PrincessAurora
<font color=blue>Hmpphh! Who needs that boy in gre
- Joined
- Oct 26, 1999
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DAY TWO - ANIMAL KINGDOM, CITRICOS @ THE GRAND FLORIDIAN FOR A SURPRISE BIRTHDAY DINNER
CAST:
"Pinky" AKA PrincessAurora - Computer geek, web designer, and Disney Princess Fiend. Already planning next trip to The World.
"The Brain" AKA Captain_Nemo - Applied Mathematics Major, first timer at WDW, trying hard to put his trust in his "native guide".
(Please note all detailed food reviews are featured as a separate report after Day 8)
Our next day of plotting to take over The World dawned with a phone call at 6:00am. The Brain leaned over and picked up the phone. He listened, put the phone down and went back to bed.
"Well?" I said, leaning over him from my side. I was hoping for more of a reaction. What kind of reaction exactly, I could not say.
"The Mouse wants us to get out of bed and start the day." The Brain mutters from under the covers. "He sounds too happy for this time of the morning."
After a little grumbling, everyone was out of bed, showers taken, clothes picked and provisions doled out. A quick stop by the food court for my morning ration of grits, a try at the beingets (grits - great, beingets - terrible...all food details following day 8 report), and we are on our way to Animal Kingdom.
We arrived at 7:45am and the crowd was light. I plowed on ahead, chanting the mantra "Look at the Tree of Life later, we need to get to the safari, trust your native guide!". Brain, plotting how to get back at the jabbering Disney fiend who had once been his girlfriend, still was having a good time in spite of the early hour.
We walked right on the safari with no wait and the animals were out and pretty active. While the "let's chase the poachers" thing can get a bit old after the first time, we still enjoyed it. I saw more animals than the last time I was there and reminded people that the ride is not a zoo per se so animal appearances can not be guaranteed. He spent some time studying the terrain, looking for how they enclosed the animals, keeping the meat eaters away from us and the herbivores.
Next we cut across the park to Countdown to Extinction (Look at the Tree of Life Later!). I love this ride, which is set up a lot like the Indiana Jones ride in Disneyland. The Brain hasn't been to DL in ages and thought it was pretty noisy. He also likes very fast rollercoasters ala 6 Flags and the like. A small child in our boarding group had a melt down with the dark and the giant meat-eating dino popping up. Why do parents insist on dragging their kids on these rides? OK, I know, that's for the debate board. Anyway -
Pinky gives this ride an 8 for fun, thrills and chills. A bit bumpy but I liked it. The Brain gives it a 6 (he starts his scoring low since he has no idea what the other attractions are and how they will stack up.) It also was not fast enough, was too noisy and the strobe bugged him until he figured out it was for the picture (which I bought).
Now we head to the Tree of Life (OK - look all you want now) and the show It's Tough To Be A Bug. This will be The Brain's first experience with interactive 3-D attractions. We oooo and ahhhh over the tree and all the animals carved in it. I keep looking for a skunk but can't find one. (I have this thing about skunks.) We get herded in and the show begins. Pinky gives this interactive show a 7.5 for pure entertainment value although I can do without the stink bug. The Brain gives it a 7 saying that it's really great but a bit short and will freak small kids out. A few ran past us during the show with their parents following a few beats later. They hung by the doors until it was over. I just hope these kids don't get near Alien Encounter!
Next we head to the Pagani Trail to see the gorillas. This is one of my favorite things as I love and respect gorillas a great deal. We both enjoyed this, especially watching the silverback male. The Brain felt a little bad for the single males on the other side of the river, just hanging out with no women. One of them was playing with a pair of shredded shorts, putting them on his head and such. We thought it was a good fashion statement.
Next it was on to Asia (which was not open the last time I went) and Kali River Rapids. I'm not much for getting wet, just call me a cat at heart but was persuaded by some kids who said it was fun. Hell, if a 10 year old can live through it, so can I. The Brain, always thinking of the smart things I neglected to put in the itinerary, had us take off our socks and shoes when we boarded the round boat and put them in the center container so they would not get wet. (Wet shoes and socks are NOT my friend) He also suggests putting leather items there as well. Note: this is the first ride we used Fast Pass for and boy do I LOVE this feature. We walked right on.
This ride was fun but I have to agree with Mr. Sellinger in the Unauthorized Guide - it's a weenie ride. It's not very fast, the rapids are not scary or bumpy and the drops are small. The scenery is lovely but you WILL get WET. How wet depends on fate and which Water Gods you pray to before the ride starts. The Water Gods on our trip were listening to The Brain who hardly got wet at all. I got moderately wet and the people by us got soaked to the skin.
Since the boat is round, there is no determining which way it will go as it rides on the water. Also near the end there are two elephants flanking you that are controlled by people on the bridge. I looked up and saw this 10 year old kid hitting the button that got me. As soon as that ride was over, I grabbed my shoes and headed for that kid.
"Hey kid, you're the one who shot me with that water. Show me how to do it to someone else!"
So we played with the kid and hosed other people. Lesson on this ride: (1) put shoes and socks in center container and (2) don't get mad, get even and squirt others. Pinky gives this ride a 7 for the "weenie" factor. The Brain gives it a 6.5 saying that as a rapids ride it's lame but it's fun in it's own right.
Next up was the Flights of Wonder bird show. We both really enjoyed this interactive show of really amazing birds. There is nothing quite as stirring as seeing a real bald eagle on someone's arm, nothing as breathtaking as the soundless flight of an large owl and nothing as comical as this one long, gangly bird (I wish I could remember it's name) beating the crap out of a rubber lizard. Hey, it's a natural behavior of how they kill their prey. These birds don't wear hats, play horns or mimic humans. They perform behaviors natural to them. It's a refreshing change of pace. Pinky gives this show an 8 for it's high quality, education and entertainment factors. The Brain gives it a 7 but finds it funny and very enjoyable.
As a side note: we found the "secret trail" which was very cool. It is between Africa and Asia, is not paved and is off the beaten path but it is a dirt trail. Very private for a nice romantic moment, although it is still Disney and you shouldn't let the mood carry you too far. Other people do find this place.
Then onto the Tiger Trail in search of exotic beasties. The tigers are so beautiful you just want to cuddle them if it wasn't for the fact that they'd take your face off. The bats were also really neat. I never really liked bats before but the giant flying foxes are really pretty and don't have those ugly smashed-in faces. Pinky gives this nature walk an 8 while The Brain gives it a 7.
Next I drag the Brain over to Camp Minnie-Mickey, a place usually mobbed with children. You want to avoid this area if at all possible (if you don't have small kids) unless getting your shins bruised by strollers is your idea of a good time. This time the crowds were light and the traffic flow was fine. I heard that they use live animals, including a skunk in the Pocohontas show, so heedless of the less-than-glowing reports from this board on the show, we went. I should have listened. The show was really lame. They had a puppet-type little tree that I really wished the clear cutters would have gotten. The actress playing Pocohontas was very good but the script was non-existant. Most of the time she was just sweeping around a very small stage looking concerned. Pinky gives it a 3 for the good actress and the skunk. The Brain gives it a 2 and was glad to be out of there and on our way to food.
Lunch was at Tuskers and then it was back to the resort for a nap before dinner. After getting dressed up we take the bus to the Magic Kingdom and catch the small boat to the Grand Floridian. I have never been there before but after studying the map of the resort from this board, it's like I have a little homing beacon in my head. So off we go, The Brain in his jacket and tie and me in my dress and mink straight upstairs to Citricos.
The staff was wonderful and very interested when I told them it was The Brain's birthday. They showed us to a very nice table overlooking the lake but I asked to be moved. It was right next to a large family with small kids and an infant in a high chair within food throwing range of me and my clothes.
(I love kids, don't get me wrong, but for this one evening I didn't want to risk anything spoiling it.) They moved us to another table with a view of the lake and the show kitchen which was great. Our server was very attentive and the food was first rate. We took the monorail back to the Kingdom and caught the bus back to our resort from there. A wonderful way to end our first day in The World.
Next: Day Three - Epcot, Lunch @ Rose & Crown, DTD, Mardi Gras @ Pleasure Island And Plotting To Take Over The World.
CAST:
"Pinky" AKA PrincessAurora - Computer geek, web designer, and Disney Princess Fiend. Already planning next trip to The World.
"The Brain" AKA Captain_Nemo - Applied Mathematics Major, first timer at WDW, trying hard to put his trust in his "native guide".
(Please note all detailed food reviews are featured as a separate report after Day 8)
Our next day of plotting to take over The World dawned with a phone call at 6:00am. The Brain leaned over and picked up the phone. He listened, put the phone down and went back to bed.
"Well?" I said, leaning over him from my side. I was hoping for more of a reaction. What kind of reaction exactly, I could not say.
"The Mouse wants us to get out of bed and start the day." The Brain mutters from under the covers. "He sounds too happy for this time of the morning."
After a little grumbling, everyone was out of bed, showers taken, clothes picked and provisions doled out. A quick stop by the food court for my morning ration of grits, a try at the beingets (grits - great, beingets - terrible...all food details following day 8 report), and we are on our way to Animal Kingdom.
We arrived at 7:45am and the crowd was light. I plowed on ahead, chanting the mantra "Look at the Tree of Life later, we need to get to the safari, trust your native guide!". Brain, plotting how to get back at the jabbering Disney fiend who had once been his girlfriend, still was having a good time in spite of the early hour.
We walked right on the safari with no wait and the animals were out and pretty active. While the "let's chase the poachers" thing can get a bit old after the first time, we still enjoyed it. I saw more animals than the last time I was there and reminded people that the ride is not a zoo per se so animal appearances can not be guaranteed. He spent some time studying the terrain, looking for how they enclosed the animals, keeping the meat eaters away from us and the herbivores.
Next we cut across the park to Countdown to Extinction (Look at the Tree of Life Later!). I love this ride, which is set up a lot like the Indiana Jones ride in Disneyland. The Brain hasn't been to DL in ages and thought it was pretty noisy. He also likes very fast rollercoasters ala 6 Flags and the like. A small child in our boarding group had a melt down with the dark and the giant meat-eating dino popping up. Why do parents insist on dragging their kids on these rides? OK, I know, that's for the debate board. Anyway -
Pinky gives this ride an 8 for fun, thrills and chills. A bit bumpy but I liked it. The Brain gives it a 6 (he starts his scoring low since he has no idea what the other attractions are and how they will stack up.) It also was not fast enough, was too noisy and the strobe bugged him until he figured out it was for the picture (which I bought).
Now we head to the Tree of Life (OK - look all you want now) and the show It's Tough To Be A Bug. This will be The Brain's first experience with interactive 3-D attractions. We oooo and ahhhh over the tree and all the animals carved in it. I keep looking for a skunk but can't find one. (I have this thing about skunks.) We get herded in and the show begins. Pinky gives this interactive show a 7.5 for pure entertainment value although I can do without the stink bug. The Brain gives it a 7 saying that it's really great but a bit short and will freak small kids out. A few ran past us during the show with their parents following a few beats later. They hung by the doors until it was over. I just hope these kids don't get near Alien Encounter!
Next we head to the Pagani Trail to see the gorillas. This is one of my favorite things as I love and respect gorillas a great deal. We both enjoyed this, especially watching the silverback male. The Brain felt a little bad for the single males on the other side of the river, just hanging out with no women. One of them was playing with a pair of shredded shorts, putting them on his head and such. We thought it was a good fashion statement.
Next it was on to Asia (which was not open the last time I went) and Kali River Rapids. I'm not much for getting wet, just call me a cat at heart but was persuaded by some kids who said it was fun. Hell, if a 10 year old can live through it, so can I. The Brain, always thinking of the smart things I neglected to put in the itinerary, had us take off our socks and shoes when we boarded the round boat and put them in the center container so they would not get wet. (Wet shoes and socks are NOT my friend) He also suggests putting leather items there as well. Note: this is the first ride we used Fast Pass for and boy do I LOVE this feature. We walked right on.
This ride was fun but I have to agree with Mr. Sellinger in the Unauthorized Guide - it's a weenie ride. It's not very fast, the rapids are not scary or bumpy and the drops are small. The scenery is lovely but you WILL get WET. How wet depends on fate and which Water Gods you pray to before the ride starts. The Water Gods on our trip were listening to The Brain who hardly got wet at all. I got moderately wet and the people by us got soaked to the skin.
Since the boat is round, there is no determining which way it will go as it rides on the water. Also near the end there are two elephants flanking you that are controlled by people on the bridge. I looked up and saw this 10 year old kid hitting the button that got me. As soon as that ride was over, I grabbed my shoes and headed for that kid.
"Hey kid, you're the one who shot me with that water. Show me how to do it to someone else!"
So we played with the kid and hosed other people. Lesson on this ride: (1) put shoes and socks in center container and (2) don't get mad, get even and squirt others. Pinky gives this ride a 7 for the "weenie" factor. The Brain gives it a 6.5 saying that as a rapids ride it's lame but it's fun in it's own right.
Next up was the Flights of Wonder bird show. We both really enjoyed this interactive show of really amazing birds. There is nothing quite as stirring as seeing a real bald eagle on someone's arm, nothing as breathtaking as the soundless flight of an large owl and nothing as comical as this one long, gangly bird (I wish I could remember it's name) beating the crap out of a rubber lizard. Hey, it's a natural behavior of how they kill their prey. These birds don't wear hats, play horns or mimic humans. They perform behaviors natural to them. It's a refreshing change of pace. Pinky gives this show an 8 for it's high quality, education and entertainment factors. The Brain gives it a 7 but finds it funny and very enjoyable.
As a side note: we found the "secret trail" which was very cool. It is between Africa and Asia, is not paved and is off the beaten path but it is a dirt trail. Very private for a nice romantic moment, although it is still Disney and you shouldn't let the mood carry you too far. Other people do find this place.
Then onto the Tiger Trail in search of exotic beasties. The tigers are so beautiful you just want to cuddle them if it wasn't for the fact that they'd take your face off. The bats were also really neat. I never really liked bats before but the giant flying foxes are really pretty and don't have those ugly smashed-in faces. Pinky gives this nature walk an 8 while The Brain gives it a 7.
Next I drag the Brain over to Camp Minnie-Mickey, a place usually mobbed with children. You want to avoid this area if at all possible (if you don't have small kids) unless getting your shins bruised by strollers is your idea of a good time. This time the crowds were light and the traffic flow was fine. I heard that they use live animals, including a skunk in the Pocohontas show, so heedless of the less-than-glowing reports from this board on the show, we went. I should have listened. The show was really lame. They had a puppet-type little tree that I really wished the clear cutters would have gotten. The actress playing Pocohontas was very good but the script was non-existant. Most of the time she was just sweeping around a very small stage looking concerned. Pinky gives it a 3 for the good actress and the skunk. The Brain gives it a 2 and was glad to be out of there and on our way to food.
Lunch was at Tuskers and then it was back to the resort for a nap before dinner. After getting dressed up we take the bus to the Magic Kingdom and catch the small boat to the Grand Floridian. I have never been there before but after studying the map of the resort from this board, it's like I have a little homing beacon in my head. So off we go, The Brain in his jacket and tie and me in my dress and mink straight upstairs to Citricos.
The staff was wonderful and very interested when I told them it was The Brain's birthday. They showed us to a very nice table overlooking the lake but I asked to be moved. It was right next to a large family with small kids and an infant in a high chair within food throwing range of me and my clothes.
(I love kids, don't get me wrong, but for this one evening I didn't want to risk anything spoiling it.) They moved us to another table with a view of the lake and the show kitchen which was great. Our server was very attentive and the food was first rate. We took the monorail back to the Kingdom and caught the bus back to our resort from there. A wonderful way to end our first day in The World.
Next: Day Three - Epcot, Lunch @ Rose & Crown, DTD, Mardi Gras @ Pleasure Island And Plotting To Take Over The World.
