The kids woke up with a bit later this morning with a Disney Hangover.
We were getting a later start than I wanted, but what else was new?
We packed up the backpack and headed out to the busses. We were excited about Animal Kingdom, but knew it would be an early afternoon since we HAD to get to DDT this night. I wasnt too sure about AK. I was thinking that it would be too Zoo-like and that I would be unimpressed. So, it was no big deal to me to call half a day at this park so that we could make it to DTD that night. In fact, I was glad that we had slept in a little to recharge our batteries.
We met a great family on the way to AK and I spent a while talking to the grandfather of a boy that Jay had befriended. The grandfather was a chorus teacher at a high school and we had a great conversation. One of the reasons I loved Disney buses! It was a pretty long ride out to AK, so we had a while to talk. The bus was very crowded, so Jamie ended up with Jane, across the bus from me. I dont think his ride was nearly as relaxing as mine was!
We got to AK about an hour after rope drop.
As we arrived at AK and walked in, I realized my mistake in thinking that it would be like a zoo as soon as we encountered the Tree of Life.
The theming was unreal and I think I could spend a couple of days here, just drinking it all in. It was really an amazing park! After taking a few pictures in front of the tree, and then went straight to the safari ride. So fun! There were no wait at all (for anything we did that day, in fact!) and it was such a fun ride for everyone. A bit bumpy, but really an amazing feat that Disney has pulled off such a realistic Safari experience. We saw lots of animals and all the kids were amazed.
I won't post our pictures from this ride...just picture blurry animals.
After leaving the safari, we just took time to walk and really look around and appreciate the amazing theming around us. It really felt like you were in an African village, with clothes hanging from lines, and the roads and shops looking just like you would expect. We took a few pictures around the park, even running into Flik from A Bugs Life.
We got pictures and autographs with him and then headed towards Dinosaur. When we finally got to it, it was a complete walk on. We got a rider swap pass and Jamie took the big kids and I took Jane into the gift shop. Jane found many wonderful dinosaurs toys that she played and played with. I watched the photos to see if I could find Jamie and the big kids. When they finally popped up on screen, I knew to start looking for them to come off the ride. They showed up shortly after that, Annie declaring that she would NOT be riding this ride with me.
So, this time, Jamie had the girls and I took Jay with me for another ride. It was LOUD and BUMPY. But a fun ride, all in all. I learned that Jay is all about giving me the spoilers to the ride before they happen.
After Dinosaur, we went to Flame Tree Barbeque to eat lunch. I was not particularly fired up about this place because hello?? How good can theme park barbeque be? I also have a husband who takes great pride in smoking meats as his hobby, and I just knew this was going to just okay for me dog.
I ordered chicken, Jamie ordered ribs. The kids all had chicken. And I prepared myself for a mediocre meal. WRONG. Best. Chicken. Ever. It was for real smoked chicken and was absolutely delicious! Jamie liked his ribs a lot too, and that man is HARD TO PLEASE when it comes to ribs. So far, AK was bypassing every expectation I had. Flame Tree Barbeque is outdoor seating only, which you can only imagine what this means for the wildlife in the area. There were signs posted EVERYWHERE about not feeding the birds, but good luck with that.
The birds were all over, begging for food worse than Darla (our boder collie) ever thought of being. We managed to keep them at bay for a while by not feeding them, but shortly, a family sat down at our long table and started to feed them. Then we were overrun. Jane thought this was GREAT. Jay and Annie kept trying to pet them. I told the kids (VERY LOUDLY) that they could not feed the birds because it was bad for them to eat people food. I was hoping the family next to us would take the hint, but they never did.
We spent a while at Flame Tree recharging out batteries and hanging with the birds.
But, all good things must come to an end and if we wanted to make the Lion King show, we were going to have to leave. It was a TREK over to the auditorium, but we made it in plenty of time. We were one of the first in line and got great seats. What a SHOW! Everyone, including Jane, loved it. It was a great way to end the day. There is such talent in that show, it was unreal. My camera wouldnt take pictures indoors with no flash, so I didnt get any good pictures. I was disappointed, but it will live in my memory.
After the Lion King, we ran into Pocahontas and chatted with her for a while. She was so funny and asked Annie who braided her hair and weaved her shirt. She also asked them if they came to Disney on hose back.
They both loved talking to her. Even Jay who had no interest in meeting her at first.
We finally decided that if we were going to make DTD, then it was time to go. Jane was getting very cranky by this time, and we knew that she really needed a nap, or we were alllll (and in ALL, I DO include the other park guests...) going to me miserable. So, back to the Fort we went and I began to make plans about what we would do next time we went to AK. We missed so much, but it gives us a lot to look forward to on the next trip.
After arriving at the Fort, I took the big kids to the pool again for a LOOOONG swim while Jane napped. This time we got a good, long nap in her and the kids had a long time to play. As much as I hated to miss more of AK, I will admit that the down time did me good too. I sat poolside and read while they played and played. Eventually, we headed back to the cabin, but not before spotting a man coming off the busses with a VERY TINY BATHING SUIT and NO OTHER attire. The kids averted their eyes as he passed and I whispered, Dont stare. Dont stare. Dont stare. And then I prayed that none of us sat on the bus seat he was using.
After redressing and touching up makeup (me...not the children), we were FINALLY HEADED TO DTD!! And the
LEGO STORE!!!!!!!!!! RIGHT? WE ARE GOING TO THE LEGO STORE FIRST? RIGHT? JUST THE LEGO STORE AND NO WHERE ELSE, RIGHT?? AND I CAN SPEND MY MONEY, RIGHT?? Mister One Track Mind had been sitting on far too much money for far too long. We were so glad he was finally getting to spend it. AND PLEASE STOP ASKING ABOUT THE LEGO STORE EVERYDAY.
And there was a bus this time! Which was a great relief. And we werent getting a late start, which was even better. So, we got to DTD and began trying to find the LEGO STORE (RIGHT??) and not lose any children in the crowd. DTD seemed to be where everyone wanted to be. It was pretty packed, but there were a lot of fun things happening and fun things to look at. We took lots of pictures of the giant lego creations. The kids loved looking at them.
And finally, we were in the store. Where we MAY have spent the REST OF OUR LIVES if I hadnt put a two hour time limit on Jay, whos head exploded into a million pieces upon walking in.
Everyone had fun in the store, but of course, this is what Jay had really been looking forward to and saving his money for. He looked and looked (AND LOOKED) and finally picked out what he wanted. Annie picked out some stuff too and Jane played in the park area and also with the Legos. It took me forever to pay, because we had a new checker and the place was packed. When we finally got out of there, two hours later, we wanted to head to Wolfgang Pucks. But when we got there, there was a line out of the door, so we went to Earl of Sandwich instead. Where we encountered another huge line, but didnt feel like walking back to WPE, so we stuck it out where we were. I had the holiday sandwich (YUMMY!!!!) and I cannot remember what anyone else had because I was BUSY EATING MY SANDWICH AND ALL. I am still slightly on the sad side that I gave up WPE for a long line, but I guess well just have to put it on the list for next time.
After supper, we went to Once Upon a Toy where Annie spent some of her money on potato head pieces. They were ALL so cute and we found a great cast member who helped us fill a box for 20 bucks. She packed those pieces in and we got a TON of stuff. We got one for Jane too so that she and Annie could share the pieces. Such a great deal and such cute stuff! Jay was disappointed that he didnt have enough money left for that. We convinced him that nine year olds didnt really NEED potato heads anyway.
Things were getting a little out of hand here, with Jay wanting to go home and get his legos out and Jane getting really tired. So we thought it best to go back to the cabin and get some sleep. Plus, I really was on the verge of killing Jay with his constant needling over getting to the cabin and checking out his purchases. I did get to go in one more store and buy a Mickey apron and a Mickey head pancake maker. So cute and I still love them both and use them all the time. DTD was a bit rushed, even with our early start, but still lots of fun. This was probably one of the biggest crowds we encountered, but well worth doing because of the great shopping for the kids.
By the time we got back to the cabin it had gotten pretty late. I elected NOT to kill Jay, even though he DIRECTLY disobeyed me on the lego issue immediately upon walking in the cabin. I wont go into the whole story, but this did result in a spanking for him. WHERE was the Disney magic???
And no, this is not the heart break I keep talking about, though that story IS coming soon!
After the spanking and the tears were dried, we got everyone ready for bed and Jamie and I sat out on the porch for a long time, enjoying the lovely night sounds and a glass (er...tumbler...since thats all the cabins offer.) of wine!
So, with a good night sleep under our belts, where would we head the next day? Would Jay recover from the drama that night? AND WHAT ABOUT THE HEARTBREAK ALREADY???
I can only laugh because I feel certain that I will be in this same boat one day with the ER trip. Two children and I have never had an issue with anyone putting anything in a nose or ear until NOW. Wanna know what else I discovered her doing that the other two never did?? PLAYING IN THE TOILET today. REALLY?? I wish I could tell you how many times I have called poison control for this baby too. Always for something like toothpaste or sunscreen, but still. I have never had another child do anything like that. 
We werent sure if the driver had forgotten to change his sign while he was sitting there or what. But we were SAD because by now, it was close to seven, and DTD had just gone out the window. 
She was so nice! Jamie and I both got FABULOUS salads with grilled steak. The kids had standard kid fare. We got a couple of dulche de leche cupcakes that I had read about. OH. MY. WALT. DISNEY. I promise you that paying for plane tickets, resort fees and park fare to Disney are WORTH IT FOR THAT CUPCAKE ALONE. Amazing. It was such a nice meal after such a stressful evening. After supper, it was nearing nine oclock, so we headed back to the boat dock to get to bed at a decent hour before our Animal Kingdom day the next day. 
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