tc
<font color=blue>Miracles are amazing!<br><font co
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2000
- Messages
- 3,191
Today is Tuesday, September 9, and we are going to Animal Kingdom.
I wanted to get there for the opening, so we were at the bus stop by 8:15, and arrived at AK by 8:35, 25 minutes early. We sat on a planter on the left side, facing the turnstiles. A CM was letting people with PSs for breakfast in these turnstiles, and telling everyone else to line up for regular entrance at the turnstiles on the right. We remained where we were sitting until they opened. Just prior to opening, Goofy, Mickey and Minnie came out the greeted the family that was picked to open the park. It was a cute little ceremony, but not worth waiting for 25 minutes to see. One side note. There was a family that was waiting near us to get in. The dad went over to guest services, and must have signed up for a PS for the breakfast. The entered seconds before the Awakening. The characters came out and mistook them for the other family that was chosen. The family stood there, got their pictures taken, shook their hands and really played it up. Then, the proceeded into the park, and did not even go to the breakfast. They were just trying to get in the gates early. It kind of annoyed me because they got all the extra attention when they were really trying to use the system. Okay, off my soapbox. Anyway, I told you where we were sitting to say this. The line at the turnstiles on the right were hundreds of people deep, but there were no people at the turnstiles on the left. As soon as the park opened, they opened the left turnstiles, and we were able to just walk in w/o waiting in line. So, if you ever get here and see them doing this, just sit and wait, and you'll be able to walk right in.
Anyway, we headed to the Safari and had a 5 minute wait, then did the Pangani Exploration Trail. I love those Gorillas. Don't know why, but they fascinate me. There were a number out where you could see them. We also grabbed a bird guide and took a long time trying to see them. I am horrible at this. Stephen would spot one, then point it out to me. I never we able to spot one on my own. If you've never taken the time to do this, you should. We really had a good time. After the trail, we stopped for a cinnamon roll at Tusker House. It was not near as good as the first time we had one a couple of years ago, hot and covered in frosting, but still pretty good.
From here we went over to Dinoland and rode Dinosaur. My goal this trip was to keep my eyes open the first time we rode it. Stephen found out last time we were here, that I've never ridden it all the way through with my eyes open. I did it, and even saw the dino that we saved. I don't know why this ride scares me so bad. I'm such a baby. From here we rode Primeval Whirl. We walked right on. I love this ride.
We did It's Tough to be a Bug, and then back over for another Safari. I wanted to do Kali, but didn't want to be wet all day, so we saved this for last, and got pretty darn wet. Then we enjoyed the birdshow.
It's 1:30 and time for lunch, so we decided to take a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge and check out The Mara. To be honest, I like the lobby of the Wilderness lodge better. I'm sure I am in the minority here. I did like Mara though. It's a great food court. Many different varieties to choose from. We walked around the resort, inside and out. It's pretty, but a little too secluded for my taste.
Back to the room for a nap, and then at 5:00 we went to Downtown Disney. I have been buying Disney Dollars since our January trip. That's how I save for my souvenirs. I had about $200, which is pretty good for me, cuz I'm a terrible saver. We looked in all the stores, some twice, but I made most of my purchases at the World of Disney store (gotta love that AP discount). I really didn't spend that much, I just coudn't decide. I did find the Basin store and loved it. I got some bath bombs and shampoo bars. What a great store! We walked all the way down to the West side to check out the House of Blues store. Stephen wanted to buy a kid we know at church some stickers. He's a drummer and loves blues and has put all sorts of stickers on his car. We didn't buy any this time, but would later in the week. We walked back through to the Marketplace, stopping at the McD's so I could use the bathroom. Did you know you could get Pibb Xtra there? I didn't, and would come back later in the week to have one.
It began to get really busy in DTD around 8:30 or 9:00, so we decided to leave. The WoD store was sooooo crowded. We took a bus to the Boardwalk, walked through the lobby, and spent the evening enjoying the acts on the Boardwalk. Dinner was about 9:00 and consisted of a corndog for Stephen, a cheese dog for me, and fries to share. I also got my third favorite snack, Crepe on a stick. I love these. This one was milk chocolate inside, yum.
Back in our room at 11:00. Stephen watched ESPN (can you see a trend???) and I made trip notes. I did not get sick today, so that was good. Now, here's where the "what can go wrong?" comes into play again.
My daughter's, Kimmi's, boyfriend lives with us. Kind of weird, but he's a good kid in real need of a leg up. We have pretty strict rules. While we were gone, Kimmi's best friends were also staying at the house. Chris owns a 76 Ford F150 truck that we gave him last year. It was parked outside the house. Kimmi called us at about 11:30, which was 9:30 in Colorado. Someone had just hit his truck in front of the house. He was reading a map and didn't see it. He hit the back and smashed in the rear end and tail light, and then hit the front and bent in the front/driver's side wheel bending the axle. We really don't know exactly how he hit both the front and the back. He was not hurt, and had called the police by the time Kimmi, Chris and Kimmi's friend's figured out what happened. To make a long story short, the truck is totalled. Now, Chris has no means of transportation. I told them to pull it into the driveway, because it wouldn't be towed until the next week. After talking to her, and trying to calm her down, I went to bed. I kept thinking how bad things come in threes, and what else could happen. If you want to know, read tomorrows report
.
I wanted to get there for the opening, so we were at the bus stop by 8:15, and arrived at AK by 8:35, 25 minutes early. We sat on a planter on the left side, facing the turnstiles. A CM was letting people with PSs for breakfast in these turnstiles, and telling everyone else to line up for regular entrance at the turnstiles on the right. We remained where we were sitting until they opened. Just prior to opening, Goofy, Mickey and Minnie came out the greeted the family that was picked to open the park. It was a cute little ceremony, but not worth waiting for 25 minutes to see. One side note. There was a family that was waiting near us to get in. The dad went over to guest services, and must have signed up for a PS for the breakfast. The entered seconds before the Awakening. The characters came out and mistook them for the other family that was chosen. The family stood there, got their pictures taken, shook their hands and really played it up. Then, the proceeded into the park, and did not even go to the breakfast. They were just trying to get in the gates early. It kind of annoyed me because they got all the extra attention when they were really trying to use the system. Okay, off my soapbox. Anyway, I told you where we were sitting to say this. The line at the turnstiles on the right were hundreds of people deep, but there were no people at the turnstiles on the left. As soon as the park opened, they opened the left turnstiles, and we were able to just walk in w/o waiting in line. So, if you ever get here and see them doing this, just sit and wait, and you'll be able to walk right in.
Anyway, we headed to the Safari and had a 5 minute wait, then did the Pangani Exploration Trail. I love those Gorillas. Don't know why, but they fascinate me. There were a number out where you could see them. We also grabbed a bird guide and took a long time trying to see them. I am horrible at this. Stephen would spot one, then point it out to me. I never we able to spot one on my own. If you've never taken the time to do this, you should. We really had a good time. After the trail, we stopped for a cinnamon roll at Tusker House. It was not near as good as the first time we had one a couple of years ago, hot and covered in frosting, but still pretty good.
From here we went over to Dinoland and rode Dinosaur. My goal this trip was to keep my eyes open the first time we rode it. Stephen found out last time we were here, that I've never ridden it all the way through with my eyes open. I did it, and even saw the dino that we saved. I don't know why this ride scares me so bad. I'm such a baby. From here we rode Primeval Whirl. We walked right on. I love this ride.
We did It's Tough to be a Bug, and then back over for another Safari. I wanted to do Kali, but didn't want to be wet all day, so we saved this for last, and got pretty darn wet. Then we enjoyed the birdshow.
It's 1:30 and time for lunch, so we decided to take a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge and check out The Mara. To be honest, I like the lobby of the Wilderness lodge better. I'm sure I am in the minority here. I did like Mara though. It's a great food court. Many different varieties to choose from. We walked around the resort, inside and out. It's pretty, but a little too secluded for my taste.
Back to the room for a nap, and then at 5:00 we went to Downtown Disney. I have been buying Disney Dollars since our January trip. That's how I save for my souvenirs. I had about $200, which is pretty good for me, cuz I'm a terrible saver. We looked in all the stores, some twice, but I made most of my purchases at the World of Disney store (gotta love that AP discount). I really didn't spend that much, I just coudn't decide. I did find the Basin store and loved it. I got some bath bombs and shampoo bars. What a great store! We walked all the way down to the West side to check out the House of Blues store. Stephen wanted to buy a kid we know at church some stickers. He's a drummer and loves blues and has put all sorts of stickers on his car. We didn't buy any this time, but would later in the week. We walked back through to the Marketplace, stopping at the McD's so I could use the bathroom. Did you know you could get Pibb Xtra there? I didn't, and would come back later in the week to have one.
It began to get really busy in DTD around 8:30 or 9:00, so we decided to leave. The WoD store was sooooo crowded. We took a bus to the Boardwalk, walked through the lobby, and spent the evening enjoying the acts on the Boardwalk. Dinner was about 9:00 and consisted of a corndog for Stephen, a cheese dog for me, and fries to share. I also got my third favorite snack, Crepe on a stick. I love these. This one was milk chocolate inside, yum.
Back in our room at 11:00. Stephen watched ESPN (can you see a trend???) and I made trip notes. I did not get sick today, so that was good. Now, here's where the "what can go wrong?" comes into play again.
My daughter's, Kimmi's, boyfriend lives with us. Kind of weird, but he's a good kid in real need of a leg up. We have pretty strict rules. While we were gone, Kimmi's best friends were also staying at the house. Chris owns a 76 Ford F150 truck that we gave him last year. It was parked outside the house. Kimmi called us at about 11:30, which was 9:30 in Colorado. Someone had just hit his truck in front of the house. He was reading a map and didn't see it. He hit the back and smashed in the rear end and tail light, and then hit the front and bent in the front/driver's side wheel bending the axle. We really don't know exactly how he hit both the front and the back. He was not hurt, and had called the police by the time Kimmi, Chris and Kimmi's friend's figured out what happened. To make a long story short, the truck is totalled. Now, Chris has no means of transportation. I told them to pull it into the driveway, because it wouldn't be towed until the next week. After talking to her, and trying to calm her down, I went to bed. I kept thinking how bad things come in threes, and what else could happen. If you want to know, read tomorrows report
.
