On our 5th day to Disney we went to Animal Kingdom.
At the entrance they passed out cards with a friendly tip on each one. One card advised to look down. There's interesting stuff to see low. Another card urged to watch your head. There could be flying animals swooping.
No more than 5 minutes after reading these cards and walking along looking at the ground exploring the footprints in the cement I looked up briefly. That is when I saw a mallard duck flying straight in toward my head. I screamed and took cover toward the ground.
Those cards were no joke!
The Tree of Life
Disney description: At an impressive 145 feet tall and 50 feet wide at its base, the Tree of Life is home to over 300 meticulously detailed animal carvings throughout its massive trunk, gnarling roots and outstretched branches—invoking the diversity, beauty and interconnected nature of earth’s many creatures.
Flik
It's Tough to be a Bug!
Disney's description: Flik, the loveable ant from the Disney•Pixar film A Bug’s Life, invites you and your family to become honorary creepy crawlies by donning a pair of special “bug eye” glasses and watching an exciting 3D film and live show on the survival techniques of bugs.
During the show, dodge flying quills from a tarantula, feel a harmless “acid spray” from a soldier termite and inhale the putrid “defense stench” from a stink bug. But when Hopper—the grasshopper villain from A Bug’s Life—unexpectedly shows up, the theater becomes a swarm of crazy activity, led by buzzing hornets and tumbling spiders. In the end, you’ll learn “it’s tough to be a bug” surely, but more importantly, that insects are our friends.
Kobe's review: Down in the cave there were bats there but it was too cold for the bats so we didn't see them through the window, they weren't there because they said it was too cold to let them out. All the stuff popped out from the screen because we were wearing bug glasses. That was cool.
This was the first 3D show Cassady kept the special glasses on. The screen begins with a kaleidoscope of butterflies that pop out and fly all about. That captivated her. But the next screen popping experience was a bug launching an acorn from a slingshot at us. Cassady jumped! She was sitting on my lap during the show so I got first hand experience to all her reactions, it was so awesome!
Pocahontas
DINOSAUR
Cassady was not tall enough for this ride. She missed it by barely an inch. Kobe was a tender brother to her during that moment when she was being measured but didn't make the clearance. As she was walking away he urgently put his hands on her shoulders to turn her around and said, "Cassie, do this, measure again like this." as he stepped up to the measuring bar tilting his chin slightly upwards and raising his heels just a smidgen off the ground to make himself taller. But it was too late. The height test had already proven her too short. We didn't make a deal of it and quickly ok'ed her to stay behind with Grandpa while the rest of us moved up in line for the ride. Cassady was almost about to cry. In last efforts to help his sister Kobe says to her, "It's okay Cassady, you'll grow and then you'll get to ride on it next time." He knew what that felt like from our vacation in Gatlinburg last year we went to Dollywood. He had been turned away a few times for being too short. What a sweet brudder he is.
Disney's description: Travel back in time on a perilous race to rescue an Iguanadon before the meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs strikes.Step inside the pristine halls of The Dino Institute, a one-time secret research facility and museum that is home to real fossils dating back to when dinosaurs walked the earth. Stroll past prehistoric exhibits and behold the colossal skeleton of the carnivorous Carnotaurus, one of history’s most feared dinosaurs.Make your way into the research control center and watch an informative video about your expedition into the primeval past. The briefing takes a turn when you’re recruited to rescue an Iguanodon from extinction and return to the present with the 3.5-ton dinosaur in tow. There’s just one problem: the date you’ll be visiting is when a giant meteor hit earth and caused the extinction of nearly all living things. Board a sturdy, 12-seat Time Rover and race through a darkened forest in search of the tagged dinosaur. Speed past a spiky Styracosaurus grappling with a nearby tree. Brace yourself as you careen through unpredictable hairpin turns, a ragged Alioramus foraging for food nearby. Dart around a fearsome Velociraptor hunting for prey and avoid the clutches of a Cearadactylus soaring overhead. As the countdown clock ticks, meteors crash all around you: The end is near. Suddenly, the terrifying roar of an unimaginably huge beast can be heard in the distance. Is it the friendly Iguanodon you’re searching for—or the dreaded Carnotaurus looking for a meal? Time is nearly up. Will you complete your mission and make your escape? Or will you join the dinosaurs and become extinct?
Kobe's review: We had to find the missing dinosaur. And when we found the dinosaur we did it before the timer. We had to make it before a timer and we made it. We saw dinosaurs and I thought it was real life because I saw them and they ran at us. I was scared. I was too scared to be brave. It was underground. And that's it about this.
Pluto and Goofy
There's been some talk and rumors about what went on during our meet greet here with Goofy that day. Let me assure you, what you are about to hear is what really happened.
It began with me explicitly explaining to Pluto and to Goofy that we already met Goofy at Hollywood Studios. Therefore we didn't need to get Goofy's autograph, again. AND...I wanted to get a picture of the kids with just Pluto or it was going to mess up this whole organized scrapbook layout thing I had going. Pluto nodded and understood enthusiastically. Goofy was working through his demotion.
Until he stepped in front of Pluto and my 3 kids to block their photo.
He put the moves ON ME. And that is exactly how it happened. I had nothing to do with it.
Goofy and my big, strong husband then duked it out.
TriceraTops Spin
Mike took Kobe and Cassady on TriceraTop Spin, which is similar to the Dumbos. While Grandma Sue and I took Cayman on the Primeval Whirl. Grandpa was taking a break from all and every ride that could possibly trip his motion sickness and steel his day with a miserable headache. It was a smart move for him to skip the Primeval Whirl for sure. The spinning roller coaster looked fun from the ground with its small dips and turns. But it was so jerky it was undesirable.
Expedition Everest
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| See that little speck of red toward the front? You know who that is. :) |
Mike, Grandma, and Kobe rode this roller coaster. I waited at the base of the mountain with the girls watching for any fleck of red on each coaster that went down. That Ohio State red sure is easy to spot.
Disney's description: Embark on a thrilling expedition through the icy peaks of the Himalayas.
Venture inside a Tibetan-style stone structure at the foot of towering Mt. Everest and make your way past the booking office of Himalayan Escapes – Tours and Expeditions. Wander past a small temple and a cozy general store before exploring a museum dedicated to the study of the Yeti, the mysterious snow monster said to inhabit the Himalayas. Board a weather-beaten train and ascend a series of rolling hills overlooking a serene green forest. Climb a steep incline and navigate through a ceremonial stone tunnel before reaching the summit. Once at the “top of the world,” hold on tight as you pick up speed and race inside the dreaded mountain. Without warning, your train screeches to a halt: A broken and twisted track appears in front of you. Brace yourself as your train unpredictably begins to race backward into the darkened mountain, furiously swooping up into a double-looping turn. Inside the windswept passage, the shadowy figure of a growling creature can be seen on a cavern wall. It is the Yeti—the legend is real! Hurl 80 feet down the base of the cursed mountain and swoop in and out of murky caves and along jagged rocky ledges as you race to escape the dreaded monster before he catches up with you. Will you make it back to civilization safely? Or will the Yeti claim another victim?
Finding Nemo the Musical
Ever wonder what Finding Nemo would be like as a musical? Neither have I.
It was kind of cheesy. But the props were amazing!!
Muziki Drums
Sitting out along the path for anyone to stop and play are the muziki drums. The kids loved these drums so much they had to tap out a beat when we walked up the path and again later when we went back down the path.
Kilimanjaro Safaris
The Safair tour in the open-air vehicle was hands-down our favorite experience at Animal Kingdom.
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| More safari vehicles driving on the path. |
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| Look at how close we were to that zebra! |
Disney Ice Cream
Heck yea! It gets its own title space!
From day one at Magic Kingdom Kobe drooled whenever he saw others walking around with their own mickey mouse ice cream bars. He wanted some, badly. Mike had planned to get the kids (and me) some Disney ice cream before our week was over. Being that it was going to be a special treat, he wanted to save it toward the end, rather than the beginning. The kids handled the delayed gratification so maturely I felt proud to spend $30 on expensive Disney ice cream that was downed in less than 5 minutes.
Festival of the Lion King
Disney's description: Join the inhabitants of the Pride Lands for a grand celebration of The Lion King with songs from the film. This is a vibrant and exciting retelling of the tale of the cub who would be king, a lion prince fulfilling his destiny to become ruler—wildly presented by Simba and his friends in their own version of the story. From the opening number to the end, you’re in for a variety of thrilling entertainment. As the lights dim, the wind gently rushes through the African savannah and the sounds of the jungle come to life. A kaleidoscope of color floods the stage from colossal puppets, spirited dancers and regal stilt walkers in imaginative costumes—with ornate beads, feathers and fringe. Zany Tumble Monkeys fling from the high bar, rings, and trapeze. A fire dancer twirls his torch with fire flaming from both ends. And audio-animatronic characters perform on enormous moving stages. Between theatrics, Timon leads everyone in, “Hakuna Matata.” Scar sings,"Be Prepared." And while Simba struggles to take his rightful place as ruler over the Pride Lands, feel your emotions swell to songs such as “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”, “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King” and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” The spectacular finale includes a heart-stirring rendition of “Circle of Life". It’s a fast moving show that gets you cheering and when it’s over—you’ll feel like one of the tribe!
This show did not appeal to me. Perhaps it is that the Lion King has never been in my top 10 favorite list. But one thing that ceaselessly amazed me at Disney was the great attention to detail in everything. That even when a show theme was not my top interests there was so much perfect talent that went into every part it held my attention.
Hotel House Swimming
The pedometer reading of the day was...
The day in review:
Character Greetings:
Pocahontas (Discovery Island)
Goofy & Pluto (Dinoland)
Flik ( Discovery Island)
Attractions:
Tree of Life (Discovery Island)
It's tough To Be a Bug (Discovery Island)
DINOSAUR (Dinoland) (Mike, Myself, Sue, Cayman, Cassady)
TriceraTop Spin (Dinoland) (Mike, Kobe, Cassady)
Primeval Whirl (Dinoland) (Sue, Myself, and Cayman)
Expedition Everest (Asia) (Mike, Sue, Kobe)
Finding Nemo the Musical (Dinoland)
Kilimanjaro Safaris (Africa)
Festival of the Lion King (Africa)
