wdwgirl goes on safari...May 14-19 with tons of pics and video: final update, p. 18

[wdwgirl03]

An Evening at Downtown Disney

After our day at Sea World, we went back to AKL for a bit. It was pretty humid that day so Dad and I decided to go swimming again. Claire decided she'd rather watch the Brewers get pounded by the Red Sox. I really love the pool at the hotel. It's so big and I love the theming of it. Plus it's so close to one of the animal viewing spots.

Since we weren't going to waste a day on our tickets and we obviously weren't going to sit around for the rest of the night, we went to Downtown Disney for dinner and one of my favorite things, SHOPPING!!! Rather than waiting for a bus we took the car over. Of course it was packed as usual and it was hard finding a place to park. I really wanted to eat at the Rainforest Cafe since we've never been there, but seeing as it was a Saturday night and it was getting close to 6:00, we figured it was going to be a long wait. There was a line of people waiting to find out what time they could get a reservation. I took this picture in line:

When we got to the front of the line, we were told it was going to be an hour and a half wait before we could get in. We decided we'd wait so we got a reservation for 7:30. That was fine with me because I wasn't really hungry right away. Once we had our time it was time to shop! I don't know about you, but whenever I go to WDW I buy stuff like crazy. It's sort of a sickness. Our first stop was the World of Disney, one of my favorite stores in WDW. So much to choose from! It's a miracle I didn't buy the whole store. We saw some small replica ride posters...I love these!

We browsed for a while and I ended up getting a couple small things...a Magic Kingdom souvenir book (I'll probably use that in my classroom library), a cute shot glass (or should I say toothpick holder?! I have a small collection of them), and some pink fuzzy dice for my car.

Our next stop was Disney's Pin Traders. I love collecting pins so I picked out a couple to add to my collection. I'm starting to get ones of the resorts we've stayed at so I got a Polynesian pin with Mickey and Minnie on it and a retro Epcot pin with Donald on it.

We also stopped in the Team Mickey Store and Once Upon a Toy before heading back over toward the Rainforest Cafe.

We were a little early so we waited for them to call our name. I took the opportunity to take a few more pictures:

Claire and me waiting:

When they called our name we were taken to a table in the back of the restaurant. I had no idea how big that place was! But I absolutely loved the theming even if it is sort of tacky.

The girl who took us to our table told us about the "thunderstorms" they do every half hour and told us make sure Dad would be OK. hehe We got our drinks and then ordered: I decided on the Flying Dragon Pepperoni Pizza, Claire chose the Rainforest Burger, and Dad got a steak. The pizza was pretty big...I had seen a couple people with it walking in and wanted to split it but figured I'd be able to take what I didn't eat back to the hotel. I guess I was really hungry because I ended up eating about half of it. It was very tasty. We were all pretty full so we skipped dessert...even though those big Volcano things looked really good! Maybe next time. Overall it was a great experience and we'll definitely plan on eating there again on future trips.

up next: our last day at Disney

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

I have that Disney World shopping addiction too. I can't resist buying the things I see there!

 

[Michelle_and_Aaron]

I have never been to that particular Rainforest Cafe but I have been to several around the country and I think they are great! So much fun and yes a little over the top but that is the reason it is so cool to eat there I think. I am glad you enjoyed it!

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

I have never eaten there but maybe one day.

 

[bear22]

Quick question. Why can't I see the pictures? I get the little red X. Help anyone?

 

[disneydusted]

I didn't know they made mini posters of the rides... hummm, could be a future purchase?
bear22~ I am not sure why you are only seeing the red boxes, that happened to me on someone's post and they said their photobucket was full or something???

 

[wdwgirl03]

I have that Disney World shopping addiction too. I can't resist buying the things I see there!

haha, yeah, I try to control myself but just can't help it...good thing I had been doing a lot of subbing before that.

I have never been to that particular Rainforest Cafe but I have been to several around the country and I think they are great! So much fun and yes a little over the top but that is the reason it is so cool to eat there I think. I am glad you enjoyed it!

That's cool you've been to so many. It was great that they had so many choices on the menu too...a little something for everyone!

great update and pics.

I have never eaten there but maybe one day.

You should try the RC...great place!

Quick question. Why can't I see the pictures? I get the little red X. Help anyone?

Hmmm...some of the pictures I've posted are uploaded on photobucket, but most of them are uploaded on my facebook account. Do you have any programs that might be blocking certain sites?

I didn't know they made mini posters of the rides... hummm, could be a future purchase?
bear22~ I am not sure why you are only seeing the red boxes, that happened to me on someone's post and they said their photobucket was full or something???

Yeah, I think they might have just started making the mini posters. They're pretty neat!

 

[irky416]

I have the same problem with buying things in WDW. I love Rainforest Cafe, but have never eaten at that one.

 

[kathleen27]

Rainforest Cafe is fun! We ate there a couple of years ago, but last trip we forgot to put our name in early, and just couldn't wait that long.

Those ride posters are cool. I will have to keep an eye out for those. We always end up buying a lot of stuff at Disney too.

 

[Michelle_and_Aaron]

Oooh I am just itching for another update lol. No pressure though.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Oooh I am just itching for another update lol. No pressure though.

LOL, another update is on the way!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Sunday, May 18, 2008...The end is near

It was hard to believe our trip was nearly over already. Why is it that it seems to take forever for a trip to come (well, not so much in this case since we had been in WDW 5 months before...) and then they're over like that?! Grrr. For our last day in the parks we decided to go back to Animal Kingdom since we still wanted to see the Finding Nemo musical and I wanted to check out Rafiki's Planet Watch since we had never been there. Since we had to return the rental car at the Dolphin we drove over to AK which actually turned out to be a minor headache. We had been seeing these signs mentioning an Ironman competition for Sunday morning and how there would be delays. Dad went to ask about it at the front desk but they didn't really know too much about it. So the usually 2-minute drive took much longer. Right as we were leaving the biking portion of the race was going on so traffic was kind of backed up. One of the security guards had us cut through cast member parking and go in a different entrance...it was just kind of crazy.

When we got to the park entrance, we saw the talking palm tree greeting some guests (he's pretty much the same thing as Push, only a tree).

We didn't stop to watch since we wanted to get in line right away. We were pretty much able to go right through the turnstiles up to the rope. As eager as I was to get into the park, I didn't want the day to start because it seems like our last day goes by even faster. But, Mickey and the gang greeted everyone to start their "wild adventure."


Our first stop of the morning was Asia so we could ride Expedition Everest again. I think we were able to get on one of the first trains of the day since most people were getting fastpasses right away. Here's our ride photo (Claire and I are in the second row and Dad's behind us...of course I've got my hands up in the air!):

And of course, me in my new official pose, haha. (PS, I just noticed I wore a Disney t-shirt practically every day )

Since Rafiki's Planet Watch didn't open until 10:00, we headed over to Africa to go on another safari. I must say that this was one of the best safaris we've ever been on. We had a great guide and saw so many animals! It really does pay to go early in the morning.

Entering the reserve:

An okapi:

Rhino:

The baobob tree, a sign that we're entering the best part of the safari...the savannah! I was amazed at all the animals that were out. That meant lots of picture opportunities:

Tommies:

Wildebeest:

We got a great view of the elephants.

Uh-oh...

More elephants!

The lions, active as always...haha.

After our safari we made our way over to the train station for a quick trip to Conservation Station.

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

sad it is coming to an end.

 

[nts4wdw]

What a great morning! Awesome safari pictures!

Is it almost over already?

 

[Michelle_and_Aaron]

Yay! An update. But I am so sad that we are on the last day. Guess that means you can start planning the next one! Hehe!

 

[kathleen27]

Nice safari pictures!
Glad you got to see so many animals!

Can't believe your trip is almost over.

 

[irky416]

I like your pose!

 

[lmillercrew]

Great update. I've only riden on EE once, so I look forward to riding it again. The sad thing about your trip ending is that there won't be anymore TR's for us to read from you.

 

[wdwgirl03]

great update and pics.

sad it is coming to an end.

Thanks. I'm sad too.

What a great morning! Awesome safari pictures!

Is it almost over already?

Thank you. Yes, unfortunately it is almost over.

Yay! An update. But I am so sad that we are on the last day. Guess that means you can start planning the next one! Hehe!

haha, you have no idea how much I want to start planning a new trip!

Nice safari pictures!
Glad you got to see so many animals!

Can't believe your trip is almost over.

It was great seeing all those animals!

I like your pose!

hehe, thanks.

Great update. I've only riden on EE once, so I look forward to riding it again. The sad thing about your trip ending is that there won't be anymore TR's for us to read from you.

Ooh I love Everest. I'm looking forward to riding it again too...whenever that may be... Hopefully I'll have another trip to look forward to soon. With DVC it's hard to stay away too long!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Hi everyone! I've sort of been procrastinating finishing this TR but anyways, here's the next installment...

Sunday, May 18 cont'd...

After our safari we headed over to the train station so we could visit Rafiki's Planet Watch. I was pretty excited since we have never done it before. It's one of those things that I keep saying I want to do but it never actually happens (plus when the whole family is there Emma doesn't like the AK as much as I do). We had to wait maybe 10 minutes or so before the train came. When we got there there was only a few other people waiting for the train but by the time the train arrived the waiting area was pretty packed!

The train ride was about five minutes long. It was really cool because while you're heading back you get sort of a backstage look at some of the animal barns. I wish I would've taken some pictures but oh well.

When we got to the train station at the Conservation Station we walked up to the building to take a look around.

The building was pretty dead...only a couple other people in there. I guess we beat the rush of everyone else on the train! That was nice because Rafiki and Jiminy Cricket were inside posing for pictures and we pretty much had them all to ourselves. Even though we saw Rafiki at the Pirate and Princess Party I got another picture since the other one turned out blurry for some reason.

I don't think we have ever seen Jiminy Cricket so of course I had to meet him too! I had to bend down because I was taller than him...I hate it when I'm bigger than the characters. LOL.

Then we went out to the Affection Section, where they have a petting zoo.

On the way out we stopped at the gift shop. Dad bought a couple safari figurines to add to his collection.

I also bought a new penny book for the pressed pennies I got (I'll post pictures later!).

Since we wanted to see the Finding Nemo musical at 11:30 we took the train back. We felt sort of rushed because of that but atleast we finally got to visit Rafiki's Planet Watch. I definitely would like to go back there sometime because they had some cool exhibits. It didn't take long for the train to come and we were on our way.

When we got to the theater we were able to go right in. Our seats were pretty good too and it was nice to get out of the humidity. At this point I was starting to get pretty bummed knowing that this was probably the last thing we'd be doing at the Animal Kingdom. A couple times as we waited for the show I started to get tears in my eyes because, well, that's how I always get when our trips are coming to an end (which is funny because I never got like that when I was little ).

On the sides of the stage they have these big bubbles and before the show starts, Nemo will start swimming in and out of the bubbles. It was fun to hear all the little kids' reactions when they would see Nemo. We got a kick out of that. They don't allow flash photography during the show so my pictures aren't the greatest.

Overall I really enjoyed the show...after all, Finding Nemo is my favorite Pixar movie. The puppetry was amazing and it was so colorful! Very cute show...there were some funny moments as well as some touching moments. Dad saw the show when he was there with Mom and Emma in April '07 and warned us that the one song, "In The Big Blue World" would get stuck in our head. Sure enough, by the end of the show it kept playing over and over in my head. haha

So, we had done everything we wanted to and we also had to return the rental car so it was time to say goodbye to the Animal Kingdom.

up next: A rootin', tootin' good time at Hollywood Studios