The ABCs of a Very Merry Christmastime Land and Sea Adventure- N: Nice, Slow Stroll (Gorilla Falls Trail) & O: Old and New Attractions at EPCOT (4/26)

[Steppesister]

Wonderful pictures in SE. I remember the first time I saw the sleeping monk. I was amazed how he was snoring/breathing! The animatronics amazed me!

Some of those, even early ones, are truly works of art. So innovative and neat for the technology at the time.

Ugh with the bus miss! Once when it was pouring rain I directed D down the wrong lane and we had to take a AS Sport bus and then Lyft to AKL, totally my fault but ugh!

That sounds awful! Especially the extra money part. Just ugh! Then again, there have been a few times that I've "made boo-boos" but ended up making a fun memory too.

I also love Moana Land (good name) it is lovely to walk through and check everything out! Beautiful pictures again!

MoanaLand is just great for everyone, especially on a hot day!

 

[Steppesister]

I could watch them all day

I remember so vividly seeing Baby Grace at 2 days old. Magical!

More than okay! Better than I could ever do!

Heh, I've had some real disasters too!! My Nick was awful!!

I LOVE the Animal Kingdom Christmas decorations and music...just perfection.

Absolutely! Very calming and some classy, some whimsical!

I agree! Such a nice attraction for the kids too.

 

[Steppesister]

Maybe it was a little bit of foreshadowing there.

I always have to laugh at the scene of the computer operator with her miniskirt and go-go boots. I wore plenty of miniskirts but never wore tights with them. We wore hosiery. I also took a computer programing class back when computers were in a huge room and every step in the program had to written on its own punch card.

HAHA!!! I'll come back with my face chewed up!

I do a little boogie in her honor as I glide by.

My mom talks about her nylons all. the. time. It was a horrific day when they got a run. LOL!!!!!

My earliest experience with programming was C and DOS and I HATED, HATED, HATED it. I was sooooo bad. I STILL struggle when I toggle to BB code on here to insert color changes (struggled with my own siggie last night adding my last TR links) and "fix" stuff. I spend WAY too long and end up with a headache every time. OY!

Moana land is perfect for everyone. Disney did a great job with it.

I love the interactive stuff! I did play a little, but it wasn't super warm and I didn't want to get too wet. But it'd sure be nice on a hot day. Although I imagine it'd get pretty crowded too.

 

[Steppesister]

Not much time to reply except to say I have thoroughly enjoyed your photos especially from SE and Moanaland

Thanks! I was already having a pretty great day slowly wandering around.

 

[irene_dsc]

Between where I was and where I was headed is the new Journey of Water (I call it MoanaLand). I admit, it is a very lovely new area, and I ended up spending a bit of time waving my hands through the motion-activated features and admiring the colors and hidden characters.

I didn't even know this existed! Looks pretty cool! (Yes, it's now been over 10 years since our last WDW trip - I've missed quite a few changes...)

 

[pkondz]

Both!

Hey, you know you're ABC's. You're on the right TR! LOL!

That's right!

No, now they lay around AND putz around on cell phones.

Ah yes. Always that.

You've said in the past it reminds you of your dad. :/

It definitely does.

Doesn't matter. My neck hurts to....



exist.

This might help. Seems to be a neck remedy of some sorts...

HEY! I think you're right! Good eye! You looked more carefully and I think you're spot on. We had that one too. Remember Hungry, Hungry Hippo?

Yes and no. I never saw it or played it as a kid, but I did with my kids.

 

[missjackiemcg]

Such a lovely "Dad moment" you had on your visit to the Conservation Station. I love little winks like that from those I've lost--staying connected. And you did a fabulous job on your drawing!!! This looks awesome! We really like doing these, too, and always make it a priority on our AK days.

I love this!! I actually spotted it during my marathon in 2023 and it made me laugh right out loud because I was seriously running SO SLOW at the time. I snapped a pic!

(If only students behaved in school like this nowadays)

I can 100% report that they do not behave like this! LOL

 

[vamassey1]

Did you know that the Colobus Monkey:

I always enjoy learning new things from your trip reports.

And since we’re on a bit of a fact-finding mission while we’re on this little stroll, let’s learn about the hippos, shall we?

Lots of interesting facts on hippos too.

I spent quite a bit of time, and even long enough to see some obnoxious folks get a polite, but solid, chewing out by the trail hosts for yelling at the animals to look towards them. STOP THAT!!!! Are people that oblivious that a more authentic experience can be had by just being quiet and still. Huge pet peeve. My annoyance was short-lived and I moved on.

Some people! I'm glad the CM politely corrected them.

The backstory is that as I walked up to the animal surgery center, a family behind me started having a talk. The dad ended up being an anesthesiologist and was explaining the anesthesia machine to his 20-something year-old son who is in medical school and trying to decide on his specialty. He went into great detail about anesthesia and how the machine worked with all of the circuits and flowmeters. I turned around and told him a little bit about my dad and that I had come here to remember him. They were very touched. What a really neat memory to come away with.”

You were meant to be there at that exact time. What a great "moment".

Today’s character would be Simba all grown up and I think I did okay- one of my better sessions. YAY!

You did fabulous!

I think the strategy for DS now for me at least is to just have a specific destination in mind, go there and hang out, then get out of Dodge. Just aimlessly wandering to shop is just too hard now with the crowds. It's a local hangout and just frustrating.

I'm getting more and more like this too. We use to have a few spots we wanted to make sure to see and then just wonder around, but the crowds deter the wondering now.

Such a creative use of resources available!

I always enjoy how creative the Christmas decorations are here.

Pausing on Discovery Island as I came across the Merry Menagerie, I found joy in the infectious smiles of the puppeteers.

The Merry Menagerie give me lots of joy.

Oh! It was, you’re in the Sports line.”

This is some thing I would do especially if I'm alone and no one is there to stop me.

I enjoy the challenge of photography on this attraction and sometimes I actually end up with some decent photos.

Excellent photos.

(My all-time favorite hidden Mickey)

I've never noticed this.

I found it hilarious that I accidentally chose Cairo as my hometown on the “let’s get going screen”.

Both older folks and wee ones were enjoying themselves, so I think this new attraction is a real winner for the park.

I agree. It's great for everyone!

 

[glennbo123]

Another TR in the works?! Okay, okay...sign me up!