Popping in from AKL to give an update!

[Hisgirl]

Well, we're here ...and oh my, it's HOT! We got settled into Kidani thursday after several calls just hoping something would open at Jambo house. After staying at both lodges, I'll say there is a big difference in the 'feel' of the place.

The lobby at the Jambo is amazing and huge and jaw-dropping and here at Kidani....well.....it's a bit like 'oh wow, those over-head lights are pretty' but nothing spectacular.
We got a room past the lobby a little in on the north part of the '3' near the Rafiki elevator. There are tons of trees down on this end and not many animals. A big horned ox comes by and we have seen a giraffe or two, but nothing compared to what we saw at Jambo. I don't want to be disappointed but I have to admit, it hardly seems worth the extra money paying for a Savanna view here. Down by the lobby, the feeding stations draw many more animals.

First night we ate downstairs at Sanaa and it was wonderful! I couldn't even begin to pronouce what all we had...it was pretty reasonably priced too. Tonight...Jiko!

Ok...what I wanted to share on here. It's actually pretty crowded! And hot as the dickens! 90 degrees with a heat index of 94. And 94 degrees tomorrow! Youch! I've never quite seen so many people here in May.

Lot's of little kids and older folks. Very few characters out and about. We bought two apps showing character locations and they were all 'hanging round the castle', shopping for a book, or some other silly thing besides not being in the park. We saw some at the parade, but not sure why they weren't out doing greets. The parade at MK was great, as always!

Wait times for 'E ticket' rides (I'm dating myself here) got up to 50 min. but we followed the unofficial touring plan and avoided most all lines longer than 10 min. The only thing we left out was the jungle cruise at a 30 min. wait ...AND the Dole pineapple whip, at about a 20 min wait..haha!

I checked the app during the day and all popular rides were running 50-85 minute waits.

Tomorrow...Epcot!

 

[ready4mouse]

Thanks for the live update....I love hearing how it is right now! We're leaving soon...really wasn't thinking it was that hot- yikes!

Have a wonderful trip! Check in again if you can...

 

[Hisgirl]

Today we went to Epcot. Got to the gate almost an hour before and honestly, there weren't many folks there. We parked in the 2nd row over!
We followed the unofficial guide's touring plan to the tee in the beginning and got our fastpasses for soarin' then rode the test track

The wait time for Soarin' pretty much stay at close to an hour ALL DAY and night. So get those fast passes early! We skipped the mission space ride to avoid the nausea, and also didn't see the Sea with nemo. Other than that, we saw most everything.

Love the countries. Ate at Morocco for lunch. Love the voice of Liberty in America! I kept nodding off during the American experience and got an ice cold skim milk latte to perk me up. We were done by 4:30 and headed back for dinner at AKL. All this African food is amazing!

Hot today...97!!! Lots of folks but it doesn't feel as crowded as MK. Only saw one pair of inappropriate shoes the whole day, ha! High heels, ouch!

AND....I've found where you have to go to buy a classic mickey mouse tee, the kind we wore in the early 79s. At downtown disney, the make a t-shirt place has the classic design. We stood in line forever then found out we'd have to wait an hour for the shirt, so we paid $10 to have it shipped home. (hubby was on his last nerve by this time!)

Great day, great food, happy family, feet feel okay, walked 6.43 miles today!