The "Aren't you glad I booked the room?" TR About This Page:

[MayraLR]

What a great Epcot day! So glad Abby did so well with the lines.

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by cattailmarsh

Seemed like a very long busy day again. Can't believe how well Abby has adjusted to these long Disney days. I absolutely loved those pics with Baymax. Sorry the pennies seem to be a thing of the past for your family. I really like the idea of this simple collectible. Seems like while the Frozen ride is good it is not great, glad to hear another review. Shame that after all the time no fuss it is a once and done kind of a ride. Good job getting all that laundry done in a timely fashion and without losing any sleep.

They're all long, busy days. That is one thing that hasn't changed in all these years we've been going and yes, Abby does do quite well with them. Even Lenny did well with them this year. Abby really loved Baymax and she really didn't want to leave him, she just wanted to stay with him. It's okay on the pennies. There aren't that many to get anymore anyway (I wonder why ). After having been on Frozen several times now, I don't know that I can say good anymore - I think it's more in the "it's okay" category but definitely a once and done leaning towards if you miss it, oh well. It was really nice getting the laundry done at night instead of having to get up early. It's been a few years since I've done it at night.

Originally Posted by elisa1006

So proud how Abby not only handled the waits but asked to get in the lines. She's doing so well!!

I also use the suitcase to transport laundry. Makes it so easy!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

We too are proud of her and how well she does with things now. Too bad it doesn't always translate to here at home Yes, the suitcases make it so much easier.

Originally Posted by Cam22

Great photos this day of Abby with all the characters, but I especially love the shots of her with Baymax. She so clearly loves him! It's great she is doing so well in long lines, too!

Thanks Cam. She really was cute with Baymax but each time she did spend a few minutes with him and it was like pulling teeth to get her to leave him. Yes, she did really well with the lines this year too - to the point sometimes when I asked if she wanted me to get a DAS for something she did not want me to - she wanted to wait. Most weren't outrageous waits anyway but she still said she'd wait in the normal line.

Originally Posted by xwewhisper

I'm surprised to hear of such a short wait for baymax but I'm glad you got to meet him twice! He does give amazing hugs . Another full and fabulous day!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Maci. I was surprised too at the short waits, I expected longer but maybe everyone was getting in line for Joy and Sadness instead. It was another fabulous day for us.

Originally Posted by NanaTink

Another great day! How cool is Baymax? I can't wait to take the littles to see him!

Thanks, it was. Baymax is very cool - and huggable. I hope they enjoy seeing him as much as Abby did.

Originally Posted by LegoMom

Adorable video of Abby giving the fist pump to Baymax! Love it. I didn't realize he was in Epcot for M&G; I'll have to look him up. Looks like I'm in for a long wait for Joy & Sadness (those are "must meets" for me!).

I'm with you on the churros. Read so many rave reviews about them. I came away from the experience feeling very "meh."

Seems like a great day in Epcot!

.

Thanks. She absolutely loved being able to give him a fist bump - and hugs too of course. He is in Epcot across from the Mickey, Minnie and Goofy M&G at the Character Spot. He's been there a little while but I don't remember exactly when he started there. Yes, it's best to expect the long waits for Joy and Sadness because the line can and does build quickly but it's fun interaction so worth it IMO.

Everyone likes different things - some people like Churros, some people like Mickey Bars, some people like the rice krispie treats. While all three are things I can and will eat, none of them are a "must eat" at Disney treat. If I feel like it, I'll eat it, if I don't I won't get it just because I can, KWIM?

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by B.M.

Great day at Epcot!!

I also do laundry at Disney-- I need to get that app!!

Thanks, it was. The app is Laundryview. I got it last year though so I don't remember the specifics for having it set to Disney World.

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Another great day with lots of characters! Love the pictures!! Sorry we missed you at FEA. We were just about to load into the lines for the boat when I saw you guys turn into the main room! . We found Epcot to be rather quiet this day which was nice! Looking forward to more!

Thanks Marnie. It was another great day and when we went to Frozen to use our fastpass, I was wondering if you were there or if you had ridden already. It would have been great to meet you and I too am sorry we missed each other. Now that you mention it, you're right. Epcot was on the quiet side but I think it always seems that way anyway because it's so big.

Originally Posted by Luvsun

Another great day - long day, but great!
I am glad that Abby is doing well with waiting in line!
Love all of the fun pics! You can certainly tell that Abby loves Baymax!! Very cute pics from her visit with him!
So sorry you didn't get much snacking around the world done!
And what happened to your Test Track ride? You must have decided not to do that!
Now about that laundry app.....is it just for certain resorts? Where did you find it?

Thanks Ann - it was both long and great and not to mention fun. Yes, Abby really does love Baymax. She has a plush of him that went on vacation with us too for her to hug at night in bed. We were okay with the lack of snacking around the world. It was August and it was hot. Plus we'd had a good breakfast at Akershus so we really weren't all that hungry. If we had been, the snacking would have gone better but I'm sure our waistlines are thinking us for not doing it.

We did ride Test Track, it was in the last post for the day but somehow or other, we didn't get the photo so I couldn't include it.

The app is Laundryview and it has all the resort and each laundry room (so the All Stars have six rooms to choose from for example). As I said above though, I don't remember all the specifics but it is called Laundryview.

Originally Posted by lindawdw

It sounds like you all had a fabulous day in Epcot with lots of character interactions! Sorry that you never got to see Alice but hopefully you met up with her at another point in your trip! I'm anxious to see the Frozen ride as I was not happy when they closed Maelstrom to make it a Fantasyland type ride. I wish they would have kept it more about the tourism of the country.

We did have a fabulous day with all the characters. I'm not sure what happen to Alice but I'm not saying whether we saw her or not. As much as I like Frozen I have to agree with you, it would have been nice to have something about Tourism in there instead of just the movie but it is what it is. I'm glad we did the ride but when we eventually go back, I'm not sure how many times we'll ride it, if we ride it at all.

Originally Posted by MayraLR

What a great Epcot day! So glad Abby did so well with the lines.

Thanks. It was a great day and we too are glad Abby does well with the lines. Now that she can do the longer lines, I do remind her here and there that once she's in line, she's in line to stay. I will give her a chance to change her mind before we get in line but once we start, there's no turning back so it's good to know that if she willingly gets in line, she's willing to wait it out.

[lovewdw2]

I LOVE the pictures of the WHOLE family! Darlene you look Fabulous!

I know everyone has different ways of touring... BUT there must be something Magical for your Family! Not only do go to bed late but you get up so early then spend a long time in ONE park! I try to sleep until 7am then yes, I do take a break... maybe back to the room or go to a resort to eat lunch or visit, then depending on where dinner is I go back to a different park.... but I usually crash early enough to get back by 9pm or later if I am waiting for fireworks. But if I stay later than I adjust my break or maybe I do go back to my room to rest my weary legs...LOL

I know I could not do your touring..... I would be melting by lunch time. So yeah Darlene you have Special Stamina.....LOL

I am so proud that all you are trying new snacks... churros! Both my sons each had one in Disneyland...so it was funny to remember that... too bad you didn't get to try something in Morocco or France... Abby would have liked the ice cream in France! Yum!

I am just amazed by Abby! Such patience and seeing the joy in her face.
I have to remember to have Patience too....lol

[clio]

I'm glad Abby got to see Baymax and had such a good visit with him.
You guys really do a lot in one day. When it's just my daughter and me we get more done than when we 're with her husband. He just doesn't move as fast as us. I wasn't that impressed with the Frozen ride. We practically walked on due to rain and a late start to Illuminations. It just seemed to be missing something.
I love seeing all the pictures of Abby with the characters.
Liz

[SharonK0527]

Wonderful pictures of Abby with Baymax! We got to meet him last year when he was still at the Studios and he's so cute Glad to hear how well Abby is doing with the long lines - she's such a trooper!

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by lovewdw2

I LOVE the pictures of the WHOLE family! Darlene you look Fabulous!

I know everyone has different ways of touring... BUT there must be something Magical for your Family! Not only do go to bed late but you get up so early then spend a long time in ONE park! I try to sleep until 7am then yes, I do take a break... maybe back to the room or go to a resort to eat lunch or visit, then depending on where dinner is I go back to a different park.... but I usually crash early enough to get back by 9pm or later if I am waiting for fireworks. But if I stay later than I adjust my break or maybe I do go back to my room to rest my weary legs...LOL

I know I could not do your touring..... I would be melting by lunch time. So yeah Darlene you have Special Stamina.....LOL

I am so proud that all you are trying new snacks... churros! Both my sons each had one in Disneyland...so it was funny to remember that... too bad you didn't get to try something in Morocco or France... Abby would have liked the ice cream in France! Yum!

I am just amazed by Abby! Such patience and seeing the joy in her face.
I have to remember to have Patience too....lol

Thanks Kate. I don't think I look fabulous but thank you for the compliment. Let's just say it's Disney Magic when it comes to our touring. That seems to be the only thing that really makes sense as even though I'm up early every day at home (not by choice though) I don't do nearly so much at home as I do at Disney. At least it doesn't seem like it but I may - it's just not nearly so much fun . We tried for new snacks - it just didn't work out. Abby did mention she wanted the ice cream in France but I try to be careful as milk products don't agree with her when it's hot out. I can't tell you how many times she's gotten sick here at home from having milk or ice cream and then going out into the heat. Something here and there is okay but we don't make a habit of it as it's just not pleasant.

Abby is patient when she wants to be - and at Disney is when she wants to be. I'm sure we could all take a lesson from her - me included - but yeah, she does awesome now with waiting. I'm proud of her and how she has grown.

Originally Posted by clio

I'm glad Abby got to see Baymax and had such a good visit with him.
You guys really do a lot in one day. When it's just my daughter and me we get more done than when we 're with her husband. He just doesn't move as fast as us. I wasn't that impressed with the Frozen ride. We practically walked on due to rain and a late start to Illuminations. It just seemed to be missing something.
I love seeing all the pictures of Abby with the characters.
Liz

Thanks Liz. I'm glad Abby had such a good time with Baymax too. We were all really bummed out when his M&G at the Studios closed just a couple of weeks before our trip. When Abby heard he was in Epcot, I knew she would want to meet him and she was so happy she was able to. We do end up doing a lot but we don't rush - not that we really could anyway with Lenny in a scooter - but with this being his 9th trip, I'd have to say we're pretty good at getting through the crowds with the scooter. I don't know if Frozen is missing one something or a lot of somethings but it's there and I'm glad we rode it.

[wheezie]

I love the video of Abby giving Baymax a fist bump!

I'm sad to read this might be the last trip for pennies. They have been such a huge part of your trips. But, kids grow up and change-I understand. My two love pin trading too.

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by SharonK0527

Wonderful pictures of Abby with Baymax! We got to meet him last year when he was still at the Studios and he's so cute Glad to hear how well Abby is doing with the long lines - she's such a trooper!

Thanks. He is cute - and very huggable. Not that I know first hand, Abby is the one who met him, but she enjoyed getting to hug him and give him fist bumps so many times. She is a trooper. Disney definitely brings it out in her.

[CinderAbby]

Originally Posted by wheezie

I love the video of Abby giving Baymax a fist bump!

I'm sad to read this might be the last trip for pennies. They have been such a huge part of your trips. But, kids grow up and change-I understand. My two love pin trading too.

Thanks. I knew she would want to do that so I chose to hit record instead of snap a picture. Yes, the pennies have been a big part of our trips. I think I'm addicted to getting them so even if we get them for me, not Abby, they may be part of another trip. I just don't know as I don't know when another trip will be. We'll just have to wait and see.

[CinderAbby]

Thursday morning, the alarm once again went off nice and early at 5:20. I attempted to wake Lenny up at 5:30 but he asked for "10 more minutes." I started getting ready for the day and let him sleep in until 5:45 but then he did get up. I probably woke Abby up then too but I don't have it actually noted. When we were all ready for the day, we left the room at 6:50 for todays park: Animal Kingdom. Staying at AS Music, it takes us next to no time to get to the park because we are so close but just like the previous days, we just took our time with getting the scooter together and everything we wanted with us. We even saw these guys walking through the parking lot. They were Sand Hill Cranes according to the Security guard because sadly yes, I took out the camera and showed him the pictures when we got there.






As we headed towards security and the turnstiles, Abby wanted me to take pictures of these guys as well.




We got through security with no problems but this morning I was asked to walk through the metal detector. Lenny and Abby didn't have to though. We then continued on to the turnstiles and just like at Epcot, there were problems with the technology and no one was let into the park until 8 am. Our first stop was the wheelchair rental and again, no one was there and we kept calling out. Someone finally showed up and then we were on our way to Tusker House for breakfast. Once we checked in, a CM told Lenny he would have to park the scooter and she would show him where. It turns out it was way behind Tusker House and once he transferred to the wheelchair, I had to walk all the way back to the check in desk to get to the patio where we were suppose to wait. I did make mention to at least one CM that what we had to do was totally ridiculous. I said it's fine for people who can walk and take the stairs from there but for people who have to transfer to a wheelchair? Very inconvenient IMO. Of course looking back now, Lenny could have walked to the stairs and I could have met him at the top (it was only two or three steps) but it was early and we were all tired so therefore none of us thought of that. The Photopass picture here has been discontinued so soon after I checked in at the second podium we were taken inside. Today the table was set up with only 3 chairs so even though Lenny transferred to a real chair, we were able to keep the wheelchair at the table with us. Being tired, Lenny couldn't wait to get some coffee into him but as soon as he poured it, he knew something wasn't right and he complained to the server about it - it barely had any color to it and he said it tasted like water. She said she would get him some new coffee and while it was better, he said it seemed as if they weren't letting the entire pot brew before pouring it into the carafes they were leaving on the table. We saw Donald right away and he was followed shortly thereafter by the other three characters. They were so quick in coming that I barely had any time to get something to eat. Once I did though, I don't remember what it was I got. I know we had a good breakfast here and we left happy. Abby didn't even get a chance to do the parade but I don't know if it's because it's not done anymore or if we just left too early for it as we out of there about 8:50.








Usually when we leave Tusker House, we go right to the Safari for an early morning one. With everything we wanted to do today - including a later day safari - we opted not to do it first and go find some characters. We were out of breakfast early enough that we wanted to find Flik who would start meeting at 9 AM. The map showed him as meeting on Discovery Island and I had read something about being near Starbucks but I didn't see him anywhere. I told Abby to keep a lookout and all of a sudden I heard her say "there he is." I was looking forward so I was like "where?" "Behind you mom, he's just coming out." The CM heard that and asked if we wanted to meet him so I said yes. Abby was first in line and had everything ready for Flik. She even pointed out she was wearing purple, just like Princess Atta does in the movie.



When she was done meeting, I asked about where Tarzan would meet as last year, he was down the Tree of Life trails and a pain to find. The CM pointed and said over by those brown rocks. Yeah, that wasn't much help because there were lots of brown rocks around in the area. I walked over to some and pulled out our map and as I was looking, I found the spot that I thought he would meet in but it didn't seem to make sense. We were standing in the area of the otters and as I looked at the map, the character spot was at the head of the path that use to take us to Camp Minnie Mickey. When I looked up from the map, I saw a bunch of brown rocks that the CM meant but in my mind, the path I was looking for wasn't there - it was on the other side of the building so it just didn't compute. Another CM happened by and asked if we needed any help and I told her what we were looking for and she double checked with the first CM and yes, the rocks I was looking at were the ones where we needed to stand. It was only after we went over there and I looked at the map again that it made sense. I thought we were standing in front of Creature Comforts when we were actually standing in front of Pizzafari.

With my confusion cleared up, we still had about 25 minutes to wait since Tarzan wouldn't be out until 9:30. Lenny went to have a cigarette and we stayed in the shade. I commented to her how I liked the new M&G area as it was such a pain to find him before. Abby's answer? "Yeah." About 9:30 we saw him coming but it was funny to see all the people entering the park just rushing by. Either he's not very popular or people didn't realize they were walking right past a character. They had done the same with Flik too as far as I know.

[CinderAbby]

We didn't spend too much time with Tarzan although he had more personality than he did last year. I don't remember the Tarzan we met last year talking at all to Abby, just signing and taking a photo. With the first two M&G's done, we moved onto the next one, Dug and Russell from Up. As soon as we got there, they had to go have a snack but it wasn't long before they came back. The line moved and the CM was starting to let people know they had to go for another snack and that we would be the first in line when they came back to which I replied "okay." Next thing I know, the same CM was asking how many of us and I said just the two of us, but only Abby would be taking a photo. She said she'd try to squeeze us in and I said "thank you but if they have to go, it's okay because we'll wait."

She did squeeze us in and what interaction. Abby gave hugs alright but she also did the Wilderness Explorer Call with the hand gestures and everything. That got Dug and Russell very excited - to the point that when it was time for their snack, Russell took Abby's hand and walked away with her. The CM at that point in time said "mom, you can follow" which of course I did. Lenny saw this happening and asked where we were going. "I don't know, just follow." As we got closer to Dinoland and the CM entrance, Russell stopped and gave Abby a big hug, I'm sad to say following along, I didn't really get any photos but I'm sure you can imagine it - Abby and Russell walking hand in hand.










Since we were so close, we went and got in the line for Pocohantas. Well actually we were the line. We were able to walk the entire length of the pathway all the way down to the M&G spot and we waited until the CM told us where she wanted us to stand. There were like only two or three families in front of us and then I heard the CM radio someone saying "don't send anyone else down." So far we had really lucked out with all the characters this morning. By the time we were done seeing her, it was only 10:10. With the itinerary I made, I didn't have us seeing her until later in the day.




The bathrooms were there on our left as we left the area with Pocohantas so we stopped and when we were done, we went to the M&G area for Baloo and King Louie. It was 10:18 and we were the second family in line. Other people came and didn't know how the line went so they entered the exit instead of the queue but the family in front wasn't shy when it came to telling people where the line was (good for them). Even though in this line you're not close to the water, I did notice there were signs about alligators and snakes but the thing I saw were the snakes in the design of the building and in the photo I snapped of the Tree of Life (snakes, why'd it have to be snakes?)




Abby kept an eye out for the characters and as soon as she saw them, she let me know.




The family in front of us had their time and then it was ours. Abby did a little bit of dancing with them, gave hugs and then got her photo taken.




By 10:40, instead of the 12:30 I had estimated, we were all done with our character M&G's. I asked Abby if she wanted to go to Rafiki's Planet Watch for Chip and Dale but she said no. She'd go to the train station for the pressed quarter we were looking for, but she wanted to get to Flights of Wonder.


We saw this spot on the floor and it looks like a Hidden Mickey to us


We went and got the quarter we were after - a 2016 design - and then after Abby asked about doing Kali River Rapids. We certainly had the time but being a hot day, I didn't know what the line was like. As we approached the Flights of Wonder stage, I left Lenny and Abby to sit at some tables we found and I went to Kali for a DAS time. I was really surprised that the line was only at 30 minutes. I expected it to be much longer than that. I got our time and made my way back to them. When it comes to the Flights of Wonder show, Lenny can take his scooter into here but he either needs to take off the canopy or transfer and fold the seat down so the canopy is down. When we were allowed in, because it's easier to transfer versus undo the canopy, that's what he did. The show is good but it didn't have the Guano Joe that we are use to - he was played by someone else. The highlight of the show for Abby though was getting picked to hold out the dollar bill - which of course I had at the ready before we even went in. She had a little trouble at first - she didn't hold the bill high enough in her hand for the bird to grab it so he flew back without it. Then I ended up standing to help her hold it better and when I was told to sit down, Abby sat down. The CM was patient though and told Abby to move to the aisle and I could sit on the end of the row to take photos - thankfully it was empty - and that time it worked. Abby wasn't sure what to do next but I told her to stand there and wait as he would bring it back. This time she did everything right the first time (way to go Abby) and she even got a little present out of it. Some of whatever he had been given as a reward dropped onto her finger. She didn't like it but it was fine - I told her to wait until the end of the show and she could wash it off but to keep her hands away from her face until then. As we moved back to our seats, Lenny said to me "why didn't you wake me up for that?" Hello, it's a fast moving show, there was no time for that. He woke up in time on his own anyway so it worked out.

Abby holding the money

Abby getting the money back

[CinderAbby]

When the show was over, we could use our Kali DAS time so that's where we went after Abby hit the bathroom to wash her hands. We were able to get through most of the line before we had to stop but once we did, I heard an announcement that due to conditions on the river, our wait time might be longer than expected. I don't know if that's part of the storyline or if there was something going on because a few minutes later, I heard a CM announce something but I couldn't understand it. The "conditions on the river" announcement was a prerecorded one that I heard maybe two or three times in the line. In my notes I have it took us about 20 minutes to get on the ride so who knows what it was about. When it was our turn to go, I went to put our backpack, which I had put into a trash bag to keep dry, in the middle container only it wasn't there any more. It was completely removed. I knew Disney had added lockers to the park near the entrance to the ride but I didn't realize they removed the center of the raft. Thankfully though where we board the ride there is a locked gate so I just turned around and put out stuff on the scooter instead. After I did that and we actually got in the raft, the CM went and got another family from the regular line to join us and then we were off. We did get wet but none of us got soaked - the other family got that pleasure. It did feel good though as it was hot as usual in the park.







After another trip to the bathroom - why is it when you get wet, you have to go? - we made our way to our first fastpass of the day - the Mickey and Minnie meet and greet. Lenny didn't feel like going in so we left him outside and only Abby and I went inside.




It only took a few minutes to see them and after hugs all around, Abby wanted to go onto Dinoland.








It was a little after 1 and our next fastpass was for Finding Nemo at 1:30. It didn't leave a lot of time for anything but Abby wanted to ride Triceratop Spin while Lenny wanted a cigarette. I find it really humorous that he remembers where the spot is in Dinoland but he can get lost everywhere else but he when he went that direction and Abby and I followed. In the past, Disney has had an American Alligator display in this part of the park and I was curious to see if it was still there or not after the event in June. The display itself was still there with the sign but the enclosure was empty. After that, we went to the Triceratop Spin which had absolutely no line. None, nobody. The ride was already loaded so we would have to wait for that one ride but since it's not long, we were able to ride before our Fastpass. When we got off, Lenny wasn't back yet so I went into Chester and Hesters for a penny we were looking for. Abby then decided to dance to the music the DJ was playing. As she did that, I happen to notice Lenny come back but instead of taking a right to come to us, he took a left away from us. I quickly called him and got him back on the right track.



It was hot and it was still early - only a couple of minutes before 1:30 so I asked if we wanted an ice cream while waiting. Abby is always up for ice cream but Lenny wanted a Frozen Orange thing instead. The cart we were at didn't have that so we made our way closer to Nemo where we normally find them. This cart didn't have the ice cream sandwich Abby wanted but she was happy to get the Nestle Dibs. We then went to get in line for our FP. It was only 1:30 but I couldn't believe how big the line was already for it. Of course it was hot and all the shady spots were taken but we tried to stay cool with our treats. Abby quickly downed hers but even with Lenny and I sharing the frozen orange, we still didn't finish it before we were allowed in the theater. We just covered it up though and put it in our cooler for later. Once inside, we sat in the back row where we like to be seated now - we can see everything well. Lenny switched to the wheelchair for this and I sat next to Abby on the bench. The show is really good and we really enjoy it but it didn't prevent Lenny from falling asleep. I think I dozed some through it too but I do remember that Abby and I sang through quite a bit of it and apparently louder than I thought we had. At the end, the gentleman sitting next to us commented on how we really know all the songs in it. I apologized saying I hope we didn't bother him with our singing and he said not at all. Lenny had woken up enough to hear it and mentioned how we like the music so much we have a disc that gets played in the car and we listen to it a lot. We had even made a copy and took it with us to play in the rental car.

Another one of the routines we have at Disney is to hit the bathrooms after watching Nemo. The bathrooms right there always get so crowded so we headed back to Dinoland. There were barely any people there which made it easier to get in and out. We ended up back in the gift shop again and while I told Lenny the penny book he found was one we already had, he wanted it anyway because he didn't recognize it. After I paid for that, I noticed they were selling antenna toppers. Mom wanted a new one - she keeps losing hers at the car wash - and I had yet to see them anywhere else. I wasn't looking that hard either though as I kept forgetting. Since they were there and I remembered, I picked mom up not one but three (they had a special going) so I wouldn't forget again. Our third fastpass of the day was for Primeval Whirl but this is a ride Lenny doesn't want to go on so I only got it for Abby and I. It was getting late and after our ride, there wasn't going to be time to do anything else before our dinner reservation at Tusker House so we came up with a plan and stuck to it. While Abby and I got in line and rode, Lenny would make his way to the smoking section past Festival of the Lion King. He would also look for a spot to plug in the scooter since we knew he wouldn't be allowed to take it into dinner. We would meet him over there when we were done. It didn't take long for Abby and I to get on the ride and just like the Tea Cups, despite the spinning, I didn't get dizzy. The one thing I don't like about this ride is it seems to take forever to leave. The exit ramp goes on forever.

We made our way back to Africa and Tusker House. Just as we were getting there, I saw Lenny coming towards us. We knew there was a plug over by the bathroom that he could use for the scooter but he chose not to use it. What he did instead was use one he found at the front of the building. When you stand in front of the Dawa Bar/Tusker House check in, there is a large column over to the left. Behind it is a penny machine. This one is an electric one which means there was a power outlet there. Lenny parked the scooter so it was under the roof and we plugged it in and put the canopy down over the seat. We both felt better about it leaving it there because being so close to Dawa Bar, no one knew we weren't there having a drink and charging it. Leaving it by the bathroom - which usually isn't that busy - unattended? No, it might get attention we didn't want it to get and we didn't want it to disappear.

Lenny transferred to the wheelchair and then we went to dinner. Our ADR was for 4 PM but we checked in a little early and were seated by 3:50. This was another time I remember the server scanning my band before we even ate and she was really good and attentive the whole meal. Dinner at that time was a little quieter than breakfast had been as we saw both Donald and Daisy twice. We saw Goofy running to a table for something and when we saw him, I told him he shouldn't be doing that, it's not safe to run in a restaurant. He of course hung his head and said he wouldn't do that again. We saw Mickey too and I told him he'd have to have a little talk with Donald, he was going through the restaurant telling everyone he's number one when we both knew that's not the case. Mickey's number one.

I know I'm going to sound like a broken record but when it came to the food, I don't know what they had or what we took. All I know is everything we took was good, we ate it all and didn't walk away hungry. For two unadventurous eaters, there were enough choices for Abby and I to pick from and I would eat dinner here again.

I'm not posting any pictures from dinner - they look the same as the ones from breakfast

[CinderAbby]

Dinner was quiet enough that we left there somewhere around 4:30 and could go right to Festival of the Lion King. I had actually planned on us seeing the 6 PM show, not 5 PM so once again, we were ahead of my schedule on things. We made life easy too - we left the scooter parked where it was and because it looked like a storm was coming in, we had Abby grab the umbrellas off the scooter and then we went to the theater. Abby had to stop and trade some pins and while she did that, the doors opened for the wheelchair users. When she was done, we went in and were seated in the Elephant section again. As everyone else was getting let in, we heard it start to thunder so we were glad we had the umbrellas, not that it mattered much. It could be doing something totally different after the show. Once the show started, I decided just to sit and enjoy it this time so I don't have any photos to share but near the end of the show, Abby once again got a high 5 from a tumble monkey. She was very happy with that. The show was good as usual but it did have some different actors this time. We're use to the older couple for the Elephant and Warthog sections but this time it was two younger people. The show was still good but it was just slightly different.

When the show was over and it was time to leave, I knew right away it wasn't raining out - everyone actually left instead of standing in the doors. It was drizzling just a little bit but not too bad. We went back to get the scooter and then because there was no time like the present, we went to the Safari. I had actually gotten a DAS time for this as Lenny was plugging in the scooter before dinner but it really wasn't needed. The wait time when I got it was only 20 minutes and it was still the same when we got back there over an hour later. We got to the loading platform and there was a vehicle there waiting that we were able to get on. I don't know if it had stopped drizzling or not because we didn't get wet at all but I know the thunder and some lightning continued as we saw and heard it on our safari. The ride itself I would have to say was one of the best ones yet. Because it was later with a cloud cover, it was nice and cool in the truck. The animals we saw were up and moving around even though it wasn't a huge number of them. It was still bumpy here and there but the driver drove nice and slow and even completely stopped several times. Once he had to because we had a giraffe in front of us. Someone near the front of the truck must have been impatient as I heard "why don't you just beep at it." The driver responded with "we're not allowed to. We just have to wait it out and let the animal move when it's ready to." Then as we continued on and got near the white rhino area, there was one just trotting along but it was coming towards the truck. As it got closer, it went right behind the vehicle and it was really cool to see that. All I've ever seen them do is stand there. I don't actually remember all the animals we saw but I know we did not see the hippos or the lions this time through.
















We finished up with the safari about 6:30 but because there was still thunder and lightning in the area, all the walking trails were closed. That meant any outside ride would be closed too (KRR, EE, PW and Triceratop Spin). With not much to do, we headed back to Harambe and the smoking section for Lenny. I made some notes then called home to mom. We stayed there for a little while and then Abby said she wanted to go do the safari again.



Since it's live animals we're talking about, we know no two safari rides are going to be the same so we went back there. We did stop and watch some acrobats for a few minutes, It was interesting to see but it wasn't long before Abby lost interest and wanted to move on.








The last two are Lenny's photos

[CinderAbby]

The Safari was listed as a 10 minute wait but I think it might have been walk on. We walked through the entire queue before being directed to the wheelchair loading area and once again were able to get right on a truck. It wasn't even an hour since we had gotten off the truck but it was indeed a different ride. Once again, it was a nice slow ride with stops here and there but this time we saw the hippos and the lions instead of the elephants. One of the giraffes was running around too for some reason. Both times I enjoyed the safari. Abby tried taking pictures but she wasn't quite as successful as in previous years in terms of number of photos but for shots that I can't believe she got - yeah. See for yourself. These are just as good as the first set of pictures.






















We left the safari and headed to Dinoland to see the Jungle Book show. We had gotten our vouchers with breakfast and our server told us we'd be allowed in the theater at 8:30. We got there about 8:15 and not only had they been letting people in already, it was over half full already. Since Lenny used a scooter, he was told where to park it and then we could sit in the row right in front of that. He transferred and we sat on the hard wooden benches that did get uncomfortable after a while. As we waited I noticed a Photopass photographer nearby. She had a sign she was having people hold up for the show logo and then she'd snap the picture. I got her attention and had one done.




The time passed quickly enough and while this was a show I wanted to see, the ultimate result is I was very disappointed in it. The seats we had were absolutely terrible. We sat in the back row - where we were told to sit - and we couldn't see the dancers unless they were on the back part of their float and even then, all we could see was maybe their heads. Most of the projections were way to blurry for us to see what they were and we couldn't always even understand what was being said. I saw a video of this on YouTube before we left and I was able to see everything - the dancers, the projections, everything and I was excited to see it in person because I liked what I saw. The real thing, because of our seats, didn't live up to it. Disney even sent me a survey and I let them know what I thought of it.

As if the disappointment over the show wasn't bad enough, when it came time to leave, it was complete chaos. There were absolutely no CM's around to help all those with scooters leave and when we tried to leave, Lenny had to do a U turn - the CM's on duty when we entered never told him to point his scooter towards the exit. As he tried to do that, one guy got quite nasty telling Lenny he just hit his kid. I was right there, it never happened. Then he actually kept going on and on saying Lenny was hitting his kid (nope), trying to separate him and his kid (definitely not), he just uses the scooter to get on the rides, etc. It was a good 5 to 10 minutes of verbal abuse from this guy and there was no way we could get away from him. It was a huge crowd of thousands of people and you couldn't just stop or change direction. I told Disney about this too in the survey because they asked something about the ease of leaving. It wasn't easy at all - it was a nightmare. I'm actually surprised Abby didn't lose it but I think at one point in time, I told her to sit in the chair and stay there.