Day 6 - Part I Animal Kingdom

Today was going to be a huge day. We had an early morning ADR at Tusker House and we were staying in the parks all day with Illuminations to finish us off.

Up and out early we headed to Disney's Animal Kingdom to start our day. We went straight through the turnstiles and up to Tusker House for Donald's Safari Breakfast. I try to make every morning an early reservation before the parks open so we can get in early. There are lots of photo ops without the large crowds and usually by the time breakfast is done the parks are just opening and we get a good start on the attractions. This is one of my favourite breakfasts. The food is yummy and there are characters in all their safari costumes plus there is that delicious juice! 

The entrance to Animal Kingdom

The Tree of Life

Tusker House - Safari Donald

Mmmm, breakfast goodies

Potato gems, fritatta?, sausage patties and fresh carved ham

Granola and dried fruit

Safari Mickey

Safari Daisy

Our favourite - Safari Goofy

Once breakfast was over we headed straight for Kilimanjaro Safari. We lined up for about 10 minutes and then we were on our safari vehicle. This ride is so fun. You never know which animals you will spot or how close they will come to you. The kids remembered so much about the animals from the year before they kept  telling us and spotting them before we even did. It was lucky as we were just behind the driver who heard all the stuff they were saying and when we got off he stopped us and gave them a little card proclaiming them to be an Honorary Guide from Kilimanjaro Safari. They were pretty chuffed!

Animal spotting guide in the safari vehicle

Elephant

Boab Tree

Honorary Safari Guide

Mr Gorilla

After the safari we took them on the train down to Rafiki's Planet watch. We really liked this attraction. There was the train ride down which is always fun for a train loving 5 year old. Then there's all the animal stuff to see and characters! We came across a tawny frog mouth with it's keeper and well we knew what is was called because it came all the way from Australia like us! We spent awhile checking it all out and we met Rafiki so Peyton who is an avid Lion King fan was tickled pink. Rafiki also loved Peyton's Simba. The animal petting zoo part was closed down but the kids were consoled with a present from the little shop. Peyton was so very excited to have a Nala to go with Simba and Brandon loved his binoculars. We then jumped on the train to head back and onto Festival of the Lion King.

Train

I love this animal mural. It is gorgeous!

Tawny frog mouth

Rafiki

The animal hospital section

Where you can watch procedures on some of the animals

Feed all made up

Nala!

I can see you!

We then headed towards the Festival of the Lion King (FOTLK) we had a little time to spare before the next show so I took a few photos and we went and did some character greeting! We met Brer Bear and Brer Rabbit and Meeko and Miss Bunny. Then we went in and lined up for the show. FOTLK is such a great show. It is colourful with great music and dancing. The best part if the talented tumble monkey acrobats. The kids really like this show and so did us grown ups. Peyton got up and danced with some other kids at the end. It was really good.

Meeko (Pocahontas) and Miss Rabbit

Brer Bear and Brer Rabbit

Practising my photography

FOTLK

Timon and a cheeky monkey

Simba

We then saw that there were a few more characters out so we went over and met Chip and Dale. Then we headed back up to explore the dinosaur area. On the way we came across Russell and Dug from Up. I was super excited for these characters and so was Brandon. Peyton not so much. She was tired and cranky and refused to get out of the pram. Oh well she missed out. We went and I took the kids on Triceratops Spin while Steve rode Primevil Whirl. We were going to do Dinosaur but Peyton was too short and Brandon didn't want to so we went and grabbed fast passes for Kali River Rapids and then went to watch It's Tough to be a Bug. It started sprinkling so I bought some Disney ponchos for myself and the kids. Steve was too cool to get one so he just got wet. We all love It's Tough to be a Bug. We love it because its funny and the special effects are just great. Oh and I think the bug 3D glasses are pretty fun too.

Dug and Russell

How cool are these two in their ponchos and bug glasses

More photo skills (I try!)

We then headed for Kali. Peyton had to be measured as she looks pretty small, then she was given a Kali stamp and a wristband stating she was tall enough to ride, yay! We went down the fast pass line quickly, having a laugh at the people who were getting off looking like drowned rats. Brandon was nervous as last year when he rode this ride he copped a water jet straight in his eyes, poor bugger was just the right height. We assured him all would be ok and it was. Both kids had a ball and wanted to ride again but we didn't have much time so we told them there would be a next time another day. It was time for a lunch stop so we went and got some yummy ribs from Flame Tree BBQ. Steve and I shared a BBQ chicken and ribs platter and the kids shared a hot dog meal. I got a chocolate mousse because I can't pass up a good looking chocolate mousse!

Tall enough to ride!

Brandon posing in Asia

A little apprehensive?

Worried..

All good!

Onion rings

BBQ ribs and chicken combo

Kids hot dog meal

Chocolate Mousse

After lunch Steve really wanted to ride Expedition Everest so he went and lined up while the kids and I looked around the shops and waited to see him come down the mountain. It took awhile and after all the waiting we realised there was a single rider line....doh! We then headed out of the park and off to the car to drive over to EPCOT to finish our day. My only main aim was to see IllumiNations as we had missed this show the year before. 

To be continued......

Day 4 - Magic Kingdom

So today was our first official park day. We started with an early morning ADR at the Crystal Palace for a delicious buffet breakfast with Pooh and Friends. We were running a little late this morning and as usual I was stressing out. We went through the turnstiles at about 8:05am, the same time as out ADR but it didn't matter. We grabbed some autograph books and strolled up Main Street, taking a few photos on our way.

We made it!

The booths to pay for parking at the Magic Kingdom

Cinderella's Castle

We got to the Crystal Palace about 10 minutes late and checked in. We were given a buzzer and waited about 10 minutes to be seated. Breakfast was delicious and we got through all the characters except one. The same thing happened last year, we were missed by Piglet and they had to chase him down for us. This year it was Pooh and after waiting for about 30 minutes we were finally visited by Pooh. But our lovely server gave us a surprise for our troubles, a fastpass to use on any attraction! This was pretty cool so we left full and happy.

Once shot of Food Porn! Strawberries and cream, Mickey waffles, puffed french toast, sausage and eggs

Eeyore

Piglet

Tigger giving us his autograph

Our fastpass for any attraction

and finally Pooh!

The park was already open by now so we headed to Fantasyland. Peyton always request the Carousel as the first ride and as it is right there after you walk through the castle, she got her way. We then hit Peter Pan and It's a Small World. 

Riding the Carousel

It's a Small World after all!!

Then we met the Fairy Godmother at the back of the castle. We then headed off to do The Teacups, meet Alice and the White Rabbit, ride Dumbo and the Great Goofini/Barnstormer rollercoaster. Brandon refused to go on but Peyton loved it, in fact when it was over she asked "is that all?" Dumbo was the new one that is part of the Fantasyland expansion. Only one side was working. Speaking of the expansion, I got a photo of the Beast's Castle in the distance. I can't wait to go back once all the work is complete.

The Godmother

Alice and The White Rabbit

The Great Goofini

Brandon on Dumbo

Peyton and Steve

The Beasts Castle from Dumbo

The Beasts Castle again over the top of some hoarding

We then decided it was time to visit Tomorrowland. Brandon was desperate to ride the Tomorrowland Speedway so we obliged. Peyton was not so keen to go on so we went and got fastpasses for Buzz Lightyear and waited for the boys. 

The boys driving their car

Fastpasses for Buzz

After a hard morning the kids decided it was time for a snack. This was perfect as we had a little time before our fastpasses were due to be used. Also they are enforcing the fastpass return times. We didn't really find it too bothersome as usually the return time wasn't far from when we got them. We also met Stitch as he was out and the line wasn't long. We did Buzz and it was a hit as usual. Then we did something new for us, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. This wasn't too bad and the kids thought it was pretty funny. I was just happy to be in the nice ait conditioning.

Snack time

One of our favourites

The Evil Emperor Zurg!

Waiting for Monters Inc

After monster Inc we headed to the other side of the park. Peyton wanted to meet the Fairies so I waited in the forever long line with her and Steve took Brandon. I think they rode Aladdins Magic Carpets and got fastpasses for Haunted Mansion. When we were finished with the fairies we met up with the boys and all went and rode Pirates of the Caribbean. Then we went and finished off the day with the Haunted Mansion.

On our way out we stopped at Columbia Harbour House for a light meal/early dinner.

Anchors Aweigh Sandwich

Kids nugget meal

Sides

One last snack to finish the day!