An Animal Kingdom State of Being with Cam and Fam COMPLETED 9/18 - Page 91 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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My goodness I love those parade pics! It's a good thing nobody needed to talk to me just now, because I was sitting here all alone reading with a big ol' silly grin on my face. It would've been a bit to be caught!
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
Cam, that has GOT to be one of the coolest things I have ever read about!! I am sooooo excited for you, Luke, Stefanie, Ann and Carly!! I admit, I actually got teary from happiness while reading about the parade. And how COOL your pictures are, especially the ones from the other float and everyone greeting you as you came back in the gate. And then, to top it all off, the YouTube video! ~sigh~ That is Disney magic at it's finest!!!
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Saturday, October 9, 2014 - Kaitlyn and I before the Happy Haunted 5K at ESPN Wide World of Sports
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When I first started reading your update, I figured Lily was going to be the highlight of the update, but boy was I wrong. Then you threw in your parade experience and WOW, what a magical moment that all of you will remember for the rest of your lives!! I don't know how the rest of the vacation is going to compare to that moment! And thanks for sharing the video. It was so cool to see all 5 of you riding on that float.
Cam I am just finally getting caught up on your trip report again. The photos from the safari are amazing! What a wonderful experience And how lucky were you guys to get to be in the parade!!! If that happened to us, I am not sure who we be more excited, me or them (although I can guarantee DH would react the same way as Luke). Can't wait to read more!
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PREVIOUS TRIPS: 1997- Off-site, 2002-Contemporary, 2009- POFQ, 2011- Beach Club, 2012- Disney Magic, 2013 Disney Fantasy
That is way too cool, Cam! Looks like you had a blast! What a great memory!
We did have a blast indeed!
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Originally Posted by chezp
Oh my goodness, what an amazing experience - that is truly magical!
It's that magic that keeps us going back year after year.
Quote:
Originally Posted by B.M.
I just love that you guys were in the parade! What an amazing experience!
Judith told us that they are turned down more often than accepted for the riding the float in the parade. And the most common excuse is that it doesn't fit into their plans. Trust me, we'd change our plans! (though we didn't need to)
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbd
Amazingly ! The pictures were awesome! I love the gorillas. The parade photos were fun. That's nice that the photopass people took pictures while you were on the float! Now I hope Anna forgets these pictures because she wants to "ride on that"--meaning your very sweet parade float.
Oh my! I hope she forgets or you all get the magic sprinkled on you, too!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommapants
I was wondering the same thing but perhaps she hasn't lost her "baby weight" yet and gotten back her girlish figure (or should I say gorilla-ish figure)
Look at the woman on the end of the bench in the blue hat - how excited does she look?
Great updates Cam - I'm loving it!
She was part of a group of what I took to be college students who got to ride on one of the floats. They were all giddy!
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Originally Posted by buzzspal2
Your family had the best day ever.
We did!
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Originally Posted by WeRDisneyFanatics
AWESOME! What a wonderful experience to be in the parade - surely memories to cherish. And when you said you found a video of it I got both goosebumps and teary at the same time!
Stefanie and I got to tell some folks in the line at JoAnn's about it today. Our store just opened today and there were some problems with the registers so it took over half an hour to check out. We made friends with several folks in line and they asked what I was buying scrapbook supplies for, and then Stefanie and I were off with the stories. Poor folks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by HollyH
Well yes, he's the "Big Cheese", but I'll wager that if any PassPorters were in the crowd they would have been just as excited to see you guys (well okay, maybe Stefanie especially, but still...). I know I would have been.
BTW, do you know of any PPers that just happened to be watching the parade that day?
I haven't heard any PPers mention being there or seeing us.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roxie2006
Lilly is just totally awesome. We love watching her at play. What a really Magical experience!!! I can really tell the fun you all were having!!
I'm pretty sure we beamed most of the day!
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhinohunter
Great day at AK. Once again, your pix are all great. Stephannie looks right at home with all of the characters. Lucky that you thought to search for the video and was able to find it. Your green parrot looks like a military macaw but not sure. The orange on the tops wings makes me wonder
I believe it is a macaw. I really wish I could learn to photograph and write at the same time so my notes wouldn't have gaps in them that my memory can't fill accurately.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheeser
The parade...on video...how awesome. The pictures of Stefanie just waving are truly awesome and wow...Lilly.
You guys had the best day. Did you submit your memory to Disney for their Memories program?
No, I haven't, but I guess I should do that. Can you still do it weeks after the vacation?
Quote:
Originally Posted by honeybee723
How Magical!!! It looked like you guys had so much fun and that is a memory that only a few special families get to share.
I'm hoping that Lisa and we have started a new trend for PPers and more of us get chosen to join the parade.
How great!! How were your poor DH feet holding up at this point?
He actually commented that sitting on the float for 35 minutes had been a much needed break for his toes/feet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeL
Great pics and time from Parade. Hope the photographer too k at least 1 head on shot of your Adventurous little band of exploreers with MM in backround Your shots of Lilly and along PFT are great as well Now I know where to go if I run low on bait
Sad to say, the pictures your saw are all the PP photographer took. The crowd is so thick and the floats go by his spot rather quickly, so he clicks off as many pictures of all six families as he can.
And I'm going to totally ignore your bait comment!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
That belly is normal for an adult gorilla--perfect gorilla-ish figure!
Poor gorilla girls!
Quote:
Originally Posted by jennie622
BEST DAY AT DISNEY EVER!!!!
That is so cool!!! To be in Disney parade. WOW!
Lily is so sweet looking. I hope to catch a glimpse of her next trip.
Wow sums it up!
Quote:
Originally Posted by nalexander
What a great day.
I love the pictures of Lily. I can't belie e how big she is getting,
I'm already wondering how much bigger she'll be by next June.
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvnwdwgal
Well that was just the coolest update! Love the Lilly pics! I can just imagine the squeal of delight when you saw yourselves in the video!
I tried not to get too excited until Luke was ready to wake up as I was working on my laptop in bed, but the minute he was awake, he was forced to watch it with me grinning bigger and bigger as it went.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WeLuvTheWorld
I started reading your TR yesterday (talk about joining late!) and just love all your pictures and the details you share.
I also LOVE the FJ ride at the WWOHP and the whole HP area is incredible. It makes you feel like you are right there. Last August was our first time there in 10 years and we ended up buying season passes so we could come back and experience the WWOHP.
Your check in experience at the AKL was awful and so unDisneylike. I'm glad your day at the AK seems to be the exact opposite with only GREAT things happening all day.
Can't wait to hear more of your story (and I'll stay caught up now)!
Glad you're reading! You did have a bit of catching up to do.
Quote:
Originally Posted by islandgirl
What a truly, wonderful, M-A-G-I-C-A-L day!!!!!
Absolutely!
Quote:
Originally Posted by goofysdtr
What a great day! Definitely a best day ever!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MickeyD
AWESOME and MAGICAL!! How else could you describe your BEST day ever? Truly and experience to be treasured! Oh and Lily is the cutest thing.
And there is still a bit of magic to go before the day ends.
Quote:
Originally Posted by goofysdtr
What a great day! Definitely a best day ever!
Indeed it was!
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
My goodness I love those parade pics! It's a good thing nobody needed to talk to me just now, because I was sitting here all alone reading with a big ol' silly grin on my face. It would've been a bit to be caught!
Sometimes when I'm reading TRs at night on the couch. Luke will ask what I'm reading because of the faces I make. I've also been know to laugh out loud and totally disrupt whatever show we're watching.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney0_0
Cam, that has GOT to be one of the coolest things I have ever read about!! I am sooooo excited for you, Luke, Stefanie, Ann and Carly!! I admit, I actually got teary from happiness while reading about the parade. And how COOL your pictures are, especially the ones from the other float and everyone greeting you as you came back in the gate. And then, to top it all off, the YouTube video! ~sigh~ That is Disney magic at it's finest!!!
You are so sweet!
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
When I first started reading your update, I figured Lily was going to be the highlight of the update, but boy was I wrong. Then you threw in your parade experience and WOW, what a magical moment that all of you will remember for the rest of your lives!! I don't know how the rest of the vacation is going to compare to that moment! And thanks for sharing the video. It was so cool to see all 5 of you riding on that float.
I felt you all deserved finally to hear how the parade had gone as you had waiting so patiently for that part of the day to get here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lazanya
So amazing! What an awesome memory for all of you! Best.Day.Evah!
It will be one of the big WDW memories of all time!
Quote:
Originally Posted by langefamily4
Cam I am just finally getting caught up on your trip report again. The photos from the safari are amazing! What a wonderful experience And how lucky were you guys to get to be in the parade!!! If that happened to us, I am not sure who we be more excited, me or them (although I can guarantee DH would react the same way as Luke). Can't wait to read more!
I'm hoping more PPers get the same opportunity as it is fabulous!
We all felt we had energy for one more ride. Expedition Everest had a 50 minutes wait while Dinosaur had only a 10 minutes wait so it won. Stefanie began complaining immediately per her usual about dinosaurs. Carly was terrific at calming her down by playing the ABC character game with her. , Carly! Soon we were aboard our rover. Stefanie let out a few awesome screams and repeatedly asked if I was till there in the dark even though she a death grip on both my hands and my arms.
Next was a trip back to the resort to freshen up before dinner at Sanaa with Ann and Carly. Nothing on me was dry by this point! We got on a fairly crowded bu and stood the whole way even after Kidani Village folks were dropped off.
Back at Jambo House, showers were necessary. I also dealt with a package pick up issue that Mamaw and Granddad were helping with. Also my DSis Pam was in need of some plan changes for our get together on Saturday the 11th.
We met Ann and Carly at 7:15 outside their room 6201. At the bus stop we exchanged gifts while waiting for a DTD bus to take us to Kidani Village. Ann gave me a giraffe figure and giraffe cup that had belonged to her Mom. Her Mom had bought both at Disney. Too sweet and very precious! These will be treasured forever! , Ann! We gave Carly a Jim Shore Peter Pan figurine and Ann a Willow Tree Angel with a book and the Hallmark Disney series Family sign. Stefanie really wanted to keep Carly’s Peter Pan, but Carly was very good at safeguarding it. Later back at home when Stefanie had saved up enough money and I had a coupon, she bought one for herself.
The smaller of the two giraffes is the one from Ann. I have them sitting very much like the mother and baby giraffe that we saw every day outside our room at Kidani Village later in our trip.
This is my giraffe shelf in the master bathroom. All the wooden ones are from Disney; the two glass giraffes are from Pier 1 years ago.
This is the second giraffe from Ann. It is a wooden cup that I am using to hold my pens and pencils by my notebook of lists on the kitchen counter. again, Ann!
Finally, the DTD bus arrived and we were off to KV and Sanaa. Dining here was a first for Ann and Carly; the third trip for the Matthews. Once at Sanaa we received our page and then strolled on out to the Outlook where Eric from the Republic of the Congo gave us a brief lesson in giraffes as well as a short history of Africa and its geography. While we ladies listened, Luke took pictures of my friends.
Our page went off and we had to pull ourselves away from Eric. He really was the quintessential Disney cast member.
We were seated at the Hidden Mickey table (check the picture below).
These folks look like they’ve had the BEST Disney day EVER!
Our server was Kim and she was the absolute best of the entire trip! She was very informative and friendly. Kim offered us great guidance in making our choices. First, we choose two bread flights (one for each family) and so Kim brought us all of the spreads. My favorites were the Cucumber, Tamarind, and, Roasted Bell Pepper.
I chose the Chicken with Red Curry Sauce and Beef Short Ribs with rice and Pomegranate Lemonade. Stefanie picked the Chicken Tenders with rice and tomato soup (which Luke and I shared). Luke had the Durban Chicken and Shrimp, even though he was warned that on the Spicy Hot scale it was a 9 out of 10. He loved it! Everything was very, very delicious, but none of us finished as we got too full.
Ann and I were behind the others leaving the restaurant as we continued to talk to Kim. We may have actually closed the restaurant down. When we left, we couldn’t see or hear our group. Trust me, I can usually hear Stefanie. I told Ann that Luke had probably taken the elevators with Carly and Stefanie to avoid the steps for Stef. Not there! Next we checked the bathroom. As we entered, commode flushed, and I called out to Stefanie. The commode continued to flush every few seconds, but we discovered that no one was in there. Spooky and funny all at the same time! We hightailed it out of there and finally found our families in the gift shop. In Johari Treasures, Stefanie got a ticket holder to add to her lanyard.
Then it was back to Jambo House via an Epcot bus and up to Kilimanjaro Club by 10:15, too late for dessert. Bummer! We three were soon in bed, though I tried to start notes for this day. I realized I was just not wakeful enough to remember all the absolutely fantastic events , so I got up, put the notebook and my glasses up, curled up in the bed for a much needed sleep.
Up Next: How does a slow morning turn into a classic meltdown?
Wow, what a perfect day at AK (and evening at dinner!) Classic meltdown...hmm, I can't wait to hear who melts down and why! In our family it could be any of us, even me at times! Hope it won't spoil the day!
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15 total family trips with stays at the Poly, AKL, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Swan, Dolphin, POFQ, Pop Century, All Star Music, Movies & Sports, and Coronado Springs.
Oh what a great close to a magical day with great friends! It's so wonderful you got to spend the day with Ann and Carly, it's so cool that this community brings people together like that. I'm sure you will treasure the memories of today forever! Can't wait to hear what comes next!
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Amanda =)
Living out a childhood dream during my summer 2015 trip to WDW. Is it time to go back yet?
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." –Walt Disney
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to be caught! 
And how COOL your pictures are, especially the ones from the other float and everyone greeting you as you came back in the gate. 
And then, to top it all off, the YouTube video! ~sigh~ That is Disney magic at it's finest!!! 
! The pictures were awesome! I love the gorillas. The parade photos were fun. That's nice that the photopass people took pictures while you were on the float! Now I hope Anna forgets these pictures because she wants to "ride on that"--meaning your very sweet parade float.
We hightailed it out of there and finally found our families in the gift shop. In Johari Treasures, Stefanie got a ticket holder to add to her lanyard. 
We three were soon in bed, though I tried to start notes for this day. I realized I was just not wakeful enough to remember all the absolutely fantastic events , so I got up, put the notebook and my glasses up, curled up in the bed for a much needed sleep. 
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