Trip of Extremes and Dreams! Tons of Pics! 11/30 -12/10 Update Highlight to the End

[SkyGirl]

Wow, I am FINALLY caught up on your report. First off, I have to say, what great parade picture you got of the MK parade!! I especially love the ones where it looks like Donald is pointing right at you And I never ceased to be amazed at rude people can be pushing and shovingto see a parade. Come on, you can ssee it from more than the front row- there'r no need to klobber people in wheelchairs and Maters to get to the front!! I am glad you got a good seat, nonetheless. It also sounds like you had a great Epcot day! I just the World Showcase also. It is one of my favorite places in WDW to jsut relax and soak in the atmosphere. The only place we seemt o disagree is on Italy. I lvoe Italy, even though there's not much to it. I love getting a glass (ok, a plastic cup) of wine from the little store there and just sitting in the courtyard. Oh, and have you ever watch the WS Players do the Romeo and Ethel Skit?? Oh my gosh, it cracks me up every time!! It's not as good as the Holy Grail one in the UK, but it's worth a watch for sure! I can't wait to hear more about your mother/daughter adventures!

I know, I LOVE those pictures of Donald!! He is very cool!!

I do love Romeo and Ethel. There just isn't enough detail and stuff to do in Italy although I love the store there.

Mom's doing alot better. She had to get a pace maker because her heart wasn't recieving a signal to beat. She didn't even know she had this condition until some blood pressure meds made her heart slow to 35 bpm. But all worked out well. She's home and doing everything she was before.

35 bpm!! OMG! That is terrifying! I'm so happy that she's doing so great now!!

I am really enjoying reading your trip report. It is so wonderful you and your daughter can share such a special trip. Look forward to reading more! I am even playing Disney music in the background!

How cool you have your Disney music playing!!!!

We really do have a wonderful time together.

We're 1 hour from London, 2 hours from Paris and a 5 minute walk from a castle

HA! We are on our way!!!

 

[SkyGirl]

WHOO HOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GO STEELERS GO STEELERS!!!!!!!

 

[Rozz]

More please! We just love you guys! I hope you are doing well. I so look forward to your reports. We hope to be able to return to the World this coming December.

 

[SkyGirl]

More please! We just love you guys! I hope you are doing well. I so look forward to your reports. We hope to be able to return to the World this coming December.

Hi Rozz!!!! Thanks sooo much!!! OMG, I really hope you can go back in December, that would be awesome!!




MY STEELERS WON!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!!!!!!

I LOVE those boys, all of them (especially Troy ... I want to be his GFF ((girlfriend forever!!!))

 

[alan_renfroe]

Hi Rozz!!!! Thanks sooo much!!! OMG, I really hope you can go back in December, that would be awesome!!




MY STEELERS WON!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!!!!!!

I LOVE those boys, all of them (especially Troy ... I want to be his GFF ((girlfriend forever!!!))

Congrats on the Steelers winning! Since my team, the Atlanta Falcons, lost last week, I am for the STEELERS all the way!!! ANYBODY but the Eagles!

 

[momoftriplets]

MY STEELERS WON!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!!!!!!

I LOVE those boys, all of them (especially Troy ... I want to be his GFF ((girlfriend forever!!!))

OK - now you're just rubbing it in......... (didn't we talk about this earlier in the season?)

'Course, with the Vikings dropping in the first round, & the Giants out, too, I do need someone new to root for. I may have to jump on the Steelers bandwagon........


P.S. Troy who?????

 

[SkyGirl]

Congrats on the Steelers winning! Since my team, the Atlanta Falcons, lost last week, I am for the STEELERS all the way!!! ANYBODY but the Eagles!

OK - now you're just rubbing it in......... (didn't we talk about this earlier in the season?)

'Course, with the Vikings dropping in the first round, & the Giants out, too, I do need someone new to root for. I may have to jump on the Steelers bandwagon........


P.S. Troy who?????

TROY WHO??????????? TROY WHO??????????????

Just the cutest Steeler alive!!!

 

[SkyGirl]

DAY 4
December 3

DD and I had breakfast at Sassy's again this morning. I really like the food there. DD had Mickey Waffles with bacon. She LOVED the waffle but the bacon was icky!

I had the breakfast platter and it was really good. Except the bacon!! They make really good and fluffy scrambled eggs.

We got the bus to Animal Kingdom! Again it was freezing and I was so glad I had my gloves! We were both very excited to go back. We just loved everything so much last year. I couldn't wait to see the Meerkats!

We got Mater and saw the opening show. We were pretty far back in the crowd, but it was still fun. Minnie, Goofy, and Mickey were all on cherry pickers. So cute!

We went to Africa and got fast passes for Kilimanjaro safari. There were African drummers and they were just wonderful.

Next was Pangani Forest Trail. We were the first ones there and had to wait a few minutes until they opened. I figured they were waking all the animals up! LOL We spent about an hour in there, taking our time and enjoying all of it.

The first stop was the Komodo Dragon and the CM told us he wouldn't come out because it was too cold! What a baby -- he needs gloves!!

Then we got to the Meerkats! My FAVORITES! When I saw the guard one up on the mound, I was really surprised -- he was so puffy!! I realized it was from the cold and he was trying to keep warm. The CM pointed out the others, all leaning against a wall, warming up their bellies in the sun!! TOO ADORABLE!

I am madly in love with these guys and want to bring one home!!

We reluctantly left and found the Gorillas. Wow, they are so amazing and just so majestic! Plus, they have blankies!! How cute is that? The CM told us that they have them at night to sleep with and are allowed to bring them out with them in the morning. They are very possessive!!

This guy had two!!!

Next we used our fast passes for the safari. As we walked through and past a very long stand by line, a man at the front blew a fuse, talking about how he was waiting in line too and it was unfair! Jeez, didn't he hear of fast pass? Was he that uninformed? Well, he waited until the CM turned and cut right in line. I was shocked that anyone would be so rude. I don't know why I'm shocked by that behavior, but I am.

I really think the guides can make all the difference on the safari. Seeing the animals is always such a treat but the guides can make it even more fun. Our driver would pause as much as possible to let us get great pictures. The animals were very active even though it was so cold. There was a baby giraffe that was so sweet and snuggling with his Daddy. Our guide told us they were always together and were best buds. And we didn't see the lion since he sleeps 23 hours a day! We never see him!! We've only seen his feet when he was sleeping on his back one afternoon. Lazy!! LOL

More to come!!

 

[DisBride2009]

I love the pics you have taken from your trip. It looks like you were having a great time which is great especially in the freezing cold weather...which is not common in Florida lol. I remember how it was when I went it was so cold, I did not feel like I was in Florida anymore. Keep on posting...can't wait to here more

 

[jaycns]

Love the update....and you know I am so with you on the meerkats!They are adorable. I adore those gorilla with blanket pictures. They are so sweet.

KEEP IT COMING!!

 

[disneydusted]

I am with you! I want to bring a Meerkat home! I love how they were lined up sunning their bellies! So cute! And the gorilla with the blankets! I had no idea they had blankets. It made me laugh to see the picture of the big guy with 2 on his back.
Hummmm... a line cutter??? Did you give him the LOOK? I am surprised at the behavior of people too but I guess you never know their story. Bad day maybe???
I love all of the green in the photos... it's so cold here today and no green anywhere.... burrrrrrr

 

[Halloweenqueen]

What wonderful pictures! The gorilla and the towel pictures are too cute!

 

[DisneyJo]

Heidi I love the photos of the gorillas and their blankets, so funny!

And when we had our own guide at MVMCP the night of the Castle stay, she led us on to Space behind some ropes and this guy and his son followed us, we said they wouldn't get through, we were with a guide blah blah blah but they still followed It turned out there was hardly any queue and they just jumped on behind us!

 

[SkyGirl]

I love the pics you have taken from your trip. It looks like you were having a great time which is great especially in the freezing cold weather...which is not common in Florida lol. I remember how it was when I went it was so cold, I did not feel like I was in Florida anymore. Keep on posting...can't wait to here more

We really did have fun and the colder weather, when it isn't too cold, is a bit of a treat for us. You get bored when it is 80 degrees and sunny all the time!!

Love the update....and you know I am so with you on the meerkats!They are adorable. I adore those gorilla with blanket pictures. They are so sweet.

KEEP IT COMING!!

I could not get over the blankies for the gorillas!! They were on trees and on the rocks and if one gorilla came near another's, he would immediately go and get it!! Too cute.

I am with you! I want to bring a Meerkat home! I love how they were lined up sunning their bellies! So cute! And the gorilla with the blankets! I had no idea they had blankets. It made me laugh to see the picture of the big guy with 2 on his back.
Hummmm... a line cutter??? Did you give him the LOOK? I am surprised at the behavior of people too but I guess you never know their story. Bad day maybe???
I love all of the green in the photos... it's so cold here today and no green anywhere.... burrrrrrr

Even though I know a Meerkat would rip up my backyard, I think they'd be very happy living with me!! I figure I could find Meerkat Chow somewhere!!!

I sighed at the line cutter. I just wanted to yell at him "GET A FASTPASS!" People are strange!

What wonderful pictures! The gorilla and the towel pictures are too cute!

They were just adorable. I swear, I could watch them all day!

Heidi I love the photos of the gorillas and their blankets, so funny!

And when we had our own guide at MVMCP the night of the Castle stay, she led us on to Space behind some ropes and this guy and his son followed us, we said they wouldn't get through, we were with a guide blah blah blah but they still followed It turned out there was hardly any queue and they just jumped on behind us!

I don't understand people who can't follow simple instructions, rules .... they make me crazy. A woman tried to cut in front of us when we were returning Mater one night. I said to her, "we are in line" and she had the nerve to say she didn't see us! Somehow we became invisible, I suppose because it was the end of the night!

 

[SkyGirl]

More Animal Kingdom!

DD and I went to The Festival of the Lion King. The line to get in was HUGE!! I couldn't believe it -- it was like a line to get Aerosmith tickets!! The line wrapped around and went all the way past Camp Minnie/Mickey! It was outrageous. We were surprised -- wasn't this the slow season?? It was last year!

The show was just wonderful, as always. We had great seats in the Tiger section. I love how they involve children at the end.

We were feeling a bit hungry and although we had reservations for Tusker House early, we decided to stop by Pizzafari. The theming is so excellent there. The pizza is pretty good, too. Not excellent, but it was decent.

We walked around the park and took some great pictures. It is so beautiful there.

Notice my Darla shirt!! I wish I could explain the reaction of kids to this shirt, something I didn't expect. They were .... some of them would sorta nod, like they knew her and understood. It totally cracked me up. I love kids like that.

We made our way to Asia and rode Everest with our fast passes and then roade it again in the stand by line which wasn't too long at all! We just LOVE this coaster!! I could ride it again and again.

Next was the Maharajah Jungle Trek. I was excited about seeing the tigers. They are just amazing to me, to see them so close. Although I always remember at the Pittsburgh Zoo, back in the olden days when they were in cages. My little cousin posed near one for a picture and .... he peed on her. I've never forgotten that and it still makes me laugh.

I do have to admit, though, I HATE the bird section. They are just too close!! They were swooping down very low and people were freaking out, so I wasn't alone! ICK!!! BIRDS!!!!

It started warming up and DD was able to take off her hoodie!! (For a little while .....)

We walked past Primevil Whirl, which had been down for refurb, but surprisingly it was open. The wait time was 80 minutes long and we hoped (Well .... DD hoped) that it would be much lower that night.

We went on Dinosaur and I decided to do it. Since my back was cooperating with me and I was able to do BTMR, I wanted to give it a try. And I was fine .... but scared to death!!! When DD found out I kept my eyes shut after the first really scary dino, she swore she was going to get me back on it before we left. I tried to pretend my back was really aching but she knew better. I was doomed!

MORE TO COME ....

 

[SkyGirl]

The End of The Day At AK!

It was time for dinner. We made our way to Tusker House, excited because we had loved it soooo much last year.

Dinner was very good, but we were both getting tired of buffets.

Some of the things that we enjoyed were Blatjang Chuntneys with South African Preserves, Sambals Tabbouleh, Hummus and Baba Ghanoush,
Endive, Apple and Walnut Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing, Tunisian Couscous Salad, Marrakesh Couscous with roasted vegetables,
Vegetable samosas, Top Sirloin Roast

Now, the following pictures just crack me up. DD is much more adventurous than I am when it comes to seafood. I can usually talk her into trying things that I wouldn't put in my mouth if I was being paid!! I kept teasing her that I was going to get a dish of mussels and corn dog nuggets to take a picture for all of you. It just seemed like the goofiest combo that you could come up with. She shocked me by telling me that she would try the mussels!! I was so proud and grossed out at the same time. I totally admire her for this!!

The face of bravery!!

EWWWW

She did it!!! (but she wouldn't even consider trying the corn dogs!!! )

After dinner I was very depressed to learn that all the trails were closed and I couldn't play with the tigers or Meerkats anymore!! Good thing we were coming back another day or I might have ended up on the news!! I love my animals!

We went through the stores and DD bought an AK mug. She has a nice collection of mugs now. I saw these voodoo key chains and fell in love with them!!

It was EMH that night and the park was clearing out. We had fun walking all over as it was getting darker and darker.

We went on Everest again with our fast passes. I was done for the night, feeling the day in my back, other than riding Mater, so DD went back on in the single rider line. I had a lot of fun people watching and listening to the screams coming from Everest.

We decided to go back to the resort. I wasn't feeling well at all suddenly and I went right to bed. It was so disappointing to me and I hoped this wasn't the sign of things to come on our trip.

DD took a walk around the resort and wrote postcards. She got a hot chocolate and listened to the singer/piano player in Scat Cats.

But soon it was time for bed for her, too. We had a big day coming up!!

 

[addictedtothemouse]

Great updates! I love AK. Actually I love ALL of Disney.

 

[addictedtothemouse]

My oldest DD is also the adventerous eater in our family and takes great enjoyment in grossing the rest of us out.

 

[lillylynnb]

Love your trip report ! At looking at your pics i notice in some of the pics you can see your lanyard with all your pins may i ask were you got the two on the bottom that look almost the same {yomd}? thanks

 

[disneydusted]

Heidi, I can't believe you got DD to eat mussels!!! Or I should say a mussel! You must have bribed her well! I love the series of photos documenting it!
Do you know there is a tiger up at the Baltimore Zoo that does the same thing as the tiger did that your cousin experienced?! At least there used to be. DD had a field trip up there as a 2nd grader and this crazy tiger seemed to pick his victim and he aimed very well! It smelled so BAD!!! Thankfully we avoided his gift!
Are the voodoo key chains the same ones that Jay's boys were collecting? (I think it was Jay's guys) Seems like they had something like these.
I wanted to ask you, how do you keep someone from riding off with Mater when you are on a ride or dining somewhere?