The ABC's of a BSN Celebration! Trip Wrap up; Final Thoughts (7/11)

[Steppesister]

Hey Sister! I'm so hit and miss with the DIS, but I'm looking to see what your foodie experiences where on the last trippie! It was so fun to see you!

Hey Sweet Lady!! Haven't seen you around, here OR FB for a bit! I have SO many foodie posts I need to get to! I've been trying to rotate parks and food so that it's a good mashup of content. But yes, next up is another dining review!

I was sad we could only pass in the night so to speak. I wish our trips overlapped by another day or so!

 

[Steppesister]

Thank goodness for that. Keeping you in my thoughts as you wait for the biopsy results. (((hugs)))

Thanks, Irene! I'll keep everyone posted as I know more, but with most things, results will take time.

But on a less serious note - I was another to go to Rocky Horror with all the stuff to throw, dancing along, and saying all the extra lines. At my wedding, one of my bridesmaids passed out toast to people, and had them throw toast at us during her toast! I don't think I could remember all the extra lines now, but I can still dance the Time Warp...

Those were the days!! Silly, clean fun. What a creative toast! :yes:

 

[Steppesister]

Nice additions. You've been taking lessons from Ponzi.

LOL!! Yes, I could say he is certainly an inspiration!

 

[vamassey1]

Let’s start with my least favorite. I mean, it’s okay; I like it, but that track... OY

My least favorite too. I have not ridden it in years. The last time I rode it I left with a headache.

The queue itself is fun with both real science-y stuff and quirky pseudo-science-y stuff. Here are a couple of snaps to illustrate. I’m positive these star maps/images are the real deal from NASA.

This is really cool.

Obviously, it’s pointless to try and take any photos on the ride, but here are two. I always look like a dweeb because I just don’t ride this one enough to ever remember where the camera is anyway. My daughter and Mary Ellen look great though!

Great ride photo. I have no idea where the camera is either.

My favorite parts of this attraction are AFTER the coaster.

I have never really noticed these before. I guess it's due to the headache I have afterward. It almost makes me want to ride just to see this.

Turns out…I’m not the only one who loses their phone on rides, so there! MEK’s had fallen out of the pocket of her purse when she was getting out of the rocket.

Another member of the "lost phone & forgotten phones club".

Splash- the mountain about to be transformed from something that, in my own humble opinion, is just fine the way it is.

This is my favorite MK attraction and yes I like it just the way it is but I'm hoping it will be even better with the new overlay. If it isn't I don't know what I will do

ere’s a bit of the backstory to the attraction because every Disney attraction must tell a story!!

Thanks for sharing the backstory. I will look more closely the next time I ride.

 

[Steppesister]

My least favorite too. I have not ridden it in years. The last time I rode it I left with a headache.

I ride it about once every 5 trips. Not worth the wait or the body aches afterwards every time.

Great ride photo. I have no idea where the camera is either.

Just highlights how clueless and UN-savvy of a ride cam junkie I am.

I have never really noticed these before. I guess it's due to the headache I have afterward. It almost makes me want to ride just to see this.

I can totally see that!

Another member of the "lost phone & forgotten phones club".

She's a card-carrying member!

This is my favorite MK attraction and yes I like it just the way it is but I'm hoping it will be even better with the new overlay. If it isn't I don't know what I will do

I will sorely miss zipitty-doo-dahing.

Thanks for sharing the backstory. I will look more closely the next time I ride.

You're welcome!! I think it really makes the ride make more sense! I mean, it's an awesome ride in and of itself, but this makes all those little details have some context.

 

[disney-inspired]

I'm so glad I found your TR. I'm loving your style, can't wait for the next installment!

 

[Steppesister]

I'm so glad I found your TR. I'm loving your style, can't wait for the next installment!

Aww, thank you so much!! I absolutely LOVE new readers and am so happy when my writing and photos bring a little magic and enjoyment!! I can be slow at updating at times, but seem to be on a roll with this one so far. Hope you'll chime in with the chatter and silliness.

 

[pkondz]

Let’s start with my least favorite. I mean, it’s okay; I like it, but that track... OY! My poor neck and old, decrepit body is almost always happier elsewhere.

I so get that. I used to really like (won't say "love") that ride, but... now I'm just as happy to skip it. Maybe more happy than not.

I’ll never forget the suspense and anticipation I felt as a kid waiting for what seemed like hours in the Star Tunnel in an interminably long line to ride a coaster in the dark.

Yup. I remember, when it was only 3 years old, standing in line with my sister for 90 minutes to go on it.
Sure wouldn't come anywhere near that now.

Then again, there were nights during private, special events that I could ride over and over, screaming the time away with no waits at all.

Oh really! Nice.

I have time to really see and admire.

That's a very nice way of not saying we're old and decrepit.

I’m positive these star maps/images are the real deal from NASA.

Well, the Jewel Box cluster is a real thing. And quite well known. But... I've never seen it as I've never been south of the equator.

The droids and control panels clearly are not.

What?!?!?!??

I realize I need to look a bit more scrupulously at the images you can see in the far bottom left hand corner of this photo next time I go. Umm….. Disney’s been known to sneak naughtiness in their work before.

Whoops!!

Cool shot!

Love the dabbing from your DD.

One is a futuristic home where a droid is supposedly serving the family in some capacity... Cooking dinner? Cleaning? I just want to know why this isn’t a reality yet.

Oh they have cleaning droids...

Because anything a droid could cook and serve me would be better than the usual fare I have after a long day at work.

I'd not worry about the robot cooking, so much, but... how would it taste it's own food?

"Here you are master enjoy your dinner"
Me: <spits out horrible "food">

I mean who wouldn’t want to go 20,000 light years under the sea?!

Um....

Side note, those last two photos were incredibly difficult to get and needed quite a bit of tweaking in after-processing. Bright and dark/shadowy together is TOUGH!

Mik and MEK

I like that. They should travel together all the time.

was surprised to find them not too far out

Point of order. It should be a legal requirement that when you say "far out", you must then use either "dude" or "man".

Turns out…I’m not the only one who loses their phone on rides, so there!

But! Does anyone else do that with your consistency????

MEK’s had fallen out of the pocket of her purse when she was getting out of the rocket. It only took them 10 minutes to find it and of course she was incredibly grateful and so happy!

Glad she got it back.

I can’t think of a worse trip bummer short of missing a flight or breaking a leg.

Yeah... losing your phone has got to be up there on the suckage meter.

I try so hard to really love Tomorrowland, but it’s just not my thing,

It's... such an odd area. "Come see what people in the 60s-70s thought 20 years ago would look like!"

Cool shot. Not sure I remember that faux-tree.

I admit I went totally overboard with trying to document it so that in the years to come I can properly lament and look back with longing.

So... what you're saying is if you hadn't taken any photos, you would improperly lament and look back with longing?

It’s cute, the song is incredibly catchy and altogether iconically Disney in every way, and the animals tell such a great story of finding a happy, laughing place- a message that is so needed in today’s world of uncertainty and heaviness.

<sigh>
While I do understand the connotations/reference and can see why it is problematic... Considering how difficult it is to view that movie...
I do wonder how many of the following conversations happen like this: "What's the ride about, dad?" "Why it's racism, son!"

The queue is so well-themed! Setting the scene for a rural jaunt:

I do hope that they have as much (or more!) attention to detail after the redo.

Love that shot.

 

[pkondz]

And now my favorite of the 3 Mountains- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!

Me too!

*** Warning! Long bit of story about the attraction’s storyline but how many of you knew this about the ride?!***

Those were interesting and... no, I was not familiar with those back stories.

Again, without too terribly much commentary here are some of the better shots I got this time around.

Got some real nice ones, too.

(Amazing how they had such futuristic lighting equipment to light the way back then. )

That's... odd. Did they leave it there thinking no one would notice?? Weird.

(The tongue and cheek sight gags are such a gas here!)

I see what you did there.

(Bonus points if you catch the reference! Trust me, it's there!)

I'm not sure which reference you are referring to. I think it's the bird cages? Birds were used as early warning systems in mines for gas.
If the bird croaked instead of sang, it was time to skedaddle.

I don't think I've ever seen those before! Where are they?

Remember, Friendlies... Keep your hands in the air and a song in your hearts!!

 

[gopherdame]

I thought I would come out of lurkdom to let you know I enjoy your trip reports and your pictures are amazing!. We are older and stayed home this year because of the virus. We have a trip planned for December and can't wait. I'm really hoping masks are gone by then.

 

[Steppesister]

I so get that. I used to really like (won't say "love") that ride, but... now I'm just as happy to skip it. Maybe more happy than not.

It's a good one to leave for every few trips and all too soon, I suspect, I won't be able to at all.

Yup. I remember, when it was only 3 years old, standing in line with my sister for 90 minutes to go on it.
Sure wouldn't come anywhere near that now.

At first I read that as, "When *I* was 3 years old..." and thought, MAN! You must've been one very tall 3 year old! The line these days is rarely 90 minutes long. Other, better, smoother tracks have replaced the appeal for many. Maybe on a busy summer or Spring Break day, but otherwise... Touring Plans says it's been really short.

That's a very nice way of not saying we're old and decrepit.

Hey, putting a spin on things is the vogue new way to report things.

Well, the Jewel Box cluster is a real thing. And quite well known. But... I've never seen it as I've never been south of the equator.

I surmised as much. I'd never heard of it, but the fact that there were actual astronomical terms such as "declination" on there made me pretty certain this wasn't Imagineered. I love my Astronomy Class in University and actually remember some things from it. If I ever get to Australia I'll look for this, unless I have to go to a planetarium to see it. Which isn't likely.

What?!?!?!??

But, wouldn't it be cool if it was?

Whoops!!

I"m telling you... LOL. I'm going to go through the line next trip SPECIFICALLY to look for this.

Cool shot!

WIshed it was just a tad crisper! Ah well.

Love the dabbing from your DD.

She is so darned cute and photogenic.

Oh they have cleaning droids...

But what happens when they don't see the dog poo?

I'd not worry about the robot cooking, so much, but... how would it taste it's own food?

"Here you are master enjoy your dinner"
Me: <spits out horrible "food">

Well, if they can't smell the dog poop, they probably can't smell dinner OR taste it. I think for a while yet, we'd better rely on human culinary attempts.

Um....

I LOVED the reference there!

I like that. They should travel together all the time.

They hit it off INCREDIBLY well. I was out to dinner with Mik the other day and she told me that she'd been meaning to text MEK for a while now. In fact, they actually spent more time together on the trip than MEK and I did.

Point of order. It should be a legal requirement that when you say "far out", you must then use either "dude" or "man".

LOL!!

But! Does anyone else do that with your consistency????

It's good to know I'm best at something.

Yeah... losing your phone has got to be up there on the suckage meter.

And yet, I"m sure it happens multiple times a day at Disney.

It's... such an odd area. "Come see what people in the 60s-70s thought 20 years ago would look like!"

Exactly!!

Cool shot. Not sure I remember that faux-tree.

There are many in Tomorrowland!

So... what you're saying is if you hadn't taken any photos, you would improperly lament and look back with longing?

Hmmm, fair point!

<sigh>
While I do understand the connotations/reference and can see why it is problematic... Considering how difficult it is to view that movie...
I do wonder how many of the following conversations happen like this: "What's the ride about, dad?" "Why it's racism, son!"

I really enjoyed the movie and love the sweet friendship between Uncle Remus and Johny. Obviously opinions have changed since it's release but there are still inherent qualities that can be appreciated. Which are what the ride focuses on ONLY.

I do hope that they have as much (or more!) attention to detail after the redo.

As do I.

 

[Steppesister]

Those were interesting and... no, I was not familiar with those back stories.

I love when I can read about what the Imagineers had in mind; really helps to make the rides mean more and the details make sense.

Got some real nice ones, too.

Thanks!

That's... odd. Did they leave it there thinking no one would notice?? Weird.

I honestly don't know! I was very surprised that it was there as it really is an eyesore to the onstage scene.

I see what you did there.

I' glad someone's reading!

I'm not sure which reference you are referring to. I think it's the bird cages? Birds were used as early warning systems in mines for gas.
If the bird croaked instead of sang, it was time to skedaddle.

Ding, ding, ding!!!

I don't think I've ever seen those before! Where are they?

Most people are eager to turn right towards Splash when they exit the ride. Those who linger and venture the OTHER way, to the left towards the waterfront can see these and a good view of the Liberty Belle chugging by.

 

[Steppesister]

I thought I would come out of lurkdom to let you know I enjoy your trip reports and your pictures are amazing!. We are older and stayed home this year because of the virus. We have a trip planned for December and can't wait. I'm really hoping masks are gone by then.

Well hello there!! I'm so glad you're enjoying them so much and I love your kind words. I think you'll have an amazing trip in December and hope that much of what was this awfulness of 2020 and more is well behind us. With so many getting vaxed now, I am very hopeful.

 

[CruellaNY]

Splash- the mountain about to be transformed from something that, in my own humble opinion, is just fine the way it is.

And now my favorite of the 3 Mountains- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!

Mine too mine too! A friend just gave me a book she came across that's all about all the Disney mountains; it's upstairs so not sure of the exact name- but it has tons of info on BTMRR.

(Bonus points if you catch the reference! Trust me, it's there!)

OK! So I JUST noticed this/these in February and pointed them out to Melinda and Jenny! I cannot believe I never noticed before!

 

[Steppesister]

Mine too mine too! A friend just gave me a book she came across that's all about all the Disney mountains; it's upstairs so not sure of the exact name- but it has tons of info on BTMRR.

Oh wow!! I would LOVE to see/read that! If you remember send along the title and I will see if I can find it.

OK! So I JUST noticed this/these in February and pointed them out to Melinda and Jenny! I cannot believe I never noticed before!

I hadn't either! I swear every time I go I see new stuff! I love that about Disney!

 

[pkondz]

It's a good one to leave for every few trips and all too soon, I suspect, I won't be able to at all.

Yeah... me too.

At first I read that as, "When *I* was 3 years old..." and thought, MAN! You must've been one very tall 3 year old!

I knew you'd read it that way!!

Hey, putting a spin on things is the vogue new way to report things.

Oh, is that what they're calling it now?

I surmised as much. I'd never heard of it, but the fact that there were actual astronomical terms such as "declination" on there made me pretty certain this wasn't Imagineered.

Ah! They probably gave its location in the night sky.

I love my Astronomy Class in University and actually remember some things from it. If I ever get to Australia I'll look for this, unless I have to go to a planetarium to see it. Which isn't likely.

I loved mine too. And I'd love to see the oft-mentioned Southern Cross.

I"m telling you... LOL. I'm going to go through the line next trip SPECIFICALLY to look for this.

:yes::

WIshed it was just a tad crisper! Ah well.

Tough to do.

She is so darned cute and photogenic.

But what happens when they don't see the dog poo?

WE WILL NOT MENTION THAT!!!

I LOVED the reference there!

They hit it off INCREDIBLY well. I was out to dinner with Mik the other day and she told me that she'd been meaning to text MEK for a while now. In fact, they actually spent more time together on the trip than MEK and I did.

Oh really! That's really nice.

It's good to know I'm best at something.

And yet, I"m sure it happens multiple times a day at Disney.

I'm sure it happens hundreds of times a day at Disney!

I really enjoyed the movie and love the sweet friendship between Uncle Remus and Johny.

If I've seen the movie, it would've been on Disney when I was very, very little and I don't remember it anymore. But... I'm almost certain that I've not seen anything other than a snippet of the song being sung.

Obviously opinions have changed since it's release but there are still inherent qualities that can be appreciated. Which are what the ride focuses on ONLY.

I can't comment, having not (I think) seen it.

I love when I can read about what the Imagineers had in mind; really helps to make the rides mean more and the details make sense.

I do wonder though... which came first, the chicken or the egg. Was the story developed before or after the ride was built?

I' glad someone's reading!

Ding, ding, ding!!!

Woot! Got it on the first try!

Most people are eager to turn right towards Splash when they exit the ride. Those who linger and venture the OTHER way, to the left towards the waterfront can see these and a good view of the Liberty Belle chugging by.

I have done just that... but I don't remember Totem poles!

 

[Steppesister]

N is for: Nahtazu!!​

Maybe for some of you that is a new word. Perhaps for many, it’s a familiar word, but like me, are not sure what it truly references. I had a vague idea that it’s a word that actually defines a concept….. more accurately it’s an ad campaign! Launched in 2001, Animal Kingdom released a commercial featuring the soundbite emphasizing that the park is SO MUCH MORE!!

Enjoy this retro peek at where that term originated:
https://www.laughingplace.com/w/blogs/marshal-knight/2017/02/08/an-ode-to-nahtazu/​

And yet, technically… it is a zoo. While on the Savor the Savanah Tour in early 2020, I learned that Animal Kingdom is a true leader in Zoo Association efforts around the world. Their management techniques and care of their animals is actually quite astonishing. The spaces, vet care, training, and food are top notch and it shows in the pride the keepers hold and through the animals in their care.

My last trip was such a great one. The company of my daughter and Mary Ellen, and Kari at other times, the food, the slower pace of the parks- it was all just so lovely. Lovely to be out of the house doing something… ANYTHING, that felt normal and creative. It’d been a very long time since I’d dusted off my camera and practiced shooting. Rusty skills is quite an understatement. But at the last minute, I decided to take all of my lenses and spend a bit more time than usual doing something I really enjoy. Luckily, the camera made it with me at all. As we were loading Mik’s car and heading to the airport, I took one last look in my backseat floor area… and yep, there it was- the camera bag. I was so sure I’d had all my bags.

Anyway, our first Safari was absolutely perfect. We boarded our bumpy truck right after Pandora and it was still only like 8:30 AM, so the animals were all out and just being fed. Our driver was willing to stop quite a bit along the road, but at least 3 times we had to stop, like it or not, because animals were crossing RIGHT in front of us- Giraffes, Ostrich, and an Ankole. The weather, as I’ve mentioned, was freezing cold and I’m sure that helped keep the critters out and active as well.

However, I was able towards the end of the trip to get some solo time while Mik and MEK took some pool and downtime while I trekked on. So I am going to throw in some photos of other animals in other places around the park. I mean how many of us actually spend much time at all in the Oasis area or go out of our way to see the 'Roos and Otters around the TOL?

I’m not ashamed to say over and over, Animal Kingdom is my favorite park, and as they say, it’s truly Nahtazu! But today’s post showcases the fact that it’s not just Nahtazu, but it’s a very GREAT zoo too. I have many more AK photos I’ll share in this TR that highlight just how stellar of a job Disney does but I think you’ll agree the animals themselves are the stars of the show!

(Do you have any idea how hard it is to photograph that cheetah?!?! It's either laying down WAY far away from the jeeps in the shade or it's moving AND your jeep is moving. But, this is the best photo I've gotten of him/her? to date so happy even though it's a bit blury!)

​

And a quick snap of a WILD bird that happened to see what the hubbub was on the Savanah.

​

There's a new area on display for the Nigerian Dwarf Goats towards the end of the Safari now. The storyline is that it's the Warden's home and the goats provide milk products to support the conservation efforts. Really cute when the goats are climbing and playing!

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...-nigerian-dwarf-goats-at-kilimanjaro-safaris/





(Those are natural birds, not part of a show. They just happened to be there and preening in the sun posing absolutely perfectly with an awesome backdrop!!)


(Did some artsty-fartsy manipulating on this one. I thought the sky and silhouette made it a bit more mysterious and dramatic.)









(Baby Grace will be celebrating her 2nd birthday in May! She's grown so much!!!)


​

So.... what animal is your favorite on the Safari? Or, is it one that is NOT on the Safari but somewhere else in the park? Let's see which animal gets the most love!!

 

[suse66]

Let’s start with my least favorite. I mean, it’s okay; I like it, but that track... OY! My poor neck and old, decrepit body is almost always happier elsewhere. However, I will say that there is some pretty neat, albeit outdated, theming going on in the queue. Not quite as cool as its sister attraction in Cali, but when you slow down and take the time to appreciate, it is there. I’ll never forget the suspense and anticipation I felt as a kid waiting for what seemed like hours in the Star Tunnel in an interminably long line to ride a coaster in the dark. Back then, it was a completely novel and thrilling concept! Then again, there were nights during private, special events that I could ride over and over, screaming the time away with no waits at all. Either way, I was, like most teens, living life in the fast lane and not even noticing the finer details of any of the attractions. Now I’m old and move a bit slower. I have time to really see and admire.

I do love taking the time to slow down and appreciate the incredible theming. While we are older, we are most certainly not old.

My favorite parts of this attraction are AFTER the coaster. I’m a sucker for diorama and these knock it out of the park! There are 3 scenes (maybe 4?) that you pass as you work your way out. The soundtrack is altogether different and actually very retro in sound. Perfect for the kitchy, 1950’s-reminescent scenes you see. One is a futuristic home where a droid is supposedly serving the family in some capacity... Cooking dinner? Cleaning? I just want to know why this isn’t a reality yet. Because anything a droid could cook and serve me would be better than the usual fare I have after a long day at work. The next 2 are super fun! One is what camping might look like 500 years from now and another is an underwater diving adventure. I mean who wouldn’t want to go 20,000 light years under the sea?! Side note, those last two photos were incredibly difficult to get and needed quite a bit of tweaking in after-processing. Bright and dark/shadowy together is TOUGH! I don’t know how to merge photos in PS yet, but it’s a “Someday Goal” to learn.

Oh, I need to look more carefully at those dioramas if I brave Space Mountain again.

And now my favorite of the 3 Mountains- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!

My favourite too!

On a very stormy night, a flash flood completely wiped out the town, destroying the mining company. Rumors have it Professor Cumulus Isobar, a rainmaker, brought the flood to Tumbleweed. If you look carefully, you might just spot a mysterious machine with Cumulus’ name on it while experiencing Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!

I didn't know the backstory either but can thoroughly appreciate the level of detail.

(Bonus points if you catch the reference! Trust me, it's there!)

I didn't catch this one.

And there we are... at the end of our little tour of the 3 mountains of MK. Remember, Friendlies... Keep your hands in the air and a song in your hearts!!

Always!

Anyway, our first Safari was absolutely perfect. We boarded our bumpy truck right after Pandora and it was still only like 8:30 AM, so the animals were all out and just being fed. Our driver was willing to stop quite a bit along the road, but at least 3 times we had to stop, like it or not, because animals were crossing RIGHT in front of us- Giraffes, Ostrich, and an Ankole. The weather, as I’ve mentioned, was freezing cold and I’m sure that helped keep the critters out and active as well.

I adore early morning safaris.

However, I was able towards the end of the trip to get some solo time while Mik and MEK took some pool and downtime while I trekked on. So I am going to throw in some photos of other animals in other places around the park. I mean how many of us actually spend much time at all in the Oasis area or go out of our way to see the 'Roos and Otters around the TOL?

I am obsessed with the Tree of Life and love poking around there. I discover something new each time. The otters are so much fun to watch.

(Baby Grace will be celebrating her 2nd birthday in May! She's grown so much!!!)

This is a great shot!

So.... what animal is your favorite on the Safari? Or, is it one that is NOT on the Safari but somewhere else in the park? Let's see which animal gets the most love!!

I absolutely love the giraffes.

 

[Wood Nymph]

My favorite parts of this attraction are AFTER the coaster. I’m a sucker for diorama and these knock it out of the park! There are 3 scenes (maybe 4?) that you pass as you work your way out.

I haven't been on this ride in ages and it was nice to see pictures of the exit scenes.

I’m not the only one who loses their phone on rides, so there! MEK’s had fallen out of the pocket of her purse when she was getting out of the rocket.

She is lucky that she didn't lose it at the top of the roller coaster. I have lost a hat, reading glasses, and sunglasses at WDW, but losing a cellphone would be a disaster.

Splash- the mountain about to be transformed from something that, in my own humble opinion, is just fine the way it is.

I never could understand why Disney used such an old story like Song of the South to tell the story of the ride. I always thought that the combination of a cute kids section combined with a more grown up thrill ride just seemed wrong. The only story I remember from Song of the South is the Tar Baby story. Tar-Baby - Wikipedia

Here’s a bit of the backstory to the attraction because every Disney attraction must tell a story!!

I never knew the backstory. That makes the ride more interesting.

My last trip was such a great one. The company of my daughter and Mary Ellen, and Kari at other times, the food, the slower pace of the parks- it was all just so lovely. Lovely to be out of the house doing something… ANYTHING, that felt normal and creative.

I think the whole - out of the house doing some new - is the reason we have gone to WDW more than usual since October.

our first Safari was absolutely perfect. We boarded our bumpy truck right after Pandora and it was still only like 8:30 AM, so the animals were all out and just being fed. Our driver was willing to stop quite a bit along the road, but at least 3 times we had to stop, like it or not, because animals were crossing RIGHT in front of us- Giraffes, Ostrich, and an Ankole. The weather, as I’ve mentioned, was freezing cold and I’m sure that helped keep the critters out and active as well.

My sister and I had been to AK just a couple of days before you were there and the animals were great. The best was the gorilla habitat. The entire family, except one gorilla, were playing on the hill instead of being in the glass window. The babies were climbing the ropes and dragging the bucket area, etc. And the CM went into detail when I asked about the bachelor hill with the male gorillas.

But when my sister and I did the safari at rope drop on Jan 31st, literally one of the first groups out, there was only one giraffe on the savanna, which I thought was odd. My husband and I went to AK the first week of March and rode the safari just a little after rope drop. It was approximately 8:25am when we got to the savanna and suddenly a huge group of giraffes come racing over the hill and into the savanna. Now I know why we didn't see the giraffes on January 31st - they hadn't been released from their enclosure yet.

There's a new area on display for the Nigerian Dwarf Goats towards the end of the Safari now. The storyline is that it's the Warden's home and the goats provide milk products to support the conservation efforts. Really cute when the goats are climbing and playing!

I asked the CM about the goat display and he said that they built it in Nov or Dec. I like the display and hope they build more things like that.

what animal is your favorite on the Safari?

I love the giraffes. I will never forget the very time time I went on the safari and saw giraffes eating leaves and walking around in a natural setting, instead of in a concrete cage.

 

[Steppesister]

I knew you'd read it that way!!

I see what you did there....

Oh, is that what they're calling it now?

Heh.

Ah! They probably gave its location in the night sky.

I loved mine too. And I'd love to see the oft-mentioned Southern Cross.

I'm sure it happens hundreds of times a day at Disney!

And I'd say that 99% of the time they are found.

If I've seen the movie, it would've been on Disney when I was very, very little and I don't remember it anymore. But... I'm almost certain that I've not seen anything other than a snippet of the song being sung.

Mr. Bluebird on my shoulder....

I do wonder though... which came first, the chicken or the egg. Was the story developed before or after the ride was built?

These are a couple of exerpts from a book I"ve read over and over. I'm going to say that most definitely the story came first, given that that's how Disney has always developed pretty much everything.

Woot! Got it on the first try!

Go you!!

I have done just that... but I don't remember Totem poles!

They're there for next time!