Thursday December 7- partly sunny, high of 71.
Today was Animal Kingdom day. I have never been to this park but because of these boards it felt like I'd been there a hundred times. I knew about every ride, attraction and show. I really thought I wouldn't care for it too much but was I ever wrong!
Donna and Helm were not waking up so we took a radio and left a note. We got there at 8:15 and the park was crowded already. This was my only complaint about Animal Kingdom. They made the walkways entirely too narrow to hold that many people. You were literally bumping shoulders all day. I can't imagine going there in the middle of summer with the huge crowds and oppressive heat.
We walked to the tree of life and I was in awe. Words cannot describe the creativity that went into making this. Its just breathtaking. I took an entire roll of film just of the tree alone.
After gawking awhile we went on Kiliminjaro safari in Africa. We saw lots of animals. None were too close, I was hoping we'd get a hippo crossing in front of us or something. The Lions looked majestic sitting on top of the hill. Our guide was great, her name was Jo and she was from South Africa. I loved her accent, and she really made it fun.
Finishing there we went through the Pangani trail. Abby loves the zoo so this was right up her alley. We saw lots of little deer like animals, birds, some rodents and reptiles.
The radio beeped and we met up with Helm, Donna and the kids at Its tough to be a bug. Bob went back to the Safari and got fastpasses while we went on ITTBAB. (He likes to keep moving, why not take advantage of it?) When we came out he was waiting there with Dan and Tina who decided to join us for the day. We all went on the Safari. This time we didn't see too many animals and the guide wasn't very good. Oh well, the others enjoyed it anyway.
They wanted to walk through the Pangani trail again but I took a pass. I went back to that tree and tried to pick out more carved animals. We all met up again and went to see the Lion King show. This was wonderful! Disney really knows how to put on a live show and this one was no exception. We all enjoyed it immensely from the youngest to the oldest.
We ate lunch at the Tusker House. The food at Animal Kingdom seemed a little more expensive than the rest of WDW. $6 for a regular sized hot dog and a bag of chips. For that price we should have ate at Rainforest cafe. We would have but didn't want to wait an hour for a table.
Bob quickly finished his lunch and ran ahead to get fast passes for Dinosaur. I think he was starting to get tired of the whining, bickering children and this was a great excuse to get away from them.
Abby and Shannon were acting more like sisters than friends and there was some rivalry going on all day. I just ignore it unless someone is getting hurt. I guess after having four kids you get used to it.
We met him at Dinosaur and we had 30 minutes to kill before the ride. Bob took Abby and Shannon into the boneyard. Helm took the baby and Donna, Chris and I did some serious shopping. Up until that time I had not bought one souvenir. Several sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, mugs and keychains later I was satisfied. Nothing like a little retail therapy to complete a vacation.
Right before our fastpass time we met back up with everyone. Bob was NOT a happy camper. I guess Abby was not listening and she was acting out. Since Bob has ADHD himself, he sometimes has a hard time with Abby and her disorders. He takes it entirely too personal when she won't do exctly what he says. I suggested he go back to the house and take a nap. I didn't have to ask twice. He left before riding Dinosaur. Abby calmed down and was fine the rest of the afternoon.
She was a little fearful about going on Dinosaur so I said I'd wait outside with her while everyone else went on. Shannon was going so of course Abby had to go too. She screamed and wanted off halfway through the ride. It was too late of course and she sobbed through the rest of it. As we got off she said she would never, ever EVER go on another ride with me again. Since this was the last ride in the last park on the last day of our vacation this was just fine by me!
On to Tarzan Rocks. All I can say about this is more Tarzan and less Terk please! We liked it but not as much as Lion King. On to Maharaja Jungle trek. The tigers were very active and it was incredible to be so close.
It was close to 5pm and closing so we slowly made our way out of the park, stopping for more shopping and animal watching as we went along.
Over all I enjoyed this park. If they would just widen the walkways I'd say I loved it.....
Next up: DAY 7, Part II- Pleasure Island
Today was Animal Kingdom day. I have never been to this park but because of these boards it felt like I'd been there a hundred times. I knew about every ride, attraction and show. I really thought I wouldn't care for it too much but was I ever wrong!
Donna and Helm were not waking up so we took a radio and left a note. We got there at 8:15 and the park was crowded already. This was my only complaint about Animal Kingdom. They made the walkways entirely too narrow to hold that many people. You were literally bumping shoulders all day. I can't imagine going there in the middle of summer with the huge crowds and oppressive heat.
We walked to the tree of life and I was in awe. Words cannot describe the creativity that went into making this. Its just breathtaking. I took an entire roll of film just of the tree alone.
After gawking awhile we went on Kiliminjaro safari in Africa. We saw lots of animals. None were too close, I was hoping we'd get a hippo crossing in front of us or something. The Lions looked majestic sitting on top of the hill. Our guide was great, her name was Jo and she was from South Africa. I loved her accent, and she really made it fun.
Finishing there we went through the Pangani trail. Abby loves the zoo so this was right up her alley. We saw lots of little deer like animals, birds, some rodents and reptiles.
The radio beeped and we met up with Helm, Donna and the kids at Its tough to be a bug. Bob went back to the Safari and got fastpasses while we went on ITTBAB. (He likes to keep moving, why not take advantage of it?) When we came out he was waiting there with Dan and Tina who decided to join us for the day. We all went on the Safari. This time we didn't see too many animals and the guide wasn't very good. Oh well, the others enjoyed it anyway.
They wanted to walk through the Pangani trail again but I took a pass. I went back to that tree and tried to pick out more carved animals. We all met up again and went to see the Lion King show. This was wonderful! Disney really knows how to put on a live show and this one was no exception. We all enjoyed it immensely from the youngest to the oldest.
We ate lunch at the Tusker House. The food at Animal Kingdom seemed a little more expensive than the rest of WDW. $6 for a regular sized hot dog and a bag of chips. For that price we should have ate at Rainforest cafe. We would have but didn't want to wait an hour for a table.
Bob quickly finished his lunch and ran ahead to get fast passes for Dinosaur. I think he was starting to get tired of the whining, bickering children and this was a great excuse to get away from them.
Abby and Shannon were acting more like sisters than friends and there was some rivalry going on all day. I just ignore it unless someone is getting hurt. I guess after having four kids you get used to it.
We met him at Dinosaur and we had 30 minutes to kill before the ride. Bob took Abby and Shannon into the boneyard. Helm took the baby and Donna, Chris and I did some serious shopping. Up until that time I had not bought one souvenir. Several sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, mugs and keychains later I was satisfied. Nothing like a little retail therapy to complete a vacation.
Right before our fastpass time we met back up with everyone. Bob was NOT a happy camper. I guess Abby was not listening and she was acting out. Since Bob has ADHD himself, he sometimes has a hard time with Abby and her disorders. He takes it entirely too personal when she won't do exctly what he says. I suggested he go back to the house and take a nap. I didn't have to ask twice. He left before riding Dinosaur. Abby calmed down and was fine the rest of the afternoon.
She was a little fearful about going on Dinosaur so I said I'd wait outside with her while everyone else went on. Shannon was going so of course Abby had to go too. She screamed and wanted off halfway through the ride. It was too late of course and she sobbed through the rest of it. As we got off she said she would never, ever EVER go on another ride with me again. Since this was the last ride in the last park on the last day of our vacation this was just fine by me!
On to Tarzan Rocks. All I can say about this is more Tarzan and less Terk please!
We liked it but not as much as Lion King. On to Maharaja Jungle trek. The tigers were very active and it was incredible to be so close.It was close to 5pm and closing so we slowly made our way out of the park, stopping for more shopping and animal watching as we went along.
Over all I enjoyed this park. If they would just widen the walkways I'd say I loved it.....
Next up: DAY 7, Part II- Pleasure Island
That seems to always soothe the soul doesnt it 
