Meeko's Walt Disney World Trip 2002- Part Four

[meeko_33785]

Meeko's Walt Disney World Trip 2002​

Here's the next day of my trip report, featuring my day at the Animal Kingdom. Not too many pics today, hope you enjoy them, though.

Today started, like yesterday, at 6 in the morning. After breakfast at the Mara, it wa down to the bus stop to head to the park. The bus to Animal Kingdom took longer to get to the Lodge than I thougt considering that the park isn't that far from the rersort. After a while the bus did come and it was off to the Animal Kingdom. After lingering a bit at the Oasis, it was off to Africa.

Kilamanjaro Safaris was basically walk-on, so again I opted for Stand-by and not FastPass. Great ride. The lions were finally awake this time and the shaking bridge was working again (it wasn't last time I was there). Next it was on to Pangani Forest to see some of the animals there. Right when I got to the meerkat habbitat, it began to rain. It wasn't very light, just enough to break out a poncho. Most of the other animals on the trail didnt seem to like the rain so it didn't take long to get out of Africa.

Asia was next. More of the Asian animals seemed more active in the rain, especially the tigers (although they still seemed more sleepy-eyed than last year). After that, the rain started down harder and made the rest of the trail not that enjoyable. Dinoland was supose to be next. but I figured most of the new attractions wouldn't be much fun in the rain, so insteed it was on to Tusker's in Africa for lunch. After lunch, the rain still hadn't lt up all that much, so the marketplace in Africa was next as kind of a shelter from the rain.

I was going to head to the gift shops in Discovery Island next, but the Festival of the Lion King show was going to start soon, and it seemed like a nice break from the rain. Great show as usual, and the rain had stopped as well.

Since the rain let up, I did some exploring around Camp Minnie-Mickey. I know a lot of people want the land torn down to make room for rumored Beastly Kingdom, but I like it. The theming is really very cute if you look around.

Next it was off to Dinoland and DinoRama. First, Primeval Whirl, which was really fun. I liked DinoRama and thought it was a cute addition to Dinoland. I don't think I'd want to see much more like this added to the park, but what they have now is themed perfectly. TriceraTops Spin was next but it was broken down, so it was on to DINOSAUR insteed.

After the ride, TriceraTops was fixed. It was cute, but I don't see this as the type of attraction I'll have to do every trip like Kilamanjaro or something. The parade was going to start in a little while so it was off to Discovery Island where I spent some time looking around at the trails around the Tree of Life. The biggest suprise didn't come from any of the anials though. While I was watching the animals, Sudenly I felt someone grab me from behind and wouldn't let go. I turn around it was Princess Atta from "A Bug's Life". She gave me a hug and blew me a kiss before leaving. Gotta love those characters. After she left, I headed over by the Island Merchentile waiting for the parade to start. While I was waiting, it started raining and looked like there wouldn't be a parade. I went over to the shop until I heard one of the Cast Members inside that the parade had stepped off in Africa.

Luckily, the rain let up a little. Just enough to make me not want to risk getting my non-waterproof camera in the rain. The parade was great, although according to the Cast Members, quicker and more abridged than it usually is. As soon as the parade left, it went from sprinkling to pouring down rain. Ran into a gift shop, but the rain didn't seem to be letting up. I had to leave so it was a wet walk through the Oasis to the bus stop. Just think of it as the rainforest and the thundershower is just part of the park's theme. For dinner, it was off to Bomma's, which was wonderful. The food was good and the atmosphere was nice as well. I was tired, so it was back to the room to get some sleep for tomorrow at EPCOT.

 

[jennymouse]

Was that Goofy & Mickey fishing off that river bank? I've only been to AK once and didn't get to stay long then, so I must've missed them. I'll definately have to check them out in October. I wish I could go solo and just linger and look without someone pulling me by the hand to "come on, Nana!" LOL I guess I wouldn't know how at this point though! Thanks for sharing!

 

[cotye]

Funny, noticed that about Goofy too... never saw that when I was there... Thanks for capturing things some people might not notice.

ANd great pics of the new area in AK. Thanks.

 

[indigo]

Once again an excellent post. I'm really looking forward to AK on my next visit when I'll have time to look around and see all the little details instead of being rushed to go everywhere.

 

[newmousecateer]

Enjoying your trip reports and pictures very much. Looks like you had a wonderful trip.

 

[nativetxn]

I love that photo of Goofy fishing! I think the parade at AK is my favorite, too bad you didn't get any photos.

I enjoyed reading this

 

[meeko_33785]

Originally posted by jennymouse
Was that Goofy & Mickey fishing off that river bank? I've only been to AK once and didn't get to stay long then, so I must've missed them. I'll definately have to check them out in October. I wish I could go solo and just linger and look without someone pulling me by the hand to "come on, Nana!" LOL I guess I wouldn't know how at this point though! Thanks for sharing!

Yes, the photo of Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto fishing in Camp Minnie-Mickey is on the river over by the Pocahontas show. Donald, Daisy, Huey, Dewey, and Louie are all neerby as well.

 

[swankybeth]

Great report and great pics! Thanks for posting.

 

[meeko_33785]

And another bump so all my trip reports will be together.