Juan says "BAAAA!" - 12/24 - Our last few Disney hours. COMPLETE

[shebaxric]

Pagani is one of my favorites in AK, I love to watch the gorillas, too.

The pic of you and Henry in the car with you kissing his cheek is sooo cute! I am hoping that AK is this crowded when we go.

 

[wdwgirl03]

!!GRAMMATICAL ERROR ALERT!!

I just realized I had the title of this section:
"Henry's nap time, what will the parent's do?"

It should be:
"Henry's nap time, what will the parents do?"

NO APOSTROPHE!!!

I have enough teachers reading this, and I'm sure you were all cringing....

To my defense, I was exhausted when I was writing this last update! Forgive me?

(going back to correct it now...)
​

LOL, that is funny.

 

[moparop]

Oh, I forgot to comment about your exciting news! Congrats on becoming a stay at home mom! I've been home full time since Doug was born and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Yes, there's a lot of things we have to go without, but as everyone has told you - it's something you never get back.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Great update Brook!! I LOVE all your pictures so much! I love the shot in the mirror and the one of Henry on Joe's lap

Sounds like you guys were hacing a great day at AK! All be it a bit hot! I bet it was 10 degrees cooler other places in WDW! AK is soooo hot, even in January!!

 

[mrsksomeday]

I seriously don't know how I missed this TR, I am LOVING IT!! Henry is such a cutie, he seems to really be having a great time. I love his car obsession and him throwing his hat off wanting the construction hat was too cute!!

Congrats on the job decision, you have to do what is best for you and if you can swing it financially why the heck not? Good for you!

I am eagerly awaiting more of your TR!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

AK is far from my favorite park, but you made it sound and look like so much fun!

THANK you so much for the table of content you always put on the first page of your reports. It makes it so easy and fast to find your new update. I wish everyone did that.

AK is actually my favorite park for just me - but with Henry, it's MK. So, my love for it probably comes out in what we do, and I how experience it! I think it's just so incredibly themed, and there is such a nice variety of things to do and see.

You are welcome on the table of contents! I like that on TRs too to catch up quickly, they are handy!

Great update, I love the last photos. Priceless memorable moments

You gorilla pics are cool. Me and DF love Gorillas and like you could spend hours watching them too.

Can't believe Dinosaur was a 5min wait, you really had the best day at AK that day

Can't wait to read more x

It was really special that Pluto stopped for a minute or two with Henry, he was so excited!!

The gorillas were incredible, I was in awe. I hope to catch them again when we go back, and to see them when they are even more active.

The wait times were just incredible!!

These are great. Just perfect that you bought Pluto right then!

I love the strawberry bars for cooling off, too.

The great apes are so fascinating to watch.

Thanks for all of the wonderful pictures to start my Finally Friday off on a good note!

It was fun that Pluto stopped, Henry was elated! I wish we would have captured a picture of his grin.

I had never had a strawberry bar before-it was very good! I will have to try the pineapple sometime too.

You can't beat starting your day with a good does of Disney! I'd like to get a post up tonight here, but I don't think it'll happen...hopefully someone posts tonight so you can start your Monday the same...I need that, and a cup of coffee on Mondays!

I loved the pics of Henry with Pluto! It's so adorable the way he is holding out the toy to the "real" one!

What size lens are you using for your pics? I am getting a Rebel XS on a trade-in of my old Powershot, and it comes with an 18-55mm IS lens. I was wondering if that would be good enough for safari and trails pics.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Great update! Love the safari pictures. I always love seeing the elephants...that is neat your driver played African music too.

And I think we've brought home a couple of those safari stuffed animals in the past... LOL.

It's so fun to watch Henry learn how to interact with the characters-and to know that his Pluto is the same as the big Pluto, last trip he didn't know that at all...he's growing up so much!

We have a Rebel XSI and our lens is the standard kit lens, which yep, is the 18-55 mm. It's a bit "eh" for the safari and trail pics-we just happened to see quite a few animals close to the jeep on our safari, but I know on past trips I've wished for a better zoom. But, with that said-it does do the job alright....

Those safari stuffed animals are so cute! Joe kinda wanted to get Henry's Pluto to match his others (no costume), but I convinced him for the safari style! Besides, Henry was just lovin' him.

I love this picture. It makes me giggle a bit.

The first time I went through the pics I laughed at that one too. It still makes me grin!

Brooke:

I am all caught up and your pictures of the animal kingdom are absolutely beautiful. The beauty of the AK is the reason I almost convinced myself to go back for a second day (when we only had a 4 day trip). It is a photographer's dream. There are more things to photograph there than in any other park. It's limitless. Nice work.

Yeah for 10 min EE wait. My DH and I were there on Tuesday and literally walked right on at 9:15. No wait for the front row! And we got the pics to prove it.....that was defiantely a trip highlight!

Looking forward to reading more!

That is exactly one of the top reasons I love AK so much! The detail...everywhere you look is something you've never seen before and it's all so beautiful! Love it.

Aren't those wait times AWESOME?! Friends of the in-laws just got back the other night and I happened to run into them shopping the other day, they said the same thing-no waits!!!! Now if that could only keep up for December NYE.

Thanks for posting all the AK pictures! Makes me want to be there now, but I guess I'll have to wait until next Friday!

Your trip is so stinkin' close!!! Doesn't it feel great saying you will be there FRIDAY?!

Brooke-I loved this update...

what lovely pictures and how nice not to have an agenda other than to just enjoy the park's atmosphere...It really is so lovely in AK...

poor bachelor gorilla getting picked on...

The hat situation is actually not funny-well ok it is a little funny... we all have large heads in our family too...and it's a bear to find nice hats...when you're little you can size up...but your an adult......I wonder what the ratio is of hats that actually get purchased vs hats used for photo ops...

That Dinosaur makes me scream too... (it's scary...)

Nice safari photos and you got an elephant photo... (love elephants...)

aww sweet little Henry...hmmm...very cute Pluto...so if you were to estimate...how many Disney stuffies do you thing your little man will have by the time he's 5... (This question is being asked by someone who could fill a large suitcase full of Dis stuffies-If I needed to...)

You understand our dilemma with the hats/big heads! I think the ratio of purchased must be very low to what gets used for photo ops! Especially in Epcot, it's the thing to do there!

Hmmm...how many stuffies by age 5...we most likely will be slowing down with our Disney trips, so he has 3 now, plus one in December, then...hmmm...: I would say he'll probably have right around 7 to 10! Good thing he just got a suitcase on his birthday, eh?

Great update Brook! I love the pic with you & Henry & he is still a bit sleepy. And the pics with Pluto are adorable. Sounds like you had great wait times!! (Or no wait times). We will have to try Pizzafari some day. We love going to Flame Tree & sitting down by the water. It is not usually so hot though when we go in April or May. Great pics of the safari also!!

That is exactly what I'm hoping for now in December-Flame Tree right down by the water. Ahhhhh Sounds wonderful!

Amazing update Brook!!!! Awww I love the Pluto story!! How much fun must Henry have had!!! He just got his Pluto toy and then he gets to show it to Pluto, pure magic!!!

No waits...that is awesome!!!!!! I hope I get some of that pixie dust this week!!!

Wow you got some great shots on the safari!!!! YAY for up close and personal animals!

He was just GRINNING when Pluto came by! It was a magical moment!

I hope you have no wait lines too! I bet you will-or are---I cannot remember when you leave...? The 26th was it? Are you in Disney right now?! I hope so, and I hope you are having a magical time with NO WAITS!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Awwww. I've said it before but Henry is just too darn cute!

Oh, thank you! I can't wait to show his hair cut pics, but that's day THREE...seems to be forever away!

Great photos as usual Brook!

I'm so with you on watching the gorillas, I could watch for an hour or more if I didn't have little boys urging me to hurry up.

I'm curious what lens you use with your camera as well, do you just use the one that came with it, or did you buy a better one?

Let's see, what else did I want to comment on??? Oh yeah, the big dino @ the end of Dinosaur scares the crap out of me too! I always close my eyes at the end

And, the pictures of Henry showing Pluto his new little Pluto - too, too cute!!

Yep! We just use the kit lens. There are a lot of not so great reviews of the lens from true photographers, but for our needs, it works pretty good. I would like a new lens at some point, but they are soooo expensive. Maybe someday we'll save up for something better....

Good idea on closing your eyes at the end of Dinosaur--now if I can just remember that he's coming and remember to close my eyes!

What an awesome update, Brook! What great details you photographed throughout Animal Kingdom! I love, love, love the picture of Henry in the side mirror on the jeep, and the one with Pluto meeting Henry's Pluto! Disney magic at its best!!!

Thank you!! I tried to get Henry to look straight at me in the Jeep mirror, but there was no having that--too much other stuff to look at!

AK is just awesome on it's detail, isn't it?

GREAT AK update Brook! Love all the pics you took of the surfaces and how cool was that light fixture (huh, LL?!!)! Never saw that before! I found myself more fascinated by light fixtures since getting to know LL myself...everywhere we went I'd note them!!

Love the pic of you and Henry in the car together with him yawning, too cute! And the one on Joes lap in the side mirror of the safari truck! TOO COOL!!! Great catch!

You saw an awful lot of heiny at AK that day...I laughed outloud every time you noted it....too funny!

Can't wait to hear more!

Btw, I still can't get over that Henry is 2 now and how big he looks.....WOW!

I had never seen that light fixture either, I was in awe! It was very, very cool. I never really noticed any of them until I got to know LL and her Light Fixture Love either, now I see them everywhere-at Disney and outside of Disney!

We did see a lot of heinies! All the animals were mooning us!

Henry looks big now...just wait until he gets his hair cut....

What a great time taking it all in while Henry napped!

I could also watch Gorillas for hours! They are so much like us....it is just amazing!

That moment Henry had with Pluto was too precious!!!

Oooooo...and I love the Webkinz Hedgehog....I want one!

Usually we hit the big rides while Henry naps, but with those teeny tiny wait times, we had more options. It was a great time on the trail-hopefully we'll hit up the other trail in December and check out the bats.

They had a few other Webkinz animals there too-the hedgehog was just so absurdly cute.

Me! Me! Me!

Henry and his stuffed Pluto with Pluto from the parade is just too cute.

What a nice relaxing time you had at AK. I really need to tour AK like that, I feel like I miss so much!

YEP! It was you!!!

It was a great moment with Henry and Pluto. He calls him "dog" and barks usually when he sees him, so he was just giddy when Dog came by!

I have a love/hate relationship with relaxed touring. We do better on the trip overall-and enjoy it more if we chill - but part of me wants to say "GO GO GO!" to hit everything. I have to force myself to do the relaxed touring because I know both Joe and I (and Henry) will just have a better trip with it.

I LOVE LOVE NOVE!!!!! the picture of Henry in the side mirror of the safari truck. What an awesome shot. You do look like you have a good lens. Is that the kit. When I bout my rebel Xti I got the kit and it's just awful I was told that almost all Rebels kits lens are just terrible, so either you have a different one, or they got better.

Like I just said above, I have been told not to get the kit lens as the Rebel ones are awful, but I did and I NEVER use. Mine is an 18-55mm too, but not IS that I'm aware of. But it was just so soft and not sharp at all.

Thank you!! I was happy to nab that shot-kind of a funky/different one! And yep, it's the kit lens. It gets pretty poor reviews from real photographers, but Joe and I are okay with it. We would like something eventually, but it's just so expensive. I think I do remember people saying this kit lens was an improvement for Rebel though. And I read a lot about people buying the "Thrifty Fifty" lens as a standard replacement.

The ceiling at Pizzazafari is so cute!

It is! I don't know if all the rooms have that?

I have that lion pillow! hehehe

I fell in love with it.

Though I saw a panda this year and really wanted to buy it!

They are so cute and soft! Henry has kind of a similar one that he got before he was born from a friend-it's a lion....but I have to say these ones are slightly cuter and just more fuzzy. A panda would be very very cute - you saw it at WDW?

 

[brookelizabeth]

They are still doing the "saving little red" thing? I thought they were removing it.

Oh...um....I wasn't truly listening, so I don't know.... I kinda half listen to the story of it all while I'm snapping pictures. I do remember her talking about poachers and all that, and passing the camp - ya....I think she did talk about saving him-she might not have called him Little Red though. We DID take a different route than we have on past safari's, over a rickety bridge this time. Were they planning on taking Little Red out all together-the poachers story and all?

Great update Brook! What a wonderful day at an (empty) AK! You must have hit EE right at the perfect times.

The picture of you and Henry in the car is so sweet. What a cutie!

We've never done the boneyard, but it is on our list this time.

AK was very empty-it was great! I loved the low wait times.

Henry was pretty excited about getting to "ride in the car" - I had no idea he was yawning while I kissed him!

The Boneyard is a blast-lots of fun stuff in there!!!

Great update Brook! I loved the picture of you and Henry in Dinoland just after he woke up. Too cute! And what another amazing wait time for EE. You got some amazing shots on the safari.

It is cute that Henry got so attached to Pluto and then he came over to him at the parade. When I went last Sept to Disney I bought my DN a small Mickey plush which he loved. Then when I went in Oct I bought him a Pluto and that is his favorite one. Are you going to get a different one in Dec? When I was growing up that was the one thing we always got as souvenir's. I still have them up in the attic.

Yep! We purchased Mickey back in November (Henry's 1st trip), then Donald Duck in January, and Pluto this time. In December we'll get Goofy. From there we'll either get Daisy or Minnie, or branch into other characters-like Chip & Dale. I think it will be a fun souvenir for him as he grows up! When/if he gets into pins-we'll switch to that, or whatever he might like. But if he sticks with the stuffed animals, I'm good with that! How many do you have from over the years?

I guess I am a bit tardy for this TR, but I do have a pass from the teacher so it is excused!

I found you today and caught up this evening. Looks like you guys had an awesome day at AK! I love the photo of Pluto talking to little Pluto - priceless! How did you like the QSDP? It intrigues me but then I wonder if I'll feel like I am having to work too much for food.

Love it, "a pass from the teacher".

Glad you joined us!! We liked the QSDP-it worked well with having a little one and not wanting to do many sit-downs. However, like you said-it is work. Kinda annoying to have to think through every single meal and make sure you purchased the right things-then when you didn't you have to go back, etc. What is covered, what is not covered, etc. I think I just like paying OOP the best! I did like that most all places let you take a bottle of water instead of dessert. Overall-we liked it, I still haven't crunched the numbers to see if it saved us money. I mostly did it knowing we were going to eat at CSR a couple of times because it's more expensive than your average CS.

Pagani is one of my favorites in AK, I love to watch the gorillas, too.

The pic of you and Henry in the car with you kissing his cheek is sooo cute! I am hoping that AK is this crowded when we go.

Wouldn't it be nice if AK just stayed this way?! 5-10 minute waits! I'll even take 20.

LOL, that is funny.

I was feeling a bit silly that day!

Oh, I forgot to comment about your exciting news! Congrats on becoming a stay at home mom! I've been home full time since Doug was born and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Yes, there's a lot of things we have to go without, but as everyone has told you - it's something you never get back.

I love hearing this, thank you!!! I agree-it's worth it to go without now, because these years are things we'll never get back. I'm a bit sad I've missed part of his last 2 years....but, I can't let that get me down!

Great update Brook!! I LOVE all your pictures so much! I love the shot in the mirror and the one of Henry on Joe's lap

Sounds like you guys were hacing a great day at AK! All be it a bit hot! I bet it was 10 degrees cooler other places in WDW! AK is soooo hot, even in January!!

Thank you!! AK is such a fun park to photograph too.

It is hot in that park! Always just sweltering. I was actually cold there in January-in a coat and sipping a hot chai-but that was the coldest time in FL's history, so it was a special case. However, I didn't have to break out the hat and mittens like I did in MK!

I seriously don't know how I missed this TR, I am LOVING IT!! Henry is such a cutie, he seems to really be having a great time. I love his car obsession and him throwing his hat off wanting the construction hat was too cute!!

Congrats on the job decision, you have to do what is best for you and if you can swing it financially why the heck not? Good for you!

I am eagerly awaiting more of your TR!!

Thank you, and welcome!!!! Glad you joined us here.

This boy and his Cars. It's still going strong! Now he is remembering even more scenes from the movie and recreating them with his toys. It's adorable.

Thank you for the encouragement on the job front!!

 

[praisehisname]

I really enjoyed walking through the trails with you! We never take the time to do them, but I'm thinking we'll have to do them in December. Great pictures of the safari, too!

Denise

 

[jenseib]

I have the nifty fifty too. It's a great lens.

 

[kschafer]

ADORABLE!!

Looks like a fun (even if hot) day so far!

 

[Flossbolna]

Once again, your pictures are so incredibly beautiful. I know that AK is such a pretty park, and just as you that's one of the reasons I love it. But my pictures are not nearly as good as yours!!!

My sister and I will go on the "Wild by Design" tour in January that is all about the details of AK. I am very excited about it and am looking forward to it very much. I hope to get a lot of backstory to all those wonderful details!

 

[halloweenbaby610]

sounds like a great time! i loved reading this! i want more! did you only go to animal kingdom? when i saw the pictures of Henry with Pluto... it was a total kodak moment! very precious!

 

[TinLizzy90]

I stumbled onto your TRs and I'm addicted! We are leaving tomorrow morning for a long weekend at the WL, and I am so amped now at seeing all your pictures and reading about all that tasty food! Thanks for posting!

Also, thanks for posting about your DVC experiences and explorations. We are starting to toss the idea around, and hearing your perspective on it was interesting. Also, congrats on the "job change."

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I love those strawberry bars!! Yum!! What a special picture with Henry and Pluto with his new stuffed Pluto. Adorable.

 

[MaryAz]

All caught up. Great AK pics. Fun interaction with Pluto!

 

[troobabiee7]

I can't believe how far behind I've fallen... and how big Henry's gotten! Happy 2nd birthday little buddy! He's the cutest. The resort looks gorgeous and as always, you took fabulous pictures. I'm glad you had a great first few days!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hi Brook!
Just had to say, love the new ticker and new pics, please tell me you just did that and I haven't been completely spaced out and just missed it? LOL!! Anyways, too cute!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

After the parade we slowly made our way to the front gates and out to the buses. Instead of going back to CSR, we were headed home… to AKL-Kidani, our “home” resort!

I was very excited about getting to see it first hand. I had browsed pics on the DIS, and read quite a bit about the resort, but you can’t really imagine it all until you experience it yourself.

Within minutes we could see the Lodge coming into view. This resort never ceases to take my breath away. Just stunning. Kidani was no different.

We stepped off the bus and I took note of some of the beautiful details.

The "wood" floor of the bus stops

Walking up toward the lodge

These are the bus stops, they are like a series of connected huts.

Under the porte cochere

One of the many laps built into the front wall

We made our way up the path and to the front doors where I noted the “Welcome Home” sign – I smiled.

I had read several times on the DIS that people were disappointed in the lobby. I knew it wasn’t going to be as large, and some said it wasn’t as grand.

Well….it certainly is NOT as large. However, I thought it was just as majestic. While themed similar to Jambo House, the overall feeling is different. It’s more quaint – and if humanly possible, even more detailed than Jambo. The entire lobby is under a “straw” roof, and it overhangs the gift shop, the hallways and the front desk. It truly feels like you have been transported to another land when you step through those doors!

The view from 2 steps into the lobby. You can see the roof overhanging the edges of the lobby to the left and right of the picture.

Looking the lobby from the wall of windows. Like Jambo House, the lobby ends with two staircases going down each side of the lobby to meet in a small foyer area with a door that leads out to the rock on the Savannah. In this pic you can see how the roof overhangs as well. To the right is the check-in desk.

As we started to wander and I gazed out those enormous back windows, to my delight, I saw several animals! Whenever I had been at Jambo, I never really saw many animals on the savannah-I know others have, I’ve been a witness to your beautiful pictures, but I had always seemed to miss them (other than very far in the distance, or birds). This was different – I stepped back out into the heat and stood on the balcony off the library for a few minutes soaking in the atmosphere. The animals seemed so close.

It was quiet.
Animals grazed in front of me.

Am I in Florida?



You understand that I liked it, eh?

After some more explorin’,

One of the 2 founder's tapestries

I love how Disney themes the elevator areas!

This is just slightly down a hallway off the lobby-it feels like you are in a mud hut or something. A very fancy, clean mud hut with modern amenities. The kind of mud hut I like.

Oh yes. Giraffe print carpet! CP, you likey?

Detail of lobby light fixtures

The gift shop - we didn't look around very much, it looked big though with a lot of stuff!

Continued in next post