From freezing to sweating, on a daily basis! A December Walt Disney World report

[PrincePluto]

Flamingos:

The best cheetah shot I got this trip:

Lion:

Notice the lioness on top of the highest rock:

White rhinos:

The remainder of the safari photos:

After I got off the Safari, I checked the wait time and it still was only 10 minutes, but I thought riding a third time would have been overkill.

Shopping photos from around Harambe:

Mombasa Marketplace:

South African wines:

 

[PrincePluto]

More shopping pictures from Mombasa Marketplace:

I think that "Yolele" is a fun word to say!

Baridi Baridi ice cream

Tamu Tamu Eats & Refreshments:

Tusker House

Everest in the distance:

 

[PrincePluto]

At this point, my photopass card was burning a hole in my pocket (or more precisely, around my neck, as it was on a lanyard), so I headed over towards Camp Minnie-Mickey for some character interactions.
On the way across the bridge from Harambe to Discovery Island, I came upon these inspiring words on a construction wall:

A colorful snack bar:

Approaching Camp Minnie-Mickey, I saw some duck friends:

My first picture was with Pocahantas:

I then met up with King Louie and Baloo from The Jungle Book:

I then met Safari Donald Duck. I made his day by telling him I knew his middle name, Fauntleroy. I learned this fun fact right here on the DIS, from a fellow Disser named Dan (FauntleroyFAN07).

Donald's Photopass photographer was missing, and Donald's accompanying cast member said jokingly that Chip and Dale had broken her camera. So, when I went to Chip and Dale next, I told them that Donald had told me that they had been naughty, breaking his camera. Of course, they played innocent, but I wasn't fooled!

As I was leaving the character interaction area, I took a variety of Christmas-decorations pictures around Camp Minnie-Mickey:

 

[Disneylover99]

I can't believe I've never been to camp Minnie/Mickey. I would love my photo taken with Pocahontas, King Louie and Baloo.

 

[PrincePluto]

I can't believe I've never been to camp Minnie/Mickey. I would love my photo taken with Pocahontas, King Louie and Baloo.

It's fun! I believe you can also get on line if you do not have a photo pass, as well, and just get the cast member to take your picture with your own camera, but don't quote me...

 

[Disneylover99]

It's fun! I believe you can also get on line if you do not have a photo pass, as well, and just get the cast member to take your picture with your own camera, but don't quote me...

Yes, they will do that. We've asked cm's at various meet and greets to take our photos with our own camera and they have always done it.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

It's fun! I believe you can also get on line if you do not have a photo pass, as well, and just get the cast member to take your picture with your own camera, but don't quote me...

It looks like a lot of fun! It seems you had the park to yourself! You never went on Expedition Everest, though?

 

[PrincePluto]

It looks like a lot of fun! It seems you had the park to yourself! You never went on Expedition Everest, though?

I said this already, but I'll reiterate - I'm not a coaster junkie - the most I'll go on is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or Space Mountain, even for Space Mountain, once a trip is more than enough. I did not even consider going on Sum of All Thrills.

 

[RGirl]

Joining in!

It looks like you were having a great time at AK! We really fell in love with that park on our August trip.

 

[scottny]

Joining in.

Fun times at AK.

 

[PrincePluto]

Joining in!

It looks like you were having a great time at AK! We really fell in love with that park on our August trip.

Welcome to the trip report! Hope you enjoy it.

 

[PrincePluto]

Joining in.

Fun times at AK.

Welcome! Hope you enjoy my report.

 

[PrincePluto]

After I was done with the character interactions in Camp Minnie/Mickey, I went back to Discovery Island and got a photopass photo of myself in front of the Tree of Life:

It was after 11 AM, so I went to the Dawa Bar next to the Tusker House in Harambe,

and got a Dawa Colada (Bacardi Razz rum, raspberry puree and frozen colada mix)

Other drink menu choices:

The Dawa Bar is a relaxing place to enjoy an adult beverage (it's fully stocked, so you don't have to have a specialty drink if that's not your thing) and chat with the bartenders or just people-watch.

I leave you with the following saying I saw on a pillar in Harambe:

According to Google Translate, a loose translation of this is "No permission to install livestock in front of this wall."

Next: Day 2: EPCOT

 

[AgentB]

I just found your trip report. I'm loving it!

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Isn't the Tree Of Life magnificent? In the morning light with all of the details highlighted.

This trip report is so different and awesome...I sooooo LOVE Animal Kingdom!

 

[PrincePluto]

I just found your trip report. I'm loving it!

Welcome!

Much more to come. The first day's reporting was mostly just pictures with a little bit of text. I'm working on developing my reporting "voice", as it were, so I hope to be more entertaining as the report progresses. There are still four days, and several hundred pictures to go...

 

[PrincePluto]

Monday, December 16th, 2013
EPCOT
My main goals for this day were to ride Soarin' at least once, preferably twice, and get as many character photos as possible. Also, I had a reservation at 4 PM for dinner at the Biergarten in Germany, with the Candlelight Processional package.

I got to EPCOT at 8:05 and had a peaceful walk to the entrance, I was parked in the first row, after handicapped parking.

I was the first person in my line:

While I was waiting for the rope drop, I saw several monorails arrive:

The park opened at 8:55, and I was at the forefront of the mad "dash" (actually a power walk, as running is forbidden) to Soarin'.

The first thing I did was get a fastpass, before I got in the standby line. This resulted in my being the seventh person in line for Soarin', rather than the first; however, I was still in row 1 for the first boarding. I enjoyed my flight over California, then went to Sunshine Seasons and got a breakfast panini sandwich on the recommendation of a fellow Soarin' rider (OK, but a little dry), then went and rode Soarin' a second time using my fastpass.

I then meandered over to the Imagination pavilion, and took several pictures of the pavilion and the fountain.

Keeping with the fountain theme, I then decided to take some pictures of the dancing water fountain between Communicore East and Communicore West.

I noticed that the Fountainview Cafe now serves Starbucks:

I wasn't in the mood for coffee, but I could do with an alternate source of caffeine, and noticed that Club Cool had just opened. I followed the masses into it (the only time I've ever seen crowds this huge at Club Cool) and noticed that the flavors had changed since the last time I was here, in July 2013. The only flavor they had kept was Beverly, from Italy, probably because of the "Punked" factor. Also, I am not positive, but I think that Inca Kola may be a holdback.

The fountain stage was set up for the Christmas "Joyful!" celebration. I didn't get a chance to see this show, but I did get a few pictures of the stage setup.

I then took a few pictures of Mickey and Minnie holiday topiaries, as well as Pluto with his doghouse.

This caused me to ponder on why Pluto and Goofy are both dogs, but Goofy can talk and wear clothes, while Pluto cannot.

I didn't ponder long, however, as I was on a mission!

Next: A secret mission, and a surprise character meet!

 

[RGirl]

Love the early morning Epcot pictures! It’s so special when the park is all peaceful like that.

The Christmas topiaries are adorable. Someday, we will visit at that time of year just to see all the decorations.

 

[PrincePluto]

It was almost 11 AM, and I had a specific goal in mind, but first I decided to take a couple of pictures of the Liquid Layer cool-off zone, which for some reason was operational in December:

Ah, my destination! The recruitment center for the Agent P. World Showcase Adventure (Unpaid Internships Available Now!).

Alas, it was not yet 11:00, and I could not pick up my F.O.N.E. and begin my mission for a few minutes. Not to worry! I decided to utilize my time taking pictures of the nearby Phineas and Ferb themed gift kiosk.

Finally, it was 11:00, World Showcase was open, and I could collect my F.O.N.E. (a repurposed Kimmunicator from "Kim Possible" mission of days past) and proceed to the United Kingdom for my mission. I could lie, and say that I did not share any photos to prevent spoilers, but the truth is, I was so caught up in the hunt for Agent P. and Doofenschmirtz, that I just forgot to take any pictures. The few I did take, of the UK area, are below:
The garden area behind The Tea Caddy:

Then, as I was walking back to the main "road" around the World Showcase Lagoon, I realized that character greet times had started, as well, and Alice in Wonderland was out. The line wasn't long, so I got on line, and before too long, Alice was greeting me in the way "that Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum showed me."

You may notice the TARDIS-blue T-shirt I am wearing that says "Keep Calm, Don't Regenerate". This is a reference to the popular long-running BBC show, Doctor Who, which gained a whole new level of popularity due to its reboot in 2005. The shirt I am wearing was bought before the trip, at Hot Topic, but I saw much Doctor Who merchandise at the UK pavilion, and I got many compliments on my shirt from both Cast Members and face characters ( they had to be much more subtle about it, as they had to stay in character). I guess there is something about people who like Disney that predisposes them to like other cult phenomena.
End

I then passed Yorkshire Fish and Chips on my way to the next country on my list, France!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Enjoying your updates.