That's the first time we had to wear a poncho in Disney! A Mar./April '11 TR DONE 9/5

[wisblue]

I wondered about AK for a half day with lines and early closing, glad you found it bearable.

Sarah and I learned something about late afternoons at the AK on our trip last April. We arrived at the AKL on the Tuesday afternoon after Easter, a very busy time. We went to the AK right after we checked in and got there about 3 PM, just before the parade. The park was pretty crowded then, so we watched the parade from right near the Safari entrance and rode the Safari right after the parade passed us. We had a moderate wait (about 15 minutes) and then spent some time looking for some of the hidden magic near the Tusker House. After that we saw the Flights of Wonder show, rode Everest (we were literally the only people in the single riders line), and then went to Dinosaur where we would have been on with no wait except that it broke down. We ate at the Flame Tree Barbecue around 6 PM and the park was so quiet and peaceful it was unbelievable, and it was still open until 8. If we had been inclined to, we probably could have ridden Everest over and over with no wait. But, because we had had a busy travel day, and were getting up for a 7 AM opening at MK the next morning, we went back to the room.

Our experience is that AK really clears out after the parade and is a good spot for late afternoon touring, especially when the park is open later than 6 PM.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Great update!

I can't believe how it is such a rarity to see the lions or lionesses up on Kilimanjaro. Both times that I've been there, they have been out there and see-able. I've just been so lucky down there, it is uncanny. I love the pictures you took of the safari, especially the lioness one, the lions are NEVER that close. You should name her... NALA! LOL I also love the pictures you took around the Tree of Life (I've never seen that hut before). Can't wait to hear if you got to go on EE and DINOSAUR as well! Update soon!

 

[Caretames1]

NIce Safari photos! We saw the male lion in 2009 just standing there, like he was watching over his kingdom. YAY for a non-busy park!

 

[dancin_princess]

That is a great picture of the lioness. What did your dad say when you told him?

 

[PirateKate]

Love the safari pictures! It looks like there were plenty of animals up and about. Maybe it was getting cooler and past the heat of the day. I love the whole vibe of AK in the late afternoon.

 

[xoktenox]

OMG what an awesome picture of the lionness!! It looks professional like it could be on a calendar or something!

I really want to try the Wild Africa Trek too! It's really expensive though, so it's not gonna happen next month for us. I hope you take it so you can review it for us all haha

All your pictures from the safari are great which is a feat in itself knowing how bumpy that jeep is lol

 

[SoonerGirl]

I really, really want to do the Wild Africa Trek someday so I hope they keep it around for awhile! I think I'd be a little nervous walking over crocodiles on a rope bridge too though

Like everyone else has said, that is an awesome shot you got of the lioness. I've been fortunate enough to see them a few times, but never so out in the open like that!

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Great Lioness pictures! So cool they were out in the open like that.

Your pictures are awesome! Making me so excited for our trip next week!

 

[jelloarms]

When we were there, the lioness was out in the open like that too. It was definetley really cool!

 

[lovethattink]

Awesome Safari pictures!! So nice that the lion cooperated! I've been on that attraction so many times. My favorites to capture are the Okapi, which you got a fantastic picture of, and the lions. Very rarely do I get a pic of either. You certainly had an amazing photo adventure on it!

 

[Nermel9]

Wow, you got such amazing pictures on the safari! The lioness is so pretty, and I love the okapi!

 

[amyrella]

Wow amazing pics of the lioness!! Hopefully I'll get that lucky!

 

[wdwgirl03]

You are so lucky to have seen the lions! You are right, it is very rare that they are so visible, great picture!

It definitely was a highlight of this trip!

Oh my god that picture of the lioness is amazing!!! Those lions are always asleep whenever we go. Maybe the trick is to go later in the afternoon?! lol who knows, I am so jealous though! And I had no idea that the photopass from the birthday card was a coupon as well. I got one of the cards too and we were going to order a few pictures before they expired in a few days. So thanks for writing that, otherwise I never would have known!

Thanks!!! I was pretty proud of myself for getting such a good picture.

You're welcome, hope you got to use your photopass card!

Those are amazing shots that you were able to capture on KS....the lions are so rare to see .... amazing pics!!

Thank you.

Great update! I love the pictures of the lioness

Thanks!

GREAT PICS OF THE LIONS!!!!

I love the birthday card too Funny how they changed them a little bit in the week or so that you went after me!

I loved going to AK late afternoon too! After the parade the crowds just leave, it's crazy!

What did your card look like? Emma got a Cinderella one when they were there.

It is pretty funny how many people leave AK. Then most of the stuff has short waits!

Two updates, how fun. I know I would never wait 2 hours to meet a character, but I would feel awful telling my child that the wait was too long. Crazy how long some people will wait though. I love all the Poly pictures, have never stayed but would sure love to someday.
The pictures from your safari are pretty amazing. I am guessing that you used your zoom feature, but still, how beautiful was that photo? I don't think I have ever gone to AK that late in the day, but if most people were leaving it was probably a pretty good plan.
It was great to see you the other night, my somewhat planned, random Sarah sighting..... I really love all the new products that are in the store, and the cookies were so good, did you try one? I was with my DS, who is my favorite Disney companion. We started going on sister trips about 17 years ago, and we always have so much fun. I have never traded vinylmations, yours are so cute. But in November we did trade pins, and I picked up some very cute vinylmation ones.

Glad you liked the pictures. Yes, I did use my zoom (that 10x zoom sometimes pays off!).

It was nice seeing you too! They sure do have a lot of fun stuff. It's hard to choose what to get! I'm looking forward to the fall line. I guess some stores had a 2-week preview and the new prints look really fun. YES, I did have one of those cookies (or maybe more than just one...). I brought one home for my mom and now she wants to order some. haha

Believe it or not, I only have a couple vinylmation pins. Maybe I should start getting those since they take up less space.

Aww the gazelles are cute. I like the zoomed in picture of the gazelle sitting by herself.

Wow! That's the best picture of a female lion in KS I've ever seen! Lucky The lioness looks so regal. It makes me wonder if the late afternoon ride is the best to see the animals up and about?

I know, doesn't she?! It was so surprising to see her up there like that! It's really hard to gauge when the animals are going to be out. It seems like on most of our first trips to AK (like shortly after it opened) we'd hardly see any animals. I wonder if they've tried some things to help keep the animals more visible at all times of the day.

The safari is my absolute favorite thing to do. I love the lioness shot, it is amazing she was out front there for you all!
I wondered about AK for a half day with lines and early closing, glad you found it bearable.

The safari is one of my favorites too. I just love seeing all the different animals especially when some of them get so close. Awesome.

Amazing pic of the lioness! I would be super excited too

Thanks Caitlin!

Great pictures.
The CM driving the trucks always say grab another fast pass for the Safari ride. Because no two rides are ever the same.

Thanks. It is so true about each ride being different. You never know what you're going to see.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Great update!

I can't believe how it is such a rarity to see the lions or lionesses up on Kilimanjaro. Both times that I've been there, they have been out there and see-able. I've just been so lucky down there, it is uncanny. I love the pictures you took of the safari, especially the lioness one, the lions are NEVER that close. You should name her... NALA! LOL I also love the pictures you took around the Tree of Life (I've never seen that hut before). Can't wait to hear if you got to go on EE and DINOSAUR as well! Update soon!

Wow, you really are lucky. The most we've ever seen the lions before this is the top of their heads. That's why I couldn't help but freak out when we saw the whole lion and not just her head. haha

NIce Safari photos! We saw the male lion in 2009 just standing there, like he was watching over his kingdom. YAY for a non-busy park!

We may or may not have seen the male lion later on in the trip...

That is a great picture of the lioness. What did your dad say when you told him?

Thanks. He thought it was cool and since I had my computer with me I actually sent it to him because I told him about it. He thought it was a great picture too.

Love the safari pictures! It looks like there were plenty of animals up and about. Maybe it was getting cooler and past the heat of the day. I love the whole vibe of AK in the late afternoon.

Yeah, who knows. It wasn't really that hot so maybe that's why they were all out. Or they knew rain was coming...

OMG what an awesome picture of the lionness!! It looks professional like it could be on a calendar or something!

I really want to try the Wild Africa Trek too! It's really expensive though, so it's not gonna happen next month for us. I hope you take it so you can review it for us all haha

All your pictures from the safari are great which is a feat in itself knowing how bumpy that jeep is lol

LOL, thanks! I know, it is so much better than all my pictures sometimes I'm surprised I am the one who took it! But I love it.

haha, if we ever do the tour I will be sure to review it. I've heard good thing about it.

Yeah, it can be bumpy. Sometimes I get some pretty lousy shots though. I just share the decent ones.

I really, really want to do the Wild Africa Trek someday so I hope they keep it around for awhile! I think I'd be a little nervous walking over crocodiles on a rope bridge too though

Like everyone else has said, that is an awesome shot you got of the lioness. I've been fortunate enough to see them a few times, but never so out in the open like that!

I hope they keep it too. I'd love to see more backstage stuff and the one-of-a-kind experiences on the savanna.

Great Lioness pictures! So cool they were out in the open like that.

Your pictures are awesome! Making me so excited for our trip next week!

Woo hoo, next week!

When we were there, the lioness was out in the open like that too. It was definetley really cool!

Awesome you got to see her too!

Awesome Safari pictures!! So nice that the lion cooperated! I've been on that attraction so many times. My favorites to capture are the Okapi, which you got a fantastic picture of, and the lions. Very rarely do I get a pic of either. You certainly had an amazing photo adventure on it!

Glad you liked the pictures. We saw the okapis on one of the trails too where I got a better picture of them.

Wow, you got such amazing pictures on the safari! The lioness is so pretty, and I love the okapi!

Isn't she majestic? It made me really excited for African Cats! haha

Wow amazing pics of the lioness!! Hopefully I'll get that lucky!

I hope you can see her too when you go!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Sunday, March 27, 2011 cont'd (part 6)

After our awesome safari, we walked over to Asia for a wild ride on Expedition Everest. Before getting in line we stopped for a photopass picture because it was in a different location than ones we've done in the past. I'm all about getting different pictures. Usually we get it in front of the little shrine and EE is in the distance. This time it was closer to the entrance of the ride. Sadly I don't think any of them really turned out, otherwise I would've bought one. Oh well, next time.

Usually later in the afternoon we'll do single riders but the stand by line was only fifteen minutes so we just decided to wait and walk through the queue. There were some more annoying high school kids behind us, but luckily the wait went quickly. Soon we were on our train and heading high up into the mountains. Love this view!

The Yeti must've been around because the track was ripped up. Whenever I see this it always reminds me of Stacy. "There doesn't seem to be any track."

The ride was fun but we do have one complaint. The part where the big audio animatronic yeti is is now competely dark. It started off moving, then they used the strobe light and now it's just dark. I mean, doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of the ride? Bogus. OK, complaint over.

From EE, we took the bridge past the Theater in the Wild into Dinoland USA to get terrified on Dinosaur. I'm serious, this is one of the few rides in WDW that I still get a little nervous before riding. Those dinos are freaky! I heard another one of those "funniest things you've heard in Walt Disney World" comments as we were walking up to it. Some dude asked the person he was with, "is this a movie?" Umm...not exactly...I wonder what they thought of it. haha The line was longer than usual, meaning only that we didn't get to walk right into the preshow. I think it was just a couple minutes. We both freaked out on the ride, but then again what else is new?

A picture from the exit...

Because we were planning on going back to the MK we ended up getting dinner at Pizzafari rather than at the MK where we thought it would be more crowded. Claire and I noticed some of the fun details in the park.

Loved this owl!

Claire found some butterflies.

I almost didn't think it was open anymore because when we got there, there was nobody around! It was actually kind of creepy. Atleast it was easy to find a table to enjoy our pizza and breadsticks. I also noticed some more little details on the ceiling. How cute are these turtles? They sort of reminded me of those animals you can buy at the Mexico pavilion. I really wanted to rip one off the ceiling because they were so fun.

After dinner we wandered around the Tree of Life for a bit, looking at the animal carvings and the animals which was fun. There really is so much to see and discover there. I guess that's why it's called Discovery Island!

Don't know why but Claire took a picture of the bird's feather.

And I don't know why, but whenever I look at this picture I think of the movie Madagascar and that scene where they start singing "I like to move it." haha

Flamingoes.

So, our mission of hitting the three major attractions was accomplished. Knowing we'd be back another day for the shows and other attractions, we said "Kwaheri" to the Animal Kingdom.

up next: "Let the memories begin!"

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Great update! I think that may be the quickest time someone has ever done both DINOSAUR and EE. I love both those rides and I probably couldn't do both of them that quickly. Those pictures you took on the ride are awesome, I'm surprised you were even able to take them. I am always holding onto the bar for dear life going up that hill and just looking around at the other part, not even near to grabbing my camera. And that family before going on DINOSAUR Just imagine them getting off the ride I also like seeing those pictures of those extra details you naturally don't pay attention to and up close pictures of the carvings on the tree of life. Always nice to see things you missed. Can't wait to hear more! Update soon!

 

[dawnbu40]

I love the update! I always think the AK is the best park for photographers and you got some great shots!

I love the look of Pizzafari but we've never eaten there. Is it worth a stop?

Looking forward to more

 

[jenbear123]

The dinosaurs aren't THAT scary..... okay maybe a little. I have to admit I scream just about every time right at the end. AK seems really tranquil near the end of the day. I should really make it mandatory to go to AK some day just before closing. It seems really chillaxed.

 

[xoktenox]

I totally get freaked out on Dinosaur too, don't think you're alone!

Yummm to Pizzafari...I can't wait to get some mediocre Disney pizza back in my system I really can't though!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I love the pics of AK! Brings back memories for me Didn't really care for the job after a few months but I enjoyed the park and all the hidden treasures/secrets of it!

I love Dino too! It's even worse when you walk right onto the ride without the pre-show coming in from a sunny day bc it seems pitch black with all the dinos! Of course I know the whole ride speech but they still jump out at me and I can never look at that sucker at the end!!!