Big, full day in Animal Kingdom today. We're pretty tired, but I think I can manage to get some details and pictures posted for you tonight before I turn in. We were already somewhat awake, fed, and in the car by 7am today. Which meant at AK by 7:15am. In the past we have proudly been the first car in the lot at each of the parks on different occasions, but today we were about 20th or so. The whole 'preferred' parking that they offer now has really ruined that, though. Being early still means parking a quarter mile from the entrance!
But we still were among the first into the park and in the middle of the throng moving toward the Na'vi Flight of Passage. So we got into Pandora and on the ride by about 8:15am. By the time we got off it and were walking toward Africa, the line was already over an hour long. But, the ride...amazing. It's like Soarin' on crack. Very lifelike, definitely very re-rideable, and not TOO over the top motion simulator so as to make me sick! As I mentioned, we headed to Africa and then passed right through it to get to Asia. So, about 8:30am it was Expedition Everest time. And, about 8:40am it was Expedition Everest time. And, about 8:50am it was Expedition Everest. Yes, the girls rode it three times in a row - middle, front row, and back row. I took pictures.
Then to Dino-land, and a ride on Primeval Whirl followed by our FP+ for Dinosaur (like we actually needed it), both of which my stomach (surprisingly) survived quite well. Our brunch reservation at Tusker House was for 10:30am, so we managed to see It's Tough To Be A Bug on the way over. Which was slightly foreshadowing the fact that as we waited for that brunch, we saw a rather large cockroach. But, it didn't hamper our good time once we got inside and were enjoying the food. Nice to see a few new things show up on the buffet and I particularly enjoyed the salmon at the carving station.
After lunch, we still had a little time before our Finding Nemo show, so we did the Pangani Jungle walk (or Gorilla Village as it is now called) and saw all the good animal friends on that one - although the gorillas themselves were not very active - I guess over 90 degrees is tough for them, too. Then it was close enough to the Nemo showtime that we headed that direction. Once inside (with FP+) we got to enjoy what is, most likely, our favorite theatrical show in the world. We really love that show. So much so that the girls found it necessary to take a picture of me showing how much I enjoy it.
Yeah...might've dozed off a little during the show. But, I really do love it and recommend it incredibly highly!
Refreshed from the
nap show, we did the Maharajah Jungle Trek and enjoyed those animal friends before heading to the 2:30pm Flights of Wonder show. Always enjoyable and today the birds were being particularly ornery, so some unexpected humor in there! We then took a slow walk to Festival of the Lion King (stopping at lots of photographers along the way) for the 4pm show there. If there is one thing that Animal Kingdom does above anywhere else, it is the shows. Both Nemo and Lion King are really exceptional and (despite my napping this afternoon) well worth the time!
After Lion King, we headed back into Pandora for some dinner at the new restaurant there. And, yes, we did try the online ordering. Worked out great, was solid quality food (and fun drinks from next door and Pongu Pongu), and relatively decent deal for a theme park meal!
We had FP+ for the Na'vi Boat ride, but not until 7:10pm, so we headed back to Africa where the safari had no wait at all. Which is crazy, because the vast majority of the animals were out and about and being quite interesting! Here are just a couple of pictures that really don't do any justice to what we saw.
After the safari, we headed back to Pandora to just do some exploring and then for our boat ride. Did I mention yet how beautiful the area is? Well, I should have. Pictures don't do it justice, but I'll try anyway!
And that doesn't even get into the 'alien' plants that are all around! We did finally get on the boat ride and it was really cool. Not nearly as exciting as the Flight ride, but quite excellent to look at and much easier on the digestive system. The final AA is simply incredibly lifelike and moves like no machine I've ever seen!
Once off the ride, we were getting pretty darn tired, so we just headed to the admission area for Rivers of Light (got the dining package with that brunch at Tusker House) and sat and waited for a while until admitted and then waited again for a while for the show. And what a show it is. Really beautiful. I want to see it at least once or twice more before I decide where it stands among the other shows that they do, but the visuals are just amazingly beautiful and well done and quite entertaining. And, again, no photo will do justice to what you really see.
Post-show, we had thought about another evening in Pandora, but were all just too tired, so we headed out.
@MeffysMom and I got a quick nightcap at Gurgling Suitcase (more to see the friends we have there) and now it is off to sleep before tomorrow's long day at Hollywood Studios!
