Hicks on Holiday 3: "2nd Biggest Rodent We Ever Seen" Update 7/6/10

[SlightlyGoofy]

MOM, rain is usually short lived and often welcome at DW. It is a good thing that we only get the totally drenching times infrequently, unfortunately it always seems to happen at the most inopportune times, as if there is ever an opportune time.

I love DisneyGirl's take on her role. There are not small roles, only small players and that gal shows a lot of talent as well as intelligence and wit. Are you going to Youtube any of it? hint, hint.

I did not know that the Pinocchio House rest room was a big secret. I always figure if I know something then everyone must know it. I am wanting to get one of those smaller GPS systems to help me walk from place to place. It is sorely needed. You would figure I would know every nook and cranny at DW but I fear I do not and am not apt to ever learn. I get my bearings about two days before check out.

FairyGodmotherJen, I will make it to another Indy meet one of these days. I hope, I hope.

SG/Linda

 

[FairyGodmotherJen]

FairyGodmotherJen, I will make it to another Indy meet one of these days. I hope, I hope.

SG/Linda

Let us know! We enjoy the one on Labor Day weekend - it's a great time. Not the best for everyone's schedule, though, I know.

 

[DisneyMom5]

The Hicks Get Wild,
and Some Hicks Take a Dip
Animal Kingdom & Typhoon Lagoon
And a bonus: SMOOCHES: Hick Parents on a Date
Tuesday, 9/1/2009

When we last left the Hicks,
the were wringing out their clothes
from a Disney downpour at Magic Kingdom.

[My tennis shoes are ones with sort of a breathable
netting upper. They didn't dry out for TWO days!
Just another reason I bring back-up shoes, my friends!]

On this day, the Hicks would split into two distinct groups:

Group 1: Bionic SIL and kids were going to Typhoon Lagoon.
They had not been big fans of Animal Kingdom the last trip.
They found it crowded, hot, and it made them cranky.
[Frankly, when they suggested skipping AK,
we didn't argue with them. ]

They used an extra TS credit on their first night there,
while at DTD, so we did not plan a meal together that day.
They reported back that they were SO glad they got there at opening,
that the water park filled fast,
and that it is really important to find a spot and stake it out.
Bionic SIL relaxed in the shade, and the kids had a blast running all over.
They returned that afternoon and relaxed around the resort.

Group 2: The rest of us. Bound for Animal Kingdom,
and planning on making a day of it.
Normally we would use our AK day to leave early and go to a hotel restaurant, or,
get there early for breakfast at the former Breakfastasaurus,
but this time we decided to try Tusker house, for lunch.

Since AK was to close at 5pm,
John and I had plans that we would feed the kids dinner at Pop,
and then we'd head out to Epcot for a date! Whoo hoo!


We checked out the weather, and found that it should be nice all day,
with a similar weather front to the previous night rolling in
right around 5 pm again. Hmmmm....

And we were off!
There is just something about AK that I adore!

Love me some palm trees:

We were able to go through the ticket line pretty quickly,
and checked out some little critters being displayed by cast members.

AK usually lets you in well before opening, and you are confined to Discovery Island(?)
and the village area until the opening show is done.
It's my understanding that they now do the show solely from a truck?

If there is one thing that Disney gets right,
and they get many, many things right, it's attention to detail.

Anyway,
it used to be that the thundering hordes would all head for the safari,
but since the addition of Everest they tend to split both ways.

We headed for the safari!

Ya just feel like you're in Africa, doncha?

We LOVE the safari. We go on it 1-2 times each trip.
It never fails to entertain us.

**PSA - I must confess...
I knew in advance that the safari had an advisory for pregnant moms.
And I went anyway.
I was really nervous they would turn me away!

I knew that if I sat in the front, I would be ok.
Honestly, sometimes our van is bumpier!
But NO WAY I was sitting in the back!

But that is MY experience.
You have to decide for yourself how you feel about it.**

It is so hard to get animal pics while on the safari, at least for me!
Disneygirl managed to get a few good one!

Crocs, and not the shoes!

Flamingos on the Hidden Mickey island:

Mr. Lion in a Moseying Morning Mood:

Next up: Pangani Trail...and even more AK

 

[FairyGodmotherJen]

Great AK pics! We didn't make it there again this trip. It was so hot everywhere else, we couldn't imagine going there! Of course, my mom and aunt informed us that they were cooler there than anywhere else because of all the shade... I will get there the next time we go (don't know when, but it will NOT be in June, July, or August!). I want my kids to see the Festival of the Lion King show.

 

[micandminforever]

Great pictures of the lions. They are usually sleeping when I go and hard to take a picture of them so close to the ground, as the car is moving.

 

[smithpack]

Enjoying your TR. We are going this September, and I will be 7 months pregnant with baby number 5!! I know it is crazy, but I would rather go pregnant than with a newborn. I really like to eat at the restaurants, and I know if I wait until the baby is here, then I won't really get to eat since I will be nursing her. I am sure you know how that goes. Every time you want to eat, they cry. I would go earlier, but I don't want to get caught up in the high crowds of summer. So Disney while big and pregnant it is.

Also wanted to say that I grew up in a family with 5 girls and 3 boys. I must say that it is a good thing that the monthly thing syncs up so that you only have to deal with the moodiness once a month. I remember my dad always coming around the bathrooms and constantly emptying the trash during that time too. I am so glad for all of my siblings though. They are all my best friends, and I don't know what I would do without any of them.

Your kids are adorable. It looks like your oldest DD likes to help out with the baby. I love your Easter picture! Sounds like everyone enjoyed your Disney trip. I just hope it doesn't downpour the whole time you are there.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

If you watch the parade from back in the safari area you can hop it without a wait in between the time it leaves and then returns and when you get off many folks have exited the park so you can have a leisurely walk to your car/bus.

Shhhh, want me to tell you where my favorite seat is if you want to watch the parade twice and get lots of interaction?

Have you ever been in the parade? Your family is the kind they look for. I have heard you can ask at guest services when you enter.

SG/Linda

 

[DisneyMom5]

Enjoying your TR. We are going this September, and I will be 7 months pregnant with baby number 5!! I know it is crazy, but I would rather go pregnant than with a newborn. I really like to eat at the restaurants, and I know if I wait until the baby is here, then I won't really get to eat since I will be nursing her. I am sure you know how that goes. Every time you want to eat, they cry. I would go earlier, but I don't want to get caught up in the high crowds of summer. So Disney while big and pregnant it is.

Also wanted to say that I grew up in a family with 5 girls and 3 boys. I must say that it is a good thing that the monthly thing syncs up so that you only have to deal with the moodiness once a month. I remember my dad always coming around the bathrooms and constantly emptying the trash during that time too. I am so glad for all of my siblings though. They are all my best friends, and I don't know what I would do without any of them.

Your kids are adorable. It looks like your oldest DD likes to help out with the baby. I love your Easter picture! Sounds like everyone enjoyed your Disney trip. I just hope it doesn't downpour the whole time you are there.

Nice to meet you! Congrats on #5! We only taken 5 or more kids to Disney (Well, we DID go on our honeymoon), so I wouldn't know how to take a smaller group. LOL
Glad to hear you survived your big family!

Thanks for reading!

If you watch the parade from back in the safari area you can hop it without a wait in between the time it leaves and then returns and when you get off many folks have exited the park so you can have a leisurely walk to your car/bus.

Shhhh, want me to tell you where my favorite seat is if you want to watch the parade twice and get lots of interaction?

Have you ever been in the parade? Your family is the kind they look for. I have heard you can ask at guest services when you enter.

SG/Linda

We've never been in a parade...I think the vehicles they use are too small for us. We have, however, been the family of the day at MGM. That was awesome! Helps to be at the gate before everyone else, and to have a bunch of kids dressed alike.
You'll read all about our park exit strategy further along in my report!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Smithpack, I am the oldest of 8 myself and am wondering if your father would not have rather emptied the trash more often rather than having that sudden onslaught of trash as well as moodiness? Your father was a man among men. It takes a real man to empty such trash or even allow himself to think of it.

MOM, I will look forward to your exit strategy. I am sure it is a good one for sure.

Back to work for me. I am organizing all the stuff from my basement that has been hauled to the garage (I hired someone to do that) and getting ready for a massive garage sale complete with 33 years of Christmas decorations, some Disney. It is sad and I hope they all find good homes.

Slightly Goofy