Where did this heat and all these people come from? The new PTR/TR link 5/7

[MHTeacher]

LOVE the tumble monkeys!

 

[manntra]

Hey there Katie
Great updates!! Was the giraffe really close to the road when you went on your 2 week safari? He/she (didn't see the eyelashes ) right by the side of the road.
I am with C...have never seen FOTLK and I will up the ante with Nemo
I never saw that waterfall either but Michelle told me where it was

Tracy

 

[Mickey_Firefighter]

Great trip report.

 

[jenjolt]

Loved the video!! What a great idea!!!! Got to love those tumbling monkeys!!!!

 

[praisehisname]

I loved all your pictures--you shouldn't be so hard on yourself! So glad you and Michelle found each other!

 

[Poolrat]

When I was there in 2008, we saw a hippo on the land and our safari guide commented on how rare that was. they weren't as cooperative for me this time.

This one had just gotten out of the water and was heading backstage I guess. This isn't her/his best side but I figured it was a rare sight.

 

[jillyb]

This one had just gotten out of the water and was heading backstage I guess. This isn't her/his best side but I figured it was a rare sight.

 

[KatMark]

Giraffes and elephants are my favorites. The elephants didn't like me as much I guess

Elephants are Mark's favorite -- when we go to Brookfield Zoo, it's 30 minutes with the giraffes and 30 minutes with the elephants.

Thanks for the kind words about the CSR thread that you pointed out to a previous poster -- I appreciate it.

 

[kschafer]

I just started reading your TR, but have to say from another fellow Iowan (DSM area). I secretly hope to take a trip by myself or another adult only trip. I love my kids, but sometimes you just need a break and what a better place to get away than to Disney!

I can't wait to read about your adventures!! I agree about going from the chilly IA weather to hot FL. I think we were there the week or so before you.

Well hey there neighbor! I was in your neck of the woods today, my 8 year old has weekly appointments. I will be glad when we are done with them!

disney without the kids is a whole other kind of magic

It's not that we aren't used to 90's and humid...just not in May

LOVE the tumble monkeys!

Seems to be a popular opinion around here this week

Hey there Katie
Great updates!! Was the giraffe really close to the road when you went on your 2 week safari? He/she (didn't see the eyelashes ) right by the side of the road.
I am with C...have never seen FOTLK and I will up the ante with Nemo
I never saw that waterfall either but Michelle told me where it was

Tracy

Yes, that giraffe was pretty close to the road. I'm going with girl...gotta look at the horns (much easier than turning them over )

No FOTLK...OR Nemo Shame on you!!

Do I see a new ticker??

Great trip report.

Welcome aboard!!

Loved the video!! What a great idea!!!! Got to love those tumbling monkeys!!!!

Glad you enjoyed!

I loved all your pictures--you shouldn't be so hard on yourself! So glad you and Michelle found each other!

Aww, thanks

 

[kschafer]

This one had just gotten out of the water and was heading backstage I guess. This isn't her/his best side but I figured it was a rare sight.

With the turn this TR has taken, maybe I should have somthing about animal butts in the title (any bets on whether that will be dis censored?)

I'm becoming a fan!

Elephants are Mark's favorite -- when we go to Brookfield Zoo, it's 30 minutes with the giraffes and 30 minutes with the elephants.

Thanks for the kind words about the CSR thread that you pointed out to a previous poster -- I appreciate it.

we don't have elephants at our zoo but we are talking about a mini vacation to Omaha this summer so I'm sure we'll spend a lot of time with the elephants (Patrick's favorite) and zebras (Daniel's favorite)

Hey, you have done a great job with that thread! I felt very comfortable at CSR because I knew so much about it before I arrived!

 

[MegansMom]

I can't remember if I posted or commented yet on your AK day yet, so I am going to again if I did!!!

How AWESOME that you got to enjoy so many lovely AK moments with a great DISfriend.....does it get any better than that?!?!?!!?

I can't wait to see where you are headed for lunch....I forgot....I hope it was GREAT!!!! Can't wait for more!

 

[BippityBoo]

I love the FOTLK monkeys!! They are the same the past 2 years we went.

WOW!!! What a BIG animal my goodness hehe

 

[Poolrat]

With the turn this TR has taken, maybe I should have somthing about animal butts in the title (any bets on whether that will be dis censored?)

WOW!!! What a BIG animal my goodness hehe

Now we know why they spend all their time in the water and seeing them on land is so rare.

I remember the process of the hippo getting out.... not an easy task.

 

[cdotla]

Hey Katie...I am finally all caught up!

How great that you and Michelle were able to spend so much time together!

Too funny about the backside animal photos!

And yeah, level 4 crowds my foot!!!

 

[kschafer]

I can't remember if I posted or commented yet on your AK day yet, so I am going to again if I did!!!

How AWESOME that you got to enjoy so many lovely AK moments with a great DISfriend.....does it get any better than that?!?!?!!?

I can't wait to see where you are headed for lunch....I forgot....I hope it was GREAT!!!! Can't wait for more!

We had a really lovely morning!

Lunch report coming up next...

I love the FOTLK monkeys!! They are the same the past 2 years we went.

WOW!!! What a BIG animal my goodness hehe

They are so talented and at least put on a good act that they are having a blast

Now we know why they spend all their time in the water and seeing them on land is so rare.

I remember the process of the hippo getting out.... not an easy task.

They certainly must feel better being bouyant in water. I think I read someones TR about watching a hippo get out of the water and being reminded of trying to move around when extremely pregnant

Hey Katie...I am finally all caught up!

How great that you and Michelle were able to spend so much time together!

Too funny about the backside animal photos!

And yeah, level 4 crowds my foot!!!

I guess it was one of those days, animals wanted me to see their "better" sides

Sure wish I would have gotten to see the parks less crowded but we managed pretty well really!

 

[kschafer]

Day 2 Continued

Before picking up where we left off, I thought I would share a couple of my PP pics. I got my copy of our CD from Tracy today so I’ll catch up with where I am so far (luckily, I’m still only 24 hours into my trip so there aren’t too many )

My first evening in DHS

And in AK with Michelle and her Mom

Now, back to where I left you...After saying “later” to Michelle and her Mom, I headed out of AK but took my time to enjoy some of the sights. Beautiful flowers

Lots of sleepy animals at noon!

Everytime I look at this picture, I remember standing next to a young girl and her Mom and hearing one of the most racist comments I’ve ever heard!! It was so awful I can’t even repeat it. What a terrible example to set for your child!

At last I headed toward the buses and looked up to a happy day

I hopped the bus to my next destination where I was greeted by some real characters! Some quite dashing

Some quite flirtatious

Some a bit conniving

And some just downright odd!

I had a little time still to kill so I wandered this direction

And looked around at who had been there before me

I debated a bit and finally decided since the line was short and I didn’t want to wander far, I would go inside. This was one of my least favorite attractions on my 2008 trip (only slightly better than Sounds Dangerous) but I chalked it up to having to wait an obnoxiously long time with kids that were hungry and didn’t want to stand. I had heard about the cowboy side and really wanted to check it out so that drew me in.

Continued in next post

 

[kschafer]

I took lots of blurry pictures until we stopped here

Yep, I did get the cowboy! I had heard the cowboy scene was the front cars and when I got to the end of the queue, it was obvious I would be near the back so I asked if they were running both scenes and was led to the front car upon request.

I also had good luck in the scene from one of my favorite movies

Let’s just say, I didn’t really enjoy it much more this time but now I can say I have seen both the gangster and cowboy scenes and don’t have much need to go back…and I’m OK with that.

Finally…I headed off to my lunch ADR. I’m betting most of you can guess where I was going!
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Yep…Brown Derby!

I was seated at a nice table overlooking the lower dining area

My waitress brought out the bread and butter

And I looked around a bit

I debated about the crab cakes but for my appetizer I just had to go with the famous Cobb Salad

Our Famous Cobb Salad for Two - with finely chopped greens, turkey breast, egg, bacon, tomatoes, crumbled blue cheese, avocado, chives and Cobb dressing $15

It was HUGE!!! Luckily I had Beth to help

I could easily have eaten this for my entire meal and been very happy! For $15, it would be well worth the cost to dine in a nice place inside the park! But of course I was on the deluxe plan so this was just my appetizer and I had to have the server take it away unfinished so I would have room for my entrée.

Sterling Silver Pork Chop - topped with smoked gouda and apricot preserve served over Napa cabbage, bacon and potato hash with apple cider jus $33

OMG! With the exception of the pork being more well done than I prefer, this was very good! The hash under was outstanding and the cheese was all gooey and browned on top.

I really debated about dessert because I know LL loves the strawberry cheesecake and her pictures look so good but you can get cheesecake lots of places but where else can you get

Grapefruit Cake - A Brown Derby Original! Light Layers of Yellow Cake with fresh Grapefruit Cream Cheese Icing $7

Honestly, I thought it would be a bit sweeter but it had more of the bitterness of grapefruit which took me by surprise. I’m glad I tried it but given the chance, I will go with something else next time.

Overall, this was a good meal but I was starting to look forward to Shelby’s arrival in a few hours. I would much prefer a dining partner and the chance to try multiple things when I can’t make up my mind! I’ve heard others say this also, I’m not sure why this is a 2 credit meal. The prices are on par with other 1 credit restaurants but makes it a nice choice for a smaller OOP option in my opinion.

I did have one funny thing happen here. I went to the restroom to wash my hands before my meal and as I came out of the bathroom, I ran into a guy with a “Cyclones” shirt on. Iowa State is in the town I grew up in and where my Dad was a professor. I said something to him and we stopped to chat briefly about the newly hired basketball coach who happens to have been a high school classmate of mine who went on to be a star player at ISU and play in the NBA. I ran into the same guy a couple days later in Epcot wearing a different ISU shirt.

So where should I go with some time to kill in the middle of the afternoon at DHS?

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

Excellent update. I could watch the streetmosphere for an entire day. I want to try Brown Derby someday (without children!)

 

[KatMark]

Great update. Your pictures are terrific -- so clear. I love The Wizard of Oz too. The Great Movie Ride really needs a major rehab -- new stuff, new ending, etc. We'll do it in September only because Mark can only do it and a few other things at the Studios after his back surgery this trip. I'm glad you enjoyed your meal at BD. We went seven years ago -- we weren't impressed and haven't been back.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Great update!!! Now I have a fierce craving for both the Cobb Salad and the Grapefruit Cake. Yum!!!

You have some great shots of the Streetmosphere people and the handprints!!!