Girls Trip Take 2 - Labor Day Weekend 2021, Christmas 2021 and July 2024 Trips

[vamassey1]

Wednesday, December 1, 2021- Animal Kingdom-Animals, Animals Everywhere

After we finished with the Maharajah trail we stayed in Asia and caught the next Feathered Friends in Flight. The show is basically the same since they removed the UP characters but we still enjoy it. I don't need to see it every trip but maybe every other trip. I still fondly remember the first show I saw with the Tour Guide who was a afraid of birds but learned to like them.




We went from Asia to Africa to walk Gorilla Falls. Who remembers when this was Pangani Forest Exploration Trail?




I enjoy this trail for the animals. I find them more entertaining than the animals in Asia.

Believe it or not we did go through the bird forest here, even after our bad experience.



We found a Hippo outside of the Hippo pond. He was massive.



We spent some time watching the Meerkats do their thing. I really like watching them scurrying around. There were quite a few out on this day. I have been before when the only one you saw was the one guarding the others. The CM said it was because there was a Hawk nearby, so the others were staying underground.






We stopped for a bit to watch the Gorilla families. We got to see both Grace and Ada. Sorry my photos are so bad. They really needed to clean the glass.







Continued in next post.

 

[vamassey1]

We left Africa and headed back to the front of the park.

I was very excited when we back to the front and saw the Merry Menagerie puppets. They are so cool. The puppeteers are so good. It really feels like your interacting with a real animal. Since it was just Dennis and I we stood back and just watched so the little ones could have that special time with them.



I found Dory and Nemo as we headed out.


I couldn't resist taking some more Christmas decoration pictures as we made our way to the buses.










We caught a bus but we didn't head back to Music. Any idea where we went next?

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Sounds like a nice morning.
I love meerkats- they always look like such nosey wee characters and that makes me smile
You got some lovely photos of the Christmas decorations but your photo of Everest is my absolute favorite
I’m going to guess you’re going to AKL to see the Christmas decor there and possibly eat. .

 

[suse66]

After we finished with the Maharajah trail we stayed in Asia and caught the next Feathered Friends in Flight. The show is basically the same since they removed the UP characters but we still enjoy it. I don't need to see it every trip but maybe every other trip. I still fondly remember the first show I saw with the Tour Guide who was a afraid of birds but learned to like them.

I love that show! I see it every trip without fail.

We found a Hippo outside of the Hippo pond. He was massive.

Wow!

We sent some time watching the Meerkats do their thing. I really like watching them scurrying around. There were quite a few out on this day. I have been before when the only one you saw was the one guarding the others. The CM said it was because there was a Hawk nearby so the others were staying underground.

I love the Meerkats. They are always so fun to watch.

We stopped for a bit to watch the Gorilla families. We got to see both Grace and Ada. Sorry my photos are so bad. They really needed to clean the glass.

Ada is so little there!

 

[pkondz]

The show is basically the same since they removed the UP characters but we still enjoy it.

I'm glad they did. I found that distracting and not really an improvement.

I don't need to see it every trip but maybe every other trip.

I agree with that.

Who remembers when this was Pangani Forest Exploration Trail?

Believe it or not we did go through the bird forest here, even after our bad experience.

With some trepidation, perhaps???

Nice shot. Not too often you see them out of the water.

I have been before when the only one you saw was the one guarding the others. The CM said it was because there was a Hawk nearby so the others were staying underground.

Interesting. Makes sense.

Nice shot.

It took me quite a while to find the puppeteer.

We caught a bus but we didn't head back to Music. Any idea where we went next?

So many options. I'll go with Beaches and Cream.

 

[vamassey1]

I love meerkats- they always look like such nosey wee characters and that makes me smile

They do look nosey!

You got some lovely photos of the Christmas decorations but your photo of Everest is my absolute favorite

Thank you! I like the Everest shot too.

I’m going to guess you’re going to AKL to see the Christmas decor there and possibly eat. .

That's a good guess. I've never seen the decorations there and we were really close.

 

[vamassey1]

I love the Meerkats. They are always so fun to watch.

They really are fun!

Ada is so little there!

I was very happy to get to see her when she was small. I never did see Grace when she was that tiny.

 

[vamassey1]

I'm glad they did. I found that distracting and not really an improvement.

I never did see the version with UP but I do find the current version very educational and fun.

With some trepidation, perhaps???

Maybe just a little.

Nice shot. Not too often you see them out of the water.

That's what I was thinking.

Nice shot.

Thank you! I think I hit the afternoon glow time.

It took me quite a while to find the puppeteer.

They do blend in.

So many options. I'll go with Beaches and Cream.

Another good choice.

 

[vamassey1]

Wednesday, December 1, 2021-Let's Go on an Adventure

It was late afternoon when we left Animal Kingdom but we weren't ready to call it a night yet. We decided we needed to take an Adventure. We kinda of knew where we wanted to go but we also wanted to hit some other spots and we were going to take the LONG WAY there. We wanted to use as many modes of transportation as possible. We weren't really in a hurry and didn't have to be anywhere for any particular time.

We started with catching a bus from AK to the Contemporary. If you remember I skipped it when I went looking for decorations but Dennis had something in mind there.

I did get this one picture of a wreath to show that there were some decorations.



Dennis wanted to go to the Outer Rim Bar next to Chef Mickey's



We had a nice table looking out and relaxed for a bit. This was our view.


We each had a water and drink. I'm sorry I don't remember what we had. I know mine was from the special 50th menu and came with a light-up cube. I'm also sure it was fruity.





We really enjoyed our drinks.



We left the Contemporary and caught the Monorail. I think Dennis was feeling left out about not seeing the Gingerbread House so we skipped the Poly and went to the Grand Floridian.










He was impressed enough to go back in 2022 and 2023.

We walked out to the pier to catch a boat back to the Magic Kingdom. We just missed a boat so we ended up waiting for quite a bit of time. We really wanted to catch a monorail to Epcot eventually while it was still light. We didn't get to do this but we did catch a lovely twilight on Seven Seas Lagoon.

Continued in next post.

 

[vamassey1]

This was taken from the GF's boat launch.



We eventually caught the Mermaid 1. We opted to sit up front so we could see the lovely views.


Our goal was to ride the boat from the GF to MK. We made a rookie mistake and didn't know the route the boats take. It did not run straight to the MK but went to the Poly first.




It then passed between the Contemporary and the GF.







We finally made it to the Magic Kingdom.



If you're familiar with Disney transportation you know we are NOT doing this in the most efficient way so don't get frustrated with our next few steps. We were not trying to get where we're going with speed in mind.

We walked by the Magic Kingdom entrance but did not go in. That was very hard for me to do.




We caught the Richard F Irvine ferry boat to the TTC. It had been years since we had ridden the ferry.



We took the monorail from the TTC to Epcot.





Continued in next post.

 

[vamassey1]

It was fully dark by the time we got to Epcot. We stopped to take a photo pass picture with the Ball. I really love all the light shows the Ball does now. I think I could sit and watch it on every trip.


I got this lovely night time photo too.


We were pretty hungry by this time so we went to Sunshine Seasons in The Land. Dennis got a smoked turkey sandwich with chips and potato salad. I had the pepperoni flatbread. It wasn't anything fancy but it hit the spot. I remember when we use to eat here almost every trip when we did the Dining Plan. It was such a good value to get the roasted chicken with sides.



Of course we did all of this with the ultimate goal of seeing Danielle at work once again. She was working at Refreshment Port again. Dennis had been wanting some soft serve ice cream and they had a Coquito Soft-Serve Waffle Cone. We only ate a little of this. It had a good flavor but wasn't truly soft-serve.

We didn't stay long in Epcot and we didn't want to walk all the way back to the front to catch a bus back to Music. Instead we took the Skyliner to Studios. We rode in an orange gondola first then transferred to a yellow one at Caribbean.



You'll notice I made a point of getting a picture of all the transportation we used.
We did not just get off the Skyliner and catch a bus. That would have been too easy. We entered Studios so I could get some more night time decoration photos.




Continued in next post.

 

[vamassey1]

I know I have said it before, but I'll say it again "I LOVE the decorations in Studios"!

I got Gertie lit up and smoking.


Two more 50th statues, Joe, Flounder and Sebastian.


I Love the Peppermint girls! I think they look even better at night.

We missed seeing the Tower Christmas show so we walked down Sunset to see it.


We did get to experience the Snope but I didn't get a good picture.

We walked out of Studios for the last time of our trip and caught a bus back to Music at 9:50 pm.


We were soon back at Music and in the bed not too long after that. The next day was Epcot and our last park day.

 

[pkondz]

We wanted to use as many modes of transportation as possible.

Interesting concept, and... you did pretty good!

I did get this one picture of a wreath to show that there were some decorations.

Counts.

Dennis wanted to go to the Outer Rim Bar next to Chef Mickey's

Never heard of it. Would you recommend?

We had a nice table looking out and relaxed for a bit. This was our view.

Not too shabby

I'm also sure it was fruity.

Heh. That's how I like my drinks too.

Like this shot. Unique. Like the angle.

He was impressed enough to go back in 2022 and 2023.

Made an impression!

Our goal was to ride the boat from the GF to MK. We made a rookie mistake and didn't know the route the boats take. It did not run straight to the MK but went to the Poly first.

Well... you did say you didn't care how long it took.

Awwww...

We walked by the Magic Kingdom entrance but did not go in. That was very hard for me to do.

Oh, geez. I know that feeling. I've done that. And no... it's not easy.

We caught the Richard F Irvine ferry boat to the TTC. It had been years since we had ridden the ferry.

Hmmm... I'm not sure if I've ever been on it. I may have taken the ferry on my first visit? But I just don't remember.

I really love all the light shows the Ball does now. I think I could sit and watch it on every trip.

I need to do this.

I got this lovely night time photo too.

Very nice.

we went to Sunshine Seasons in The Land.

That place is underrated, IMO.

Of course we did all of this with the ultimate goal of seeing Danielle at work once again. She was working at Refreshment Port again.

Aha! I was wondering where all this travel was going.

We did not just get off the Skyliner and catch a bus. That would have been too easy.

We entered Studios so I could get some more night time decoration photos.

Studios is wonderful for night time shots.
And you got some nice ones.

I got Gertie lit up and smoking.

Did not know she smoked!

I Love the Peppermint girls!

I didn't know that's what they were called. But as soon as I read it and took a second look at the picture...
Makes perfect sense!

We missed seeing the Tower Christmas show so we walked down Sunset to see it.

It looks nice. Never seen it.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

What a wonderful evening. I love that you used all the transportation methods to get around and I like that you took your time to enjoy the stops along the way though I’ve no doubt it was really hard to walk by the entrance to MK. You got some great photos. My favourites are the sunset ones from the boat dock at GF. I’d never heard of the Outer Rim bar but I like the look of your drinks and the view is gorgeous.
Did Danielle know you were coming to visit her at work or was it a surprise? She looks happy to see you both.
I’m like you, I could spend the evening just watching the lights on SE though I love that you ended your day seeing all the Christmas decorations at HS. They really are the best. They remind me of the old style Christmas tree lights we had growing up. I wish you could but similar today. Love those peppermint Gals and Gertie is gorgeous too. I like that ToT gets a festive makeover,
I’m betting you didn’t need rocked to sleep this night after a truly wonderful day

 

[disneyAndi14]

We found a Hippo outside of the Hippo pond. He was massive.

Wow I have never seen a Hippo on land on all my trips through the trails! I love it and the Komodo on the move yes it was at Disney, one time only a rare site! Scared me even more

I got Gertie lit up and smoking.

Another first! I have never seen Gertie smoke! I didn’t even know she did that, cool I love your all the modes of transportation tour!

 

[Paulaparm]

A cool way to spend the evening!

 

[vamassey1]

Interesting concept, and... you did pretty good!

We were pretty proud of ourselves.

Never heard of it. Would you recommend?

It was a nice stop. It's not themed like some of the other bars but okay.

Heh. That's how I like my drinks too.

Something we can agree on.

Like this shot. Unique. Like the angle.

Thank you! I was taken from the 2nd floor walkway coming from the monorail into the GF. I love the poinsettias.

Hmmm... I'm not sure if I've ever been on it. I may have taken the ferry on my first visit? But I just don't remember.

If you every drove to the MK you have either taken the ferry or the monorail. The ferry holds more people.

I need to do this.

Something else to add to your ever growing list.

Very nice.

Thank you!

Studios is wonderful for night time shots.
And you got some nice ones.

I love Studios at night!

Thank you!

Did not know she smoked!

I don't think I knew it until I saw it.

It looks nice. Never seen it.

Add it to the list!

 

[vamassey1]

What a wonderful evening. I love that you used all the transportation methods to get around and I like that you took your time to enjoy the stops along the way though I’ve no doubt it was really hard to walk by the entrance to MK.

We really had fun trying to make it as complicated as possible. How many times do we rack our brains trying to find the fastest way to get somewhere in Disney?

My heart wanted to go into MK so bad. Just think if we had we would have hit all 4 parks.

You got some great photos. My favourites are the sunset ones from the boat dock at GF.

Thank you! I'm really glad we got to see the Seven Seas Lagoon in all it's twilight glory.

I’d never heard of the Outer Rim bar but I like the look of your drinks and the view is gorgeous.

When Michelle and Jimmy got married, we all had dinner at Chef Mickey's and waiting in here for our party to all arrive. We didn't have drinks, but I think Dennis wanted to make up for that. We thought about getting drinks at all our stops but I'm such a total lightweight, he would have had to carry me back.

Did Danielle know you were coming to visit her at work or was it a surprise? She looks happy to see you both.

I think she knew we might stop by. She loves when we do that.

I’m like you, I could spend the evening just watching the lights on SE though I love that you ended your day seeing all the Christmas decorations at HS. They really are the best. They remind me of the old style Christmas tree lights we had growing up. I wish you could but similar today. Love those peppermint Gals and Gertie is gorgeous too. I like that ToT gets a festive makeover,

It was a great night to just enjoy the sights.

I’m betting you didn’t need rocked to sleep this night after a truly wonderful day

We were ready for the bed this night, tired but relaxed.

 

[vamassey1]

! I love it and the Komodo on the move yes it was at Disney, one time only a rare site! Scared me even more

Now I want to see him move.

Another first! I have never seen Gertie smoke! I didn’t even know she did that, cool I love your all the modes of transportation tour!

Are you going to look for the smoking Gertie next trip?

 

[vamassey1]

A cool way to spend the evening!

Thank you! We were going for something different.