Technical Difficulties - Two Sisters take on WDW- update 6/18 typhoon lagoon

[CindyIsMyFave]

Such a lovely report! I'm walking 'round with you! Have not checked out your food links yet but will do so.

Re: the parades and nasty parents/kids. Go "google" it on the main theme parks advice board. It is a hot topic and I've read many similar horror stories. I staked out my spot for the Main St Electrical Parade (I know they've shortened the name now) early on night #2 (Yes, I planned it so we could view the parade all 3 nights it was playing during our March trip - even if that mean the last night I left DH at WL napping so I could see it one last time). Anyway! I was a little protective of my spot (by the gallows in Liberty Square), but I was there early and I did stand right in the spot I wanted. No leaving a bag (or a DH) to hold my spot.

Glad you were impressed with the Magic Memories and You show too. I didn't think much of it 'til I really saw it up close from the hub. That technology is amazing!

I can't wait to see the new Star Tours - and I would've had a hissy fit if TSM had been closed for technical difficulties. But I would've done as you did: gotten the fast pass and hoped for the best. I love that ride!

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

You'll enjoy the new Star Tours.

I'm glad I experienced the parade and fireworks from the hub/main street once in my life. don't think I'll kill myself to do it again though. I'm happier stopping to watch it between rides in Frontierland!

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

Saturday –

Today was Extra Magic Hours at Animal Kingdom and we had planned to be there at rope drop. I was ready – dressed in my shirt from Kenya and DSis in her Asian inspired safari khaki outfit, bottles of water in hand – an hour before EMH at the Old Port Royal bus stop. We had split another breakfast bounty.

Yep. Right on schedule.

Though it looks empty here, when we arrived at the park there was already a good mob of people in front of the three pairs of turnstiles and just as we walked up to the one on the left, the guy opened another lane but only allowed people from certain states to go over. He first called Arizona. No takers. Then Washington and DSis asked if he meant DC – no. But then he called Virginia and we got the first spot. The family behind us was from North Carolina and I stopped listening after that.

I enjoy taking photos of empty parks - just before they let us IN!!!

I was too excited about being the first through a turn stile. Don’t remember doing that before. The cast member at our turnstile was a nice college student and we had a nice chat about her theater studies and experiences with the college program.

I told DSis I was so excited to be the first through that I would probably choke and hold everyone up. And. I did. But once we made it through the turnstiles we were free to walk briskly to Aisa or Africa (we went to Asia). No rope drop ceremony today. DSis was not feeling so well today so I told her to sit in the shade near Yak and Yeti as I went on for the Everest fastpasses.

We then went to Kilimanjaro Safaris on standby which was not much of a line at all – just at the final queue area did we stop.

I had asked if we could have the last row and the guy let us, but DSis got confused when the ride loaded and thought she was supposed to get on with this dad and his two small kids. It was too late though – we were on. She apologized when she realized that maybe the guy just told us to stand there not to get on now. The father was nice about it. There was room for us all and later in the day they would have five in a row so it was really no big deal.

the vehicle we were supposed to be on.

What was a big deal was the crane standing in the middle of our path as soon as we pulled off from the loading station. We had to wait and wait and wait and finally after about 10 minutes a cast member was able to get the cranes away by putting out more food.

killing time

We were worried that they would cut our trip short (shorter than the poachers do) but we got to see the savanna.

this is not the savanna, but it sure is pretty.

We had giraffe very near our vehicle and had a really nice encounter with a cheetah sitting up on a rock about 20 feet from the vehicle. Closest I’ve ever been to their cheetahs. No lions at this hour. But now you can enjoy the fruits of our two week photographic safari...

can you spot the two types of giraffe here?

do these guys ever move?

Okay, so no animals attacked in this post. Well just you wait...

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

Saturday, June 4 – Animal kingdom and Downtown Disney
Credits: 11QS - 16S

6:30 Breakfast CBR – Market Street 1QS
7:00 bus to Animal Kingdom (AK)
7:45 Oasis exhibits
8:05 Pick up Everest FP
8:10 Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris – standby
8:30 Kusafiri Bakery 2S
9:00 Ride Kali Rapids – standby
9:15 Maharaja Trail
9:30 Visit gorillas at Pangami Trail
10:05 Pick up Kilimanjaro FP
10:30 Ride Everest with FP
11:30 Lunch at Yak and Yeti/Flame Tree 2QS
12:30 Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris with FP
1:00 Shop AK
1:30 Bus back to CBR
2:00 Pool and beach at CBR
5:15 Shower/change for dinner
6:15 Bus to Downtown Disney
7:15 Dinner at Cookes of Ireland 2QS
8:00 Movie at AMC or back to CBR

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

It was already time (9:05) to pick up our next fastpass so we got ones for the Safari to do it again before we left for the day.

Next a stop in the bird enclosure to watch these Yellow Weavers weaving in and out of their nests.

We then took our time going through the gorilla enclosures and saw the baby playing for a bit before she went up the hill and behind the bushes.

a free-loader in the gorilla enclosure

DSis saw a gerenuk on hind legs for the first time.

By 9:25 I was able to pick up more fastpasses so we went to Everest and got another set of those.

Actually, we had to wait 60 seconds to get the fastpass. And I took the time to look up - the details the Imagineers put into even the little place you pick up fastpasses is incredible.

this makes me happy.

And then we went on the ride – no wait in fastpass 9:25 and I was glad we went in when we did (9:27) because a mob of people were waiting for the cast member to allow 9:30 tickets to get in.

By the time we got out of Everest the park was packed and we were walking against the throngs as we fought the crowds to get away from mega attraction. We apparently inconvenienced some people by stopping to take a picture by one of the parked bikes – people need to relax a little!

stop and pose for a picture people - it's fun!

We went on to the Maharaja Jungle Trek in hopes of seeing more active tigers. No luck – they were hiding in the shade, hugging the walls as they always are for us. It was so hot and humid and we already had all the fastpasses we could have at the time, so we took our time and sat for a minute or two under the banyan trees on a pair of benches opposite some of Anandapur ‘s ancient ruins and murals.

We then headed into the bird free-flight area. As I entered a girl in the group behind me said loudly “I’m scared to go in there. What if one poops on me?” I thought this was a strange thing to worry about. Well…

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

There I am taking photo after photo.

The birds were doing such a great job of posing on their decorative bird houses (clearly food had just been placed out for them).

About half way around the enclosure, I was looking up, taking a photo of a bird on a branch when suddenly I felt a drop of moisture on my forehead.

Wait, it gets worse.

On my lips.

I remained calm. Actually finished taking the photo of the bird on the branch who apparently had a friend on a higher branch.

the sniper

Then turned to DSis to show her what happened. She had Wet Ones in her purse and hand sanitizer and got me all cleaned up.

Unfortunately the birds are really well fed and the one shot had also gotten my camera and my fanny pack. Y.U.C.K! So clearly that girl was right to be concerned! I’m not sure I will spend so much time in the free flight enclosure next time!

All I want now is

but no luck

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

We next stopped by the Kali Rapids – which was down – TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES– but spent a while watching the gibbons who were really active.

One was jumping up and down on the ropes and they all were vocalizing with various calls and screeches. I just had to video it.

While we waited the couple minutes for our next fastpass (which we planned to be Kali Rapids) we sat in the shade behind the fastpass distribution house and guess what? Well as sisters we like to do everything together and keep things fair.

Clearly the birds at Animal Kingdom must know this as well, because one of the birds dropped some doo on DSis’s shoulder. This time it was my turn to clean up her.

don't worry we got the fastpass

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

We then used our second fastpass for Everest and this time DSis left her camera out to take pictures along the trek up the mountain, and down the mountain, and around the mountain, and under the yeti, and back up the mountain, and inside the mountain, and finally back to the station.

On a side note - we have a cousin who has lived in Nepal for ten years or more and he's a travel doctor - works at the travel clinic. Anyway Disney hired him to go with the Imagineers and Steve Corwin for a show on the yeti. We all had to watch this episode of Corwin's show back in the states incase David appeared. And he does - someone injured their hand and the "camp physician" bandages him up. Anyway it was a 60 minute commercial for Expedition Everest and we were all really annoyed. That said. I love this ride.

A side note to the side note. David came to Orlando four years ago when some of our Norwegian 2nd and 3rd cousins came and we had a big family reunion. David reluctantly admitted the Imagineers did a good job replicating the feel of the place, but laughed at the menu options at Yak & Yeti. He also claimed to know just about everyone in the photos in the final queue area.

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

We were so far ahead of our itinerary that we decided to head down the highway to Chester and Hester’s .

Regretably I have no photo of the highway, but I do have this final look back at Asia...

The place was so empty and the cast members seemed so bored that it reminded me of the lame movie Adventureland. It was a great time to go (10am - everyone was either in Asia or Africa or at the Nemo or Lion King musicals.)

DSis bought us 6 game vouchers and we first competed against each other in the wuffleball toss.

We did so badly that the CM gave us each two more balls. No help though.

Then we did the mammoth races. It was neck and neck (or tusk and tusk) but DSis eeked out ahead of me and won the stuffed saber tooth tiger.

Next it was my turn to pick and I went for my wack-a –mole. The CM asked if we would like to play against others and I said that I wouldn’t play if little kids came over to play. She looked at me strangely and I told her how the last time I had played this I didn’t know that there was a little kid on the other side. Didn’t know it until I had won and I heard a little kid crying. Hysterically crying. And a dad trying to console his daughter because “that lady won”. I felt like such a jerk and I tried to give the toy to the kid but the father refused. I told the cast member the only person crying this time should be my sister. I beat DSis barely and won a cute crocodile.

I first visited Chester and Hester's five or six years ago on my first visit to Animal Kingdom. I didn't get it. It doesn't seem like Disney to have these cheesy carnival rides and carnival games and ugly plush toys. I'm so glad I spent so many hours on DIS before I came on this trip because I learned the story behind the area. And for your benefit here it is, as I understand it. Chester and Hester had a gas station along a quiet highway where there was nothing but an old fishing lodge.

The gas station is still there!

But then dinosaur bones were found and the place exploded as all these scientists arrived. And with that Chester and Hester turned their gas station into a roadside souvenier stand and amusement park. Just like the ones you used to see all along the highways in every state in our collective memory of yesteryear.

I now love this part of Animal Kingdom!

I love you. Yes I do.

Nemo let out and the place became swamped. We swam upstream and away from Chester and Hesters...

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

Next was time for lunch – we had planned to eat early - thinking 11:30 would be before the rush. But by that time Yak & Yeti Local Foods was crowded. No spaces at the few tables (and all were in the blazing sun). We got one sweet and sour chicken and a frozen lemonade and a bottle of water (we had each brought one bottle of water in the park with us, but both had drunk the water by this time).

We then followed our plan of heading over to Flame Tree BBQ. We had read that there is a nice place to sit by the water and that the ribs are a must. I ordered the ½ slab of ribs, grapes (which you can order instead of the beans), the large drink (which was enough for two), and the chocolate mousse (which was pretty tasty actually). I loved the sweet bbq sauce they have at the condiment counter – the spicy version seemed the same as the sweet but with pepper seeds.

There are a lot of different eating sections near Flame Tree and though the one closest the lake was full when we arrived, by the time we got through the line (which was long – they should have fastpasses for counter service), someone was getting up from a table. I always carry Lysol spray when I travel and we were able to clean off the table, which happened to be right next to the lake. We had such a relaxing meal. Honestly the atmosphere gave me the sensation I was back at the lodge in Shimba Hills Nature Reserve in Kenya where I sat with my mom having lunch while watching a Fish Eagle diving for nile perch in the lake – other than the lack of a eagle fishing – the atmosphere was identical.

(I'm going to put the photos on the food trip report)

 

[shellbelle]

What a great report! I am really enjoying reading it.

Thanks for posting it.

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

After lunch we used our fastpass for Kilimanjaro Safari.

fine but we did use a fastpass

We had never done the safari ride twice in one day and had never done it any time other than in the morning. I was curious if there would be much difference. This time, DSis didn’t follow people into the wrong vehicle and we weren’t stopped forever waiting for a crane to cross the road. This time no cheetahs but the male lion was sleeping and we got a good look at his cute face.

sable antelope and proof that every game drive is different!

ten points if you know which giraffe this is

each animal is tagged for ID

grand finale

I killed some time in the gift shop as DSis used the restroom and when we headed over to Asia we came on DeVine! Actually if about 50 people hadn’t been standing there I might not have noticed her! What a talent!

the items they display around the store - not for sale - are really exactly what you find in shops in Kenya!

back out in the busy streets

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

What a great report! I am really enjoying reading it.

Thanks for posting it.

Oh my gosh! I didn't know anyone else was reading it! Thank you! I'm so glad you are enjoying it - I'm having so much fun reliving it all! Even if I really don't know what I'm doing when it comes to formating photos and doing hyperlinks!

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

Are you ready for a snack credit? I am... (Sorry for the typo Shellbelle!)

By this time it was so crowded and so hot that we needed a snack break. We headed to Dawalla Drink stand for frozen Cokes.

I was so distracted by the details in the place that I could hardly order – the CMs got a kick out of my appreciation for their workspace though.

We sat in this cute little hut behind the drink stand, with a view of the water and shaded. It was the most refreshing Slurpee of my life!

Kali Rapids was still closed for Technical Difficulties still, so we headed to the bus back to CBR.

We had planned to have dinner at Downtown Disney tonight, but we were so tired we decided just to stay at the resort that evening. We had also thought about renting bikes, but the boat and bike rentals are only open from 11am to 5pm and we couldn’t get rested from the park in time to rent bikes. Plus it was incredibly hot in the afternoon. Would have been better in the evening.

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

We went swimming at Aruba Village pool and it was actually a little cool with the breeze – when you were first out of the water…

That evening at Old Port Royal we stopped at the ticket counter to pick up day passes for Typhoon Lagoon. While we waited the CMs started line dancing.

For dinner we sat at “our table” on the porch watching the water.

We didn’t even have energy to stay out to see the fireworks. This night we went to the room and I worked on downloading photos from my camera and starting to take notes on all that we did!

On the way to the room I saw this...

Seriously was beginning to get a little tired of animals! No, that's not possible! Poop and all it was a good day.

 

[CindyIsMyFave]

Ok, so it looks like a reticulated giraffe on pg. 3 here . . . but it's been too long since we had 'em at our zoo here!

I LOVE the gibbons! We got some great pics not this trip, but our one 2 years ago. Including a baby!

I am highly impressed with your FP management at AK! That's still the park I'm least familiar with of the four and is the one we skip on very short trips . . . Everest is such a fantastic ride though! Have you ever sat in the front? We rode 3 times in March and sat up front twice. It's a really nice view when the track is torn up and then you get a great feeling for the backwards part.

Mammoth races! This is one of my favorites! I do not care if I am competing against children though. Once I won maybe a 5 or 6 player race and got a pretty big purple turtle. I even make DH play with me so we have 2 shots at winning! Now, in your particular scenario, I would have felt just as bad not knowing there was 1 kid on the other side. But in a big crowd, every man, woman or child for themselves!

 

[speedo]

Thanks DSis for posting the great TR! Can't wait for you to post more!

 

[speedo]

I am highly impressed with your FP management at AK! That's still the park I'm least familiar with of the four and is the one we skip on very short trips . . . Everest is such a fantastic ride though! Have you ever sat in the front? We rode 3 times in March and sat up front twice. It's a really nice view when the track is torn up and then you get a great feeling for the backwards part.

I love all of the parks but there is something about Animal Kingdom that makes it one of my favorite parks. I actually may like it more than Magic Kingdom Well on second thought maybe not but it is definitely right up there in my mind with Magic Kingdom. It is funny because I was so against the idea of it when they first built it but now I am a big fan!

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

I think he's a Maasai Giraffe because I always think the Reticulated have a pattern like rectangular bricks. There's also a species called Rothschild's that are smallest. I wish they had those!

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

So fanny pack, tennis shoes and Mickey t-shirt on I’m ready to head to Magic Kingdom (no breakfast bounty today). We leave for the bus at 8am to be at the park one hour before rope drop. I don’t remember seeing the opening ceremony before – at least I’m sure I haven’t seen it in the past decade.

We are the first through the turnstiles and sit down on the planter bench directly in front of the train station. People are clustering at either entrance but we are here for the show. We were approached by a CM to answer some questions about our visit.

family, but not of the day

About 20 minutes later a group of two families traveling together with young children sat next to us on the planter bench and not long after they were approached by a couple CMs and invited to open the park. The dads and one of the mom’s stayed back – so excited – and the kids and one mom went with the cast members. They got all the characters signatures and were joking that they were set for the day!

Seems to me to be the family of the day – go early and stand back by the planter bench center of the entry area. And have cute kids.