Tuesday, March 31 2009
Animal Kingdom
We started the day with a 7am alarm and the morning started almost the same as yesterday with showers and breakfast in the room. Then we got in the Animal Kingdom shuttle bus line and our day began. We waited at the park entrance and got coffee.
We were off to Africa to start our adventure. The gates opened with a short show from our Classic Characters reviewing safety, sunblock, and maps.
The Tree of Life is at the center of the park. Here are some pictures as we first entered Africa.
Daddy went to get Fast Pass Tickets for the Kilimanjaro Safari and we walked through the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail to see the animals while we waited to go on the Safari.
We still had some time so we boarded the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch.
There was a great petting zoo where the kids could brush goats that would just lay there for them. Nothing like the diary goats from the good ole 4-H days in Frankville.
After we washed out hands and headed inside we were able to watch the Disney Veterinarians do a bird physical. A bit of exploring the building and the perfect timing started for the day. We got lucky and were first to meet Rafiki himself as well as Jimney Cricket.
We were the last in the group for the next train back to Africa. We arrived just 5 minutes after our Fast Pass expired, but the guy let us in anyway. After a short wait we were boarding the jeeps. Joey passed out between Daniel and I and stayed asleep for the transition to the stroller he was sooo tired!!
Then we asked the boys if they wanted to eat lunch or go do a Bug’s Life. As we were looking for places to eat we found a display board that had the wait times for all the park attractions and the wait time for It’s Tough to be a Bug show was only 5 minutes so off we went. The sow is inside the Tree of Life and the boys were very excited about the 3D glasses we got on our way in. The wait seemed like FOREVER as it was dark, hot and crowded inside the tree. We finally got to find our seats inside the theatre and Alan had to sit on my lap so we would all fit. The show was hosted by the Ant from A Bug’s Life movie and the 3D show was interactive with stingers poking you in the back, puffs of air and water effects to boot.
Then it was time to head to DinoLand USA in search of lunch. We ran into Missy and the gang on our way and visited for a minute. We had a time table in place with time on our side so far for the day. We headed to the Dinosaur ride to get Fast Passes then it was off to Restaurantosaurus for lunch. Tables were at a premium. Eddie, Joey, and I had to hang out and watch for people leaving while Alan and Daniel got our food. We managed to politely ask a family if they were headed out and snag a table that was being eyed from a few yards away. We we finished eating another mom had the same conversation with me, but an employee jumped in and said there were people who already had their food looking for places to sit. Joey grabbed his cup of fries as I practically tossed him into the stroller, threw away the trash and grabbed Eddie’s hand. I wasn’t going to hang around for a table fight!!!
We found Daniel after a bit of bad communication and the fact we raced away from the table where he left us. Then it was time to get in line for the Finding Nemo the Musical show. This event was a favorite for Eddie. The actors were awesome blending in with the puppets as they danced. I really wasn’t sure what to expect. They did a very short version of the movie with all the highlights in song and dance with AMAZING puppets and choreography!!
The Dinosaur ride had a height requirement so Daniel took Alan and Eddie to see if they would honor our Fast Pass even though it was 30min after our time slot. They had no problem going on the ride. Joey and Mommy enjoyed a frozen OJ on a stick and some cold bottled water while we waited. The ride let out just as we finished a potty break.
After the big boys hit the potty we headed to Fossil Fun Games. This is a cool playland area for kids under age 10. Joey took off and had a blast. He has no fear and once he found the stairs to the tall slides he was down the slide and up the stairs in a flash!!
We walked around for a bit figuring out a plan to get to the parade. Alan had a melt down about his face burning from the sun so Daniel took him to wash his face and calm down. Then we found a spot for the parade where a lady offered to let Alan and Eddie stand in front of her to watch. Joey was out like a light in the stroller so Daniel took him back from the street to allow others to see the parade better and I stayed with Alan and Eddie to enjoy the show and take pictures.
It was starting to sprinkle after the parade so we headed to the park exit to catch the bus back to the hotel. We had a Disney Photographer take a family picture infront of the Tree of Life on the way out.
The park was closing in just an hour so we didn’t miss too much of our day. The next vacation we’ll have to do the Lion King show and Camp Minnie-Mickey. We will get a chance to meet most of those characters (not in safari gear of course) on Friday at Magic Kingdom. We got standing spots on the 3rd bus back to the hotel and decided to get off at the Disney All Star Music resort next to our resort to explore and walk back. Alan was a bit confused because the set up is identical to ours, but the fountain figure in the swimming pool was different. He said Daddy how did they change the pool? He’s a very observant little boy
We got back to the room for sandwiches and showers then we got the boys settled in for the night and Daniel went to stock up on juice boxes and snacks before heading to the air port to pick up grandma. I can’t wait to see the boys reaction to her arrival!! Eddie is already asleep and Joey is fighting it. Alan is almost out as well. I’m watching American Idol as I type out our day. Tomorrow Mommy and Grandma are taking Alan and Eddie to breakfast with Little Einsteins!! We will be sending the day at Disney Hollywood Studios. Stay tuned for details.
Animal Kingdom
We started the day with a 7am alarm and the morning started almost the same as yesterday with showers and breakfast in the room. Then we got in the Animal Kingdom shuttle bus line and our day began. We waited at the park entrance and got coffee.
We were off to Africa to start our adventure. The gates opened with a short show from our Classic Characters reviewing safety, sunblock, and maps.
The Tree of Life is at the center of the park. Here are some pictures as we first entered Africa.
Daddy went to get Fast Pass Tickets for the Kilimanjaro Safari and we walked through the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail to see the animals while we waited to go on the Safari.
We still had some time so we boarded the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch.
There was a great petting zoo where the kids could brush goats that would just lay there for them. Nothing like the diary goats from the good ole 4-H days in Frankville.
After we washed out hands and headed inside we were able to watch the Disney Veterinarians do a bird physical. A bit of exploring the building and the perfect timing started for the day. We got lucky and were first to meet Rafiki himself as well as Jimney Cricket.
We were the last in the group for the next train back to Africa. We arrived just 5 minutes after our Fast Pass expired, but the guy let us in anyway. After a short wait we were boarding the jeeps. Joey passed out between Daniel and I and stayed asleep for the transition to the stroller he was sooo tired!!
Then we asked the boys if they wanted to eat lunch or go do a Bug’s Life. As we were looking for places to eat we found a display board that had the wait times for all the park attractions and the wait time for It’s Tough to be a Bug show was only 5 minutes so off we went. The sow is inside the Tree of Life and the boys were very excited about the 3D glasses we got on our way in. The wait seemed like FOREVER as it was dark, hot and crowded inside the tree. We finally got to find our seats inside the theatre and Alan had to sit on my lap so we would all fit. The show was hosted by the Ant from A Bug’s Life movie and the 3D show was interactive with stingers poking you in the back, puffs of air and water effects to boot.
Then it was time to head to DinoLand USA in search of lunch. We ran into Missy and the gang on our way and visited for a minute. We had a time table in place with time on our side so far for the day. We headed to the Dinosaur ride to get Fast Passes then it was off to Restaurantosaurus for lunch. Tables were at a premium. Eddie, Joey, and I had to hang out and watch for people leaving while Alan and Daniel got our food. We managed to politely ask a family if they were headed out and snag a table that was being eyed from a few yards away. We we finished eating another mom had the same conversation with me, but an employee jumped in and said there were people who already had their food looking for places to sit. Joey grabbed his cup of fries as I practically tossed him into the stroller, threw away the trash and grabbed Eddie’s hand. I wasn’t going to hang around for a table fight!!!
We found Daniel after a bit of bad communication and the fact we raced away from the table where he left us. Then it was time to get in line for the Finding Nemo the Musical show. This event was a favorite for Eddie. The actors were awesome blending in with the puppets as they danced. I really wasn’t sure what to expect. They did a very short version of the movie with all the highlights in song and dance with AMAZING puppets and choreography!!
The Dinosaur ride had a height requirement so Daniel took Alan and Eddie to see if they would honor our Fast Pass even though it was 30min after our time slot. They had no problem going on the ride. Joey and Mommy enjoyed a frozen OJ on a stick and some cold bottled water while we waited. The ride let out just as we finished a potty break.
After the big boys hit the potty we headed to Fossil Fun Games. This is a cool playland area for kids under age 10. Joey took off and had a blast. He has no fear and once he found the stairs to the tall slides he was down the slide and up the stairs in a flash!!
We walked around for a bit figuring out a plan to get to the parade. Alan had a melt down about his face burning from the sun so Daniel took him to wash his face and calm down. Then we found a spot for the parade where a lady offered to let Alan and Eddie stand in front of her to watch. Joey was out like a light in the stroller so Daniel took him back from the street to allow others to see the parade better and I stayed with Alan and Eddie to enjoy the show and take pictures.
It was starting to sprinkle after the parade so we headed to the park exit to catch the bus back to the hotel. We had a Disney Photographer take a family picture infront of the Tree of Life on the way out.
The park was closing in just an hour so we didn’t miss too much of our day. The next vacation we’ll have to do the Lion King show and Camp Minnie-Mickey. We will get a chance to meet most of those characters (not in safari gear of course) on Friday at Magic Kingdom. We got standing spots on the 3rd bus back to the hotel and decided to get off at the Disney All Star Music resort next to our resort to explore and walk back. Alan was a bit confused because the set up is identical to ours, but the fountain figure in the swimming pool was different. He said Daddy how did they change the pool? He’s a very observant little boy
We got back to the room for sandwiches and showers then we got the boys settled in for the night and Daniel went to stock up on juice boxes and snacks before heading to the air port to pick up grandma. I can’t wait to see the boys reaction to her arrival!! Eddie is already asleep and Joey is fighting it. Alan is almost out as well. I’m watching American Idol as I type out our day. Tomorrow Mommy and Grandma are taking Alan and Eddie to breakfast with Little Einsteins!! We will be sending the day at Disney Hollywood Studios. Stay tuned for details.
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