We Can Fly, We Can Fly, We Can Fly......We Flew Trip Report - Page 13 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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After Nemo, it took some convincing but I finally got Abby and Lenny to agree and try EE. I promised them after riding it, I wouldn’t ask them to go on it again if they didn’t like it. Neither one was convinced they’d like it or even do well on it but they agreed. We went on it, we all survived (barely according to Lenny ) and I have the picture to prove it on our Photopass. And while waiting in line to get the photo, someone said my name. It was Beth (Hstrygrl) and we talked while waiting in line to get our photos. The conversation just flows well - mostly Disney - but it’s always like seeing an old friend whenever I’ve met fellow PPer’s. While talking with her, she told me that we wouldn’t be seeing her at GG Thursday night. They would be having dinner with her Uncle that they hadn’t seen in years instead of eating in Epcot. Even though it wasn’t when we had planned on, I was happy that we still got to meet anyway. It’s always great to put a face to a screen name.
After we went our separate ways, we went to Kali River Rapids. Abby was finally ready to ride it. When we got to the part where the wheelchairs go, the CM asked Lenny if he’d be able to walk on a moving platform and he said yes. Since he hasn’t gone from that point (where wheelchairs turn) to the platform (like Abby and I have), I spoke up for him and told the CM he can walk on it, but he wouldn’t be able to walk to if from where we were. She then let us down the wheelchair ramp to wait. This time, even in the shade it was hot and uncomfortable so it was kind of hard to wait our turn but wait we had to.
We finally boarded with another family and one of the other family members actually asked the CM "if no one is waiting when we came back can we stay on for a second ride?" We all kind of looked at the CM and he answered "if no one is here, I’d be okay with that happening." We went off on the ride and Lenny, Abby and I are the ones the went down the ramp first. That water felt so good that day. The other family didn’t get as wet and I felt kind of bad for them. They did get hit with some of the other water, but not like us.
When we got back to the platform, a different CM came up to us and said since no one was waiting, if we wanted we could go a second time. We were all happy about that and said yes. The second time the same thing happened. Lenny, Abby and I got soaked again but it still felt really good to be cool. Going back, we joked with the other family that maybe we could go a third time so they could get soaked. They hoped so but when we got to the platform the second time, there were people waiting so we had to get off. We were happy with the two rides we had (who wouldn’t be happy with getting wet twice?) and had no problems getting off. It was actually good timing too if you ask me because by the time we crossed the bridge over the river, we heard it thundering.
It was mid afternoon by this time and even though we didn’t want lunch, we were kind of hungry so I stopped and got us some Mickey Pretzels and sodas. After eating those we headed to Camp Minnie Mickey for FOLK and on the way there, it finally started to rain . We didn’t have to wait too long in it before the doors opened for the show. Every time we’ve seen this show, we’ve been in the Elephant section but not this time, we finally were seated in the Giraffe section - not that it really matters where you sit. I don’t think there’s a bad seat in the house. I still prefer Nemo over this show but it was good to be out of the heat, humidity and rain.
When the show ended and we left, the rain had stopped and because the character greeting trails were closed, most everyone left the area.
We didn’t only because Lenny and Abby needed the bathrooms. By the time they came out thought, the character greeting trails were opening. We were second in line for Donald because Abby wanted to get his autograph. After Donald, I asked Abby about Chip and Dale and she said she didn’t want to get in line as she would see them the next night at GG. I was okay with that then Lenny pointed out the very obvious "Abby, if you get in line with them, you’ll get them both in one pictures instead of by themselves." Oh yeah. I didn’t give Abby any choice at all, I told her we had to get in line for them. Maybe because she liked what her dad said (both together) or maybe because since no one was in the area, the line was extremely short (maybe 3 or 4 families in front of us) but whatever the reason, Abby couldn’t wait to get in line for them. They are so funny - we had really good interaction with them and when the handler mentioned they didn’t have hats, I took mine off and said they could borrow mine. Dale took Lenny’s from him and proceeded to put it on his nose instead of his head. With some help (from Abby I believe) the hats got put in the right places and we got a picture with them like that as well.
After Chip and Dale, I stopped to see who was in the third trail and it was King Louie and Baloo from Jungle Book but Abby’s never seen the movie and I personally have no interest in those characters so we walked past and left Camp Minnie Mickey. By the time we got to the entrance to the land, it had started to rain again and it was coming down pretty good . It was also lightning out too as at least one CM asked us to be careful with the umbrellas while it was lightning out . Abby didn’t let the rain bother her for a change and told us she wanted to do ITTBAB. I still don’t like this show but I’ll do it for Lenny and Abby. Especially since it was an indoor attraction and it would get us out of the rain for a few minutes. Like in the past for us, there was no line and we could walk right in for it. It was still pouring out when we came out of the show and Abby decided she wanted to leave even though it was only 5 pm and go to dinner.
The only part of the park we hadn’t done that day was Dinoland and at that time, I knew all of it would have been closed down due to the storm. I felt bad for Abby because I know she likes Primeval Whirl and Triceratop Spin but she was purposely avoiding that area. She wasn’t happy at home when I told her she might be denied entrance into the Boneyard so she thought she might be too big/old for ALL of Dinoland - and she told me that on the way out of AK. I told her no, she’s not too big or too old for Primeval Whirl or Triceratop Spin. I also went on to tell her that I had planned on talking to a CM to see if maybe they’d make an exception for her. When given the option to return to AK the next morning (since there was no point in staying with the storm - most things would have been closed), Abby told me no, she didn’t feel like doing Dinoland this year. Again, I felt bad but Abby made the choice, I was more than willing to go back since we get hopper passes.
Once we got the scooter in the car, Lenny wanted to go back to the resort to change before dinner. My plans had us going to Mara at AKL that night and Lenny didn’t want to sit in a air conditioned restaurant with wet clothes. Abby and I were just as wet but we wanted to go just the way we were. The pretzels we had tied us over for a little while but we were hungry. Plus when I pointed out if we didn’t go right there, we might not go at all, Lenny agreed and off to AKL we went. We did Valet parking but asked for a wheelchair for Lenny to use because I knew he’d have difficulty walking from the front entrance to the restaurant (remember, I’d been here already another trip for pennies). Valet was able to get us one and downstairs we went. Lenny got a rotisserie chicken and Abby and I got nuggets for dinner. I laughed because we can get nuggets anywhere but it is what we felt like that night. We also got a Chef Salad that we split three ways
As for the restaurant itself, we liked how it was laid out and how someone took your order. It was nice to place our order and not have to wait in line - not that there was a line anyway. There was only one family ahead of us. And by the time I got to the register to pay (as we stopped to look in the coolers at the other offerings), the pager was going off. Lenny liked the fact that the CM taking the orders was able to speak fluent Spanish to the family in front of us but speak fluent English to us. We were also able to use our mugs here without a problem. They had the rapid refill machines but the screens didn’t say anything so they obviously weren’t fully functional yet.
After dinner we did a tour of the resort. We went to a couple of the savannas that were open to the public and really enjoyed it. It had stopped raining but the Arusha Savanna (I believe that was the one) was still closed for viewing due to the storm.
Details on the bathroom doors that were by the pool.
The pool was closed but this duck just didn’t care - he still went for a swim
Hidden Mickey or a heart in the carpet design. You decide.
We were kind of bummed about that but I guess it’s a good reason to return if we ever make it back to Disney. Lenny was just amazed by everything and was glad I had suggested eating dinner there and doing some touring afterwards. We went back to valet, returned the wheelchair, and were back at ASMu by 7:30 that night. We were all tired and Abby was in bed by 8:15 and Lenny and I were asleep by 10.
I am another one who could fall asleep on a lazy river (if the kids would ever let me!)
I have always had a hard time with wave pools - sometimes I enjoy them, but especially when the kids were little they were more frightening than anything else and I found it hard to keep close to the kids. We had a waterpark open up near our home recently, and a lifeguard told me the trick - You need to be a little deeper - it's actually easier to stay on top of things and keep track of the kids. My problem was that I was always trying to keep the kids in where it was more shallow thinking it would be safer there... There is actually a painted mark on the wave pool that shows the sweet spot here. We are planning a trip next fall to WDW and plan to hit a waterpark so I'll see if they have done the same thing.
I don't know that Disney has any kind of marks showing where it's "safer" to stand. I do know most people do go out where it is deeper but I just don't enjoy the wave pools that much (and I can't swim so I don't go too far). I like the pool aspect of them but I kind of wish just once they'd leave it at that and not add the waves. When you go to Disney, you'll have to come home and let us know though if Disney does have that spot or not.
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After Nemo, it took some convincing but I finally got Abby and Lenny to agree and try EE. I promised them after riding it, I wouldn’t ask them to go on it again if they didn’t like it. Neither one was convinced they’d like it or even do well on it but they agreed. We went on it, we all survived (barely according to Lenny ) and I have the picture to prove it on our Photopass............
Best. Smilie. EVER!!!!!
And Abby -- you are a wonderful photographer!! GREAT pictures you got at AK!
You guys had some great character interaction that day! Isn't it amazing how much and how well they can communicate without words?! Our family had a HYSTERICAL meet with The Incredibles at DHS on our last trip (sparked by my son wearing a t-shirt with an image of "Syndrome" on it....!).
Abby got some great pictures. Good going Abby!!! AK is my least favorite park, but the last time I went I did like it a little better. I always found it very hot and did not have much shade. FOLK if my favorite show, but I do like the Nemo one also. I agree with Lenny about the Safari ride. It's really hard to get pictures with the truck bouncing all over the place andnot stopping very long for pictures.
I think I would like to stay at AK sometime and hopefully get a room with a Savannah view. It would be pretty cool to sit out on the balcony and watch the animals go by.
I've had a bad week that included 2 trips to the ER for what has turned out to be a very stubborn migraine (luckily nothing worse than that!). I'm pissy and have cabin fever. Lo and behold I stumble upon your latest TR, Darlene! THANK YOU!!! I needed that today!
You covered AK pretty well! I guess it helped that Abby decided against Dinoland. Abby's photos from the safari are wonderful! Mine are always just a blur on that ride. The photo of Mickey on the scooter is just great!
And Abby -- you are a wonderful photographer!! GREAT pictures you got at AK!
You guys had some great character interaction that day! Isn't it amazing how much and how well they can communicate without words?! Our family had a HYSTERICAL meet with The Incredibles at DHS on our last trip (sparked by my son wearing a t-shirt with an image of "Syndrome" on it....!).
Loved these updates!
Is it amazing how the characters can communicate so much without uttering a word. Mickey was definitely the highlight of the meal after the "scooter incident." As for Abby and photography, I'm not sure where she gets it but she wants to work for Disney and be a Photopass Photographer. And that smilie? I found it in someone else's thread so I can't take the credit for it but it is so fitting for Lenny and riding EE.
Quote:
Originally Posted by omd
Abby got some great pictures. Good going Abby!!! AK is my least favorite park, but the last time I went I did like it a little better. I always found it very hot and did not have much shade. FOLK if my favorite show, but I do like the Nemo one also. I agree with Lenny about the Safari ride. It's really hard to get pictures with the truck bouncing all over the place andnot stopping very long for pictures.
I think I would like to stay at AK sometime and hopefully get a room with a Savannah view. It would be pretty cool to sit out on the balcony and watch the animals go by.
I don't know how she does it Olive but now I just hand over the camera to her on the Safari ride and let her take the pictures. We too would like to stay at AK and have a balcony room but it's just so expensive for us so the next best thing is exploring the resort, which Lenny wants to do again. Hopefully next time there'll be no rain involved
Quote:
Originally Posted by PAmommy
I've had a bad week that included 2 trips to the ER for what has turned out to be a very stubborn migraine (luckily nothing worse than that!). I'm pissy and have cabin fever. Lo and behold I stumble upon your latest TR, Darlene! THANK YOU!!! I needed that today!
I'm sorry to hear about your ER visits but I am so glad you found my TR and it's helped you feel better today. I'll be posting some Photopass photos tonight so make sure you come back for them. I'm also trying to get my TR posted so it doesn't drag out so it won't be too long before the next update either.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
You covered AK pretty well! I guess it helped that Abby decided against Dinoland. Abby's photos from the safari are wonderful! Mine are always just a blur on that ride. The photo of Mickey on the scooter is just great!
We usually do as we like AK. The park does get really hot but the way we work it is to go for an early breakfast and then we stay until pretty much park closing (typically 7 or 8 pm). Between the rain and no Dinoland, we had a "short" AK day because we left about 5. My photos in the past (and a lot of Lenny's from this year) were all blurry but I have no idea what Abby's secret is. If I ever find out, I'll share it with everyone. Mickey was so funny on the scooter. I just had to take the picture because I know every time I see it, it's going to bring a smile to my face.
Here are some of our Photopass Photos taken to correspond to my posted days:
Does anyone have any idea what this is? At first I thought it was maybe something to do with the mine train but it keeps getting grouped with my BB photos. Is it that tunnel we went through that was too dark to see anything inside?
What a great day at AK! I loved all the safari photos, what a photographer Abby is. Your interaction with Mickey was hilarious as well as chip and dale. Alex actually keeps pointing to pictures of EE (loved the smile you used for that btw) and saying "wanna go?". We've watched a ride video on YouTube and he seems interested in it so maybe he will tackle the Yeti this year if he's tall enough. Looking forward to more!
First, I really love all the PhotoPass Pictures, many wonderful memories. for Abby and Lenny getting on EE ride. I love that ride. Happy to see Abby having a good old time with Chip & Dale!!!! AK is our favorite park, and you all got lots done in 1 day!! Yes, I agree with Lenny with the drivers taking the pictures!!! I know with the heat in August Kali River Rapids had to be a super great ride. We are so silly, we wear our Ponchos. Well another wonderful post.
So, there is a height or age restriction for the Boneyard?? This is the first I'm hearing of it.... The boneyard is my 11 year olds absolute favorite thing in all of Animal Kingdom.... This past Christmas we all went in the boneyard and all of my children (including the 6'1 teenager) played and no one said a word to us.....
What a great time at Tusker House and that interaction with Mickey was priceless. Great job on the safari pictures, Abby! You all had one of my favorite Disney lunches, a Mickey pretzel and soda. You all got so lucky to ride KRR twice in a row. The interaction when Chip and Dale are together is fabulous. Great idea to eat at Mara and explore AKL.
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You all had one of my favorite Disney lunches, a Mickey pretzel and soda. 
You all got so lucky to ride KRR twice in a row. The interaction when Chip and Dale are together is fabulous. Great idea to eat at Mara and explore AKL.
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