Marriage: The Trip Report - Update 2/28 - Final Thoughts & Link to Disneyland TR!

[brookelizabeth]

We left off as we had returned to Hambre from Rafiki's Planet Watch. The Safari FPs that Joe had picked up prior to our breakfast pit-stop were now valid so that is where we went next!

On our way...

Incredible themeing!

Now at the Safari...here comes our truck

Our driver was Ed and he was great! He stopped the truck completely many times which allowed me to get some pretty decent pictures - and how I wished for a zoom lens now!

The animal enclosures themselves are so pretty!

You can see the rope bridge for the Wild Africa Trek here....that would take some serious convincing for me to do! Yikes!

Love the savannah...so pretty!

We stopped here at the giraffes for a good period of time, it was wonderful to watch these majestic creatures!

It truly felt like we had escaped to Africa, sitting in the safari in the truck and watching these animals. Such a wonderful experience, I think it was the best safari we've ever had! I hope they start allowing the trucks to stop more often.

Another amazing creature!

Not a great picture, but the baby elephant was out and playing in the mud!

 

[brookelizabeth]

After our safari ended it was time to check in for our lunch ADR at

We had eaten here a few trips ago, but both weren't feeling well that day, so we didn't get a fair chance to experience it. I had known for months in advance what I was going to order and was VERY much looking forward to it!

We were brought upstairs

the view from our table

Our server was Joel, he was from New York City, the Upper West Side, and was great.

I love the atmosphere of this restaurant

Soon enough the food arrived

Joe's: Sweet & Sour Chicken, fried rice

Mine: Chicken lettuce cups. These aren't quite as good as P.F. Chang's, but still very tasty!

Mine (but I shared): side of Wok Fried Green Beans. NOM, NOM.

Henry just ate off our plates here.

We really enjoyed this lunch. I wouldn't hesitate to go back and I'd probably order the exact same thing!

After lunch we decided to walk a bit...

Perfect to walk off our full stomachs! I had really wanted to walk at least one of the trails, and not thinking about it, I opted for this one-being that it was close to Yak & Yeti. After we got home I realized I had missed Baby Lilly (the gorilla) on the Pangani Forest Trail and was disappointed. BUT! I corrected that in May.

The bats are a bit creepy - yet cool.

The themeing is just incredible, isn't it?

Question: what is in that corner that would cause that man to stand so close to the wall?!

Henry learning a bit about the tiger paw print

Hidden Mickey in the bird sanctuary

Methinks these birds no longer have any fear!

Henry really had a good time on the trail locating the animals with the maps they have. I really hope we get to explore one of the trails this coming trip too, so many great learning moments on them.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Back out into the park, Joe and I set our sights on something bigger

It was time to get our thrill on!

And riding Expedition Everest for this family also means Henry goes here:

The Boneyard.

It's not super close, but it's not that far away either. We always walk to the Boneyard as a family, then either Joe or I goes to EE for the single-rider line while the other parent takes Henry to his favorite spot in all of Animal Kingdom. Then we swap! It works well!

After the thrills and plenty of digging, we decided it was time to head back to the Boardwalk for a nap and relaxing.

Little boy, big dinosaur.

Oh! But wait! Before we go...what do we have here?

Ahhhh, yes.

This is one of Joe's favorite treats.

So we pulled up some bench and enjoyed the frozen delight and people watched. It was a nice way to end the day! Despite our slow start and me getting antsy-we really did accomplish what we most care about in the park.

As we were walking back to the front of the park Henry declared, "I'm tired. I'm going to take a nap."

And...

He did. He closed his eyes and was out in about 30 seconds.



Whaaaaaaaaa?

Oooooookay. Pixie dust at it's finest!

Henry is a napper, but he's never done THAT before!

Let's enjoy the walk out...

Oh palm trees, I can't wait to see you in a week!

One week from right now I'll be in the air, about to enter our descent into the Orlando airport!

 

[mermaid764]

Your Animal Kingdom pics are gorgeous, and Henry looks like he was having so much fun in the Boneyard.

Yak and Yeti looks really good, especially the green beans, definitely one I wanna try in the future.

Looking forward to more

 

[wdwgirl03]

Great DAK updates! That is awesome you got to stop and watch the giraffes. I could stare at them all day. I love them!

Can't believe your next trip is coming up so soon!

 

[basketkat]

Your safari looks awesome! I love the pictures of the giraffe's! They are for sure my favorite!!!

Mmmm your meal at Yak and Yeti looks YUMMY!

I think I will send my husband to EE while we play at the Boneyard...he loves roller coasters! He always feels bad about "leaving" us, but I am going to push him to go on some things he enjoys this time around!

Uh...the guy by the wall is really bizarre! LOL!

 

[AprilRenee]

Your Safari really does look awesome! Your pictures turned out really good!

What IS that guy doing over in that corner??? It looks suspicious to me! But who would do that in a Disney Theme Park?? Or in ANY theme park?

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Great AK pictures! I'm glad to hear that you got everything you want to do done at the slower pace (yeah, I know, that whole thing about the slow and steady wins the race...but I'm just still not convinced it applies at Disney! )

Y&Y looks great! I've never been there, but it always sounds like a nice meal!

 

[MeMom]

You got lots of tigers up walking. That's rare.

Bella was set on seeing Baby Lilly this summer. That's all she said over and over as we got into Animal Kingdom - "I see Baby Leely!"

And riding Expedition Everest for this family also means Henry goes here:

This works for us, too, if John wants to go ride Everest or if Jill and John want to go ride Dinosaur. This is a good waiting spot.

I'll have a strawberry bar, please!


Good boy for Henry knowing he was tired and being mature enough to do something about it.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Great updates and hurrah for one week!!!

You had awesome "animal mojo" seeing so much activity on both the safari and jungle trek. The tigers have always been sleeping when I have visited but I keep hoping to see them in action one day.

That guy can't be doing what it looks like he is doing...can he???

 

[MEK]

I am doing the Maharajah trek in December.

I am eating at Y&Y in December.

I am really looking forward to both of these things because I have NO bat pictures and I want to try those fried green beans.

So cute that Henry knew he had to take a nap and told you.

Oh, and that man - It looks like a Glenbo pose, but I actually think he may be on the phone.

Congrats on less than 1 week to go!

 

[jenjolt]

What a great Animal Kingdom update!!!

YAY for a great safari ride! I noticed last time that they are taking more time to stop and let guests get pictures!! I'm very glad for that change!!

Yak and Yeti is SO good!!! Next time I am going to try those fried green beans....of course I go there for the dessert...fried wontons SO YUMMY!!

What great pictures on the trail! You are right bats are a bit creepy but beautiful in their own way!!!
Don't want to know what that guy is doing so close to the wall...nope no thanks LOL!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Woo hoo for one week!!

I've never done the jungle trek but if we walk a trail it will be Pangani Forest trail to see baby Lilly! We'll have to plan the jungle trek for April.

Henry is so cute - I love that he decided to take a nap. Wouldn't it be nice to just decide you need a nap & be able to close your eyes and have someone push you around.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Glad you are feeling better!! better to get it over with now!

YEAH on 8 days!!!

BUSY, really? why? Good Grief! yesterday was nuts and I am STILL pulling quotes and going bonkers with the whole split reservations and whether or not you can get your theme park tickets early! I hope you were able to get everyone switched over.

Oh yes, feeling completely back to normal now!

I've heard that you can get your theme park tickets 2 days early...I know Jen (jenseib) has done that before - ask her for sure if you haven't gotten a solid answer!

Free Dining day was BUSY! But fun! I am a deal hunter, so it was so fun to write my clients the emails on the money I saved them! But that hold time has GOTTA get better!

Your Animal Kingdom pics are gorgeous, and Henry looks like he was having so much fun in the Boneyard.

Yak and Yeti looks really good, especially the green beans, definitely one I wanna try in the future.

Looking forward to more

Thank you! Henry does love the Boneyard. He remembers it quite well and talks about digging there every trip! I like that "sand" because it doesn't make him terribly dirty.

I want to go back to Yak & Yeti this trip, I REALLY enjoyed it. The restaurant is beautiful, plus good eats. But, we are doing Rainforest Cafe this trip instead - I know Henry will enjoy that.

Great DAK updates! That is awesome you got to stop and watch the giraffes. I could stare at them all day. I love them!

Can't believe your next trip is coming up so soon!

It was awesome that our driver stopped so many times! I was really hoping this was a permanent change - but I don't remember them doing it again in May when I went. Maybe we were on a test run?

Your safari looks awesome! I love the pictures of the giraffe's! They are for sure my favorite!!!

Mmmm your meal at Yak and Yeti looks YUMMY!

I think I will send my husband to EE while we play at the Boneyard...he loves roller coasters! He always feels bad about "leaving" us, but I am going to push him to go on some things he enjoys this time around!

Uh...the guy by the wall is really bizarre! LOL!

It was a GREAT safari. I loved that he kept stopping the truck and we could actually get several pictures. The giraffes were the best part - that guy just stood there and stared directly at us. I literally said to Joe, "Are we still in Florida?" despite being on the ride many times, I felt like I was truly removed that time!

I hope your husband feels less guilty since he knows everyone will be content in the Boneyard instead of just waiting for him! It works really well for us - and it's not too bad of a walk at all. Just cut through Dinoland and up across Nemo and then across the bridge. It's maybe a 5 minute walk? Plus the single-rider line sometimes is VERY quick. He could probably get 2 rides in even!

I didn't even notice that guy when I took the pic, but now I wonder what the in world....!

Your Safari really does look awesome! Your pictures turned out really good!

What IS that guy doing over in that corner??? It looks suspicious to me! But who would do that in a Disney Theme Park?? Or in ANY theme park?

I know! I didn't notice him at all when I took the picture....but I wonder....yikes!

Great AK pictures! I'm glad to hear that you got everything you want to do done at the slower pace (yeah, I know, that whole thing about the slow and steady wins the race...but I'm just still not convinced it applies at Disney! )

Y&Y looks great! I've never been there, but it always sounds like a nice meal!

I'm not convinced it works at Disney either! I know I wanted to see a show that day, and walk the other trail - but I was also okay with it not happening, we hit the most important things to us, so that is what matters...(or so I tell myself LOL)

You got lots of tigers up walking. That's rare.

Bella was set on seeing Baby Lilly this summer. That's all she said over and over as we got into Animal Kingdom - "I see Baby Leely!"


This works for us, too, if John wants to go ride Everest or if Jill and John want to go ride Dinosaur. This is a good waiting spot.



I'll have a strawberry bar, please!


Good boy for Henry knowing he was tired and being mature enough to do something about it.

That might be the only time we saw a tiger up and moving!

That's SO STINKIN' CUTE about Bella and Baby Lilly! I am going to steer us toward the Pagani this time so Henry can see her too.

I was so surprised about Henry declaring he was tired and just going out! It was a nice quiet walk to the front of the park!

Great updates and hurrah for one week!!!

You had awesome "animal mojo" seeing so much activity on both the safari and jungle trek. The tigers have always been sleeping when I have visited but I keep hoping to see them in action one day.

That guy can't be doing what it looks like he is doing...can he???

We did! The safari was fantastic, and we got some great sightings on the trail. Henry had a blast seeing all the animals, and I think would be even more into it now. I look forward to AK with him one week from today!

I have no idea what that guy is doing! I didn't notice him when I took the pic...but it sure looks suspicious, doesn't it?!?!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I am doing the Maharajah trek in December.

I am eating at Y&Y in December.

I am really looking forward to both of these things because I have NO bat pictures and I want to try those fried green beans.

So cute that Henry knew he had to take a nap and told you.

Oh, and that man - It looks like a Glenbo pose, but I actually think he may be on the phone.

Congrats on less than 1 week to go!

The Maharajah Jungle Trek + Green Beans = a good day.

I thought of Glennbo too! Ahhhh, and I didn't even think about talking on the phone. I bet you are correct. And in that case, it was very nice of him to find a corner rather than chat while everyone else is getting lost in Asia.

What a great Animal Kingdom update!!!

YAY for a great safari ride! I noticed last time that they are taking more time to stop and let guests get pictures!! I'm very glad for that change!!

Yak and Yeti is SO good!!! Next time I am going to try those fried green beans....of course I go there for the dessert...fried wontons SO YUMMY!!

What great pictures on the trail! You are right bats are a bit creepy but beautiful in their own way!!!
Don't want to know what that guy is doing so close to the wall...nope no thanks LOL!

I'm so glad to hear you experienced the same with the Safari! I hope this is a permanent change. It was awesome and really enhanced the experience.

I wanted to try those fried wontons SO badly, but I could not fit it in. Someday I will!

The bats are so eerie, yet fascinating. I love how their wings are almost see through. God is incredibly creative!

Woo hoo for one week!!

I've never done the jungle trek but if we walk a trail it will be Pangani Forest trail to see baby Lilly! We'll have to plan the jungle trek for April.

Henry is so cute - I love that he decided to take a nap. Wouldn't it be nice to just decide you need a nap & be able to close your eyes and have someone push you around.

That is what I plan for next week too! I must see Baby Lilly again! She's so cute! If we can fit in both trails, I'll happily do both - but I doubt it.

AMEN! We tell Henry all the time he can push us in the stroller!

 

[glennbo123]

It's good to hear that the safari vehicles are stopping more. It's so hard to get good pictures when they don't stop and the vehicle's bouncing all over the place. I wonder if they'll keep doing that or if it's dependent on how busy the park is.

Question: what is in that corner that would cause that man to stand so close to the wall?!

Um, you've been in NYC subways, haven't you?


Overall, it looked like a great, relaxed day at the Animal Kingdom Brook!

 

[DWGal210]

What a fabulous safari! How cool!!!

I love me that frozen lemonade as well - YUM!!!!

Henry is so sweet What a good boy to take a nap like that!!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Oh, I love these posts! I *just* did a post on my PTR about needing to fall in love with AK. These pictures have made me already start falling in love with it! So much I have yet to see and do!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I agree with Jen, the next time you go to Y&Y you must leave room for the fried wontons - so yummy, I almost licked the plate when I had them

Love all the AK pictures That's awesome that the safari driver stopped to allow you to take pictures! Would be nice if they would start doing more of that, I'm sure the decision to stop or not is somewhat dictated by how busy the park is though.

 

[DisneyBoundinDec]

Oh yes, feeling completely back to normal now!

I've heard that you can get your theme park tickets 2 days early...I know Jen (jenseib) has done that before - ask her for sure if you haven't gotten a solid answer!

Free Dining day was BUSY! But fun! I am a deal hunter, so it was so fun to write my clients the emails on the money I saved them! But that hold time has GOTTA get better!

My boys and I played on game on hold.. I had it on speaker phone and they were trying to guess the ride/attraction

Um, you've been in NYC subways, haven't you?

We go to NYC often (I'm in Baltimore) and that's the first thing I smell as soon as I step into the subways from Penn Station.. BLAH.

But I bet he was on the phone too.

yeah!! 6 more days!!