The "can I drink my own body weight in 14 days" Day 10

[Boss Hogg]

The Story so far...
Day 0 - All the Fives
Day1 - the day after the night before
Day 2 - Dry times ahead...
Day 3 - Drink Story Mania
Day 4 - IF&WF
Day 5 - YEAH BABY IT'S 5'o'clock
Day 6 - OMG my head
Day 7 - Home we go
Day 8 - Wave if you want a drink
Day 9 - Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - Merry? Merry? Two words – no alcohol!!


Day 10 - Country Music's biggest night of the year, oh and AK EMH!!

Today's activities are very much dictated by this evening's activities and last nights - as we had a somewhat late night!

There is an EMH at AK tonight and as we have never been to the park at night we are determined to make a visit, and it is the Country Music Awards on TV - country music's biggest night, well at least according to the advertising on ABC! As we are both keen to watch the awards it is a leisurely day with an early lunch, as we have managed to get an ADR at Yak and Yeti and back to the ranch (or room, but ranch sounds more countrified!) for nuts, cake and much much beero whilst tapping along to the TV.

So, we decide to walk over to DTD for lunch, wonder if I could swim over though...

Upon arrival we are undecided where to eat and plump for Fulton's. In reality all we are after is a starter and a few drinkies as we are expecting a slap up dinner courtesy of Yak & Yeti - cannot remember what we had, but it was nice I know that, and ofourse amply accompanied by a couple of Corona's finest

After a small lunch, we decide to have a wander around some shops, and a few bars, T-Rex and Rainforest seem somewhat inviting...

We manage to miss a rain shower at which time we think it wise to head back across to SSR in preparation for our trip to AK and Yak & Yeti.

We arrive at the park at around parade time, but manage to make our way between lines, crowds and ropes sufficiently to arrive at Yak and Yeti just in time - luckily we have a seat upstairs by the window and have a view (although a little limited) of the parade.

After dinner, which was as enjoyable as ever - a real break from the burger routine - not that I've the slightest thing against burgers - I lurve de burgers, almost as much as de cake we take a ride on EE - not quite as lively as I remember it being. We stroll back around to Discovery Island

whilst waiting for it to get dark when the heaven's open. Luckily enough we manage to snag a couple of seats under cover.

The rain continues for an hour or more, which is a bit of a nuisance as we wanted to get some shots of AK at night and at the moment it ain't happening. There is a steady stream of people heading for the exit but we decide to wait it out until the last minute if required.

Luckily enough it starts stopping (can that be right? reminds me of an old Vic Reeves sketch with two scottish guys - stop starting etc etc, anyway I digress) so we think it is time to go for it. We start by walking towards Africam only to be denied as it is shut - I wonder if the real continent shuts at night

So go back round to Asia and around towards Dinoland and having done a full loop back to the exit to make our way home.

AK is a really lovely park at night, but would be better if you could get all the way around - there are some lovely places for photographs between Africa and Asia.

We are sat on the sofa with some cold refreshments and nuts at 7.58 just in time for the CMA's and a pleasant evening of beer, nuts and whiskey

 

[SusanEllen]

Beautiful pictures, Matt. First look ever for me of Animal Kingdom after dark. Perhaps because the other parks at night are familiar, these scenes look exotic and a bit surreal. Glad you persevered and the weather cleared so that you could get those shots. And you made it back to the ranch in time for the CMA Awards! Yee haw! I spy Cheetos among your evening snacks. You make me so proud. The acculturation process is nearly done.

 

[Jets fan]

Lovely photos, some of the best I;ve seen of AK at night

 

[jockey]

Great pics

 

[natalielongstaff]

Fab photos ! and what a great seat at yak and yeti

 

[Pinky166]

Great photos Matt....definately worth waiting for the rain to stop.

 

[Chilly]

Some great night shots.

 

[mandymouse]

Fab AK night photos Matt

 

[wicket2005]

Lovely report, thanks for posting and I especially liked seeing AK at night which I hadn't seen before.

 

[tennisfan]

AK looks great at night

 

[florida sun]

Wow! Those Tree Of Life Piccies are outstanding, lovely day Matt

 

[mark&sue]

We did a grand gathering at AK at night a couple of years ago and it really does feel strange. The rest of the park was shut apart from the grand gathering guests and when we walked back at the end of the night it was sooooo creepy.

Your report about fulton reminds me why I love staying at Saratoga Springs because there are just so much drinking and eating options in walking distance as we walk to crossroads and beyond too. (make sure we get a congress park room as a little bit less walking, or staggering)


susan