Yia-Yia, Yetis and Epcotonians. A sweltering Summer of '22 adventure!

[fractal]

Here's where I admit that despite multiple WDW trips, I've yet to see the Lion King show, lol. I think it was closed in 2021 and the park days are otherwise so SHORT, so I never thought to go into that theater which was usually out of my way! I didn't realize it was a big stunt show as well as a storytelling thing.

Things like this make me appreciate the magnitude of WDW- think about how many people there are who have to be involved in a show like this- and alternates in case of injured/sick dancers, and people on their off days (since these run every day). And there are MULTIPLE shows around WDW! Parade performers, the Friendship Faire, etc.

I might have missed it, but did you see/record the Friendship Faire at all? It was interesting seeing them swap out performers, even in later shows in the day!

FoTLK is well worth the effort! It gets you into a great mood.

I did not see Friendship Faire.

 

[fractal]

With the show over and YiaYia lending further proof that Walt Disney World is indeed for ages 1 to 100, we marched off to our next exploit.

Having proven herself with her Yeti encounter I felt she was up to one of the most terrifying attractions in all of Walt Disney World...

Just kidding!


But not about "terrifying"...

We sat way in the back in the wheelchair/ECV section which took some of the edge off the Malstrom of Mayhem that was inevitably to occur.

Hopper showed up ready to send rows of unsuspecting children (and their parents) into outright panic and terror.

"hornets attack!"

Not sure if the shrills and pandemonium is worse after the stings or the black widow attack.

"Black Window spiders, you're over your target!"

By the way, this is a shot I've been trying to get over the last few trips. I consider it one of the toughest shots in all of WDW due to the almost complete darkness, the movement of the spiders and the brief period of time you have to acquire the subject, focus and shoot with the correct settings.

Finally got it!

Toni shrieked and yelled a few times and my Mom found it all very amusing while I was chuckling behind my camera at the scenes of hysteria playing out in front of me.

All that excitement and danger built up quite the appetite for our small band so after leaving the Tree of Life we went off in search of food.

 

[rdkeim]

Love the story of your Mom and EE! What a hoot! Glad to hear FOLK is back to full form. What a great trip you've had. So many wonderful photos. You're making the most of your last day!

 

[fractal]

Love the story of your Mom and EE! What a hoot! Glad to hear FOLK is back to full form. What a great trip you've had. So many wonderful photos. You're making the most of your last day!

Thanks @rdkeim ! It was a great trip! Toni keeps asking me when we're going back.

 

[fractal]

Toni wanted to do Dinosaur one more time before we grabbed lunch.

We bumped into Kevin along the way!

As we reached Dinosaur I made it clear to my Mom that she was to stay put and not bull-rush the Lightning Lane line.

The last thing I needed was asking a CM to stop the ride and look for her dentures.

"Mom, you stay here. This ride may actually kill you."

Thankfully she listened. Things I never thought I would have to worry about in WDW!

I mostly kept the camera down but managed this shot which I really like and am glad I made the effort as I had to turn and shoot over my shoulder.

After the ride I checked my phone and it had "blown up" during my trip to the Jurassic Period. Lots of work issue to still deal with. So much so I had to escort the crew to Flame Tree BBQ while I needed to head back to the resort and it's business center so I could sign and fax a document.

Toni took a photo of the lunch I wish I had.

They did a great job of getting YiaYia back to the resort without any more drama. We met up and after giving me grief about the t-shirt I was wearing under my button down shirt...

"Dad, what is up with the gray t-shirt?" Sterg asked.

"What's wrong with it?"

"First of all it doesn't match and second it's like 100 degrees outside."

...I was convinced to go to Disney Springs and to do so without the gray t-shirt.

 

[Skywatcher1206]

I loved reading about the FOTLK show being back to its full form. I got emotional when we saw the Celebration of the FOTLK because it was clear that it was missing some huge components.

 

[Jabroniville]

FoTLK is well worth the effort! It gets you into a great mood.

I did not see Friendship Faire.

Darn! I was hoping a better photographer than me with a better camera than mine would get lots of pics and/or video of that, lol.

Nice stuff from the Bug's Life room! I can't imagine how difficult the timing and lighting would be to get all those in a room where everything flies out suddenly in near-darkness! I haven't seen that show since 2014, I think- the reactions from the panicking audience is always amusing. People call it "This generation's Snow White's Scary Adventures".

 

[fractal]

Disney Springs was uneventful. So much so that I don't have a single photo from there. From there we hopped to EPCOT to get one final ride on GotG and for a special meetup.

We parked and I entered EPCOT without my camera. With the exception of water parks, I can't remember the last time that happened. There was a sense of liberation that I enjoyed.

We entered the park in a steady rain so we decided to sit under cover. I still had my Pixel 6!

After the rain stopped we made a quick dash to Guardians and enjoyed another blast through space saving the planet.

We hustled back to the resort to pick up an impatient YiaYia and then Sterg drove us to the airport. Our 10:30 flight was delayed and we didn't land in Baltimore until 1:30am. Our baggage was slow appearing which was more typical of Philly airport than BWI. YiaYia, Toni and I jumped on a surprisingly packed bus to parking lot A. In our haste driving to the airport on Day 1 we didn't take note that we parked in lot B. I started to realize this after the dozen stops in the wrong lot. Back to the airport we went. We waiting another 1/2 hour for LOT B bus to show up, this time it was only ourselves and a friendly gentleman back from a golf trip. The drive home was smooth but we didn't walk into the front door until 5:30am!

But that's sometimes the price you pay to get an extra long last-day at WDW.

Thanks to all that followed and commented! Once again it's been a delight sharing our story and my photos! Let's do it again in 2024 (or sooner?).

 

[footballmouse]

Excellent trip report! I loved you pictures.

 

[snikki]

Great trip report!!!! Loved it from beginning to end!

We also have a very late flight home next month. 10:30 pm to Phillly. We land around 1 am. Luckily our drive home is only 20 minutes to NJ. We did this before and were exhausted but it really is worth it for an extra long last day at WDW.

 

[Jabroniville]

Wow, nice trip report! It's too bad it's over! Nice pictures throughout, and you seem to have been so many times I'd assumed you made even more regular trips

 

[rdkeim]

Great TR! Thanks for sharing!

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

Fantastic trip report!
-there is no way you can wait until 2024!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Your mom is braver than I am. I am terrified of Everest! I can't believe I've never seen Festival of the Lion King. Must fix that one of these days. Fun wrap-up to you trip (though home at 5:30 am is rough!). Thanks for sharing! I vote for sooner than 2024!!

 

[Gamedog]

Finally all caught up on this TR.

I always enjoy your commentary and your pics are second to none, @fractal

Thanks again for sharing with us!

 

[goofies]

Wonderful, amazing, fantastic and breathtaking trip report. Thanks for sharing.

When I meet people saying "the magic is lost", I'll send them here reading and scrolling through reviews and transcripts and they'll be cured instantly!

 

[fractal]

Wonderful, amazing, fantastic and breathtaking trip report. Thanks for sharing.

When I meet people saying "the magic is lost", I'll send them here reading and scrolling through reviews and transcripts and they'll be cured instantly!

Thanks @goofies ! I appreciate the kind words!

 

[flowergirl45]

Hi Fractal, I just read this trip report - so enjoyable! I especially enjoyed the lovely photos of Tom Sawyer’s Island and the Rivers of America (since in all likelihood they will be removed this year). My husband and I visited WDW in December and gave our farewells to that area of the Magic Kingdom. You have lovely children and a wonderful family dynamic. Thank you for the fun trip report!