Trip Report Forget about your worries and your strife. 🌞 Live trip report.

Quick recap of my pre-trip report to refresh memories or as just as catchup.
I (Mimi) am going on a solo trip to Disney World, 14 glorious days at AKL to do what I want, when I want.

This morning I woke up excited and ready to go, I threw the last things into my suitcase, double checked everything and happily went out in the rain to catch the bus to the train station. I gave myself plenty of time to get to the airport incase of delays etc. but luckily everything went smoothly and I arrived at the airport with plenty of time to share.
I looked around the shops a bit and took some photos to kill the time.

These cups in a cafe don't spin but are cute none the less.

Finally it was time to board my first flight.

This add made me smile as it was spot on.

The flight from Amsterdam to London was only 50 minutes and kind of boring except for the 2 Dutch ladies sitting in the row behind me. They were very unhappy that none of the flight attendants spoke Dutch,keep in mind that this was a British Airways flight, and complained loudly that it shouldn't be allowed for airlines to fly out of Amsterdam without at least one Dutch speaking crew member and the ladies refused to speak English to the crew. I didn't understand their logical at all and was happy the crew members didn't understand what they were saying. I was tempted to turn around to point out their stupidity but refrained.

Soon enough we landed safely at Gatwick, my hotel was easy to find and the check in staff were friendly and professional. My room is as expected, small and modern.

The shower is right in front of the toilet without a barrier not the best layout but fine for just a night.

No view as my room doesn't have a window.
Now I am just watching some TV, wishing it was tomorrow.

 

[21stamps]

My balcony was calling me home so I hopped on the bus, it was still light out when I came home and there were quite a few animals out and about. View attachment 258621
View attachment 258622
I had another serious completely happy moment.
Too soon the sun set and I couldn't see my hand let alone the animals which seemed like a good time to go have a drink in
View attachment 258628
I only do sweet girly drinks so I ordered this.
View attachment 258629
It is a frozen blend of Banana liqueur and Amarula. The waitress called it a grown up milkshake which is accurate.
They just delivered my goats cheese dip.
View attachment 258631

I’ve never been to AKL...lovin’ these pics! The animal photos are so cool, and the food and beverage looks DELISH!!

 

[LisaBelle]

I finally managed to sit down and read your TR! I love AKL. My kids were 4 & 8 (now 17 & 22) when we stayed there and they still talk about standing on the balcony looking at the animals on the savannah. It looks like you are having a lovely time. I will be following!

 

[Go.Nijntje]

Your snack looks absolutely delicious. Please tell me it was. Not sure how I missed that last September.

If my mother hadn't instilled good tablemanners I would have licked the cheese bowl clean. The goats cheese was warm and had herbs in it, so good. And it was my dinner because after a bowl of cheese with different kind of breads I am stuffed.

 

[Go.Nijntje]

I’ve never been to AKL...lovin’ these pics! The animal photos are so cool, and the food and beverage looks DELISH!!

I know you are taking a break from WDW but next time you are visiting you should try to stop by AKL. My pictures really don't do it justice.

 

[Go.Nijntje]

I finally managed to sit down and read your TR! I love AKL. My kids were 4 & 8 (now 17 & 22) when we stayed there and they still talk about standing on the balcony looking at the animals on the savannah. It looks like you are having a lovely time. I will be following!

Thank you for following, I'm glad your kids have magical memories of AKL, that's what Disney is all about.
I was a bit of a creep and took a picture of kids having fun in the lobby with a lady playing the drum.

It was so cute to watch.

 

[Go.Nijntje]

Good thing I set my alarm this morning because I probably would have overslept, my bed is so comfortable.
An Animal Kingdom bus was pulling up as I arrived at the bus stop and within 10 minutes I was walking towards Pandora. First stop Na'vi River.

The park didn't officially open till 9am but I was in a boat on the Na'vi River at 8.40.

Second time riding this and I still like it.
I got my picture taken with the waterfall in Pandora but you have to see it yourself to appreciate the beauty of of the place.

It was 8.58 and I was on my way to hunt down some giraffes on the safari.
My phone doesn't take the best photos anyway but on a moving truck it becomes a real challenge to get anything decent, so I apologise for the blurriness of some of these.

I saw the baby hippo that was born last week snuggled up to his mama.

The white rhinos were very active, even holding up our truck.

The ostrich was running around flapping its wings. You can't fly ostrich!

All in all a very successful safari, lots of animals and our driver Christine was informative. I learned for instance that giraffes' tongues are colored so they don't burn in the sun while eating leaves and that giraffes sleep standing up for a total of 30 minutes a day.

Next up Flight of Passage.
Now I knew how amazing this ride is I was even more excited to ride it. The standby line looped all the way from Pandora over the bridge to Africa and back again at 9.35 am.
With my FP I literally walked on, I noticed I got a slightly longer pre-show with a bit about us needing to be de contaminated.
While I was walking out of Pandora there was still a very steady stream of people arriving. Na'vi River now had a 70 minutes wait and FoP was at 150.

 

[Go.Nijntje]

Having done the three main things I wanted to do today by 10.10am felt pretty good.
I hadn't done It is Tough to be a Bug this visit so that was next.

There was a huge amount of screaming and laughter during the show but a few kids left scarred for life.
I took some time to look at the Tree of Life, it really is magnificent.

My FP for Dinosaur wouldn't open for another 40 minutes so I had just enough time to see Nemo which was starting at 11am.
I hadn't seen this show in many years and I had forgotten how well done it is. The performers were outstanding.

The only annoying thing during the show was the man sitting behind me. He was actually talking on his phone for a good part of the performance, complaining he was stuck watching a boring show.

Then I went to catch a dinosaur, we were successful in bringing him back but again my picture of the ride didn't load into my account.
Luckily I happened upon a lonely pp photographer in Dinoland so still have a picture.

I was getting a bit hungry so made my way over to the Nomad Lounge for lunch before heading out of the park, but it was packed with quite a few people waiting for a spot to open up. I didn't feel like waiting since I have a lovely balcony that I can have lunch on so made my way back home.
I got a falafel wrap with feta cheese at the Mara and ate it watching this.

 

[Tuvalu]

This link can help with finding missing Photopass pictures:
https://mydisneyphotopass.disney.go.com

 

[Longers]

So cool you got to see the baby hippo - did You manage to see the baby tigers too on the jungle trek? - I wonder how much bigger they’ll all be in Nov!

 

[Go.Nijntje]

This link can help with finding missing Photopass pictures:
https://mydisneyphotopass.disney.go.com

Thanks @Tuvalu I will try and find them.

 

[Go.Nijntje]

So cool you got to see the baby hippo - did You manage to see the baby tigers too on the jungle trek? - I wonder how much bigger they’ll all be in Nov!

I haven't done the jungle trek yet but I have 2 more visits planned to AK so for sure will go and see them. I'm guessing by November the babies will be big.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Sounds like you are having another terrific day! Good call on the lunch on your balcony, it sounds lovely.

 

[Go.Nijntje]

Sounds like you are having another terrific day! Good call on the lunch on your balcony, it sounds lovely.

It's another lovely fun day and the evening should be good too.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

Late once again, but happy to be following along! Love the report so far!
We arrive in WDW at the end of February, only 5 more weeks! yea!

 

[Go.Nijntje]

After replying to some emails and talking to my family I had a short nap. I woke up before my alarm and got ready for a first for me.
When I was planning this trip I decided to try some new things and that includes rides I normally wouldn't ride. So I was going to Hollywood to ride Rock and Roller coaster.
I think my face tells you all you need to know how I felt about this ride. I'm in the back right.

Never doing that again but I now have proof I did it.
While in line for RORC I scored another FP for ToT. I got in line but like the other day it was barely moving. My whole reason for coming to HS tonight was to see Fantasmic and I was worried I would miss it staying in line. I left the line and went to Starbucks instead. I wanted a decaf filter coffee but they were out and it would take 15 minutes to make a new pot, nope no time for that. I changed my order to a decaf late instead, I went to pay and the super nice CM said it was on Mickey!
You know what makes free coffee taste even better @21stamps and @ajrwdwgirl?

 

[Go.Nijntje]

Late once again, but happy to be following along! Love the report so far!
We arrive in WDW at the end of February, only 5 more weeks! yea!

Happy to have you along. Your trip is coming up do fast, how exciting!

 

[Go.Nijntje]

I took my free coffee and found a good spot to watch Fantasmic.
I took zero pictures so I could just enjoy it.
On the way out I did take this photo of the back of ToT.

I was feeling a bit hungry and being a responsible adult I decided to have this for dinner.

It was a brownie with butter pecan ice cream, hot fudge and whipped cream.
I made my way to the theater to see the Star Wars fireworks. I am not a Star Wars fan but I have seen the movies so recognized most of the characters. I liked the show, the fireworks were beautiful and well timed.

 

[21stamps]

After replying to some emails and talking to my family I had a short nap. I woke up before my alarm and got ready for a first for me.
When I was planning this trip I decided to try some new things and that includes rides I normally wouldn't ride. So I was going to Hollywood to ride Rock and Roller coaster.
I think my face tells you all you need to know how I felt about this ride. I'm in the back right. View attachment 258753
Never doing that again but I now have proof I did it.
While in line for RORC I scored another FP for ToT. I got in line but like the other day it was barely moving. My whole reason for coming to HS tonight was to see Fantasmic and I was worried I would miss it staying in line. I left the line and went to Starbucks instead. I wanted a decaf filter coffee but they were out and it would take 15 minutes to make a new pot, nope no time for that. I changed my order to a decaf late instead, I went to pay and the super nice CM said it was on Mickey!
You know what makes free coffee taste even better @21stamps and @ajrwdwgirl?
View attachment 258818

First I have to ask, Was that a ride pose or your actual reaction?

Secondly, I LOVE the coffee pic! You definitely look like you have a secret, and are flaunting it . Love!!! Brilliant, just brilliant on the Baileys.

 

[21stamps]

I took my free coffee and found a good spot to watch Fantasmic.
I took zero pictures so I could just enjoy it.
On the way out I did take this photo of the back of ToT.
View attachment 258820

I was feeling a bit hungry and being a responsible adult I decided to have this for dinner.
View attachment 258824
It was a brownie with butter pecan ice cream, hot fudge and whipped cream.
I made my way to the theater to see the Star Wars fireworks. I am not a Star Wars fan but I have seen the movies so recognized most of the characters. I liked the show, the fireworks were beautiful and well timed.
View attachment 258827
View attachment 258829

Someday I’ll get to see the Star Wars Show...

Butter pecan ice cream and a brownie, that sounds delicious, and I’m not even a huge brownie fan.lol. I am a huge butter pecan fan, the combo sounds great!

 

[Go.Nijntje]

First I have to ask, Was that a ride pose or your actual reaction?

Secondly, I LOVE the coffee pic! You definitely look like you have a secret, and are flaunting it . Love!!! Brilliant, just brilliant on the Baileys.

I wish I could say I posed that ride photo but that was my actual reaction.