Tragedy & Triumph: Beth’s Trip Report – Day 4: Wes Palm = WONDERFUL About This Page:

[bfth]

Friday, September 7th

Friday already? Time flies! And the rain falls. Another overcast day with rain predicted (this is more than a pattern right now).

We have yet to be to Animal Kingdom and this was the day. I was up at quarter to seven. I knew that AK opened at 8 and I wanted to be there pretty early so we could spend some time there before heading over to AKL for breakfast at Boma.

This was the only time I had a “problem” with the bus system. We had a long wait for the bus to AK. (Plenty of other buses came for other parks, but AK bus didn’t show). When the bus finally did arrive there were a lot of people who wanted to get on. The bus was completely filled as we pulled out of the Wilderness Lodge. Yet the bus had 2 more stops to make before heading for AK – Poly and GF. A couple of people got on at both, all of who had to stand. I would have hoped for a better bus experience staying at a Deluxe resort.

We arrived at AK shortly after the park had opened. We immediately went to the Safari. We didn’t run, we didn’t even walk that quickly. We just had a destination in mind and went.

This was definitely the best safari I had ever been on. I have never seen so many animals out. I have never been disappointed with the safari because there has always been plenty to see. But this time there was REALLY a lot to sees. Elephants, Rhinos, Lions – you name it! We saw it! And pretty close by! I was clicking away (and hoping that something came out. I still have a few rolls of film waiting to be developed). It was probably one of the longer safaris I had been on as well, just because there was so much wildlife to see. I was not complaining!

After the safari I wanted to walk the Pagani Gorilla Trail. And I’m glad I did. The gorillas were very close. The guide even said that it was rare that the gorillas got that close to the glass and urged us to keep our voices down and speak in a soothing manner. There was a male practically up against the glass on the left, while towards the right (and not too far back) there was a mother and child. The child was playing on the trees and I swear the mother was giving him a look that said, “Just what do you think you’re doing! Get down from there. You’re going to get hurt young man!”

After spending some time on the trail we headed over to Dinoland. We rode Dinosaur without any wait whatsoever. I really like this one, despite the fact that it was so bumpy. I was considering going back again, but we thought we should be heading towards the bus stop. I did notice quite a lot of construction going on in Dinoland. Hopefully they’ll be opening all of those attractions soon.

On our way out of the park, I noticed this palm tree that was talking to a group. Well, you know what a goof ball I am (just see my report on the Living Statue in Epcot) and since I had missed my chance to chat with a talking trashcan, I made sure I went up and spoke to the tree. Well, his name was Wes, full name, Wes Palm. And his answer to everything was WONDERFUL (said in a high pitch with the emphasis on WON). He had me put my arm around him and walk toward the park entrance to make my husband jealous. (Husband was not jealous. Husband was mildly amused. I was annoyed because I had the camera in my bag and you know I would have loved a photo of me and my buddy Wes). After talking to Wes for about 5 minutes, I gave him a requested hug (it’s not easy when there’s this big pot at his base) and wandered off to get Steve (although I did go back and take a photo of Wes and another “girlfriend&#8221 [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img].

Steve and I head over to the bus stop. It was obvious that they were training a new dispatcher. There were lots of drivers waiting around, but it didn’t seem like a lot of buses were coming in. I could hear a supervisor explaining the system to the trainee a bit. So we had to wait and wait and wait (and the Lodge is only a few minutes away).

Finally a bus pulls up (probably after about 20 minutes) and we’re off to AKL. There’s still some time to wander around the Marketplace (where I finally get an AKL shirt – when we were there in May they didn’t have much. Only SM and XXL.).

We go to Boma and are seated immediately. Unfortunately, our waitress was not very attentive. We must have been sitting there for 10 minutes before she finally came over (she’d been talking to another couple. I wasn’t even sure she was our waitress because she saw us sit down, but didn’t make any attempt to come over to us. She just kept talking). Breakfast was good, but unfortunately, not as good as it was during our last stay. She took quite some time in getting the coffee (the yummy pressed pot – our first time in Boma the waiter brought it, told us to let it steep for 5 minutes and then came back and pressed and poured it for us. It was a nice touch but was not repeated this time). And she took even longer in getting the chef. I was really hungry and Steve was already eating and I was waiting and waiting. Finally, I got a nice chef (from Ireland?!?) who was going to get me toast and bacon (but I ended up with bacon and a over toasted bagel). The fruit at the buffet was still delicious (I even snagged an apple for a snack later – I probably should have snagged more) and the frunch is still yummy. It just wasn’t as great as an experience as our first time back in May.

After breakfast we were debating on what to do. I wanted to wander around the hotel, but it was now the hottest part of the day and I doubted as if we’d see many animals. Since we were coming back on Sunday for dinner at Jiko, I decided not to do that. We could go back to AK, but Steve wasn’t feeling up to that and besides we had plenty of time to come back (little did we know with all the rain and tragedies that went on, we would not get back to AK again [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] ). The easiest thing seemed to be to take the first bus to one of the parks and then head back to our hotel for a rest.

First available bus was for MK. It’s an easy boat ride from MK to WL. But once we got to the MK bus stop, I was seriously thinking about going in. I had been told by a friend who often works in the afternoon parade where a good viewing spot was. The parade hadn’t been happening due to rain for the past few days, the parade would be changing over in just 12 days and my friend, Rob, was supposed to be in the parade that afternoon (and I was thinking we might meet up afterwards – we didn’t. L), I thought I might go into MK for a while. Whether I stayed for the parade or not remained to be seen. But I told Steve I would be back to the hotel by 5 at the latest (it was noon time then) and we parted ways (which we don’t do too often in WDW – but it is something that we always tell each other we can do. Just because we’re married we don’t have to be attached at the hip and each of us can take time to do whatever we want).

So Steve headed back to the hotel to rest (and spend some time at the pool as I later found out) and I went into MK. I decided that I wasn’t going to do anything specific. I was going to wander around MK and just enjoy the sights and perhaps do things that I wouldn’t normally do.

And that’s exactly how I spent the entire afternoon. I slowly wandered down Main Street, stopping to listen to The Dapper Dans. I headed over to Casey’s Coke Corner and listened to the piano. I went to the WDW Railroad Station and took the train all the way around the park. Then walked down Main Street again, just taking in all the sights. Said hello to the Mayor. Went back towards Toontown (I hadn’t been to Toontown since our honeymoon in 1996 when we wanted to get a photo with Mickey and this was the only way we knew how to do it). Stopped at the Tea Cups, which I had never ridden. No real line. No reason NOT to ride. So I do – although I have difficulty turning the wheel and making the cup spin (NOT that I wanted it to spin all that much any way). Continued on to Toontown. Saw Goofy’s Barnstormer. A short line of 5 minutes or less, so I decide to give it a go. Quick and fun.

Was going to do Mickey’s house, but the line was way too long. Then I went into the big shop there where there is also a character met and greet. Somehow, I ended up in line (I’m really not that sure how). I got a photo with Goofy and made my way out.

Back out of Toontown and into Tomorrowland for a refreshing ride on the TTA. (I’m always hoping that Space Mountain will break down while I’m on the TTA and that they’ll turn on the lights so that I can see inside. It hasn’t happened yet! [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] ).

Left Tomorrowland and headed towards Adventureland. Aladdin’s Magic Carpets seemed to be calling. Since it hadn’t been opened when we were last there, I can’t pass this up. There’s less than a 5 minute wait before I’m on my very own carpet (for a few moments I had the fear that a dad and child were going to share a carpet with me. I wouldn’t have minded, but the little girl was terrified and screaming and dad didn’t want to get off the ride. That would not have been a pleasant first ride on the Magic Carpets. Luckily, they did decide to get off before the ride got under way). Loved the spitting Camel. Although this is your standard Hub and Spoke type ride, I thought it was very well done.

Get off the ride and see the Genie standing there. No line. Photo op! Love the Genie (just think his head should be bigger). I also saw a new “character” in the area, if you can call him that. There is a CM dressed like a tourist – with a wild shirt and a vest and shorts. And he has this hat with a parrot on it (not a real parrot). He’s loud and obnoxious (like his garb), but he’s also pretty funny. And I’m sure plenty of people think he’s really a tourist and not a CM!

Over to PotC. Always a cool ride.

By now it was about 20 to 3 and I decide I better get to my viewing spot, which is near the end of the parade route. I sit down and to pass the time, write notes in my Passporter (I’ve been very good about carrying pages along and making notes as the day goes by. I would be very diligent about this until 9/11 when I stopped feeling like writing).

Had a wonderful view of the parade. And took a few photos (since when I saw the parade in May, my camera jammed up. This would happen again on this trip. I guess it is really time for a new camera. Maybe one that will help me take better photos. Cause I love taking pictures, but I’m not always so good at it. Any suggestions from fellow Passporters with better photo taking tips and camera suggestions would be appreciated. Just email me!).

Didn’t get on the boat back to the WL until nearly 4 PM. I was sitting right in the front and as we were getting closer to the hotel, the geyser was going off. I took some more photos from the boat. It was really quite windy. And the geyser’s water was spraying all over the pool area – all the way to the back! I tried to stay out of the water path as I made my way to the hotel.

Back in the room I find Steve taking a nap (after a nice swim at the pool. I wish I could have hung out at the pool with him, but I am also glad that I had time to myself in MK. One of those times when I wish I could have been in 2 places at once. But in WDW I wish I could be in 10 places at once!).

Freshened up a bit before heading out again for dinner. We took the boat (in the rain) over to the Contemporary and then grabbed the monorail to the Poly for dinner at the under-rated and ALWAYS delicious Kona Café. The menu has changed a bit (once again) and they seem to be drifting away from South Seas cuisine and more into Asian. Maybe a little less exotic. I still had some great fish though. And I can’t remember what Steve had (I think it was shrimp with some incredible sauce), but I do remember that he loved it (I don’t think we’ve ever had a bad meal there.). We are always happy and full when we walk away from the Kona (especially since I had another “Bailey’s coffee” to end my meal). And the price is very reasonable. Now that I’ve raved, don’t tell anyone, ok? Cause it’s a wonderful secret.

Since we had missed Fantasmic the night before, I kind of wanted to see it tonight. But once again it is raining. And this time Steve refuses to sit in the rain too see (or not see) anything. What to do? MK closes early for Night of Joy (an event that from what I overheard CMs dread. Apparently these kids go wild. And it gets worse than Grad Nights. At least that was what I was hearing). There was always Epcot. But what we decided to do instead was go to Downtown Disney and do some shopping. I’m always ready to shop.

Due to the rain, we pretty much just stayed in World of Disney. Which was pretty crowded. I picked up a few things (gifts to bring back home). I always try to buy a lot here because I get the discount. Of course not everything that you see in the parks is here. So you need to see what you want, then go to WoD and then go back to the parks to get the stuff you can’t get there. I guess WoD is best to do in the middle of your trek (which is pretty much what we did).

WoD was getting really crowded, so we decided to head over to the Art of Disney to check out the posters. We had seen several new ride/attraction posters had come out (we have Potc and HM). Five to be exact. And yes, we want them all. But financially that is not possible now (especially since we’ll have to get them framed). After much debate, I tell Steve he should pick two. Which leads to more debate over what to get. In the end he chooses Splash Mountain and WDW Rail Road (leaving behind Big Thunder, Tea Cups and IASW for another trip). He has them shipped home so they will get there just about the same time we will (or so we think)

We step outside and find that the rain has now completely stopped (figures). But it’s after nine. And Downtown Disney is packed. (Well it was a Friday night – I always lose track of the days when I am there). We didn’t want to go to Pleasure Island on such a crowded night. Besides my schedule had us returning to PI on Wednesday night.

So we head back to the hotel and decide to don our bathing suits and go down to the hot tub. The only problem is that everyone else has the same idea and both tubs are packed. We manage to squeeze into one, but to be honest it wasn’t that hot. I kept my eye on the other tub and hoping that someone would get out (after all you’re only supposed to be in there for 15 minutes – according to the sign). No one did for quite a while. And it was packed with families, which surprised me. I know this is WDW, but hot tubs aren’t really for kids and it was nearly 11.

We eventually did make it to the other hot tub, which was actually hot. But we didn’t stay that long. There were too many people and too many wild kids (you don’t JUMP and SPLASH in the hot tub. At least that’s what I was taught).

We get to bed around midnight. It probably would have been better to gone to sleep when we got back from DD as we had an early morning at Epcot the next day, with the Undiscovered Future World Tour. But, the lure of a hot tub, is hard to deny. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[mikki]

Great reports Beth! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] thanks for not keeping us waiting... [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Now I can't wait to hear how you enjoyed Undiscovered Future World [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[maggy_1]

Great report can wait [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] to read more

Chantal [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[CU Tigger]

Beth,

I just read your reports from Days 3 & 4. I can't wait for the rest of the trip! I had no idea that Legend of the Lion King was closing. I'll do it in Oct. for sure now. I hope it won't close before then.

I'm able to keep my sense of humor in the rain for a few hours, maybe an entire morning or afternoon, but you and Steve really showed some awesome patience throughout all the rain so far!

Where is this viewing spot for the parade? Will it still be a good spot to view the new parade? How early do you suggest staking out a spot?

I'm looking forward to Day 5! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]