My DSD came for a visit & didn't stay for our trip to WDW??? Update 1/13Kadani Villag

[jmskinner]

So, Friday July 17th the day Kara goes home.

I'm one of those people that when on vacation wakes up early, worried the alarm won't work or the wake up call won't come, so I was up extra early. Of course the wakeup call came and Jonas got it, because I was in the shower. He wasn't too happy. After getting dressed, I gave Jacob his medicine, let him sleep a little longer and while I walked over to the food court to get him some cereal. While there I went ahead and picked up one of the resort mugs. Got me some of that nasty resort Nescafe coffee. Oh, and that was another reason I had originally planned on SoG. They have a Starbucks! Anyhoo, on the walk back to the room I realized how the river was so peaceful and calm, I could get some great pics, so I got back to the room, grabbed my camera and went back out. Got a few of those shots in the POR post. Came back to the room with Jonas fussing at me that I better hurry since we were to meet Vickie and her clan at 9:00am. Got Jacob dressed and headed to the bus stop, but not before waking up Kara to give her a hug. Her flight wasn't until 3:30, but the plan was to give her and her daddy some time together.

Walked over to our very close bus stop and waited. Bus came quickly. Here is Jacob looking all cool in those shades on the bus:

As Vickie said, we were texting back and forth. Couldn't believe I beat her there since POR is an Epcot resort and she was there at AKV. Now, our bus stop was right there beside AKL bus stop. I started to stand there and wait for them, but then I thought, "What if the bus drops them elsewhere?" You know how sometimes the buses just drop people off wherever, so I thought maybe the best place to stand was closer to the park entrance. That is when Vickie texted me that she saw me and I was trying to figure out where they were. I didn't think that was mean at all. I was excited! It had been over a year since I had seen my BFF!

I'm going to let Vickie continue this chapter...

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Can't wait to hear about the rest of the day!!

Di x

 

[SimmerBaggins]

First off, I must say that Jacob really looks like his dad, here. I believe this might be the first time I've thought that -- he looks so much like you most of the time! Secondly, speaking of Jonas, seems like I remember hearing that there was a bad show-down between dad & a bowl of cereal...yet you both made it to the park before us! LOL

Okay, now that I've bumped this message, I'll work on my next section....

 

[SimmerBaggins]

So, we get off the bus and mix in with a huge crowd…meanwhile, I didn’t get a response from Melissa, so I don’t know if she’s gone on! But then suddenly, I see her, standing apart from the crowd! Yay! I rush to her, we do our hugging thing, and Jacob looks at us like, “okay…” He has really grown in the last year, and so has Jordan.

If I had thought about the fact that this moment would arrive, where I would be blogging and would wish for a picture to commemorate our reunion, I would have taken a picture of them; as it is, we settle in together as if it were just the other day since we’d seen each other. I don’t remember what all I talked about, although I did see their season passes and marveled that they couldn’t get something more substantial than a paper card. I mean, we bought non-expiring days and years later, check into a resort and they transferred the paper card thingy to our nice Key to the World cards, which are so much nicer…why can’t they do that for the Skinners for a season pass? It’s weird.

We do take pictures of DD and DGD in front of the park. Knowing Melissa, she probably took better caliber ones than these…man. She’s gonna really be showing me up, isn’t she? LOL

I start to try to get into the groove of taking pics with this larger group. Remember – be kind. I’m not the pro that Melissa is! I got a couple of “backs”, here.

Now, here is my first legitimate picture for one of my co-workers. She has never been to WDW, and wanted a picture of the Tree. So, here’s the actual pic I took for her and framed (little paper frames) for her.

What was this, Melissa? I think maybe Robert took it.

Oh, it’s the background for the -- look out, Irky!! The BIRDS!!!

Okay, now here is the bird place where we stopped inside the park to figure out The Plan. What FP did we need? Who would go get them (ahem)? What would the other people do while the one Person went to get the FPs? Where would we all meet? These are all critical decisions, and I don’t think we finished thinking about them at the bird place. But still, a nice diversion for the kids.

Next up – did Melissa get any pics at this point, or do I go on??

 

[jmskinner]

Oops, I totally forgot about the cereal bowl. Jonas managed to spill the bowl of cereal. Luckily it was before we put milk in it, but Cheerios were everywhere. Afraid they didn't make us very "cheery" though.

Also, Vickie left out an important detail. After we meet up and start getting our tickets out, Robert can't find his. Vickie kept telling him to check his pocket. He was just about to get back on the bus when he checked his pocket. And guess what he found.

And, my version of the same photo Vickie took:

And my Tree pic:

And that pic Vickie was trying to figure out is a large Vulture or some other big bird. I need to get a pic of it with the zoom lens, but never have it on at this point.

Now, we decide what to do for FP's and that was get them for the Safari. Yes, we were there at opening, the best time to see the animals. Something I like to do is grab FP's for the Safari and then walk the trail behind the Safari, look at the animals and about the time you are finished with the trail, it is time for the FP. I also had said when we first booked this trip I would be the FP person. We get to go all the time, and I wanted Vickie and her family to be able to enjoy their trip. Plus, it's good exercise for me.

So, I sent them on into the trail and I grabbed FP's. I remember someone had left their ticket in the machine, so I picked it up and was looking for a CM when I saw some kids looking around, asked if they had lost something and they said their ticket, so I gave it to them. Good deed of the day done first thing.

I met up with everyone else:

Now that Vickie has mentioned what good pics I will have, I'm not happy with most. Need to start slowing down and stopping to take pics, but here are a few:

Trying to get the top and bottom of this duck:

Meercat:

Gorilla:

These guys always look so sad to me. Like, "can't I have some peace."

And anyone who has read my other TR's knows I end up with a lot of animal butt pics:

A very nice CM offered to take our pic, couldn't get the Gorilla in, but it was nice memory:

Next up, Vickie's memories from the trail and the two week Safari!

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

Love all of the pictures in your TR! And I'm glad you posted about your days at Universal since we might be going there in October and I've never been before.

We really liked Rainforest Cafe, too. Their salads are huge! And the store area is so much fun...I could have spent a lot longer there. How fun to see the Harry Potter movie in DTD -- and I would have gasped, too, if I had seen the picture on that kid's cell phone -- YIKES!

Great TR!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Great updates and photos from you both! Sounds like a fun day for all of you. I just love the gorilla photos, their faces are amazing!

Di x

 

[ScotsMinnie]

All caught up! Loving the 2 in 1 trip report. How great to share WDW with your best friend!!!!

 

[Zeebs]

Mel's Diner from American Graffiti. One of my favorite movies.

I have seen this movie quite a few time, it is one of my Dads favourites as he is a big big big fan of old American cars.

One day I would like to get him and Mum to America but the flight and cost from New Zealand and then us from the UK is a bit out of our reach. One day though.

Am enjoying the report, thanks for putting it together.

Kirsten

 

[California Jenn]

What a great adventure! And, it's great to see the pics from Islands of Adventure. We've never been as we always fill up our schedule with WDW, so perhaps we'll add the Universal resorts to our next WDW trip.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

I had COMPLETELY forgotten about the "lost ticket/card" when I did my part!! You can tell by my expression that I was truly feeling vindicated...and relieved!

This is good...I am sensing of pattern! Okay, working on my next part....

 

[JPFamilyMom]

What a great start ladies. Two week safari Can't wait to hear the story behind that one

 

[SimmerBaggins]

So, in my part, here we are, going north toward the trails & the Safari (2 week safari, Melissa??).

Over the river & to Africa!!

Robert pauses to take a picture of this building (I don’t know why), but I got a kick outta the kid trying to get out of my way when I took this shot! Smooth moves…

Here is Melissa, giving us instruction on how we are to proceed without her whilest she goes to get our FPs.

And here is where we are going:

These monkeys were pretty cool. You can't really tell, but there's a baby in the picture, playing with its momma's tail. The CM said it was rare to see it.

In tradition of Melissa’s animal butts, here’s the zebra/giraffe animal that she admitted never being able to get a good shot of…and neither did I.

Melissa caught back up with us fairly quickly – I was impressed. Here are some other pics along the trail:

Mousie in a log:

Toadicus Giganticus:

Muchas fishcus:

And a little link to a video with the duckies & a waterfall/cameo of the kids:

http://www.facebook.com/v/1110357881940" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"

Some large beastie skull (I think it's a hippo):

Meerkats (3):

I was going to post the gorilla, but Melissa already got great shots of it. Then, the duck on the water, but again...so, I'll share this! At one point, I saw perfectly green leaves falling, one after the other, right in front of me. I was like, what in the world? I looked up, and watched this little yellow bird prune this one little twig of all its leaves! It was funny...to note something this industrious little bird was doing, and no one but me (at that moment) realized what was going on.

And, it is now time for the FP/Kilimanjaro Safari…perhaps Melissa meant that it will take 2 weeks to post all the pictures from this event….

 

[jmskinner]

Love all of the pictures in your TR! And I'm glad you posted about your days at Universal since we might be going there in October and I've never been before.

We really liked Rainforest Cafe, too. Their salads are huge! And the store area is so much fun...I could have spent a lot longer there. How fun to see the Harry Potter movie in DTD -- and I would have gasped, too, if I had seen the picture on that kid's cell phone -- YIKES!

Great TR!

Thanks! Universal was a lot of fun, but I guess WDW has my heart. I did enjoy Rainforest Cafe and now that I get a discount and front of the line treatment, I will be going back. I need to spend more time in the store, but I always have Disney merchandise to buy so sadly I don't normally spend a lot of time there.

Great updates and photos from you both! Sounds like a fun day for all of you. I just love the gorilla photos, their faces are amazing!

Di x

We were having fun and that was the first time I had seen the Gorilla's that close.

All caught up! Loving the 2 in 1 trip report. How great to share WDW with your best friend!!!!

It was great sharing this trip with Vickie and her family. Hope we get to do it again sometime.

I have seen this movie quite a few time, it is one of my Dads favourites as he is a big big big fan of old American cars.

One day I would like to get him and Mum to America but the flight and cost from New Zealand and then us from the UK is a bit out of our reach. One day though.

Am enjoying the report, thanks for putting it together.

Kirsten

Your welcome. I love reading TR's because someone always seems to find something I haven't before. I really hope your folks get to go with you sometime. We are huge fans of old American cars ourselves, actually, any old cars.

What a great adventure! And, it's great to see the pics from Islands of Adventure. We've never been as we always fill up our schedule with WDW, so perhaps we'll add the Universal resorts to our next WDW trip.

I understand, we have lived an hour away for a year now and just made it to Universal and Busch Gardens. WDW is the place to be.

I had COMPLETELY forgotten about the "lost ticket/card" when I did my part!! You can tell by my expression that I was truly feeling vindicated...and relieved!

This is good...I am sensing of pattern! Okay, working on my next part....

We could have gone to the service desk and replaced his ticket, I think I may have to do that for Jonas' AP. When he isn't with me I use his to get through the parking gate and now can't find it. It was funny that the ticket was in his pocket the whole time.

What a great start ladies. Two week safari Can't wait to hear the story behind that one

When you hop on the Safari, your guide welcomes you to a "two week" safari.

Vickie, great update. Love the pic of the kid trying to get out of your way. I have noticed more kids try to get out of the way of me taking pics than grownups. But, there are always so many people, it seems impossible to get that pic.

And has anyone noticed that Vickie is a much better writer than me. Can you tell who started out as an English major?

Safari coming up. Oh, and just a note, if you see random "j's" in my section, Jacob busted the "J" key on my keyboard, so it sticks. Hope to replace it tomorrow.

 

[jmskinner]

Ok, most know how the Safari goes. The little storyline that is cute the first or second time you ride, but after that, it starts getting old and you realize you would rather just look at animals and the driver give you the details on the animals. Or is that just me. We were seated in the very back, which I knew meant lots of bouncing around. I'm going to just post pics (Irky, there are birds!):

Ok, I pick on Irky, but these guys are a little scary, I think they should be hanging around HM:

Sorry, couldn't resist posting this one:

My absolutely favorite part of the journey, the Elephants:

Look who was poking her head out:

Now, my goal is to get that blankety blank Lion that never seems to appear, but I have seen pics and the top of his mane, so he does exist.

I think it dates back to seeing the movie "Animals are Beautiful People Too", but I just love the Warthogs. Always feel sorry for them because people think they aren't very pretty. If you haven't ever seen the movie, check it out.

And that was it for me, wonder what pics Vickie and her family got?

 

[SimmerBaggins]

It's amazing -- as a reader of Melissa's TR, you aren't really aware of just how good her camera is until you have the opportunity to take pictures alongside her...then it becomes truly evident! I can say you got some really great shots, girl.

And, I am thinking...I might have a shot of that Blankety-Blank Lion from our 2007 trip...you've got me curious!

Yes, I now remember they say something about a 2-week safari...those little special details that you enjoy when you are there, but there's too much to take in after so many days, so you just forget some things.

And, thanks for the writing compliment...although I can't say I've really said much to warrant it.

Let's see what I can get done tonight...maybe I'll do a smaller post.... I did get a video of us bouncing around in the back of the truck...I'm wondering -- is anyone watching those little vids?

Okay...off to work!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

ok, it was like six years ago I first went to WDW, so now I'll know to listen for the story about the two week safari I do think we got a picture of the lion, sleeping... I'll have to look once we get the rest of our things out of storage next month.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

So, we get to the Safari line, with our FPs in hand…and there was no reason to give them, as there was no line. I remember later coming across those FPs in our backpack later…wondering if we should keep them. I don’t think we did.

This is really going to astound you. Many of the shots Melissa got, I got too – but instead of seeing the animal most of the time, you will get an “impression” of an animal, from the amateur non-zooming shot. So, this could be a real waste of your time, but I will post a video…which should be entertaining.

What is this? I dunno -- a puddle & a big stick with some birds on it.

Watch out!! A really big LOG!

The one thing I make out on this one: the bird who's made its home on the end of the stick. King of the stick?

I think, if you can ignore the giganticus view of Melissa's hand, you might be able to make out the crocodiles resting on the bank over there. Really, just an impression.

I call this: Bird Shadows on a Big Upside Down Tree on a Really Bright Day.

Yeah. I think there's an animal out there. Can you get a picture of it, Melissa? Thanks.

Another impression of some animals. See Melissa's post for details.

Now THIS -- is a great shot of my daughter getting a great shot of some giraffes. Seriously. Her phone took -- okay -- SHE took better pictures with her PHONE than I did with my camera.

Hey! A close-up!!! Well, because we were close....

Hey, remember that great shot of the elephant Melissa took? Well...you really didn't get a feel for WHERE that elephant lives. Now, habitat is REALLY important, so here's a better shot.

AND, Melissa didn't give you the Butt-shot of that elephant, did she? Well, I happen to know she took it, and didn't share.

Nothing like a best friend to tell on you. Sorry, Melissa.

I really consider this "Melissa, behind the scenes." Now, these birds, they tell us, are pink because of the brine shrimp they eat. But, these birds don't have much pink, do they? See, I think the CMs are telling on themselves that they are skimping on the brine shrimp...throwing in some crawdads, or something...

Here's the instant just before the shot Melissa took (well, much closer) of the showdown between the Rhino and the bird. Brave bird. We don't know how it turned out, though.

I call this: Big Breakfast in the Mud. Jordan thought it was staged -- that the ostriches couldn't be that obvious.

Remember that FANTASTIC pic of the lioness in the rocks? Yeah. Here's my interpretation.

Here are those ostrich parents. Just left the kids to themselves.

And, the warthog? Well, see -- I thought a pic showing Jacob LOOKING at the warthog would be ... impressive ....

Okay...that's it...and I haven't put in the video, yet. Will get to it soon.

 

[jmskinner]

JPFamilyMom - You will have to post a copy if you do have that Lion. I guess I just need to make a lot more trips to AK to get that pic. You know me, I need a reason to go to WDW.

Vickie, ok I can't stop laughing. Great update. I forgot that they didn't take the FP's. I can't remember if it was later on in the day or later in the week that I thought "Hey, we could have rode again!" DUH!

And you didn't mention the one thing I figured you would of. Back to the storyline of the great Safari trip. You know, the tour guides play along and interact with the pre-recorded radio calls (oops, hope I didn't spoil it for someone.) Well, at one point we had to wait for animals to get off the trail, and this music was playing and out tour guide announced he didn't like the song and turned it off. Then he kept speaking same time as one of those pre-recorded messages. This led to a long discussion how it must get really boring, I mean, how many times a day do those drivers have to do the same thing over and over again.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Vickie- you are so clever, I was laughing so much my son said mommy stop laughing Your pictures made for a great story.