Well today is our much awaited Sunrise Safari. We have to be in the lounge between 6:30 and 7:00 am.
Mickey called us at 5:00 am. Isn't he wonderful. Woke up just to call me. I even had him call the room next door. I didn't want to have to wake up those grouches myself. "I never get up this early" grumbles the MIL. "Don't worry, this will be worth it" the naive daughter in law responds. I'm still hoping for one positive comment on this whole trip. Which by the way, I spent almost 2 years in the planning.
Anyway on to the safari tales. The boys Dylan and Zack (4 and 2), woke up as soon as I said time to go see the animals.
I wanted to make sure to get upstairs and grab a quick snack before the safari and make sure the boys got something to nibble on before the trip. I have read so many negative posts about children on the safari, and I'm determined to prove them all wrong.
We all nibble on the morning offerings. They staff must know, because they brought out the morning stuff earlier than usual. "Don't fill up, there's a huge breakfast following the safari" I grabbed my usual latte (oh my gosh, only one more day of this) and a small cheese danish. Yummy. The boys chowed on some fruit loops and juice.
I'm happy to find out that there are 6 kids under 6 on the safari, including 2 infants. I made it a point of speaking to the guide about her experiences with children and she said that a problem is usually very rare. GOOD
We all needed to mosy over to the Sunset lounge on the lobby level by 7:15 so we can board our bus to take us over to the Animal Kingdom. We were advised that since we would be bypassing the main entrance, they would be checking all the bags before we board the bus.
I'd swear that the people without kids, hate those of us with kids. Between the strollers having to be checked and the diaper bags, snack bags, bottle bags, it seemed to take forever and I noticed some disgruntled faces. But hey, I think to myself, this is Disney. Of course there are kids. Deal!
I quickly noticed this very handsome tall blonde man that looked oh so familiar. Thought for about a minute, and it came to me. Don Dahler, the national correspondent from Good Morning America. I tried to read his tag to confirm, but couldn't he was about 2 rows diagonal from me. Hmmm!!!
This bus took us through the back areas of the Animal Kingdom. The guides were Vicki and Tom. Very informative. They told us once we stopped we'd be walking to the loading area for the regular Kilimanjaro Safari ride, where we'd board our bus for our safari. Strollers would be left there and would be brought to the end of the ride for us. By the way, I found it to be a relatively long walk from the bus to the loading area for Kilimanjaro Safari.
Once there, we were told to fold up our strollers as our safari vehicle arrived. We were going to have 2 vehicles, but only one showed. The VIP guest for the second vehicle we were told cancelled. Oh, I got to read the tag. It was Don Dahler and his wife. Love those tall blonde men. Ah, but I digress.
The CM actually led us to the rows of the vehicle. It was not a choice. I was very surprised, since I had been told in one post once that I should do everyone a favor and sit in the back since I was going with kids. HMMMPHH!!!
Well the CM showed my DD 15, DS15, NSDMIL(not so darling mother in law) and DS4 to the FRONT ROW!!! YES the front row, even with a child under 6. I knew Dylan must be busting a gut.
DH, myself and DS 2 were 3 rows behind since we had to finish collapsing the strollers. I was doing the no back seat dance in my seat. In front of us was an infant about 6 months and another toddler.
I have to say every child on this safari behaved beautifully. The older ones (between 4 and 6) were asking questions about the animals and even pointing them out. And I have to comment on the guides, because, they encouraged the kids, and gave so much information. Every now and then I'd hear Dylan's voice and I was so proud.
Now to the animals. AMAZING!!! I have never experienced anything like this. Some of the animals were literally a few feet away. Gazelle, cattle, even the lions were not far. I will post my pictures so you can all see. They are unbelievable. It was amazing as we passed the lions. They started roaring. I haven't heard anything like that. The amazing power they must have. Hmm, how do they stay away from the jeep, I wondered to myself.
The elephants were so close, I thought I could reach out and touch them. The crocodiles were just below on the right. I am fascinated by crocs, so I was so excited to see them.
For anyone that is debating whether or not to do the Sunrise Safari. DO IT!!! DONT MISS THIS!! If you're are on a budget, don't eat for a day and do this. I am so glad we did it. The look on the boys faces alone was worth it.
The breakfast at Tusker House was extraordinary. Eggs, an Egg scramble with peppers and ham, sausage, bacon, french toast, fried green tomatoes, a hot fruit cobbler. and much more that I'm not remembering.
We spent the rest of the morning and mid afternoon, going through the regular AK rides. It really was extremely hot about 95 so we wound up leaving to go swimming. The AK for some reason felt the heat the worst of all the parks.
The only thing I wish was different was having to board a Disney transport bus back to the AK. I never use the buses at Disney, because with having to collapse and carry 2 strollers, it is too much trouble and we just drive. Again, people without kids look at you with disdain, because you're holding up the bus while you collapse and gather your stuff.
This was truly an amazing experience. Worth every penny. I would definitely do it again on our next stay.
I will answer any questions you have on this safari experience. I truly believe it is something not to be missed.
Oh, the mother in law, "Yes, that was very nice".
And one more message to those of you with children. Don't ever let anyone talk you out of taking this safari because you have young children. The guides I spoke to said if was few and far between that they ever had problems and I'm pleased to say that on our safari, all the children were angels. Really!! Not what some of you would say is my jaded opinion of an angel
because I'm a parent, but really well behaved.
Alas we check out tomorrow.
Mickey called us at 5:00 am. Isn't he wonderful. Woke up just to call me. I even had him call the room next door. I didn't want to have to wake up those grouches myself. "I never get up this early" grumbles the MIL. "Don't worry, this will be worth it" the naive daughter in law responds. I'm still hoping for one positive comment on this whole trip. Which by the way, I spent almost 2 years in the planning.
Anyway on to the safari tales. The boys Dylan and Zack (4 and 2), woke up as soon as I said time to go see the animals.
I wanted to make sure to get upstairs and grab a quick snack before the safari and make sure the boys got something to nibble on before the trip. I have read so many negative posts about children on the safari, and I'm determined to prove them all wrong.
We all nibble on the morning offerings. They staff must know, because they brought out the morning stuff earlier than usual. "Don't fill up, there's a huge breakfast following the safari" I grabbed my usual latte (oh my gosh, only one more day of this) and a small cheese danish. Yummy. The boys chowed on some fruit loops and juice.
I'm happy to find out that there are 6 kids under 6 on the safari, including 2 infants. I made it a point of speaking to the guide about her experiences with children and she said that a problem is usually very rare. GOOD
We all needed to mosy over to the Sunset lounge on the lobby level by 7:15 so we can board our bus to take us over to the Animal Kingdom. We were advised that since we would be bypassing the main entrance, they would be checking all the bags before we board the bus.
I'd swear that the people without kids, hate those of us with kids. Between the strollers having to be checked and the diaper bags, snack bags, bottle bags, it seemed to take forever and I noticed some disgruntled faces. But hey, I think to myself, this is Disney. Of course there are kids. Deal!
I quickly noticed this very handsome tall blonde man that looked oh so familiar. Thought for about a minute, and it came to me. Don Dahler, the national correspondent from Good Morning America. I tried to read his tag to confirm, but couldn't he was about 2 rows diagonal from me. Hmmm!!!
This bus took us through the back areas of the Animal Kingdom. The guides were Vicki and Tom. Very informative. They told us once we stopped we'd be walking to the loading area for the regular Kilimanjaro Safari ride, where we'd board our bus for our safari. Strollers would be left there and would be brought to the end of the ride for us. By the way, I found it to be a relatively long walk from the bus to the loading area for Kilimanjaro Safari.
Once there, we were told to fold up our strollers as our safari vehicle arrived. We were going to have 2 vehicles, but only one showed. The VIP guest for the second vehicle we were told cancelled. Oh, I got to read the tag. It was Don Dahler and his wife. Love those tall blonde men. Ah, but I digress.
The CM actually led us to the rows of the vehicle. It was not a choice. I was very surprised, since I had been told in one post once that I should do everyone a favor and sit in the back since I was going with kids. HMMMPHH!!!
Well the CM showed my DD 15, DS15, NSDMIL(not so darling mother in law) and DS4 to the FRONT ROW!!! YES the front row, even with a child under 6. I knew Dylan must be busting a gut.
DH, myself and DS 2 were 3 rows behind since we had to finish collapsing the strollers. I was doing the no back seat dance in my seat. In front of us was an infant about 6 months and another toddler.
I have to say every child on this safari behaved beautifully. The older ones (between 4 and 6) were asking questions about the animals and even pointing them out. And I have to comment on the guides, because, they encouraged the kids, and gave so much information. Every now and then I'd hear Dylan's voice and I was so proud.
Now to the animals. AMAZING!!! I have never experienced anything like this. Some of the animals were literally a few feet away. Gazelle, cattle, even the lions were not far. I will post my pictures so you can all see. They are unbelievable. It was amazing as we passed the lions. They started roaring. I haven't heard anything like that. The amazing power they must have. Hmm, how do they stay away from the jeep, I wondered to myself.
The elephants were so close, I thought I could reach out and touch them. The crocodiles were just below on the right. I am fascinated by crocs, so I was so excited to see them.
For anyone that is debating whether or not to do the Sunrise Safari. DO IT!!! DONT MISS THIS!! If you're are on a budget, don't eat for a day and do this. I am so glad we did it. The look on the boys faces alone was worth it.
The breakfast at Tusker House was extraordinary. Eggs, an Egg scramble with peppers and ham, sausage, bacon, french toast, fried green tomatoes, a hot fruit cobbler. and much more that I'm not remembering.
We spent the rest of the morning and mid afternoon, going through the regular AK rides. It really was extremely hot about 95 so we wound up leaving to go swimming. The AK for some reason felt the heat the worst of all the parks.
The only thing I wish was different was having to board a Disney transport bus back to the AK. I never use the buses at Disney, because with having to collapse and carry 2 strollers, it is too much trouble and we just drive. Again, people without kids look at you with disdain, because you're holding up the bus while you collapse and gather your stuff.
This was truly an amazing experience. Worth every penny. I would definitely do it again on our next stay.
I will answer any questions you have on this safari experience. I truly believe it is something not to be missed.
Oh, the mother in law, "Yes, that was very nice".
And one more message to those of you with children. Don't ever let anyone talk you out of taking this safari because you have young children. The guides I spoke to said if was few and far between that they ever had problems and I'm pleased to say that on our safari, all the children were angels. Really!! Not what some of you would say is my jaded opinion of an angel
because I'm a parent, but really well behaved.
Alas we check out tomorrow.
