What exactly DID you do at Disney? May 2011 TR (TR link pg 44)

[amandaw]

What a great update with all the pictures! I have to say, there is so much more to do at Discovery Cove than I would've thought! I would have to stay out of the Aviary however - I am terrified of birds! It looks like y'all really enjoyed Discovery Cove!

 

[pinkxray]

While Caitlin and I checked out the birds, DH went back to the lazy river and the reef area. He said the lazy river was cool and recommended I try going back. I don’t really get anything out of doing stuff alone so I figured it could wait until next time.
I had the Playsport with me for the aviary so all of the pictures from the aviary were taken with that. DH took the Sony and here are the pictures he took while in the reef. He managed to get one of the sting rays we saw earlier next to a person so you can see how giant they are.


There is also a shark section that you can swim next to. I don’t recall where exactly it was but DH said he was swimming along and turned to see sharks next to him. He freaked out for a second and then realized there was a glass barrier. Once again- I failed in my Discovery Cove research (didn’t really do any) b/c I knew there were sharks from last time, but totally forgot where they were. Plus I doubt Caitlin would have stuck her toe in any water if I mentioned them. They are totally avoidable if you don’t want to see them.

That was DH’s alone time.


I will get to replies later and hopefully another update soon. I want to try to get in some treadmill time before Caitlin gets up. I think I have gained all the weight back that I lost before our trip. Between working full time all summer and Caitlin being home I am totally exhausted. I need a vacation.

 

[bouncycat]

I like the reef pictures. Those are awesome!! I agree with you about doing things alone, I don't like that either!!

 

[amandaw]

Awesome pictures! I can't get over how big the sting rays are.

 

[KatMark]

I have NO idea how I fell so far behind on updates.

First, thank you for taking and posting so many of the pictures from around AKL. I am so excited to be there. I know Mara is at Jambo? Do you have any idea how long of a walk it is from Kidani to Jambo?

The pictures of Caitlin swimming with the Dolphin are terrific. And great job she did too! I like the family picture with the dolphin as well.

I also like the reef pictures and the pictures of the stingrays.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Gosh, those rays really were huge!

I would have been startled as well if I was swimming along and bam there is a shark.

 

[PirateKate]

Discovery Cove looks beautiful. It would be fun to swim with dolphins, though I'm not at all sure I'd want to kiss one. That is one giant sting ray. I'm not sure I'd want to swim with him.

 

[pinkxray]

Really behind, but I love the detailed pictures you took of Animal Kingdom Lodge. You are really helping me form a plan for my next trip!!

DC looks so cool! I love the pictures with the dolphins! I think I need to check this place out because my crew would love it! The aviary looks interesting too!

Happy to help you in your planning

DC is awesome. Your famiy would love it, at least you and the kids would. I am sure your DH might even come around.

AKL looks awesome and Discovery Cove looks like a lot of fun!

They were both great. Spending a day at DC and then, heading back to AKL was a perfect day

The pool at AKL does look peaceful in the morning. It would be fun just to sit there and have coffee.

The food at Mara looks pretty good and it has a much bigger seating area than Roaring Forks.

I would love to go to discovery cove. I can't wait for the kids to be big enough. It makes sense for them to have the food included. Who would want to carry money around when they are swimming with fish?

Your camera took some great underwater photos. A camera that can do that is on my wish list.

I didn't learn to snorkel until I got married, so I can see where it would feel unnatural to Caitlin.

How fun that you can feed the birds! The orange ones were really pretty.

I though Caitlin did pretty well. She had a few issues but will be an expert next time.

Mara had much better seating than RF. The lines work a bit different to. You get in one line and someone takes your order. They hand in the ticket and give you a buzzer. It seemed to move pretty quickly. As you can probably tell we aren't very adventerous eaters so I wish they had a few more items, but we don't really eat at the resort that much to matter.

I was really surprised I enjoyed the aviary so much. I wasn't expecting much.

All caught up!! Sorry Dh and daughter were not so cooperative at times. Love AKL!!! Looks like a fun day at DC!!!

Okay, whenever I click on your pretrip reports the links never work. Are you working on anything right now?

DC is amazing and you already know how fantastic AKL is. I can't wait to try Kidani one day.

You've really been updating the last couple days!
So many activities at AKL! And DC looks so cool! I had no idea there were soany things to do there. I've added it to my list for the mommy daughter birthday trip I plan on taking for Maya's 10th!

I have trying to get this moving along, but don't feel like I am getting anywhere. I guess slowly but surely I'll get through it.

I am going to try to get to Disney for Caitlin's 10th bday. I was hoping 9th but we'll see. DH doesn't seem to be budging, but I have some time to wear him down.

Discovery Cove looks like so much fun. So BEAUtIFUL! When Beatriz gets older we will make our way over there for sure. The pictures look great and Caitlyn seems so happy!

Tha picture of the AKL pool in the morning is awesome. It made me want to go back there so bad. I had never thought of an early swim but that is a great idea.

Q

I never want to give up park time for an early morning swim but am going to try it next time. The pools look so nice with no one else in them.

I wish I was heading back to AKL right now. I can wait to check it out more. I am sure I missed so much.

What a great update with all the pictures! I have to say, there is so much more to do at Discovery Cove than I would've thought! I would have to stay out of the Aviary however - I am terrified of birds! It looks like y'all really enjoyed Discovery Cove!

It would be very easy to spend a day at DC. You stay occupied but it is relaxing at the same time. A perfect midweek break from walking around the parks.

Yes, stay out of the aviary if you don't like birds. They come right over to you.

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

I'm finally caught up on your posts!

First off, the pics of AKL are amazing! I'm so excited about staying there, but now a little bummed since it will only be for one night. Oh well, we'll just have to soak up as much as we can!

Discovery Cove looks incredible! I've always wanted to swim with dolphins, so that might have to be a part of a future trip. The closest thing we've done is swim with the little sharks at Typhoon Lagoon. It was pretty cool but so short. Do you think there's an advantage to swimming in the afternoon vs the morning with the dolphins? I would probably want to get there first thing, too!

I'm glad Caitlin had a good time! It looks like it was a fun day for everyone!!

 

[tinacaplan]

Cool reef pictures! How's it going with Caitlin home for the summer?

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

I have been on vacation so I just got all caught up. I love all of your pictures from AKL. We had a lot of animals outside our balcony too and it was so nice to just wander out there at different times of the day to observe them. Your pictures made me miss it.

I enjoyed your review of Discovery Cove. That is another thing we have always wanted to do but now I know we will need to wait until my son gets older. I don't know what I thought DC was, but your pictures and description are much more swimming, etc. than I thought. I was under the impression it was a Sea World type place and the dolphin thing was something additional.

It looks like you had a good day!! We have swam with sting rays before & I think they are beautiful. Totally scary looking, but we got to pet & feed them too and they were very gentle.

 

[MeMom]

It's very cool that you got the experience of being able to see those ocean creatures up close.

The lazy river sounds like my kind of ride.

I need to grab the treadmill next to you. I have got to get motivated. As far as going out for walks, if I have someone to walk and talk with, I do well, but on my own, I'm a failure. I make excuses - too hot, too cold, too dark, I'm about to leave and don't want to get sweaty. If I had a good treadmill at home, I think I would do a little better.

 

[pinkxray]

I like the reef pictures. Those are awesome!! I agree with you about doing things alone, I don't like that either!!

I just find that doing stuff by myself is really boring. It's not the same if there isn't someone to talk about whatever you are doing with.

Awesome pictures! I can't get over how big the sting rays are.

They were huge. I know they are gentle and not harmful but it was still a bit strange seeing them swimming right near you.

I have NO idea how I fell so far behind on updates.

First, thank you for taking and posting so many of the pictures from around AKL. I am so excited to be there. I know Mara is at Jambo? Do you have any idea how long of a walk it is from Kidani to Jambo?

The pictures of Caitlin swimming with the Dolphin are terrific. And great job she did too! I like the family picture with the dolphin as well.

I also like the reef pictures and the pictures of the stingrays.

Caitlin did a very good job. I was very proud of her.

I am not sure how long the walk is. I have heard less than 10 minutes, but if you are on the side farthest from Kidani it can take a bit longer. The only think I didn't love about AKL was the long walks. I really hadn't expected AKL to be so large.

 

[pinkxray]

Gosh, those rays really were huge!

I would have been startled as well if I was swimming along and bam there is a shark.

I am very happy Caitlin never knew about the sharks. She would have taken off out of there.

Discovery Cove looks beautiful. It would be fun to swim with dolphins, though I'm not at all sure I'd want to kiss one. That is one giant sting ray. I'm not sure I'd want to swim with him.

It is a lovely place to spend a day.

I wasn't thrilled with the sting rays being there. I know they are supposed to be gentle but just the name and that sharp tail are a bit creepy.

I'm finally caught up on your posts!

First off, the pics of AKL are amazing! I'm so excited about staying there, but now a little bummed since it will only be for one night. Oh well, we'll just have to soak up as much as we can!

Discovery Cove looks incredible! I've always wanted to swim with dolphins, so that might have to be a part of a future trip. The closest thing we've done is swim with the little sharks at Typhoon Lagoon. It was pretty cool but so short. Do you think there's an advantage to swimming in the afternoon vs the morning with the dolphins? I would probably want to get there first thing, too!

I'm glad Caitlin had a good time! It looks like it was a fun day for everyone!!

I wish we had stayed at AKL for more than 3 nights. It was just the tip of the iceberg. There was still so much to do and see. I can't wait to go back again.


I don't really think there is an advantage in dolphin swim times. It is nice to do it first thing, but since we have had the first swim time both trips there we would like to try the afternoon. Spend some time in the reefs and pool before heading over to do the swim. Sort of save the best for last, I guess.

Cool reef pictures! How's it going with Caitlin home for the summer?

So far it has been going okay but it has only been a week. I have been trying to cheap things to do around here that keep her occupied.

We were thinking of putting her in a day camp a few days a week but I haven't had a chance to call about it. It would be nice for her to have some kids to play with at least a few times a week. We don't really have any kids around her age and she has no cousins or anything her age, so I don't blame her for being bored.

I have been on vacation so I just got all caught up. I love all of your pictures from AKL. We had a lot of animals outside our balcony too and it was so nice to just wander out there at different times of the day to observe them. Your pictures made me miss it.

I enjoyed your review of Discovery Cove. That is another thing we have always wanted to do but now I know we will need to wait until my son gets older. I don't know what I thought DC was, but your pictures and description are much more swimming, etc. than I thought. I was under the impression it was a Sea World type place and the dolphin thing was something additional.

It looks like you had a good day!! We have swam with sting rays before & I think they are beautiful. Totally scary looking, but we got to pet & feed them too and they were very gentle.

DC is awesome. It is really hard to see what DC has to offer since you can't find too much info on it. It is really a great place to spend the whole day.

I miss AKL too. I wish I had another trip coming up. I have been trying so hard not to mention anything to DH about Disney, but there are times just want to start begging to go back, especially when you see cheap airfair or Disney discounts.

It's very cool that you got the experience of being able to see those ocean creatures up close.

The lazy river sounds like my kind of ride.

I need to grab the treadmill next to you. I have got to get motivated. As far as going out for walks, if I have someone to walk and talk with, I do well, but on my own, I'm a failure. I make excuses - too hot, too cold, too dark, I'm about to leave and don't want to get sweaty. If I had a good treadmill at home, I think I would do a little better.

I have a treadmill at home and I still have plenty of excuses not to use it. I am sure if I didn't have one, I would never get an exercise in. I wish I could be one of those people who can wake up early to get in some time, but I tend to hit the snooze button when I try to wake up any earlier than I need to.

 

[TinksThree]

I think it would be pretty cool to swim next to the sharks...as long as that barrier was there!! I would not want to live a Real Life Jaws movie!! I think DH would really enjoy this especially since it seems not too crowded. Do they limit the number of people daily or is it just because when you went?

 

[pinkxray]

I think it would be pretty cool to swim next to the sharks...as long as that barrier was there!! I would not want to live a Real Life Jaws movie!! I think DH would really enjoy this especially since it seems not too crowded. Do they limit the number of people daily or is it just because when you went?

Yep, they limit the amount of people allowed in the park each day. I have 1000 in my head but I have no idea where I got that from. They just did an addition so I am sure the number of people has increased. It is nice b/c you know that you won't have to fight over tables or chairs. Also although there are plenty of people everyone is sort of spend out all over so none of the areas ever seem too crowded.

 

[pinkxray]

After meeting back up with DH we decided to go have some lunch.

This is the lunch menu they have hanging up. I thought I saw a few other options though.

DH and I had burgers, Caitlin had chicken tenders. I wanted to try something else, but I remembered that in 2003 the burger I had at DC was one of the best burgers I had ever had. Not this time. I ended up going back and grabbing some chicken tenders since Caitlin wanted some more anyway.

Those were okay. I wasn’t impressed by my lunch, but I have heard others say the other options are pretty good. I have pictures of our lunch somewhere but can’t seem to find them right now. They are on my dining report if you really want to see a picture of a icky burger.

After lunch we headed back to the pool area and spent the rest of our afternoon there. They also have a small sting ray section and DH actually got Caitlin to go in. The sting rays in this area are much smaller. Around 4pm we decided to get ready to leave since we had a 6pm adr.

I never expected to take so long getting through DC. As you can see we LOVED it. It is a perfect break from Disney, because there isn’t very much walking. Caitlin loved swimming with the dolphin and the rest of the day was like a pool day for her. The only bad part about it was that everyone loved it and now they want to go back each time we go to FL.

There is a video on the main page that shows the new DC expansion that opened a few weeks after we were there. It looks pretty cool. In my opinion DC is definitely worth every penny you pay to go there.
http://www.disunplugged.com/2011/06/14/video-discovery-coves-first-expansion-the-grand-reef/

 

[pinkxray]

After DC we headed back to AKL for a bit. DH wanted to relax but Caitlin wanted to do something. Caitlin and I decided to take a walk to check out the flamingos that Caitlin missed that morning.
We took some pictures along the way.

 

[pinkxray]

While waiting for DH to meet us downstairs we looked around the store.

Caitlin found these lovely toys.

This is normally the type of thing I try to avoid having in my house, but I let her get one. Mostly b/c I was sure it would drive DH crazy and at that point I was annoyed that he was taking so long to get downstairs. I even paid for the toy instead of having Caitlin use her money. She was thrilled with her new toy, DH was not.

We were headed to DTD for dinner at T-REX. Once DH met us downstairs we had a pretty quick drive over.

We checked in and were seated pretty much immediately. We were in the room next to the bar.

We met our waiter, who seemed like he hated every minute of being there and ordered. I ordered the appetizer sampler, DH had some chicken sandwich that comes on pizza dough and Caitlin ordered a burger.

While waiting for our food Caitlin and I tried to walk around and talk pictures but it was pretty busy and it felt like we were constantly in the way of people trying to get by so we gave up.

Our food was pretty good. I would come back if anyone wanted to, but it wouldn’t be one of my top picks.

I thought about dessert, but DH agreed to go to Ghirardelli’s later on.


I had a $50 gift card from Discovercard cashback so the whole meal was covered except the tip. The waiter took the card but came back and it said declined. I asked him if it was a mistake and he said “No, I ran it through twice.” Well then. It must be right then. I paid cash and we left. I figured we could use the card at RFC the next day.

I walked outside and called to check the balance. Sure enough there was $50. I debated holding on to it and then decided we might not make it to RFC so DH went back to the hostess and told her what happened. She explained the waiter was new and quickly refunded out money.

After dinner we headed to WOD but I really didn’t get many pictures since it was pretty busy. After some shopping we went to Ghiradelli’s which was just as good as everyone says it is.

Stop with the pictures already!!!

After DTD we headed back to AKL. Around 9pm we went downstairs to check out the night vision googles. We weren't really sure where to find them so DH went to the desk to find out. Even with the map we still couldnt find it. You need to go past the hot tub on the flamingo area side to the overlook there. I don't have any pictures but the googles are really pretty cool. Definitely worth checking out if you have some time. I was happy that we were able to at least do one thing that was special to AKL. Afterwards we headed to our room and watched TV before going to bed. We had another early morning planned the next day.

 

[pinkxray]

Thursday was our AK day. Whoo-hoo. I love AK and I was looking forward to having a whole day devoted to slowing down and really checking out the park. Thursday was when the heat and humidity really started to jump on our trip. It was hot and AK is not the place you want to be in the heat.


We had a 8:05 adr at Tusker house. I insisted we take the bus to AK from AKL. We waited for a bit for a bus, probably the longest wait of the trip. Maybe 15-20 mintues? Once we got on the bus it was a quick ride to AK.

There was a little line for the early breakfast entrance. We still had a few minutes before they let us in so Caitlin checked out the map.

They let us in and I made everyone walk nice and slow since we had a few minutes to spare. I just love empty parks.

We arrived at Tusker house and went right over to Donald for our picture. We had the picture taken on our camera too, but I look awful and refuse to post it.

We meet our waitress and she said we had enough time to hit the buffet before the characters would be over. You don’t have to tell me twice.

Soon the characters started coming around. We were the first table they hit when they came to our room which was very nice.

Tusker house was awesome. The food was the best of all the breakfasts we did this trip. Tusker house and CP are my 2 favorites character breakfast and although I really want to try some new places in MK and AK it will be hard not to book these places each trip.