Disney Trip Report - Day 6

Day 6

Animal Kingdom day.  I really like Animal Kingdom – it often gets a bad rap from the Disney fanatics, but I really like the feel of the park.  All the theming in some of the African sections is top notch, as is the Expedition Everest ride.  I would even go as far as saying it beats Magic Kingdom in having the ability to really make you feel like you are in another place.

However, the day did not start as planned, as we all slept in a bit which got us behind by about 45 minutes, which meant we were not at the park when it opened, and we were essentially behind before the day started.

Then, rather than catching the Animal Kingdom shuttle from the Dolphin, I chose to drive, and then have to deal with parking and the parking trams.  More time wasted.

Anyway, we got into the park (and you could already tell it was going to be a hit or miss weather day, as it was overcast, and muggy) and scurried over to grab a fastpass for the Kilimanjaro Safari.  

Success, as the return time was only 60 minutes later, so we hoped on the animal kingdom train to go check out Rafis.  A good idea, I thought, but the kids didn’t care for it last time, and my decision to do that caused me to miss running over to Expedition Everest and pulling four fastpasses (which by the time we got over there after the Safari – the return times were several hours out).

Either way, we got on the safari, which I think is always very good (we did not get on it twice) and then headed over to Everest for fastpasses (nearly all pictures for this update are from the safari – impending rain prevented most others).

Given our return time was for later, we headed over to Dinosour! (bypassing the Nemo show  – which both boys vetoed).  Dinosaur is one those rides that is good under the radar ride (can’t beat Hodges from CSI doing the opening skit – random).

I honestly have no idea what we did next – but I know we eventually ended up at Yak & Yeti – we ate at the Local Café next door, not the expensive sit down.  Same exact food, just quick serve versus sit down, and half the price – and boy, did it hit the spot.  The Honey Chicken & Rice, and the Sweet & Sour Chicken were just what the doctor ordered.  Kids devoured it as well…

Biggest problem at Animal Kingdom (especially around Yak&Yeti) is that there is simply not enough places to sit down.  Luckily, we found a secluded spot down by a lagoon, but the table was the size of a kitchen plate – but it was a place to sit.  Luckily we ate when we did, as the skies let loose for about 10 minutes after we ate.  We ducked under an umbrella, and trees and survived the wetness.  

We headed over to the carnival themed area (don’t quite get how that fits – a rare Disney mistake in my mind) to ride the Dumbo like ride on there.  However, we were again thwarted by a downpour upon boarding and retreated back into the covered line (we never rode that one).  I though the kids could do the other big ride in there (Primevil Whirl) – but out of all the Disney rides, it has the HIGHEST height requirement of any – and they stick in a kiddie section of the park – don’t get it.  48” for that ride, but 40” for Big Thunder, 44” for Space Mountain, and 44” for Everest –  bizarre.

We finally got over to Everest – Connor actually a bit hesitant at first – but with the fast pass – we just walked on.  And really, its probably the best ride at Disney in my mind  - smooth, fast and well themed.  Connor was a little perplexed when the coaster got to the top of the mountain and sees the tracks that were broken by the Yeti – then only to feel the coaster going backwards as fast as it can.  He laughed the entire way when it hit top speed and from that point on, he declared it his favorite.  He was able to hop right back on with Bridget for another ride…and then the skies let loose again, this time for a solid 30 minutes and it pretty much soaked us and put an early end to Animal Kingdom.

I had 8 fastpasses sitting in my pocket yet (4 for Everest, and 4 for Kali River Rapids – which  I was game to ride being we were already soaked – but everyone else had had enough).  I handed the 8 fastpasses to two girls coming in as we left, and made their day.

It was 4 pm by the time we got back to the hotel…I think we all rested up a bit and then we headed over to Downtown Disney for the night, and a quick dinner at Earl Of Sandwhich – which is still the best place to eat in all of Disney when you factor in taste and cost…for $6 you get a top notch sandwich.  It is the only place on Disney property where you can feed a family of four (and feed them well) for under $28.  We had been there on our last visit 18 months ago, and we would visit more than once this time.

We shopped a bit – and headed back to the hotel by 11 (not before being sidetracked by yet another 10 minute downpour).

One of the few pictures I have of actual people at Animal Kingdom.

The telephoto lens came in handy...not quite sure what the people trying to take pictures with a cell phone were hoping for.

A safari vehicle behind us.

While they were close, the lens makes it seem a lot closer.

Baby elephants.

The lions came out right as we were strolling by (almost as if they are actually robots ;)

Lunch was here - but not really.  Its about $25 bucks a plate here...

...but about 10 feet away, the sell the same exact food, for $9.99, they just don't give it to you on a fancy plate in a air conditioned building....

...the dump it into a fancy orange box you get to eat outside.  Fine by me...$35 versus $85 to eat.

Everest has to be one of the most impressive "looking" rides from a distance.

Coming down from Everest

We saw this going on above us on the Safari - looked interesting.  However, turns out its a add on that must be reserved ahead of time (Jungle Trek) - and you must be 8 years old, and it costs $189.....a person.  On second thought, didn't look as interesting.

The "Stitch" store.  You can see where Stitch spits out water on unsuspecting civilians.

Shopping.

And nothing closes out Day 6 like jumbo Stitch being absolutely violated by Carter.

Disney Trip Report - Day 5

Click for Day 4

Tuesday was Tigger breakfast day, and we had the desirable reservation time of 8:30 – which got you into the Magic Kingdom before everyone else, and we thought we be cool to get a few pictures of the park near empty.  Or so we thought. 

The plan was to leave the hotel at 7:30 in order to provide plenty of time to get to Magic Kingdom, hop the monorail, and walk to the Crystal Palace.  One problem…a lot of other folks apparently also had reservations or simply wanted to be at the park super early.  Couple that with the fact that ONLY the resort monorails run that early (the ones that go to the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian) – hence, rather than just hoping on right away and getting there the line was backup up 3 or 4 monorails deep, and had to stop at the resorts first.  The time cushion we had was all but disappearing and the 8:30 reservation was looking in trouble.

Luckily, we got on a monorail and got to the gates by 8:33.  To our surprise, Disney is very lax with the reservation entrance…as we figured we would get stuck in line with some sort of reservation verification.  But nope – we were escorted right in, without showing anything.  We got to the Crystal Palace about 8 minutes late, but all was fine.

Disney does the Character Dining (as it is called) very well.  The Crystal Palace (where Pooh & Friends reside) serves breakfast buffet style – which includes any and everything you can think of.  But really, you’re not paying for the food here – you’re paying for the experience.  Another nice thing, they do not rush you at all…you’re allowed to take all the time you want, and the characters do a continual rotation throughout the restaurant.  Thankfully, it is probably only a one time thing – as we had asked Connor if he wanted to do a Stitch breakfast at the Polynesian resort (that is where Stitch hangs), and he pretty much said no…he was content with the stuffed animal he got.

After breakfast we hit the park for a bit and then headed back to the hotel for pool time, as Tuesday was another day that Magic Kingdom was open to 1AM – so there was plenty of time to squeeze in rides.

Tuesday was really the first day we had to deal with any sort of Florida T-Storms/Rain – as Sat/Sun/Mon was near perfect.    We hung at the pool, dodging a sprinkle here or there and used some of the room credits on a couple pool side pizzas. 

Given there were storms in the area, we decided to give the “free” bus from the Dolphin a shot.  Not being a fan of the bus, I think the experience at the Dolphin may have converted me, as the busses came every 10 minutes or so, and got you to the magic kingdom in about 10 minutes (as they went non-stop from the Dolphin).  Further, they drop you at the gates of the Magic Kingdom, not the transportation center where you then must hitch a monorail or ferry.  In the end, we actually liked the bus.

As had happened on Friday – the early evening T-Storm cleared the park out a bit – as we waited very little throughout the night, even though we could tell crowds were starting to build.

We caught the fireworks in the usual spot, hit some late rides (Bridget got a Dole Whip – google it, it’s like this rare thing only available at Disney that people rave about – and it was pretty damn good).

Needless to say – the non-stop action all week was starting to wear on all – and I think we only made it until about 11:00/11:30 (nowhere near 1AM).  I recall I had a pounding headache, feet were sore, and both kids were passed out in strollers.  Day over.

Sitting down for the Tigger Breakfast.

Patiently waiting...

Mickey waffles...

Piglet was first up.

Carter into the hugs..Connor not so much (he knows "its just somebody in a costume")

Tigger getting closer.

The view from our table was probably the best in the building.

Tigger...at last.

Getting devoured by Tigger.

Still having fun.

Apparently Tigger has gone "street", as it was fist bumps for all.

More fist bumps.

Connor likes taking care of Carter and making him laugh.

Pooh (yes, the hand position looks a little "off")

High fives.

Pooh leaving.

Disney Trip Report - Day 4

Day 4 –

Click for Day 3

Hollywood Studios day…the one day we know we need to play the Toy Story FASTPASS process well, or we would not be riding it all, or more than once.   When we went 18 months ago, we didn’t know what we were walking into, and hence, never got on Toy Story Mania once – we were shut out due to the 2 hour waits.

Being at the Dolphin helped, as it was simply a 15 minute walk from the lobby to the gates of Hollywood Studios.  We made the pleasant walk (walkway was near barren – I guess everyone takes the bus or ferry from the Boardwalk area hotels – which is odd, as we took the ferry back that night, and it took longer than walking) and were at the gate 15 minutes before they open – which was good, as they let folks in before 9am (I am guessing to avoid a crush of people rushing to Toy Story or Aerosmith.

 

Once in the park (seems by Monday I had figured out we could use just my thumb print for all the tickets) we bolted for Toy Story.  Plan was to pull a Fastpass before riding, and then quickly ride in the standby line.  Plan worked well, as we got 4 Fastpasses and were able to get on in the standby line within 20 minutes.  Time we got off, the standby wait had already built to 60 minutes.  In essence, we guaranteed at least two rides on the most popular attraction in all of Disney (2 more than the last visit). 

And I must give credit to Josh and his blog/service at easywdw.com – I read extensively, used his pointers and it made the entire trip that much easier better (my hunch is the days of that being free are numbered – but its great while it lasts)

Anyway, the Fastpass return time (the hour window Disney gives you to come back and ride it by skipping the standby lines was) was between 10:20 and 11:20 – which meant we had time to get over to Tower of Terror and possibly Aerosmith before.  However, we were able to pull another set of fastpasses before heading over, as the window had opened.  So now, we were guaranteed 3 times.

We tooled around Hollywood Studios a bit, had lunch and then grabbed a carrot cake cupcake sandwich thingy at the Writers Stop (meh, nothing special) before heading back over to ride Toy Story again.   After that, we headed over to Star Wars and were able to pull yet another Toy Story fastpass before we headed back to the hotel for pooltime.  The fastpass return time was not until after 5pm, so we had a good 4 hours to chill back at the hotel.

Connor and I headed down to the pool – while Carter and Bridget napped.  We figured it would be about a 45-60 minute nap – but Carter went down for a good 2-2.5 hours.  Carter and Bridget hence missed the bucket of Corona’s and the root beer at the pool.

Connor and I headed back to the room, everyone got cleaned up and we walked back to Hollywood Studios to ride Toy Story yet again – and pull one final fastpass.    All in all, we rode in 4 times, and never had to wait at all except for the first 20 minute line of the day.  Mission accomplished – and I will say, that it is pretty fun ride – hopefully that type of technology is in the future for Buzz Lightyear over at Magic Kingdom, as after riding Toy Story Mania, Buzz seems a wee bit dated.

We jumped back on Tower of Terror a couple of times, and I tried to get in the single rider line of Aerosmith – only to get stuck in a slow moving line, and had to vacate the ride as not to miss that last Toy Story Mania ride.

Dinner was at Pizza Planet - and I must say, while I think the theming could have been better - the pizza is pretty damn good - exceeded our expectations.  Its a nice hand tossed depth.

We waited in line to catch the 2^nd Fantasmic showing of the day, and I must say, I was very underwhelmed.  I guess I was expecting more lights, fireworks and action- rather than the majority of it being movie clips shown on spraying water.  A neat show, just not what I expected.

While the park had 1AM hours that night, Connor was done and I didn’t care to attempt the Aerosmith line one last time.  We headed on out – choosing the Ferry (mistake – as it probably took twice as long than if we had walked).  It was onto Day 5 and the long –awaited Tigger breakfast at Crystal Palace within Magic Kingdom.

Pizza Planet - nothing more to say.  While I give them credit for trying to bring the famous movie place to life,  I can say they could have done more, or done it better.  Theming is a bit soft.

Yes, the green martian men are there...

As are the claw machines.

Some even filled with the green martians...

Outside.

On our way to Tower of Terror late in the day...

While I got made fun of by Bridget for buying it, the $2 canister of powdered Tang came in handy.  I love Tang, and figured the kids would to.  It made plenty of cheap drinks throughout the weak and we ended up throwing half the canister away when we left.  $2 for and endless supply of Tang - beats $2.50 for 20 ounces of anything at the parks. (OK, its not that good, but it did the job).

Taking a break  - Connor still chugging the Tang ;)

Checking out Toy Story Mania while in line.

This stuff went on all week...ropes, chains, bars.  Apparently, they are crack/cocaine to kids...it was not stop touching, climbing, pulling, feeling, etc... 

Riding Toy Story Mania.

Riding Toy Story Mania.

More Toy Story Mania...

Ran into Pooh.

At Hollywood Studios.