DAY 7 - Part 1
Sept. 26th, 2014 - Friday
Animal Kingdom
I woke up in my usual fashion this morning... Late.
But not TOO late, of course. I rolled out of bed and nommed on a danish and some coffee while getting ready to go for the day. And then I was off to Animal Kingdom!
As I got was scootin' along from my room to the bus stop, I noticed that, once again... My battery didn't charge. I was only on about half-power for a full day of park touring.
Really? SERIOUSLY???
That's twice now, and two different outlets. I decide it must be a problem with the charger, but I certainly don't want to delay starting my day any longer. I went ahead and caught the bus to Animal Kingdom. On the way, I called the rental company, explained what was going on, and they said no problem, they would bring a new
scooter to me at AK, the driver would call me when he got there so we could meet up. Hooray!
With that problem taken care of, I was off to begin my WILD day! My wild... overcast... day. That's right, it was shaping up to be another rainy one.
But ONWARD! Stopped for photo ops, of course...
Yep, still with the tiara on!
Normally I bee-line it over to Kilimanjaro Safaris, but I had a FP+ a short while later. So on this morning, I decided to mix it up and I headed first over to Expedition Everest to take advantage of the Single Rider line. As I entered Asia, my phone rang. It was the scooter company's driver, he was in the park. So we arranged to meet in front of where the queue is for Everest. I didn't have to wait long before he rode up a newer, shinier model for me! SWEET!
After the trade-off, I was entering the Single Rider line. If you've ever done Single Rider for this one, then you know that that you basically detour around 90% of the regular queue. Which for the most part is awesome! But I can't lie, I do love the queue for Everest. It's so interesting and beautiful and immersive!
I didn't cry though when I got to the front of the Single Rider queue, and found out I was the first person to use it that morning. I literally walked RIGHT onto the ride with zero waiting. Woot! I was actually seated next to another Solo, too! Poor thing had went all the way through the regular line, though... She didn't know about the Single Rider queue! So I quickly told her about what other rides in the four parks have Single Rider lines. After that, there wasn't much time for talking, just screaming...
LOVE THIS RIDE. Loooooove love love!!!
Afterwards, I hopped back on my shiny new scooter and headed over to one of my most favorite parts of Animal Kingdom, the Maharaja Jungle Trek!
I was struck this time by how surprisingly CROWDED it was. To the extent that me on my scooter was having an extremely difficult time getting close enough to see anything. People, children and adults alike, kept swarming in front of me like I wasn't even there. Many times I simply couldn't move at all, lest I hurt somebody. Very frustrating.
I finally got to the highlight of the Trek for me, though... The tigers. I love the tigers. I can sit and watch them for hours. Sadly, this wasn't one of those days. There were all hiding or sleeping. I caught a glimpse of one passed out against a wall, just under a viewing window, but that was about it. Bummer! Not to mention that the people swarming the windows and crowding walking right in front of my ECV, and basically not giving a rat's furry butthole about me being there and trying to enjoy the exhibit too, made it impossible for me to get close enough to see anyhow. Sigh.
After that disappointment, and the frustration and stress of trying to maneuver amongst all those people, I decided it was time for a pick-me-up... So I headed over to Dinoland for my first FastPass of the Day... DINOSAUR!
This is one, because of the stairs, I go through most of the regular queue and pre-show, then take an elevator down to the loading platform. When I got down there, a few other ECV and wheelchair users were waiting, so I just sort hung back out of the way. It was neat just watching the anticipation on people's faces as the loaded up in the ride vehicles. I like people-watching.
Then it was my turn, and into my Time Rover I went!
This picture cracks me up. Everybody else is like "Oh, hello scary dino." And I'm like, "HEY BUDDY! WHADDUP! I AIN'T SEEN YOU IN AGES! HOW YOU BEEN?!"
By this time my ADR for Tusker House was getting close, to I made my way through DinoLand and back over to Africa. (I should note that the construction walls EVERYWHERE really confused the crap out of me during certain points.) I made it a couple minutes early, and hung out in the Dawa Bar while I waited. I thought about ordering a cocktail, but it was only 10:10am. Was neat to just hang out and watch and take it easy, though.
10 minutes later or so I went up to the podium and checked in, and was lead back to the entrance of the restaurant. Man, this place is hidden! I saw the PhotoPass photographers hanging out where I read that they used to take your photo with Donald. Now it's just you and the wall, which seemed kinda silly to me... But whatever, let's do it!
Why do I always put my arms behind my back like that for photos? I think it's because I don't know what to do with them otherwise. I'll have to be more conscious about that next time!
Okay, so then it was breakfast time! I was lead to a table that gave me a good vantage point of when the characters were coming, so I could be ready for them. Daisy was up first, before I even got my food! I noticed that she had a handler (unlike the characters at Garden Grill), who were totally open to snapping photos for people! YAY! I instantly relaxed, knowing I wouldn't have the stress of worrying about finding somebody to take pics for me.
Then I went for my first plate, and got back just in time for Donald!
Mickey and Goofy weren't too far behind him!
I think Goofy's handler was hittin' the Dawa Bar before her shift.
Food pics can be found on my Dining Report
HERE!
I lingered for a while, as I had read that they start bringing out the lunch offerings at 11:00am, and I wanted to sample some of them. But at 11:20am, they were refreshing the breakfast items. And when I finally gave up and left at 11:30am, it was still all breakfast stuff.
No worries, though! Time for my FP+ for Kilimanjaro Safaris! Sadly, the animals were being super shy. I think they were hiding out from the impending rainy doom, too! I did get a few photos, though...
Afterwards, per my usual routine, I attempted to do the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, but it was just.... confusing. They have you going in the exit now, then turning around at some point and back out the way you came. You miss a LOT of it. I got to see some gorillas though, so it was worth the trip! But I'll definitely be glad when all the refurbs are done and it's back to normal.
Then, also per my usual, I then headed over to catch the Harambe Express out to Rafiki's Planet Watch and Conservation Station. I love it out here. The veterinary clinic rooms are always fascinating, even though there were no procedures happening today. I spent a bit of time wandering and exploring and checking out all the different things... Well, almost all. I skipped the bugs and creepy crawlies. No thank you!
As I was leaving, I spotted a PhotoPass photographer! She asked me what my favorite animal is, and I told her Tiger. So she told me to give her my best tiger impression!
On the train back to Harambe Station, I could feel myself dragging. I had hit my mid-day slump, and hit it hard. I still had two more must-do's left, though! FPs for both Kali River Rapids, and Festival of the Lion King in the new indoor theatre. I got off the train and just as I was trying to pep-talk myself into some more energy... the skies opened up. I pulled on my poncho and found shelter, but I had to admit defeat. With a heavy heart I tried to convince myself that it's okay not to be able to do EVERYTHING, and that it was time to head back to the room. So that's what I did, I rolled through the rain back to the bus stop, and made my way back to Pop Century for the nap my body was demanding!
Up Next... Hollywood Studios (Chapter 2)!
You're going to have an absolutely WONDERFUL time on your trip, I can promise you that!!
I haven't been reading the Trip Reports here I'm subscribed to, or even updating my own. One month ago today I was spending my last day in the parks, a full day at Magic Kingdom. I think maybe post-Disney depression has finally caught up to me, despite my best efforts to stave it off! 
Here's their menu, they have a huge variety! 
I miss The World so much. I think I'm planning a graduation trip next year though. Just remember that you're always one day closer to the next WDW vacation 
So glad you're here!
I told myself I wouldn't let the post-WDW blues catch up to me this time, but it appears that they have. I'm going to try hard to push through and do some more updating tonight, though! 
. Seriously though, I love reading your posts ..you are a talented and funny writer and reading your reports always put a smile on my face. 
