Trip Report It's Not Goodbye, It's "See Ya Real Soon, AP"/ SSR December trip report *COMPLETED*

Hi everybody! We are back from our last trip from this whirlwind Annual Pass year. Sadly, we have decided to be all responsible and stuff this next year, doing household improvements and repairs. Boo. For DH, it comes at a good time, as he is feeling he needed a break anyway. Definitely not me!! We have plans to get the AP in another year or two again...

This report might not happen quickly, though it is a shorter one, with the holidays (swiftly!) approaching. I'll be headed to Pennsylvania for a few days with family, so not sure when I'll be able to work on it. It might even be best to wait until after the holidays, but we'll see....BUT if you need motivation to read it....this report *mayormaynot* contain a visit with our favorite Disney "character"...

We'll start with the specifics:

WHO: DH, Dave (Mrhappyplace) and me, Amber
WHEN: December 14-17, 2017
WHERE: Saratoga Springs Resort, Studio

Something new we did, was the Keys to the Kingdom Tour...stay tuned for all of the details and pictures!

 

[fractal]

Continuing on our Jungle Trek...we came to a large crowd. I had heard about the tiger cubs, but didn't put 2 and 2 together, that this is what was causing the crowd. So we walked down the stairs and found one opening at a window. I took some pictures from there (the not as good ones) while DH scouted for an upper spot because we realized that the upper tier was the better view (though they kept wanting to play behind a fountain) As the crowd thinned after a bit, I was able to move up there and switch lenses for some better photos.

The cubs were each acting in a manner opposite of their normal personalities/ names. Jeda, the male, means "Pause" and is normally laid-back. Anala, the female, means "fiery" and apparently she's usually exploring. Well, today, Jeda was the playful one with Mama, and Anala was the one resting.

We got there about 20 minutes before the trail closed, and Mama knew it was close to the time when she would be called inside, and she was ready. She would walk down to the entrance periodically. The cubs were only beginning to use the cues, and the CM stationed there said that the day prior, their first day, they had quite a time getting the cubs to go inside!

IMG_7520 by Amber Zaremsky, on Flickr

The Mama was allowing Jeda to pounce on her, and try to attack...she allowed it for a few minutes and then she'd take a playful swipe at him and knock him over...it was absolutely precious! It was just like watching our cats when they were kittens.

IMG_7537 by Amber Zaremsky, on Flickr

IMG_7536 by Amber Zaremsky, on Flickr

IMG_7535 by Amber Zaremsky, on Flickr

Jeda did go over a briefly lie down next to his sister, but not for long
IMG_7534 by Amber Zaremsky, on Flickr

IMG_7533 by Amber Zaremsky, on Flickr

IMG_7531 by Amber Zaremsky, on Flickr

IMG_7546 by Amber Zaremsky, on Flickr

IMG_7545 by Amber Zaremsky, on Flickr

IMG_7544 by Amber Zaremsky, on Flickr

Since they kept going behind the fountain, I liked the idea of a shot with it in focus, and them playing in the background
IMG_7543 by Amber Zaremsky, on Flickr

IMG_7541 by Amber Zaremsky, on Flickr

IMG_7540 by Amber Zaremsky, on Flickr

IMG_7548 by Amber Zaremsky, on Flickr

IMG_7547 by Amber Zaremsky, on Flickr



Such an enjoyable time!! I would have stayed even longer, but like I mentioned, it was closing, and the tigers were called in. Mama ran right in, and Jeda followed. After a minute, Anala got up and went in as well. Success.

IMG_7549 by Amber Zaremsky, on Flickr

IMG_7551 by Amber Zaremsky, on Flickr




On our way out of the trail, we saw some people staring up into the tree. So of course, we stared up into the tree. DH saw right away, and it took me a minute, but we saw owls! They were humongous! We could hear them hoot occasionally. But then we were all guided out of that area too, but I thankfully still had my longer lens on, and captured their picture
IMG_7554 by Amber Zaremsky, on Flickr

Awesome that you saw the cubs! You hit a homerun with those photos!

 

[myhappyplace]

Awesome that you saw the cubs! You hit a homerun with those photos!

It was a really cool experience, and we felt so lucky that the timing worked out. Thank you!

 

[prfctlyximprct]

Ahh belle in her Christmas dress is toooooo beautiful!!

You make Spice Road Table look good! Everytime I walk by the tables are empty, I really want try them now though! What an awesome view to watch Illuminations.

Sorry about your AP ending, but you will have one soon enough!! Just think, in a year or two there will be sooooo many new things to do @Mrhappyplace wont be able to resist!!

One day I’ll walk the tree trail! The mermaid tree takes my breath away

 

[myhappyplace]

Ahh belle in her Christmas dress is toooooo beautiful!!

You make Spice Road Table look good! Everytime I walk by the tables are empty, I really want try them now though! What an awesome view to watch Illuminations.

Sorry about your AP ending, but you will have one soon enough!! Just think, in a year or two there will be sooooo many new things to do @Mrhappyplace wont be able to resist!!

One day I’ll walk the tree trail! The mermaid tree takes my breath away

I thought so too! Hopefully I wasn't too much of a creeper snapping the pic between guests!

I thought it was tasty, and very shareable!

Oh we definitely will have another one!! Years ago, before I got married, I only got to go every year or year and a half (which I realize is still more than some) so I have been rather spoiled recently.

It was one of my favorites for sure...mostly because of the dinglehopper.