Big Apple, Boardwalk, and Beach - Bullies and Wrap-up (The End!) (pg 44)

[glennbo123]

The best ride photo ever


After the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, Judy led us out of Africa. We just had to follow the sun hat.

We were on our way to use our second fastpass, on Expedition Everest.


I took a couple more pictures as we passed through Africa. I can’t say that I’ve ever been in this “Sweets” shop, and unfortunately, we didn’t stop in during this trip either. Is it even a real store?

Guest House in Harambe.

Tree of Life. We usually get some photopass pictures taken around this spot on the trail between Africa and Asia, but the photographer was busy as we passed this time and we never got back here.

Construction walls blocked the shrine, which made me a little worried that it might be removed, but I’ve seen other people post pictures of it in the time since we were there.

Shrines in the Expedition Everest queue.

We used our Fastpasses for our first trip to the top of Everest and back. Judy sat this one out -- it’s too rough of a ride for her. I had my camera out because I planned to take some pictures wile on the ride. Here’s a train, about to unload, while we were getting ready to board.

Lauren and Marlene rode together in the seats in front of James and I.

I took a picture of all of the construction cranes, looking across the park and towards Animal Kingdom Lodge. I hope Avatarland turns out to be good, but I’m a little skeptical.

At the top, I was disappointed to see all of these hair ties that people are throwing out there. I guess it’s become a “thing”. What a shame. But from what I read about the real Everest, it may not be so far from the truth. Apparently there’s a garbage problem there also, as hikers are leaving their garbage (and worse) along the paths to the summit.

Flags

These couple of Yeti shadow pictures turned out pretty well, nicely focused, but could’ve been centered better.

Here’s our Photopass picture. This is not “the one”; not “the best ride photo ever”. Lauren’s making a face, but it doesn’t hold a candle to what’s coming up.

No, the honor of “best ride photo ever” goes to the little lady in the next picture. After we used our Fastpasses, we rode one more time using the Standby line. I was paired-up with a guy in a Borat t-shirt, and in front of us were a father and young daughter. I obviously couldn’t see the look on her face during the ride, but I had this picture waiting for me when I signed-onto Photopass back home:

I do feel a little bad posting this, but it is just too good of a picture not to. The look on her face is just awesome!! When I saw that picture, I just howled. I love it!


During that same ride I took some video on my phone, edited on the fly, and posted to Instagram.

I had a death grip on my phone, taking that video!



Up next: A jungle trek fit for a maharajah, but first a detour to A Blanket Statement

 

[afwdwfan]

Let’s get started – this year-old information isn’t getting any fresher!

I'm getting close to that mark myself... It certainly doesn't get any easier with time.

Lucky you! I've always wanted to see the green chested researcher in his natural habitat, but I always just see boring animals.

I took a picture of all of the construction cranes, looking across the park and towards Animal Kingdom Lodge. I hope Avatarland turns out to be good, but I’m a little skeptical.

You and me both. I realize they can do some impressive immersive things with that land, but when it is based on a movie that I thought sucked, it's just hard to be positive and feel excited about it.

 

[Steppesister]

Hilarious!!! That one is priceless! And yeah, your yeti shots turned out super clear; NICE!

 

[CreightonsMomma]

Glenn- I'm very late, but congratulations to your family on Lauren's wedding. She looked stunning! What a great day!

I'm not a fan of Animal Kingdom. The park is just way too hot for me. We did it on our last trip in June to see the jungle book show. Which was fantastic. But what I found most amazing was the tree at night. Wow! You would get some great pictures of that (unlike all the blurry ones I took).

 

[MAGICFOR2]

That ride photo is great! I wonder if Disney wants to use it LOL!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Here is my favorite:

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Sorry, Glenn. Looks like I missed a couple of updates!

Judy got a big sun hat, which made her a little self-conscious (and will probably somewhat conspicuous in upcoming pictures) but she was surprised at how many compliments she got from random strangers over the next several days. (It was a lot of work for me to run ahead and arrange all of those “random” compliments, but well worth it. )

That's a dedicated husband, right there.

I’d hate to run into them in a dark alley. Oh wait, that’s my family. Nevermind.

But would you still hate to run into them in a dark alley?

Everything was proceeding as I had foreseen. Good...good!

Now witness the power of this fully armed and operational battle station!

This researcher guy is there every time. What in the world is he looking for? Can’t they set up some closed-circuit tv cameras?

He's animatronic too.

I’m sure the lion liked having some shade this morning. My photo would’ve been better with more light, but we wouldn’t want the animatronic lion to overheat.

Exactly. Those mechanisms are very sensitive.

This one too. Maybe an addax? No, I am not making these names up.

It looks like a hippogriff to me.

For instance, the “Little Red” storyline had been eliminated

Hippo underwater. And more hairy eyeball, if you ask me.

I've heard they are not the friendliest of animals.

We used our Fastpasses for our first trip to the top of Everest and back. Judy sat this one out -- it’s too rough of a ride for her.

Aw, that's too bad.

I hope Avatarland turns out to be good, but I’m a little skeptical.

Me too. Probably because I wasn't the biggest fan of the movie.

At the top, I was disappointed to see all of these hair ties that people are throwing out there. I guess it’s become a “thing”. What a shame. But from what I read about the real Everest, it may not be so far from the truth. Apparently there’s a garbage problem there also, as hikers are leaving their garbage (and worse) along the paths to the summit.

Ugh. I hate seeing that. Hadn't heard of that problem before.

These couple of Yeti shadow pictures turned out pretty well, nicely focused, but could’ve been centered better.

Perfectly centered is overrated! I like these shots.

 

[vamassey1]

Excellent photos on Everest and yes the best ride photo is of that poor little girl. I wonder is she ever rode it again.

 

[addictedtothemouse]

but I had this picture waiting for me when I signed-onto Photopass back home:

No. Words.
On my last trip I was riding with a little girl who was maybe around 11. Before the ride started she said that she had never ridden before and was really nervous, so I was chatting with her, trying to make her feel better and she seemed to be doing ok.....until the hill. She quit talking and very quietly said, oh! I don't think I like this. Not another peep out of her until we got off of the train and she saw her mom and burst into tears. While walking away I could hear her mom saying, I promise you never have to ride it again!

 

[Steppesister]

Stopping by to wish the Glennbo Family a super wonderful Thanksgiving! Hope you all are well!

 

[glennbo123]

Wow, I have not tended this thread very well at all lately, have?! My apologies everyone. I knew I would be swamped at work in October (quarter-end) and I was not wrong. That doesn't explain my absence in November very well, and I haven't figured out an excuse for that yet. But at least maybe I can get some replies in...

I'm getting close to that mark myself... It certainly doesn't get any easier with time.

No it doesn't. Maybe I can make some more progress over Christmastime.

Lucky you! I've always wanted to see the green chested researcher in his natural habitat, but I always just see boring animals.

The most dangerous of all of Africa's predators!

You and me both. I realize they can do some impressive immersive things with that land, but when it is based on a movie that I thought sucked, it's just hard to be positive and feel excited about it.

We could have a whole thread on this subject, and there probably already is one. I agree with you 100% and think the whole thing is ill-conceived. I hope they prove me wrong.

Hilarious!!! That one is priceless! And yeah, your yeti shots turned out super clear; NICE!

I had to call all of the kids into the room when I was looking at the Photopass pictures for the first time and came across that one. I actually made a couple more edits where I cropped it even closer, but I don't want it to come off as being mean to the poor little girl. Thanks!

Glenn- I'm very late, but congratulations to your family on Lauren's wedding. She looked stunning! What a great day!

Thanks Jen! We had fun that day, very memorable!

I'm not a fan of Animal Kingdom. The park is just way too hot for me. We did it on our last trip in June to see the jungle book show. Which was fantastic. But what I found most amazing was the tree at night. Wow! You would get some great pictures of that (unlike all the blurry ones I took).

Yeah, I get that. It's one of Judy's favorites though -- she loves seeing the animals. I bet the tree does look amazing at night. I'm really looking forward to the Rivers of Light thing on a future trip.

That ride photo is great! I wonder if Disney wants to use it LOL!

I'm not sure what they'd use it for!

Here is my favorite:

Nice one! Tongues out! Love the expressions on the kids' faces!

 

[glennbo123]

Sorry, Glenn. Looks like I missed a couple of updates!

For shame! Was I going too fast for ya? No, I know that I'm going so slow that I'm sure you were surprised to see actual content being added.

That's a dedicated husband, right there.

I know you would do the same.

But would you still hate to run into them in a dark alley?

Now witness the power of this fully armed and operational battle station!

+1

He's animatronic too.

That explains why I saw a spring pop out of his back.

Exactly. Those mechanisms are very sensitive.

But so lifelike.

It looks like a hippogriff to me.

A crossover with Universal.

I've heard they are not the friendliest of animals.

They're probably just upset from that commercial that plays the "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas" song.

Aw, that's too bad.

Yeah, kinda stinks.

Me too. Probably because I wasn't the biggest fan of the movie.

And the fact that it was ONE movie. Not yet a franchise. Kind of like "going all-in on David Pumpkins".

Ugh. I hate seeing that. Hadn't heard of that problem before.

Very disappointing.

Perfectly centered is overrated! I like these shots.

Well, then there's hope for me!!

I LOVE that shot. I burst out laughing when I saw it.

Excellent photos on Everest and yes the best ride photo is of that poor little girl. I wonder is she ever rode it again.

I don't know if she ever rode it again or ever will. But she made my day with that expression on her face!!

No. Words.

Doncha love it?! Hey, I didn't have you in my list of readers (for this trip report anyway) addictedtothemouse, so if I hadn't already welcomed you!

On my last trip I was riding with a little girl who was maybe around 11. Before the ride started she said that she had never ridden before and was really nervous, so I was chatting with her, trying to make her feel better and she seemed to be doing ok.....until the hill. She quit talking and very quietly said, oh! I don't think I like this. Not another peep out of her until we got off of the train and she saw her mom and burst into tears. While walking away I could hear her mom saying, I promise you never have to ride it again!

Yeah, it can be pretty traumatic...I wonder what her picture looked like?! But then there's the other side of the coin where once you know what to expect it's not so bad. Like how we had to convince James that he would like it if he tried it.

Stopping by to wish the Glennbo Family a super wonderful Thanksgiving! Hope you all are well!

Thanks Liesa! We did have a super wonderful Thanksgiving and are doing well. Everyone made it in, and then we went off and visited family in Northwest PA. Came back and made our own T'giving dinner on Saturday. Christmas shopping yesterday and now back to the grind. I hope your clan is doing well too, and that you enjoyed some together-time over the holiday.

 

[Steppesister]

Thanks Liesa! We did have a super wonderful Thanksgiving and are doing well. Everyone made it in, and then we went off and visited family in Northwest PA. Came back and made our own T'giving dinner on Saturday. Christmas shopping yesterday and now back to the grind. I hope your clan is doing well too, and that you enjoyed some together-time over the holiday.

Sounds wonderful! And you had a new son-in-law this time around, no? Fun!

We are doing well. The wedding was fun, but I'll be glad to stay put for a little while. The job is keeping me busy too.

We did have a nice T-giving! Loads of people in the house for 3 days, and a ton of good food and fellowship. Love that holiday, but had my fill.

 

[kid-at-heart]

You are right, best ride photo ever. She is so cute. Priceless.

Kate

 

[glennbo123]

Sounds wonderful! And you had a new son-in-law this time around, no? Fun!

Yes! The two of them drove up here and then we all piled into our van for the rest of the visiting.

We are doing well. The wedding was fun, but I'll be glad to stay put for a little while.

I hear that!

The job is keeping me busy too.

And that!

We did have a nice T-giving! Loads of people in the house for 3 days, and a ton of good food and fellowship. Love that holiday, but had my fill.

I laughed at how you ended that sentence. Says it all! Yeah, we usually spend more time "up home" but this time we came back earlier. Lauren and David have to drive back to their apartment and didn't want to do all of the driving in one day, plus Marlene needed to get back to school early and also schedule some work. So, it was good to visit but then get back here.

You are right, best ride photo ever. She is so cute. Priceless.

Kate

Hi Kate I don't think I had you down as posting yet on this particular thread (but have on earlier ones, I know!). If I'm getting senile and already welcomed you, well, just humor me.

Isn't that photo great?! I love it. You can try to stage those photos all you want, but something like this will come along and easily top it!

 

[glennbo123]

I hope all of you out there in Disboards-land had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying some family time as we await the New Year. I know I have been pretty absent from the boards and believe it or not I am about to get even more busy with year-end/new-year stuff at work. Before then, maybe I can pump out an update or two.

A Blanket Statement
Before I get to the next chapter, I wanted to show you a Christmas gift I gave Judy this year. I looked through some of the offerings that Photobucket was sending out of all the stuff you could get photos printed on, and this idea of printing something on a blanket caught my eye. I thought about doing a picture of a scene, maybe the front of Kidani, or the pier at Hilton Head, but tacky or not, I went with a picture of "us": my favorite Photopass photo from this last trip. Here's the result, laid out flat on our family room floor:

It was a hit, Judy loves it, and that's what counts. As a bonus, I had a coupon code for 40% off, so it was a pretty good deal. And it arrived in plenty of time for Christmas, even though I waited too long to order it, in true "guy fashion". I seemed like it only took a couple of days to receive it after placing the order. Pretty amazing really. I could have done a collage, but wasn't sure how pixelated it would look if I went with smaller pictures.

 

[glennbo123]

A jungle trek fit for a maharajah


We finished our couple of trips to the top of the forbidden mountain and back, saw the yeti, and captured the best ride photo ever. Now we were going to back-track a little bit and hit the Maharajah Jungle Trek before going to Africa for lunch.


Having written this chapter before in a couple of trip reports, I know I always start out with pictures of the komodo dragon. Maybe, just maybe, it’s because he’s the first captive critter you come to. I guess I just need to take this trail backwards next time. Well at any rate, here he is:

After I took this next shot, I could’ve sworn I heard him say, “Wait! I blinked!”

Yeah, well sorry mister. We’re moving on.


The bat room was closed unfortunately, which is not something you want to hear when you pull into a rest area on a long drive to Florida, but was more tolerable on this occasion since we’re talking about actual bats. In fact, some people in our party were actually happy with the situation.


But the theming on this trail is what I like the most, even more than the animals, I think. Like this archway emerging into ruins and prayer flags.

There weren’t many tigers out on this particular day. Just this lounging guy. But lounging is better than lunging when it comes to tigers, I always say. Actually, that’s not true. I’ve never said that. ‘Til just now. Man, your intense scrutiny just pulled that confession right out of me! You’re ruthless.

You may remember this next guy as the villain, “Hopper”, from “A Bug’s Life”. His star turn in Hollywood now in the past, he is retired and greeting his fans here, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

These Indian Antelope were hanging out, just to give the tigers something to drool over.

Flags galore!

Weary pilgrims filling their water jugs at the last source of water before we’d re-enter civilization.

We had a lot of fun walking through the aviary. Here are some of my better pictures of the birds.

No matter the species, I always seem to get the stinky eyeball.

As we left the Maharajah Jungle Trek I saw this fountain at which the kids have always stopped, and of course they had to visit it again. Its glass-like spray is irresistible!

Up next: Harambe Market

 

[natebenma]

Looks like I missed the ride photo update. With all the time I had to read it you woulda thunk I had seen it before now.

AWESOME RIDE PHOTO!!!

I really like your yeti shadow pictures too.

***************************************************************

Great Christmas gift!!! A picture of ones family warms the heart. Sometimes literally. Nice job.

****************************************************************

Those are fantastic pictures of the Komodo dragon. We did not see them in October when we walked the trail. The bats were there, though.

Nice shot of the lounging tiger!

Huh. My boys never paid attention to that fountain.

LOL on the bird giving you the stinkeye!

 

[glennbo123]

Looks like I missed the ride photo update. With all the time I had to read it you woulda thunk I had seen it before now.

It's understandable when I'm posting so infrequently. My own darned fault! I need to get over to your TR. I miraculously made the first page and haven't found my way back!

AWESOME RIDE PHOTO!!!

I loved it! She's a star!

I really like your yeti shadow pictures too.

Why, thanks.

***************************************************************

Great Christmas gift!!! A picture of ones family warms the heart. Sometimes literally. Nice job.

****************************************************************

Aw. You're right -- warms the heart and the bod.

Those are fantastic pictures of the Komodo dragon. We did not see them in October when we walked the trail. The bats were there, though.

Year-round maintenance, I suppose.

Nice shot of the lounging tiger!

I had to sneak up on him.

Huh. My boys never paid attention to that fountain.

We always seem to end up there for at least a little bit of time. I think one year we took refuge from a storm there.

LOL on the bird giving you the stinkeye!

There's one in every crowd.

 

[Steppesister]

believe it or not I am about to get even more busy with year-end/new-year stuff at work.

Uuuuuugh! Sorry, Glenn, not what we all wanted to hear! We've missed you around here!

I thought about doing a picture of a scene, maybe the front of Kidani, or the pier at Hilton Head, but tacky or not, I went with a picture of "us": my favorite Photopass photo from this last trip. Here's the result, laid out flat on our family room floor:

Not tacky at all! Pretty darned cool, in fact!

It was a hit, Judy loves it, and that's what counts.

You leveled up your Man Card on this one!

LOVE them! They are such cool beasties.

The bat room was closed unfortunately, which is not something you want to hear when you pull into a rest area on a long drive to Florida

I dunno. I've said that a fair amount of times just wandering around WDW.

Man, your intense scrutiny just pulled that confession right out of me! You’re ruthless.

We are just here to do our job. Can't get away with much around here.

Seriously great shot, Glenn! Very nice!

(BUT! Is there a Tequila Bar in there for him?)

No matter the species, I always seem to get the stinky eyeball.

Better than gettting a stinky anything else! I have a penchant for getting stinky bird poop on the shoulder.