There'’s Nowhere To Go But Down... To The Utilidors! NEW TR LINK 6/4

[courtneybelle]

Chapter 11: It’s Yeti Time! Or Not.

We had to say goodbye to Uncle Dave this morning But Aunt Patti, Mom, Dad, Ky, Em, and I were off to Disney’s Animal Kingdom! I had a chocolate croissant for breakfast:

Dad got a croissant and a danish:

Everyone else got the same things they got yesterday so I did not bother them with pictures.

We drove to the park this morning for Extra Magic Hours.

Mom and Aunt Patti decided to wait by the safari while the rest of us rode Expedition Everest. We booked it over to Everest and walked right to the boarding area. Olaf was excited for the thrill ride.

Unfortunately, we watched five empty trains ride by…and then the CMs announced that the ride was down. They gave us a paper FP good for the rest of the day, but we were bummed.

Well, Olaf wasn’t, because he saw SNOW!

The DisneyBound pair of the day was Ariel and Melody (Ariel's daughter from the sequel).

We decided to check out Dinoland since we knew EMH rides were open there. Kylie, Emily, and I decided to do Primeval Whirl. I did this ride on my own a few years ago and didn’t really like it…but this time I loved it! It’s definitely more fun with other people. We couldn’t stop laughing.

We were about to get off the ride when the CM asked if we wanted to go again! So we did.

After that, Emily and Dad rode Dinosaur. I am a weenie and scared of dinosaurs even though Jurassic Park is one of my favorite movies. They had fun though, as evidenced by this picture:

As part of Memory Maker we got all the ride photos! And we didn’t even have to scan our band anywhere after the ride! They just showed up! SORCERY!

We met up with Mom and Aunt Patti, who had found a cool seat in Africa, and we got on to the safari. I always tell myself I won’t take a million pictures, and then I end up taking them anyway. This was a really good safari!

Giraffes are my favorite safari animal!

MUFASA!

Continued in next post
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[IheartDDuck]

Wow, VIP seating at Fantasmic. Nice! Disney really does do a good job when things go badly.

I feel like a bad DISer for saying this, but I haven't seen Fantasmic in like......8 years or something. It just never fits into my schedule! I'm just such a huge Wishes junkie. I need to go back and see it soon.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Wow - VIP seating, free popcorn, and then firework viewing from your resort! Magical day indeed! Plus just the feelings of that show

It's like physically impossible to not take a million pictures on the safari - and fully agree that the giraffes are the star of the trip - or at least the most consistent high point

 

[CarolAnnB]

Soooo cool being on The List! Usually I am on another type of list haha. That lady was very helpful, making sure we got all 3 of our rooms together, etc. And sending me little presents is always a good idea. Kylie sure was happy with that free popcorn!

I am not sure anyone had more fun on the buses than you 3.

It was great to see the fireworks right over our hotel.

I'm glad we had such a good safari that first day [foreshadowing]. I love that animal with the swirly horns. I should learn its name.

 

[abeautybutafunnygirl]

Great updates! Those are some great seats that you had for Fantasmic!
I definitely understand about not going on Dinosaur- I'm not afraid of much, but for some reason I'm scared of that ride? Except my family is mean and makes me go on it, so we have some pretty classic ride photos of me cowering away/hiding behind someone else/covering my eyes.
Looks like a good safari! Can't wait for more!

 

[Rai's Mommy]

Loving your TR! What a great trip! Now you have me thinking that I need to plan a 2016 Sweet 16 trip for my DD

We actually are heading to WDW in a week and a half and will be staying at POP for the first time so I look forward to hearing more about your experience there. So happy that you really enjoyed it!

 

[KelleyK75]

Yay for VIP seating! It looks like perfect picture taking seats, as your pictures are great!! Free popcorn is always a good thing, and seeing the Frozen fireworks, too. What a great night.

I have the Pluto in the teacup pin too and love it. I had to have it when I saw it.

I'm glad you were able to get a new Olaf. He was having quite the adventures.

I can't help but take a million pictures on the safari, too. You took some great ones!! Giraffes are my fave, too!

 

[kaelalala]

'50s shakes are amazing!! I remember seeing on Instagram that you went the day after you commented so I hope it was delicious

LOL yeah omg, when I was there I was thinking to myself "I literally JUST said I was gonna do a return trip here"...it was too funny, I didn't even make plans to do dinner there til about an hour before haha! funny how things like that happen

ON TO THE UPDATE COMMENTS!!

Omg YAY VIP status that's so neat! Fantasmic is always a classic, I love it so much

Omg Primeval Whirl makes me laugh so much because my friends and I are all literally TERRIFIED of it. every time we go on we are legitimately afraid that we're facing the icy hands of death and our last memories will be of a spinning dinosaur time machine. good times.

Giraffes are my favorite too 8) looks like you had a great safari! excited to read more

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Ahaaaaa, now I get all the towel animals, lol. It's so great that Disney stepped up here (not that I expect any less). VIP!!! Woo freakin' HOO!!! That is AWESOME. What a great way to celebrate a birthday. Love Fantasmic!!

Question for you Courtney. I know you haven't done it yet (as far as the TR is concerned) but you referenced it, so I'm gonna ask. Frozen Fireworks. Any idea if they're viewable ok just outside the gate? I would think so (not sure how the music would play out though). I'm considering to avoid the crowd.

Mmmmm, chocolate croissant.

Ugh, what could be worse than Everest going down right at the start? Boo-urns.

I have to admit, the memory maker ride photos just showing up is pretty neat. And did you hear they're adding ride VIDEOS???

 

[amberg93]

Ooh VIP seating! And that sky *swoon*

Very cool that you could see the fireworks from Pop.

I have that Pluto pin! I have the whole set, I managed to find them all in May. They're so cute.

Aww man, so sad that it was down, but yay for paper FPs!

Dinosaur! Always a good ride and I feel like ride pictures there are always amusing.

Very nice safari pictures, but jealous how the lion was just out and about chilling for you.

 

[RGirl]

Wow - I love the view from your Fancy VIP Fantasmic! Viewing Area! Dang!!!

Looks like a good start to your AK morning, despite the EE shenanigans. Can't wait to hear more about your day!

 

[emilyindisney]

Hi Courtney!! I'm so sorry I've fallen waaayyyy behind- I've especially missed DIS while I was off the grid at summer camp. I guess having DIS back is the one plus to being back at school already!

I love your Olaf tank!

I still haven't done One Man's Dream- how bad is that?! It looks like something my sister and I would love so we'll need to hit it up in January!

Bahahaha- Olaf sticking out of your backpack is too funny!

Disney nuggets! I'm swooning!

Face character Kristoff! Maybe he and Anna can meet together at parties? Hint, hint Disney!

I love that Fantasmic panorama! I also love the picture of the fireworks over Pop- that's not something you see every day!

 

[khertz]

WOW, that really sucks that your mom's door got left open all day! I would lose my mind at the end of the night if that had happened to us. But kudos to Disney for finding a great way to make it up to y'all. So much pixie dust that night!

Great start to your AK day, well besides EE being down. That's always a bummer. Great safari pics!!

 

[Sisa]

Okay, getting caught up....

Loukili, bummer he didn't end up being your server again but how neat that you still got to see him and get a picture. The m&m's and sprinkles just crack me up!

The picture or your Dad and Dave in their phones is seriously hilarious and the cation totally makes the photo.

The return of Olaf...yay!!!! L<3 VE!!!!

I love love the Disney bounding outfits. So much thought goes into creating the right look. Very cool!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

That's so cool how you guys got VIP seating! Disney really is the best with guest recovery. Now, the millions of towel animals make sense. But really, that's just so ignorant of mousekeeping to leave your door open all day. Love your sunset photos and Fant photos! Both are so gorgeous.

I have that Pluto pin too! One of my faves, never going to trade it... EVER.

YAY for DAK! Sorry that Everest broke down on you guys, but yay for getting a FP in exchange. Glad to hear you enjoyed Primeval Whirl! I personally am not a fan. The one time I rode it, my mom, my sisters and I all walked off with some major bruises. We did have a good laugh, but still IT HURTS!

Awww, no DINOSAUR for you? Well, that's another thing that will have to change on our DCP! I will FORCE you on DINOSAUR because really it's not scary just LOUD. Seriously.

What an awesome safari you had! to seeing the Lions out and about. And I just love those giraffes too. They are so uniquely cute too.

Can't wait to read about the rest of your DAK day!

 

[fancifull]

Caught up on everything so far!! I'm really excited to hear more about your Animal Kingdom day ^_^ Did you guys park hop at all or was each day focused on one park only?

The Ariel and Melody disneybounds are so nice!

omg I randomly got emotional reading about your 50's experience because I think we sat in the exact same spot and I just started picturing our own night there haha. We had to get up and sing I'm a Little Tea Pot in front of everyone for repeated phone abuse :c And we also celebrated a birthday! Ahhh 50's is so fun I love it!! :3

 

[courtneybelle]

Wow, VIP seating at Fantasmic. Nice! Disney really does do a good job when things go badly.

I feel like a bad DISer for saying this, but I haven't seen Fantasmic in like......8 years or something. It just never fits into my schedule! I'm just such a huge Wishes junkie. I need to go back and see it soon.

It was definitely a great way to make up for what happened. The seating was perfect!

I am the same way with Illuminations!! I'm the worst, I haven't seen it in 5 years or so. I just end up going to see Wishes instead oops!

Wow - VIP seating, free popcorn, and then firework viewing from your resort! Magical day indeed! Plus just the feelings of that show

It's like physically impossible to not take a million pictures on the safari - and fully agree that the giraffes are the star of the trip - or at least the most consistent high point

So many magical moments!! It was epic.

The giraffes are my fave. It's always great when you get to see a lion but those are hit or miss.

Soooo cool being on The List! Usually I am on another type of list haha. That lady was very helpful, making sure we got all 3 of our rooms together, etc. And sending me little presents is always a good idea. Kylie sure was happy with that free popcorn!

I am not sure anyone had more fun on the buses than you 3.

It was great to see the fireworks right over our hotel.

I'm glad we had such a good safari that first day [foreshadowing]. I love that animal with the swirly horns. I should learn its name.

Hehe you are too much. All of the magic they provided for us at Pop was amazing. So grateful it all worked out!

We don't even have to try. It's always a good time.

The safari rocked. I too like the twirly horned gazelle deer thing.

Great updates! Those are some great seats that you had for Fantasmic!
I definitely understand about not going on Dinosaur- I'm not afraid of much, but for some reason I'm scared of that ride? Except my family is mean and makes me go on it, so we have some pretty classic ride photos of me cowering away/hiding behind someone else/covering my eyes.
Looks like a good safari! Can't wait for more!

They were fantastic seats!!

YEP. I went on it once and got so scared I closed my eyes for almost the entire ride. NEVER AGAIN.

Loving your TR! What a great trip! Now you have me thinking that I need to plan a 2016 Sweet 16 trip for my DD

We actually are heading to WDW in a week and a half and will be staying at POP for the first time so I look forward to hearing more about your experience there. So happy that you really enjoyed it!

Thank you so much for the nice words!! We had a blast celebrating the Sweet 16 so I would definitely recommend it.

AHHH SO EXCITING! I love Pop so much, I think you're going to have a wonderful experience there. So much fun!

Yay for VIP seating! It looks like perfect picture taking seats, as your pictures are great!! Free popcorn is always a good thing, and seeing the Frozen fireworks, too. What a great night.

I have the Pluto in the teacup pin too and love it. I had to have it when I saw it.

I'm glad you were able to get a new Olaf. He was having quite the adventures.

I can't help but take a million pictures on the safari, too. You took some great ones!! Giraffes are my fave, too!

It really was perfect for pictures, nice and centered!

Isn't it the cutest? I had been on the hunt for it so I'm glad I found it so soon.

More Olaf adventures are coming!

Thank you!! I think the giraffes are the cutest!

LOL yeah omg, when I was there I was thinking to myself "I literally JUST said I was gonna do a return trip here"...it was too funny, I didn't even make plans to do dinner there til about an hour before haha! funny how things like that happen

ON TO THE UPDATE COMMENTS!!

Omg YAY VIP status that's so neat! Fantasmic is always a classic, I love it so much

Omg Primeval Whirl makes me laugh so much because my friends and I are all literally TERRIFIED of it. every time we go on we are legitimately afraid that we're facing the icy hands of death and our last memories will be of a spinning dinosaur time machine. good times.

Giraffes are my favorite too 8) looks like you had a great safari! excited to read more

Haha what a great coincidence!!

It was so cool being VIPs! I love Fantasmic too, Wishes will always be #1 to me but Fantasmic is just incredible.

HAHA that's how we were on our first ride, we thought we were going to fall out and die!!! But then when we didn't we were like what the heck, we'll go again!

It really was an awesome safari!! 10/10

Ahaaaaa, now I get all the towel animals, lol. It's so great that Disney stepped up here (not that I expect any less). VIP!!! Woo freakin' HOO!!! That is AWESOME. What a great way to celebrate a birthday. Love Fantasmic!!

Question for you Courtney. I know you haven't done it yet (as far as the TR is concerned) but you referenced it, so I'm gonna ask. Frozen Fireworks. Any idea if they're viewable ok just outside the gate? I would think so (not sure how the music would play out though). I'm considering to avoid the crowd.

Mmmmm, chocolate croissant.

Ugh, what could be worse than Everest going down right at the start? Boo-urns.

I have to admit, the memory maker ride photos just showing up is pretty neat. And did you hear they're adding ride VIDEOS???

Disney really went above and beyond for us. VIP STATUS Y'ALL

I am not 100% positive but I am pretty sure you will be able to see the fireworks! Part of it is a stage/video screen show below the hat so you definitely wouldn't be able to see that, but if you're only concerned about the fireworks I think you will be fine.

It was a lame start to the day but don't worry, we were reunited with the Yeti once more.

OMG I did hear about the ride videos! It's funny, I wasn't going to say anything but since you brought it up...I did conquer my fear of Tower of Terror this trip...and all I could think about was how I looked ridiculous on that ride and how hilarious a video would have been!!!

Ooh VIP seating! And that sky *swoon*

Very cool that you could see the fireworks from Pop.

I have that Pluto pin! I have the whole set, I managed to find them all in May. They're so cute.

Aww man, so sad that it was down, but yay for paper FPs!

Dinosaur! Always a good ride and I feel like ride pictures there are always amusing.

Very nice safari pictures, but jealous how the lion was just out and about chilling for you.

The sunset was unreal. So gorgeous.

It was such an awesome surprise!

I only ended up with about half the set...but I want moooooore! That one is definitely my favorite followed by Doom Buggy Minnie.

I didn't even think to take a picture of the paper FP! Ah, regrets.

We were so happy to see the lion!

 

[courtneybelle]

Wow - I love the view from your Fancy VIP Fantasmic! Viewing Area! Dang!!!

Looks like a good start to your AK morning, despite the EE shenanigans. Can't wait to hear more about your day!

It was a fabulous view! A really great dose of pixie dust

Don't worry, our reunion with the Yeti is coming up very soon!!

Hi Courtney!! I'm so sorry I've fallen waaayyyy behind- I've especially missed DIS while I was off the grid at summer camp. I guess having DIS back is the one plus to being back at school already!

I love your Olaf tank!

I still haven't done One Man's Dream- how bad is that?! It looks like something my sister and I would love so we'll need to hit it up in January!

Bahahaha- Olaf sticking out of your backpack is too funny!

Disney nuggets! I'm swooning!

Face character Kristoff! Maybe he and Anna can meet together at parties? Hint, hint Disney!

I love that Fantasmic panorama! I also love the picture of the fireworks over Pop- that's not something you see every day!

Hi Emily!!! Hope camp was good and the move-in back to school was good as well. I go back next Saturday so I'm seeing how far I can get on this TR in the meantime

Thank you!! I have so much Frozen clothing at this point. It's a problem.

You definitely should!! It's such a great attraction and the movie is fantastic.

HAHA it was so fun. I would have loved any character like that but since Olaf is my fave it made taking pictures even better.

I ate so many Disney nuggets on this trip

I WANT TO MEET KRISTOFF. C'mon, Disney, this is the place where dreams come true!

Fantasmic just looked gorgeous that night, and I was so amazed to see fireworks at Pop! It was perfect.

WOW, that really sucks that your mom's door got left open all day! I would lose my mind at the end of the night if that had happened to us. But kudos to Disney for finding a great way to make it up to y'all. So much pixie dust that night!

Great start to your AK day, well besides EE being down. That's always a bummer. Great safari pics!!

I felt SO bad when I heard about it. They had literally spent the whole day at MK and since it was a Christmas party night they got back at 1 a.m. to find out that happened. Thankfully, Disney really made up for it and we were so grateful for all the pixie dust!

Thank you!! It was a really fun morning even with the EE setback.

Okay, getting caught up....

Loukili, bummer he didn't end up being your server again but how neat that you still got to see him and get a picture. The m&m's and sprinkles just crack me up!

The picture or your Dad and Dave in their phones is seriously hilarious and the cation totally makes the photo.

The return of Olaf...yay!!!! L<3 VE!!!!

I love love the Disney bounding outfits. So much thought goes into creating the right look. Very cool!

It was so great to see Loukili! I was dying at the M&Ms and sprinkles. I had no idea what he wanted me to do with them!

HA those two are too much together.

So happy I got another Olaf!! I thought I was going to have to wait until my other DHS day, which wasn't until the end of the week, so I was very happy to have another one.

Kylie and Emily did such a great job DisneyBounding! They had been piecing together outfits for months and they looked adorable every day.

That's so cool how you guys got VIP seating! Disney really is the best with guest recovery. Now, the millions of towel animals make sense. But really, that's just so ignorant of mousekeeping to leave your door open all day. Love your sunset photos and Fant photos! Both are so gorgeous.

I have that Pluto pin too! One of my faves, never going to trade it... EVER.

YAY for DAK! Sorry that Everest broke down on you guys, but yay for getting a FP in exchange. Glad to hear you enjoyed Primeval Whirl! I personally am not a fan. The one time I rode it, my mom, my sisters and I all walked off with some major bruises. We did have a good laugh, but still IT HURTS!

Awww, no DINOSAUR for you? Well, that's another thing that will have to change on our DCP! I will FORCE you on DINOSAUR because really it's not scary just LOUD. Seriously.

What an awesome safari you had! to seeing the Lions out and about. And I just love those giraffes too. They are so uniquely cute too.

Can't wait to read about the rest of your DAK day!

Disney rocks with guest recovery. I know, I felt so bad for my mom. One of my dad's friends actually had stuff stolen from his room at BLT right after it opened so we're always super cautious about locking things up. Thankfully, nothing went missing and everyone was OK

The Pluto pin is too much cute!!

HA no we were in pain too but we had a giggle fit that made us ignore the pain.

My DCP trip report is going to be titled, "Timmy Dragging Me On Scary Rides: My Fall 2015 DCP." OKAY I'll ride Dinosaur. Maybe I'll even keep my eyes open.

The safari was fab! I get so excited to see the lions.

Caught up on everything so far!! I'm really excited to hear more about your Animal Kingdom day ^_^ Did you guys park hop at all or was each day focused on one park only?

The Ariel and Melody disneybounds are so nice!

omg I randomly got emotional reading about your 50's experience because I think we sat in the exact same spot and I just started picturing our own night there haha. We had to get up and sing I'm a Little Tea Pot in front of everyone for repeated phone abuse :c And we also celebrated a birthday! Ahhh 50's is so fun I love it!! :3

So Emily did not have a park hopper ticket so we mainly focused on one park per day...however I did park hop the last day since I went solo to MK in the morning and then met my family at AK

They were awesome!

OMG that sounds awesome!! We also had to sing I'm A Little Teapot at Thanksgiving with a child from another table haha it was hilarious! I love '50s soooo much.

 

[emilyindisney]

Hi Emily!!! Hope camp was good and the move-in back to school was good as well. I go back next Saturday so I'm seeing how far I can get on this TR in the meantime

Thank you!! I have so much Frozen clothing at this point. It's a problem.

You definitely should!! It's such a great attraction and the movie is fantastic.

HAHA it was so fun. I would have loved any character like that but since Olaf is my fave it made taking pictures even better.

I ate so many Disney nuggets on this trip

I WANT TO MEET KRISTOFF. C'mon, Disney, this is the place where dreams come true!

Fantasmic just looked gorgeous that night, and I was so amazed to see fireworks at Pop! It was perfect.

Good luck with packing/move-in. Hopefully you can bang out lots of your TR in the next week. College just doesn't understand the importance of discussing your Disney trip via social media, hahaha!

I seriously can't believe they're pulling princes from MNSSHP this year- no hope for Kristoff

 

[cheekypoppins]

well it's been a bit ,but I'm caught up now It sucks your Olaf "melted" but i'm glad you were able to get another one