We're going to Disney! Currently Disney is requiring reservations
for the parks. Angie had hoped to get tickets to Magic Kingdom, but by
the time she started looking----nothing was available. So when Animal
Kingdom opened up for a party of 5, she jumped on it. I really didn't
care what park we went to. I like them all. And I don't think Ken has
ever been to Animal Kingdom. In fact, I don't think he had been to any
of the Disney parks since Angie and Tim were about 6 and 8.
I think Layla got as big a kick out of our family air brushed t-shirts as Angie and I did.
Didn't take her long to be up and ready for our day in Animal Kingdom.
My
biggest fear was that we would get there too late to be able to rent
one of their scooters. I knew I wouldn't be able to push Ken around in
his wheel chair all day, so was really glad he got a scooter. The kids
even rented a stroller for Layla. Last time they had their stroller and
Layla wanted to be held the whole time, so they didn't bring it this
time. But the stroller rental was only $15 and Layla wanted it---and
used it alot. I thought the scooter was a deal at $70, then found out
when we returned it that there's a "key charge" that gets you $20 back
when you turn it in. We were also told that they don't usually sell out
until about 10:30. We were there around 9:30. I never really noticed
all the scooters in the parks before. Apparently most people don't!
It's amazing how many people will walk right in front of one and Ken had
to stop.
and we're off.
First critters we saw.
On to the Tree of Life.
Angie
had pre paid for pictures, so we stopped for every photographer we
could find. She missed out on the photos when we were there last year
and wanted to make sure she didn't miss them again. Unfortunately this
time they didn't have any characters wandering around the park to have
pictures taken with.
Next
stop---Dinosaur land. Last time Layla freaked out on this little
ride. This time she loved it. What a difference a year makes!
there they go
On to the Dinosaur ride.
Layla is really intrigued with dinosaurs. She loved seeing them
Unfortunately she was too short to go on the Dinosaur ride, so we headed back to the tricyratops ride again.
passing some interesting dinosaurs on our way
Ken
looking like he's enjoying himself---so far. With his knees sticking
out like that, he ran into a few walls later in the day
Daddy enjoying the park and Layla enjoying her ride
another ride on the triceratops.
this was a fun ride, but it was closed
not much else to do here, so we headed towards the big roller coaster.
Grandpa
and Mommy strolling along. Just a few days before we got there the
mask mandate was revised. No longer needed in open areas like this.
Just had to be worn in lines and rides.
more of the ride from earlier
coming off the ride
checking out the triceratops with a ball on its nose.
While
Angie and Josh went on the Expedition Everest roller coaster, Ken and I
hung out by the little lake with Layla. Since the characters weren't
allowed to mingle with the crowds, they were riding around in the lake.
So Layla did get to see a bunch of them in the hour or so Mom and Dad
were gone.
Kind of felt sorry for the characters. Other than Layla waving at the, noone else was paying much attention to them
looking across the lake
here comes another boat
Layla waving again
Layla
could hear the screams from the Everest ride, so I was explaining to
her that there was an Ice Monster in there tearing up the tracks and
scaring everyone. Then the ride would go backwards. She was sooooooo
intrigued with that!
She wouldn't stop talking around that ride and the ice monster for weeks!
More screaming---the ice monster!!!!!! Is that Mommy and Daddy screaming????
Mom and Dad made it out and found us. Then we continued on to find some lunch.
Thought
about going to the pizza place that Angie and I went to with my Dad
years ago, but it was still closed. Also tried to go to Yac and Yetti,
but it was reserved up for the whole day already! So ended up going to
Flame Tree Bar B Q and eating by the lake. Turned out to be a great
choice. And Layla got to see the video Mommy took on the Everest ride.
Again, and again, and again.
she
was so mesmerized by the ride!!! When asked what her favorite thing in
the park was she said, "when Mommy and Daddy went on the ride with the
ice monster."
While we sat and had some lunch, Layla got to watch some more characters make their way around the lake.
our bar b q was really quite good
the pavillion we found to sit in was really neat, too. It was like having a picnic. Nice breeze through there, too.
Goofing off
gotta take pictures of some of the pretty flowers in the park, too.
Heading into Asia to go see the Tigers.
and going through some of the animal walks-complete with waterfall.
into the tiger area.
tiger taking a break
pretty nice area for the tigers.
love the paintings on the walls, too.
Animal Kingdom is like a really fancy zoo.
I loved going through the aviary room.
Lots of interesting birds in there.
more pretty flowers along throughout the park
next we headed into line for the Kilimanjaro safari ride.
Layla helping Grandpa with his scooter---she loved beeping the horn.
Still
a long line, but not as bad as when FastPass was running. I like that
they don't have Fastpass. No one cutting in line makes for the lines to
go faster. Layla was beginning to get tired, though.
Thought being in the handicap line would be faster, but there are fewer trucks running in that line.
one of the trucks in front of us.
Ken
had to transfer over to a wheel chair and they secured him in place.
Pretty neat set up! Although it was pretty hard on Ken transfering from
the scooter to the wheelchair and back.
they've added plexi glass between the seats now.
and we're on our way.
neat looking bird.
rhinos
I love this ride. I could do it over and over again. Wonder if a real safari would be as fun?!
neat seeing the animals seemingly uncaged
even have some local birds hanging out here.
such realistic landscaping.
cute little doggies
termite tower
love these guys. But I thought they were suppose to be black and white
fast little guys
Ken seemed to enjoy the ride, too.
some of the foliage along the way
gotta love the elephants, too.
a giraffe peeking at us.
a realistic upside down tree
beautiful color water
pink flamingos
juvenile ibis
more rhinos
Angie and Layla's favorites---the cheetas
a lion just laying around.
a couple ostriches just laying around
wonder if these are real ostrich eggs and, if so, will they hatch?
replica of a ranger hut
complete with goats
another waterfall
another photographer
Ken tells everyone he had to go to Animal Kingdom to get a kiss.
yep, we're looking like grandparents!
sneaking a photo while they're getting pro photos taken
by
now we had walked over 6 miles in about 6 hours. We were tired.
Wanted to see the Lion King show, but read the flying monkeys weren't in
the show right now. That's disappointing, so we skipped it and headed
out.
by now Layla looked like she wasn't feeling great. I think her cold was beginning to hit hard----again.
another character boat as we're making our way out
After
checking the scooter and stroller back in, we headed out. We lucked
out with some beautiful weather---low 80s, not too humid, windy (kept
things comfortable.).
Back
at our condo. We noticed these huge plants that looked like banana
plants. But they had bird of paradise on them. Angie looked them up
and saw they're giant white bird of paradise.
We even got a Mickey cloud while we were chilling out on the porch.
Layla was perking up.
And then the Yeti pulled up the tracks, and the ride went backwards, and if I see a Yeti I'll beat him up, and ...
after
hanging out at the condo long enough to get Ken into bed for a nap, we
got our swim suits on and headed over to the small pool by our condo.
Angie couldn't get in, but Josh, Layla and I enjoyed it.
If
I remember correctly, we had pizza for dinner. Angie and Josh went to
get it while Layla stayed back with us. It was a tiring day, but a
great one!
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