fizz13
<font color=33cc99>Dreams about being stuck on Spa
- Joined
- May 6, 2004
- Messages
- 5,791
4th january
Ok, I know I posted the first bit about 3 months ago and my memory is not going to be great now, but I really want to try and finish this trip report. For anyone going, HUH?, if you go to Kaylee's trip index at the top of the page, the first 4 days are listed there if you want to catch up. I had to!
Twas the day for AK. I wanted this to be an early start, you know the advice they give to see the animals first thing and all that, but actually I had a master plan. We got through the turnstiles and left James with instructions to meet me at Tricerotop Spin and please hand over your park passes... I bolted off to acquire FP for the Safari. I was so early that i got caught in the opening ceremony at the Tree of Life which I didn't know even happened. Very cute, the main characters come along in a jeep and discuss their plans for the day. Where's Mickey? Why, in a crane in the Tree of course. A nice touch of magic to start the day. Sorry you missed this kids.
Trekked over to the safari past Flik from Bugs Life and secured FP. Just as well, because I think the whole park was trying to get in line for the safari. Clever me!
I then power walked to Dinoland, stopping to say good morning to a lonely King Louie and a giant ape hug. Dinoland was deserted and the kids were on their second spin on the Tricerotops so plan worked well. Dinosaur next. Now I was nervous about this one as this had scared me more than any other attraction at WDW 3 years ago, and nerves got much worse when dean at 3 discovered he was tall enough to ride. Oh dear. There was no way he would have not tried it so on we went, James, me, cara and Dean with a baby swap FP for the others. Somehow, this was not nearly as bad as I remembered but my kids were disturbed to say the least. No teras, just shocked faces. Would you like to ride again? No thanks mum, we'll wait for the others. A spin on Primeval Whirl, which I was dissapointed in actually and see ya Dinoland! (Yes, we avoided the Boneyard, he he)
Time for a safari, i think. Now I don't know if it was the CM or half-asleep tourists, but no one got involved in the commentary of the ride, so it was great to see the animals (especially baby elephant aaah) but there wasn't magic this morning. Still a great ride though and plenty of active animals. As it was busy around this area, I decided to do the trail later and head for another headliner so ITTBAB was it. I wanted to see this show but wasn't sure about Cara and Dean (Cara can't see a house fly without shrieking). She opted to stay with Daddy while I took Dean in with Alex and Lyndsay. I think we lasted 5 minutes, Mummy I don't like it, ok then, out we go. james is nowhere and I was scared to shop in case i missed him, so we sat, Dean and me, and had a lovely little cuddle and quiet time taking in the surroundings. Bliss
We all regrouped and wandered over to where Lilo and Stitch were meeting guests. I am crazy about Stitch and so are my kids so I knew this would be fun. They finally get their turn (gosh are they popular) and Dean runs over in to Lilo's lap. She hugs and hugs him even though there is along line and it was as if time stopped and this moment was just for them. Then Cara had her turn, although shyer than her brother but you could tell she was thrilled. In the meantime, Dean is charming Stitch by doing the surfer hand gesture and saying "Aloha Cousin". Stitch did the hand right back. i got my cuddles and Charlie (DS1) came over to tug at Stitch too. I love this photo.
Right, what next? Kali River rapids I think. Last time, James got completely soaked through so i felt like it was bound to be my turn. Wrong. Guess who? Ha Ha
The kids loved this (of course they did, daddy got wet) and I realised that it would take a lot to put them off riding anything even at 5 and 3. i think I'm in trouble. Lion King show next. We waited in the sun for ages holding the kids and nerves started to fray Why oh why can't they have stroller parks closer to the doors? I am sure for safety and other reasons but honestly, a tired, irrate baby does not want to be held for 20 minutes, oh no, he wants to kick and wriggle. Couldn't he do that in his pushchair instead. Rant over.
A wonderful show as usual, in which I cried, oohed and aahed and sang along at the top of my voice. Just gorgeous. Cara did some pin trading with the CMs and then Dean had his turn. i was starting to feel like a jealous kid (I want a lanyard, please, please) Oh well.... Time for a tough decision, Tarzan Rocks or the parade. Tarzan is my favourite show, sorry everybody, can't explain it, it could be the music, the skating or it could be the swinging man in the loincloth, but I love it! I knew I was in the minority so decided to opt for the parade. We got a great spot on a deserted bridge into Africa and enjoyed this great parade. The kids got to see all their favourites and Charlie suddenly got the hang of waving to everything that moved. The people going by in the floats were all making aaah faces at Charlie and I was so proud.
We wre tired by now, so made a decision to just do one animal trail and as we were close to Africa we chose Pangani. On the way we saw Baloo who nearly made Dean cry by putting his autograph book on the roof of one of the huts. It was done in fun and Dean quickly forgave him by singing a round of Bare Neccessities. the kids also cooled off in the mist showers by the Dawa Bar, well what I thought was a harmless mist, but actually soaked them. It was a hot day, so what the hey! The trail was great with so much to see. the gorillas are gorgeous and the hippo swimming is a sight. Lyndsay as it turns out had never been to an animal park or zoo in her life so she got more out of this than anybody.
A very tired Spencer group made their way to the front gate, and what do you know, its closing time. We had spent 8 hours at AK and had not done it all. I think this is so much more than a 1/2 day park, but then I guess this isn't non-stop thrills so its not for everybody. i love it though. Sorry, we're not done yet. Time to go to Chef Mickeys. We drove round and parked at the Contempary. First impression, a train station that looks like a toaster, sorry guys. A little bit confusing too but maybe I was just tired. We were given a beeper and told to line up for a photo. Alright then, if I have to after a day at the parks, looking a wreck. Donald was waiting for us roung the corner and he wrote Donald no.1 in our books. I know a mouse who would not be best pleased with this. Our server was alovely older lady, who was great with refills and explaining the layout. We took turns geting plates of food and Cara and Dean were able to get their own which was lovely and made them feel grown up. For anyone that hasn't been, the kids buffet is on their level so they can scoop away. I tried to sample a bit of everything, but I was dissapointed with the food here. It was ok and it was nice having vegetables, but I didn't think the food was the quality it should have been. I thought the parmesan mash tasted powdery and there was a taste I didn't like on the baked ham. Anyway, out of 7 of us, I was the only one who though the food wasn't up to scratch so don't take my word as gospel and please try it for yourself. Would I go back. Yes! The characters came round and spent plenty of time with all of us and we got loads of great photos, just the kids, Alex and Lyndsay, all of us, and this is where having a great server paid off, because she was saying, hey mickey, what about a shot with these two etc. We did the napkin twirling twicw and had plenty of deserts and ice cream. Great fun and the kids still talk about it.
So time for bed after this day but are we resting tomorrow? Oh no, off to IOA. See ya soon (and no, I won't take 3 months about it this time!)
Claire
Ok, I know I posted the first bit about 3 months ago and my memory is not going to be great now, but I really want to try and finish this trip report. For anyone going, HUH?, if you go to Kaylee's trip index at the top of the page, the first 4 days are listed there if you want to catch up. I had to!
Twas the day for AK. I wanted this to be an early start, you know the advice they give to see the animals first thing and all that, but actually I had a master plan. We got through the turnstiles and left James with instructions to meet me at Tricerotop Spin and please hand over your park passes... I bolted off to acquire FP for the Safari. I was so early that i got caught in the opening ceremony at the Tree of Life which I didn't know even happened. Very cute, the main characters come along in a jeep and discuss their plans for the day. Where's Mickey? Why, in a crane in the Tree of course. A nice touch of magic to start the day. Sorry you missed this kids.
Trekked over to the safari past Flik from Bugs Life and secured FP. Just as well, because I think the whole park was trying to get in line for the safari. Clever me!
I then power walked to Dinoland, stopping to say good morning to a lonely King Louie and a giant ape hug. Dinoland was deserted and the kids were on their second spin on the Tricerotops so plan worked well. Dinosaur next. Now I was nervous about this one as this had scared me more than any other attraction at WDW 3 years ago, and nerves got much worse when dean at 3 discovered he was tall enough to ride. Oh dear. There was no way he would have not tried it so on we went, James, me, cara and Dean with a baby swap FP for the others. Somehow, this was not nearly as bad as I remembered but my kids were disturbed to say the least. No teras, just shocked faces. Would you like to ride again? No thanks mum, we'll wait for the others. A spin on Primeval Whirl, which I was dissapointed in actually and see ya Dinoland! (Yes, we avoided the Boneyard, he he)Time for a safari, i think. Now I don't know if it was the CM or half-asleep tourists, but no one got involved in the commentary of the ride, so it was great to see the animals (especially baby elephant aaah) but there wasn't magic this morning. Still a great ride though and plenty of active animals. As it was busy around this area, I decided to do the trail later and head for another headliner so ITTBAB was it. I wanted to see this show but wasn't sure about Cara and Dean (Cara can't see a house fly without shrieking). She opted to stay with Daddy while I took Dean in with Alex and Lyndsay. I think we lasted 5 minutes, Mummy I don't like it, ok then, out we go. james is nowhere and I was scared to shop in case i missed him, so we sat, Dean and me, and had a lovely little cuddle and quiet time taking in the surroundings. Bliss
We all regrouped and wandered over to where Lilo and Stitch were meeting guests. I am crazy about Stitch and so are my kids so I knew this would be fun. They finally get their turn (gosh are they popular) and Dean runs over in to Lilo's lap. She hugs and hugs him even though there is along line and it was as if time stopped and this moment was just for them. Then Cara had her turn, although shyer than her brother but you could tell she was thrilled. In the meantime, Dean is charming Stitch by doing the surfer hand gesture and saying "Aloha Cousin". Stitch did the hand right back. i got my cuddles and Charlie (DS1) came over to tug at Stitch too. I love this photo.
Right, what next? Kali River rapids I think. Last time, James got completely soaked through so i felt like it was bound to be my turn. Wrong. Guess who? Ha Ha
The kids loved this (of course they did, daddy got wet) and I realised that it would take a lot to put them off riding anything even at 5 and 3. i think I'm in trouble. Lion King show next. We waited in the sun for ages holding the kids and nerves started to fray Why oh why can't they have stroller parks closer to the doors? I am sure for safety and other reasons but honestly, a tired, irrate baby does not want to be held for 20 minutes, oh no, he wants to kick and wriggle. Couldn't he do that in his pushchair instead. Rant over.A wonderful show as usual, in which I cried, oohed and aahed and sang along at the top of my voice. Just gorgeous. Cara did some pin trading with the CMs and then Dean had his turn. i was starting to feel like a jealous kid (I want a lanyard, please, please) Oh well.... Time for a tough decision, Tarzan Rocks or the parade. Tarzan is my favourite show, sorry everybody, can't explain it, it could be the music, the skating or it could be the swinging man in the loincloth, but I love it! I knew I was in the minority so decided to opt for the parade. We got a great spot on a deserted bridge into Africa and enjoyed this great parade. The kids got to see all their favourites and Charlie suddenly got the hang of waving to everything that moved. The people going by in the floats were all making aaah faces at Charlie and I was so proud.
We wre tired by now, so made a decision to just do one animal trail and as we were close to Africa we chose Pangani. On the way we saw Baloo who nearly made Dean cry by putting his autograph book on the roof of one of the huts. It was done in fun and Dean quickly forgave him by singing a round of Bare Neccessities. the kids also cooled off in the mist showers by the Dawa Bar, well what I thought was a harmless mist, but actually soaked them. It was a hot day, so what the hey! The trail was great with so much to see. the gorillas are gorgeous and the hippo swimming is a sight. Lyndsay as it turns out had never been to an animal park or zoo in her life so she got more out of this than anybody.
A very tired Spencer group made their way to the front gate, and what do you know, its closing time. We had spent 8 hours at AK and had not done it all. I think this is so much more than a 1/2 day park, but then I guess this isn't non-stop thrills so its not for everybody. i love it though. Sorry, we're not done yet. Time to go to Chef Mickeys. We drove round and parked at the Contempary. First impression, a train station that looks like a toaster, sorry guys. A little bit confusing too but maybe I was just tired. We were given a beeper and told to line up for a photo. Alright then, if I have to after a day at the parks, looking a wreck. Donald was waiting for us roung the corner and he wrote Donald no.1 in our books. I know a mouse who would not be best pleased with this. Our server was alovely older lady, who was great with refills and explaining the layout. We took turns geting plates of food and Cara and Dean were able to get their own which was lovely and made them feel grown up. For anyone that hasn't been, the kids buffet is on their level so they can scoop away. I tried to sample a bit of everything, but I was dissapointed with the food here. It was ok and it was nice having vegetables, but I didn't think the food was the quality it should have been. I thought the parmesan mash tasted powdery and there was a taste I didn't like on the baked ham. Anyway, out of 7 of us, I was the only one who though the food wasn't up to scratch so don't take my word as gospel and please try it for yourself. Would I go back. Yes! The characters came round and spent plenty of time with all of us and we got loads of great photos, just the kids, Alex and Lyndsay, all of us, and this is where having a great server paid off, because she was saying, hey mickey, what about a shot with these two etc. We did the napkin twirling twicw and had plenty of deserts and ice cream. Great fun and the kids still talk about it.
So time for bed after this day but are we resting tomorrow? Oh no, off to IOA. See ya soon (and no, I won't take 3 months about it this time!)
Claire
)
