This time we did it right! (Updated 3/2!)

[jordanyosh]

The night viewing was absolutely the coolest thing we did at AKL. Not only was it incredible to see the animals through the night vision scope, but there was an animal keeper out there answering everyone's questions.

I had about four thousand questions for the animal keeper. Beth and Sarah also had a ton of questions. And the best part was that we were the only people there for the night viewing, so we had the animal keeper all to ourselves.

Sounds like you got more than your money's worth from your stay at AKL

The night viewing ended at 11 and we headed over to the fire pit in the back yard. I LOVE sitting around that fire, rocking in a big old rocking chair, and relaxing after a long day.

At about midnight, we headed up to our rooms. Tomorrow would be our MGM day and I was so excited. MGM is my favorite!

AHHHH....the joys of relaxing at your resort. One of the best feelings on a WDW vacation.

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

I read your entire TR last night. Fantastic, feel like I"m there.

I have a request.....

Can I save your picture of De Vine on my computer? I saw her last trip and was mesmerized.

Thanks for entertaining us all,

Lisa

You can definitely save that pic of DeVine to your computer. I have more pics of her if you would like them. Just let me know!

Thanks for reading.

Sounds like you got more than your money's worth from your stay at AKL



AHHHH....the joys of relaxing at your resort. One of the best feelings on a WDW vacation.

We sure did get our money's worth! And we made that animal keeper work for her money!

If only I could relax at AKL every night...

 

[lisaviolet]

You can definitely save that pic of DeVine to your computer. I have more pics of her if you would like them. Just let me know!

Yeah! Thank you so much. And yes, I would love to see more pictures of DeVine. Is that really her name? Or are you just very creative? And smart. We watched her for ages last December. It was nice because I was with people that had never been to WDW and we've been so many times. Yet she was new for all of us.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Great update! I wish we had made it to the F&WF. I kick myself that we didn't go on our date night, but we were so wiped out we just wanted to eat and relax - SITTING DOWN. Sounds like the wine was tasty too!

 

[mrsksomeday]

Great update!!! AKL sounds like so much fun, Bill has been there before, but I haven't. We might have to try that next time.

Can't wait to hear about your MGM adventures .

 

[MeMom]

I've never done the night vision goggles at AKL, but would love to. That would be something Drew would really get into, as well. I'd like to be sitting around the fire pit in one of those big old rockers tonight. It's cold here in Tennessee. Had to scrape ice off the windows this morning.

Too bad Ice Station Cool was closed. That would've added some fun to the evening. Just standing back watching "Beverly faces" is quite enjoyable...after you've tasted it yourself and know exactly what they're going through.

We only had a little time at Epcot during the F&W Festival, unfortunately. I had a maple creme in Canada that was so delicious, but it was so rich I couldn't finish it.

Thanks for the pictures. Keep it coming!

 

[kaysmommie]

The woman on TT is too funny. Even my DD who is a chicken of thrill rides likes TT. I didn't book AKL yet since I'm deciding on fall dates. But we have talked about it a few times. DH will do what I want but he's not into animals really.

 

[babieemelly]

Great update! The story of the lady next to you on TT is too funny! I've never tried it at night and I've heard it's the best after dark. And I've also never tried the night viewing at the Animal Kingdom Lodge even though I've heard only good things about it. Your pictures came out so cool! It must have been so relaxing and fun sitting around the fire pit at night, talking about your day and just taking in the atmosphere. AKL's the best!

 

[jordanyosh]

You were on page 2...near the bottom

No hurry......

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Yeah! Thank you so much. And yes, I would love to see more pictures of DeVine. Is that really her name? Or are you just very creative? And smart. We watched her for ages last December. It was nice because I was with people that had never been to WDW and we've been so many times. Yet she was new for all of us.

Thanks for trying to give me credit, but I'm not that clever! I saw that her name was DeVine on the Dis!

Great update! I wish we had made it to the F&WF. I kick myself that we didn't go on our date night, but we were so wiped out we just wanted to eat and relax - SITTING DOWN. Sounds like the wine was tasty too!

That stinks that you didn't make it to F&WF! That certainly would have spiced up the date night!

Another reason to go back!

Great update!!! AKL sounds like so much fun, Bill has been there before, but I haven't. We might have to try that next time.

Can't wait to hear about your MGM adventures .

YOu should definitely try AKL next time!

I've never done the night vision goggles at AKL, but would love to. That would be something Drew would really get into, as well. I'd like to be sitting around the fire pit in one of those big old rockers tonight. It's cold here in Tennessee. Had to scrape ice off the windows this morning.

Too bad Ice Station Cool was closed. That would've added some fun to the evening. Just standing back watching "Beverly faces" is quite enjoyable...after you've tasted it yourself and know exactly what they're going through.

We only had a little time at Epcot during the F&W Festival, unfortunately. I had a maple creme in Canada that was so delicious, but it was so rich I couldn't finish it.

Thanks for the pictures. Keep it coming!

I didn't try a maple creme...sounds good though!

Not to rub it in, but we're still in the 70s in Phoenix. So nice!

The woman on TT is too funny. Even my DD who is a chicken of thrill rides likes TT. I didn't book AKL yet since I'm deciding on fall dates. But we have talked about it a few times. DH will do what I want but he's not into animals really.

Yeah, that woman was hilarious! I wish I could see her on other rides!

So nice to have a DH who will do what you want!!! Can your DH talk to mine?

Great update! The story of the lady next to you on TT is too funny! I've never tried it at night and I've heard it's the best after dark. And I've also never tried the night viewing at the Animal Kingdom Lodge even though I've heard only good things about it. Your pictures came out so cool! It must have been so relaxing and fun sitting around the fire pit at night, talking about your day and just taking in the atmosphere. AKL's the best!

TT is the best at night!

So is night viewing!

I miss that fire so much.

You were on page 2...near the bottom

No hurry......

Oh, thank you!

I've gotten busy with making Christmas gifts for people. I now have two addictions!

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

The alarm rang at 7:15 this morning. It was nice to have a 9:00 opening time since we were up pretty late the night before with the night time animal viewing!

Sarah and I showered and were ready to go down to Mara for some coffee at 8:00. I texted Beth to let her know we were going down to Mara and we would meet them in the lobby at 8:15. I got no response. Hmmmm….strange. Oh well! Sarah and I headed down anyways. Sarah got her traditional coffee with ice, chugged it (gross!), then refilled her cup with hot coffee and we headed over to the lobby. Still no response from Beth. I texted her again to ask if they were awake. She texted back pretty quickly and said they had just woken up! Blaize had kept them up most of the night. Beth said we should head out without them and they would meet up with us as soon as they were ready.

I felt a teeny bit bad about leaving without them, but I wasn’t about to miss the opening! After there for the opening at AK and MK, I was hooked!

Sarah and I headed out the door into the rain. I couldn’t believe it was raining already! We booked it to the bus stop and it was EMPTY!

We waited about 2 minutes for the MGM bus and had it pretty much to ourselves.

The rain slowed to a faint drizzle as we got off the bus. Score! We made our way up to where you wait to go through the turnstyles. The lines were pretty long already, which was just a little disappointing. Suddenly, the skies opened up and it started POURING! Everyone who was in line ran to get under shelter and there were no more lines. Sarah and I both had raincoats and ponchos with us, so we put both on and took our places at the head of the line in the pouring rain! A little (or a lot of ) rain doesn’t scare us…we’re not made of sugar! The rain stopped a couple minutes later, and the lines reformed. A couple minutes after that, they let us through the turnstyles. Yay!

We power walked up to that street (I don’t know what it’s called) where you turn right to go to ToT and RnRC. We were stopped there and we very close the front of the waiting crowd. Yay! It started raining again while we were waiting. Thank goodness I was wearing my Crocs! It would have been terrible to be wearing tennis shoes and socks!

Here's Sarah waiting in the rain with everyone behind her.

As we were waiting, we made some friendly conversation with the other early birds. To my left there were a boy and girl, probably 15 or 16 years old, waiting and talking. It was funny to listen to them talk because the boy was obviously trying to impress the girls with tales of brawls he has been in or has nearly been involved in. Included in these impressive tales were the f word and the sh word, interchangeably used between every other word. I gave the boy several looks that implied that he should watch his language, but the looks were to no avail. I was trying to remember if boys like that impressed me when I was that age. Probably.

Pretty soon, it was time! They started to let us "walk" to our destinations. As we walked as fast as we could without running, Sarah and I decided to do Rock n Roller Coaster. So we followed the people in the RnRC people to our destination. Again, I got the adrenaline rush that rope drop brings.

Um, is that girl in front of of running?

I would be lying if I said that Sarah and I didn’t run a little bit.

And the running was worth it cuz there was hardly anyone in front of us!

We were some of the first people at the fast pass machines. We got our FPs and then jumped in the stand-by line. I took this picture of the mass of people that filed into the line behind us. What a great feeling!

We walked right into the room where Steven Tyler so generously decides to give everyone backstage passes and watched the movie. Then we asked for car number one. We only had to wait one time to be in the first car.

I LOVE being in the first car for any ride, but this one is especially great!

Next up, Tower of Terror...did we screw up by getting the FPs for RnRC and riding right away? Stay tuned!

 

[KathyRN137]

A little (or a lot of ) rain doesn’t scare us…we’re not made of sugar!

You could've fooled me, sweetie!!

I loved hearing about your rope drop adventures.... when I'm with my gang, I rarely get to the head of the line for anything!!! And I agree, the first car rocks!!


Kathy

 

[jordanyosh]

Oh innocence lost. It saddens me that kids think nothing of dropping F bombs.
When we were there in June, we heard several parents using foul language in front of their small children--alot. Disturbing to say the least, but oh well...what can you do?

I remember the days when teachers could wash your mouth out w/ soap for using inappropriate language. I remember vividly because I was one of them, although she made us wash our own mouths out w/ soap.

Rock N Rollercoaster is still my favorite attraction at WDW.

 

[pierresgirl]

Hey Julie- great update, I love your enthusiasm to be one of the first people on the rides! That would totally be me The nighttime viewing sounds so cool!

Jordan- was that me you heard swearing..... at the ghetto?

 

[jordanyosh]

Jordan- was that me you heard swearing..... at the ghetto?

No, but I did hear someone yelling at the GF marina.

Miss you L

 

[mrsksomeday]

Great update!! I don't think Bill and I have ever made a rope drop. I will just live that adventure through you .

 

[babieemelly]

No, but I did hear someone yelling at the GF marina.

Great update! I'm glad the rain let up, nothing's worse than a downpour when you're trying to have some fun!

 

[Spartangirl]

I just found your report and I am hooked! I can't wait to read more!

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

You could've fooled me, sweetie!!

I loved hearing about your rope drop adventures.... when I'm with my gang, I rarely get to the head of the line for anything!!! And I agree, the first car rocks!!


Kathy

There are definitely not a whole lot of families with young kids at rope drop!

I guess I better enjoy that now cuz once we have kids...

Oh innocence lost. It saddens me that kids think nothing of dropping F bombs.
When we were there in June, we heard several parents using foul language in front of their small children--alot. Disturbing to say the least, but oh well...what can you do?

I remember the days when teachers could wash your mouth out w/ soap for using inappropriate language. I remember vividly because I was one of them, although she made us wash our own mouths out w/ soap.

Rock N Rollercoaster is still my favorite attraction at WDW.

I try to really watch my language at Disney World. Not that I'm a huge cusser, but every once in a while, something slips out!

Hey Julie- great update, I love your enthusiasm to be one of the first people on the rides! That would totally be me The nighttime viewing sounds so cool!

Jordan- was that me you heard swearing..... at the ghetto?

No, but I did hear someone yelling at the GF marina.

Miss you L

Great update!! I don't think Bill and I have ever made a rope drop. I will just live that adventure through you .

Rope drop is so much fun...I'm addicted!

Great update! I'm glad the rain let up, nothing's worse than a downpour when you're trying to have some fun!

That rain was terrible!

I just found your report and I am hooked! I can't wait to read more!

Thanks for reading!

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

After Rock n Roller Coaster, we headed over to Tower of Terror in the rain. The wait was only 5 minutes! Score!

It was actually really cool to ride Tower of Terror in the rain, and that seemed to be a theme for us on this trip! I don’t think I could ever tire of this ride. I just LOVE it so much!

After Tower of Terror, we were up for another FP in 5 minutes, so we waited under some shelter (cuz it was POURING) until the FP time was up and we grabbed our FPs.
I'm sorry about the lack of pictures in this installment. It was raining all day and it was a huge pain to get out my camera and try to keep it dry!

After some deliberation, we headed over to Star Tours. I am not a big Star Wars fan mainly because my brothers and cousins were obsessed with it when we were younger. It’s all they ever wanted to watch, play, think about, etc. I was a Barbie kinda girl. Sarah was one of those cousins who was obsessed with Star Wars. And because she was older, she always got to be Princess Leia when we would play Star Wars. I always had to be an Ewok. Or Yoda. Not fun.

So although I am not a big fan of Star Tours, Sarah had never ridden it before, so we headed over there. It was raining flash flood style at this point. We were just about the only crazies who were walking down the streets of MGM rather than hiding under shelter or in a store.

Star Tours was a walk on also. It was a little bit fun. I think I just don’t let myself enjoy this ride because of my childhood Star Wars memories.

We checked out the gift shop after Star Tours.

Then we debated on what to do next. Beauty and the Beast was going to have a show at 10:30, and we had about 15 minutes to get there. We stopped in Starring Rolls Café on the way and I got a delicious chocolate chip cookie and Sarah got a Latte. Her Latte took FOREVER. After that, we headed back out into the rain and over to Beauty and the Beast.

I LOVE Beauty and the Beast. I love the movie, I love the soundtrack, and I love the show at MGM. We found some good seats and took off our rain gear and had a seat.

There was a little girl next to me during the show who was about 4 years old. She was practically in my lap the whole time, and she was SO cute! Whenever Belle would come out on stage, the little girl would scream a little. And at one point, she looked at me and screeched “Belle’s shoes are SHINY!!!” Adorable.

Sarah and I both loved the show. During the show, we could hear the rain assaulting the roof of the theater. Not good news for our exit!

Before we put all our rain gear back on, we decided to do Sounds Dangerous. I had never done this before and I was curious about it. We headed over there in the heaviest rain of the day and waited under the roof that leads into the theater. At this point, I was FREEZING!!! I was pretty wet despite the rain gear, and there was a blast of air conditioning coming from the building. I started to get a little bit crabby. I am not normally a crabby person and it takes a lot for me to get to that point, but I know I was being a little bit short with Sarah, and I felt so bad! I was also feeling sad that Beth and Jason weren’t with us yet. Oh well, what can you do?

We watched (listened to) the show, which was pretty cute. Then we were both hungry. Sarah really wanted to go to ABC commissary. I wanted to go to Toy Story Pizza Planet, but I let Sarah decide cuz I was deciding everything else!

Sarah got a Curry Chicken bowl, which she said was delicious and it did a good job of warming her up. I got a cheeseburger and I hate to say this, but it was terrible! The fries were delicious, though, so I was happy about that! About a minute after we sat down with our food, Beth called and said that she and Jason had just arrived! Yay!!! I told them where we were and they came and met up with us.

Sarah and I filled Beth and Jason in on our morning and then we decided what to do next. We headed over to the Art of Disney. We just did the beginning part, and didn’t have time to do the animation academy cuz we wanted to see the Stunt Show.

We walked over to the Stunt Show in the rain, of course, and found a seat that was under the big roof. The rest of the seats were soaked! I had never seen the show before. I thought it was great! It seemed like it must have been very difficult to do the show in the rain! Those guys are GOOD.

Is that guy on fire?!?

Beth and Jason were hungry after the stunt show, so we went over to Pizza Planet. Why, oh why, did I eat any of that burger?!? While they ate, we talked about what to do next. Jason really wanted to go on ToT and RnRC as he had not ridden either yet. We all headed over to ToT and waited in the short stand-by line. Beth chickened out at the last minute. Since giving birth to Blaize, Beth now has a fear of ToT and RnRC! I hope that doesn’t happen to me! Sarah and I still had our RnRC FPs from the morning, so I handed mine over to Jason. Sarah and Jason went on RnRC. They both loved it, of course.

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