Insert Catchy Title Here: An August TR 13 Years in the Making **Finished! 12/31

[Beka]

I hate when I over eat. Always miserable after.

I def want to try Jiko now.

I feel bad for your belly! BUT, I guess it is awesome that you know your limits, most times!

Poor boyfriend of mine, I never like to hear he is sad

and OMG, I have NEVER wanted to try JIKO, but I think it is definitely on my list for next year! cool!

I'd like to be re-trying those Savanna Rolls right about now. Mmmm!

 

[Beka]

Monday, Aug 17, Day 4 – Animal Kingdom

My stomach still in a tizzy, we all got up & ready for the day. We started with Boma for breakfast. I wish I could report on the food, but I just had a small bowl of pap and a handful of Tums. Most expensive bowl of grits I’ve ever had. Everyone else seemed to enjoy breakfast though.

We hit Animal Kingdom, and boy howdy, it was busy already! We were there right at park opening, & I know they do an opening ceremony, but we couldn’t see it. I could only see Mickey on some lift thing in front of the Tree of Life.

We followed the herd, er, crowd to the Safari. I didn’t realize how hilly & HOT this park is. I mean, I heard it was hot, but wow. Mom was sick by the time we got to Africa, but was a real trooper.
Some safari pics:

By the time we got off the Safari, Mom had to have a Gatorade & chill out for a while. Like I said, it was REALLY hot! It was at this point we decided to split up.

Our parents & Conner walked the Pangani Trail:

And we headed to…

Expedition Everest!

Ya’ll, this is the first roller coaster I’d ridden in like 7 years! WOO! I was soooo excited!

It was kind of scary, but not so much that I was miserable. (I tend to not love rollercoasters.) I did get really dizzy when we were going backward, & to shook so hard that I almost lost my ponytail holder!
(BTW – only the strobe light was on the yeti. I wouldn’t have even seen it at all if I hadn’t known to look for it. Lame.)

Next we decided to see how close we were to Finding Nemo: the Musical. When we realized we were right next to it, we called our parents & had them meet us there. While we were waiting on them to arrive, we headed to Primeval Whirl. The whole area it’s in is ok. I mean, it’s kind of like Six Flags. PW was fun enough though. I was screaming like a little girl & Kyle made some comment to me that I was more entertaining than the ride & the teenaged boy sitting with us cracked a grin over that. He otherwise looked completely bored.

After our dizzying romp through time we meandered through a gift shop until Mom called & said they were in line at Nemo, so we headed over & met up with them. We all had the shakes & were hot at this point, so some A/C was a welcome gift! We busted out the Gatorade & peanutbutter/crackers & had a snack while waiting.

(continued in next post)

 

[Beka]

Finally it was time to go in! Woo! Conner was completely bored while waiting for the show to start, but once it did, he was mesmerized! When Crush came out on stage, Conner started clapping! *awwwwww!*

It was so hot & humid that after Nemo, everyone but Kyle & I decided to go back to the condo & sleep. Kyle & I were hungry at this point, so we headed to Flame Tree. While we were in line, it started to rain, & when we realized that there was no indoor seating, we left the line, then it started to pour! We headed over to Pizzafari & got in line. Kyle did the ordering while I grabbed us a table. I found one in the back room, but this foreign lady came over to me & indicated to me that she was holding the table. I told her she should pull it over to the table she was sitting at so no one else would sit there. (I mean, seriously, how hard is that? Why would you try to hold 2 separate tables if you weren’t going to pull them together?) She gave me this look like she was offended then said “WHAT?” So I repeated myself. She gets more offended. Ok, by this time I’m aggravated. She got “the look” from me & I left. I was in no mood to punch a woman in front of her kids that day, especially in Disney. (I kid, I wouldn’t punch her anyway.) I finally found a table in the nocturnal room. We split a pepperoni pizza & breadsticks. Sorry guys, no pics of the food. I was more interested in stuffing my face at that point!

Our bellies full, we were ready to see another attraction. Since It’s Tough to be a Bug was close, we chose that!

We both thought it was a cute show, but I can see how some kids would get freaked out.

We weren’t sure what to do next, so we headed to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. It was ok. But just ok. I mean, it reminded me of a watered-down zoo exhibit. I can walk through a museum at home, and even then I don’t read the exhibits. Ever.

No dancing on the train!

Coming off RPW, we weren’t sure what to do. Since we were beside Pangani trail, we headed there, but the animals weren’t doing anything, and we were miserably hot, so we decided to go back to the condo. On our way out, Kyle wanted to get Conner a Crush stuffed animal, so we hit up all of the gift shops, and even walked all the way back to the Nemo show to find one. No luck. Since we were over there, we tried Dinosaur to see what the wait time was, but it was 60 minutes, and we were both fading fast.

My thoughts on AK:
It would be a great park in the fall. Or winter. When it’s cold, or at least cooler. WAY too hot in August.

The Park is beautiful!

Nice rides, good food, and I want to spend more time at the animal exhibits.

It’s definitely a must do next trip, but hopefully our next trip will be late in October!

I’ll leave you with some pics of the Tree of Life:

Up next: dinner at the condo, ending the day at MK.

 

[inkedupmomma]

seee.. no one ever believes me when I say AK is wayyyy freaking hotter! But you agree! Idk what it is, but it is! Many say its just a mental thing, but no, we thought form our first time there it was way hotter than all the parks! I did notice if we split it up into a/c vs. non ac rides/attractions evenly, that it is easier to tolerate!

But, as hot as it is, I do love it! John I think could take it or leave it? I know if it were cooler weather he would LOVE it! Both my kids adore it, so that's all that matters!

and can I just say, I absolutely love that you said you didn't want to punch that lady in her face.. you and I are cut from the same violent cloth

 

[Beka]

and can I just say, I absolutely love that you said you didn't want to punch that lady in her face.. you and I are cut from the same violent cloth

Violent, foul-mouthed, love Dexter & Disney!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Wow! I missed a ton of updates! I haven't had time to read through it all yet, I did see some mighty fine looking entres when skimming the pics. (I come here for the food you know.) Trying to get caught up on all the TR's. Hope to get back here tomorrow.

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I agree that DAK seems to be hotter than any other park. I do love it there but my favorite time to go has got to be the winter months..hands down.

That lady was so rude. How can someone expect to hold two tables and sit at only one?????

Love your bug glasses picture!

 

[Beka]

Wow! I missed a ton of updates! I haven't had time to read through it all yet, I did see some mighty fine looking entres when skimming the pics. (I come here for the food you know.) Trying to get caught up on all the TR's. Hope to get back here tomorrow.

It'll be here waiting!

I agree that DAK seems to be hotter than any other park. I do love it there but my favorite time to go has got to be the winter months..hands down.

That lady was so rude. How can someone expect to hold two tables and sit at only one?????

Love your bug glasses picture!

It was her indignation that I would even speak to her that I found particularly irksome.

Thanks!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

For some reason my multiquote on the first one didn't quote. So I'll paraphrase.

Excellent Tomorrowland mojo.

You'll have to give me the Buzz Secret target co-ordinates.

Love the Mickey ears tradition.

Would you belive that I've never done the Tiki room under ANY management?

Let me tell you, there were some WEIRD people in front of us in line. They weren’t dressed according to the dress code at all. The kids (and by kids, I mean 10-12yo, so they knew better) were sitting on the floor, & then, when one of the adults realized it was taking 2 of their TS credits (I think that’s right??) she yelled “This place had better be damn good for 2 credits!!”

Classy. I gave the hostess a look that said “I feel for you girl. Some people are just idiots.”

I'm sorry, but this just had me

Ooooh the bread. I don’t know if I was just hungry, or if it’s my bread addiction, but holy wow, that stuff was good. Sourdough, I think it was, which is one of my all-time favorites (that and a biscuit. No, not you Great Biscuit, but I like you too.)

Thanks for the shout out! I too love me some good bread!

I had the Smoky Portobello Soup with Roasted Shiitakes and Chive Oil $9
*gag* This stuff is THICK. Not that I didn’t expect it to be, but I was not crazy about this stuff. It felt greasy in my mouth. It was also kind of bland. I got about 4 spoonfuls in before I had to stop.

I've wondered that. I've seen the photos of the stuff with the oil on top and was curious if ti made it too greasy.

Score! Jungle Cruise was a walk on! I love this ride. Then again, I love REALLY bad jokes, so this is my kind of ride! Kyle kept just shaking his head, & I was dying. Loved the jokes. Almost as good as the jokes was the guy from LA sitting next to me. His legs were shaved & his toe nails painted. LOL, only in LA! (BTW, they said that WDW was better than DL!)

I'll be back later for more!

 

[Beka]

Glad you're back, GB!

I'll try to get another installment written this weekend & get it posted. I have a test on Tuesday & have had ZERO motivation to study for it. Then, I head to Hilton Head Thurs-Sunday of next week for the SNA (Student Nurses' Association) state convention. I had my last pediatric clinical today. The hilight of my day was seeing a pt's hysterectomy incision re-opened to put a wound vac in there (she had an infection). While that was going on, she sits up, looks at me & says "Do I know you? You look so familiar!" I think I've had her in a past clinical.

 

[Beka]

After a hot & tiring day at AK, we decided to head home to the condo for a shower & some dinner. We ate at the condo that night. Nothing special, just a frozen lasagna & salad. Fine by me! If it’s good enough for Garfield, I can eat it too!

Since Mom & Dad headed back to the condo early, Dad was itching to get back to the Magic Kingdom that night. Kyle decided that THIS was the night that he & his baby were going to ride Dumbo together. We gathered up everyone & headed that way.

When we arrived at the MK, we decided to hop the train & take it to Frontierland to see what the wait time for BTMRR was. Unfortunately, the line was long, and the FP return time was for later than we wanted to wait, so we headed on to Dumbo.

The wait time for Dumbo was 30 minutes. It might have been 30 minutes, but it felt like we stood there for 60. Once you get under that awning, the air stands still, fans or no fans.
You can see Conner’s hot little cheeks in this pic:

Conner realized why we were standing in line so long:

Awwwwww!

After Dumbo, Kyle grabbed a little bit of heaven. A sweet cream cheese filled pretzel. Holy mother, that thing was soooo good. In fact, I’d take one right now. I didn’t get any pics of it, I was busy stealing bites from Kyle.

We happened by the carousel, which was a walk-on. Conner wasn’t too into it. Bummer.

By now it was getting time for Spectro. Mom & Dad wanted to watch it, as did I, but Conner wasn’t having it. Poor kid was ready for bed! I snapped these pics while running through the crowd on our way out:

Next installment: A very merry Birthday toooooo meeeeee!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Mmmm, those cream cheese pretzels are so good! I could go for one right about now too.

 

[inkedupmomma]

wait.. where was that pretzel from? I must have missed this! I'll need to know for next years trip.k thanks.

and seriously Beka, your boy is soo soo soooo cute. I can barely take looking at him! I loves him!

 

[Beka]

Mmmm, those cream cheese pretzels are so good! I could go for one right about now too.

Sounds good for breakfast, huh?

wait.. where was that pretzel from? I must have missed this! I'll need to know for next years trip.k thanks.

and seriously Beka, your boy is soo soo soooo cute. I can barely take looking at him! I loves him!

I'm pretty sure he got them at Pinocchio's. Thing is, I don't like sweet cream cheese, or cheese cake. I like cream cheese on a triscuit or some other cracker, usually accompanied by pepper jelly. That's about it. But wow, this thing was awesome!

Thanks! You make pretty babies too!

 

[BlueEyes78]

Great TR so far!
I'm also a "Becca," (and we're UK fans). We were there the week before you guys with our own Connor (he was 21 mths at the time).
I loved your sleep-induced weird answer to your husband about where the baby was. It's tough sleeping in the same room with them! Our Connor is a great sleeper at home, but he got up at 6:30-7 EVERY day of the trip. Even though we kept our room pitch dark, he somehow knew we were there and wanted to play.
We also ate at Artist Point at WL. I thought it was awesome! It's making me hungry thinking about it now...

 

[Beka]

Great TR so far!
I'm also a "Becca," (and we're UK fans). We were there the week before you guys with our own Connor (he was 21 mths at the time).
I loved your sleep-induced weird answer to your husband about where the baby was. It's tough sleeping in the same room with them! Our Connor is a great sleeper at home, but he got up at 6:30-7 EVERY day of the trip. Even though we kept our room pitch dark, he somehow knew we were there and wanted to play.
We also ate at Artist Point at WL. I thought it was awesome! It's making me hungry thinking about it now...

Ok Lil' Miss Parallel Universe!

Conner is awake by 7:15 most days, so I'm really dreading the time change, cuz then it'll change to 6!

AP was good, the bread was OMG, but I really enjoyed Jiko!

 

[Beka]

I have to insert a little side note here real quick. I have a serious affliction. I mean, it’s major, and it affects those near & dear to me.

I have British Tourettes. Every time I hear someone with a British accent (or Long Island, or Deep South for that matter) I *must* imitate them. Sometimes repeatedly.

The problem here is that there were a TON of people at WDW from England! “Duddy, that’s a big snake!” OMG, when I heard that at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, I nearly crapped my pants. Kyle shot me a look that said “Don’t you DARE.” I held it in, but it came busting out later that day.

*back to our regularly scheduled TR*

Forgive any improper use of German; you’ll see why I used it later.

Today was the day to tour my favorite park, EPCOT!!! I finally got an awesome night sleep & was rarin’ to go. Thirty, schmirty, I can take on anything if I’m in WDW! (I will admit, I had a slight moment of being sad that my 20s were over. They were good to me, for the most part. I got married, moved across the country twice, had life-changing surgery, changed careers, & had a baby. Pretty good!)

Our group split up about 2.5 seconds after this pic was taken. Mom & Dad just walked off. Not sure why. So we pawned Conner off on Shirley & Neil & took off.

First things first, I knew we had to book it to Soarin’ to get our FPs. The park had just opened, and the stand by was already 50 minutes or so. Jeez! We grabbed the FPs & headed back to Spaceship Earth.

Our future:

Kyle wanted to know why I was driving. LOL!!!

I love the updates! Great ride. Definitely one of my favorites.

Next, we decided to check out the Seas with Nemo &… holy crap that’s a long title.

Kyle got the coveted red card!!!

I love a good pun:

We hung around & did some of the games, but I wasn’t wowed by this attraction. I seem to remember it being much cooler. Then again, we have a Ripley’s Aquarium here in town, so I can always head there if I wanna see some fish.

Oh! We finally found Conner’s Crush here. Phew! He even talks!

Now it was time to use our FPs!

I loved Soarin’, but I was white-knucklin’ it the whole time! It was all I could do to not scream a few times! Yes, I’m that afraid of heights. So you guys know where they’re playing golf, and it’s all desert-y? That’s where Kyle & I lived!!! Yay! I was so homesick for CA when we got off the ride! I miss the desert, but I loooove the South, it’s home, ya know?

Before we got in line for Soarin’, we caught Mom & Dad having some lunch at the food court there. They said the food was really good, and I remember that being the case years and years ago when I was last in EPCOT. So we told them to meet us at the character meet ‘n greet at 12:15. We all met there, and it was pouring rain. You can guess what all of Epcot had the idea to do right? The wait for meeting the characters was 90 minutes! Forget that! Shirley decided she & Neil would take Conner back to the condo for his nap & meet back up with us at 4-ish. Mom & Dad split off then, & Kyle & I decided it was time for some lunch. We tried to hit up Test Track before we had lunch, but no dice, it was down due to the weather. Boo. so we headed through Mouse Gears on our way to WS & made a mental note to go back there to shop later.

Up next: World Showcase

 

[inkedupmomma]

hahaha.. I love that you plit up 2.5 seconds after the pic! LOL! I also get scurred on Soarin! especially since I don't fly. I know I know, it is a ride, but it is a mental thing!

Also, LMFAO at the need to imitate accents!! Kayla and I are the same way!

Ugh.. wish you lived closer, we would for sure be BFF!

 

[Beka]

hahaha.. I love that you plit up 2.5 seconds after the pic! LOL! I also get scurred on Soarin! especially since I don't fly. I know I know, it is a ride, but it is a mental thing!

Also, LMFAO at the need to imitate accents!! Kayla and I are the same way!

Ugh.. wish you lived closer, we would for sure be BFF!

I die that you just said "scurred". We say "scraiten", as in "You needs to scraiten your bed sheets, cuz they's wrinkled!" Or, since we live on the Grand Strand, we've changed it to "Grand Scrand" - and yes, there are ppl here who really talk that way for reals. I love it.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

I have to insert a little side note here real quick. I have a serious affliction. I mean, it’s major, and it affects those near & dear to me.

I have British Tourettes. Every time I hear someone with a British accent (or Long Island, or Deep South for that matter) I *must* imitate them. Sometimes repeatedly.

The problem here is that there were a TON of people at WDW from England! “Duddy, that’s a big snake!” OMG, when I heard that at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, I nearly crapped my pants. Kyle shot me a look that said “Don’t you DARE.” I held it in, but it came busting out later that day.

Great update! Loved the photos!