Surprised the kids, wife, and my readers w/ a 2 week trip to AoA!(*NEW* 11-7)

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Just an update, i am 90% of the way to my goal for my st baldricks head shaving event (to raise money for kids cancer research)....if you have not donated and wish to please send me a PM for the link to my website, or if you just want to check the page out send me a PM and i will gladly send it to you.


Chapter 36. A parade and an animal encounter.

After leaving the lion king show, it was time to find some good spots for the parade.

So we headed off to towards the safari, we parked on a bench that at first was in the sun on the right hand side of the pathway just before the bridge.

then when a shaded spot opened up on the bench across the way we moved over there. with our spots secure parker and i headed off to pick up his binoculars that he had wanted earlier in the day.

back at our spot it was time for some refreshments...a frozen drink was in order...so i went and picked up two of those as well as a jalapeno cheese pretzel...man that sucker hit the spot...well turns out parker didnt like the frozen coke, so candi and him went off to get an ice cream cup.

well i think according to this face he likes this choice much better.

as we were sitting there i looked at the map and realized that the parade actually started about 30 feet to our right hand side and that it would pass in front of us but not until it had went all the way around the entire park then back again...not wanting to sit and wait 30 minutes for it to get back to us we stood up and walked over to where it would start.

we made friends with the people next to us on the bench and they liked our idea so they joined. parker talked there ear off while we waited for the parade to start which was about 15 minutes late because someone that was in it passed out backstage before it was to start.

when they helped them out it was time to begin.

we liked this whole start of parade thing here as well as the MK all the performers are fresh and you get a ton of attention at the start.

there was no one across from us so they all came to our side as soon as they got on the route.

the kids really liked the goofy truck.

donalds float was a huge hit as well with the squirting water.

and last but not least mickey mouse.

we had fast passes from when we went back there to get the binoculars so we used those on the safari as soon as the parade was over.

i also picked up another pair that a CM told me i didnt need, and i said i know there is no line but my son wants them as a souvenior...the line was so short the return time for the fast pass was less than 15 minutes after the time i picked them up.

so with new binoculars in tow it was time to spot some animals.

we saw the rhinos in that same area by the hippos that we have never seen them in before.

parker was a pro at spotting animals with his new gadget.

and i used to think that seeing animals on the morning safari was the best way to go but it turns out there are just as many if not more in the evening as the temps start to decline a little.

we saw our baby elephants again.

and another good view of the eating area on the safari expedition tour that you can take.

thats a big bird you see there son.

as we round the corner in hopes of seeing the lion this time we spot something else on the path that we have never seen over here...or at least in this direct section of the safari.

some very slow moving animatronic white rhinos

ohh whats that a twofer...a rhino tush and a lion i see.

miss lion on pride rock.

and mr lion on pride rock.
at least he wasnt laying down and we could see his head.

we had alot of time to check out the lion as we still had some slow moving 2 ton animals in our way.

it was at this moment i was glad that it was a rhino that we were this close too.

and glad that this hippo was not in that same position on the tour.


click on the link to see what i mean.

going to work on the next update right now.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Chapter 37. We close down AK for the first time.
part 1.

After our safari, we still had a little business of seeing some more characters to finish up.

So off to camp mickey and minnie it was.

First up was mickey.

we had to wait for a little cheese break so when they came back the handlers started a mickey / minnie chant in each line which the kids really enjoyed.

mickey really liked parkers binoculars so he ended up asking for them so he could spy on minnie.

what did the kids think of that.

they loved it.

noelle came around to mickey and enjoyed some high fives.

and parker was still a little puzzled on the whole spying binocular thing.

i like how he is looking at mickey in this one still full of excitment and love for the big cheese.

of course we had to see minnie as well.

she thought it was really funny that mickey was checking her out with the glasses when parker told her so she checked parker out with them then checked mickey out for herself.

another positive meet for noelle seems like she has this thing down

just hanging out with her best friends is all.

too many pics for one update so going to split the rest of the meets up with the next chapter.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Chapter 37. We close down the AK for the first time.
part 2

next up was donald duck.

now noelle is really a pro and walks up to them on her own.

no need for mommy support.

even hangs back to blow kisses, she loves the duck we are good.

we see pocahantas and quickly jump in her line.

parker and her talk about his binoculars and exploring in the jungle etc.

candi let me get in this picture with her.

we had about 20 minutes till the park closed so it was quickly off to the back of the park, but first a shot in the park where you can see the everest and tree of life. only spot that you can see both in a picture.

we had to get in the tree of life family shot

and one with simba, i am always looking at the camera in these.

we were on a mission to see candis favorite tigers since we did not see them earlier in the day.

and we did this is also a big spot in one of the kingdom keeper books so it was fun to see stuff we read about again.

and no trip is complete with out seeing these cuddly little fellows.

and with that a CM was back there to tell us politely that the park was closing and followed us out to make sure no one else was left on the trails.

and somewhere between here and the exit we lost one of noelles shoes well actually she kicked it off and we have no idea where it was...it never showed up in lost and found even a few days later so she spent the rest of the trip in sandals.

and that was the first time we have ever spent open to close at AK and we actually really enjoyed it, we will be doing that again soon.


the day is not over though yet we still had dinner and the rest of the night left but that is a story for another time.

have a great weekend everyone.

 

[WDWaddictt]

OMG...that ways too funny with the hippo! You were so lucky it was a Rhino instead... Lol

Your pictures are great! Glad you all had a great time in AK!

It is so cute to see Noelle warm up to the characters.

 

[englishrose47]

Dan I shard you updates with a couple of the individuals , they REALLY liked the video of thr HIPPOVery good Safari pix !! The Parade at AK is my favorite of the Daytime parades . Parker looks very intent on the Safari

 

[Trentmom]

That video of the hippo was awesome

Glad Noelle slowly came around with the characters. She looks like a real pro now. Thank goodness she liked Donald, your hero

Looks like a great day all around

 

[KatMark]

Darn....I was REALLY behind.

I am just loving the photos with Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger...just too cute.

You got some great pictures on the safari again and Parker sure looks like he is enjoying his new binoculars.

We have got to make a point of staying for the AK parade again one of these days.

I'm glad Parker was able to enjoy The Festival of the Lion King...you handled that great.

The photos in Camp Mickey & Minnie are my absolute favorites. Noelle is turning into a "character" pro.

Great pictures of the Tigers...glad you went back to see those for Candi. I could have done WITHOUT the picture of the bat, however.

 

[heaven2dc]

I am so tickled to see Noelle warm up to the Characters! What great memories of your day at AK! Priceless pics

 

[Gracefulskinny]

and glad that this hippo was not in that same position on the tour.


click on the link to see what i mean.

Oh wow! DH and I nearly just woke up our daughter laughing at that!!!!! Had to watch that one a few times! Hahahahahaha!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

When you posted the pictures of the rhinos in "position", I of course immediately thought of that YouTube clip and wondered if you'd seen it. Naturally, you were on top of things!

Love the way Mickey and Minnie were playing with Parker's binoculars. The characters are so good at picking up on little things like that and making it a special memory.

 

[khertz]

The animals were really active on your Safari! That always makes for a really great experience. Except if a hippo is shaking poop your way, I guess.

All of the character greet photos are absolutely precious! You can tell Parker really loves meeting them and interacting with them. And it's great that Noelle finally warmed up to meeting them on her own! The one of her blowing kisses to Donald is SO cute!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

OMG...that ways too funny with the hippo! You were so lucky it was a Rhino instead... Lol

Your pictures are great! Glad you all had a great time in AK!

It is so cute to see Noelle warm up to the characters.

i was very please as well, and if you ever wondered why hippos were always so much farther away from people in exhibits wonder no more.

i was so happy she was really coming around to them as well.

Dan I shard you updates with a couple of the individuals , they REALLY liked the video of thr HIPPOVery good Safari pix !! The Parade at AK is my favorite of the Daytime parades . Parker looks very intent on the Safari

glad you could share it with them, i hope they got a good laugh out of it.

he was all business with those binoculars.

That video of the hippo was awesome

Glad Noelle slowly came around with the characters. She looks like a real pro now. Thank goodness she liked Donald, your hero

Looks like a great day all around

she is an old pro now, just need to take her back and get her to see them again, i hope donald always has a spot towards the top of her list, i am pretty sure pluto was her favorite of the trip, but since we have been home she has fallen for goofy, he is the first one she points out in all of her books now.

Darn....I was REALLY behind.

I am just loving the photos with Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger...just too cute.

You got some great pictures on the safari again and Parker sure looks like he is enjoying his new binoculars.

We have got to make a point of staying for the AK parade again one of these days.

I'm glad Parker was able to enjoy The Festival of the Lion King...you handled that great.

The photos in Camp Mickey & Minnie are my absolute favorites. Noelle is turning into a "character" pro.

Great pictures of the Tigers...glad you went back to see those for Candi. I could have done WITHOUT the picture of the bat, however.

i was really glad we stayed there all day, we were not planning on it, but it did feel good to have pretty much no one in the park toward the end of the day.

she is a character meet master now, she loved those furry guys.

tigers are her favorite and while she said we didnt need to go see them, im glad we did she had a good time.

more pictures of the bat next time got it.

I am so tickled to see Noelle warm up to the Characters! What great memories of your day at AK! Priceless pics

thanks, it is really a laid back relaxing park if you just take the time to enjoy it all and not rush through it. it is starting to grow more and more on me that park.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

:

Oh wow! DH and I nearly just woke up our daughter laughing at that!!!!! Had to watch that one a few times! Hahahahahaha!

im glad you enjoyed it, my favorite was at the end the lady saying...
"what was that?" and "did you see that?"

im sure everyone saw that.


also the last few seconds you can hear a lady say,
"okay i think we're done here" well the hippos sure was done here.

When you posted the pictures of the rhinos in "position", I of course immediately thought of that YouTube clip and wondered if you'd seen it. Naturally, you were on top of things!

Love the way Mickey and Minnie were playing with Parker's binoculars. The characters are so good at picking up on little things like that and making it a special memory.

i love that video clip, very funny stuff there.

i knew you would know that clip, most men have seen it.

it was an awesome interaction, we were looking at pictures of the trip last night and parker was still laughing about that interaction when we got to it.

The animals were really active on your Safari! That always makes for a really great experience. Except if a hippo is shaking poop your way, I guess.

All of the character greet photos are absolutely precious! You can tell Parker really loves meeting them and interacting with them. And it's great that Noelle finally warmed up to meeting them on her own! The one of her blowing kisses to Donald is SO cute!

they were very active all day, but it seemed more so at the evening safari than the others of the day.

i love that picture with her and donald, she is already winning over my favorite character.

 

[Poolrat]

What great character meets. I love when the charactes have some fun and really spend time with the little ones.


As for the hippo.... I did hear the lady say - Okay we are done here.

I like closing down AK. It really empties out after the parade and you can just stroll around.

 

[Jessica527]

Amazing Trip Reports!!

I first read your 2010 report and fell in love with your family. I am only 1/4 into this one and have a lot of reading to do.

Thank you for a great report and I look forward to reading the rest!

 

[katt789]

Yay I haven’t fallen as behind as I would’ve thought! Yay! At least I’ve got the excuse of being on vacation, right? Lawl.

Baby animals! So cute, that ostrich, NO THANK YOU, so creepy, I do not accept them!

I knew there was a reason I didn’t like the Nemo show, baha! It definitely does have a really dark start for a kids movie!! I agree with the NO at the new photobucket, I REALLY don’t like the way it’s laid out and it’s way harder to use now!

Oh my gosh the kids are too cute with the characters, Parker’s so happy to be bouncing with Tigger, that’s where the magic is! So glad you were able to stick it out through FOTLK, it’s such an incredible show, definitely my favorite!!

Oh no! I hope that the parade performer was okay! But I’m glad you guys got a great spot for it! I like the idea of AK until closing but I feel like I always have something else to do that afternoon/evening and end up leaving AK by one, there just isn’t enough to keep my occupied I guess ahha!!

 

[Cllong75]

I love your report so far, could your kids seriously be any cuter? It looks like Noelle is warming up to the characters like a pro.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

What great character meets. I love when the charactes have some fun and really spend time with the little ones.


As for the hippo.... I did hear the lady say - Okay we are done here.

I like closing down AK. It really empties out after the parade and you can just stroll around.

i think its great how much they can get across to kids byjust there actions and not talking that is what makes them really good at there job when the kids will talk and talk and not expect any words in response

yep she said that.


it does and i think that will be one of our new things to do there, try and close it down.

Amazing Trip Reports!!

I first read your 2010 report and fell in love with your family. I am only 1/4 into this one and have a lot of reading to do.

Thank you for a great report and I look forward to reading the rest!

thanks for reading along. there are two other reports in the signature that you can read when you get caught up with this one if you want more back trips.

hope the links at the start help you get caught up and thanks for being here.

Yay I haven’t fallen as behind as I would’ve thought! Yay! At least I’ve got the excuse of being on vacation, right? Lawl.

Baby animals! So cute, that ostrich, NO THANK YOU, so creepy, I do not accept them!

I knew there was a reason I didn’t like the Nemo show, baha! It definitely does have a really dark start for a kids movie!! I agree with the NO at the new photobucket, I REALLY don’t like the way it’s laid out and it’s way harder to use now!

Oh my gosh the kids are too cute with the characters, Parker’s so happy to be bouncing with Tigger, that’s where the magic is! So glad you were able to stick it out through FOTLK, it’s such an incredible show, definitely my favorite!!

Oh no! I hope that the parade performer was okay! But I’m glad you guys got a great spot for it! I like the idea of AK until closing but I feel like I always have something else to do that afternoon/evening and end up leaving AK by one, there just isn’t enough to keep my occupied I guess ahha!!

i have been pretty busy so not as many updates as i would have liked. hope you had a good vacation.

at our local zoo there is a spot that the ostritch can see you through some glass and it just keeps hitting its nose on the glass over and over again. very funny stuff.

he had some great character meets this trip, we were really happy with it.
we used to be that way as well with AK but this trip decided to see about filling a whole day there. i was really glad i did, i think if you try and schedule each show and then fill in with the other stuff it is pretty easy to fill a day there, especially if you do the walking trails and the rafiki station.

I love your report so far, could your kids seriously be any cuter? It looks like Noelle is warming up to the characters like a pro.

thanks very much for joining in and the nice words.

she seems to need to trust them first then she is all good.

last night at chik fil a. it took her about 20 minutes of checking out the the cow mascot and him walking by and her looking for him around corners to finally be okay to wave at him then she was good as long as i held her so she is def. a warmer upper.

 

[glennbo123]

Loved the "twofer", rhino butt and lion. What good fortune!

Awesome that Mickey and Minnie had fun with Parker's bino's. That's a great picture of him cracking up and Noelle pointing.

 

[marvali]

And who doesnt like a little baby elephant picture.

Wonder if that is the same one they rescued from the poachers that was in the back of the truck you used to see on the safari......released back into the wild???

And not to be outdone by the baby elephant the baby rhino and his mommy were hanging out as well.

I love when you get to see the baby animals out when doing the safari!

At this point i started to think that if there was not the whole issue of this giant vehicle i was in, this guy would seriously consider taking a shot at me.
just look at that face staring us down.

Did you try to give that bird........the bird........or something???

After our second safari ride of the morning. we were off on the train to the rafiki area, parker was loving the train that morning just like he loves all trains.

I agree with Parker, I love the trains too! Only been to Planet Watch once........I guess I need to spend some more time exploring back there.

if u end up riding back there check out the bathrooms they have some fun soundtracks playing in there, or the guy in the stall had some really unusual talents.

For a minute there, you had me tempted..........

Rafiki was out and about greeting his quests so we stopped to say hi...Parker wasnt feeling him at first but once he saw his sister go up and say hi and get an autograph he had no problem going up and getting one of his own.

Love the little grin on Noelle's face here.

We also spotted this guy with a funky hair cut. Nothing like sucking up to your boss.

Nice!!!

It was time for NEMO.



as soon as the show started the lights went out and they start the scene with the mean looking fish that eats all the fish eggs right...well, parker hit the floor and was under my legs.

Poor Parker, he was just having a rough trip all around it seems............

It is all a learning process and do we always get it right as parents, nope, do we sometimes fail, yep, do we crash spectacularly after having a similar situation less than 24 hours earlier. absolutely. just learn to move on and keep trying to get it right.

That is all you can really do as a parent, and considering each child is different, you really go through it over again every time.

and sorry for so much time from the last update, i just figured out how to find my pictures onthe new photobucket.(i hate there changes.)

I actually got a chance to do a survey the last time I was on PB. Normally I probably wouldn't take the time, but this is one occasion I took the opportunity to give them an ear full!!!

if he refuses pizza he might like there hot italian sandwich, we always enjoy that at pizzafari.

Hot Italian? That sounds more along Rosie's line............

wrapping around to next page

Well at least Rosie didn't mess this up for you..............

it was on to see pooh and the gang.

Nice pictures, and some really good interaction from the kids at this character meet!

i can only image what noelle is thinking as tigger puts his arm around mommy for a picture.

The characters all seemed to get carried away cozying up to Candi.........Rafiki seemed to also be very cozy when you were at Planet Watch.........

Guess Chip and Dale aren't the only characters you have to worry about......

so how was that hopping session parker.

Parker did a great job with the hopping, but it doesn't look like he enjoyed it very much..........

Just an update, i am 90% of the way to my goal for my st baldricks head shaving event (to raise money for kids cancer research)....if you have not donated and wish to please send me a PM for the link to my website, or if you just want to check the page out send me a PM and i will gladly send it to you.

So glad you are getting close on your goal! Congratulations and I hope you go way over!!!

Chapter 36. A parade and an animal encounter.

After leaving the lion king show, it was time to find some good spots for the parade.

I love the parade at AK. I guess because it is so different from the rest of them with all the unique "floats."

back at our spot it was time for some refreshments...a frozen drink was in order...so i went and picked up two of those as well as a jalapeno cheese pretzel...man that sucker hit the spot...well turns out parker didnt like the frozen coke, so candi and him went off to get an ice cream cup.

Mmmm........... jalapeno cheese pretzel!!! Would love to be munching on one of those right now!!!

we liked this whole start of parade thing here as well as the MK all the performers are fresh and you get a ton of attention at the start.

Nice job on being at the start of the parade. There is also the added benefit of making a quick escape when the last of the parade passes by, while the rest of the crowd is still waiting to see it.

Looks like Parker was doing a great job with those binoculars! I'm not sure I would have been as excited as you to see those white rhinos so close. I remember one time on the safari that two of them were up a little side road that goes between areas and the driver stopped for everyone to get a look. One of the white rhinos didn't like that one little bit for some reason, and actually began to charge at the vehicle. Needless to say, the driver decided rather quickly it was time to move along.

I think the interaction with the Characters at Camp Minnie Mickey is some of the best. They just seem to take a little more time with the interaction. And it is so good to see Noelle starting to really warm up and get comfortable with the interactions!!!

Nice that you got that extra meet in with Pocahontas. I agree that AK is a really good park to close down; so different when it is almost empty, especially when it works out that you are leaving after dark when all the lights are on and the Tree of Life is illuminated.