"What?! You were RELAXED at Disney? NO WAY!"

[nts4wdw]

Great pictures! She is too cute!

We love Chef Mickey's too!

 

[lindsmom]

oh I love neighborhood drama.. J/k hope it isn't anything to serious..

looking forward to an update too..

Here's our drama:

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/NEWS/805150319

I'm half way through the next "episode" so hopefully tonight?!

Thanks for being patient!

 

[Diane D]

Great trip report and pictures! Where is the Cypress Harbour located??

 

[Me&3]

Great Report count me in for the rest.

 

[lindsmom]

After a fantastic first day at Epcot, we were looking forward to another successful Disney day.

We arrived at Animal Kingdom AFTER rope drop. Yes, AFTER. Our plans didn’t require us to be at the front of the line, and I had read somewhere that after the first 15 minute rush, the crowds mellow at the front gate before building again around 11:00. So we got there around 9:15 and headed into the Oasis.

At this point, let me stray from the story for just a moment. We had never been to AK before. When DH and I last went to Disney, it was just being built. So this was entirely new to us. I’ll address the following to fellow travelers who have never been to AK: When you think of each park, there’s a “personality” to each. MK is obvious – fantasy and fun rides! Epcot is probably educational, multicultural, etc. And DHS is Broadway soundbites, shows and “rides” geared toward a somewhat older crowd. Animal Kingdom is also very unique, and after visiting I can see why some people really don’t like it. We loved it, but we’ll get to that. If you’re planning a visit to AK, please don’t expect anything like the other parks. You know when you’re walking in your yard (or the woods, etc) and you hear a branch break… you know there’s an animal near you… you’re very still for a moment, trying to use your peripheral vision to see… and suddenly you notice the robin flipping through leaves for a buggy lunch. That’s what Animal Kingdom was to me. You need to stop and be peaceful for a moment, and then you can catch the look in the gorilla’s eye, or notice the bright blue fish in the tank full of grey and green ones. Don’t go through AK like a zoo, pointing at the animal and moving on… try to appreciate the environments that have been created, much like the tree of life in the center of the park…

Over 300 animals carved into it; I have this for my wallpaper, and each time I look at it I find another animal. Animal Kingdom is “I Spy” on steroids.

Okay.

So we headed through Oasis, with the intention of enjoying it on the way out (a recommendation from UG), and moved straight to Africa for our 9:40 ADR at Tusker House.

The plan went well; DH and DD waited at the Tusker House patio while I zipped ahead and got FP’s for Kilimanjaro Safaris, return time 10:00 – 11:00. Perfect. Checked in @ Tusker House, and had maybe a 5 minute wait.

Tusker House breakfast was FANTASTIC! I think, and don’t quote me on this as I may change my mind, that it was my favorite buffet. Anyone out there who is worried about “weird” food doesn’t need to – they have sausage, bacon, ham, eggs, all the “regular” stuff for breakfast. But they have wonderful African – inspired items that are really yummy!

Here’s my plate:

We also had nice visits with the characters (DD was already way over her fear), and were able to add Daisy to our list of autographs.

We finished around 10:30 (I found the character meals to average an hour long – they probably plan it that way), and headed to Kilimanjaro. However, BEFORE we got on the ride I got a second set of FP’s for another visit. Here’s another huge tip for first timers: master the FP system as quickly as possible. Know which rides will need them, which ones you will (or will not, like EE) go on, and know how the timing works. So since our ride window had opened, we were allowed to get another FP even though we hadn’t even ridden yet! We had a wonderful safari, and saw some cool animals. The lions were sleeping, which I suspect they do a lot. And we had to stop for a bit for an ostrich in the road.

The “story” of the ride is kind of lame, so don’t bother paying attention to that – just go along for the ride and admire the animals!

Right next to Kilimanjaro was the Pangani trail (I sort of planned this route – Tusker – Kilimanjaro – Pangani) where the gorillas were amazing!

Our return for Kilimanjaro wasn’t until 12:40, so we headed over toward Asia, stopping on the way for a mickey bar. On the trail from Africa to Asia there was a “hut” like building on the left, and a convenient ice cream cart across the street (this is right before entering Asia). We got our snacks and sat over at the hut in the shadow of the tree. Crowds were building and moving past us, but there was only one other family sitting there – it was very peaceful. Again, that’s sort of an AK moment.

Time to head into Asia. We walked the Maharajah trek, where there were Bengal tigers, some cool lizards etc, and these guys:

Even if the bats give you the heebie – jeebies, I highly recommend going in to look … it’s not like they’re flying around your head – they’re behind a glass wall. But they’re VERY cool!

So by now it was afternoon, getting hot and crowded, and our FP time was up for the safari. So what to do? Go back to CH and nap! On the way we handed our FP’s to someone coming in so they wouldn’t go to waste.

We LOVED Animal Kingdom! If we had realized how much there is to look at, we would absolutely have planned a whole day – look at how little we got through – two areas of the park, and it was already 1:00! We didn’t even see Minnie – Mickey or Dinoland! So we will definitely plan to spend more time when we go back someday….

Okay, there’s the morning. I’m going to take a break, and will post the afternoon (DHS and Fantasmic) tomorrow!

Again, sorry about the delay in posting everyone!

 

[Lesprivate]

What wonderful pictures. Can't wait for the next installment.

 

[MomofCKJ]

Just found your report! DH is away on business, kids are in bed and I'm cruising the boards for some new trippies to read! Loving yours! First off your dd is adorable! Glad she warmed up to the characters! Love your autograph book too!

And I am from MA as well and have been to Storyland back when my dds were wee ones! It was really cute, I remember those Bamboo Chutes!

Allyson

 

[Mduff]

Your trip report is excellent!!! Makes me want to go back SO badly! But DH says we can't go until 2010 since we just sailed on the Magic last month.
BTW, your daughter is beautiful!!!

I can't wait for more of your visit - I'm having some wonderful chuckles and memories

 

[cjsteiger]

Just wanted to let you know how much I'm enjoying your trip report. Your daughter is so sweet and your pictures are amazing. Can I ask what type of camera you used. I'm ready to get a new one. Looking forward to reading more.

 

[reelmom]

I am really enjoying your TR. I agree with you about the AK, it is probably my favorite park.

 

[dreamer17555]

Loving your report so far. We too loved Animal Kingdom and I thought we would hate it. Its really a different type of park and has a lot to offer if you can just tour it at a slower pace.

-Becca-

 

[lindsmom]

This is the first trip report I've ever read and I'm really enjoying it! I love how clear you're giving your schedule-it's really helping me to organize my thoughts into how I want to do our upcoming trip in DL in Oct!! This is great!

just found your TR I love your sense of humor! we would get along great...

can't wait to read more!

Love it! You are so funny. Thanks for sharing your trip!! I will definitely be back for more.

Great so far!

Your daughter is adorable.

Glad she warmed up to the Characters at Chef Mickey's.

Wonderful that you had a nice relaxing trip to Disney!
Glad that the mid day nap worked out well.

Great tr so far.

We fly SW out of Prov as well. Love that direct flight!
We live close enough not to have to stay over though.

Great report.

Love the shoe thing. It reminded me of something similar that happened to us. My hubby was carrying our DD on his shoulders at the MK rope drop and she kept losing her shoe, too. I ended up just grabbing them and running behind during our dumbo dash My DD is also more afraid of the face characters She likes the ones that don't expect her to talk back.

Just joined in. Loving it so far.

Joining in on the fun! Your family is adorable and it looks like your DD is having a blast! I totally know what you mean about driving around disney, we just got back as well and all I have to say is THANK GOD for those Disney signs!!!

Great Report count me in for the rest.

What wonderful pictures. Can't wait for the next installment.

Just found your report! DH is away on business, kids are in bed and I'm cruising the boards for some new trippies to read! Loving yours! First off your dd is adorable! Glad she warmed up to the characters! Love your autograph book too!

And I am from MA as well and have been to Storyland back when my dds were wee ones! It was really cute, I remember those Bamboo Chutes!

Allyson

Your trip report is excellent!!! Makes me want to go back SO badly! But DH says we can't go until 2010 since we just sailed on the Magic last month.
BTW, your daughter is beautiful!!!

I can't wait for more of your visit - I'm having some wonderful chuckles and memories

I am really enjoying your TR. I agree with you about the AK, it is probably my favorite park.

Loving your report so far. We too loved Animal Kingdom and I thought we would hate it. Its really a different type of park and has a lot to offer if you can just tour it at a slower pace.

-Becca-

Hi everyone! Thanks for reading and thanks to those who are joining!

As I mentioned before, any first timers feel free to ask away - I don't want to get bogged down in details, but I hope to be helpful with my TR!

 

[lindsmom]

Great trip report and pictures! Where is the Cypress Harbour located??

Hi! Cypress Harbour is one block from SeaWorld, in with Horizons and many other Marriott developments. It's right off I-4, but we noticed that other developments, like Horizons, are facing the highway. CH is away from the highway - we didn't even hear the noise! And it took little enough time to get everywhere that it's definitely at the top of our list to go back to!

Just wanted to let you know how much I'm enjoying your trip report. Your daughter is so sweet and your pictures are amazing. Can I ask what type of camera you used. I'm ready to get a new one. Looking forward to reading more.

Thanks! I have a FUJI S700. It has 7.1 mp, and a 10x zoom, which you can see I used a lot. I haven't had a chance to edit any of these pictures, so what you see is exactly what the camera took. I also should mention here the helpful tips I got off the DISboards at http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1413123

My husband has a HP something (he has it with him right now); we took both cameras because his fits in his pocket, but it only has a 3x optical. I think we ended up using mine much more.

Thanks for reading!

 

[julezdisney]

I'm eating this up! I love it!

 

[kathleen27]

We love AK too. And after two trips we still haven't seen the whole park!

So glad your dd enjoyed meeting the characters.

 

[ampc3]

yes your little one is a cutie pie ! I loved your pictures and am soo excited to eat for the first time at Tusker house, we have an 8:05 am adr, I am a little worried getting there on time with the buses...

Looking forward to the next update!

 

[SkyGirl]

I am really enjoying this TR! The pictures are fabulous and your DD is adorable!

Can't wait for more!

 

[Cory's Gal]

Glad to hear you liked the breakfast buffet, we are thinking this for our character meal for our next trip! AK is one of our favorite parks and it is a place you need to stop and take it all in! Can't wait to hear more!!

 

[ShellChelle]

What a great TR! I love your descriptions and photos. Just this morning I was having second thoughts about planning another WDW for next March. After reading your TR, I am full-speed ahead again with the planning.

I'm gonna add Tusker House to our list right now. . . and I'm just about to search the 'net to price that Fuji camera. . . your pics are awesome!

 

[lindsmom]

Okay, everyone. I'm SO SORRY! But the oil truck got cleaned up, and life is getting back to normal, and I'm back! Whoo hoo!

Thanks for your patience.... here goes: