After Breakfast at the Poly we caught a bus to the Animal Kingdom.
First let me say that if you are staying at the poly - you should always seriously consider going to the TTC to pick up buses. There always seemed to be a big line for buses, at the front of the poly, but no line at all at the TTC.
Only once on this trip did we pick up a bus from the POLY bus station. (weird?)
Every other time we got our bus to AK or HS from the TTC.
They just seemed to come quicker there. And its only a very short walk to the TTC from the Poly.
Now on this trip we took the bus at the front of the Poly -
and the Bus shares with the Grand Floridian...here is a pic of our stop there that morning.
Now this trip my Daughter really wanted to see Dinosaur...I told her it would be loud...I told her it would be scary...but
She insisted on seeing it..after seeing this guy
No amount or reason would cure this desire....She kept telling me "I'm brave mama...Im brave"
*SO* I said...ok I've never been ...but I know your not going to like it...My son - who presumably had seen some videos about the ride outright said "IM NOT GOING ON THAT RIDE! NOPE not GOING! " SO being the level headed parent that I am...(although I sometimes encourage him to try new things..his extreme response was not to be messed with...) ... - I respected his wishes and had Hubby take DS elsewhere...I think they went on triceratop spin. Long story short = DD really HATED dinosaur.. WeLL Not *entirely* true ...she loved the pre-show..Pic of that here
it was just anything after getting into the ride vehicle she hated. She kept her hands over her face the entire ride, head buried in my chest...I have the impression to prove it! I dont think my warning affected her response...She really WANTED to prove me wrong...but she didnt like the ride....I thought it was ok...I just think it was too loud for her.
After the ride...I had to become that annoying parenting figure and say...
What did I tell you before we went on the ride?? She begrudingly admitted I told her so...Tada...I have become my parents!
Here is a
youTube video of
Dinosaur for any interested (heavily edited...lots of dark loud noises edited out..but this is the jist)
After exploring Dinoland...in the obscene heat...we grabbed a few mickey bars for lunch...then decided..to do the Kilamanjaro Safari...
It was awesome...I didnt take any pics because the last time on this every time you are about to snap a shot the driver starts moving the vehicle and you get a series of blurs...but we saw 4 giraffe up close...2
ostrich..
.thompsons gazelle
After that we stop for water...here is hubby exaggerating
Then DS wants to go on Kali River rapids...I thought it was too early in the day but everyone was hot...temp was 90+ all day and humid...so I acquiesed..and we went....
Here is DS after the ride...
SOAKED
NEXT We saw the bird show.
I have to say I was thrilled that there were wooden benches to sit upon because we were all soaked. (thinking our damp presence, would evaporate quickly in the florida heat on a wooden bench)
I just love this show. The birds are so beautiful and so well trained...love how they fly within millimeters from the audiences heads...and the various tricks they do. I get all choked up when I see the Bald Eagle, and listening to the story about how it almost became extinct!
We skipped pangani forest exploration and stuck to exploring the various animal exhibits in the oasis. I just love this park.
We had a wonderful time here today...but after being soaked for the better part of the day we were all ready to leave and get into some dry clothes...so around 2:40pm we left via bus...(very cold AC when you are soaking wet) Went back to the poly...
I still had not received my text telling me what room I was assigned. So I arrived at the front desk to ask. It was kinda silly because it was 3:00 by the time I arrived (checkin time) and still didnt know room number. The girl at the front said...Im sorry your room is still not ready..and while she was uttering the words...my phone buzzed...I looked down and had been assigned my room! 2928 Tokelau. YA
(NOT facing quiet pool) SO with that we were able to go to our ROOM and check if our luggage was there...
It actually arrived within minutes of our arrival...and we quickly changed into suitable clothing for our upcoming dinner - CALIFORNIA GRILL...Here is a pic of us departing.
More room view pics tomorrow...We loved the location
I think I overtipped. 
Needless to say there was plenty of food. Bacon, sausage was moist and tender...The eggs *were* a little dry but tasty. We also had to ask for Ketchup twice. AFTER this was served some guy rushed some mickey waffles over to us with tongs....kinda threw them at us...
This was looking to the left over the railing of our balcony
