4 Parks, 2 Days, 1 Backpack: The Trip Report Complete! About This Page:

[Dlandmom2]

You know, getting drenched wasn't that bad because you got yourself a really cool pair of new pants! I love them!

[OhToodles!]

That KRR experience is why on our next trip if anyone wants to do it I will highly suggest it be the last ride so you can go straight back to change.
I had an incident kind of like Jennie - although everyone could see my panties (srtiped no less!) through my khaki shorts. The family still loves to give me grief about that!

[grinningghosts]

Oh, Heather! Sorry about getting drenched at KRR. I know what that feels like. The last time I rode the ride was back around 2002 (!!) and I got drenched going under the waterfall wearing my white WDW 2000 t-shirt. I'm really impressed WDW is stocking black yoga pants at the parks. If you have to buy new clothes, at least it was something that you can use again. Loving your TR! I had a burger at Red Robin today for lunch (thank goodness!). Carry on with your food pics - I'm taking notes!

[KMB733]

I don't think I've ever gotten that wet on KRR before! I was wondering why you had on pants in the picture when I remember you wearing a skirt. Great character pictures and I loved all the Hidden Mickey pictures from the previous update!

[lexiemom]

Sorry you got soaked on KRR, but at least you got a new pair of really cute pants out of the deal! I think they are so cute that I may need to look for those in September!

[DrDolphin]

Movies -

My Fair Lady- Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison
Little Shop of Horrors - Steve Martin, Rick Moranis
West Side Story - Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno
A Streetcar Named Desire - Marlon Brando, Vivian Leigh
The Glass Menagerie - haven't seen it
Barefoot in the Park - Haven't seen it
A Chorusline - Michael Douglas
Beauty & the Beast - Jerry Orbach, Robbie Benson, Paige OHara, David Ogden Stiers and Angela Lansbury
Annie - Carol Burnett, Albert Finney, Tim Curry, Ann Reinking, Bernadette Peters
The King & I - Yul Bruenner, Deborah Kerr

Whew!!!

[Cam22]

Good Job, Terri!

You were definitely wet -- glad you were able to find some dry pants. What a score to get first in line to see Pooh and friends.

[HollyH]

I've been lurking on this TR but this is my first post. What a great trip you have had! I so envy your solo trips. My secret plan is to buy an AP for my April trip so it will be so easy for me to slip away for an Oct F&WF solo trip. But then I would want to do MNSSHP and I would feel guilty doing that without DS . Help me snap out of it LOL.

I have been the one to get drenched on Kali too many times. I now wear a poncho (DS's favorite ride so we can't skip it too often). The last time I rode, I got a few comments from my raft mates but I said, "Just wait and see." The guy who had been giving me the hardest time was the one to go backwards down the hill. He wasn't laughing about the poncho after that.

Terri, I'm impressed with your movie knowledge. I could name some of the lead actors but not as many as you. I am pretty sure that Robert Redford was in Barefoot in the Park.

ETA: It's hard to tell, but DS and I are soggy from Kali in my siggy pic below.

[cubfancolleen]

Jane Fonda is also in Barefoot in the Park (along w/Robert Redford, Holly).

[ilovedisney247]

Originally Posted by revral

I can't name the stars but the movies are:
My Fair Lady
Little Shop of Horrors
West Side Story
A Streetcar Named Desire
The Glass Menagerie
Barefoot in the Park
A Chorusline
Beauty & the Beast
Annie
The King & I

Great Job!

Originally Posted by lauriep

I love all the posters in the tree queue! The one and only time I've ridden Kali I got soaked like that. Not a pleasant feeling and I was really mad! If you're going to get completely soaked from head to toe, all the way through to your skin, the ride belongs in a water park.

I agree, I like Kali and was looking forward to cooling off, but it was a bit much, I should have used my iPhone to take a photo of how wet I actually was.

Originally Posted by Belle0824

Oh boy - do I sympathize!!!! The same thing happened to me last year (and it was almost a surprise as my track record for Kali is NEVER getting wet for some reason - my husband usually gets it!) By the time we got off KRR, it was time for our ADR at Yak & Yeti and let's just say the air conditioning was working really well that day. I was so cold that it ruined the meal b/c I just couldn't wait to get out of there!! (I did look for something else to wear but the closest shop didn't have my size.)



Can't wait to read more!!

Oh no! I'm so sorry it ruined your meal at Yak and Yeti. Give it another shot--I really enjoy it!

Originally Posted by OCEANGRLLG

Wow that was alot of hidden Mickeys! I love Its tough to be a Bug!

I do too!

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Great pictures from AK! Sorry you got so wet! Love those posters at ITTBAB!

I think they've themed that area so well!

Originally Posted by jennie622

"Barefoot in the Dark" is my favorite!

I will never go on KRR again. June 09 (110+ degrees) was the perfect time to try it out for the first time. I also got DRENCHED, did you get stuck under a waterfall too! I mean, you know it's bad when all the other passengers point. Oh, yeah, I had on a white tank top - with one of those built in bras. fyi, the B.I.B. is NOT meant to get wet. I HAD to buy a sundress at the kiosk just outside the ride or risk being ejected from AK for indecent exposure. My visor and shorts took over 24 to get to the damp stage. I unfortunately had sneakers on - gross!

Where did you find the characters?? I don't recognize that area. Do tell!

The Pooh character's are at the Character Landing, the entrance to which is right before you cross the bridge into Dinoland. Sorry about your shirt incident, fortunately I was not wearing a light colored shirt!

Originally Posted by chezp

Love all the posters from It's Tough To Be A Bug!

I can't believe you got that wet - my goodness!

I was soaked from head to toe!

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

Love the yoga pants! We often are at WDW in January so DH & I refuse to do KRR. I've lost track of the new clothes purchased for both kids who insist on riding! I have a picture I love of both of them laying on the ground in the sun, trying to dry out!

I hung mine up in the bathroom, they were still a little damp when I packed them the next day.

Originally Posted by rhinohunter

Thanks for the offer. The hidden Mickeys would be in the Green snake head, the White fish (see the area but can't make out the Mickey), Grasshopper and the tree with the Tan Moth.

I'll do this in the morning or tomorrow night--I'm a little bit worn out tonight to deal with editing photos.

Originally Posted by Wendyismyname

Oh Heather I with the mental image of Rafiki scaring the you-know-what out of you!

Awesome Hidden Mickey photos! I've never been to Rafiki's Planet Watch, but I must admit, I am curious to check it out the next time I'm down there and it is COOL weather.

More please. That Burger made me so hungry!!

I'm sure you can see me jumping up and screaming! I like Planet Watch, but merely as a diversion.

Originally Posted by mcc0313

I remember being soaked like that - KRR is just one of those luck of the draws glad you were able to find something to change into. I am ok with walking around with my shirt wet as it dries fast but I get so uncomfortable walking around in soaking wet bottoms, and there are always those few sections that even on the hottest of days never really dry.

I didn't buy a new shirt, but my legs really needed dry pants!

Originally Posted by disney_duke

Well, if you MUST buy new pants, then getting soaked on KRR is the way to do it! They're cute too! At least, as a reward for your soaking, you got to see Pooh and Friends with no line.

I've been wearing the pants at home on a regular basis!

Originally Posted by Sunshine Family

Thanks for the heads up on the absolute soaking you can get on KRR. Stitch really wants to do this, it's second on her wish list for AK. I, on the other hand, am not looking forward to being soaked. I think this may be a backpack type of day - full of spare clothes!!!!

I think the water level goes up in the summer--I've gotten wet in the past, but never THIS wet.

Originally Posted by goofysdtr

I completely relate to being drenched by KRR. Whenever we get on, I tell the people on the opposite side of the tube that they don't need to worry. Then I walk off drenched & they end up splashed. Happens to me every time.

I usually get wet, but confined to my top and feet.

Originally Posted by PrincessSharon

See, that's why I rarely do KRR. I don't mind getting a little wet, but this is a ride that belongs in a water park IMO. Love the Hidden Mickey pictures! Maybe I'll join you on your Hidden Mickey hunting trip.

That would be a fun trip! We should plan it!

Originally Posted by Dlandmom2

You know, getting drenched wasn't that bad because you got yourself a really cool pair of new pants! I love them!

I love them too--they are super soft and comfy!

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

That KRR experience is why on our next trip if anyone wants to do it I will highly suggest it be the last ride so you can go straight back to change.
I had an incident kind of like Jennie - although everyone could see my panties (srtiped no less!) through my khaki shorts. The family still loves to give me grief about that!

I highly recommend making it your last ride!

Originally Posted by grinningghosts

Oh, Heather! Sorry about getting drenched at KRR. I know what that feels like. The last time I rode the ride was back around 2002 (!!) and I got drenched going under the waterfall wearing my white WDW 2000 t-shirt. I'm really impressed WDW is stocking black yoga pants at the parks. If you have to buy new clothes, at least it was something that you can use again. Loving your TR! I had a burger at Red Robin today for lunch (thank goodness!). Carry on with your food pics - I'm taking notes!

I called them yoga pants for lack of a better term, they could just as easily be PJ pants and they are printed with a Mickey Head on the rear and a Mickey head on the front with the year of AK's opening!

Originally Posted by KMB733

I don't think I've ever gotten that wet on KRR before! I was wondering why you had on pants in the picture when I remember you wearing a skirt. Great character pictures and I loved all the Hidden Mickey pictures from the previous update!

I was wearing a skirt earlier that day! However I also had bike shorts on under the skirt and all of it was soaked and I was very uncomfortable.

Originally Posted by lexiemom

Sorry you got soaked on KRR, but at least you got a new pair of really cute pants out of the deal! I think they are so cute that I may need to look for those in September!

I found them in the women's section of the shop that is mostly clothing--Outfitters I think.

Originally Posted by DrDolphin

Movies -

My Fair Lady- Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison
Little Shop of Horrors - Steve Martin, Rick Moranis
West Side Story - Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno
A Streetcar Named Desire - Marlon Brando, Vivian Leigh
The Glass Menagerie - haven't seen it
Barefoot in the Park - Haven't seen it
A Chorusline - Michael Douglas
Beauty & the Beast - Jerry Orbach, Robbie Benson, Paige OHara, David Ogden Stiers and Angela Lansbury
Annie - Carol Burnett, Albert Finney, Tim Curry, Ann Reinking, Bernadette Peters
The King & I - Yul Bruenner, Deborah Kerr

Whew!!!

Great Job Terri! I made it a challenge because I could only come up with about 1/2.

Originally Posted by Cam22

Good Job, Terri!

You were definitely wet -- glad you were able to find some dry pants. What a score to get first in line to see Pooh and friends.

I love meeting them and bouncing with Tigger!

Originally Posted by HollyH

I've been lurking on this TR but this is my first post. What a great trip you have had! I so envy your solo trips. My secret plan is to buy an AP for my April trip so it will be so easy for me to slip away for an Oct F&WF solo trip. But then I would want to do MNSSHP and I would feel guilty doing that without DS . Help me snap out of it LOL.

I have been the one to get drenched on Kali too many times. I now wear a poncho (DS's favorite ride so we can't skip it too often). The last time I rode, I got a few comments from my raft mates but I said, "Just wait and see." The guy who had been giving me the hardest time was the one to go backwards down the hill. He wasn't laughing about the poncho after that.

Terri, I'm impressed with your movie knowledge. I could name some of the lead actors but not as many as you. I am pretty sure that Robert Redford was in Barefoot in the Park.

ETA: It's hard to tell, but DS and I are soggy from Kali in my siggy pic below.

I will tell you that having an AP is practically a given that you will want to use it as often as possible. I try to get there as often as is financially possible. Even if it is only for two days--If I can afford the room and the airfare I go. Everyone at work laughs at me, but let me tell you it really revives me and makes me less grumpy at work for at least a month. I was financially blessed this year and instead of paying off my DVC mortgage, I took two extra trips to WDW and plussed the regularly scheduled trips with things like the Queen Victoria Room at Victoria and Albert's and visits to the Spas.

DO NOT feel guilty about anything on a solo trip. It's a solo trip because it is just for you. You can do all of the things you want to do and skip the stuff that you do because your family loves them--even if you don't.

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

Jane Fonda is also in Barefoot in the Park (along w/Robert Redford, Holly).

Thanks for playing!

[ilovedisney247]

After meeting the characters and It's Tough to be a Bug, I decided I was done with Animal Kingdom for the day. I didn't see any solos coming into the park, so my Safari FP went to waste. I was hot, tired and really needed a break before my dinner.

The bus stop for the All Stars was a disaster. There were 200 Brazilion teens waiting for a bus ride back to Movies/Sports/Music. There were maybe two families squished into the crowd. I got in the line and another 50 BTG kids got in line behind me. And we waited. And we waited. One of the bus drivers for the other resorts must have radioed in the problem because two buses showed up a few minutes later. I didn't get on either of those buses. An unassigned bus passed up the stop and I was a little upset by this time. I'd been waiting about 30 minutes at at this time. Eventually, another bus showed up and I got on that one, but I was the last one on and was left standing quite close to the front door. The BTG that was on the bus was going to Movies so we went there first and then the bust driver missed the turn for Movies so that we had to go out and turn around.

I hung up my wet clothes and had a slight panic attack. I was planning on wearing my skirt and the nice shirt I had packed to dinner at California Grill. That wasn't going to happen. I ended up going to Cali Grill a little under dressed. It didn't seem to matter.

I had a 9:40 reservation and got a window seat. I must have been one of the last seatings of the night because my server, Jacob was super attentive and spent a lot of time at my table once he found out that I was in the industry.

I started out with the Smoked Beefsteak and Heirloom Tomato Soup with Summer Veggie Relish, Avacado, and Fried Florida Rock Shrimp.


It was very tasty, but also spicy, which I had not anticipated. I'm glad I had tums with me. The fried shrimp appeared to be tempura fried and managed to keep their crunch as I made my way through the soup. I believe I started with a glass of the Raats unoaked Chenin Blanc for this course, which cut the spiciness of the soup in a lovely way.

Next I had the Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli with Sundried Tomatoes, Pesto, Shitake Mushrooms, and Basil. I pared it with a glass of MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir.



I was a little disappointed with this course. Although, I have to say I picked the perfect wine. I remembered this dish being light and flavorful. The version I was served was very heavy. It was almost as if the ravioli had been over stuffed with goat cheese and the rest of the ingredients were overshadowed by the goat cheese. I couldn't taste the pesto or the mushrooms past the cheese. I used the wonderful bread provided to sop up the rest of the sauce though, because that was very good. I believe I actually asked for more bread at some point. The very light Pinot was a good choice for this course, although you could easily do a something heavier like a Cab.

At some point during this course Jacob almost sat down at my table, I'm sure he's not allowed to actually sit, and we had a long talk about working for Disney and what it is like to work in the service industry at Disney. He had previously worked at another TS restaurant and got tapped to work at California Grill. He told me that even when the other restaurants are struggling they are always full. If I was going to take a job at Disney this would be the place to work.

My last course was a flat bread. I'm sure Jacob was initially disappointed with my ordering 3 apps, but once he figured out I was ordering $15 glasses of wine with each course, I was suddenly his best small table of the night. He even bought me a glass of wine!


This is my last photo of the trip!

I ordered the Spiced Lamb with Dates, Roasted olives, Arugula, Cucumber Yogurt, and Manchengo Cheese flat bread. I had a glass of my all time favorite wine with it: Stag's Leap Petite Syrah.

The flat bread was awesome. I love lamb and it was perfect with the dates and olives. They provided an even balance of salty and sweet. The yogurt cut the the heat from the lamb perfectly. The dish didn't really need the cheese, except as a binder for the flatbread. I wish I hadn't been so full from the previous dish. It was amazing and the pairing of the petite syrah was perfect with the lamb.

I got to see Wishes from the window next to my table and they dimmed the lights and played the music. It was really a stand out meal. I always say that Citricos is my favorite Signature Dining experience, but this was such a great meal, mostly because of how good the service was, which is good because our last meal there was not so good because of the service. I actually asked if Rachel was still there--she's not.

I rolled into a cab back to the All Star Music and slept well. In case any one is wondering at my meals and in wait times on attractions I was reading the Hunger Games series. I finished the series on the trip and immediately began to reread it. I'm right now on my 3rd reread. It is an amazing story!

[chezp]

What a great meal at the Cali Grill! I'm not surprised it's always busy, as the food is always first class there.

[Belle0824]

Sounds like a wonderful evening! Citrico's is our favorite signature dining too! We are going their in August for our anniversary - can't wait!

BTW - just wondering - has your skirt dried out yet???

[jbd]

I love The Hunger Games too. Good choice for something to keep you occupied during a wait. I'm sure that most of the time the wait times flew by.

The ravioli really intrigued me. It was filled with a lot of my favorite things!

I'm sorry about your KRR experience. I'm going to be at AK in about a month and I'm already planning out what I'll wear so that I will minimize my discomfort/exposure.

[Colexis Mom]

Glad you had a great meal at CG!