Last Day
We slept WAAAAAY in on this day. We had no plans for the morning. I contemplated getting up and going to MK to see the new welcome show. R had no desire, and I eventually just decided not to. I wasn't sure if they did the welcome show at actual park opening or when extra magic hours started. I didn't want to get there at 7 for nothing!
So anyway, we finally got going at about 10, and decided to go to Epcot for some lunch.
Every trip since our honeymoon, we've eaten the fish n chips from Yorkshire County Fish Shop. Now R is convinced we'll have to drop the tradition eventually, but I insisted on keeping it alive for at least one more trip.
We got there right around 11, so there was hardly anyone there yet and we sat by the water. It was SUPER windy. I feel like it always is on that little patio area to the right of the restaurant. Despite that, it was very pleasant.
When we finished up lunch, we headed back out. We had planned to spend the afternoon and evening at Animal Kingdom, so that's where we were headed. We didn't have any FPs until after 2 though, so we weren't in a hurry. We stopped and got one last treat on the way out.
This one didn't have a little flower in it. I was fine with that because I didn't have to decide whether or not I was supposed to eat it.
Bye, flowers! I miss this beautiful sight.
On the way out of Epcot, I stopped and got a hat. This is the second time I've gotten a hat at Disney World...and it's the only place I really wear them. But even with sunglasses on, it's SO BRIGHT in the middle of the day. The hat helps a little.
So we hopped on a bus to Animal Kingdom, and I don't remember running into any snags. We arrived and got into the park pretty quickly. I didn't carry a bag on any of these days when I was there with R, so we didn't have to do bag check.
Here we are! And there's my hat. R didn't like it, but I love the design! I am SO PICKY about everything. There's no rhyme or reason to what I like and don't like. Shopping for clothes is a nightmare, honestly. But anyway, this hat jumped out at me, and it was the only one I wanted to spend my hard-earned dollars on
I just spent a few minutes staring at this picture, trying to figure out why I took it. But then I saw the little guy (or gal?) hiding behind the plant. I remember now that we saw him chilling there as we were walking into the park.
We didn't have anything in the plans for a while, but it was close to 1pm, so we decided to head to the Festival of the Lion King show. They had just opened the doors as we were walking up, so we didn't have to wait long.
I HATE how they seat people in here. It's always so confusing, and I inevitably walk somewhere I'm not supposed to and get yelled at by a cast member. I'd almost rather come in right as the show is starting and let them just put me in an open space instead of me trying to figure out where the heck they're trying to direct me. /rant
bleah...that last one is super grainy.
I didn't take my longer lens, so I didn't take as many pictures in there. The show was lovely as usual! We missed our favorite tumble monkey, and I felt like the singers were the B-group, but everything was still good.
Well after the show, we still had some time to kill, and I remembered hearing that the new lounge was nice, so we headed that way. And here I present the best kept secret in Animal Kingdom (not for long): Nomad Lounge
We chose to sit at a table along the water's edge instead of the cozy couch, since it was just the two of us. But those couches look so comfy! Our server was quirky, but he was super nice and helpful with his recommendations.
Here's what we ordered:
Snow Leopard Salvation
Snow Leopard Vodka, Belle de Brillet Pear Liqueur, Mint, and Lime Juice topped with Ginger Beer
So yummy! And so refreshing on a warm day.
Tempting Tigress
Russell's Reserve 10yr Bourbon, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, Tamarind Syrup, and Lime Juice
Pork Ribs
Honey-glazed, Coriander-spiced
This was after we'd split them. They are brought out in more of a stack. They were good! Not the most tender ribs I've had, but the flavors were great.
The water wasn't super visible, but the plants along it's edge were pretty too. Here's what was to our right.
I believe we may have ordered another drink, but I didn't take pictures, so maybe not. Either way we just chilled there for a good while and it was wonderful. I highly recommend this place! I suspect it will not be so quiet once Pandora opens because it's right there at the entrance to the land. Right now it's out of the way (it's where Tiffin's is), so people don't know it's back there. We were joking that it's the first and last time we'll get to enjoy it like that.
After we left our little place of solitude, it was back into the sweaty masses for our first FP.
Up next: Safari time!
