Why is it always over so fast? Vacation people, vacation!

[jusero]

Nice pics...is Leo of Phillipino ancestry.....he looks just like a good friend of mine named Mario Acap.

He sure is. Born and raised in Manila. And the language difference has been a great source of fun for us throughout the years ... starting on our wedding day when he repeated "till death do us fart." He had spent days practicing his Fs and Ps preparing for the vows since Philippinos have a hard time with the F. He got so nervous, he got them mixed up. We still roll over that one every anniversary - 21 this year.

Another funny was when I was listening to him and his friends speaking Tagalog and I asked what bahket (sp?) meant. He asked why. I said I just wanted to know. Again, he asked why. I said I heard the word used a lot in converstion and what curious. Again, he asks why. By this time I am getting annoyed thinking he just didn't want to tell me. This went on for about 10 minutes, all while I am getting more and more angry and his friends are rolling on the floor.

After all that ... the work bahket means why!

 

[rcsilverspring]

He sure is. Born and raised in Manila. And the language difference has been a great source of fun for us throughout the years ... starting on our wedding day when he repeated "till death do us fart." He had spent days practicing his Fs and Ps preparing for the vows since Philippinos have a hard time with the F. He got so nervous, he got them mixed up. We still roll over that one every anniversary - 21 this year.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOO funny!!!!!

 

[jusero]

Another fun one happened with his band when they were touring Korea. They were playing at US military base at an enlisted club along the border of North/South Korea. The place was packed with a bunch of infantry grunts. The female singer began singing "I'm Your Venus." Yah, that long ago. Now, Philippinos also have a problem with the letter V and usually pronounce it as a B or hard P.

Picture this little Philippino woman in front of all these grunts in a club singing at the top of her lungs ... I'm your Venus ... but with a P instead of the V. There was a moment of near silence throughout the club until the uproar of uncontrolable laughter hit.

I was laughing so hard I couldn't explain their boo boo until later in the night. They took that song out of the line up for good. Too bad.

 

[Pluto_fan]

 

[heaven2dc]

Love your sense of humor!! I'll never understand people's minds or their lack thereof (tall people standing right in front of you, crowd shovers. What gets me the most and is why I don't go to movie theaters anymore is the grownups that sit straight up in the seats and you or your child have to try to see the screen from around their heads. Scoot down people!!! Also the popcorn crunchers or just people in general who eat with their mouths open! Sorry-I digress...)

 

[jusero]

Chapter Three: Where’d Everyone Go?

It’s an Extra Magic Hours day at Animal Kingdom today. I love EMHs. Well, the morning EMHs anyway. I love walking into a nearly empty park. However, it’s not my favorite thing to get up at 6 a.m. after being up until midnight or later. Especially when Leo woke me up at about 4 a.m. cursing very loudly in his sleep. He didn’t even remember talking to me, then rolling over and going back to sleep.

Anyway, shower, blood test, breakfast and meds done, I sit waiting for Leo to finish up in the bathroom. As I sit listening to the news, I hear a couple muffled explosions from what sounds like the hallway. As I get up and cross the room to investigate, I notice the mini fridge door slightly ajar. Uh-oh!

I must have turned the thermostat too far yesterday when it wasn’t cold enough. Opening the fridge, I found three cans of Diet Coke in various stages of exploding, hissing and leaking and a very large – and getting larger – puddle of soda and soda slurpy all over the fridge. There were also several that were very “plump.” So I spent the next half hour cleaning out the fridge. What a mess.

Yah, I know, some people may think I should have left it for house keeping. After all, “It’s what they get paid for.” But I don’t think that way. I made the mess, I should clean it. I don’t live like a slob at home, I refuse to live that way in a hotel room just because someone else is cleaning up after me.

Finally all cleaned up and order restored, we head out to the bus stop. However, we missed the first bus by a hair. It was pulling out as we walked out the door. Boo, hiss, boo. Since we didn’t want to wait on the next one, the penny pinching hubby actually agreed to use our car. I guess he weighed the $14 parking fee with already being late and the walk from the bus stop half way across the continent from the gates.

Although we missed the early opening, we were still there in plenty of time to catch several rides before the official opening. Now, I usually head straight for Everest since it is one of the very best coasters I have ever been on. This year, however, I just wasn’t feeling it. I guess riding alone gets old.

So we head over to the safari but I could see the line from the street. Too long for me. We got our fast passes and decided to wander a bit. We went in search of the secret path around the Tree of Life. The entrance is supposed to be across from Pizzafari.

Found it!

Can’t believe in all the years we’ve been coming here, this is the first time we found this path. It was incredible! You get some amazing views of the tree and some of the carvings you don’t see from anywhere else. If you have never been on this trail, you have GOT to find it. The easiest entrance to find in the one right behind the Bugs fast pass kiosks.

Here are some photos taken along the path.

Here are a couple of Leo getting attacked by a giant piranha. Funny thing is, he didn’t even notice. He was just taping the tree and I told him to scream. Without hesitation or question, he just screamed and I snapped the photo. Too bad he isn’t that easily agreeable when I want to spend money.

After enjoying the trail and the beautiful carvings, we headed out by the fast pass machines. As we are leaving and about to head back to the safari, we heard the apes over in Asia staring to howl. Man are they loud! We decided to head on over and check them out while they are vocalizing since they only do this once each day while the park is open. Amazing sound.

We were surprised at how empty this part of the park was since Everest is over here. Well, we watched and listened for a while and, after a near PPP mode stop, headed back to Africa to the safari.

We walked up the fast pass line, passing several people who shot glaring looks at us. Why do people in the regular line always get so upset about those of us smart enough to use a fast pass? As with the number of licks to the center of a tootsie pop, the world may never know.

Always hit the safari in the morning hours if at all possible. The animals are always more active and a lot closer to the trucks. You could almost reach out and touch some of these guys. Although, I think the ostrich had other ideas. Probably would have pulled back a nub with this guy! Ever hear an ostrich hiss?

We spent some time wandering around the paths and found the gorillas, merekats and a few other animals in hiding. And I also found this kinda creepy looking pod thing – and it was as hard as wood. After pretending to fight it off from biting my face off, I decided to take a photo. How would I be able to describe this thing in words anyway?

It’s now closing in on lunch, so we headed towards Dinoland to jump on one of our fave rides – Dinosaur! I remember the first year this ride opened. I had to ride it alone so I could explain it to Leo. He really doesn’t like roller coasters – big baby. After I rode it and tried to explain it to him, I was having a hard time convincing him that he would really like the ride. I even had to go back on it a second time and video tape it. However, it was so dark, the tape didn’t turn out. About half an hour later, I finally told him to either ride it or don’t, but I was not going to just sit here all day while he hemmed and hawed.

He manned up. And now I can’t get him off the darned thing!

Is it me or does everyone on the ride (except Leo and the guy in the red shirt in the back seat) look just plain bored out of their skulls. Especially the older women in the back left seat. Not the reactions you normally see on this ride. Were they on the same ride?

Since there was no wait on the first go-round, we hopped off and back on again for a quick second ride.

Then off to lunch. We stopped in at the Restaurantorus for a quick lunch of nuggets for me, a burger for Leo and, of course, the free water. Those nuggets were pretty good. Food porn:

After lunch, we wandered around the area taking a few photos here and there killing some time before the Lion King. We also stopped into the play area to check out some of the secrets hidden in that area. However, it isn’t really a good idea for two adults without any kids in tow to be wandering around a play area sneaking around corners and peeking into holes.

I love how perfectly this alter lines up with the mountains.

A left over from the original idea for a dragonland instead of Dinoland.

 

[jusero]

While wandering around, we found a quiet little corner under an awning and in front of a large bird enclosure. The area had a couple big fans going, so we decided to sit for a while and cool off a bit. Since the benches were taken, we sat along the wall next to the benches.

There was a family of two adults and three kids (around 8-10 years old or so) taking up all three benches. Not a prob. What became a problem was when the kids started walking along the wall … and literally stepping on us and our stuff in the process. Almost stepped on my fingers and did step right on my backpack and my souvie bag. Leo asked them to watch where they were walking and I said “excuse me” several times, hoping the parents would get the hint.

I thought they did because I heard the Mom tell the Dad, “I have to go yell at the kids.” She came over, grabbed one of them and yelled at them … for pulling the leaves off one of the bushes! NOT for running all over us and stepping on us and our stuff, but for pulling the leaves of the bush. Now, I am a tree hugger myself, but paleeeeeeeze!

Anyway, I said, “good googa mooga,” shook my head and we walked away. Don’t think she even noticed my disgust.

On to the Lion King! I just love this show, no matter how many times I see it. Of course, those flying monkeys in their tight tights don’t hurt either! I think my fave is the King. His voice is so deep and sexy. Oops, forgot … the hubby is reading this too. Sorry, hun!

What made the show this time, though, was the little boy they pulled out of the audience to help with the pre show. You know when they get the audience to do the hand dance: slap, slap, clap, clap, sliiiide, sliiiide, bump together, bump together, over the shoulder, over the shoulder. Well, this little guy was about 8 years old or so and was a real ham. He was dancing, giggling, wiggling his butt, running around the “prince” and just show boatin’ the entire program. He was soooooo funny and sooooo cute. Sorry I had to blur his face out ... photo rights of minors and all.

Then we have this ham. He’s kinda cute too. I love how it looks like Simba is laughing at him too.

On to Bugs for the second time. We had done Bug once in the morning too, but I don’t remember when. There goes that “mind is the first to go” thing again. This is my second fave 3D (Philharmagic is #1). It’s funny everyone pushes and shoves to get to the front on these shows. I just let them. If you are the first in, you get the worst seats, so be my guest. We just hang back and let many in ahead of us.

After so many times in these shows, we are pretty good a guessing when to jump in. We usually always get right around the middle of the theater – best seats in the house. This isn’t a vey good photo of Flick as he opens the show…

It’s pushing about 3:30-4 p.m. at this point and the park closes at 5 p.m. We normally never stay at AK later than about 2-3, but this time we really did slow down and enjoy the park instead of running from ride to ride. We even saw the gators over in Dinoland, I don’t know how the heck many times we have walked right past them and never knew they were there.

Since it is getting late, we decided to hop the train out to Conservation Station before heading out. Even though the petting zoo was closed up already, we did see a few characters inside and a cute little turtle that was strolling around the building. Of course, there was plenty of picture taking with my ham of a hubby.

When we got back to Africa, the place was nearly completely empty! I thought they must have evacuated the park while we were out there. I have never seen the place that empty, even during EMHs. I loved it and was really enjoying the nice, quiet stroll to the gate. Can you believe these pictures?

Once we say goodbye to Animal Kingdom (our only visit to this park on this trip), we head back out to do some wandering around to other resorts as well as Downtown Disney. Our out-and-about photos are in Chapter Four: Out-and-About.

 

[buzzmom3]

Great installment! Ak is my favorite park. Your trip report is great, I am even more excited to go to SOG in 16 days!

 

[flamestarrdust]

Loving your TR so far! Great pics of AK! Can't wait to read more about your trip!

 

[heaven2dc]

That is the emptiest I've seen AK in a long time! I love your pics - you both have too much fun taking them I never noticed the dragon's foot is missing a toe and I've sat on that bench before. Wonder if that is supposed to look like that?

 

[alexensmom]

Cant believe AK was so empty! Love the pics!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi! I followed you over from the SOG thread. I am enjoying your report and your humor! DH and I travel to WDW alone, too. We stayed at SOG on our first "adult" trip and loved it! We bought DVC after that, but SOG is always a favorite back up plan if we want more days.

I am sad to read about the changes that seem to have made it less than inviting, but I think you still can't beat the price, and the bus transportation is way more reliable than the Disney system, which we now rent a car to avoid!
I'll be interested to see how you liked your experience at SOG.

 

[jusero]

I am sad to read about the changes that seem to have made it less than inviting, but I think you still can't beat the price, and the bus transportation is way more reliable than the Disney system, which we now rent a car to avoid!
I'll be interested to see how you liked your experience at SOG.

Hi Tammie. We have used Shades since 1995 and have loved it every time. I have read about the changes too, but I don't think it has become uninviting. I find Shades to still be very inviting and very high quality and the staff to be as friendly and professional as always. I am not sure what the posters mean by univiting...maybe they just had some bad experiences. Or maybe I have just been very lucky with mine. But we have always been very pleased and never disappointed.

 

[rcsilverspring]

Passed the link on to my DD's. We all are thoroughly enjoying it and wishing the next year away so WE can have a trip report to share!!!

 

[edk35]

Hi Tammie. We have used Shades since 1995 and have loved it every time. I have read about the changes too, but I don't think it has become uninviting. I find Shades to still be very inviting and very high quality and the staff to be as friendly and professional as always. I am not sure what the posters mean by univiting...maybe they just had some bad experiences. Or maybe I have just been very lucky with mine. But we have always been very pleased and never disappointed.

We have stayed several times over the years too....we always have great stays. The only problem was ONCE the bus never showed up at Ticket/Transportaion for an EMH night at EC. It was when they first started having the evening ones. There was a small group of us that got stranded. We all ended up walking from there to SOG. I also wish they would do something about the FOOD choices there. Other than that..we find SOG a great deal.

 

[jusero]

Passed the link on to my DD's. We all are thoroughly enjoying it and wishing the next year away so WE can have a trip report to share!!!

Can't wait to read yours too!

 

[jusero]

Chapter Four: Out & About

This installment will be short on copy and long on photos. After we left Animal Kingdom on Monday, we took the time to just wander around Disney, some of the other resorts and Shades.

First off, we went back to Shades to relax for a minute and get some dinner. Since we were driving, I dug out my wallet and took out the room key which we need to get into the parking garage.

As we drive along, we talked about what we wanted to do tonight. I, of course, wanted to get some of my souvie shopping done. Leo, however, always gets frightened when I head out to do my souvie shopping … even though he is usually worse than me at it. We usually split up in the stores since I really don’t want to hear him like a little gnome on my shoulder the whole time: What do you need that for? Who is that for? You don’t need to buy anything for them. You already have something for the grandkids. Why are you getting that? And this is just for the things I just pick up to look at, not the things I actually buy.

Anyway, what ends up happening is that I come out of the store having spent maybe $20 and have just a small bag. In the mean time, by the time I catch up with him, he’s got about five stuffed Mickeys, a couple hats, one or two t-shirts, not to mention one of those silly vinylmation thingies. He still refuses to open the box to see which one he has.

Oh, and I should mention his need to collect EVERYTHING. I don’t mean just the little soaps, shampoos and pens you get at the hotels. I mean everything! Just in this trip alone, we brought home several napkins, paper cups, the dole whip cup, the hotdog bags, a popcorn box, plastic bags and French fry box. I always hate it when Disney comes out with a new design on the food packaging.

Well, I digress. Back to wandering around.

As we pull up to the hotel parking garage, I grab the backpack to pull out my wallet. It isn’t there! Panicked, I dug through every little pocket and compartment in the backpack. I start dumping it out on the floor and am freaking out. My wallet not only has the room key, park tickets and credit cards in it, but my military ID card as well. That’s what worried me the most. My heart was in my throat and Leo starts to freak out as well.

We try to retrace our steps to remember where the last place was that I used my wallet. I think it was way back at lunch. Oi!

Then, as I move the backpack to the side to start rechecking it, I noticed my wallet on my lap!!!! I had taken it out of the backpack earlier to get the room key and placed it in my lap. There’s that “the mind is the first to go thing" … again!

Once we started breathing again and my heart went back into my chest cavity, we started to laugh … and laugh … and laugh. I think we were tired, giddy and VERY relieved.

The following are a few photos I took from our out and about time.

Yummmmmm....

It's coming up on lovebug season. Saw several cars that were covered in them.

You can't see it too well, but this is a bridge of water going over a road. It is odd once you think about it.

We have to go through the MK gates to get to Shades every day. Thought it was cool at night with no traffic.

A few photos on the walkway between Shades and Poly.

I found it very helpful that Disney posted detailed instructions on how to properly wash my hands. Wouldn't have figured it out otherwise.

Around the hotel.

At the Poly.

At the Contemporary.

A rare "backstage" peek. Our bus was detoured and we passed this building which, I am assuming, is the garage for the monorail and steam trains.

 

[buzzmom3]

Great update! I love your pictures. I wish we were going to have the same kinds of crowds in 2 weeks.

 

[Goofy442]

Love the update! Great photos . Wow you got some good pictures with no one in them.

 

[Goofy442]

Where was that picture of Mickey and your DH taken?