It's a SO-LO trip report! Oct 09, CR/YC, MNSSHP, F&W, and Independence! FINAL UPDATE!

[norybell]

Yes!! That is the phrase I was looking for! Not close-talker, low-talker.

And, norybell, I totally agree about EE - rode for the first time this last trip in October and it was scary and thrilling - and I'm one of those unfortunate folks who laugh nervously the entire ride. My DH said it was funny at first, then slightly disturbing. Anyway, a great ride and was the Yeti in motion when you went? Sometimes they say he is "resting" ie broken.

Yes, the yeti was working when I was there in October, but I don't think it was when I was there with my mom in May. I was surprised by how much it added to the ride! I'd read all the comments about it being down, and I kind of thought, big deal, how much of a difference could it make? But it really does!

 

[norybell]

So, in my first hour at the AK, I rode Everest twice, went on safari once, and puzzled over iPhone photos and Swahili warnings.

Even though the safari had been disappointing, after I disembarked I got a FP for it, just in case the animals wanted to come out and play later on. Then I headed for the Pangani trail.

In real life, I’d probably avoid someplace called “Gorilla Valley.” Because I’m just not that brave.

Look, water! Now if only we could see the back side of it, that would really be something.

Drawings of animals I did not see.

Hey, guys, check it out, something’s over there!

What? What’s over there? Did you say something was over there?

No, wait, now it’s over there. Really, really, we saw it, it’s over there!

Make up your mind, guys, my neck is starting to cramp!

My mom and I spent at least a half-hour in the meerkat area last time…we were entranced by the meerkats, and there were these awesome, gigantic black birds in the background, and according to the CM’s spiel one of the gerenuks, which was leaning against a tree, was about to go bipedal at any moment, which would’ve looked like this, had it eventually happened:

Image stolen from the Internet.

That time, there was a whole lot of activity. This time, not so much. Things were boring-ly quiet on the savannah. Bummer.

So I pressed on, hoping to see:

He looks like he’s ready for a hug, doesn’t he? Gorillas need love, too.

I was in Gorilla Valley, after all. But in all the gorilla viewing areas, there was only this guy, chilling in the bushes:

The animals just weren’t cooperating with me. Plus, the trail was pretty crowded. So I decided to forgo real animals for some fake ones, and I headed to Dinoland.

Dinoland is another area I’d spent almost no time in on past trips. I decided I really liked the kitschy-ness of it.

This kind of makes it look like there’s a dinosaur strip club in there, or something. A bunch of dirty old T-rexes smoking cigars in the back, while the svelte-yet-deadly Deinonychuses shake their stuff on the stage…

If now you're thinking about the mechanics of dinosaurs and poles, or wondering what they used for encouragement in lieu of twenties, I apologize. Sorry for taking it there. Really, I am.

I decided I was perfectly content with my current position on the space/time continuum, so I skipped this one.

The funny thing to me about Dinoland is that, when I was a kid, it would have scared the pants off me. I was terrified of dinosaurs. I could only get through the Universe of Energy by closing my eyes and covering my ears through the entire dinosaur part (I know, what’s the point then, right?). This guy:

would’ve made me cry. And my parents would’ve had to take my hands and tell me to keep my eyes focused on the ground to get me to walk past this guy:

I know, because that is what they had to do to drag me past the main dinosaur fossil at the Milwaukee museum. I was one big baby, what can I say?

Since I’m a grown-up now, and in my vast maturity am willing to concede that dinosaurs can be a little bit neat—plus I thought the chances of me breaking out in tears of fear while on a ride at Disney were fairly slim—I decided to ride Dinosaur, which was a walk-on. A bunch of people were using their FPs, anyway…what a waste! It was entertaining…I’d only ridden it once before, so I didn’t really know what to expect. But I always enjoy seeing Clair Huxtable. I expected her to teach me some valuable life lesson, perhaps about the importance of hard work, or accepting the consequences of my actions, or keeping my room clean.

But guess what she taught me, in the end?

Dinosaurs are scary! Sheesh!

Coming Soon – Animal Kingdom, the Third Hour (a.k.a., Lunch)

 

[hucifer]

Hey, guys, check it out, something’s over there!

What? What’s over there? Did you say something was over there?

No, wait, now it’s over there. Really, really, we saw it, it’s over there!

Make up your mind, guys, my neck is starting to cramp!

This kind of makes it look like there’s a dinosaur strip club in there, or something. A bunch of dirty old T-rexes smoking cigars in the back, while the svelte-yet-deadly Deinonychuses shake their stuff on the stage…

If now you're thinking about the mechanics of dinosaurs and poles, or wondering what they used for encouragement in lieu of twenties, I apologize. Sorry for taking it there. Really, I am.

The animal pics cracked me up so much, I shared them with a coworker. It reminded me of the Detroit zoo commercial we used to see in the 70s. (You were so young then.)

And I'm wildly impressed you even know what a Deinonychuses is for someone who's afraid of dinos.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I had the same issue with the animals at the AK on the trip I just got back from. All my other trips I hardly ever saw animals because it was too hot, this trip it seemed to be too cold. They were all in hiding.

 

[glennbo123]

But I always enjoy seeing Clair Huxtable. I expected her to teach me some valuable life lesson, perhaps about the importance of hard work, or accepting the consequences of my actions, or keeping my room clean.

I forgot about that. You reminded me that when I saw her I thought that it dated the ride a little bit.

 

[manntra]

love your pictures of the meerkats and gerenuks!! Soooo funny!!
I didn't know the gerenuks did that....just looked up online and they had lots more images of their bipedal! Very cool!

Tracy

 

[onelilspark]

So I'm guessing you wouldn't have been a fan of T-Rex Cafe then??

 

[Tribilín]

I decided to ride Dinosaur.

Dinosaurs are scary! Sheesh!

No, Dinosaur the ride is scary... I was scared my spine would snap! Man, that ride is very rough!

 

[norybell]

And I'm wildly impressed you even know what a Deinonychuses is for someone who's afraid of dinos.

Oh, I had to look it up. Aren't you impressed by the huge amount of research that goes into this! Only the best for you guys!

I had the same issue with the animals at the AK on the trip I just got back from. All my other trips I hardly ever saw animals because it was too hot, this trip it seemed to be too cold. They were all in hiding.

Welcome back! Have you started a TR yet?

Both of the other two times I was there, we saw a ton of animals. So I was totally unprepared for their absence, this time around. I still had a great time, though.

I forgot about that. You reminded me that when I saw her I thought that it dated the ride a little bit.

BF and I watch Cosby Show reruns all the time (on Nick at Nite -- remember when Nick at Nite showed actual old shows, like Dobie Gillis?), so Clair made me feel right at home. Until we started seeing dinosaurs, of course.

love your pictures of the meerkats and gerenuks!! Soooo funny!!
I didn't know the gerenuks did that....just looked up online and they had lots more images of their bipedal! Very cool!

Tracy

I think they're pretty awesome. They look like they should be creatures from Star Wars, or something.

So I'm guessing you wouldn't have been a fan of T-Rex Cafe then??

Heck no. You couldn't drag me into that place, even now. I don't care how good the food is!

No, Dinosaur the ride is scary... I was scared my spine would snap! Man, that ride is very rough!

No kidding, right?

 

[Kell-Bell]

Hello again!

Had lots of updates to read today, yeah!

First off the dog & cat conversation So funny, I have a cat & dog and I think I have had the exact same conversation!!!!!

Great updates (as usual)

Oh, I had to look it up. Aren't you impressed by the huge amount of research that goes into this! Only the best for you guys!

Why thank you, we do appreciate the best and will settle for nothing else

Love the new song & lyrics, but I now keep singing it!!! look for the bear Necessities the simple bear Necessities forget about your trouble and your strife!!!!

I know I was going to comment on something else but I forget now!

Oh well bring on the next installment.

Oh yeah I remember now, it was the 'women speak' translations Another one, I'm just popping out = I will be gone for at least 3-4 hours!!

Kelly

 

[If U Had Wings]

Welcome back! Have you started a TR yet?

Not yet. As soon as I got home, I was thrown right into Christmas stuff. I'm still figuring out when I'm going to tackle the pile of vacation laundry.

Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to squeeze out some free time.

 

[nursegirl]

Love the meerkats - did you ever watch Meerkat Manor - really addictive show. And I'm now trying to use the word 'bipedal' in conversation just because its awesome!

Dinosaur the ride scared the bejeez out of me! Bumpy and dark and gigantic dinos screaming in your face... I would have been even more over the edge if not for Claire Huxtable. She is reassuring, right? At the end of the ride this time my five year old said, "Mom, this ride made me freak!"

I never noticed the signage before, but it does suggest a dino strip club or something dino seedy going on. So funny!!! And I love that you went there!

 

[elizabethswan]

totally enjoying your trip report. also very encouraging to anyone who has been intimidated by the solo aspect of wdw. thanks so much for sharing. also have been loving all the animal photos with captions, including the fractional animals earlier! regarding dinosaur the ride, i actually like dinosaurs, but have been too scared to try this ride. apart from the gigantic dinos, how scary and rough is this ride. for reference, i find thunder mountain scary, just don't like the drops and turns. sooo would appreciate any more specific thoughts on this one. also for reference, my fav ride is soaring. thanks again for sharing all your experiences from your trip!

 

[glennbo123]

totally enjoying your trip report. also very encouraging to anyone who has been intimidated by the solo aspect of wdw. thanks so much for sharing. also have been loving all the animal photos with captions, including the fractional animals earlier! regarding dinosaur the ride, i actually like dinosaurs, but have been too scared to try this ride. apart from the gigantic dinos, how scary and rough is this ride. for reference, i find thunder mountain scary, just don't like the drops and turns. sooo would appreciate any more specific thoughts on this one. also for reference, my fav ride is soaring. thanks again for sharing all your experiences from your trip!

I thought Dinosaur! wasn't scary at all, but just last night my DW said that she thought it was the scariest ride at WDW, and she's including ToT and EE in that consideration. So, if you find Big Thunder scary....Dinosaur! might be pushing your limits.

 

[Tribilín]

My nephew and nice (and even mi sister, their mom) found the ride very scary in the sense of very dark, very loud noises and big creatures looking quite dangerous.

I found it scary because it was the roughest ride I rode in Orlando (including the ones at the Universal parks). I don't consider myself to have back problems, I had an incident years ago but I totally recovered from it... but while riding Dinosaur I was very worried of my low back safety. After the ride I was achy all over... and I rode The Dueling Dragons at IOA more than 20 times in a row without a problem!

In the end I didn't like it, it wasn't worth the pain for me, really.

 

[elizabethswan]

thanks so much for the info on dinosaur. it sounds like it might be too rough for me! too bad, because i actually like dinosaurs! guess i'll stick with riding soarin over and over and over! love that ride! wish they would make more versions of it.

 

[norybell]

I'm totally stressed out by a good thing! I got my first pin code emailed to me yesterday! For 30/35/40% off values/mods/deluxes, respectively, for most dates between January and the middle of June.

Excellent, right? Except now I have to figure out what to do! I was thinking I'd go back late April or early May, again, because I love Flower & Garden. But I have absolutely no idea at this point what shape this trip will take. Either it could be:

1. Solo, again
2. With my mom, again (though my sister's second baby is due sometime around then, so I'm guessing not)
3. With BF (long shot, probably)

OK, just typing that out made it clearer, that it'd probably be solo again. Which would be fine with me!

Now, I had been thinking if I went solo again, I'd go for only 3 nights. Which is very short, but I'd miss less work. But it wouldn't be a huge deal if I went for 4 nights again.

Wow, suddenly I'm seeing the value of a PTR, because again, just typing that made me realize I should make a reservation for 4 nights...can always take one off later, but might not be able to add one in, right?

Now, the biggest question: what resort? I was thinking I'd save myself $$ and go with POR, since I loved the grounds so much. But at 40% off deluxes, that's hard to resist! I could stay at WL for not much more at all. Or I could do another split, stay at POR for 2 nights and YC (or even another deluxe) for the 2nd two.

I can't decide! Splitting such a short stay certainly made my last trip a little less restful, and I essentially lost part of one morning with the switch. On the other hand, it was interesting to have the change of scenery.

OK, I figure here are my best options:
1. POR for 4 nights
2. WL for 4 nights
3. POR for 2 nights, YC for 2 nights
4. POR for 2 nights, BLT studio (amazingly, cheaper than YC!) for 2 nights

I know, YC and CR are the resorts I just stayed at! But I refuse to pay those prices unless I can walk to a park from the resort. I figure BLT would be changing it up, anyway, but YC would be closer to F&G...

Help! I can't decide!

 

[norybell]

Hello again!

Had lots of updates to read today, yeah!

First off the dog & cat conversation So funny, I have a cat & dog and I think I have had the exact same conversation!!!!!

Great updates (as usual)



Why thank you, we do appreciate the best and will settle for nothing else

Love the new song & lyrics, but I now keep singing it!!! look for the bear Necessities the simple bear Necessities forget about your trouble and your strife!!!!

I know I was going to comment on something else but I forget now!

Oh well bring on the next installment.

Oh yeah I remember now, it was the 'women speak' translations Another one, I'm just popping out = I will be gone for at least 3-4 hours!!

Kelly

Hi, Kelly, good to see you again! Glad you're enjoying the translations...maybe I can find a new career in here somewhere, perhaps as an animal whisperer?

Not yet. As soon as I got home, I was thrown right into Christmas stuff. I'm still figuring out when I'm going to tackle the pile of vacation laundry.

Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to squeeze out some free time.

I hear ya, the holidays sure do make it tough to budget enough DIS time! Though I'm feeling better about it all, now, because as of yesterday I'm officially done with all my shopping. Thank goodness. Can't wait for your TR!

Dinosaur the ride scared the bejeez out of me! Bumpy and dark and gigantic dinos screaming in your face... I would have been even more over the edge if not for Claire Huxtable. She is reassuring, right? At the end of the ride this time my five year old said, "Mom, this ride made me freak!"

I'm happy to know I'm not the only one!

totally enjoying your trip report. also very encouraging to anyone who has been intimidated by the solo aspect of wdw. thanks so much for sharing. also have been loving all the animal photos with captions, including the fractional animals earlier! regarding dinosaur the ride, i actually like dinosaurs, but have been too scared to try this ride. apart from the gigantic dinos, how scary and rough is this ride. for reference, i find thunder mountain scary, just don't like the drops and turns. sooo would appreciate any more specific thoughts on this one. also for reference, my fav ride is soaring. thanks again for sharing all your experiences from your trip!

Personally, I didn't find Dinosaur to be unbearably rough, or anything...it was just the loud dinosaurs that unsettled me. But if you think BTMRR is scary, it'd probably be safer for you to skip it!

I thought Dinosaur! wasn't scary at all, but just last night my DW said that she thought it was the scariest ride at WDW, and she's including ToT and EE in that consideration. So, if you find Big Thunder scary....Dinosaur! might be pushing your limits.

Your DW is a wise woman. Even if she doesn't like beets (that was her, right?).

My nephew and nice (and even mi sister, their mom) found the ride very scary in the sense of very dark, very loud noises and big creatures looking quite dangerous.

I found it scary because it was the roughest ride I rode in Orlando (including the ones at the Universal parks). I don't consider myself to have back problems, I had an incident years ago but I totally recovered from it... but while riding Dinosaur I was very worried of my low back safety. After the ride I was achy all over... and I rode The Dueling Dragons at IOA more than 20 times in a row without a problem!

In the end I didn't like it, it wasn't worth the pain for me, really.

It's hard for me to believe there are Dinosaur lovers out there! I guess none of them are reading my TR?

 

[ClareH37]

I vote for the YC - I'm also staying there early May for the flower festival, nothing beats being able to walk into Epcot as you please.

Also, POR - such a gorgeous resort

 

[glennbo123]

I completely understand your planning stress. I'm in the midst of it too.

I think you should work on DBF a little more. I forget, did you say that he's been there before, or not? Would he be more inclined if you let him pick the resort? Would he go for it if you asked him to accompany you as a birthday (or some other occasion) gift to you? But I'm brainwashed -- I think that if you get 'em there, they'll see the light . However, I realize that it's not for everybody...I don't understand it, but I realize it's a fact.

I'm not sure what to tell you regarding resorts. I love POR, but a discount on the deluxe's is hard to pass up, no doubt.

And yes, that was my wife who doesn't like beets. Good memory Nory!