First Timer at Animal Kingdom Part II

Yesterday, I told you about Monica's love affair with Rafki well that quickly faded when we stopped in Yak and Yeti for drinks and a sundae. Monica had another love affair with someone she met in Yak and Yeti….



They were good friends until the sundae arrived…



After the Fudge Brownie for two we all decided to try and catch Everest before the park closed. I of course, having already vowed to never ride it again sat in the chicken pit (a very cute little guy named Michael named it that because many of us were talking about how we did not want to ride Everest because it looked crazy) and Norwood and Monica went on the Expedition.

When they boarded the train Norwood turned to Monica and asked her if she was ready to go fast, she said “Yeah!”



All was good until they reached the tracks that the Yeti had broken and everyone realized that there was just one way to go…



Overall, Monica really enjoyed Animal Kingdom. Stay tuned for Monica’s first time adventures in Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. If you would like to see more of Monica’s photos head on over to the flickr album.

First Timer at Animal Kingdom Part I

On the second part of our week at Disney with a first time Disney theme park hopper we took decided to take Monica to Animal Kingdom (Norwood’s favorite park). Upon entering the park we ran into Monica’s new boyfriend…



It was love at first smooch. All else was not important including her previously severe hunger when she met Rafki. After tearing her away I asked her if she wanted pictures with Baloo and Timon who were also at the gate and she said… “Naw, my circle of life is complete.”

After a short romance at the front gate we made our way into the park and ate at Pizzafari, which is a quick service eatery that has Italian Food…



Monica told me to mention to those readers who had not eaten Pizzafari that is was well worth the money and she highly recommends the frozen lemonade. Once we refueled we headed over to the River Rapids and the Kilimanjaro Safaris. Both were according to Monica “Totally awesome!”

Tomorrow I will tell you more about Monica’s Animal Kingdom adventures. To see more of her pictures head on over to the flickr album.

Maharajah Jungle Trek

For readers for this blog you will often hear me say “This is my absolute favorite thing to do at Disney!” And it is true each and every time I mention it. I cannot help it if there are so many things on my Disney favorite list, Disney World is truly awesome. Anyway here is yet another thing to add to my long list of Disney favorites the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Animal Kingdom.

The Jungle Trek is located in Asia and it is walking tour of various types of animals you would find in different regions of Asia. On your walking tour you will see animals like tigers, giant bats, various birds, kimono dragons and more. You can take as long as you like exploring the animals. Since one of my passions is photography I often find myself wandering through the trek. I once spent a half hour just taking photos of the giant bats there.

If you would like to see some of the pictures I have taken while on my trek check out my flickr set.

If you would like to talk about your experiences on the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Animal Kingdom please comment on this post or head over to the Mouse Beat forum to talk with others.

Tree of Life

I remember when I first went to Animal Kingdom way back in time (2003) and I walked into the park and saw the Tree of Life. I was taken aback. I had never seen anything like it. A huge (145 foot tall man made tree), absolutely huge tree was amazing in its self and then I noticed all the carvings on the tree and I was left speechless.

Each time we go back to Animal Kingdom now I stop and look (usually from somewhere in Asia) and each time I look I notice animals I had not seen before. I have been told there is a Hidden Mickey somewhere on the tree, but I still have not located him. Please do not tell me if you have found him yourself, I still hunt for him each time I go.

If you would like to see more pictures of The Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom head on over to my flickr set.

Flights of Wonder

“Flights of Wonder” is a bird show located in Animal Kingdom’s Asia. A variety of birds entertain the audience with their talents. From the crow who takes money from the audience to the crane who flies across the audience to be hand feed by the tour guide the birds are amazing and entertaining. Not all the birds are trained with neat tricks some, like the Eagle above just come out to show off their beauty. Of course like many of the exhibits and shows at Animal Kingdom there is the message of conservation and preservation. During the show they talk about endangered birds and how the efforts of some groups have actually brought birds like the bald eagle off the endangered species lists. It is a must see live show at Animal Kingdom.

“Flights of Wonder” is located next door to the Yak and Yeti In Animal Kingdom’s Asia. For show times (there are usually about 4 a day starting around 11am) make sure to pick up the show times guide when you grab your park map at the park entrance.

For more photos of Flights of Wonder head on over to my Flickr set.

Stay tuned all this week for highlights of live Disney Entertainment.

Pangani Exploration Trail- Animal Kingdom

The Pangani Exploration Trail is a walking trail where you can experience gorillas, meerkats, exotic fish birds and more. It is located in Animal Kingdom’s Africa just outside the Kilimanjaro Safaris. Be prepared to snap lots of photos because the animals that you will see on the Pangani Exploration Trail are animals you rarely get to see this close. Above is just one of the gorillas that you can see throughout the walking trail. Below is a one of the meerkats that lives in the meerkat area.



I love how these little guys always look like they are having profound thoughts. They are a little more difficult to spot and photograph because they tend to blend in with their surroundings. A tip for finding them… look to the mounds, often you can find at least one on top of the mounds in the exhibit.



Above are some of the fish that you will see in the walking trail. Aren’t they beautiful?!

To see more pictures from the Pangani Exploration Trail go to my flickr set.

Drums in Africa – Animal Kingdom

One of my favorite things about all Disney Theme Parks are the little details that make you feel like you are in the place Disney meant you to be. In Animal Kingdom’s Africa there are so many details that this week I wanted to focus on just one…the drums! It is not hard to find the drums because it is guaranteed that if there are drums around someone is banging on them.

In front of the Tusker House there are every once in a while a group of African Drummers that will come out and perform…



And just down the way from the Tusker House are the drums set up for future drummers…



The drums in Africa are just one of my favorite details of Animal Kingdom’s Africa…what is yours?

Kali River Rapids – Animal Kingdom

The Kali River Rapids located in Animal Kingdom’s Asia is one of my favorite Animal Kingdom rides. The ride takes you down the Chakranadi River’s rushing water on a 12-passenger raft. Your raft bumps along the rapids through the Asian rain forests, geysers and a rushing waterfall. It is the perfect ride for the hot summers in Florida.

Every time Norwood and I go Animal Kingdom this is on our must hit list. Usually we like to ride this before or after lunch. One thing that I did not notice the first 1000 or so time that we were on the Kali River Rapids was the magic green button…



Located on the bridge (to the left of the entrance just behind a temple) that overlooks the rafts returning to the moving walking where you board is a little box with a green button that will spray the riders as they sit and wait for their raft to pull up and unload. Above is Norwood pressing the green button and below is a look at one of the elephants who will spray the riders.



This bridge is also a great place to take pictures of the rafts and their riders… you know in case for some reason you do not want to get wet. This ride is fun and we highly recommend it, over and over again.

A little tip… when it is not peak season and towards the end of the park hours you can ride this ride multiple times in a row if you so wish.

If you want to see more pictures of the Kali River Rapids head on over to my flickr set. To see more pictures from Animal Kingdom go to my Animal Kingdom Pictures Set.