, that day proved to be the exception of that rule. We got there and the line stretched back toward Tusker House (and I’m using ‘line’ loosely here, it was definitely more of a blob than something distinctly linear)

It was P&As first time in the lovely world of Pandora so we let them do the ‘oo and ahh’ thing before going back to eat (although I was super focused on eating so I may or may not have rushed them through).

There wasn’t a line at Satu’li Canteen and we had our food in no time!

Isn't it so yummy??

After we were good and fed we went on a proper tour of Pandora and I took some photos because you have to it’s the rules.

No such thing as too many photos of floating mountains!

Everyone enjoyed the show and I know for sure that I teared up during Can You Feel the Love Tonight because I always do (always, without fail).​

How can you not?? It's just perfect!

I did not like these. I thought I would since I love pineapple and cream cheese but this was way too warm and mushy for me ​

Same, the one I tried was gooey and oozed all over my hands. Not for me.

 

[dolewhipdreams]

I will love seeing his reaction to everything though!

That part is pretty fun too!

I had no idea they were guitar necks!

Glad I wasn’t alone!

last summer I got evacuated off the ride and had to climb down 17 stories

Oh yikes that sounds...exciting hahaha

Your pictures are lovely!

Thanks friend!

Same, the one I tried was gooey and oozed all over my hands. Not for me.

Alright no one has said a good thing about this snack so I’m glad I’m not the only one who didn’t like it.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

And of course it’s the days when you’re late that the security and tapstile lines are the longest because #disney.

Yup, every darn time. We had our worst security and tapstile luck on our AK morning after bad bus luck, too.

Looks like you did a great job of hitting the AK highlights.