Heat, humidity and a great Mother/Daughter trip! A May TR **TR Update 12/10**

[PhoenixStrength]

I could have sworn I responded to this.

I love the pictures with Chip and Dale and all the photopass pictures. You look adorable on that thing from Star Wars.

We've not seen Indiana Jones in 6 years and now they are closing it. I doubt we will see it next month though.

I'm sorry your mom started feeling ill at 50's Prime Time. I would have blamed the food except you said it was delicious (we did not enjoy our meal there at all).

Sorry again for being late with a response.

I thought you had too! No need to apologize

Thank you, I like those pictures too

I'm kinda sad they are closing it. It is entertaining the first time or two, but the fact that they've never changed it at all really does it in for multiple viewings.

Sorry you didn't enjoy your food at 50s! It certainly was not the best meal we had or anything, but I liked it. She was starting to feel sick before we even ate but at first she thought she was just overly hungry and that eating would help. Unfortunately that wasn't the case!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 3, THURSDAY MAY 22ND, PART ONE​

We woke up around 6am that morning, and thankfully my Mom was feeling fine! We each got our shower and then headed over to the Jamaica bus stop. No OPR for breakfast this day, we had a pre-park opening ADR to get to! We only waited a couple of minutes before our bus pulled up and we were off to here:






The park opened at 9am that day, but we had an 8:10am ressie, so we walked past the few people already there (mostly waiting for the 8:30am Wild Africa Trek) and over to the gate. We were quickly let in and started to make our way back to Africa.









To the left of the Tree of Life there was a cherry picker with a bunch of macaws on it. Turns out they were new to the park and were being trained, so I took a couple of pictures.









Pretty much the CMs up there with them was sending them down to a handler on the ground, and then they were being sent back up to the CMs in the cherry picker. The CM on the ground talked to us for a minute and said they were doing this each morning while the park was (mostly) empty so they weren't many distractions for the birds. It was cool to see but our stomachs were rumbling so we said goodbye and kept on trekking through the park, though not without a few more pictures being taken.












Once we were in Harambe we checked in at the booth in front of Tusker House, and were sent around back to check in there. I tried to get a picture of the construction behind the restaurant for the new Festival of the Lion King theater:






Not the best, but the best I could get!

After I checked in with the CM we were given a slip and told to get in line for our picture. None of the ones they took turned out great, but here is the best one






There was a bit of a wait, maybe 10 minutes, so I took a couple of pictures while walking around, since there was a large group that took up all of the chairs they had back there!









We were seated in the room right off the buffet area. I thought I had taken a picture of our seating slip so I'd remember our waiter's name, but I cannot find it. He was excellent though, very attentive and friendly. We went up to get our first plate of food since none of the characters were nearby, and I remembered to take a picture of my plate!






I did not remember to take a picture of my second plate, though I only remember one thing I got on it.

While we ate all of the characters came over to visit. Only Donald had a CM with him, so most of these pictures were taken by my Mom with her cell phone!





















The last picture was a bit blurry, but that's Goofy using my head to balance the autograph book on.

I also took a few pictures inside the restaurant while we ate. It's a really nicely themed place and definitely fits in, looks-wise at least, with the rest of Harambe.












We finished our yummy breakfast around 9:15am, just shortly after the park actually opened. We decided that since we were right there our first attraction of the day would be Kilimanjaro Safari!






CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST

 

[PhoenixStrength]

The posted KS wait was 20 minutes, but it was probably more like 15. This is both Mom and I's favorite attraction in AK, so we were happy to get in line before it got too long. Especially since it was already quite muggy out and the temperature was climbing rapidly too.















I'm glad that after eliminating the Little Red storyline they still kept Warden Wilson in the video. I don't know why, but I like him!

Soon enough we were boarded onto our safari vehicle. Due to a CM mistake Mom and I got our own row, with me being on the left side and Mom on the right.

I'll just let the animals do the talking now!










































We rounded the first corner in the savannah and had to stop. A certain tall baby was blocking our way, with no intentions of moving!






He just stood there for a while, not moving at all, so I took some more pictures while he decided where to go


















Finally after about 10 minutes a CM in a feed truck came by and the baby giraffe followed him over to the feed station and we were on our way again!






CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST

 

[PhoenixStrength]

More Kilimanjaro Safari pictures!







































The CM was surprised that the newly added Addax were that close to the roadway, as they are typically more shy and like to stay up on the hill. But that one was just lying beside the road, not bothered by us at all!

Once our two-week safari ended both Mom and I needed to use the restroom, so we headed back into Harambe to use the one across from Tusker House. As we walked past the African band was just starting to play






The drummer that was looking at me in that picture was hilarious. Some guy tried to be funny and "heckle" them (Disney-safe of course!) and he stopped playing and made the guy come up and play them himself to prove he could do better. They were all good sports about it and it was really funny to watch.


NEXT TIME: BIRDS AND PRIMATES AND MEERKATS, OH MY!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Great update, Steph! I know that the breakfast at Tusker House gets mixed reviews but it sounds like your's was . I would like to try it simply to get into the park early.

Awww, the little giraffe was perfectly happy to just stand there and let ya'll take pictures of him. I wonder if that's the same one that decided to block the road when we were there a few days later.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Great update, Steph! I know that the breakfast at Tusker House gets mixed reviews but it sounds like your's was . I would like to try it simply to get into the park early.

Awww, the little giraffe was perfectly happy to just stand there and let ya'll take pictures of him. I wonder if that's the same one that decided to block the road when we were there a few days later.

I will say I like Crystal Palace's breakfast more, but the food was good. And it was definitely great to get in the park early!

It was most certainly the same one! They only have two babies and the CM/driver when we were there in May said the other was moved to Animal Kingdom Lodge so that's the only baby on KS now. He was more than content to stand there for a while, not caring about the trucks or all the people shooting pictures of him!

 

[afwdwfan]

Looks like a great morning. I think we might be trying the Tusker House breakfast on our trip. We have an ADR, but we're thinking about cutting back a meal or 2 and it is one of them that we're considering dropping.

Nice safari with a little bonus giraffe interaction. Funny how that feed truck gets their attention.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Looks like a great morning. I think we might be trying the Tusker House breakfast on our trip. We have an ADR, but we're thinking about cutting back a meal or 2 and it is one of them that we're considering dropping.

Nice safari with a little bonus giraffe interaction. Funny how that feed truck gets their attention.

I liked Tusker House. It wasn't the best breakfast I've had, but it wasn't bad either. The character interaction was good and so was the food. I think you'd enjoy it if you went, but wouldn't be a huge mistake if you choose to drop it either.

It was cool to get extra photo opportunities with not only that giraffe, but all the other animals that were surrounding us too. And like any man, the food got him moving!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 3, THURSDAY MAY 22, PART TWO​

Once we finished watching the band we headed over to walk the Pagani Forest Trail. First up, the Black & White Colobus monkeys!















There was a CM there talking about them for a bit, but I honestly don't remember anything she said. Oops!

Not up was the Okapi, which were hiding behind bushes so I didn't get any pictures of them, and their elusive enclosure-mates, the Yellow Backed Duiker!






There were a ton of people in the building that had smaller cages of animals in them, so I only took a few pictures before getting out of there since Mom has claustrophobia!












Yes, those lizards were doing exactly what it looks like they are doing. The kids looking at them were asking all kinds of questions too. Their poor parents!

We made our way into the aviary and I got quite a few pictures of the gorgeous birds they have in there!






























We walked next to the hippo enclosure and he was sleeping in the "river"






Yes, it is definitely a he! I learned later in the trip, but I'll share now, that the hippo in the Pagani Trail and the ones on the right side of KS are always the 3 males. The hippos on the left side of KS (where all the pelicans are) are always the females. If you see 2 males together in one of those areas they are a father and son that (rare for 2 males) get along well together. The other male does not get along with them and is always alone.

I don't know what happened to the old ones, but according to the CM in the meerkat area these ones were all new to the enclosure and therefore were still pretty shy. This was actually the most she had seen them in the few days they had been there.


















NEXT TIME: GORILLAS, VETS AND A YETI!

 

[Valgoof]

Great picture of the hippo underwater!! I love walking the trails.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Great picture of the hippo underwater!! I love walking the trails.

Thanks Val! I love the trails too

 

[mickeystoontown]

I almost missed the last update. Oops, don't you know that it's a little hard on the CMs trying to explain away why the lizards were hugging each other like that. Poor CMs and parents.

You know, we were wondering why we didn't see many meerkats this past trip. If one hadn't popped it's head out, we would have thought that the place was abandoned. Good to know that there are still meerkats living in the enclosure.

 

[afwdwfan]

There were a ton of people in the building that had smaller cages of animals in them, so I only took a few pictures before getting out of there since Mom has claustrophobia!

I'm not claustrophobic, but I definitely get what you mean. It always seems to be overcrowded there. Easier to just pass on by.

Yes, those lizards were doing exactly what it looks like they are doing. The kids looking at them were asking all kinds of questions too. Their poor parents!

Yes, it is definitely a he! I learned later in the trip, but I'll share now, that the hippo in the Pagani Trail and the ones on the right side of KS are always the 3 males. The hippos on the left side of KS (where all the pelicans are) are always the females. If you see 2 males together in one of those areas they are a father and son that (rare for 2 males) get along well together. The other male does not get along with them and is always alone.

Interesting fun fact.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I almost missed the last update. Oops, don't you know that it's a little hard on the CMs trying to explain away why the lizards were hugging each other like that. Poor CMs and parents.

You know, we were wondering why we didn't see many meerkats this past trip. If one hadn't popped it's head out, we would have thought that the place was abandoned. Good to know that there are still meerkats living in the enclosure.

I tried so hard not to laugh at the poor parents trying to explain those lizards hugging.

No idea why they changed out the meerkats, but they certainly seemed shy. But there were quite a few of them.

I'm not claustrophobic, but I definitely get what you mean. It always seems to be overcrowded there. Easier to just pass on by.





Interesting fun fact.

I'm not claustrophobic either, but it is a small room that gets crowded so easily!

Thanks, I thought it was interesting how they split them too.

 

[KatMark]

I missed your last updates (the kids were in town over the weekend and I wasn't on the DIS).

Great pictures at the Tusker House meal.

And even better pictures on the safari--especially with those beautiful giraffes.

And fun (and interesting ) pictures on the trails. I can't wait to be there in a little over two weeks.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I missed your last updates (the kids were in town over the weekend and I wasn't on the DIS).

Great pictures at the Tusker House meal.

And even better pictures on the safari--especially with those beautiful giraffes.

And fun (and interesting ) pictures on the trails. I can't wait to be there in a little over two weeks.

I thought you would like all of the giraffe pictures!

I'm excited for you to be there so soon! I'm sure you will have a great time and it will help you guys relax with all that is going on in your lives!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 3, THURSDAY MAY 22ND, PART THREE​

After we watched the shy meerkats for a while Mom and I continued down the Pagani trail to the gorillas! At the window the "baby" (she's 3 or 4 now but still the youngest so I still call her that!) was showing off for a while. At one point she ran up to the window and jumped off it, but I didn't get a picture of that. I did get 2 other pictures of her though:









None of the other females were visible and the CM there said he though they were all sleeping out of sight, so we continued around to the other side for the bachelor enclosure. At first we didn't see any, but then we found this guy behind a large log






Yes, that is a tub he was just sitting in. He seemed quite comfortable in there and just hung out there the whole time we were around.

We didn't see any other of the silverbacks so we decided to move on. Right before you leave that area we spotted this guy, hiding down and against the wall









For a point of reference, right after you pass this on the left:






There is a little alcove in the divider wall and that's where he was.

None of our FP+ options were coming up yet, so we decided that since we were right next to the entrance we would ride over to Rafiki's Planet Watch next!









The train pulled up only a minute or so after we walked up, and then we were off. We saw some of the animal buildings along the way:






And also an ostrich that was at the back fence from Kilimanjaro Safari!






Once off the train we walked the trail, stopping to look at the small monkeys they have along the way. Unfortunately their enclosures have such small fencing that this was the only somewhat decent picture I could get!






I love the Conservation Station building, with it's gorgeous animal mural (full of Hidden Mickeys!). As such, I took a ton of pictures of it, so here they are!




































Isn't it beautiful?!

We noticed right away that there was a large crowd by the observation window for medical procedures, so we went right over. Mom and I were both thrilled to see a tiger in there, as that is one of both of our favorite animals. In listening to the CM who was there talking, this was a new female for them and she was just getting her intake exam before going into quarantine for 2 weeks and then joining the others in Maharajah Jungle Trek. There was a man with a large gun in the corner, just watching, but the CM also assured everyone that it was only a tranquilizer gun, just in case she didn't stay out as long as they thought she would!

As I said, there was a large crowd there, but I did still manage to get a few pictures of the procedures.









CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST

 

[PhoenixStrength]

One last tiger picture:






After watching the tiger for a bit we moved on to the reptile and other small animal exhibits they have along that wall. Sadly most of them were in areas under things where I could not get a picture, but I did get these 2 pictures of a frog and a monitor!









While we were looking at the tanks Rafiki came out for pictures, so we hot-footed it to the line with only a few people in front of us so it was soon our turn!






With all of the inside stuff done we walked out and headed over to the Affection Section next. I love that they call it an Affection Section instead of a petting zoo. Just another cute Disney touch!

Most of the goats and sheep were behind the ropes, hiding from the kids I'm sure! There were a few friendly ones out though and the kids (and adults!) were having fun brushing and petting them.















Then there were the animals that are inside the pens, able to be touched but still protected by the fence. Whether that fence is for protecting the people or the animals is up for debate!















This one goat kept going over to the fence and calling at the pig, which was adorable. I guess he wanted his buddy to get up and play!






With our time at Conservation Station complete we walked back to the Wildlife Express train and got in the station just as it pulled in






We got on and I took a few pictures on our short ride back to Harambe!












That construction picture was the back of the new Festival of the Lion King theater they were still building at that time.

With everything in Africa done for now we had an important decision to make. Where to next?


NEXT TIME: TREES, PICTURES AND A NEW COUNTRY TO EXPLORE!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I spy with my own little eye....that's what I always think of when we go to Rafiki's Planet Watch and hunt for hidden Mickeys. I wonder just how many are on the murals?

How cool that you two got to see the tiger in the examining room! We've only seen small animals being cared for. I'd love to see one of the tigers up close like that.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I spy with my own little eye....that's what I always think of when we go to Rafiki's Planet Watch and hunt for hidden Mickeys. I wonder just how many are on the murals?

How cool that you two got to see the tiger in the examining room! We've only seen small animals being cared for. I'd love to see one of the tigers up close like that.

I have no idea how many are in there, but I know it's a lot!

It was pretty cool to see a tiger. In the past I have seen a Siamang (the monkeys near Kali River Rapids that have the enclosure in the lake) and a sloth. The tiger was definitely the coolest!