Animal Kingdom & the Animal Kingdom Lodge
Tuesday 23rd August 2005
I wake at 6.45 and find Joyce nursing her upset stomach on the patio.
I make a coffee and take over while she goes to the toilet and hand her back her stomach on her return!
"It's still pretty upset" I joke - but my humour is about as welcome as a pork chop in a synagogue!
She just wants to be left alone at the moment so we decide to take Cyril with us to Animal Kingdom and leave Joyce at the villa this morning.
It's going to be very hot again today. The weather forecast is 93 degrees - hot and sunny. We plaster on the sun cream before leaving home and fill the cooler bag with ice packs and cold drinks for later.
Cyril spends a couple of minutes looking for his hat until we point out that it is where it's supposed to be - on his head!
His attire today is in keeping with the park we are visiting - Safari suit and Pith Helmet!
He looks a bit like those old black and white photos of Lord Baden Powell!
We pile into Jaunty and make our way down the US27 on to the 192 and left up Sherbeth Road. It really is only a 10 minute drive - this is the closest park to us.
We arrive at Animal Kingdom at about 9.30 and have to park Jaunty in the blazing sun once again. As I get out I apologise to him but he deliberately tries to slam his door on my fingers!
Huh! - Should have called him I-Van the Terrible!
We stroll to the park entrance and poke two fingers into the machines at the gate and then head straight towards Africa.
The foot paths on the way in serve as a great distraction to those "Tourists" on their first visit and we get ahead of a large portion of the crowd by ignoring these until we are on the way out. There are lots of brightly coloured birds strutting around here and the opportunity to stop and take pictures is very hard to resist (much like a Hooter's Restaurant really!).
The Kilimanjaro Safari is brilliant as always and we get a view of most of the animals. Apart from the lions - they were in hiding. I think they must have seen Cyril with his hunting rifle!
We walk the Pangani Forest trail and then board the train to Rafiki Watch and pet a few of the old goats. Although they seem to like this I can't help feeling that keeping old people tied up like this is a bit cruel - so we move on to the animals!
Hannah and Lena sit and start to watch a show about a sheep (or something!) while me and "me posse" take a look around the displays inside the Planet Watch building.
Evidently sheep are not really very interesting to anyone over about 5 years old and the girls soon tire of watching this so we move on.
We purchase five Mickey ice-creams from a vendor outside the Rafiki building and pause for a quick slurp. It's so hot that they almost melt before you can eat them.
Then we catch the train back to Africa and I run and grab fastpass's for the Congo River Rapids. When I say run - what I really mean is walk quickly. I don't think running is actually allowed in the parks. Just as well really as I need a wheelbarrow for my extra bellies now due to the rather large portions of food that I have been consuming.
I meet the others back at the Tree of Life Theatre to watch It's Tough To Be A Bug.
This is a superb 3D show which ranks highly alongside the all other Disney ones. The themeing is absolutely brilliant - especially inside the Tree of Life.
The Narrator's comments at the beginning are great -
"Guests are asked to refrain from buzzing, chirping and stinging throughout the presentation. Oh, and by the way, no pollinating, either!"
I particularly like the songs that the bugs are singing while you wait to go into the show. Although I think they should re-vamp some of the song choices to bring them up to date a bit more.
Maybe - 50 Cent-ipede could give a Hip-Hopper rap version of that R. Kelly classic "I believe I'm a Fly (groan - sorry!)
Cyril sits out the Congo River Rapids while we ride - unfortunately Lena's underwear stays completely dry this year!
As we ride - we are trying to explain to a lady that whoever goes backwards down the big drop will get soaked - when - it happens - to her.
"See - just like I told you!" I laugh. She does not see the funny side of this and is a little upset. Fancy - getting wet on a water ride! Whatever next?
I resist the temptation to offer advice in the "knickers drying" department! I learnt a valuable lesson about that last year!
After a quick look around some of the shops we decide it's getting too crowded to do much more so we head back through the paths to the car park.
I pause at the Rainforest Cafe for a look at the menu.
MMmmmm - Mojo Bones - Delicious. Maybe next time!
We collect Jaunty and drive back to the villa for a swim.
Joyce is feeling a little better now so we chill for a while.
Joyce and Cyril want to have a look round Publix and the few shops at the front of Regal Palms so we drop them off while we make use of the communal pool.
This is very nice - the pool is great and the little lazy river keeps the kids amused for a good hour or so. The slide is pretty good too.
By the time we get back it's time to go to Animal Kingdom Lodge for our ADR at Boma.
There is no way Joyce and Cyril are going to stomach the "spicy garlic" buffet here so we escort them down to the Mara counter service restaurant for Fish & Chips while we set about eating our way through a small food mountain.
Amongst other things - this includes Tamarind Marinated Salmon, Rib Eye Steak, Fufu, Marinated Beef, Crab Soup, Various Salads and African Breads.
Then finally on to the good stuff! Coconut Tiramisu, Zebra Domes, Fudge Brownies, Apple Pies, Cookies and ....at last....those little pineapple cheesecakes with the white chocolate base.
Wow....stuffed!.......
Hannah has pasta and Ricky goes for the chicken tenders as usual - we are trying to introduce them to new and exciting tastes but they still aren't very adventurous. They would probably have been better off at the Mara but they do take after me when it comes to desserts so I can't complain!
Although Hannah does come back to the table at one point with a bowl of fruit!
Oh the shame of it!
I make sure she feels suitably embarrassed and tell her that the next plate had better contain at least six cookies or she will be in big trouble!
We waddle out of Boma and collect Joyce and Cyril and have one last look around the Lodge before leaving. I have an uncontrollable urge to purchase a refillable mug (you can fill these with free coffee you know!) - But common sense prevails and we head for the car park.
One day I'm going to stay here again............one day!
A last stop at Publix on the way home to get some stomach tablets for Joyce - they don't have the usual brands that you see at home so its a choice between Nomortrots or Parapluginitz - they both sound OK to me...... !
Anyway - all things considered it's been quite a good day - the meal at Boma (for me and Lena anyway) was the best yet.
Tomorrow is KFC ....or is that KSC.....well - one or both of them anyway!
Altogether now.......
I believe Im a fly
I believe Ill eat one more fry
Eaten Big Macs every day and night
Now Im ill and Dont feel alright
I believe I cant swim
Ate so much Im full up to the brim
I believe Im a fly
I believe Im a fly
I believe Im a fly
Heh! Heh! You're gonna' sing that the next time you hear that song!
Tuesday 23rd August 2005
I wake at 6.45 and find Joyce nursing her upset stomach on the patio.
I make a coffee and take over while she goes to the toilet and hand her back her stomach on her return!
"It's still pretty upset" I joke - but my humour is about as welcome as a pork chop in a synagogue!
She just wants to be left alone at the moment so we decide to take Cyril with us to Animal Kingdom and leave Joyce at the villa this morning.
It's going to be very hot again today. The weather forecast is 93 degrees - hot and sunny. We plaster on the sun cream before leaving home and fill the cooler bag with ice packs and cold drinks for later.
Cyril spends a couple of minutes looking for his hat until we point out that it is where it's supposed to be - on his head!
His attire today is in keeping with the park we are visiting - Safari suit and Pith Helmet!
He looks a bit like those old black and white photos of Lord Baden Powell!
We pile into Jaunty and make our way down the US27 on to the 192 and left up Sherbeth Road. It really is only a 10 minute drive - this is the closest park to us.
We arrive at Animal Kingdom at about 9.30 and have to park Jaunty in the blazing sun once again. As I get out I apologise to him but he deliberately tries to slam his door on my fingers!
Huh! - Should have called him I-Van the Terrible!
We stroll to the park entrance and poke two fingers into the machines at the gate and then head straight towards Africa.
The foot paths on the way in serve as a great distraction to those "Tourists" on their first visit and we get ahead of a large portion of the crowd by ignoring these until we are on the way out. There are lots of brightly coloured birds strutting around here and the opportunity to stop and take pictures is very hard to resist (much like a Hooter's Restaurant really!).
The Kilimanjaro Safari is brilliant as always and we get a view of most of the animals. Apart from the lions - they were in hiding. I think they must have seen Cyril with his hunting rifle!
We walk the Pangani Forest trail and then board the train to Rafiki Watch and pet a few of the old goats. Although they seem to like this I can't help feeling that keeping old people tied up like this is a bit cruel - so we move on to the animals!
Hannah and Lena sit and start to watch a show about a sheep (or something!) while me and "me posse" take a look around the displays inside the Planet Watch building.
Evidently sheep are not really very interesting to anyone over about 5 years old and the girls soon tire of watching this so we move on.
We purchase five Mickey ice-creams from a vendor outside the Rafiki building and pause for a quick slurp. It's so hot that they almost melt before you can eat them.
Then we catch the train back to Africa and I run and grab fastpass's for the Congo River Rapids. When I say run - what I really mean is walk quickly. I don't think running is actually allowed in the parks. Just as well really as I need a wheelbarrow for my extra bellies now due to the rather large portions of food that I have been consuming.
I meet the others back at the Tree of Life Theatre to watch It's Tough To Be A Bug.
This is a superb 3D show which ranks highly alongside the all other Disney ones. The themeing is absolutely brilliant - especially inside the Tree of Life.
The Narrator's comments at the beginning are great -
"Guests are asked to refrain from buzzing, chirping and stinging throughout the presentation. Oh, and by the way, no pollinating, either!"
I particularly like the songs that the bugs are singing while you wait to go into the show. Although I think they should re-vamp some of the song choices to bring them up to date a bit more.
Maybe - 50 Cent-ipede could give a Hip-Hopper rap version of that R. Kelly classic "I believe I'm a Fly (groan - sorry!)
Cyril sits out the Congo River Rapids while we ride - unfortunately Lena's underwear stays completely dry this year!
As we ride - we are trying to explain to a lady that whoever goes backwards down the big drop will get soaked - when - it happens - to her.
"See - just like I told you!" I laugh. She does not see the funny side of this and is a little upset. Fancy - getting wet on a water ride! Whatever next?
I resist the temptation to offer advice in the "knickers drying" department! I learnt a valuable lesson about that last year!
After a quick look around some of the shops we decide it's getting too crowded to do much more so we head back through the paths to the car park.
I pause at the Rainforest Cafe for a look at the menu.
MMmmmm - Mojo Bones - Delicious. Maybe next time!
We collect Jaunty and drive back to the villa for a swim.
Joyce is feeling a little better now so we chill for a while.
Joyce and Cyril want to have a look round Publix and the few shops at the front of Regal Palms so we drop them off while we make use of the communal pool.
This is very nice - the pool is great and the little lazy river keeps the kids amused for a good hour or so. The slide is pretty good too.
By the time we get back it's time to go to Animal Kingdom Lodge for our ADR at Boma.
There is no way Joyce and Cyril are going to stomach the "spicy garlic" buffet here so we escort them down to the Mara counter service restaurant for Fish & Chips while we set about eating our way through a small food mountain.
Amongst other things - this includes Tamarind Marinated Salmon, Rib Eye Steak, Fufu, Marinated Beef, Crab Soup, Various Salads and African Breads.
Then finally on to the good stuff! Coconut Tiramisu, Zebra Domes, Fudge Brownies, Apple Pies, Cookies and ....at last....those little pineapple cheesecakes with the white chocolate base.
Wow....stuffed!.......
Hannah has pasta and Ricky goes for the chicken tenders as usual - we are trying to introduce them to new and exciting tastes but they still aren't very adventurous. They would probably have been better off at the Mara but they do take after me when it comes to desserts so I can't complain!
Although Hannah does come back to the table at one point with a bowl of fruit!
Oh the shame of it!
I make sure she feels suitably embarrassed and tell her that the next plate had better contain at least six cookies or she will be in big trouble!
We waddle out of Boma and collect Joyce and Cyril and have one last look around the Lodge before leaving. I have an uncontrollable urge to purchase a refillable mug (you can fill these with free coffee you know!) - But common sense prevails and we head for the car park.
One day I'm going to stay here again............one day!
A last stop at Publix on the way home to get some stomach tablets for Joyce - they don't have the usual brands that you see at home so its a choice between Nomortrots or Parapluginitz - they both sound OK to me...... !
Anyway - all things considered it's been quite a good day - the meal at Boma (for me and Lena anyway) was the best yet.
Tomorrow is KFC ....or is that KSC.....well - one or both of them anyway!
Altogether now.......
I believe Im a fly
I believe Ill eat one more fry
Eaten Big Macs every day and night
Now Im ill and Dont feel alright
I believe I cant swim
Ate so much Im full up to the brim
I believe Im a fly
I believe Im a fly
I believe Im a fly
Heh! Heh! You're gonna' sing that the next time you hear that song!
...its the good ole british humour that sets these reports apart. 
