Where Pixie-Dusted Birthday Dreams Come True! A July Trip Report! PTR Link! Pg. 116

[Charleston Princess]

Soooooooooooooo, Charles has officially been converted, eh? I've been wondering about your next trip!

We are still going back and forth about whether we should do DC or Disney this summer. However, I must confess that every time I log onto the DIS, I want to go to Disney. LOL!

That crowd would have freaked me out!!

I was very freaked! You know how much I hate crowds!

I'm not sure if I would have turned tail and run or not if I would have met that crowd!

So glad you stayed, we sure had fun but there was hardly anyone there when we were there, but I think it was like opening day because there were Disney big shots there looking around....

We saw a lot of Disney manager types while we were there, too, and luckily the crowds just melted away soon after that picture was taken.

Well so what if you have four updates worth of photos to share??!! GOOD! Let's see them!!!

Don't worry, you will be!

I bet that Taste of Africa was really cool! I love all your Africa photos! Great fun to have TWO photographers in the family!!!

Thanks! It is fun to have two photographers in the family. Chelsea has really been loving her camera. She has discovered how to edit them. LOL!

Griffin has a little point and shoot camera, too, and he takes some pretty good pics! Fun to see what strikes their fancy.

Looking forward to more!!!

Yes, Chelsea's eye is sometimes completely different than mine on what should be photographed.

When we stayed at CBR in 2009(?) my dear, sweet hubby kept singing, Aruba, Jamaica...Every day. For 6 days. It will be none too soon if I NEVER hear that song again!!!I think it must just come with the resort. I'm surprised they don't have it playing as you walk around! Maybe they don't need to. We're all singing it in our heads!

I think I would have had to beat Charles if he did that.

Love the AK pictures! I HAVE to get back there next trip! It's been a while and missed it the last two trips.

Thanks! I just love Animal Kingdom!

Fortune telling must be contagious. My DD9, who has not seen this TR, started with a rubber sparkly ball and a scarf the other day - "Mom, want me to tell your fortune with my crystal ball?" Oh boy!!

So funny! She and Connor could go into business together!

It looks like Connor had a really great Birthday Weekend! 3 days of celebrating. Nice!

Thanks! Connor had a lot of fun!

That crowd would have scared me! I can’t wait to read more…and I wouldn’t object to four posts worth of pictures either

I was a bit scared, but the crowd dispersed pretty quickly! Lots of pictures left in the day -- I always get camera happy at Animal Kingdom.

Looks like Connor had a wonderful birthday weekend. Sometimes I wish I was still a kid!

Me too!

The Oasis is so beautiful. I love spending a little time there, but usually do it on the way out.
I've never seen that many people in AK

By the time we leave, I just want to get out -- I don't think we have ever lingered in the Oasis on the way out.

I'm glad you took the time to wander through the Oasis! And I have to agree with the others... that crowd would have scared me away!

I really didn't expect to see that crowd coming over the bridge, but they all left soon after. Thank goodness!

That was a big crowd at Harambe! When we were there, there were maybe 4 other people.

Lucky! Someday I hope to travel during the off-season.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Just checking in!!!!

Hi, Rosie!

I want a turban like poonjab in Annie. One that I can unwind and tie to my autocopter to save any orphans in distress at a moment's notice.

Oh my goodness! I used to love Annie -- I think I watched the movie enough times to memorize it -- I know I still can sing all the songs! Loved Tim Curry as Rooster!

I tell you, when my mind wanders... look out and thank goodness for the internet to answer my random musings.
I spent part of day looking for details on the movie " The Dream Team" yesterday because a thought popped in my head. My staff knows to come ask me anything because I will look it up. Somedays I am too curious.

I do that a lot, too! I will be talking about something, and then, I have to go find out more information on the internet.

It was not hard to do. He can help by prediciting your next trip and then depending on how business is he can then help pay for the next trip.

Wouldn't that be nice? He keeps trying to charge his friends and family for fortunes, and I have to keep telling him he can't do that. I keep expecting a call from his teacher telling me he is collecting money for fortunes.

Now that you have made that discovery - Food but avoid crowds, you have a willing participant. Congrats. Well done.

I am going to try the Food and Wine approach, maybe next year as an anniversary trip. I will try for an Adults only trip and see if he can enjoy teh magic.

I think an anniversary trip is the perfect lure!

I see the commentary about Charles wanting a trip next year!!! Have you shown him the wonders of the online ADR system? It's so fun to play with!

Oh, yes, we have discovered the online ADRs!

Great updates at AK!! Connor's party also looked fun! Yay for Charles asking about the next trip!!

Thanks, Mary! Yes, I was surprised when Charles asked about the next trip -- I think he wants that Free Dining!

I've seen that side of my own girls on many occasion at Disney and other places as well........................

Love the AK update!

Yes, it seems to be one of those trademark looks.

Hope those crowds were leaving! I love the pic of Connor with the cannon! He's quite the ham, even though he looks pretty quiet.

Thanks! That's the perfect description of Connor. He is a quiet sort of fellow, but also quite the ham.

 

[Charleston Princess]

July 20, 2010: Part Five

Although the Taste of Africa was attempting to lure us in with its drum rhythms, we had a previous booking with the safari.

I was very excited to be embarking on a two-week trek yet again. Last year we had an amazing encounter with the giraffes, and I was hoping for a repeat. If not that, I was going to be happy just seeing my beloved long-necked friends again.

We brushed up on our photography tips.

Connor rested while waiting to board.

Those darn poachers. Grrr! Speaking of, I am reading this amazing young adult novel right now called “Bulu: The African Wonder Dog.” It’s a true story and every time I pick it up, it makes me want to move to Zambia and engage in conservation efforts. I will tell you that I read the last few pages before I checked it out to make sure Bulu didn’t meet his end in some horrific animal attack. I don’t do books like that.

Soon we were onboard. I probably should have paid more attention to this sign as you will see as we journeyed onward.

Here we go!

Warthog or rhino? Take your pick.

Hippo. Hopefully not hungry.

Baobab Tree. I always think of the book, “The Little Prince” when I see this tree. I had to read it in high school French class.

We rounded the corner to the savannah, and I held my breath waiting to see the tall, stately giraffes roaming.

What??? Where were the giraffes???

Not here, either.

My heart was sinking, and I was getting slightly panicked. Where were they???

Not a giraffe.

Those aren’t giraffes, either.

Animal that is not a giraffe.

Come out, come out, wherever you are!

Whew! There they were. Hiding away.

Hello, my dear friend!

Sadly, our visit was short-lived, but there was a treat up ahead.

The baby elephant! In my effort to make up for the lack of giraffe pictures, I went a little crazy photographing the baby and other elephants from every angle.

More unidentifiable animals. See, I really should have studied that guide beforehand.

The lion sleeps tonight. And in the morning. And in the early afternoon. And in the late afternoon.

We did have one very close animal encounter. I swear this rhino crossed the road, stopped, looked right at me, and said, “You want an animal encounter? I’ll give you an animal encounter.” I kid you not. I heard him say it. LOL!

Soon we were back in Harambe.

Where to next?

 

[2xcited2sleep]

What a cute couple of updates!

to the picture of Chelsea at the bus stop (don't we all feel that way from time to time?? ) and the picture of Connor doing his "cool dude" pose in front of the bar with the beer bottles. Too cute!!

Those crowds are a fright! I hope they were on their way out!!

How sweet is that baby elephant. That was worth the safari all by itself. But glad you got to see your friends the giraffes too.

Those lions do sleep a lot, don't they? Do you think they're bored? I guess we're not that exciting.

 

[jenjolt]

Another amazing update!! What a great safari!!! I'm so glad that you found your giraffes!! It wouldn't have been horrible to not see a single giraffe!!

As far as encounters go, I'm glad the Rhino decided to just look at you...might have definitely been a different ending to the story if he hadn't!!! LOL

Baby elephant is so cute!!!!! Awwww...so glad you were able to get some pictures of the little guy!!

 

[Native NYer]

I love your safari photos!
The giraffes are my fav too. They're just so beautiful.

 

[Poolrat]

Glad you got to see the baby elephant. I love the safari for the very reason that you really never know what you are going to see. I had a couple of safaris that have even surprised the drivers.

 

[Happydog]

Oh I would be worried if I missed those Giraffe's too! Very cute. I loved the baby elephant, so so cute!!! There are so many animals on the safari! Hard to keep track of them all. Fun update, I am glad you made it back after the two weeks safe and sound!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Nice safari... sorry you didn't get to see more of your favorite giraffes but you definitely made up for it with the other animals!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Cool Safari pictures! You're so lucky to have seen baby elephant!
I'll never forget the time we went on and giraffes walked RIGHT IN FRONT of our vehicle!! We had to stop and wait for about 10 minutes!! It was so cool. It was one of the first times we'd been, so we thought it was typical. Never happened again.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

After last year, I'm not sure what it would take for you to have another giraffe encounter to measure up to that!
I did like the picture you took of the beauty peeking out in the trees!

We saw the baby elephant too, it was such a cutie!

 

[dreamsofdisney]

Hello! I've been following your TR all along, but I'm not sure if I ever came out of lurkdom to say hi! I've loved reading about your beautiful family and all the adventures at home and at WDW.

After reading your last update, I just had to post a picture I had from a few years back that made me think of you. I'm sure I have tons of great giraffe encounter pictures, but this was one I took that I always remember. I didn't do anything to alter the color of the sky, but it turned out an amazing shade of blue in the picture.

Thanks for sharing your adventures with us!

 

[MaryAz]

Great safari pics!! Sorry there were not to many giraffes!!

 

[Cat0727]

You got some great safari pics! I love giraffes too. And of course elephants. the baby elephant is just a cutie! I love the one you got of him and his mom facing the water.

 

[englishrose47]

I love the Safari too !!My pix never turn out well though!!!

 

[MeMom]

We are still going back and forth about whether we should do DC or Disney this summer. However, I must confess that every time I log onto the DIS, I want to go to Disney. LOL!

How about a spring trip to D.C.
(you know you want to see the cherry blossoms)
with a stop in Nashville on the way

and
then

a summer Disney trip?

Great safari pictures. I like seeing the hungry, hungry hippos up close, for some reason. They don't really do much, but I think it's cool to see such a large animal that we don't see on a normal basis. Love the baby elephant pictures, too. I have a good baby elephant picture from about five years ago, and I wonder if he/she is one of those big elephants now or if he/she went somewhere else or what.

I never see a giraffe any more that I don't think of you.

 

[xoktenox]

Loving all the pictures of Harambe! The detail in AK amazes me more and more every time I am there. It's so beautiful and it's nice to take some time to just relax over there and take it all in

I remember last year's giraffe encounter! It was so wonderful and even though you didn't have quite the same luck with the giraffes this year, that baby elephant helped to make up for it! So adorable!

 

[999ghostslover]

But wait, you never finished the story...did you catch the poachers?

My two year old just woke up, walked up to my coffee cup, drank a sip, shook his head and said "you poor thing" I can't stop laughing. Sorry to digress...

 

[mousescrapper]

love all the pictures from the last two updates....and Naomi-Ruth liked the pictures of the "deer" (girafes)...he she calls squirels "moose"

Look mom there is a moose in the tree


the crowd shot...looked like our 11 am arrival last March

 

[manntra]

those crowds!!!!
Great safari pictures and happy you got to see your beloved giraffes
Did you see there is a new tour at AK? Wild Africa Trek....hiking in the safari.
DC is a fun city...and the museums are a must My friend that is going with me to Disney next month lives in DC...She has a condo with a rooftop pool within sight of the Monument. It is fun but then you need a Disney trip in the summer...or fall

Tracy