Trip Report Tu in ‘25

Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Tu in ‘25

These lyrics came to mind when I thought about my trip reporting. (I also thought, Here we go AGAIN but the above sounds much more poignant.) It’s now that time of year when my Disney trips are frequent. And this Disney Senior loves sharing her visits with y’all because your engagement makes it fun!

Yes, there will be stuff that’s the same. Yes, there will be surprises (too soon for the reveals). And yes, there will be sun rises!

Spring break countdown is at 4 days.

Since this intro needs a picture, here are Tu.

 

[Tuvalu]

I bless the rains.

And say hello to Frasier Crane.

All those people who weren’t in line for Na’vi River Journey? We found them at Kilimanjaro Safaris. Once we passed through the little office we saw them lined up in the extended jungle queue.

In the past when I have reached this part of shuffling through the foliage, I have whipped out my phone and booked a Lightning Lane and returned later. Not today. The pleasant temperature and the joy of having no place else to be made the wait tolerable. Perhaps Kel’s positivity had rubbed off on me.

Forty minutes later we made it to the load area. But before we could descend the ramp and be assigned a row, a CM pulled Em and I aside and had us follow her to the load platform for an accessible Jeep. There was no one in the vehicle who needed the accommodation, so I assume the Jeep is just part of the rotation.

Our bench was just for two, as was the one in front of us.

We had unobstructed views the entire safari, which was great. But before we could begin we had to wait for a regular Jeep to receive clearance for the journey.

 

[Tuvalu]

Animal sighting began slowly as evidenced below. Our guide hung here for a bit before noticing a hippo in a pool.

I had to zoom in to spot it.

Our guide spent time talking about grass and trees because there wasn’t much activity on the savanna. Finally some giraffes - and one was a baby!

We had better luck with the elephants, though I missed capturing the baby. (Em saw it.)

Active animal sightings eventually increased and there were cheetahs, rhinos, ostriches, warthogs and the new lion trio, who look to be teens (not fully matured yet.)

Gotta love camouflage .

While it wasn’t the best safari we’ve experienced, it was better than most.

 

[RememberWhen]

Kel sounds like so much fun! So glad you get to see your friend when you visit.

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

Cast members at the safari exit were beckoning guests to the gorilla trail. We needed a restroom and once we finished we headed for Asia where primates of another species were calling.

LOUDLY.

Screeching and playful banter made for fun entertainment. Em and I watched for awhile.

(Not my photo)

Then I suggested a participatory kind of entertainment. The one where we get to be a little naughty.

Squirting water on unsuspecting guests below. (In our defense, they chose to go on a water ride!)

But our naughty fun was not to be had. The squirt buttons had been turned off.

We sadly moved on.

 

[lindawdw]

I wish they wouldn't squeeze that many guests into the boat at Navi' River! I think you're beginning to really enjoy the AK park!

 

[littleroo]

I wish they wouldn't squeeze that many guests into the boat at Navi' River! I think you're beginning to really enjoy the AK park!

I do notice a new trend now. A visit to AK every trip.

 

[Tuvalu]

I think you're beginning to really enjoy the AK park!

I do notice a new trend now. A visit to AK every trip.

But only under

I have no AK park reservations for summer.

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

Let's be honest. We were here for one reason only.

Not monkeys. Not dragons.

We noped right by the bat house. Passed quickly through the aviary.

This is what we came to see.

We love cats of all kinds but our favorite felines are tigers - so beautiful, so regal, so playful!

They are also sleepyheads and are often resting away from viewing areas. Em and I were hopeful we might get a glimpse of Bakso, the baby tiger born earlier this year.

We weren't the only ones. We passed at least two viewing areas with people staring out at the grounds only for Em and I to discover they were looking at nothing. Maybe they were waiting for tigers to show up?

"If tigers are out, there will be an even bigger crowd around the viewing area," I whispered to Em.

And it wasn't long before we encountered it.

Huddled in a small alcove with windows, a large group of people was excitedly pointing (and pushing) towards a tiger. A stern CM was there attempting to keep guests from standing in front of the windows for too long. And by too long, I mean longer than 10 seconds.

I saw Mama before I saw baby. It wasn't until I watched Bakso lay beside her that I confirmed she was indeed Mama.

I quickly moved one window over and caught a glimpse of the cutie pie. (Who is not so little anymore!)

He was on the move to get to Mama.

Out of the corner of my eye I watched him lay down. The CM was shooing us away from the windows. I get that a lot of people want to see him and no one should be inconsiderate by staying too long, but this peek-a-boo treatment felt excessive.

That said, seeing Bakso was the highlight of our day!

 

[Tuvalu]

Though Em and I thought our last-ever Dinosaur ride was in December, we didn’t know Disney would extend its operation through 2025.

We decided on a second last-ever ride. Upon leaving the Maharaja Jungle Trek we headed for (the former) Dinoland.

As we approached Everest I asked Em if she wanted to ride. She declined so we kept on walking.

It was a NOISY walk. Lots of demolition going on behind the fence.

This sign was puzzling. I've seen Encanto but I don't recall a reference to "party pants."

Walking down the old highway....

...soon to be

There was no bash going on today. It's just as well - Em was not wearing her party pants.

 

[Tuvalu]

The outdoor extended queue was in use which was completely unnecessary.

Fifteen minutes later we were in the round holding room. We waited in here the longest as many LL guests were allowed through.

Yet when Em and I were allowed into the preshow theater only a handful of guests were with us. Both doors to the theater remained open as the film with Dr. Seeker and Dr. Marsh played. It was odd.

As we left the theater, a CM told all of us to wait where we were. We noticed that guests who had exited the other theater before us were being held back as well.

Did we break another ride, @Tony the Tigger?

Em and I were very close to the CM who had charge over us. We were able to overhear a conversation between him and another CM who had just come from the load area. Seem the delay we were experiencing was due to some idiot who wanted a souvenir.

This:

Said idiot, according to the CM, had a screwdriver and removed the safety sign from the Time Rover. This required the vehicle to be taken out of service and removed from the track.

Thankfully the delay wasn't much longer and Em and I boarded our Time Rover for the last time(?)

And what a ride it was! Most effects were in great shape and the lighting had been improved to pristine status. Well done, Disney!

 

[Swissmiss]

Said idiot, according to the CM, had a screwdriver and removed the safety sign from the Time Rover.

What is wrong with people?!

 

[Tuvalu]

Since this was Em’s spring break trip I wanted her to pick our lunch location.

It wouldn’t have been my first pick (@93boomer) but for ambience alone it was a winner!

It was a perfect al fresco dining day. Though all the dining areas at Flame Tree BBQ are outdoors, they are not all created equal.

The pavilion closest to the food ordering/pick up may be convenient, but it’s not at all picturesque. And it was the most crowded.

Uncovered seating by the pond is picturesque, but direct sunlight while eating? No thank you.

We walked a little further and chose the anteater pavilion.

Each pavilion is themed. This one was very quiet, right on the water and had a great view of Everest.

We timed the dispatch of the trains while watching them ascend the lift hill. You would have thought I’d put it in my notes.

Both of us had the slow-smoked half chicken. Paprika was the dominant spice. Since we live in an area with excellent barbecue (real wood smoked, not dependent on paprika) the chicken was nothing special. We asked to substitute the baked beans and cole slaw sides for fries. “It will cost a few dollars more,” the CM at the register said.

Fine. Another way for Disney to make money. Swap two sides for one side and charge more.

We lingered at lunch for an extended time.
“It’s one of the six days a year when it is comfortable to sit here,” commented Em.

And relaxing. Very relaxing.

Who wants to stand in these lines?

 

[lindawdw]

Glad you got to see Basko! The viewing area was crowded when we were there in February too and the baby wasn't even out. We're hoping to get one last Dinosaur ride in during our May trip! We don't usually even have lunch while in AK anymore since we leave around lunch time most visits but the I'm glad you had such a beautiful day to enjoy the view during lunch!

 

[Tuvalu]

Wednesday, con’t

We concluded our AK visit by shopping. (We didn’t buy anything, does that technically count as shopping?)

Anyhoo, as I have stated in previous TRs, AK has the best shops and more diverse merchandise than the homogeneous stores in the other parks. (I don’t count the shops in World Showcase.)

Sheldon’s store must be new.

I don’t recall seeing “class year” shirts before. Ears and caps, yes.

I so wanted to buy this fun shirt for Woody. But he’s not keen on wearing Hawaiian shirts. (I think he’s afraid of the mocking Mike Heck (The Middle) received from his family and friends when he wore one.)

How can I be sure? Woody has two fun Hawaiian shirts that hang in his closet. One was a gift and the other HE bought. Go figure!

For all The Goofy Movie fans!

One last look at the Tree of Life and we said our goodbyes to AK for 2025.

Best. AK Day. Ever.

 

[pkkurz]

View attachment 855277

The outdoor extended queue was in use which was completely unnecessary.

View attachment 855278

Fifteen minutes later we were in the round holding room. We waited in here the longest as many LL guests were allowed through.

View attachment 855279

Yet when Em and I were allowed into the preshow theater only a handful of guests were with us. Both doors to the theater remained open as the film with Dr. Seeker and Dr. Marsh played. It was odd.

As we left the theater, a CM told all of us to wait where we were. We noticed that guests who had exited the other theater before us were being held back as well.

Did we break another ride, @Tony the Tigger?

Em and I were very close to the CM who had charge over us. We were able to overhear a conversation between him and another CM who had just come from the load area. Seem the delay we were experiencing was due to some idiot who wanted a souvenir.

This:

View attachment 855307

Said idiot, according to the CM, had a screwdriver and removed the safety sign from the Time Rover. This required the vehicle to be taken out of service and removed from the track.

Thankfully the delay wasn't much longer and Em and I boarded our Time Rover for the last time(?)

View attachment 855280

And what a ride it was! Most effects were in great shape and the lighting had been improved to pristine status. Well done, Disney!

You can’t fix stupid

 

[Swissmiss]

You can’t fix stupid

Nope, not even with duct tape.

 

[luvinthemajik]

You can’t fix stupid

 

[rshell68]

Said idiot, according to the CM, had a screwdriver and removed the safety sign from the Time Rover. This required the vehicle to be taken out of service and removed from the track.

 

[wdisney9000]

To add to the stanchion speak, it also means some type of frame to hold a dairy cow’s head during the milking process………………..but I thought it was a plant/flower.

Guess I too ate the chips….



….and maybe sniffed the thinner

Welcome to the club!

 

[lindawdw]

What a fun day at AK with Em!