Solo-on-a-Scooter takes the A-Train. LIVE TR, 8/29 - 9/11/2015 - Page 17 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Laurie, I am so thrilled that you made it to your favorite spot!! Your park pictures are beautiful and the photo of you and Maralyn is so sweet. You can see how happy you both are to see each other!! I love how the CM's truly treat you like family! What a wonderful experience for you!!
It was just perfect being back at Rafiki's. I wish Lidia had been there, but being at that place makes me feel that there are things in this world that are going along just great!
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Originally Posted by a_bernard
those macaws are beautiful, aren't they, so nice that you received this warm welcome from the staff.
I love my RPW friends!
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Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Glad you made it to AK Laurie! Great pictures!
It felt SO good to be back!
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Originally Posted by Pris
I'm so glad that you were able to make it to your beloved AK and the vet window. How nice that Marilyn was there and that Lidia had prepared the way for you. When DD and I were in AK last May, we were surprised by the Winged Encounter. We were strolling out of the park and suddenly heard a loud swoosh overhead. When we looked up the macaws were winging by back to their homes apparently. I had no idea that there was that little show.
Winged Encounter is one of those "pluses" that make Disney what it is. They don't have to do these things, but giving guests the chance to see a sky full of brightly colored birds is just a good thing to do!
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Originally Posted by pamcarey
I'm so glad that you made it to AK and the vet window yesterday! What a nice welcome you received! I haven't heard of Winged Encounter before... it's looks great!
You'll have to see Winged Encounter next trip, Pam. They do it several times a day. I like seeing the first one because it's timed to park opening. The birds fly in at around 8:40 and then, when they swoosh away it's right after the opening speech says, "Let your imagination take flight!"
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Originally Posted by honeybee723
Laurie! Why didn't you tell me about this?!? I just found this report and will be jumping in to follow your adventure. I may not post as much as I normally do, but I'll be trying to keep up with you in spirit.
I'm sorry, Melissa! I have thought of you and Hope often and especially when I passed so close to you on the train.
Looks like the Disney magic is working its wonders to make up for a frustrating trip. Can't say you didn't get enough Princess interaction at your personal M&G with our own PSha, huh? And no FP necessary even, just some double pixie dust. After all, pixie and PassPorter are both brought to you by the letter "p", right?
I bet the gift basket is already a memory to brighten many a darker moment. Hope the rest of your stay is as magical.
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“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
Winged Encounter. I am kicking kicking kicking myself now. When I saw this advertised at AK last summer, I thought "oh, great...another raptor show...boring!" I had no idea it had macaws in it.
I was so ready to love AK from your last TR, but then we chose to go on a 3rd day in a row of touring, and DS and I were just plain burned out. It was our "dud" day. Now, I'm regretting it all over again!!!
But so happy for you that you are getting to really enjoy it. Hope today's weather has been cooperative and that you've had a chance to soak up your home away from home.
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Thank you, Dave! These boards have facilitated so many real friendships and have enriched my life.
Yes, they certainly have! Certainly for members like you and I as well as countless others here as all the great members on the PP boards appreciate this so much! This is such a unique board and always a wonderful experience coming on here and just sharing thoughts and enjoying the experience!
I've had meets with many PPs over the years at the DOD (2009) and some meets in 2010 as well! But, unfortunately none since then for no apparent reason.....it's time for more as I love these meets! Even better, when you help organize these great get togethers! I think this is what my last few trips to WDW has been missing and I need this and definitely welcome it!
Well, just thinking Fall 2016 for the Epcot F&W Fest! As much as I enjoy my food and wine, I have yet to experience this and need to do so and soon! Reason being (at times) getting out of the harsh Winters of the NE for Florida is a good part of it! Just hope, I can wait until the Fall w/o booking a trip in late Winter/early Spring first!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Last edited by SuperDave; 09-01-2015 at 10:24 PM..
Looks like the Disney magic is working its wonders to make up for a frustrating trip. Can't say you didn't get enough Princess interaction at your personal M&G with our own PSha, huh? And no FP necessary even, just some double pixie dust. After all, pixie and PassPorter are both brought to you by the letter "p", right?
I bet the gift basket is already a memory to brighten many a darker moment. Hope the rest of your stay is as magical.
I'm feeling the magic for sure, Dot! A pp meet before even getting to WDW and then the gift basket on my in-room day!
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Originally Posted by KimmyAnn1147
Winged Encounter. I am kicking kicking kicking myself now. When I saw this advertised at AK last summer, I thought "oh, great...another raptor show...boring!" I had no idea it had macaws in it.
I was so ready to love AK from your last TR, but then we chose to go on a 3rd day in a row of touring, and DS and I were just plain burned out. It was our "dud" day. Now, I'm regretting it all over again!!!
But so happy for you that you are getting to really enjoy it. Hope today's weather has been cooperative and that you've had a chance to soak up your home away from home.
Next time, Kimmie, make this little show a priority. It only lasts a few minutes, but I find it really exciting. AK is hard to explore when you're tired. It isn't as overtly stimulating as the other parks, but it sure rewards patient and slow touring!
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Originally Posted by SuperDave
Yes, they certainly have! Certainly for members like you and I as well as countless others here as all the great members on the PP boards appreciate this so much! This is such a unique board and always a wonderful experience coming on here and just sharing thoughts and enjoying the experience!
I've had meets with many PPs over the years at the DOD (2009) and some meets in 2010 as well! But, unfortunately none since then for no apparent reason.....it's time for more as I love these meets! Even better, when you help organize these great get togethers! I think this is what my last few trips to WDW has been missing and I need this and definitely welcome it!
Well, just thinking Fall 2016 for the Epcot F&W Fest! As much as I enjoy my food and wine, I have yet to experience this and need to do so and soon! Reason being (at times) getting out of the harsh Winters of the NE for Florida is a good part of it! Just hope, I can wait until the Fall w/o booking a trip in late Winter/early Spring first!
I hope you do get to visit during F&W soon, Dave!
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Originally Posted by dutchdisneyfamily
I remember Maralyn from our trip there! I am so ad you got to go to your favorite place! What a fantastic morning.
I'm glad you remember Maralyn! I had another incredible day today. Update coming right up.
I got a lot of sleep (this bed is SO comfy!) and had high hopes of lasting a little longer at AK today. Yesterday I was back at BW shortly after noon. If I can get another hour or two I’ll feel better about getting to do my favorite things at least once on this trip!
I love that they now let you into the park at around 8:30 for a 9am opening. They give a little speech about taking time to enjoy the animals in the Oasis, but of course most people dash through it and stand in the hot sun waiting to dash to Everest. I went slowly through, stopping to visit the CMs holding the bug boxes and asked questions about the centipedes and spiders. I also got to see the adorable little wallaby, Rupert. He was hiding in the bushes watching me.
I got to the tree in time for Winged Encounters again. This time, when they took off at the end, two birds decided they didn’t want to leave yet and hung around on the roost for another 5 minutes before suddenly, simultaneously, soaring away. I did manage to catch the flock in light this time, but it’s hard to capture the colors of the birds with the bright sky behind.
I headed to the kangaroos next, but, again, nobody was out. I asked a keeper on the trail and he said they are all being kept back stage for a while because of construction going on to their habitat. So, unless one of them shows up in the vet room, which I hope doesn’t happen, no ‘roos this trip. The giant porcupines were out, though. No good photos, but I enjoyed watching them have breakfast.
Time for the train. More excitement as I approached the window, wondering which animals I’d see and which old friends I’d come upon. My old friend Todd was working at the train station in Harambe and when I scooted up he acted like it was a continuation of my last trip. He just said, casually, “Hi, Laurie. You know the drill. You can have your favorite car.” At Rafiki’s, Maralyn and Paul were there again, and also Emily-Lisa. She’s one of the best educators there and is now a manager. Inside the vet area, it was the same crew as yesterday. Matt was the tech working in the lab and Juliana again was the tech working with Dr Dan. Dr Dan is in his final year of post-graduate studies for his specialty in exotic animals. He’s at AK for a year, a plum residency in the zoo world!
I saw three procedures today. First up was a little hedgehog. I never got a good photo of the animal because they didn’t walk her in front of the window for us to see. She really wasn’t feeling well, so they didn’t want to stress her. They put her right inside the anesthesia cone and started working on her. She has a history of not reacting well to anesthesia, so they warned us that they’d be working quickly and would abort the procedure and wake her right away if she seemed like she was having trouble. She’s an older animal and has had issues with tooth decay. A few weeks ago she had two tooth extractions and she had another two taken out today. Teeny-tiny, needle-sharp teeth! I just have a photo of her little feet as they worked on her. She did very well and they woke her up and took her out back to recover.
Next was one of the goats from the petting area. His name is Fraggle, and he walked in with one of the keepers who knows him well. He had been treated previously for an infected wound on the top of his head— not unusual for goats, who will butt anything they see! The wound had healed well. Dr Ryan (a new vet for me) came in and removed the drain from his head, spread some cream on and Fraggle was good to go. He needed no anaesthesia. He squirmed a bit, but for the most part was quite happy to sit on his keeper’s lap for the treatment.
The final animal was hooded pitta chick. This is a small bird from the Asia aviary who had an injured toe. The tip of the toe was amputated a week ago and they were removing the suture and taking x-rays to check for infection in the bone. The little bird was fine and the keepers reported that he has adjusted well to the change in his foot and is able to ambulate very well. Adult pittas have very colorful plumage, but this little one still had dullish feathers and you could still see the red target spot on his beak. Baby birds have a pink or red spot on their beaks to assist the parents in targeting them for feeding. The color fades as they age.
I made it to the end of the vet treatments for the morning! It was about noon, and I headed back to Harambe on the train. I had lunch at the Harambe market— the new “vegetarian stack”. This was really good! A stack of grilled zucchini, portobello, yellow squash, and marinated tofu with a nice pesto. It came with arugula and a chick-pea salad. I’ll eat here again. It was super-hot out, but in the shade where the tables are there was a breeze and it didn’t feel bad at all. I had a refreshing watermelon lemonade to drink.
I was getting very tired by this point, but decided to use my FP for the safari. FINALLY! It was a good safari, but I’m afraid I probably won’t ever ride it again. Very hard for my weaker muscles to hold my body upright as the truck swayed on the bumpy path. Made me SO glad I went to Africa when I was still able to last a few hours in the truck! I took very few photos because I was gripping the seat to hold myself up and also because the guy next to me was taking photos with his i-pad, completely blocking my view! All three baby Masai giraffe were out and I was glad to see these adorable youngsters. Milo, Mara and Lincoln all look healthy and happy. The lion was asleep (shocking!) and two lionesses were lounging nearby. The bull elephant was there, butt towards us of course, but there were very few of the rest of the herd in view.
Now I was really pushing it, but how could I be so close to gorilla babies and not visit them?
When I got to the gorilla window, Azizi and Cory were sitting right nearby, and Benga, the oldest female, was asleep nearby. It was so hot they were all just lolling around. Cory roused himself to play with a ball a bit and then nursed for a while. So sweet! I wish they could do something about the streaky windows and glare. Makes taking photos a challenge, but the animals were so much fun to watch.
After that I headed home, very, very relieved that I’d been able to push myself to stay at the park until around 2pm! I got back to the room, showered, and fell into bed for a VERY long nap. I woke at 10pm and just had an English muffin and some soup from garden grocer for dinner.
No vet activity in the window tomorrow, so I will at long last visit Epcot!
What a wonderful day! The procedures they do at the vet window really amaze me! Mostly because...how do they know this teeny little bird has a broken toe! Or the hedgehog has bad teeth?! It really goes to show how well they look after each and every animal at the park.
I'm glad you were able to stay in the park long enough to have lunch, do the safari and visit the gorillas. for getting to Epcot today!
I loved all of your day. Once again I felt as if I were right along side you. That was a very long, but much needed nap. Those gorillas brought a smile to my face!
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Great installment! So glad you were able to last so long. I agree with Donna, it amazes me that they have such keen eyes on each and every animal, even the tiny birds.
The weather looks good for your Epcot trip. You are probably already on your way down there at this point. I'm wondering if you will enter through the friendship gate or the main gate....since you are staying at Boardwalk. Do they open the friendship gate at park opening, or only at WS opening? See how ignorant I am?
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What an amazing day by any standard!! You got way more accomplished than we did on our last trip to AK!!. I absolutely adore your descriptions and photos of the procedures taking place at the vet window!! thank you so much for sharing them!! I feel like I am right there with you.
I'm so glad that you got to ride the Safari one more time and your photos of the gorillas are wonderful!
What a great day yesterday! I'm so glad you were able to do all that you wanted to do! Your lunch looked really good. I can't wait to check out Harambe Market.
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Your park pictures are beautiful and the photo of you and Maralyn is so sweet. You can see how happy you both are to see each other!! 
I love how the CM's truly treat you like family! What a wonderful experience for you!! 
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This is such a unique board and always a wonderful experience coming on here and just sharing thoughts and enjoying the experience! 
for getting to Epcot today!
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