Day 2.
Mother's Day.
Best. Day. Ever.
The End.
No no!....just kidding. But I'll tell ya, I'm having a hard time figuring out the writing of this installment. The day WAS perfect and it was, indeed, the best Mother's Day ever (birth of children aside, of course....). It's hard to put something like this into words. It was experienced....lived.... Some things just don't have the right words. It was--
Magical.....
I was up early and on my coffee walk by 6:30am. POFQ is particularly wonderful at that hour. So quiet and peaceful. I filled my mug and returned to my room to get ready for the day. I had decided ahead of time that this was the day I would wear my Do Not Disturb Mom on Vacation t-shirt. Seemed appropriate. I stopped by the food court for another fill-up on my way out, and was at the bus stop at 7:30, where the Disney magic once again came through and I hopped on the Animal Kingdom bus that was just pulling up.
* sigh *...
I arrived at AK right about 8:00am. It was SO empty at the front gate! Just a few families trickling in for their breakfast ADRs. There was a CM with a big basket of flowers and he immediately approached me with a big smile and "Happy Mother's Day!" I chose a white carnation from the basket and sat and enjoyed the first of many special moments that day.
Around 8:30 people were starting to gather around the turnstyles, so I made my way up to one of them and got right up front - first in line!
What a beautiful view!.....lol!
As the CMs began to gather on the other side of the turnstyles, they interacted with each and the crowd and it was so fun to be there and be involved. I could fully immerse myself in this without having to entertain kids or worry that everyone was together. It was Just. ME.
Heavenly.
When the green light was given to enter the park, I scanned my ticket and my finger and proceeded to the right and again got a front row - for Rope Drop!!
There was a brief little opening ceremony with Mickey and friends on their safari jeep. It was cute.
At exactly 9:00am, the CMs at each end of the rope began the fast walk to the major attractions: EE to the right, Safari to the left. I was headed to the safari (and it is a looooong walk!!), determined to be on the first trip of the day. And that I did.....and I got the very last row!! Which I thought was great because there was only one couple there with me, and as the vehicle is moving past things, you can turn around and have a wide open clear shot for photographing animals!
I took this pic while waiting for the trip to begin.....I'd never noticed it before and thought it was kind of funny....
Finally under way!
I took far more pictures than what's posted here. I'm limited in my posting space and I might put up an "installment" at the end that's just all the miscellaneous photos that got left out. Anyway...
The plan after my safari ride was to head to Asia and ride Expedition Everest while it was still early. I like the walkway from Africa to Asia - it's quiet and peaceful and usually not very crowded. This morning it was practically empty. I was ambling along, enjoying the atmosphere, when what should catch my eye but FLIK!!.....with NO line! I'm almost embarrassed to say how excited I got over this. I turned hard right and down to the meet-n-greet area. I got a fabulous Photopass pic here and this has quickly become one of my all-time favorite Disney photos....
Notice how Flik and I are color-coordinated?!....I
knew it was the right day to wear that shirt!!..
And if that weren't enough, just around the corner up on the other side of the walkway I spied
Baloo and King Louie!!....took advantage of no line there, either (although I have to tell you that in both character spots here, the people who were coming and going for photos were ALL adults!....so I felt right at home!).
Still beaming over my luck with the characters, I made my way to EE, hopped in the Single Rider Line and discovered that this was, indeed, a true Single Rider Line.
And I got the last row!! Which, for roller-coaster fans, we all know is the best and fastest ride. The teenage girl that I was seated with rode the entire thing without so much as a whimper!.....meanwhile
I was screaming like a banshee!! I love that ride, I really do. The drop that curves and banks at the bottom is SO freakin' fantastic. As the "Unofficial Guide" used to say,
Warning: This Ride Will Muss Your 'Do! The ups-and-downs in the dark are great. The reverse spiral......well, I'll reserve judgment on that. Freaks me out. Every time. I did see the Yeti, thanks to actually keeping my eyes open. But it's still not moving.. I thought I read somewhere that it's too heavy for its hydraulics and that's why it's always broken down. Still pretty fearsome, though.
Next on my AK "to do" list was lunch at Flame Tree BBQ, but I had plenty of time to kill before they opened, so I decided to cross Discovery Island, take in a few shops, and head over to Camp Minnie Mickey.
I have always wanted to get this shot!....
There were several characters out for meet-n-greets, but long lines and I didn't want to stand around that long. I noticed this well and then noticed that it's a cleverly-placed water fountain! How cool is that....
On my way back to Discovery Island I stopped at an ice cream cart for a Mickey Premium ice cream bar. I sat on a bench in the shade and just enjoyed "being" in Disney. Watching people, listening to the BGM...just taking in the little details. I really could have sat there for hours and been perfectly content, but lunch time was drawing near and I had a hot date to keep.....
I arrived back at Flame Tree with a few minutes to spare before opening, and just about that time The Village Beatniks started to play. They are tons of fun and if you're a shy person, I recommend you watch from a distance!! I sat on a bench behind the bushes where I could see, but not be seen.
At 11:00am I was in line at Flame Tree BBQ, and by 11:05 I had my order (BBQ pork sandwich, Key Lime mousse, and lg. Diet Coke!) and was on my way down to the lower seating area. The music that I love and am oh-so-familiar with was being piped in through the tropical setting.....I found a seat in the shade and closed my eyes and just listened.....these are the moments that are going to take me back in the long months before I get back to The World.....the little moments that give you goosebumps and where you can remember EVERY thing -- the sounds, the smells, the feel of the breeze...My Happy Place.
Up Next: Mother's Day - Part 2!
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