Not everyone in the world likes animals. And even fewer people like Animal Kingdom. But my family loves AK. Loves it. I love how park like it is. Ariel & Boo love all the animals.
We love the rides and the shows. We always feel relaxed and happy at AK.
But this day was even better than normal!
We left our room bright and early but for some reason it didn't feel too early because we hadn't gotten to bed early and were at Disney World. Things never seem too early when you're excited about what you are doing that day.
Plus, we got ready easily as we didn't have to eat breakfast. We were eating breakfast with Donald!
So by 8:00 am we were at the bus stop and the AK bus came right quick. We got off the bus and collected our items and headed in to the empty park. By 8:20 this was our view:
I kept being worried that we were going the wrong way because I'd never been the AK when there was no one else there and it looks much different totally empty. But, I really do know the parks inside and out and we were going the right way no prob.
I went to sign in but Donald confused me and we skipped the first person. So really, I took this picture:
And THEN went back and signed in. And then we got in line for a picture with Donald. Now as you recall, Boo was in love with Donald. So this was just a continuation of our tour of Donald's. I was so glad I had booked this, even when I wasn't sure if she would do characters or not since now she was in love with them and Donald for sure!
She snuggled right in to her best friend:
Two years earlier Mickey had scared her to death here. But this trip, she was all smiles as he gently kissed her hand:
Daisy:
Goofy:
These characters came so fast we hadn't gotten food yet! I had been concerned because having a breakfast at 8:30 I was worried there would be lines at EE and Primeval Whirl if we didn't get done & out by 10:00. But we had been seated almost instantly after our Donald picture.
Our Cm was going to give us a tour but we had already been there and our girls said "Jambo!" before he had a chance so he just seated us right quick. And the characters were a few tables away. So we put in our drink order, turned the cameras on, and were ready to go.
Donald went and got Boo some food and then I took a turn. But I'll be honest, I forgot to take a picture before I started eating!
I love trying all the cool stuff here. I make a mean breakfast at home so I know that Disney restaurants can't touch the normal stuff. I do it better. But who makes fresh croissants and roasted ham with pineapple mustard at home? Yum! And all the cool african spices in the quiches. Double yum!
I also don't make Mickey shaped waffles and chocolate croissants which is what Donald chose:
Boo LOVES breakfast. She had eggs and potatoes, bacon and chocolate milk. Happy camper!
And even though I tried to mostly be good and eat healthy foods for breakfast, I chose to have my favoritest favoritest chocolate croissant with my delish coffee as dessert. Yes, folks, at Disney World EVERY meal ends with dessert. Even breakfast:
After that we packed up & paid. I ran and got KS FP's while Donald paid and then made everyone use the potty so we'd be ready to go.
By 9:25 we were out & about, bellies full, the Fab Five properly hugged and photographed. It seems a little frantic, but it didn't feel that way. I savored my every bite and even went back for seconds of my favorites (and dessert.)
As we were walking towards EE, Flik passed us by. I wasn't expecting him to stop because normally that's not how things are done, but as you can see, there weren't a lot of people around so he just stopped right here. But Boo was a bit unsure of a giant bug wandering around hugging people so she kept her distance and I didn't force a posed pic. We said our hellos and moved on:
I know we were starting in the back of the park, but just the same it seemed VERY empty to me. Oddly empty:
I took my time, driving my family a little crazy since they wanted to RIDE, taking pictures:
Because both my girls were over 8 and Donald said he didn't want to ride on such a full tummy, we decided to do the single rider line so we didn't have to get FP's and come back. But as we went to hop in the single rider line the CM laughed at us as there really was no point. So we went through the normal line.
It was at this point I realized I had NEVER been in the normal line. I had only ever single rider or FP's this ride. So again I drove my girls a bit crazy as I kinda moseyed looking around at all the truly great theming. I mean, it's GREAT! But all they saw was empty space between them and their favorite ride and I was annoying them so I picked up the pace a bit.
We got to the front and there was no one! What???? It was 9:33 am. No line. They might have been a little excited:
They were so happy they talked their dad into doing it with them again and he, too, was thrilled with the theming of the regular line. Mulan thought it was funny she had to drag both parents through the empty lines. Why are adults soooo annoying?
After that we moseyed over to Primeval Whirl and Triceratop spin. Chester and Hester's was EMPTY! Beyond empty. In addition to normally being on "GO MODE" and Disney World because I have to beat the crowds, I also am a bit of a penny pincher. I know, I know I sound like a lot of fun.
But somehow if you take me out of my crazy get it all done mode, I evidently also lose a bit of my hold onto my money like crazy mode too. So when I saw Ariel look longingly at the face painting station I paused for a moment. I know, you're shocked. But I pondered it for just one minute. And turned to Ariel and said these shocking words:
"Would you like to get your face painted?" You should have seen her face. You could have pushed her over with a feather she was so shocked that I would say yes to such a frivilous expenditure.
But it was only $12-15 depending on which you chose and I didn't think Boo would want it nor Mulan. What's $12?
So she picked one out (yes, I let her pick whatever face she wanted!
) and the artist turned to the right page and started to paint. Donald, Mulan, and Boo had gone somewhere, maybe to the potty? and so this all took place with just Ariel and I.
Uh-oh. My photobucket account is being tricky. So I'm gonna leave you hanging right there. I'll be back once it straightens itself out.