Hold my umbrella while I find your poncho! A May 2012 TR-- NEW-FINALLY! 1/17; pg. 29

[mickeystoontown]

I'm glad to hear that your resort requests were granted and you were assigned to the longhouse that you wanted. I can't wait to see the pictures!

It's too bad that you weren't able to take a Disney bus to the Animal Kingdom. That first ride on a Disney bus is a highlight for me. Yes, I'm weird that way.

Goodness graciouis! You guys have done a whole lot at the Animal Kingdom and it's not even late afternoon yet.

 

[mindystar]

It rained while you were down there? I don't remember being soaked It was so good to get to meet you!
Glad you got the longhouse you requested
Boy, you are going to make it look like we didn't ride anything on our trip!
Can't wait to hear about the Rapids

 

[Nermel9]

Yay so happy you got the longhouse you requested, can't wait for pictures!

Your safari pics are so cute, I love the lions!

I cannot believe people wait 90 minutes for Kali...I've only been on that once, and I didn't think it was that great! Maybe I'm missing something!

Awww, those ducklings are adorable! We looked for baby ducks the whole time we were there, we saw them all over in 2010 on our Disneymoon, but this year, nothing!

 

[reelmom]

We were down there the same time as you. I will be looking to see if we are in of your pictures. And I agree about the FP's. I was a hoarder also. It seemed like we were crisscrossing all over the parks.

 

[Queenofallthings]

You had a very productive day at AK ..... love all the pics....especially on Safari!!!! KRR wait time....90 minutes....wow....never seen that before! Looking forward to more!

 

[PixieMama]

Bummer about the bus (or lack of one) to AK.

Birds! No FofW show for me, thanks. I happily sit that one out!

Love EE. It's my favorite! Well, one of them. It's a touch choice between EE and ToT as to which one is my most favorite WDW attraction of all.

 

[cbcrockett]

Man I wish we could have gotten that much done in our AK day! I guess 9 month olds really do slow you down, hah!

So glad you got the longhouse you wanted!

Is that FHU shirt Freed Hardeman???

 

[MHTeacher]

You got some great pictures on the safari. My husband gets after me every time we ride the safari because I keep taking pictures. We probably have a thousand pictures of the sarari.

I know....That's how I am with Beauty and the Beast at DHS. I must take a hundred pictures....every time!

To be honest, my DH had the camera during the safari!

Yay!! Love this update--AK is my favorite park! You got some really great pics! Can't wait to read more about Kali and see pics of your Poly room!

Pics of the Poly room will come in the next update!

My kids don't like It's Tough to be a Bug for the same reason! I think they sit on the very front edge of their seats the whole time!

So do my 16 and 18 year olds!

Are my eyes deceiving me?! TWO lionesses?!?! Awesome!!

Yes, Sara. Very good eyes--There were two lionesses! Spoiler alert, but we went on the very last safari that evening, and I got a picture of something up and moving that is usually sleeping!

I like the FHU shirt.

Yes, I thought you might! Elizabeth got that shirt from the recruiter that was at school one day. He gave all the students who had already applied to FHU a shirt. I really encouraged her to give FHU a chance and tried to schedule a tour, but she had her mind made up for U of A.

I love being at the front of EE !! I find it doesn't bother my motion sickness as much.

I think that makes sense. Although I like the front just for that view, I actually prefer to be in the back because I feel as if it's faster. That might just be my brain!

 

[MHTeacher]

It's too bad that you weren't able to take a Disney bus to the Animal Kingdom. That first ride on a Disney bus is a highlight for me. Yes, I'm weird that way.
.

I'm the same way, Lisa!

And, to make it worse, we sat there for probably fifteen/twenty minutes---It was just all a horrible tease!

It rained while you were down there? I don't remember being soaked It was so good to get to meet you!

Just a few times!

I enjoyed meeting you and talking to you at the dessert party! Wish I'd remembered to get our picture!

I cannot believe people wait 90 minutes for Kali...I've only been on that once, and I didn't think it was that great! Maybe I'm missing something!
!

I agree, Jen! 90 minutes for a ride that takes about two minutes of torture fearing you're about to get soaked at every turn!

We were down there the same time as you. I will be looking to see if we are in of your pictures. And I agree about the FP's. I was a hoarder also. It seemed like we were crisscrossing all over the parks.

Wouldn't that be funny if you were?

Glad to know I was not the only hoarder. Whenever I would read those fast pass threads over on the Theme parks attractions and strategies board, I would be overwhelmed with shame and guilt! OK, not really!--But those folks over there could get hot about the topic!

You had a very productive day at AK ..... love all the pics....especially on Safari!!!! KRR wait time....90 minutes....wow....never seen that before! Looking forward to more!

The day's not finished yet!

Bummer about the bus (or lack of one) to AK.

Birds! No FofW show for me, thanks. I happily sit that one out!

Love EE. It's my favorite! Well, one of them. It's a touch choice between EE and ToT as to which one is my most favorite WDW attraction of all.

I believe you have quite a bit of folks who will join you in your Just Say No to birds!

I love both ToT and EE!

Man I wish we could have gotten that much done in our AK day! I guess 9 month olds really do slow you down, hah!


Is that FHU shirt Freed Hardeman???

Just a little, but enjoy! It won't be long until you're sending her off to college! (Headed to freshman orientation tomorrow with my "baby".)

Yes---Correct on the FHU shirt. You live in that area, don't you? The recruiter that was at school during the spring gave them out to everyone who had applied. Even though Elizabeth decided on U of A, she loves that FHU shirt and wears it a lot!

 

[PittypatBR]

Great first day already! I am with you on the fast passes. I do not like the changes, and I don't know why it was a problem anyway! Oh, well, maybe they will change it back or come up with something better.

 

[Lisa29]

I missed that you were back!

Going to catch up now!

 

[Lisa29]

I'm a no on the bird show! I look like an idiot walking around our city centre trying to avoid the pigeons!

Sounds like a great first day so far. Want to find out who got wet on Kali and what your room is like. There seems to always be a couple people who get drenched on Kali every time.

 

[amazingact21]

I think AK is the most relaxing of all the parks as far as walking around and having a ton of ride selections to choose from, so I always feel like it's a good idea to go there on arrival days. And it seems like you all were having a good time.

That one photo of the giraffe with their head in the tree made me laugh. Very amusing!


Getting to ride EE in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd row is awesome! Those are the best spots, and it's always a plus to get to experience the attraction in those seats at least once per trip.

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Michelle.

I love Elizabeth's "graduation Mickey ears" hat.

Rachel looks ready for vacation, and Reid looks very intent on his "penny pressing."

I think it is definitely a man thing. Just when you are ready to go they have "to go."

Sounds like a great day at the Animal Kingdom (we got stuck on the safari last trip for about 15 minutes because the rhino wouldn't move!).

I can't believe you got two lionesses in your photo...great job.

I can't wait to hear what happens on Kali River Rapids.

 

[Lidian]

I'm here! Totally loving your updates so far! You've had quite an impressive AK adventure so far! I'm glad to hear you got your request at the Poly!

Very anxious to hear more!

 

[MHTeacher]

Great first day already! I am with you on the fast passes. I do not like the changes, and I don't know why it was a problem anyway! Oh, well, maybe they will change it back or come up with something better.

Thanks!

Unfortunately, I don't see that change coming back!

I missed that you were back!

Going to catch up now!

I'm a no on the bird show! I look like an idiot walking around our city centre trying to avoid the pigeons!

Glad you're here and caught up!

Had to laugh at the mental picture of you walking around city centre trying to avoid the pigeons. I even embellished it by having you shriek every time one flew near you!

I think AK is the most relaxing of all the parks as far as walking around and having a ton of ride selections to choose from, so I always feel like it's a good idea to go there on arrival days. And it seems like you all were having a good time.

That one photo of the giraffe with their head in the tree made me laugh. Very amusing!


Getting to ride EE in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd row is awesome! Those are the best spots, and it's always a plus to get to experience the attraction in those seats at least once per trip.

We always tend to go to AK on our first full day, which is typically a Sunday. That day usually works pretty well as far as the crowds go.

I'm pretty sure there was something strategically placed in that tree stump to tempt that giraffe!

I think it is definitely a man thing. Just when you are ready to go they have "to go."

I think you are most definitely correct, Ms. Kathy!

I'm here! Totally loving your updates so far! You've had quite an impressive AK adventure so far! I'm glad to hear you got your request at the Poly!

Very anxious to hear more!

Glad you're here!

Update coming up!

 

[MHTeacher]

DAY 1-PART 4

When I left you, we were headed to Kali River Rapids around 4:15 that afternoon, to use our fast passes.

We moved through the FP queue, and were quickly loaded into our raft. Rides like this make be a bundle of nerves the entire time---worrying about if the next wave is going to be “the one!”

We made it through the ride, and I was not the one soaked. In fact while everyone in our family was slightly wet, the soaking wet person was part of the other group occupying the same raft with us. As we neared the exit, the CMs seemed to have some sort of miscommunication. They kept passing us to the next one, and pretty soon, we were right back at the load-in dock. By then, there wasn’t enough time for all us to exit, so the CM just smiled, and said, “You don’t mind riding again, do you?” Now, why did that put a pit of fear in my stomach? Because I knew that I would not be so lucky the second time around. However, we rode right through, again, and somehow my luck stuck. I didn’t get the main splash of the water, and this time we all got to exit on time!

From there, we walked over to EE again.

By now, the stand-by line posted wait time was only 20 minutes, but it was more like 10 minutes.

We all got in line, and believe it or not, we were assigned rows 1,2, and 3 again!

Afterwards we walked right over to the 6 p.m. Nemo show.

I love this show! While watching I heard this line -not sure if I’m quoting it exact, - but it went something like this: “I know you’re ready, but I’m not.” I almost cried, because it just reminded me of Elizabeth leaving for college.

We left the show and walked back past EE. The posted wait time was 10 minutes, so we all wanted to ride again. Kevin decided this would be too much for him. So, he stayed behind and he managed to take this picture. We’re right in the middle this time—I have on a red Minnie Mouse t-shirt-Rachel is right behind me in a bright green t-shirt.

Afterwards, we decided to hoof it---that’s Southern for walk very quickly-to Asia and ride the last safari of the evening. I had read that it’s a great time to see a lot of animals. We walked right on-the safari truck wasn’t even full. I was not disappointed. We actually saw hippos out of the water!

I noticed that a lot of the animals-the giraffes, especially- were all gathered together at what appeared to be gates. I think they knew it was almost time to head back to their safe home for the night.

The best part of the safari was seeing the lions up and moving!

AND, here is my Simba on Pride Rock photo:

I would definitely recommend riding the last safari to everyone. In fact, from now on, I think I will not stress about getting on an early one, and just wait for the last one.

When we finished, we left, and were back to our van by 8 p.m. We were all starving, so we stopped for fast food on the way back to the Poly. We were in our room by a little after 9, and after bell services quickly brought us our luggage, I began to unpack.

This seems like as good a time as any to show some room pictures. We were in the Samoa longhouse, first floor facing the Volcano pool-room 1609. (AND, yes, I did worry just a little about snakes!)

This wasn’t taken that night, obviously, but this was our patio outside our room-

A little before 10, we all walked around to the beach, grabbed a seat on the grass, and watched “Wishes”.

It was a perfect ending to our first day!

UP NEXT: WE BECOME THE FIRST FAMILY OF EPCOT!

 

[cbcrockett]

Just a little, but enjoy! It won't be long until you're sending her off to college! (Headed to freshman orientation tomorrow with my "baby".)

Yes---Correct on the FHU shirt. You live in that area, don't you? The recruiter that was at school during the spring gave them out to everyone who had applied. Even though Elizabeth decided on U of A, she loves that FHU shirt and wears it a lot! [/QUOTE]

Oh I know! 9.5 months, and I'm already missing things she did 2 months ago. Where are the pause buttons people?!?

We do live in that area! My DH actually went to FHU for a semester his freshman year before he transferred to our alma mater, up the road in Jackson, TN (Lambuth, now University of Memphis at Lambuth )

Looks like y'alls AK day was great! At least you stayed dry there!

 

[KatMark]

What a great update, Michelle. I definitely want to try the safari at the end of the night (maybe we should go in the afternoon rather than the morning). I can't believe you saw the lions up and walking..

I love your room....but then I love the Poly.

Sounds like a perfect first day

 

[mindystar]

What fun that you got to ride twice in a row! But yes, I would have thought, "oh great, no way will my dry luck last two times!!!"
That was an awesome shot he got of you all on EE. He did much better than I! That riding backward does not fare well for me.
I think I saw the most animals, and active as well, on our trip. . .but we went in the morning.
I was on the beach (close to the ferry) watching Wishes! too that night!!! It was wonderful
Looking forward to the next installment!!!