Searching for a Safari FP & Harambe Market
I completely left this trip report hanging! Things got busy, then Covid hit, and our dreams of a March 2021 trip were set aside, and the rest is history. But as we're starting to talk about returning again one day (maybe 2023?) I started reading through my old trip notes and realized I never finished this one, despite typing up all the notes from our trip. So I'm going to give it a go again!
After lunch, we decided to check out the train to the Conservation Station. My dad was sad to learn that the MK trains were down during our trip, so my goal was to get him his train fix at AK. DD4 fell asleep in the stroller on our way to the train, and Pat had to carry her from stroller parking to the train. We were on a train quickly, around 1:55pm.
When we rolled up to the Conservation Station, DD4 was still asleep. We had left the stroller behind, which meant either someone had to carry her, or we would have to wake her up. Our policy on this trip was to let the girls take naps when they needed them, so we did not want to wake her. And no one really wanted to carry her for that long in the heat. So we made a quick decision to stay on the train back to Africa. I was still re-loading my app for a Safaris FP during this time.
When we arrived back in Africa, DD2 asked if we could ride the train again. It was in the shade and relaxing, so we decided, why not? This ended up being a good decision, because during our second round-trip train ride, I snagged a 3:50pm FP for the Safaris! We originally planned to leave the park around 2:30pm to swim at the resort, so we had to make a tough decision.
My dad pointed out that we had come to Animal Kingdom to see animals, and the best place to see a lot of them is on the safari. I really love the safari too, so I was happy to make the decision to stay for our FP. I did keep trying to reload for an earlier time, but nothing came through.
We stopped for several Photopass pictures throughout the day.
DD4 was still sleeping when we transferred her back to her stroller after the train. We decided this would be a good time for an A/C and drink break, but I wasn’t sure where to find “free A/C” in this area. I also had read about a drink I wanted to try at the Harambe Market (pretty sure I read about it on one of your TRs!), so we decided to hang out in the shade at the market.
The drink I had read about was the Frozen Flamingo – I was disappointed to realize it was non-alcoholic, but it still sounded very good – a strawberry and passion fruit frozen concoction. It proved to be
very difficult to find, but it was worth it.
I started with a CM who was passing out menus at the Harambe Market. I didn’t see the Frozen Flamingo on the menu, so I asked her about it, and she said it was not sold there. She told me to walk around past the candy store, to a stand near the Safaris. Please keep in mind this was a SUPER hot day and I was sweaty and exhausted. So I must have really wanted this drink to go hiking for it.
I went to this stand and the CM there told me apologetically that, no, they did not have it, it was most definitely at the Harambe Market. Pat and I saw a PhotoPass photographer nearby, so we made a quick pit stop before heading back to the Harambe Market. We don’t look too sweaty yet, right?
Back at the market, I told the CM what the other stand had told me, and she shook her head and insisted, no, that is not here. I pulled up the app and showed her that it was an option to order online, but that I wasn’t sure where to pick it up if I ordered it online. She said, oh, there’s this frozen slush stand across the street – they should have it. So that is where we went next. We waited on a long line (and Pat ordered a mango and watermelon slush so it was not a complete waste), but they told me that the Frozen Flamingo was
most definitely at the Harambe Market.
At this point, I decided to ignore the Harambe Market CM and take a chance. I ordered the Frozen Flamingo online. And then walked up to the online order window to ask about order. Guess what?
They had it. I watched them pour it from a machine just behind the ordering counter.
According to my pictures, it took me 17 minutes to find this drink. It might not look like much, but it was so worth it. I tried Pat’s mango watermelon slush too. His was prettier.
It was good, but too sweet (and that is saying something, coming from me). I think he liked my Frozen Flamingo better too. DD2 definitely liked my drink the best.
We sat for close to an hour before heading back out for our Safaris FP.