Day #4 (Wednesday) Part 3
After we left Chef Mickey's breakfast, we thought it's time to pay AK a visit this morning. At first, we thought we will take the bus to AK. But after waiting 10 minutes at the bus station with no bus in sight, I started to look around to see if there is another way to get there. (Maybe I waited too long for our breakfast ADR and I lost my patience for the day. :&) Anyway, I notice there is a walkway right next to the bus station thinking that might get us to the main transportation terminal. I told DW let's walk over to the main terminal and take the bus from there since I know it isn't that far. DW reluctantly agree with my assessment.
Some how, I was wrong. The walkway ends up taking us to MK instead. Yikes!
For some reason, I thought there are buses that can bring us to AK from MK but DW insist there isn't. After consulting to a CM that was standing there by the bus waiting area, my assumption was defeated. I was wrong again. I thought to myself. I am not have a good morning today.
The CM instructed us to take the monorail and get off the main transportation terminal then take the bus from there to AK. Well, at least we did walked off the food a little. So we got on the monorail, rode in circle again and got off at the main transportation terminal. Then took the bus to AK. By the time we got there, it's almost 10:00am.
Temperature was rising rapidly to the mid 70s when we got to AK. Even we have no plan of attack at AK, DW knew she wants to ride the Expedition Everest. So we stop and pick up a map, located where the ride was and start walking toward that direction. As soon as we walked past the Asia entrance area, we can see the mountain already.
The mountain just look so magnificent. I still remember 3.5 years ago, that whole area was still under construction. I didn't even know that was the ride they were building until I took this picture when I was parasailing at the lagoon in 2005.
EE is in the top center of this picture.
Anyway, the waiting time was close to an hour so we took the fastpass instead. We have till 1:45 for our turn. With more than 3 hours of waiting time in our hand, we have plenty of time for other rides.
So we head on over to It's tough to be a bug. Waiting time wasn't bad, 20 minutes I think. We walked up and follow the crowd. Didn't take long at all. We were walking up so fast, I can only manage to squeeze in a few quick shot of the tree.
The show was just as funny as we were there 3.5 years ago. As soon as we came out of the show, I thought there was another ride I want to go, something involve with the dinosaur. However, I just can't remember the name of the ride. I guess the name Jurassic Park was kinda stuck in my thought. (I was at Universal Studio 2 years ago.)
Some how, DW do remember the ride "Dinosaur". So she pointed it out on the map and lead me to the direction. As usual, I keep taking picture of the signs and light fixtures along the way.
Once we walked in to the waiting area of the Dinosaur ride, and I can remember this is the place. There was only a few minutes wait but it's okay since the A/C feels kinda nice. I was trying to take a picture of the center piece, T-Rex. The light condition wasn't bad and I thought I can do it. But then for some reason, they dim the light as soon as I was about to press the shutter. Bummer!! After much evaluation, I swap out with a faster fisheye lens hoping it will give me a more dramatic shot even with the low light condition. So I focus and hold it as steady as I possibly can, and just about a nanosecond from pressing that shutter, the entrance door opened. DW gave me a light elbow tap to signal me, let's move. Crap! As a result, it turned into a blurry drama shot of T. Doh.....
Did I mention I am not having a good morning!!
In any event, the Dinosaur ride was very thrilling to say the least. Even though I rode this before but my heart still pound as I go through the ride. The most exciting part was the end of the ride when the dinosaur head coming towards you with the loud scream. I swear I thought I was my ear drum was going to pop and pee in my pants at the same time. (Not funny!!)
Even after the Dinosaur ride, it was barely noon. I was starting to get hungry from all this walking but DW was not ready to eat yet. Not to mention, we have no lunch ADR this afternoon. Not knowing quite sure what we want to do next. The only major attraction we haven't tried yet other than EE was the Kilmanjaro Safari. We went to this ride 3.5 years ago and it was a major disappointment. Time was September. It was hot and the animal were either hiding in the shade or sleeping. Didn't see much animal at all.
While DW was reluctant to try this again, I somehow convinced her to give it a try one more time. Not to mention, I was armed with the most powerful big gun, zoom lens I meant, this time. The animal can hide but I will find them. When we got there, the waiting time was 30 minutes. So we thought, it's not that bad and proceed to enter the queue line. Once we got to the end of the line, I pulled out the camera and swap out with the zoom lens. People around me were stunned with my camera and probably thinking what a doofus I am carrying such massive piece of equipment.
The line did move fairly quick. I am not sure how long it took but I thought it was about 30 minutes or so before we got on the ride. Pretty accurate. Once the ride begins, I then remember how bumpy the ride it was. We were bouncing around like shake and bake.
However, we were able to see a lot more animal this time. Hippos, elephants, giraffe and many other wild animal were out in full force. The only disappointment was the lions. They were laying there sleeping and didn't move a muscle. What a bunch of lazy cats! LOL... The funniest moment was when I was taking pictures of the giraffe, I forgot I was shooting with the zoom lens. The giraffe look so close to me, I thought he/she was coming after me. I kept sliding myself backward which it doesn't has a whole lot of room. My DW keep yelling at me, "Stop sliding over. There is no more room." Ha! Ha! I just got carried away and forgot I was in such tight small space.
Anyway, here are some of the animal shot.
I was very satisfying when the ride was over. Too bad the line was long. Otherwise, I would've go right back in again to see if I can catch some other animal I have missed.
So after we got off the Safari ride, we then began to walk over to EE. It was a long walk and we were still early when we got to EE. So we sat down by the side and wait it out because my legs begins to felt a little achy.
When 1:45pm comes around, we jump right into the line and ready for the EE. Fastpass is really a great thing. We got in and hop into the cart in no time. If my memory serve me correctly, I believe this is our first time to use the fastpass.
The EE ride was truly a league of its' own. The riding backward thing didn't surprise me because I saw it on one of the promo from Disney channel once or twice. However, what I did caught off guard was how cool the temperature inside the mountain. Every thing was a blur to me. I didn't even catch what the monster looks like. All I can remember was there were a lot of loops in between.
In fact, by the time I got out, I felt a little light headed. Maybe it has something to do with my hunger. So it's time to get some grub.
As always, I am anxiously awaiting your next post!
I think I just missed you . We were at the lodge from Feb 15-22 .
I will jump on the opportunity in a heartbeat. I work in the marketing area for the past 15 years already. I am sure I will be a perfect fit. LOL...
If that can pay the bills...then why not. I was hoping there is a market out there people would hire me to follow them around Disney to document their entire trip or even just for a day. Any taker here. LOL...
That Carnotaurus is very very scary. 
