From the Sea to the World - Completed!

[englishrose47]

Geez get your meals rightYou can imagine how confused I get with 10 of us ordering food !!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Day 11:

Since we did not get back to our room until just before midnight we did not feel any need to rush out the next morning. So after sleeping in, I went to get some breakfast for myself from the Mara and got my old time favourite: The kids Mickey waffle meal:

It is just perfect! Two waffles, some bacon and then you can choose between grapes and apple sauce and you get a drink. They did not have any small orange juices and told me to get the large bottle as part of the kids meal. Another bonus. And the whole thing cost 5 $. I think the orange juice on its own would have been 3 $.

Once we were ready to face the day, we headed out to the bus stop to go to AK.

When I tried to enter the park, the Mickey head light would not turn green for me. It turned blue instead. While it wasnt red, I immediately understood that this was not good. And was confused. The CM at the entry told me to come into the park and then handed me over to one of the guest services CMs of which there were plenty hanging around at the turnstiles. She scanned my ticket again and then asked me whether I had bought the pass the day before. When I said yes to that, she told me that the CM at the ticket window yesterday had accidentally set the expiry date for May 3, 2013 instead of May 3, 2014!!! My Annual Pass was valid for exactly ONE day! I was escorted into guest services where they reprogrammed my AP. That took some time and at the end I got a paper written out that would work as a FP to any attraction at AK for that day. Nice perk!

After that initial excitement (and me being scared that they would need a receipt to reprogram my pass) we headed into the park.

Since Kodak is no longer a sponsor, I thought I ought to document a photo spot sign and thought this was one of the prettiest around:

Our plan was to head to the Safari and see whether we would want to use the additional FP there. On the way there we were slightly amused by this sign:

Considering that they announced the Avatar plans just before my previous trip to WDW in October 2011 and it was over 1.5 years later by now and no one knows anything about what they are planning and they just very recently started to build the replacement theater for the Lion King show behind that wall - we thought this particular quote might not have been the best choice. Maybe they should not have talked in 2011 and instead just started doing. Things might be further along by now& ;-)

I always love Africa at AK:

They had a band playing there which was pretty good and added a lot of atmosphere!

Once we had made our way to the Safari, we saw that the wait was only 20 minutes, so we got in line, which was even quicker than the advertised 20 minutes. Very nice. We settled into our truck and I enjoyed having a new camera with a 10x optical zoom (still a point and shoot, but with amazing zoom abilities!) and got some very nice animal pictures:

And then we met a new friend. It was a giraffe who came up to our truck and started to use the roof to scratch its neck against. We could have nearly touched it.

No zoom involved in this picture:

And in order to add some perspective, here Michael is pointing at it:

And here you can see it and the roof:

Interesting experience!!

Some more animal pictures:

In the end it was a good safari animal wise. But we both agreed that we did not like it that they seem to have taken any backstory out of the ride. It now appears to be a ride themed to a fake safari ride through a zoo. I really missed the last bit when the truck was chasing around the corners and there were geysers. Now the safaris no longer has any proper end point.

Back in the village of Harambe we checked out the store there. It is my favourite store in any of the WDW parks as it has lots of interesting things and many things from Africa. I especially really liked the style of this line of dishes:

I got a lovely cereal bowl in that style at some later point in my trip.

On the way we met this little frog:

Continued in Part 2

 

[Flossbolna]

And we decided to find some lunch. Michael suggested that we should go to Pizzafari and I got the strong vibe that this was not only some suggestion, but already kind of decided. Since I had never eaten there, I thought I would certainly find something there even if I was not keen on Disney pizza. And I knew Michael does not like Disney pizza either, so if he wanted to eat there, there had to be something else that was tasty.

The mystery was quickly solved, Michael’s favourite there was a sandwich:

Hot Italian Style Sandwich - Served with chips. Turkey, ham, swiss and provolone cheese topped with caesar salad and pesto marinated tomatoes.

This looked good, but I found something on the menu that appealed even more to me:

This was so delicious!! It's the Chicken and Vegetable Pasta Salad - Freshly Grilled Chicken tossed with Wheat Penne Pasta in a Roasted Tomato Dressing. Accompanying the Pasta and Chicken are bits of Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Spinach, Oven-roasted Tomatoes, Red Onion, and Red and Yellow Bell Peppers

Pizzafari is a very beautiful restaurant and I loved the ceiling in the room that we sat in:

From there we browsed through the shops in AK and then headed over to Dinoland.

Since during my last trip I finally got over my deadly fear of Dinosaur, this ride was one of my priorities!

It was still scary to me, but in a fun way. However, I noticed that there were effects that I used to be scared of that don’t seem to work anymore. In the past I remember more things jumping out at me. Michael confirmed that this was indeed the case.

We did some more browsing in the Dinoland shops and then headed over to Expedition Everest. Here there was the first long line. But we had our bonus FP! So we used that and got on EE!

Still a great coaster! But I was so lucky that for my trip in 2007 we saw the Yeti in full motion and I am always sad when I see him in his current “disco version”… Once again I resisted buying a little plush baby yeti in the gift shop. I spend every visit quite some time contemplating buying one, but then never want to spend the money…

And with the three biggest rides accomplished, we felt it was time to head back to our lovely hotel pool. We knew we would be back in the many remaining days, we still had more than one week left! And a pool is a lovely place to hang out!


Next: May the 4th Be With You!

 

[lovealldisney]

Hi Magdalene!

Trying to catch up on my threads since starting my new job... shhhh I'm seeking a peek before I have to leave. But I can't see any pictures! I'll have to wait until I get home. Hope all is well. I owe you and Katharina a long email soon. We've been super busy.

Wendy

 

[Flossbolna]

Geez get your meals right

Yes, that's about exactly what Michael told me...

You can imagine how confused I get with 10 of us ordering food !!!

Yes, I can! I still think that on your cruise one of the dishes was a tofu dish! At least we both know that it was not yours!

 

[jedijill]

You got some amazing animal pictures! Love that the giraffe turned the truck into a scratching post.

That pasta looks great! I may have to try it some of these days.

Jill in CO

 

[cmaee]

How cool for the giraffe to be that close...neat experience.

We have yet to go to Pizzafari. My kids are not fans of Disney pizza and I am not sad that they opt for Flame Tree BBQ instead. I assumed Pizzafari just served pizza. Your lunch looked yummy.

 

[GoofyFan1515]

So glad you finally made it to your room! Looks like you had a great location. Stayed at Jambo House once and I guess I'm not remembering the rooms very well. Didn't look like you had as much space in the living room/kitchen area as I remember. I started to ask if you got one of the smaller value rooms but I think those are all in the arc at the front of the hotel.

From what I understand, if you loved the size of the room at Jambo, you will really love the size of the rooms at Kidani that are larger and yet the same points as comparable rooms at Jambo House. Isn't it great having that washer and dryer where you can just throw some clothes in before you head out the door to a park and they are waiting on you when you get back to the room..................

I had to exchange a ticket once at Epcot, and that seemed to be a slow process for me as well. I wonder if it is just Epcot, or that is the case everywhere??? And wow, an AP that only lasts a day??? Those things are expensive enough even when you get a whole year out of them! You would think after it took so long they could have gotten it right the first time..................

Epcot looks really good all dressed up for Flower and Garden! I think La Hacienda used to be on TIW, but they discontinued it. Good to hear you can use an AP/DVC discount now at least. Michael's tacos DO look good, and so does that corn soup!!!

I love getting to look back over Disney history when I get the chance! Browsing old tickets and long ago items trying to see how much of it I recognize from childhood memories. I can't wait to see how the new Magic Bands actually work out. I have seen a lot of chatter about them, and there are so many Pros and Cons out there waiting to be answered.

Like you, I haven't ridden the water rides in Mexico or Norway enough to wear the new off of them, so I still enjoy them too. I also tried school bread once after reading so much about it, and found it wasn't as wonderful as most people seemed to think. Maybe it was just hard for it to ever have a chance to live up to all the hype??? Maybe I will try it again one day.

Way to knock out most of the more popular rides before heading back to your room! You can't beat finding Soarin' as basically a walk on, and riding twice in a short period of time!

I need to remember the child's waffle meal for breakfast sometime. It looks like plenty of food! Nice that you got so much done first thing at AK. Glad you are starting to really enjoy Dinosaur! I too am glad I got to ride EE while the Yeti was still functional. It was a much better ride before it became merely strobe-light animated.

 

[eandesmom]

Oh my goodness was I behind!

Caught up now though I think. I agree, after a 1 bedroom, it is very hard to go back. It didn't even occur to me that some of the standard view Jambo rooms would be above Boma...that would be loud. Sorry it took so long to get all your passes taken care of, and then for it only to be good for 1 day to boot! I will be doing the same thing in December, hopefully no issues but as a result it isn't something I can link to a band anyway. Oh well. I am glad you liked La Hacienda so much, I've had the taco trio and it is lovely! I don't know why they wait is so long, we had the same experience.

Your Pizzafari review has me reconsidering it as a lunch option. I don't like Disney Pizza but...your lunch looked lovely!

 

[Poolrat]

YAY to get in a park - I think I got the same drink at La Hacienda.
I did hear they dropped TiW but glad they picked up AP/DVC so it is back on the list.

I am glad AK got your AP straightened out. I ended up in GS during a rain storm to take care of something, maybe when my AP was being a pain and they were so nice in there. I even found someone from Dan's
(FauntleroyFan07) neck of the woods.

May the 4th- ohh I sense a DHS day coming up.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Wow, that one digit can make quite a difference on your AP. That would have been quite expensive to only get a daily pass out of it.

Very cool that you got a special FastPass out of it, though.

Some excellent safari pictures here! Amazing how close you got to the giraffe. I guess they're so used to the trucks that they aren't bothered by them anymore.

I'm pretty sure my wife would re-do the kitchen in that Animal Kingdom theme if I let her.

 

[Poolrat]

I think someone has a special day today!!!!




Magdalene have a great Day !!!!

 

[jedijill]

Happy Birthday!!

Jill in CO

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Happy Birthday Magdalene!!!



Hope you have a wonderful day!

 

[Flossbolna]

Hi everyone!! I guess I need to give this TR a good dusting! It had over 6 weeks to collect a lot of dust!! I really need to get going again! But I think I have a good excuse for not being on the DIS a lot recently: I moved house! Just within Nuremberg but into a much nicer place in a lovely area. I am very happy in the new place and slowly I am started to be a little bit more settled so that I can consider spending time with my TR again. I really would love to finish it before Christmas so I better get started to do some writing!

And thanks for all the birthday wishes!! I had a very nice birthday despite the fact that it was packing day as the moving company came on the day after my birthday. But we did celebrate with the family the weekend after as my lovely sister and brother in law came to help getting me settled in!

So, off to catch up with replies and then I am starting to work on the next instalment!

 

[jedijill]

Congrats on the new house!

Anxiously awaiting a new installment!

Jill in CO

 

[Flossbolna]

Hi Magdalene!

Trying to catch up on my threads since starting my new job... shhhh I'm seeking a peek before I have to leave. But I can't see any pictures! I'll have to wait until I get home. Hope all is well. I owe you and Katharina a long email soon. We've been super busy.

Wendy

Hope you got to see the pictures!! And being busy seems to be a current theme for so many people!

You got some amazing animal pictures! Love that the giraffe turned the truck into a scratching post.

That pasta looks great! I may have to try it some of these days.

Jill in CO

Thanks, with the new camera I was truly inspired to take many more animal pictures than before. The zoom certainly helps!!

How cool for the giraffe to be that close...neat experience.

We have yet to go to Pizzafari. My kids are not fans of Disney pizza and I am not sad that they opt for Flame Tree BBQ instead. I assumed Pizzafari just served pizza. Your lunch looked yummy.

The giraffe was pretty cool! I was pleasantly surprised by the menu options at Pizzafari. I would have tried a Disney pizza as I never had one, but my choice was much better.

 

[Flossbolna]

So glad you finally made it to your room! Looks like you had a great location. Stayed at Jambo House once and I guess I'm not remembering the rooms very well. Didn't look like you had as much space in the living room/kitchen area as I remember. I started to ask if you got one of the smaller value rooms but I think those are all in the arc at the front of the hotel.

From what I understand, if you loved the size of the room at Jambo, you will really love the size of the rooms at Kidani that are larger and yet the same points as comparable rooms at Jambo House. Isn't it great having that washer and dryer where you can just throw some clothes in before you head out the door to a park and they are waiting on you when you get back to the room..................

For two the space was about perfect, any bigger and I would have felt a bit lonely!! And I really don't like that Kidani does not have a counter service place... But I am sure I will end up staying there at some point.

And for a trip as long as ours the washer and dryer were sooo great to have!

I had to exchange a ticket once at Epcot, and that seemed to be a slow process for me as well. I wonder if it is just Epcot, or that is the case everywhere??? And wow, an AP that only lasts a day??? Those things are expensive enough even when you get a whole year out of them! You would think after it took so long they could have gotten it right the first time..................

Somehow I was not very confident in the CMs abilities while we were waiting already. But I kind of got used to that certain things at Disney seem to take so much longer than "in the real world". I remember the first time I checked into a Disney resort I was amazed how long it took them to process us as with most other hotels you get there, tell them your name and you get a key within a few minutes.

Epcot looks really good all dressed up for Flower and Garden! I think La Hacienda used to be on TIW, but they discontinued it. Good to hear you can use an AP/DVC discount now at least. Michael's tacos DO look good, and so does that corn soup!!!

I really loved all the decorations for F&G, so pretty!! All in all it felt like the perfect time of year for a visit. The weather was great, crowds manageable, the parks were open until pretty late. I can highly recommend it!

I love getting to look back over Disney history when I get the chance! Browsing old tickets and long ago items trying to see how much of it I recognize from childhood memories. I can't wait to see how the new Magic Bands actually work out. I have seen a lot of chatter about them, and there are so many Pros and Cons out there waiting to be answered.

I love Disney history, too! For Disneyland 50s they had a lovely little exhibition and a film on Main Street and we did spend quite some time there looking at the exhibits. Not sure whether this is still around, it was a neat little attraction!

I am really not sure about the Magic Bands. Personally, I don't want to wear one, most of the time I am not even wearing a watch. The only place where I can see it being useful is in the pool and/or a water park. My local pool has a version of them, they come with the locker. And there they come in handy!

Like you, I haven't ridden the water rides in Mexico or Norway enough to wear the new off of them, so I still enjoy them too. I also tried school bread once after reading so much about it, and found it wasn't as wonderful as most people seemed to think. Maybe it was just hard for it to ever have a chance to live up to all the hype??? Maybe I will try it again one day.

Way to knock out most of the more popular rides before heading back to your room! You can't beat finding Soarin' as basically a walk on, and riding twice in a short period of time!

We had a very successful evening!

I need to remember the child's waffle meal for breakfast sometime. It looks like plenty of food! Nice that you got so much done first thing at AK. Glad you are starting to really enjoy Dinosaur! I too am glad I got to ride EE while the Yeti was still functional. It was a much better ride before it became merely strobe-light animated.

The waffle meal is one of Disney's best kept secrets in my opinion!!

Oh, and I am really amazed as to how much I am starting to enjoy Dinosaur. The trip before this was the first time I managed to keep my eyes open for most of the ride, but still ended up with the most hilarious on ride photo. A DIS friend whom we met that trip managed to get a red neck copy of it, I still nearly fall off the chair laughing when I see it!! Will try and find a link for you!

 

[Flossbolna]

Oh my goodness was I behind!

Caught up now though I think. I agree, after a 1 bedroom, it is very hard to go back. It didn't even occur to me that some of the standard view Jambo rooms would be above Boma...that would be loud. Sorry it took so long to get all your passes taken care of, and then for it only to be good for 1 day to boot! I will be doing the same thing in December, hopefully no issues but as a result it isn't something I can link to a band anyway. Oh well. I am glad you liked La Hacienda so much, I've had the taco trio and it is lovely! I don't know why they wait is so long, we had the same experience.

Your Pizzafari review has me reconsidering it as a lunch option. I don't like Disney Pizza but...your lunch looked lovely!

Well, I got behind on my own trip report as well! As well as on your new PTR! I have seen it and read the first few updates, but just did not find the time to reply! Sorry!!

I hope all your pass transactions worked well for the December trip! I read your comments about being allergic to the Band! What a hassle. But I guess there will be a number of people with that problem. I am still pretty sure that I won't wear it either. It will just go in my bag and be more bothersome there than a small card.

And I can only recommend Pizzafari if the sandwich or the salad appeal to you. Compared to Flame Tree it has the advantage of being indoors!

YAY to get in a park - I think I got the same drink at La Hacienda.
I did hear they dropped TiW but glad they picked up AP/DVC so it is back on the list.

I am glad AK got your AP straightened out. I ended up in GS during a rain storm to take care of something, maybe when my AP was being a pain and they were so nice in there. I even found someone from Dan's
(FauntleroyFan07) neck of the woods.

May the 4th- ohh I sense a DHS day coming up.

La Hacienda was a real surprise to both of us. We talked after the trip and agreed that this was a great meal. And the discount is nice, too. Especially for people like me who don't have the TIW.

I often think that working at guest services must be the most challenging front line CM job. But I have only ever found lovely people in there.

Wow, that one digit can make quite a difference on your AP. That would have been quite expensive to only get a daily pass out of it.

Very cool that you got a special FastPass out of it, though.

Some excellent safari pictures here! Amazing how close you got to the giraffe. I guess they're so used to the trucks that they aren't bothered by them anymore.

I'm pretty sure my wife would re-do the kitchen in that Animal Kingdom theme if I let her.

The one digit thing was a bit of a shock at first. Also because I did not have any receipts or similar with me to proof that I had bought a real AP!

Later in the trip we were told exactly that about the animals. The trucks are just part of their daily lives and they are not at all bothered by them. But the animals also alway have right of way. They might send out some animal caretakers to entice an animal that decides to squat on the road away from it (with a treat or so), but they will never honk at them or scare them away. I think for a giraffe this must be a pretty awesome place to live...

 

[Flossbolna]

I think someone has a special day today!!!!




Magdalene have a great Day !!!!

Happy Birthday!!

Jill in CO

Happy Birthday Magdalene!!!



Hope you have a wonderful day!

Thanks!!

I did see all your posts on the day and they put a smile on my face!!