8 Days Without the Kiddos – June 2014 Trip Report COMPLETED - Page 18 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Saturday, June 14: Animal Kingdom & Rainforest Cafe
I can’t believe that our vacation is almost over. As the last few days pass the realization hits that we are visiting the parks for the last time for at least a year. Last night we slowly strolled out of Epcot with a heavy heart one last time. This morning, as we get up we are headed back to Animal Kingdom for a final day.
We did not have any problem getting up this morning. I guess we are finally getting into a routine -- just as the week it ending. But we would get to spend some time in one of our favorite parks this morning, so I am sure that helped. We had not been back to AK since our arrival day, so this was a long week in coming. There were a couple attractions that we had not be able to hit on Sunday, but were priorities before we leave.
Today was all about Finding Nemo. We loved this show when we were there in 2010, when it was brand new. I know that a lot of people prefer Lion King, which is an incredible show. However, my opinion is that this is the very best show in all of WDW. The costumes and the puppets are amazing. We had great seats. We were so close the to the puppets when they can into the audience, that we could have touched them if we tried. The talent and emotion in this show always makes me tear up.
This show is so the opposite of the Little Mermaid at DHS, which seem so rushed. If you didn't already know the Little Mermaid story when you arrived, I do not think you would leave knowing what went on. It just seems to fast. Nemo on the other hand, keeps a moving pace, but really gives you a clear idea of the movie. This one could easily be expanded and put on stage in NYC.
We did not have to fight any crowds for a seat this morning, as I am sure most of the park was rushing to get in line for the rides. We were among the first 25 in the theatre and had our pick of the seating in a theatre that did not ever come near to full. Last time we saw this in 2010, we used a reserved seating pass we got with lunch, and our seats were right down near the stage. I have to say, I like the general seating better. We were in the first risers off the floor, being a little higher up, we could take in everything all at one time.
The only other “must do” item on my list was a ride on the vomit rockit known as Primeval Whirl. I do not know why I love this ride so much, but I do. It is so rough and jerks you around. I am always sure that any minute it is going to break and launch us through the air to our death, but I love it. The line was not to bad, only about 20 minutes if I remember right.
By this point it is late morning, around 11:00 am. We had to cancel our ADR at Yak & Yeti on Wednesday in favor of a pool day, so I called to see if there were any openings. Of course there were not. I wish we would have taken the time to walk over and ask at the check-in desk. But instead, decided to head toward the front. I also asked about an ADR at Rainforest Cafe, and was told they had nothing either. However, we decided to chance it and swing through in hopes we might get a seat in the bar area. To our surprise, the hostess said they would be able to seat us in just a few minutes. proves, it never hurts to walk up and ask.
Sure enough, after looking at the fish in the aquarium and laughing about the accident with a fish tank at Downtown Disney, our buzzer was going off. We were seated near the front, right under the tree. It was a great location and close enough to the restrooms to make it convenient.
I know RFC gets a bad rap, but we do not have one anywhere near us, and always like the food when we have visited. We ordered a couple waters, and Candi got a frozen non-alcoholic drink of some sort. We decided to just split an appetizer. We remembered how huge it was from our last trip.
Just as we remembered, it was big enough to fill both of us up. There were southwest egg rolls, chips and dip and chicken crispers and cheese sticks, I believe. All were excellent and filling. Not to mention reasonably priced. Lunch at a table service for less than $25.
After lunch we decided to head back to the resort for a quick break, maybe a short nap. But it would have to be quick as we wanted to try and make it to Magic Kingdom for the Festival of Fantasy Parade. Remember it had been rained out when we were there a couple days ago. But it was not looking good, as it was starting to rain already. Stay tuned to find out if we will get to see the Parade. The picture below is a hint.
I absolutely love the Nemo show as well!!! . I agree the talent is amazing. Glad you were able to get into lunch to sit and enjoy! And unfortunately I know all too well what that photo means
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Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
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From the vehicle, it would appear that you got to see the "Rainy Day Character Cavalcade." We got to see it back in 2008 during Tropical Storm Faye. Look forward to read what they did this time.
I absolutely love the Nemo show as well!!! . I agree the talent is amazing. Glad you were able to get into lunch to sit and enjoy! And unfortunately I know all too well what that photo means
Nemo is so good, and so was lunch.
Quote:
Originally Posted by xwewhisper
Great idea just to stop by RFC and see! Looks like a tasty lunch
it was!
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazza
A good time at AK - we like Nemo too. Uh Oh on the parade ...
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhinohunter
From the vehicle, it would appear that you got to see the "Rainy Day Character Cavalcade." We got to see it back in 2008 during Tropical Storm Faye. Look forward to read what they did this time.
I wish I did not get to see it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Great fun at AK as you all covered quite a bit of ground!
We always do. Amazing what you can do with no kids.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMA
Good idea to split that appetizer! It looked quite big enough for two!
I filled us up, plus some.
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Saturday, June 14: Magic Kingdom Afternoon & Be Our Guest Dinner
Saturday, June 14: Magic Kingdom Afternoon & Be Our Guest Dinner
After leaving Animal Kingdom we decided to head back to Saratoga Springs for a short break and a change of shoes. We really did not have time to go back to the condo, as we headed right back out. Our goal was to be at Magic Kingdom to see new Festival of Fantasy Parade. It had been raining on and off, mostly on, for several hours. I was a little worried it would be canceled again.
When we arrived, in the rain, it was time for the parade and we rushed in and were very excited. people up main street were lined up for a parade, so we thought we made it. Then the banner came up the street. It was the Rainy Day Character Cavalcade. Oh man! We tried all week and did not get to see it. Seeing the characters was nice, but not the same as a fire breathing dragon. Guess we will try again in 2015.
I have to be really honest, the afternoon is very hazy and I did not take many pictures. I know that we wandered around the park and just filled in some of the gaps in the rides that we had not been on yet or wanted to ride again.
As you can see that it was raining, and that did play to our advantage. We came of Pooh’s Wild Ride to a downpour. As a result the line for Mine Train stand by was thinning out quickly. It was not running at the time, but the line was only stretching about 10 feet outside the gate. Candi and I had a poncho and no plans for the afternoon, so we got in line. We did wait for a while, but eventually heard the hum of the coaster and the line started moving. I would guess we waited about 60 minutes until we were on the ride. Not all of the interactive elements in the line were working, but we were able to ride a second time!
Next on the agenda was Be Our Guest. We had a 6:00 pm ADR and showed up right on time. We did have to wait a few minutes, but when the buzzer went off we were excited to see what was in store for our dinner. Let me just warn you that ahead of time, another lukewarm review headed your way.
We were ushered in and the hostess stopped just inside the door. We were at one of the two-tops just inside the ballroom. We were almost right across from the the entrance to the library where the Beast was greeting people. Needless to say, every person that entered and left Be Our Guest walked within a couple feet of our table. Beyond that, the hostess stopped about 5 feet from our table with every new family that arrived to do her line about touring the restaurant and taking pictures. Not a very romantic table.
Our waitress was very nice, but not very attentive. I am not sure exactly how many tables a waitress normally has, but she kept apologizing. Saying that they gave her four tables tonight and she usually on has three. I am not sure where her fourth table was, but could see that she had our table, a two-top right next to ours (which was empty for the first 30-minutes we were there), and a family of four just a couple tables down. I do not want to be critical, but unless that fourth table was a huge group, she did not seem to have that huge of a workload. I have waited tables in the past, and I never had only 3-4 tables.
Our drinks were almost never full, and she really did not want to make any recommendation from the menu even after we asked. She said she was afraid to make a suggestion that we might not like.
Well, Candi ordered the roasted chicken and I ordered the lamb chops. Our bread basket arrived with only two rolls. I guess that made sense, as there were only two of us. However, we asked for more, and she left as if to get them, but we never received them.
Our food did arrive pretty quickly. It looked really good, but tasted only okay. I’ll start with Candi’s chicken. She said it was good, and I had a taste. It did have a good flavor. Nothing special, just good.
I do not order lamb very often because it is so expensive, but thought I would give it a try. When it arrived I thought it looked so good. There were two separate pieces, each with two chops each, so the portion included 4 SMALL chops total. It was very hard and messy to get the chops cut apart, and I finally had to resort to just picking them up and gnawing on them like and animal. I ordered them medium, and they is how they arrived. However, I still found them a little tough. On top of that, the rub on them was very heavy. It was so strong in fact, Candi could not even chew up the bit I shared with her.
After waiting and waiting on the rolls, and for a refill on drinks our waitress came back and wheeled the dessert cart over. We each chose a cupcake. I had the strawberry and it was the best thing I ate all night. Candi had the cream puff, and it looked very yummy. I had seen from so many people online who were there for their anniversary, and they got a dollop of the gray stuff with a special anniversary message. I had my fingers crossed, but not with our waitress. Guess you should not expect something like that, but just hoping. Oh well!
After dinner we did wander around a little to explore the rest of the rooms. Though I have to say it felt weird wandering though the tables of other diners just to get a look at a rose. I thought we had a bad seat. I'd be furious if I was seated at a table next to the rose or the picture of the Beast.
Finally we stopped for a picture with the Beast himself, then it was out into the night for a few more rides and characters. We did not have any type of agenda, just wandered around and enjoyed the evening before returning to Saratoga Spring for our last evening the. It would not be out last night on property, but it would be our last night as SSR. More on that later.
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What a bummer that your waitress was not so attentive to you. I agree that the food at BoG is usually pretty typical - that it is good - but not OH MY this is heaven type of fantastic, but I usually enjoy the atmosphere there.
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Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
Glad the rain worked to your advantage for rides even if you did have to miss the parade it's disappointing to hear another lukewarm review of BOG - it just has such a hype! Our experience was similar to yours though, maybe we had the same waitress ! I'd also hate to be by any of the "displays" as I don't want to be disturbed during a nice expensive dinner and it's one of the reasons I won't be back anytime soon!
I was finally able to read your TR from start to finish. You've had an amazing trip so far. Sorry some of your dining experiences weren't that great.
I must say, some of our park days overlapped. I was at the same Fantasmic show you were at. I was at MK on the evening of the 12th and at Epcot in the morning and early afternoon of the 13th. Too bad our paths never crossed.
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. I agree the talent is amazing. Glad you were able to get into lunch to sit and enjoy! And unfortunately I know all too well what that photo means 
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