Okay, okay, I'm sorry for the delay, tough crowd! And get those wet noodles ready. Today is the 11th, one month from my first post and I am supposed to be done. I am not done.
I am about to write Thursday day and that still leaves Thursday night and Friday. So I failed. I'm sorry. I'll be a few days longer than I'd hoped. I hope you faithful readers can forgive me!
Thursday December 21st
I woke early and Belle was awake too. The rest of the crew was sleeping. I told her to quietly get ready and I did the same. I woke Grumpy and told him that Belle and I would go to AK and use our 8am Donald's ressie and that he and the crew could just call us once they got up and meet us at AK. He grunted in agreement and Belle and I were off.
We got in line for the bus and we were 2 of the 3 people on it. This was around 7:15am I think. Quick ride to AK and we walked over to the line. I love the tree outside AK, really nice! A nice CM checked our name on the list and I told her it would just be 2 of us instead of the 5 and there was no trouble with that.
Once we were in we started walking and following the other people. We had never been here so we had no idea where we were going. We knew we liked this park already though. We are big animal lovers and we love zoos alot. We immediately loved the feel of walking through AK. It just has its own uniqueness to it.
We finally found our way to Donald's and checked in. We had our picture taken and waited maybe 5 more minutes till we were called. We were in a way back room but that was fine.
It was nice to have a morning with just Belle. She and I have always had a somewhat difficult relationship. She is so smart and bright and teachers and other adults adore her. She is helpful and considerate. She saves all the nonsense for me. Isn't that the way? She and I butt heads a lot and I don't know if we are just too much alike or what but we have a lot of moments.
So it is nice to sometimes get some quality one on one time with her and enjoy each other instead of bickering.
Our server was friendly and efficient. He explained the buffet and told us to go now while it wasn't crowded. He also took our drink orders, a chocolate milk and a cranberry juice.
Belle and I made our way to the buffet. It had all the usual suspects you find at a breakfast buffet. Hot items like pancakes, bacon and eggs and cold items like cereal, muffins and fruits. Belle had some pancakes and fruit and I had I think pancakes, bacon and some eggs. I really don't remember. While I can't think of anything bad about breakfast there was nothing that stood out either. You know? It was just, breakfast. The one at 1900 Park Fair was much better foodwise with the blintzes and bread pudding and strawberry soup. The food here was fine thought at Donald's, just pretty typical.
We had made this reservation for one reason and one reason alone and it wasn't for the food. It was for Everest! We wanted, well I wanted, to be able to be in the park early so we could get to Everest quicky. A lot of people must do that because at one point Belle and I were talking and our server came over and asked if we were plotting our strategy to get to Everest. He then told us the fastest way to get there (wait at the rope for Dinoland, cut through and over the bridge).
While we were eating we were visited very quickly by all the characters. Character interaction here was minimal. I would have been very disappointed if it were our only character meal of the week. There was no playful interaction, it was a picture, sign the book and gone. Again 1900 Park Fair had it beat hands down as far as time with the characters goes. We did get pictures though:
Yes she is wearing "the" sweatshirt AGAIN but it is over a new shirt, trust me!
The table next to us didn't even get a picture of Goofy. He stopped at their table, waved hello and was gone. The Mom was getting her camera ready and he wasn't waiting. It was just markedly quick the way they moved through the room.
We finished up and settled the bill. This was OOP and I was glad it was just the 2 of us as it would have been pretty expensive for the amount of food we ate if all 5 of us had shown up.
Belle and I went and waited at the Dinoland rope and chatted with another family that was there. We also called Grumpy and they were just getting to the bus. Goofy had slept till just after 8am so it was a good thing they stayed back. He obviously needed to catch up on some zzzs.
The rope dropped and we had been instructed not to run. So we obeyed and speed walked. Belle kept up and the other family said "Wow your Mom walks fast!". Past the new Nemo show, walking, walking. Past Everest itself! We got to the front and immediately got FPs, they were for 10:05am. We got in line and were like 20-30 people back. CMs were announcing that the ride was not open yet so we just hung tight and watched the FP area swarm and flood with people and the return time just kept ticking later and later. It was amazing really. We called Grumpy again and told them to meet us in Dinoland when they were here. At this point I think they were on the bus.
The queue opened and we started walking through. I tried to take in as much as I could as there is so much theming and so much to see. We were so excited though and just wanted to walk quickly to get there! We were on the 2nd train of the day I think and towards the back. Belle and I had seen EE on the Travel Channel show so many times and were both so excited for this. We couldn't wait!
It did not disappoint! What a ride! We loved every minute. The frontwards, the backwards, the dark, the hills, the YETI!
(I realize that is Chewy but it is as close to Yeti as I can find!). Two thumbs waaaay up from us for EE.
We exited and found some cute things in the old dump shop but didn't buy anything. They did have some cute Ts though. I liked the "Scream like a Girl" one.
The FP return time was now really late, I can't remember how late, but trust me, it was late. We started walking back to Dinoland. Checked in with Grumpy again, they were here and just entering the park. There was only a 10minute posted wait for Primevil Whirl so we hopped in line. This was a really short ride and it throws you around. It wasn't even really fun (in my opinion) and Belle didn't care for it much either. If it were longer, maybe a little smoother, I think we'd have enjoyed it more.
The gang was arriving so we met them. Bathrooms breaks all around and then we walked over to Dinosaur. We stood outside and talked to Goofy.
Me: This is a very loud, very dark ride and there are dinosaurs that will look like they want to eat you but they are fake. Do you want to go?
Goofy: I'm not scared of anything.
Me: Okay, you will remember these dinosaurs are fake right?
Goofy: Yup
Me: So you want to go on?
Goofy: Let's go.
So there you have it. Another Mom with a stroller was sitting nearby and watching our exchange and smiling. I felt like I had presented this ride in honesty and gave him the choice to chicken out. He took this ride as a challenge and we were off. There was only a 10 minute wait posted here too and it wasn't even that long. We went through the pre-show and got in our vehicle. I must admit I was a little nervous having never been on this. I had to keep telling myself these were fake dinosaurs and they really couldn't eat me.
The ride was fun, pretty intense, and Goofy had no troubles at all. My girls were happy scared, you know like it was scary but fun at the same time. I felt the same, screaming but having a really good time. Another throw you around bumpy ride but I liked the intensity of it.
We decided to split up so that Bashful and Grumpy could go ride EE with the FP. I took Belle and Goofy on Triceratops Spin aka Prehistoric Dumbo. This was fun and so smart of them put one control in the front seat and one in the back. Thumbs up Disney for this one, thumbs way up!
I then spent $4 for them to play the carnival game where you roll the balls to get your dino to win the race. They were the only 2 playing so we knew the goods would end up coming home with us. Belle won and let Goofy have the prize (she can be so thoughtful with him), a frog that he promptly named Frog Hopper. Creative eh?
We walked over to Everest and they were already done. They had really loved it too! The lines were huge now and it was too bad we couldn't do it again but we wanted to get FP for the Safari so we resigned ourselves to our one ride. We started walking and headed to Kali. It was a 10 minute posted wait (seeing a pattern here?) and we walked the very long queue and could not help think what it must be like when this queue is completely packed? Ugh! We were at the loading area in no time and got in our tube or whatever it is you call it. We had brought ponchos from home and had those on sort of. We had not had time to really get them on so they were sort of half covering us. What a fun ride! We really loved it and you just bond with the strangers in your tube. Laughing, joking, who is going to get the most wet. In a matter of minutes these are your best buddies your pals, it was fun.
Goofy got the most soaked but he loved it. When we got off we had to remove his socks (yes he often wears socks with his
crocs but is cute enough to get away with it!) and wring out his shorts and shirt. There was still no line and the kids wanted to go on again. So we did!
This time we are in line behind a man and his son. As we are walking through the queue this man is coughing so hard he sounds like he is going to hack up a lung.
I slowed my speed so we could put some distance between us. The last thing we need is Sir Coughs A Lots germs. I say a silent prayer that we are not in the same tube. We get to the loading area and of course they are loading a new tube and since there are 2 of them followed by 5 of us, well you see where this is going.
The ride was as much fun as the first and we laughed and had a ball. We got off and as we were exiting and passing the line going in Grumpy offered up a few ponchos if anyone wanted them. He said it was like a feeding frenzy and they were gone. Then we passed around the Germ X. And we passed it around again, hoping that the coughing mans germs would not survive.
We then did one of the trails, the one with the gorillas, Panganini I think? Like I said we love animals so we looked forward to this. We took a bunch of pictures which I won't bother sharing as they are much like other people's animal pictures that you see. We were very disappointed that the Gorilla family was not out. The CM said that about 15 minutes earlier some teenagers had been in there and were very loud (why can't people listen and follow the rules to keep it quiet?) and the male took his family and they were hiding. The CM said the male came back out, beat his chest at the window and then went with his family. I had so wanted to see them but there was no telling how long they would stay in hiding. So loud obnoxious teenagers if you are out there, thanks so much.
We kept walking, enjoying the sights. Til we came across something I have never seen before on a public walking trail in a theme park. Mom holding up child who looks to be maybe 3 so that said child can pee on the side of the walking trail.
Hello? How could someone do that? I have kids. I know kids have to go but my gosh just drop her drawers, lift her up and let her go right there? No no no. Pick her up and speed walk and get her to a bathroom. I was just dumbfounded. My kids were like all wide eyed and "Moooom is she..." "Yes let's go, keep walking"
So we finished the trail and at this point decided to head toward the safari. Along the way we found this going on and the kids joined in for some drumming fun:
And we got a picture with their new very tall friend:
It is always nice to stop at the small things going on and enjoy them. Don't just be rushing from one big thing to another. Sometimes big fun is disguised in the small things.
We got FP for the Safari and went to Tusker House for lunch. I had heard this was one of the best CS in all of Disney so I was anxious to try it. We got a nice big table and Belle came to help me in line. I got the half chicken and planned to share with Bashful, Belle and Goofy each had the drumstick kids meal and Grumpy had the Turkey Wrap. There are no fries here so the kids had carrots and grapes for their sides this time. I forget what desserts we got with the adult meals but you can bet your bottom dollar we had more jello with the kids meals. The trays were very heavy and loaded and a very sweet CM offered to carry one for me. It was too heavy for Belle to assist. She came right out front and carried one to my table. Very nice!
Lunch was great! It was nice to eat "real" food for a CS. The chicken was great and so were the mashed potatoes. The green beans were exceptional! We all loved our meal here, it was the best CS all week.
I can't remember what we did after this. I think we walked around and saw some more animals. I don't recall. I do know at some point we came across DeVine:
She is really something the way she moves and all. We watched for a few minutes.
We went to the safari as soon as our FP time was up. We boarded and got ready to see the animals. We were looking forward to this too. All except Grumpy. I mean he was too but he went to Africa 2 years ago for over 2 weeks and spent 4 days of that on safari. So this was all small potatoes for him, he's been on the real deal. The drive was fun and the kids liked seeing the different animals. We saw a lot and thank goodness we saved Little Red.
We now headed towards the Tree of Life. What an amazing piece of art this is! I loved viewing all the carvings and seeing what we could find. It truly is beautiful!
We walked and found the entrance to It's Tough to Be a Bug. How long is the wait? 10 minutes you say? Can do! This was another very cute show. We all loved the humor and the effects. I didn't feel the hornets at all but did feel the bugs leaving the building. Disney knows how to make a great attraction and this is a prime example!
I think this was around when we went to see Festival of the Lion King. We waited outside maybe 10 minutes and then not very long once we got in. We were in the Elephant Section. What a great show! The music, the acrobats, just everything going on. Really top notch and a favorite. We were sitting on the end about 3 rows up and a Tumbling Monkey came by and gave high 5s to Bashful and Goofy. They liked that! They didnt' get invited to go down at the end and would have liked to. Maybe next time we'll have better luck.
We started walking back towards the safari area as they really wanted to go to Rafiki's Planet Watch. They wanted to see the petting zoo. Why? I don't know. We live in a very small town. There are lots of farms and where my girls have their horse riding lessons they have other random farm animals at this farm. They can pet farm animals on a pretty regular basis. Why we are in AK and they want to pet a goat, I can't figure it out. But we go. However there is a little obstacle called the parade which is about to start. We find a spot by a rope that is open and park ourselves. We are actually going to see an afternoon parade, yeah! And this one was very cute!
Parade done, it was on to Rafiki's. We rode the train and yes they asked if it went any faster. We got there and I think this is where we saw the naked mole rats? Or was that on the other trail. I'm confused. Wherever it was, I have always found them fascinating and the CM there was very happy to talk to me for a while about them and answer my multitude of questions. If you don't know anything about them stop and check them out. Absolutely intriguing little critters!
We moseyed around and went into the Conservation Station. There we saw this guy leaving and I was so bummed we missed getting to get a picture with him:
We did get a photo with Pocohantas but it didn't come out all that well.
The highlight of this area?
Rhino poop! Yup she found that pretty funny to be holding a big ole plop of rhino poop.
Then we went out to the petting zoo and it was, well it was a petting zoo like any other. Nothing Disney-rific about it really. A bunch of very cute little farm animals and children trying to pet them. Been to one, been to them all really.
Back on the speedy train and we decided to grab an ice cream treat. The CM had a hard time with my cards. As mentioned before our credits were split and I didn't remember how many snacks were left on each. I ended up paying cash for 2 ice creams out of sheer frustration. I wish they could scan the card at a register and just tell you how many credits were left. Apparently they have to ring it in to buy something in order to tell you that. Anyway, my frozen banana was worth the troubles, those are so good!
It was now close to 5pm I think and we needed to think about heading to Epcot. We had a coveted 7pm ADR at Le Cellier. It was time to go.
Stay tuned for our last night in the World and a much looked forward to dinner!
I have a great tip for you about getting through the Epcot turnstyles!!! Go ALL the way to your left and look for the Cast Entrance turnstyle! If you look close, the sign says and 'All Guests' in tiny print under the big Cast Entrance! They even have their own bag check, so you can bypass the masses going through the regular lines! We did it several times in December and never had to wait and never had any problem!!! 
It seems like most surprises never work out the way you dream they will. Oh well, it is a great memory and something you will always be able to smile and laugh at. 
