How to make $3600 on your disney vacation! WE DID!! NEW 9/3*The Epilogue, DONE* p. 54

Loved the family picture. The kids are as always adorable.

Glad to see that you might make the deadline :rotfl2: :cheer2:

Enjoy the world this week :banana: :banana:
 
Does it surprise any of you that we would want to go back to Animal Kingdom having been there the night before and twice before that during this trip given my effusive ramblings about all creatures great and small throughout this report? This was our last planned theme park day of the trip. We hoped, weather permitting to get to Blizzard Beach on our last day, the 16th. Was it in search of toppling the Yeti once more? Partly. But in truth AK is just a great place to hang out. Here are some of the sights….
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We beelined it for one more spin on EE and grabbed Fastpasses on the way in for later in the day.

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Yes, you can use them anytime after the time on the ticket. They will turn you away early, but not late. Folks, I went on and on about Expedition Everest. I will not do so again, but git there. Go on, Git! After another thrilling spin around the mountain, we head off to catch Kali River Rapids.

I am cheap on some things, and crazy extravagant on others. Take the facial and skin products I splurged for recently. It cost as much as a ticket from east coast to west. But dang, if Disney will get $6 times 5 out of me for ponchos that last 5 minutes on a water ride. We brought the $1 cheapos at our local mart and they were put to excellent use. First round through we were dumped on, as we were headed backwards down the plunge. But we came out mostly dry thanks to those little pieces of plastic. Because no one else was around, the CMs let us stay on a ride again and yet again. After round three, the boys were ready to depart, but Sky was had not, so our men deplaned and in their place came six distinguished and well appointed Asian women in their fifties. Hair just so, makeup perfect and beautiful clothing on each. I scanned their movements and saw no ponchos. I called to DJ who still had two, and he handed them over to the ladies. They looked confused. They did not speak English, unfortunately for them. I tried to communicate what would happen. They tried to understand. And they used the two ponchos, between the six of them. Unfortunately none of them achieved any meaningful coverage. They laughed and smiled and just ended up putting the ponchos over their laps. I pointed to our heads. They smiled at me, and must have thought me an idiot. As we approached the drop after the clear cutting zone, I hoped the raft would turn and point us backward, sparing them. They talked and pointed to the scenery. Suddenly WOOSH! We hit the cusp of the drop, the raft as if spiteful, turned to place them directly backwards. SWOOP! PLUNGE! SPLASH! And in an instant, our 6 lovely passengers were drenched, nearly all of them. They took it in stride, but the shock on their face was priceless. Needless to say, they got off at the loading dock, but not before smiling and saying thanks (I think) to us. If you look closely you can see them with us….

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Have you ever done the Maharajah Jungle Trek? Do it. Do it. Lala, just do it! It is right near this fabulous fountain

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by the monkees

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as you exit Kali.

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We began by stopping at Exhibit one, the Komodo dragon. Can I just say they are evil?

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The CM here was a wealth of information. This is a good and not so good thing. She shared fascinating facts about this here feller. She also shared a story about a rabbit who had made his way into this area last week during visiting hours. It was a horrific tale of carnage that I could have done without. I am an escapist, pure and simple. An Ostrich. While I love nature, I detest the food chain. I will not watch those nature shows, you know the ones where the lovely gazelle is peacefully grazing? And you know what happens next…Escapism is even more of a prerequisite during vacation. Please CMs, do not recount tales of the crypt to happy families touring your parks. Those images, for some of us, are hard to expunge from our consciousness. This was the case that morning, and I slunk away from the evil Komodo, with three children hurling a barrage of questions about the fate of that poor unfortunate rabbit. Ick.

We came upon the Giant fruit bats.

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They were adorable! To me. Especially as they are herbivores. Fruit bats are my friends. Apparently, this is the only exhibit in North America. Go so those little cuties. They might turn you onto guano, that is unless they live upstairs, which apparently they do for some in New Jersey. Bats in the belfry? I hope not, just here in the Maharajah…..

I won’t post the tigers. I assume everyone does that. They are amazing and so intriguing. Their environment is spectacular, really fancy digs.

The elk type of creatures were peaceful and a CM stood holding a horn.

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Carson zeroed right in on that. “Is this what Vikings used for their helmets?” “Yup, buddy, some type of horn like this.” I kid you not strummers. I knew what was coming. “Mom, Santa didn’t bring me my Viking costume. He forgot.” “Awww, sweetie, no one would forget about something you asked for, but remember I said it was too close to Christmas when you asked? I am sure it was too late. But you did get the Viking lego set under the tree right? So your wishes were remembered, okay?”

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Here is the girl goofing it up. There are sweet little gems like this statue all over this walk. Lovely little ornaments and details that I found utterly charming. The kids also had their little activity books and there were several places here to do a project and get a stamp.

After this, we zipped over to hop on the wildlife train to Rafiki’s Planet watch after this glorious stroll through the forest. We came along Devine as we made our way over there. She was like the pied piper beguiling all the dads and moms too who followed her along the path.

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This is a fun, educational and relaxing place to spend time. Stanley with the really huge head was there, and Rafiki, of course. We missed Pocahontas. The affection section was a hit. Our kids cracked up at the little burro and his heehaw. Huge belly laughs! And they were thrilled to brush and hug the goats and lambs. Perhaps some would see this as dull. We thought it was well worth the time and assuaged our guilt for taking the kids out of school for 4 days on the front end of February vacation.

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We emerged from Rafiki’s and decided to work our way back through the park and go get a swim at the hotel, before making an appearance at MGM for our last theme park night. But not before the little nippers got a treat.

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Next up, Where is it, where is it? Dang it, where is it?
 
Your babys are too sweet!

Immuna ("I am going to") get a horsegirl hat like you! YOU are the cutest mama!

Have a fabulous trip!!!! We cant wait to hear about that!

Ride the Jungle Cruise for me!

Love Ya!
UtahMama
 
I don't know how or where but somehow I was linked to your trip report and I, like many others obviously, are hooked. I really enjoy your writting style! Have fun on yoru upcoming trip and can't wait to hear the end of the story!!
 

Another great installment. I guess we have to wait for you to return for it to be completed :guilty: Anyway thanks for giving us these installments before you left. Hope you have a great trip and say hey to Mickey for me.
 
Hey horseybabyborgtwinsiswiththefairhair!!!!!

By now you are winging your way back to the mousehouse. Don't let that Viking Plutopants lead you astray!!!!!!! :teeth:
 
Wonderful pictures and the story about the dressed to kill Asian women on Kali River Rapids was hysterical and typical. Like you we bring ponchos and towels and large plastic bags and sandals and watch in amazement as unsuspecting riders are get soaked and then have the "deer in the headlights look" as they disembark. Can't wait to ride it again in November.

Looking forward to the next installment when you're back from your trip and the kids are back in school.
 
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:thumbsup2 Another wonderful installment. Hope you are enjoying your trip back to the world. Did you bring that gorgeous hat with you? It is adorable!

Your daughters sundress is very sweet. Alas, my little princess prefers shorts or jeans and is very reluctant to wear a skirt or dress.

Thank you for sharing your trip with us!
 
horsegirl said:
Tons of great places in Florida, after of course the great car rides down, where we stopped at South of the Border. Is it still there? All those signs, “Pedro says Chili today hot tamale”.

OMG I laughed so hard at this! We drove down to SC (from CT) this past November for my brothers graduation from bootcamp. My sister, step-dad, and mom drove down a few days before, and my BF and I drive down the day before the graduation. My sister kept talking about this place called South of the Border. She said that when you see the signs for it (which are approximately 100 feet apart) you are almost in SC...but DON'T STOP THERE! I was like um, ok. So BF and I are making our way down 95....it's about 1am when we start seeing the signs and I was totally weired out by them...So when we finally (6 hours later, just in time to get out of the car and go to graduation) get there, I asked my sister what this South of the Border thing is all about. She gets this horrified look on her face and said that the three of them stopped there on there way down and it felt like one of those literal tourist trap type of places. (Think the movie "House of Wax"). She said it was open (per the signs at the gate) but the place was completely deserted. The three of them rushed out of there thinking that they were being watched by some deformed locals who were going to capture them and torture them to death. :lmao:
 
horseylivinitupwiththemousebaby said:
While I love nature, I detest the food chain. I will not watch those nature shows, you know the ones where the lovely gazelle is peacefully grazing? And you know what happens next…Escapism is even more of a prerequisite during vacation. Please CMs, do not recount tales of the crypt to happy families touring your parks.

Borg baby, but you knew that already :teeth:

Have a wonderful trip. We'll leave the light on for ya so you can find us when you get home.
 
Oh no, Simba22 - I am so depressed.......when my sister and I were 40 years younger, my parents would put us in the station wagon and drive from Boston to Florida (including WDW) and we would always stop at South of the Border. Those were some of the best memories of my childhood. But that was back when 95 was a 4 lane divided highway with stop lights every 1/2 mile. The SOB signs were the only thing that kept us from going crazy on that 3 day ride to FL.

South of the Border had heated pools which we could swim in at night and a gift shop that was so exotic to a child. I used to get the bubblegum shaped like oranges.

It was a tourist trap back then....but we were tourists. I had actually tried to get my husband to drive to WDW this coming November because I wanted to take my kids to South of the Border. Thank goodness we found cheap airfare. :rolleyes2
 
Figures. By the time I get caught up you are already back with the mouse again. Lovin' the pics - you have an adorable family! I am with you on the food chain, but don't know if I can handle looking at real live fruit bats. The first time I visited DH's mother's house, we watched on of the Indiana Jones movies - where she was hanging up laundry, then it was a fruit bat...I jumped so bad I threw my coffee, staining the couch. :blush:
(I might have to stick with the version I bought at a craft show - wooden apple brightly painted with wings...)

Anyways have a great trip!!!
 
Hi Pony!

Loved the last three parts.

I'm touched... and honoured... that you looked for me. At the Haunted Mansion.

Thanks!

So... your three were not HUGE fans, eh? Like two of my own.

There is no accounting for taste. With youngsters nowadays!

Guess what?

Santa forgot to bring the Viking costume I asked for for Christmas, too.

Curses!

Love the pictures. They are breathtaking. In their beauty.

No.

Not the pictures.

Your children.

Love ya, HorseponywhereareyouRIGHTNOW?

Cheers, Mel. :moped:
 
horsegirl said:
Can I just say I am in love with the King?
That man is a god, truly; magnificent, powerful but possessing a sensitive aura, and that voice! Oh, I wuvs him so. He is a real man, gals, d’accord? This is a show of shows, a spectacular, spectacular. Do not miss this uplifting and joyous show. Can you tell I liked this just a little bit?

lol, I agree. The king has an *awesome* voice! I love his headdress. IT's so big and shiny and, well, ...cool. :teeth:
The Festival of the Lion King is probably my most favorite show in Disney. :hyper:
 
There are wonderful trip reports posted on this site and this one is among the best of the best! I love the pictures with the report - it adds so much. Thank you for an entertaining account of your trip!
 
Hurry back so you can finish, start another, and go again :banana:
 
Horsegirl!!! (I forgot the "r" and called you "hosegirl" heh-heh!!! Wups!)

I am so glad yer back!!!

Dont leave out a single detail!!! But finish up here! First?

Cant Wait!!! :Pinkbounc


Love,
UtahMama
 

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