Monday, May 18: Nice surprises
Miles walked today: 5.38 miles
Best thing today: Lots of animals
Worst thing today: Everest shutting down
I apologize that we don't have a whole lot of photos from the parks - with the rain, we didn't take our camera.
It was a "running day" for Jay, so as he started with a run in the fitness center, I tidied up our hotel room, showered and got ready for our day at Animal Kingdom. (Seriously, he runs every other day, without fail, since December. Amazing.)
We had gotten up a little later than planned, so I called over to Tusker House to see if they had a later lunch reservation – and they did. I took it, so we wouldn't be so rushed.
We had packed ponchos, but it was the kind of day that an umbrella would work for small showers – but of course, I hadn't packed one. Luckily, the Johari Treasures store at the lodge had one (only $10).
We walked out, and a bus to the AK came right away. We had good and bad bus karma on the trip overall – today, it was good. We met a mom and her daughter who were on their way to meet the rest of the family – as it turns out, we also ran into them at the restaurant, and on the bus on the way home. A lovely family with three kids from Atlanta, who had also recently bought into DVC. They were also really happy with their purchase. It's great the nice people you meet waiting in lines, riding on buses, etc.
We got to AK, turned in our annual pass vouchers (DVC members get a $100 discount on each pass, so it's a great value for us. We know we're going back in September to take some friends, and in January for Jay's race.) The cast member was great and we walked into the park under dark clouds and a drizzle. We kept our ponchos on or umbrella up most of the day, but we were inside or under cover for the main downpours.
As Jay checked us in for lunch at Tusker House, I went and got us fast passes for the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride. Turns out the fastpass time would be about an hour from them – perfect for after lunch.
We were seated shortly thereafter, and headed toward the several stations of food. We hadn't been there since it was converted from a quick service to a sit-down buffet, and we thought this was much improved. Lots to choose from, great sirloin and pork from carving stations, plenty of veggies and salads, and the most amazing lemon bars in the world. Two of us, with drinks and tip (and a $4 DVC discount) cost about $45. Not terrible pricing for Disney standards.
Then on to a cloudy, but wonderful safari ride. Many of the cast members we talked to said that because the weather was a little cooler, many of the animals would be more active. On this safari, that was certainly true. We saw more hippos than ever, lots of crocodiles that were actually moving, okapis, birds, an elephant, giraffes, lions and lots of other critters.
The rain was still just a drizzle, so we walked through Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and lingered with the hippo and the gorillas. Then we went to Expedition Everest and got a fast pass on our way to see the Finding Nemo show. It is still amazing what they can do with these stage productions. Very enjoyable.
Back to Everest to use our fast pass. There was a family behind us taking their first ride, and we were trying to tell them it was fun - not scary. Unfortunately, they never got the chance to find out because the ride was shut down just before we got on. Don't know if it was weather related or not, but they gave us a fastpass good for anytime before the end of May. (We never did get to use it – and forgot to give it to someone else. Next time.)
We then walked through Maharajah Jungle Trek and noticed how much the Komodo Dragon had grown since our last visit. The cool weather had the Malayan Tapir up and around and much more active than he had been on past visits. The fruit bats and flying foxes were mostly sleeping, but also trying to stay dry and wrap themselves under their wings. Only one tiger was out and about, but we did see the Elds deers standing straight up on their hind legs to get the leaves from the trees.
We also spoke to a cast member in the bird sanctuary who told us about one breed of ducks that were there – the male had a blue bill – but only when it was mating season. Interesting. Another set of birds just had a full nest hatch, and AK has an agreement with other Zoos across the country for mating programs. Very interesting stuff.
The rain started to come down a little harder, and it was getting close to closing time by then. We tried to get on “Tough to be a bug” but we just missed the last show. We meandered through some of the shops, and had to exchange the umbrella we purchased that morning, because the carrying strap had already broken. But they exchanged it with no questions. We headed back to the bus depot and met back up with the family from Atlanta to ride back to the lodge.
I don't know about other DVC owners at AKLV, but I'll pay an extra $25 in dues this year if they'd build an awning or some other kind of shelter from the hotel out to the bus stops. Every other DVC has a covered walkway to the buses – can we get one, too?
We went back to the room to read out on the balcony, relax and check out some more animals. (I'm ashamed to admit it, but my girlfriends finally got me to read Twilight, and it made for great trashy vacation reading).
Our balcony:
When we got back to the room, there was a lovely tray of Zebra Domes and a nice “Celebrate Today” card from Brandon Howell, the resort's private dining manager, wishing us a happy 9th anniversary. There was also a nice message waiting for us from Judy Kaufman, one of the first DVC consultants we ever spoke to.
The card went nicely with the flowers in our room:
Jay went down and rented us a board game from the community hall (it was the new, electronic version of LIFE-Twists and Turns) so we'd have an option later in the evening. Before Pleasure Island closed, we would have been heading to the Adventurer's Club almost every night, so we're glad that DVC offers lots of alternate options. It also means we're making later dinner reservations, which usually works out, because it's easier to get a table, and the restaurants are sometimes quieter.
While he did that, I went to the Concierge desk to ask about estimated cab ride costs to get to Boardwalk and/or the Contemporary, as we were dining at those places the next two nights. Noting my “Happy Anniversary” button, the cast member quoted me the prices, and also told me about how to take which busses to get to Flying Fish, but she gave us a cab voucher for The Contemporary the next night so we didn't have to slop around the world in fancy clothes in the rain. What a considerate gesture! Unexpected, unnecessary, but so much appreciated!
I also took a walk back through the library, which is beautiful.
It was almost time for our reservation at Sanaa (pronounced sah-NAA), on the ground floor of our resort. It was raining antelopes and zebras, so it was nice to not have to go out into the elements. A short wait after we checked in, and we were escorted into the restaurant with intimate lighting, cozy nooks and lots of artwork. Our server said that she and the rest of “team Sanaa” had been training there for a month before opening, learning all about African spices, cooking techniques, etc.
It paid off. She was very knowledgeable and made great suggestions. A treated myself to a Malawi Mango Margarita- yummy. We split an appetizer of Mustard Seed Crusted Scallops - with a coconut cream sauce. Jay's entree was Tandoori Shrimp with basmati rice, and I tried one of the “slow cooked, simple and well seasoned” combos of beef short ribs and chicken with red curry sauce. Both of our meals were fantastic.
After a DVC discount and using a Christmas gift card from my cousin and her husband (Thanks, Jen and Dave!), dinner only cost about $44. Nice!
We played some air hockey and driving games on the way back at the arcade, got some drinks for our refillable mugs, and headed up to the room. We enjoyed a midnight snack of our Zebra domes from the afternoon that chilled nicely in our fridge, and played LIFE – probably staying up too late to do so. Lights out around 2/2:30 a.m., after a fun, soggy day.
Coming next: Is is supposed to rain this much? Are those animals pairing up near that boat over there? Are those weather guys using super-double doppler?
Also, thanks, y'all, for all of your nice comments. I figure you guys are the only ones who will actually read all of this.
Miles walked today: 5.38 miles
Best thing today: Lots of animals
Worst thing today: Everest shutting down
I apologize that we don't have a whole lot of photos from the parks - with the rain, we didn't take our camera.
It was a "running day" for Jay, so as he started with a run in the fitness center, I tidied up our hotel room, showered and got ready for our day at Animal Kingdom. (Seriously, he runs every other day, without fail, since December. Amazing.)
We had gotten up a little later than planned, so I called over to Tusker House to see if they had a later lunch reservation – and they did. I took it, so we wouldn't be so rushed.
We had packed ponchos, but it was the kind of day that an umbrella would work for small showers – but of course, I hadn't packed one. Luckily, the Johari Treasures store at the lodge had one (only $10).
We walked out, and a bus to the AK came right away. We had good and bad bus karma on the trip overall – today, it was good. We met a mom and her daughter who were on their way to meet the rest of the family – as it turns out, we also ran into them at the restaurant, and on the bus on the way home. A lovely family with three kids from Atlanta, who had also recently bought into DVC. They were also really happy with their purchase. It's great the nice people you meet waiting in lines, riding on buses, etc.
We got to AK, turned in our annual pass vouchers (DVC members get a $100 discount on each pass, so it's a great value for us. We know we're going back in September to take some friends, and in January for Jay's race.) The cast member was great and we walked into the park under dark clouds and a drizzle. We kept our ponchos on or umbrella up most of the day, but we were inside or under cover for the main downpours.
As Jay checked us in for lunch at Tusker House, I went and got us fast passes for the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride. Turns out the fastpass time would be about an hour from them – perfect for after lunch.
We were seated shortly thereafter, and headed toward the several stations of food. We hadn't been there since it was converted from a quick service to a sit-down buffet, and we thought this was much improved. Lots to choose from, great sirloin and pork from carving stations, plenty of veggies and salads, and the most amazing lemon bars in the world. Two of us, with drinks and tip (and a $4 DVC discount) cost about $45. Not terrible pricing for Disney standards.
Then on to a cloudy, but wonderful safari ride. Many of the cast members we talked to said that because the weather was a little cooler, many of the animals would be more active. On this safari, that was certainly true. We saw more hippos than ever, lots of crocodiles that were actually moving, okapis, birds, an elephant, giraffes, lions and lots of other critters.
The rain was still just a drizzle, so we walked through Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and lingered with the hippo and the gorillas. Then we went to Expedition Everest and got a fast pass on our way to see the Finding Nemo show. It is still amazing what they can do with these stage productions. Very enjoyable.
Back to Everest to use our fast pass. There was a family behind us taking their first ride, and we were trying to tell them it was fun - not scary. Unfortunately, they never got the chance to find out because the ride was shut down just before we got on. Don't know if it was weather related or not, but they gave us a fastpass good for anytime before the end of May. (We never did get to use it – and forgot to give it to someone else. Next time.)
We then walked through Maharajah Jungle Trek and noticed how much the Komodo Dragon had grown since our last visit. The cool weather had the Malayan Tapir up and around and much more active than he had been on past visits. The fruit bats and flying foxes were mostly sleeping, but also trying to stay dry and wrap themselves under their wings. Only one tiger was out and about, but we did see the Elds deers standing straight up on their hind legs to get the leaves from the trees.
We also spoke to a cast member in the bird sanctuary who told us about one breed of ducks that were there – the male had a blue bill – but only when it was mating season. Interesting. Another set of birds just had a full nest hatch, and AK has an agreement with other Zoos across the country for mating programs. Very interesting stuff.
The rain started to come down a little harder, and it was getting close to closing time by then. We tried to get on “Tough to be a bug” but we just missed the last show. We meandered through some of the shops, and had to exchange the umbrella we purchased that morning, because the carrying strap had already broken. But they exchanged it with no questions. We headed back to the bus depot and met back up with the family from Atlanta to ride back to the lodge.
I don't know about other DVC owners at AKLV, but I'll pay an extra $25 in dues this year if they'd build an awning or some other kind of shelter from the hotel out to the bus stops. Every other DVC has a covered walkway to the buses – can we get one, too?
We went back to the room to read out on the balcony, relax and check out some more animals. (I'm ashamed to admit it, but my girlfriends finally got me to read Twilight, and it made for great trashy vacation reading).
Our balcony:
When we got back to the room, there was a lovely tray of Zebra Domes and a nice “Celebrate Today” card from Brandon Howell, the resort's private dining manager, wishing us a happy 9th anniversary. There was also a nice message waiting for us from Judy Kaufman, one of the first DVC consultants we ever spoke to.
The card went nicely with the flowers in our room:
Jay went down and rented us a board game from the community hall (it was the new, electronic version of LIFE-Twists and Turns) so we'd have an option later in the evening. Before Pleasure Island closed, we would have been heading to the Adventurer's Club almost every night, so we're glad that DVC offers lots of alternate options. It also means we're making later dinner reservations, which usually works out, because it's easier to get a table, and the restaurants are sometimes quieter.
While he did that, I went to the Concierge desk to ask about estimated cab ride costs to get to Boardwalk and/or the Contemporary, as we were dining at those places the next two nights. Noting my “Happy Anniversary” button, the cast member quoted me the prices, and also told me about how to take which busses to get to Flying Fish, but she gave us a cab voucher for The Contemporary the next night so we didn't have to slop around the world in fancy clothes in the rain. What a considerate gesture! Unexpected, unnecessary, but so much appreciated!
I also took a walk back through the library, which is beautiful.
It was almost time for our reservation at Sanaa (pronounced sah-NAA), on the ground floor of our resort. It was raining antelopes and zebras, so it was nice to not have to go out into the elements. A short wait after we checked in, and we were escorted into the restaurant with intimate lighting, cozy nooks and lots of artwork. Our server said that she and the rest of “team Sanaa” had been training there for a month before opening, learning all about African spices, cooking techniques, etc.
It paid off. She was very knowledgeable and made great suggestions. A treated myself to a Malawi Mango Margarita- yummy. We split an appetizer of Mustard Seed Crusted Scallops - with a coconut cream sauce. Jay's entree was Tandoori Shrimp with basmati rice, and I tried one of the “slow cooked, simple and well seasoned” combos of beef short ribs and chicken with red curry sauce. Both of our meals were fantastic.
After a DVC discount and using a Christmas gift card from my cousin and her husband (Thanks, Jen and Dave!), dinner only cost about $44. Nice!
We played some air hockey and driving games on the way back at the arcade, got some drinks for our refillable mugs, and headed up to the room. We enjoyed a midnight snack of our Zebra domes from the afternoon that chilled nicely in our fridge, and played LIFE – probably staying up too late to do so. Lights out around 2/2:30 a.m., after a fun, soggy day.
Coming next: Is is supposed to rain this much? Are those animals pairing up near that boat over there? Are those weather guys using super-double doppler?
Also, thanks, y'all, for all of your nice comments. I figure you guys are the only ones who will actually read all of this.
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