Trip Report “Parents please supervise your children, and children please supervise your parents” 2018 Graduation Trip Report! *COMPLETE*

Well, it’s been three days, but I’m back from “The World”. Still trying to recover and catch up on sleep . I was pretty exhausted, but we had a great time! The Disney depression has officially kicked in, but I’m hoping this TR will help alleviate some of the pain.

For those of you who are just joining and are wanting to know the Who, When, Where, and Why, feel free to read my PTR!

https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/the-captain-is-headed-home.940164/

This is my first TR, and the bar was set pretty high for first timers (cough cough @becca_ cough cough). Seriously, if you haven’t read her first TR, you need to! Anyways, I hope everyone bears with me and enjoys the 2,000+ pictures that I made, along with this TR!

Up next: Travel Day!

 

[Captain Barbossa]

Not to mention that steam locomotives take a LOT of maintenance and it would be cost prohibitive to build a shop capable of handling steam locos just for one unit.

Exactly. I do find it interesting that they only have 2 sets of cars even though there are 3 locomotives.

 

[ScarletBegonias]

Enjoying!!! Can't believe that woman was in a stroller. *eyeroll*

 

[LadyBelle]

I haven't been on Kali since it opened. Found it underwhelming overall and got completely soaked at the end.

What stood out in your comments above was that they actually got rid of the waterproof cargo bag in the middle. Makes NO sense at all.

Probably because they added the lockers nearby. We weren’t there long enough to be charged, but the price was reasonable if I remember correctly.

 

[Captain Barbossa]

Enjoying!!! Can't believe that woman was in a stroller. *eyeroll*

Thank you! I couldn’t believe that woman either (actually I could, people are idiots nowadays).

 

[Captain Barbossa]

AK continued

L was wanting to get one of the open-face turkey BLTs from the Smiling Crocodile, but for some reason they were closed, so we walked towards Dinoland.

M and L decided they would get something from Restaurantosaurus, a place I’ve never tried before.

While we waited in line, I checked the app and my prayers had been answered. EVEREST WAS UP AND RUNNING!! So I told M and L that I’d see them later and bolted out like a streak of lightning!

It was time to disco with the Yeti!

I can’t remember how bad the standby was, but the FP line was insane! At one point, it started across the bridge back in Dinoland! (I’m not kidding) I guess everyone was using their multiple experience FP, along with those who had a FP for EE at that specific time (I think it was around 2:30). Usually, when a ride like that has been down since opening, it never recovers for the rest of the day.

Anyways, I hopped in the single rider line, which was a posted 10min wait, but I was on in about 5. I forgot to take any pictures.

I somehow ended up riding with a VIP tour guide. Let’s just say she wasn’t on the friendly side.

Though Everest was up, the PP system was down, so no ride photo. This actually happened a lot this trip when it came to on-ride photos. It was either that, or we got someone else’s pictures.

I was gonna jump in the single rider line again, but it to started to get backed up, and the wait time went from 10mins to 30. I texted L, and she and M were still at Restaurantosaurus, so I headed back to Dinoland.

All hell had broken loose outside of the Theater in the Wild. Nemo was letting out, the line of people who were waiting to go in for the next show was long enough to spill into the walkway, and then you had the FP line for Everest. On top of that, I saw the same VIP tour guide that I rode with on EE, and she was using an umbrella to swat people out of the way. Luckily, I wasn’t one of those people.

I found M and L eating outside on the porch, kind of behind Dino-Bite Snacks. They started off in the airstream trailer, but it was too noisy, so they moved outside. They got the chicken breast nuggets, and they said they were pretty good. It was supposed to be 8 pieces, but they were given 10!

This curtain intrigued me for some reason

After they had finished, we decided to hop on what might just be my favorite spinner.

I know, I’m weird

After soaring with the dinos, M and L wanted to go on the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, since they hadn’t done it yet. That was fine with me, because I basically rushed through it earlier that morning.

On to Africa!

Had to make a pit stop along the way

Up next: A lot of gorilla pics!

 

[becca_]

The best pit stops involve ice cream!!!

 

[Captain Barbossa]

Gorilla Falls pt. 2

Can we stop and take a minute to acknowledge just how beautiful the okapi are?

This okapi is a female and she’s a part of the breeding program at AK. She’s never been pregnant before, but the keepers our hoping that will soon change.

The meerkats are a little tricky to spot, but they sure were active.

We usually see some zebras around the area where the meerkats are, but they were nowhere to be found. We didn’t even see any on KS. I guess they just weren’t out. Maybe the recent birth of the foals had something to do with it.

I think they were tired from all the play fighting they had done earlier that morning.

I feel ya buddy

I was hoping this guy wasn’t going to fall off.

I was glad to go through it again and not have to rush. To be quite honest, I didn’t think the gorillas smelled as bad as they have in the past.

By the time we got done with Gorilla Falls, it was around 4. About a week before the trip, L was able to snag a FP for FoP at 4:25ish. I on the other hand wasn’t so lucky. That’s why I ended up using my 3rd FP for Everest, but we all know how that turned out. Even though I ended up getting a multiple experience FP, it was for tier 2, so I couldn’t use it in Pandora.

Anyways, L headed on to Pandora (which I was still boycotting at the time ), and M and I went to go explore the trails around the Tree of Life (something I haven’t done in a couple of trips).

Up next: More AK

 

[MinnieM123]

Good photos of the gorillas!

Embarrassed to admit this, but I rode Triceratop Spin twice during my visits to AK. What can I say--it was a fun, old-timey ride!

Wanted to mention that I also tried (for the first time) Restaurantosaurus for the first time. They actually had a delicious grilled chicken sandwich with an interesting spread they used. (Someone else also told me that they have a very good black bean burger there as well.)

 

[Captain Barbossa]

The best pit stops involve ice cream!!!

Couldn't agree more!

Good photos of the gorillas!

Embarrassed to admit this, but I rode Triceratop Spin twice during my visits to AK. What can I say--it was a fun, old-timey ride!

Wanted to mention that I also tried (for the first time) Restaurantosaurus for the first time. They actually had a delicious grilled chicken sandwich with an interesting spread they used. (Someone else also told me that they have a very good black bean burger there as well.)

Haha thanks

I distinctly remember riding TriceraTop Spin when I was 2 years old. Maybe the reason that I love it so much is because I associate it with some of my earliest memories of coming to WDW.

If I hadn't eaten earlier, I probably would have gotten something from there. They had a grilled chicken BLT that looked really good! The theming inside is amazing, but you would have to know the backstory to understand/appreciate it.

 

[Captain Barbossa]

AK continued

Some of the trails around the Tree of Life were closed for refurbishment, but I think we did all of them that were opened.

The exit for “It’s Tough to be a Bug” is probably my favorite spot to get some up close pics of the Tree of Life. It’s also very peaceful back there.

After exploring for a bit, M and I somehow made our way into this neat little shack next to Drinkwallah overlooking the Discovery River. Idk how I’ve missed it before, but it’s pretty cool.

After reading various TRs, I take it that @Doc Disney is into light fixtures, so this ones for her!

A few mins later, L called me and said that she was out of FoP and that she’d meet us in front of the Harambe Theater so we could do the 5pm Festival of the Lion King. Meanwhile, it’s 4:55! So M and I booked it to Harambe as fast as we could!

Up Next: FotLK

 

[Doc Disney]

After reading various TRs, I take it that @Doc Disney is into light fixtures, so this ones for her!

I am indeed. I just think Disney ones are super cool !
Can't wait to read more!

 

[Captain Barbossa]

Disney ones are super cool !

Yes they are! It’s all about paying attention to detail!

 

[Captain Barbossa]

FotLK

M and I successfully made it (and so did L) with one or two minutes to spare!

Not the best seats in the house, but it could have been worse.

We were in the giraffe section (again)

Not many pics, but there were some tall people in front of us and I didn’t feel like trying to dodge them. Oh well.

The show was great as always, especially the singing, but the tumble monkeys could have been a little more enthusiastic, imo. But hey, it was next to last show, so I’m sure they were getting tired.

We then went back to MJT to see the tigers again.

Completely obsessed with the new sign

Come on, who doesn’t love that picture of Russell?

WARNING! THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS PHOTOGRAPHS THAT HAVE BEEN DEEMED EXTREMELY CUTE IN NATURE! VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED!

My day had been made!

I may or may not have backhanded someone to get up close to the glass.

Up next: A little more cuteness!

 

[DisAl]

Yes they are! It’s all about paying attention to detail!

I was amazed at the amount of detail they put into recreating a "raggedy" electrical system in the African town section. Even the wires have old type insulation that is falling off, the pole hardware is correct, and there are even old power meters mounted on the wall. (It is part of the set, it is NOT what really supplies the power.) Most people probably don't even notice it, and I would not have missed it if it wasn't there, but it is and the detail to attention amazed me.

 

[Captain Barbossa]

I was amazed at the amount of detail they put into recreating a "raggedy" electrical system in the African town section. Even the wires have old type insulation that is falling off, the pole hardware is correct, and there are even old power meters mounted on the wall. (It is part of the set, it is NOT what really supplies the power.) Most people probably don't even notice it, and I would not have missed it if it wasn't there, but it is and the detail to attention amazed me.

I’m glad I’m not the only one who has an appreciation for the electrical system in Harambe. I think the Imagineers hit it out of the park.

 

[Captain Barbossa]

Cuteness continued

Mama had to see what the 2 youngin’s were up to.

I’m so glad we came through MJT again. Mama and the cubs were as active as they could be!

L and I snagged a FP for Primeval Whirl, so we headed towards Dinoland.

The whiplash was cranked up to max, but that made it even better!

I know this is just your typical mouse roller coaster that you can find at any state fair, but it’s fun to ride.

I checked the app and saw that DINOSAUR had a 10min wait. M and L went somewhere (bathroom I think), so I headed on over.

Luckily, it wasn’t the same situation that I encountered in the morning where the wait time said 10mins, but the line extended out of the building.

I really love this room

It was time to travel back to the end of the Cretaceous period in search for an Iguanodon!


Next up: More DINOSAUR!

 

[fractal]

Great pics of the young tigers - they're getting big!

 

[becca_]

I keep forgetting about MJT!!! Next time...

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

following along, late again! Congratulations on your graduation and your trip

 

[Captain Barbossa]

Great pics of the young tigers - they're getting big!

Thanks! They are getting bigger indeed! Wish they could stay cubs a little longer!

I keep forgetting about MJT!!! Next time...

You have to do it next time! I find it to be less crowded (less people = less noise = peacefulness) than Gorilla Falls, and it's so beautiful back there. That and Tigers are my favorite animals!

following along, late again! Congratulations on your graduation and your trip

Welcome and thank you!