I woke up Wednesday morning with a little more spring in my step. I love Animal Kingdom. In fact it's gotta be my favorite park, after MK.
Sidebar: When people ask me which of the WDW parks is my favorite, I usually take
It's kind of like something I heard someone say about movies. From now on, everyone should agree to just take Citizen Kane out of the equation and rate every other movie because we all know film buffs think Kane is the greatest movie ever made. Personally, I find that movie tedious, and will watch
So if I rate the other 3, Animal Kingdom is my favorite (or Epcot, I change my mind depending on which one I'm in.)
I was showered, dressed, and had been to the food court for coffee and chocolate milk before my roomies were even out of bed. In anticipation of a hot day, I put on the new sleeveless Mickey shirt my wife found for me at the outlet store the night before. That's right: sun's out, guns out.
They pulled themselves together and Joe and Ash were getting it together next door and we made it to the park right at 9:00.
I tend to just freestyle it in the parks, but this morning I had map in hand and immediately scouted out our path to Expedition: Everest. I was pushing Sean in the stroller, and as mentioned, I have an "enthusiastic gate" so soon enough I looked around and realized I was all alone. I spotted Wendy coming up around the bend into
I asked where they were and she said she didn't even know. I waited around another minute but saw a large wave of people working their way toward us and it was clear they were following the same plan I was. Their destination: the same forbidden mountain. We continued our trek toward Everest and I sent Joe a text asking if we'd lost them. A moment later I received the following message:
"Ashley slipped. Taking a break."
I asked if she was hurt and he said she'd just twisted her ankle slipping in a puddle and needed to sit for a bit.
Undaunted, I carried on. The mountain has claimed many a visitor in her time. It's the risk we accept when we take her challenge. Sadly in this case, it was shopping that claimed today's victim. Apparently she ducked into a gift shop to look at something and somehow managed to step in a wet spot on the ground as she was leaving and her foot slid and buckled under her. To her credit, as they sat on that bench and her ankle starting to throb, she told Joe to go on ahead and meet up with us and she'd head back to the resort. Joe to his credit said no, he was going with her. So they compromised and she sat for a little longer to see if the pain subsided and Joe texted me he was on his way.
At this point we'd already grabbed a child swap (the greatest scam Disney offers for those of us breeders) and I had just entered the que to go on first. I waited to the side of the line a minute or two because honestly there no was no wait time, but as more people started to pass me, I was too anxious to wait any longer. Joe would have to take his own chances with the mountain. I had to go it alone!
Once again the line moved so fast I had no time to actually look around at all the details the Imagineers so painstakingly put into the que areas. It was beautiful too and really tells a story so vividly. You really can let your imagination transport you to
I have to admit, all jokes aside, that a funny feeling began to set in. I've been waiting to see this animatronic Yeti for almost 4 years now. I've seen it on t.v. and in pictures online many times. Even watched how it was made. But as I found myself locked in to that train seat, I actually began to get nervous. Especially when we stopped at that peak where the tracks had been ripped up and you hear the mysterious sounds and growls. In that moment, I found I had to remind myself I've seen the gears and wires and controls; the Yeti isn't real!
Then fortunately the train went flying backwards through a dark cavern, then and up into the mountain, and I gotta say it felt like we were almost going to go right over in a loop. It was exhilerating. We straightened out and came to a stop, saw the shadow of the beast, and raced on. With every twist, and turn, and dark tunnel I was certain we'd encounter the Yeti at any moment and I was bracing myself emotionally. I didn't want to miss it, even though I knew in that moment, real or not, it was going to be terrifying. We rocketed through one last dark cavern and then . . . sunlight.
The train slowed and we were back at the station. The ride was over? I looked around at my fellow passengers to see if they were as confused as I was. Where was the Yeti? I hadn't seen literally hyde nor hair of any Abominal Snowman. Was he on a Union 10? Did he start late on Wednesday or something? Maybe I just blinked at the wrong moment or something. I thought I saw something move in the darkness for a split second but could that have been it???
Don't get me wrong, the ride kicked all kinds of butt and when I got off I was woozy and my heart was racing. But I couldn't help but be a little let-down that I never saw the Yeti. Wendy and Joe took the child-swap ticket and rode. I waited with Sean near the exit and we watched for mommy. By they way, my 2 & 1/2 year old was beside himself that he couldn't go on the ride. He wanted to tell them what they could do with their 48 inch high rule!
They were on and off within 10 minutes tops and Wendy said "you and Joe go ride it again real quick." Don't have to tell me twice. In line I asked Joe what he thought of the ride and he just said "it's pretty good." We sat in car 11 this time, just behind where I'd been. Apparently he and Wendy were much closer to the front - a spot I find is usually less exciting on roller coasters due to the lag time.
Right before we took off I asked, "Did you see the Yeti?" and he also said no, they hadn't noticed, other than the shadowy appearance halfway through. Before I could ask the CM about it we were on our way again. This time my eyes were peeled. When we reached that final cave where I knew he had to be, I strained to see into the darkness. We were both on HYA (High-Yeti-Alert)! As we entered I pointed up and the following words left mouth exactly as I'll write them: "He should be right, he's right there OH GOD!!!"
Needless to say, he was there. Albeit very hard to see. There was only a faint strobe light behind him, so dim we really didn't get a good look . . . on top of flying by at break-neck speed of course. But I saw enough that it was terrifying for a split second, and I loved it. And Joe loved my reaction, as he reminded me all day of it.
Not that this is any big secret to roller coaster lovers, but Joe having sat closer to the front and then to the back, said further back was way better. He said he didn’t understand why I was so wobbly when I got off the first time, but after we rode again he totally felt it.
After Everest we found Ashley and Abby, who were ready to soldier on into the heart of dark . . . I mean continue on into the park. I led on toward Dinoland. I had mentioned to them that we should use a Counter Service meal to have lunch at Flame Tree BBQ. I’d never eaten there but heard good things. As we passed by, all of us were immediately drawn in by the delicious smell of smoke and barbeque. Everyone instantly agreed with my idea!
Since it was my intention to go right to Dinosaur, the ladies took the kids to ride the Triceratops Spin, which is essentially Dumbo but with dinosaurs.
There was no line for Joe and I at Dinosaur. We got right in to the Dinosaur Institute and just waited for the doors to be opened so we could go see Mrs. Huxtable. You'd have to have ridden it to get that, and be a dinosaur yourself, like me.
Joe asked if this ride was as scary as
I’m a dino-nut so I found that lame but ok, it may be a picky detail.
Even so, Dinosaur itself is so much more kinetic and exciting, and Disney's dinosaurs definitely have teeth! Lots of sharp, jagged, flesh-tearing teeth.
I’ve seen a lot of people online criticize it and say they don’t like it. I don’t know how you can not like it, unless it’s just too intense for you. And just as on Everest, there are moments where for a brief second you forget those dinosaurs are mechanical and programmed to stop before they actually eat you. Oh and anyone who tells you Indiana Jones at
Afterwards we came off to find Goofy and Pluto taking pics just outside of Dinosaur and the girls were waiting in line. Then we jumped on Primeval Whirl. A fun, spinning, mini-coaster. Google it. It's hard to describe, but it's just wild and whimsical. I took Sean with thinking there’d be no problem with him riding it. I didn’t know this was another 48 incher. Once again, I had an unhappy child.
The girls and kids had probably indulged us long enough, so we decided to get them out of the sun so they could sit for a bit. We headed over to It’s Tough to Be a Bug. As we would our way down into the tree, I have to admit I considered warning them about some of the “4D” effects in the theater. But then I thought, hey, nobody ever warned me!
Besides, what’s a hornet sting in the back now and then? It’s good for you. Builds character. And as I expected, they loved it. Plus watching Joe (who by the way is like 6’ 3” and probably 325 - 350 lbs) nearly leap out of his seat when the smaller bugs exited the theater at the end was priceless. At least he couldn’t see my face when I saw the Yeti!
We had lunch at Flame Tree after. It was really good. I had the ribs though it was an internal debate for a while. The chicken sounded good too. Wendy just got a fruit plate (zzzzz!)
The ribs had a good flavor, but I would’ve liked a little more sauce. I'm kind of odd in that I like ‘em wet, but that’s just personal preference. I also sprung for a side of Onion Rings (which are not part of the meal plan, FYI) which were good too. And the deck area is nice and shady and peaceful, however it is teeming with ducks and a few other avian friends. Personally it doesn’t bother me, but I know a few people who are so skeeved by birds they won’t eat in a restaurant if they see a bird outside the window.
And please, DO NOT FEED THE BIRDS!!!
I shouldn’t share this but will. First off, a big table next to us had a kid that was constantly feeding bread to the ducks, which isn’t good for them. Plus it’s just disrespectful when you’re literally sitting under a sign that says not to do it and you do it anyway. But then, Ashley, who was sitting at the next table behind me, started feeding them too for Abby’s amusement. Well, she gave Abby a piece of bread to feed to a duck, but then looked away for a moment. Apparently while she is college educated and well-bred, she never learned or else forgot that ducks, like many winged birds have the uncanny ability to leave the ground when it suits them. The duck lept up into the air to snatch the bread being cruelly dangled overhead and out of reach. When it clamped its beak down, it caught a little bit of finger on both mother and child.
What upset me most was, I missed the whole thing!
Neither was really hurt, just startled.
After lunch we were going to catch the train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, which is something we’ve never done before. I can’t remember why but halfway to the train Joe and Ashley decided to do something else. So Sean, Wendy, and I boarded without them. It was a nice, albeit not entirely exciting ride, though it was cool to see some of the animals night time enclosures. I have to say the final destination was a little disappointing. The petting zoo was a few goats and sheep, and a lot of empty pens. And the exhibits inside were just kind of . . . eh.
At least now we can say we did it. And it was yet another “choo-choo” ride for Sean. And that’s the most important thing. That kid loves him some trains!
The plan after this was to catch Festival of the Lion King. However along the way there were stops for snacks, drinks, and of course to go potty. Well by time we got to Camp Minnie Mickey the show was 10 minutes in. So scratch that plan. I knew this meant the girls would want to leave.
Admittedly we had done what I’d wanted to do at AK, but, I still wasn’t ready to leave. I was just enjoying being there. As I’ve said, it’s a park I could just be in and even if I didn’t ride anything, I’d still have a great time simply for being in it. And it’s a park that quite honestly, I could walk around in all alone and be perfectly content.
Which I tried to imply and was met with one of those classic wife responses where they tell you it’s fine if you stay behind for an extra hour or so of alone time, and then remind you how they’d really like an hour of alone time too at the pool, but they guess they won’t get it.
So I accepted that I’d be leaving with the rest. But somehow as I walked on ahead (again, long gate . . . though not as enthusiastic when leaving a park) it was worked out that Joe and I would stay because he wanted to ride Kali River Rapids and the girls would head on to Pop ahead of us.
Well, at least that was something, I thought. Score one for Bro-seph! Of course, I’m not stupid. As Joe and I walked away I told him “I don’t know about you, but I’ll be paying for this later, some way or another.” He smiled and said “Yeah, me too. So let’s just enjoy it for now.”
A task made not as easy by the 40 minute wait for Kali. Everybody was looking for a way to beat the heat. The ride was good and bad. Good because when we took that plunge after the big deforestation scene, Joe went down backwards and got SOAKED! The bad was that I came off the thing bone-dry, and also, I forgot how quickly that ride goes by. I have to say its one ride at WDW that I don’t feel is worth a 40 minute wait. To be honest, it’s not worth much more than a 4 minute wait. We have the same rapid ride at our local Six Flags and to be honest, it lasts longer and you get wetter.
When we got off I asked Joe, “How much trouble do you think we’d get in if we tried to jump on Everest one more time before we left?” We figured whatever the answer, it was worth it. But when we saw the standby wait was at 35 minutes, we knew better to bail.
While my day at Animal Kingdom was over already, a little sooner than I would have liked, there was still more to be excited about. We got back to Pop and I went to the pool to get Sean. I laid him down in the room for a little snooze and spent a little time with Stacey (creepy!!!)
We had dinner reservations for 7:00 at T-REX Café in Downtown Disney. I was almost as excited about this as I had been about riding Everest for the first time.
