We had heard that rain might be moving in during our stay at Disney. We have been in during full sunny days for days on end with no rain and we have survived a hurricane. So it really is no big deal for us to be here during a crazy rain storm. You make the best of it and ride it out! So what did we do....In the morning we split up. Jill, Jake and I headed into the Animal Kingdom where we had some fast passes for Expedition Everest and Dinosaur. Everest is such a great ride and I think it will be even better when we ride it at night as the part begins to take on new places and events that focus on nighttime hours. As we exited we noticed there was a 5 minute single rider line and hopped right back on. The first ride, however, had us sitting in the back which does give you a totally different feel.
Making our way to Dinosaur we saw where the Rivers of Light will be opening up. Unfortunately, we won't catch it this trip, but be sure we will next trip! Jill was a little apprehensive with this ride but as she has been doing some she isn't too keen on, she got on and rode it!! We brought back the dino egg and decided to have a snack! Jill grabbed a fruit bar which was perfect while thought I was going to have something simliar turned out to be more like an ice cream and as usual...I was surprised I liked it!
While we were doing that, Steve and Michele had the kids over on Kali River Rapids where a wave soaked Steve and Emma!! That ride is always great to cool you down. We met up at Primevil Whirl where we boarded two cars to spin. It is funny as Steve's kids get older and ours get bigger how you forget who rode what and who didn't. This was a first for Jack who rode with us as we dipped and spun! Jack asked..."Did you like that?" We did!By that time Jen and Jordan made it to the park and we met them in Harambe Village where the Lion King show takes place. This was a new location that was quite nice and the show really is amazing. Probably one of the best in WDW. Jill noted some of the gymnastic moves like the 'giant'. Jordan wants to know how they eat the fire. Maybe forced perspective? LOL (inside joke)
The big thing for Jill, Jake and I was something new for older park visiters. We signed up for the Jungle Trek. This was a separate special tour that took you onto the trails and bridges of the Jungle Safari. You get fitted with a harness, water bottle. and communication devices and then assembled in your tour of 12. The bridges at one point were about 30 feet high above the animals but then as close as 8 feet. We had only 11 and two guides Davis and Jason. Both were excellent tour guides who lead us to get up close to Hippos where we stood next to the trainer who fed these massive animals, Alligators/Crocodiles, and then onto the plains where our be boarded a truck to view the giraffe, wildebeest, gnu, and elephant. We would pull over and we got to hear more behind the scenes info on the animals. The truck then pulled us up to the Boma House on the plains where they pull out some African figure foods served in safari like tins. I feel like the kids and myself got to experience something we will all remember for a very long time. I hope there are more of these types of events in Disney's future because you really can learn alot and have a lot of fun.
So as we came out of the Trek we met us with Jen, Jordan, Joe Joe, Joe, and Dorothy where we enjoyed a great African flavored dinner at Tusker House. Also joining us was Mickey, Donald, Daisey, and Goofy!! We sampled all sorts of dishes as it was buffet and got filled fast. Then it began... as we stepped out from Tusker House the rains came down and they came down pretty hard. With ponchos on we then 'trekked' thru the park from the point almost farthest from the entrance LOL! Needless to say...as Jordan captured the moment ...."it was like the real rainforest." and it was kinda fun. We will remember that one.
The evening was kinda a wash (no pun intended) as we stayed put at the resort. I sampled a shrunken head at Trader Sam's (the new club named after the character on the Jungle Cruise selling shrunken heads) and while the rains continued I suggested we board the monorail and do a resort tour. We headed to the Grand Floridian where we had a nice time browsing the shops and enjoying the jazz band. Jake and I witnessed a little kid lose his cookies (aka throw up) all over the nice tile floor! At that point 
We have an early departure to Disney Studios on the morning. Hopefully the rain will be not as crazy!
Animal Kingdom is my least favorite park. The walks from one thing to the next feel very long, and there's nothing that feels like a "must do" to me. We got there a little later, not rushing, and we got on the "its flights be a bug ride" and caught up withSteve's crew , who had just seen it before us. Jack managed to spot a gorilla baby that he immediately loved at first hug, but we moved on. We went on a few Jen-arranged fast passes, including the shorter safari. It was relaxing and shaded, and we got to sit! It was a bench with great views! The elephant pulling leaves from the tree with his trunk and the eating it got everyone in the mood for a good salad. Jack, by the way, did get his cute gorilla.
ReplyDeleteDinner was at Tusker House, which was superb. It was early, which was fine, as we were all hungry! The food was excellent. The carving station had roast pork and prime rib, although Jordan got the first cuts of a rare prime rib that she thought was filled with blood instead of au jus. There were so many fantastic side dishes, and I was stuffed before I could even go for dessert. Everyone ate well, and the characters came by for photos.
Leaving the park was a joy, as we got drenched! Those Florida afternoon downpours are a challenge!
It's Tough To Be A Bug
DeleteSimilar to Jordan I did love walking by the Rainforest Cafe mid torrential downpour on the way out. At least that Rainforest had a roof!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, the Everest Yeti ride is great. I still love Jacks explanation of the Yeti. I think I rode with Matthew (all of these rides are a blur). It is a fantastic roller coaster, and the backward part is scary!
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