:wave: Well, I can't believe that I've been back for 5 days and I'm still having trouble adjusting to reality. You know - there's WDW and then there's the REAL world. I'm sorry it's taken me some time to post but to be honest, it's bittersweet to talk about my trip because I wish I was still there! The only reason I can talk about it now is because we're already planning our next trip, so that makes me feel better. We kept hoping that the folks at the AKL would forget that we were there and we could just stay on indefinitely. Isn't that a great fantasy?
What made this vacation so distinctive was the fact that my husband and I were alone for the first time. I love my son to pieces, but hey! This was a real second honeymoon. The Animal Kingdom Lodge was even more spectacular than I remembered it. The last time we were there it was only for a long weekend so we didn't get to fully appreciate what the Lodge has to offer. The sheer beauty of the place, not to mention the animals grazing about gives me goosebumps. We would just stand and stare at the zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, etc. like we were seeing the most incredible sights on Earth. I love the AKL, I just love it. Of course, we ate at Boma twice - for breakfast and dinner - and enjoyed it both times. BTW, they make great Margaritas at Victoria Falls and Uzima Springs.
We spent the first day at the AK, which is a break from tradition for us. We usually start with the MK first but since we were so close to the AK we went there first. We did our usual stuff like Dinosaur, the Safari, etc. Then we spent the rest of the day swimming at the hotel and enjoying a terrific evening of music and laughs at Pleasure Island. They had a great band on the West End Stage called the 80Z All Stars. We usually see Frankie and the West End Boys so this was a nice change. Saw Kabang at the Rock and Roll Beach Club, whom we've seen many times and laughed ourselves silly at the Adventurers Club.
The next day we slept in and went to the MK in the afternoon. We met friends of ours from Pennsylvania there and ate at the Crystal Palace (one of my favorites). Saw Wishes and got all teary-eyed. Disney definitely does that to me.
The best part of Monday was the Hoop-de-Doo. We hadn't seen it since 1993! It was terrific and we have every intention of seeing it again next year. The cast was great and extremely personable. They spent a lot of time shmoozing with the audience and even the food was better than I remembered (great salad).
We hit all the parks throughout the week and finally, my day of reckoning arrived - we were at MGM and I was about to go on the Tower of Terror for the first time since it opened 10 years ago. I got on line with my husband and my Pennsylvania friends and made it all the way to the elevator. Just as they were loading us on - I looked at the cast member and said, "I've got to get out of here." I was in a total panic! In all fairness to me, keep in mind that I had a real elevator accident and was alone in an elevator that plunged. It took the Fire Dept. an hour to get me out and they had to call an ambulance. I tried valiantly to get over the panic at the ToT but it just wasn't happening. I literally RAN away from the elevator. So, I apologize to all my WDWMagic friends out there who tried to give me courage and support. I just couldn't do it, but I really did try. Anyway, we did everything else and Fantasmic blew us away like it always does.
Didn't make it to any water parks this time because we loved the pool at the AKL. It's so peaceful and serene, especially with the animals in the distance.
Ate at the ESPN Club, which has really good food and is very reasonably priced. Also ate at Chefs de France for the first time (had to convince my husband who's a hamburger and fries kind of guy). He loved it and so did I.
BTW, great Margaritas at the stand right outside of Mexico. Yup, we were definitely happy in Epcot!
As I type this I feel that familiar aching in my gut that says that the trip is over and I have to get on with the more mundane aspects of life. BUT a new trip is currently being planned. Looks like a two-weeker next time. Let the countdown begin...
What made this vacation so distinctive was the fact that my husband and I were alone for the first time. I love my son to pieces, but hey! This was a real second honeymoon. The Animal Kingdom Lodge was even more spectacular than I remembered it. The last time we were there it was only for a long weekend so we didn't get to fully appreciate what the Lodge has to offer. The sheer beauty of the place, not to mention the animals grazing about gives me goosebumps. We would just stand and stare at the zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, etc. like we were seeing the most incredible sights on Earth. I love the AKL, I just love it. Of course, we ate at Boma twice - for breakfast and dinner - and enjoyed it both times. BTW, they make great Margaritas at Victoria Falls and Uzima Springs.
We spent the first day at the AK, which is a break from tradition for us. We usually start with the MK first but since we were so close to the AK we went there first. We did our usual stuff like Dinosaur, the Safari, etc. Then we spent the rest of the day swimming at the hotel and enjoying a terrific evening of music and laughs at Pleasure Island. They had a great band on the West End Stage called the 80Z All Stars. We usually see Frankie and the West End Boys so this was a nice change. Saw Kabang at the Rock and Roll Beach Club, whom we've seen many times and laughed ourselves silly at the Adventurers Club.
The next day we slept in and went to the MK in the afternoon. We met friends of ours from Pennsylvania there and ate at the Crystal Palace (one of my favorites). Saw Wishes and got all teary-eyed. Disney definitely does that to me.
The best part of Monday was the Hoop-de-Doo. We hadn't seen it since 1993! It was terrific and we have every intention of seeing it again next year. The cast was great and extremely personable. They spent a lot of time shmoozing with the audience and even the food was better than I remembered (great salad).
We hit all the parks throughout the week and finally, my day of reckoning arrived - we were at MGM and I was about to go on the Tower of Terror for the first time since it opened 10 years ago. I got on line with my husband and my Pennsylvania friends and made it all the way to the elevator. Just as they were loading us on - I looked at the cast member and said, "I've got to get out of here." I was in a total panic! In all fairness to me, keep in mind that I had a real elevator accident and was alone in an elevator that plunged. It took the Fire Dept. an hour to get me out and they had to call an ambulance. I tried valiantly to get over the panic at the ToT but it just wasn't happening. I literally RAN away from the elevator. So, I apologize to all my WDWMagic friends out there who tried to give me courage and support. I just couldn't do it, but I really did try. Anyway, we did everything else and Fantasmic blew us away like it always does.
Didn't make it to any water parks this time because we loved the pool at the AKL. It's so peaceful and serene, especially with the animals in the distance.
Ate at the ESPN Club, which has really good food and is very reasonably priced. Also ate at Chefs de France for the first time (had to convince my husband who's a hamburger and fries kind of guy). He loved it and so did I.
BTW, great Margaritas at the stand right outside of Mexico. Yup, we were definitely happy in Epcot!
As I type this I feel that familiar aching in my gut that says that the trip is over and I have to get on with the more mundane aspects of life. BUT a new trip is currently being planned. Looks like a two-weeker next time. Let the countdown begin...
