JULY 5TH PART ONE: D-I-N-O-S-A-U-R A DINOSAUR
On this morning, I broke my #1 rule for touring WDW in the summer.
I slept in.
Before you guys banish me from the DISboards, keep in mind that it
was my birthday. The birthday girl should always be allowed to choose how late she sleeps on her special day. Thats how birthdays work. Also, I really only slept an hour later than I should have. I woke up at 8 instead of my usual Disney 7:00. It wasnt
that bad.
While I slept and/or ran around getting ready like a chicken with its head cut off, (Speaking of which, I fell asleep with the Disney Channel on the other day and woke up to the sound of Muppet chickens singing Forget You by Cee-Lo Green
I was convinced someone drugged me) Dad went for a morning walk to photograph the resort.
This lake is HUGE. In the distance, you can see El Centro and part of the Casitas.
This is part of Ranchos 6B which was our building. I love the blue posts on the walkways. I also love the festive directional signs.
You wouldnt necessarily think so (or at least I didnt think so until we stayed there), but CSR has a lot of pretty trees.
Theres also an abundance of cacti. Who doesnt love an abundance of cacti?
This is another building in the Ranchos section. It might be 6A. It might also be one of the 7s. I dont really know.
The signs for each of the Ranchos buildings feature a Southwestern animal. Ours had a snake. Of course.
Around 8:30, Dad, Katie, and Wade headed off to the Animal Kingdom. Mom stayed back with me while I finished getting ready. Even with my extra hour of sleep, we still made it to the bus stop by 9:00. We had to wait for a bus, but it wasnt terribly long. I texted Katie once we were on the bus and we agreed to meet at Dinosaur. She and Wade had just gotten off Expedition: Everest.
Can you spot them?
Once we arrived at AK, Mom and I began the long trek from the bus stop to the main entrance. Why does this walk seem so long? I mean, its not like were covering that much ground. It just always seems like were walking forever.
Do you think theyll be adding a little Avatar guy to this sign?
What are the Avatar people even called? The Blue Man Group? Blue Pocahontas? Dollar signs? Cha-ching?
Let the Memories Begin: Jungle Edition
While we were going through the turnstiles, a CM noticed my birthday button and asked if it was my actual birthday. When I said yes, she pointed to another CM and said that it was his birthday today as well. Ive never met anyone who I share a birthday with, so I thought this was really cool. I waved and yelled HAPPY BIRTHDAY! at him as we headed in. Hopefully, it actually
was his birthday and the CM wasn't just messing with me...
It wouldnt be a July trip to WDW without tour guides. I havent really mentioned them much in this TR, but the Brazilian tour groups were out in full-force. I guess Ive just become immune to large groups of people chanting BRA-ZIL! BRA-ZIL!
Our destination:
I love that it says The Friendliest Fossils in America. Ive never noticed that before. Disney, your details are the best.
Heres something else Ive never noticed before:
A crocodile! In murky green water!
According to this sign,
Its an AMERICAN crocodile. That means its the best, most awesome kind of crocodile. Im assuming his name is Gary and he enjoys NASCAR, cheap beer, and You Might Be a Redneck If jokes. Im also assuming he has a hunting license and is one KFC Double Down away from a heart attack.
U-S-A! U-S-A!
While the American crocodile was cool and all, who cares about those goobers when there are DINOSAURS to see?
I have to say, Im a bit perplexed by the weird flappiness going on in his bottom area. Lipo gone wrong?
Of course they put the friendliest looking dino that doesn't sing about how much he loves children outside of the ride. Of course.
Can you say 'false advertising?'
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Anyway, we met up with the rest of the gang and headed inside. The wait time was 5 minutes, so we just walked right through the queue up until the Bill Nye the Science Guy room where they hold you until the pre-show room is available.
But first, a drawing of diseased dinosaurs:
I think this is my new favorite thing at WDW. I mean, look at their tongues! And the drool!
Will someone PLEASE invent a time machine so I can go back and watch this hilarity in person?
Whats that? The rabid dinosaurs would probably just try to kill me?
Well, thats a risk Im willing to take.
To quote Queen Stacey, LOOK AT THOSE CHOMPAS!
They herded us into the Pre-Show room and I laughed some more. Dr. Marsh reminds me of the Chief from Carmen Sandiego. Of course, I cant think about Carmen Sandiego without the awesome Rockapella theme song:
Steal their Seoul in South Korea,
Make Antarctica cry uncle,
From the Red Sea to Greenland,
Theyll be singing the blues.
Well they never Arkansas her
Steal the Mekong from the jungle
Tell me where in the world is
CARMEN SANDIEGO.
I loved that show.
After the Pre-Show, we were let loose into the loading area. I hate how people are so pushy. Its not like youre competing for a spot with 500 other people. The wait time isnt going to be that different whether youre the first person or the last person out the door. So, take a chill pill, folks. I know this is the Animal Kingdom, but I didnt sign up to experience a stampede.
Before long, we boarded our Time Rover and said goodbye to the present. I love that the Safety Spiel Voice Lady addresses us as Time Travelers. It makes me feel special. Then, Seeker, my least favorite person in the whole wide world, takes over and I feel a lot less special. The constant refrain of GO GO GO! HANG ON or KEEP GOING KEEP GOING frustrates me like no other. Last time I checked,
youre the one controlling the Time Rover, Seeker. If
you actually knew what you were doing, we wouldnt have to hang on. Also, would it kill ya to maybe
not send us into a meteor shower? I mean, I know youre like obsessed with dinosaurs or whatever but even Jim Cantore, Severe Weather Enthusiast, wouldnt run towards a meteor shower. Its just silly. To top it all off, we manage to put up with your crazy ranting for 5 minutes AND bring the Iguanadon back with us and what do we get in return? A measly Thanks for everything!
Seeker, you are the worst.
We gathered our belongings from the special belongings pouches and went to look at our On-Ride photo. I had my face buried in Moms arm. This is not surprising. Ive yet to actually see the Carnotaurus. I probably never will. In twenty years, Ill have my face buried in my kids arm. Just you wait and see.
After the ride, I made a new dinosaur friend:
Hes the Flounder to my Ariel. The Raja to my Jasmine. The Meeko to my Pocahontas.
I just need to teach him how to braid my hair.
I thought this bench was really cool:
I do question whether or not these dinos were designed by actual children. I hope that they were, but I feel like professional artists just dumbed their work down to make it look like it was done by kids. How cool would it be if actual kids had their work displayed in WDW though? Its like having your mom hang your drawings on the fridge or putting the pathetic popsicle stick Christmas ornaments you made on the tree each year but way more awesome.
Well, thats all for now, folks.
I leave you with "Cmon, bro dinosaur.
UP NEXT: Chillin with our 808490329023222nd cousins