spookysarah
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2005
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This Isn’t Turkey!?! Part 6 Animal Kingdom and we all brave Everest
If you have missed any days please see my Trip Report Index
Sunday 25th June 2006
Me, Sarah, 29 (turn 30 in Florida) – only adult planner
DH, Craig, 32 loves holidays, hates planning
DD, Holly, age 9 loves rides and hoping to try Kraken, loves planning
DD, Rowan, age 7 never been on any big rides, fearless (or so she says)
I must admit that of all the parks I thought I would enjoy this park the least. I’m not really sure why I though that, I just did. However, I am pleased to say that I was totally wrong and we had a great day here. Read on to see what we did.
We didn’t arrive at Animal Kingdom as early as we would have liked, we just can’t seem to get up too early and to be honest it might ruin our days if we are suffering from tiredness so we are just going with the flow.
We decided to go straight to Expedition Everest and join the queue which was about 20 mins. The themeing here was amazing and it just inspires you to want to go on a trekking holiday. Bells hung down from the ceiling of the Tibetan buildings and we had great fun lifting the girls so that they could hit them and make them ring. Prayer flags or every colour were tethered everywhere and were a beautiful sight. All the Yeti info really helped to set the scene and we were all keen to catch a glimpse of the mythical beast. We also saw our first lizard in the queue which the girls really loved – I was just thankful that it wasn’t a snake!!
Expedition Everest is one awesome coaster and I cannot describe just how much we all loved it! We all agreed that the best bit was when you went backwards. It was so fast and turned a corner so sharp that with the G force it really felt like you went upside down. Truly astonishing stuff!! One we would do again and again.
Although we didn’t want to leave Asia we headed to Kilamanjaro Safaris to get fastpasses. While we were waiting we headed around the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. This was such a great way to see animals up close especially the gorilla family who like to rest beside the large glass viewing window. I really wondered who is watching whom as I scratched my head and picked at my nails! LOL We also loved seeing the hippos wallowing in their pool. They are so much bigger than you think. Holly stuck her head in a hippo skull for a great photo.
Another area of the trail we loved was watching the birds. The provided chart was great for identifying the different breeds and the guides were very chatty and informative. I could have spends hours here. It was blissful, so serene.
After we exited the trail we saw a stand where they sell personalised bracelets. Poor Rowan never gets anything with her name on so this was the ultimate souvenir. Bracelets ranged in style and size but each or ours was $8 plus 50c each for metal rivet charms. Both girls got a Mickey head and a Minnie head with 2006 on it.
We watched a fantastic African band for a while before heading on safari. The safari was brilliant but we couldn’t hear half of the cast members patter. We saw a huge variety of animals and we all loved the baby elephants. Big aaaaawwwww from the whole vehicle.
For lunch we ate at Pizzafari and it was great. The girls had kids quesadilla meals and they went down a treat. Craig had chicken parmesan sandwich and I had a cheese pizza. We also got some breadstick to share which were soft bread slices with warm marinara sauce dip. Mmmmmmm can almost taste it now. Total including drinks was a reasonable $32.83. The only downside was the noise level.
After lunch we went to see It’s Tough to be a Bug. I was a bit nervous as I was worried that there might be snakes in the show until I was told that it was animated and that there were no snakes anyway! I must say I was able to relax when I heard that. What a scream the show was. All the special effects were ace and it was over all too soon. We all really love these 4D shows.
Crossing one of the bridges we saw an alligator. I must say it looked a bit pathetic although I'm sure it would have taken my hand off!
We headed over to DinoLand USA and joined the short queue for Dinosaur. I quite liked this ride but Holly was frightened by the dinosaurs. This ride was very fast and bumpy but the girls liked that bit at least.
By the time we had come out of the ride it was starting to rain so we donned our ponchos and waited to see what would happen. All that happened was the rain got heavier although no thunder and lightening. We entered the queue for Primeval Whirl thinking at least we would be first on when it started taking on riders but as there was no thunder just rain the ride was still operating and before we could even think about the consequences we were strapped in and of we went.
Oh dear, what a mistake to make! As soon as sat down we were wet and as soon as we got on the lift hill outside we were soaked! Our ponchos were useless on this ride and only served to funnel the rain inside!! Refreshing, to say the least.
This ride was brilliant fun and the spinning was a great element. I only had my back jarred once, LOL. Seriously though, I can see why it is not recommended for anyone with back problems.
As we were now soaked through we headed to Kali River Rapids. The queue was minimal probably due to the rain. We all loved the rapids and I especially like the fire – what a heat. We didn’t get very wet on this and there were no big splashes much to our disappointment. Maybe we were just ‘unlucky?’
Annandapur Ice Cream Truck
Rowan had spotted a cute Animal Kingdom hat and the purchase ($20) was made. Craig had been trying on numerous cowboy style hats but they were all too small for his big head.
We headed back to the hotel before our feet could take no more. Feeling refreshed after our showers and thankful for dry clothing we called in on my SIL and family to try to tempt them to Sweet Tomatoes but they had other plans.
We all enjoyed Sweet Tomatoes again trying some new dishes. All stuffed and thirst quenched for a paltry $35.91.
We headed to Festival Bay to see if Putting Edge glow in the dark mini golf was open. Unfortunately it was just closing so we made a mental note to fit it in another day.
We took the opportunity to have an early night as the next morning we were heading off to Royal Pacific Resort for a one night stay as my birthday present from my parents. Thanks Mum and Dad!
Tomorrow – Universal Studios and I’m 30!
If you have missed any days please see my Trip Report Index
Sunday 25th June 2006
Me, Sarah, 29 (turn 30 in Florida) – only adult planner
DH, Craig, 32 loves holidays, hates planning
DD, Holly, age 9 loves rides and hoping to try Kraken, loves planning
DD, Rowan, age 7 never been on any big rides, fearless (or so she says)
I must admit that of all the parks I thought I would enjoy this park the least. I’m not really sure why I though that, I just did. However, I am pleased to say that I was totally wrong and we had a great day here. Read on to see what we did.
We didn’t arrive at Animal Kingdom as early as we would have liked, we just can’t seem to get up too early and to be honest it might ruin our days if we are suffering from tiredness so we are just going with the flow.
We decided to go straight to Expedition Everest and join the queue which was about 20 mins. The themeing here was amazing and it just inspires you to want to go on a trekking holiday. Bells hung down from the ceiling of the Tibetan buildings and we had great fun lifting the girls so that they could hit them and make them ring. Prayer flags or every colour were tethered everywhere and were a beautiful sight. All the Yeti info really helped to set the scene and we were all keen to catch a glimpse of the mythical beast. We also saw our first lizard in the queue which the girls really loved – I was just thankful that it wasn’t a snake!!
Expedition Everest is one awesome coaster and I cannot describe just how much we all loved it! We all agreed that the best bit was when you went backwards. It was so fast and turned a corner so sharp that with the G force it really felt like you went upside down. Truly astonishing stuff!! One we would do again and again.
Although we didn’t want to leave Asia we headed to Kilamanjaro Safaris to get fastpasses. While we were waiting we headed around the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. This was such a great way to see animals up close especially the gorilla family who like to rest beside the large glass viewing window. I really wondered who is watching whom as I scratched my head and picked at my nails! LOL We also loved seeing the hippos wallowing in their pool. They are so much bigger than you think. Holly stuck her head in a hippo skull for a great photo.
Another area of the trail we loved was watching the birds. The provided chart was great for identifying the different breeds and the guides were very chatty and informative. I could have spends hours here. It was blissful, so serene.
After we exited the trail we saw a stand where they sell personalised bracelets. Poor Rowan never gets anything with her name on so this was the ultimate souvenir. Bracelets ranged in style and size but each or ours was $8 plus 50c each for metal rivet charms. Both girls got a Mickey head and a Minnie head with 2006 on it.
We watched a fantastic African band for a while before heading on safari. The safari was brilliant but we couldn’t hear half of the cast members patter. We saw a huge variety of animals and we all loved the baby elephants. Big aaaaawwwww from the whole vehicle.
For lunch we ate at Pizzafari and it was great. The girls had kids quesadilla meals and they went down a treat. Craig had chicken parmesan sandwich and I had a cheese pizza. We also got some breadstick to share which were soft bread slices with warm marinara sauce dip. Mmmmmmm can almost taste it now. Total including drinks was a reasonable $32.83. The only downside was the noise level.
After lunch we went to see It’s Tough to be a Bug. I was a bit nervous as I was worried that there might be snakes in the show until I was told that it was animated and that there were no snakes anyway! I must say I was able to relax when I heard that. What a scream the show was. All the special effects were ace and it was over all too soon. We all really love these 4D shows.
Crossing one of the bridges we saw an alligator. I must say it looked a bit pathetic although I'm sure it would have taken my hand off!
We headed over to DinoLand USA and joined the short queue for Dinosaur. I quite liked this ride but Holly was frightened by the dinosaurs. This ride was very fast and bumpy but the girls liked that bit at least.
By the time we had come out of the ride it was starting to rain so we donned our ponchos and waited to see what would happen. All that happened was the rain got heavier although no thunder and lightening. We entered the queue for Primeval Whirl thinking at least we would be first on when it started taking on riders but as there was no thunder just rain the ride was still operating and before we could even think about the consequences we were strapped in and of we went.
Oh dear, what a mistake to make! As soon as sat down we were wet and as soon as we got on the lift hill outside we were soaked! Our ponchos were useless on this ride and only served to funnel the rain inside!! Refreshing, to say the least.
This ride was brilliant fun and the spinning was a great element. I only had my back jarred once, LOL. Seriously though, I can see why it is not recommended for anyone with back problems.
As we were now soaked through we headed to Kali River Rapids. The queue was minimal probably due to the rain. We all loved the rapids and I especially like the fire – what a heat. We didn’t get very wet on this and there were no big splashes much to our disappointment. Maybe we were just ‘unlucky?’
Annandapur Ice Cream Truck
Rowan had spotted a cute Animal Kingdom hat and the purchase ($20) was made. Craig had been trying on numerous cowboy style hats but they were all too small for his big head.
We headed back to the hotel before our feet could take no more. Feeling refreshed after our showers and thankful for dry clothing we called in on my SIL and family to try to tempt them to Sweet Tomatoes but they had other plans.
We all enjoyed Sweet Tomatoes again trying some new dishes. All stuffed and thirst quenched for a paltry $35.91.
We headed to Festival Bay to see if Putting Edge glow in the dark mini golf was open. Unfortunately it was just closing so we made a mental note to fit it in another day.
We took the opportunity to have an early night as the next morning we were heading off to Royal Pacific Resort for a one night stay as my birthday present from my parents. Thanks Mum and Dad!
Tomorrow – Universal Studios and I’m 30!
