January 9th. Last day in the parks. Animal Kingdom, took a bit of doing to get everyone going today and we arrived well after the park had opened, so we went straight to the Safari, but again, managed to ride without a wait. Then we went clear back across the park, very slowly because MC was hurting, and Gma and MC waited while the rest of us rode Dinosaur twice. Then we went to Chester and Hesters area and again MC and Gma waited while we rode the Triceratops Spin. Fun, but not at all worth a wait. Then to Tarzan which most of our group had never seen. We were stuck at the back again and the show is just not as much fun from the back. We promised Whistler to see the bird show, since he loves birds and we had missed it on our past trips. A CM got snooty when we pushed the wheelchair to the front, strange, but I knew Whistler would be very upset if he could not be down front. It was worth it, it was the best part of his day, even though he was really crushed not to be the child chosen to help. We stayed after while he talked the CMs ear off about his birds.
We bid a sad goodbye to my cousin who is driving back to southern Florida today and needs to miss the rush hour traffic.
We went to Tuskers and got the meal ticket deals. My kids still miss the rainbow bread and the rest of us were disappointed that the special skewered chicken was not available, either. We bagged a table outside and grabbed a glass of wine for the adults. We were entertained by drummers and tumblers. The kids got pulled to try the limbo and were so happy. They had been volunteering for everything but had not been chosen until now. A good lunch, with a quick peak at Devine, who we had looked for for years but always missed.
Then the long walk over to Festival of the Lion King, where again we got very lucky. Front row and the kids led the warm up with the hand jive, thanks to a wonderful CM (same slip of paper, name lost). The kids also got to take part in the dance at the end. A perfect AK day! The show is much improved now that the area is enclosed, and we relished the warmth since the day had agin turned cold and grey. Stopped for a bit of shopping and had a nice view of the parade. Ended our day here with A Bugs Life, Gma and me at the back, but everyone else went down front. It always seems to upset the CMs when the rest of the family does not want to sit at the far-side-back with the wheelchair rider. Just a dream---a wheelchair area center of the theater? And an aside- we see a lot of curled lips over wheelchairs getting preference at WDW. Try being in one or pushing one, these trip reports should give you an idea of how much less we see than those who don't need one.
We cashed in our coupons for ice cream and drinks and headed back to the POP, just beating the rain that had threatened all week. A record, we have been to AK as a family about six times and it has poured each time.
Gma was tired, opting for a food court meal. I needed to do laundry, so Peter and I washed clothes at the Bowling Pin pool while the kids swam in the pouring rain and we huddled under an umbrella. The kids had the pool all to themselves and the total attention of the two life guards who played with them, encouraging them to do cannon balls and splash them. The kids were in hog heaven, we never allow them to do these things.
Back to the room and Gma baby-sat Whistler and Gameboy while Rack, Angel, Peter and I went to Pleasure Island. We grabbed pizza and wine at Wolfgang Pucks and went to the Adventurers Club. This is still one of our favorite places at WDW and should not be missed by any adult. Not enough time here to stay and see the two side room shows, but Rack and Angel got to see the liars convention skit in the library and learn the salute. Back to the Pop, pack and bed.
Next, sad goodbyes and hello to the Magic.
We bid a sad goodbye to my cousin who is driving back to southern Florida today and needs to miss the rush hour traffic.
We went to Tuskers and got the meal ticket deals. My kids still miss the rainbow bread and the rest of us were disappointed that the special skewered chicken was not available, either. We bagged a table outside and grabbed a glass of wine for the adults. We were entertained by drummers and tumblers. The kids got pulled to try the limbo and were so happy. They had been volunteering for everything but had not been chosen until now. A good lunch, with a quick peak at Devine, who we had looked for for years but always missed.
Then the long walk over to Festival of the Lion King, where again we got very lucky. Front row and the kids led the warm up with the hand jive, thanks to a wonderful CM (same slip of paper, name lost). The kids also got to take part in the dance at the end. A perfect AK day! The show is much improved now that the area is enclosed, and we relished the warmth since the day had agin turned cold and grey. Stopped for a bit of shopping and had a nice view of the parade. Ended our day here with A Bugs Life, Gma and me at the back, but everyone else went down front. It always seems to upset the CMs when the rest of the family does not want to sit at the far-side-back with the wheelchair rider. Just a dream---a wheelchair area center of the theater? And an aside- we see a lot of curled lips over wheelchairs getting preference at WDW. Try being in one or pushing one, these trip reports should give you an idea of how much less we see than those who don't need one.
We cashed in our coupons for ice cream and drinks and headed back to the POP, just beating the rain that had threatened all week. A record, we have been to AK as a family about six times and it has poured each time.
Gma was tired, opting for a food court meal. I needed to do laundry, so Peter and I washed clothes at the Bowling Pin pool while the kids swam in the pouring rain and we huddled under an umbrella. The kids had the pool all to themselves and the total attention of the two life guards who played with them, encouraging them to do cannon balls and splash them. The kids were in hog heaven, we never allow them to do these things.
Back to the room and Gma baby-sat Whistler and Gameboy while Rack, Angel, Peter and I went to Pleasure Island. We grabbed pizza and wine at Wolfgang Pucks and went to the Adventurers Club. This is still one of our favorite places at WDW and should not be missed by any adult. Not enough time here to stay and see the two side room shows, but Rack and Angel got to see the liars convention skit in the library and learn the salute. Back to the Pop, pack and bed.
Next, sad goodbyes and hello to the Magic.
