We tried... we honestly, sincerely, truthfully tried to get to Animal Kingdom for the opening ceremony. I saw it once on my Feb. '08 solo trip, but no one else in the family has witnessed it and I thought that would be fun. But with two kids and two Grandmas and one husband who would rather watch the news than dress the kids, it was impossible to check that off of our "to do" list. =sigh= BUT WE HAD FUN ANYWAY!!!
Our whole plan that day was to hit the family-oriented highlights of AK, and not worry if we missed some of the thrilling highlights likes Expedition Everest. Dave and I knew we would be able to parent swap thrill rides once the Grandma's had left, and we felt it was more important to spend our time having fun as a family, so that was what we did. Additionally, since we had been to AK with the Grandma's during Roo's 2nd birthday bash, we tried to hit some of the attractions that we had not done previously.
And here we are spending time together at the Port Orleans North Depot waiting for the bus as a family:
(Please note that Roo is still wearing his Pluto hat and still taking his monorail everywhere he goes)
Mimi... can't. sit. still:
Aaaaaaaand... here we are all on the bus together as a family. Except Dave. Who was taking the picture. He is behind the camera. You get what I mean. I'm just stating the obvious. =ahem=:
From front to back: me, Mimi, my Mom, my MIL, and Roo.
We walked in and decided to hit the first showing of Festival of the Lion King. We stopped to get a photopass picture together at the Tree of Life, and I will upload that as well when the CD arrives. As we were walking to Camp Minnie-Mickey, I walked right by Deb Willis. Poor woman... I shouted her name... "HEY!" I said as she was speed walking in the opposite direction, "That's Deb! DEB!!!!" She stopped and turned to talk with me for a very short minute, it was clear she was in a rush and I didn't want to detain her but she was very nice and gave us hats and pins from allears. She was a very gracious person! No pictures of her, though.
A few steps later we took advantage of the DVC photo op near Pizza-fari and 'round the corner entrance of Camp Minnie-Mickey. The kids loved these things but for some reason, my dear intelligent husband has NO IDEA how to take a picture of someone doing this... he completely cuts off the image of the poster, much like someone who had never held a camera before might cut off the top of a tall persons head.
Here is Roo and I. Grandma was holding him up:
Here is Dave cutting off the image and driving me crazy. I was holding up Mimi in the picture:
On our way to FOTLK, we found Pocahontas standing there looking lonesome. Roo took a shine to her, but alack! alas! She can not compare to his beloved Jasmine:
We sat in the Elephant section and since it was the first performance of the day, there were few others there to see the show (hint hint - that is a great performance to catch if you want to avoid the crowds and participate). Because we were sitting near the front of the section, Roo was picked to participate! And he went willingly with a very wonderful young lady to dance!
Here he is with the other kids getting directions on what to do:
He had a GREAT time playing the instrument and walking around by the giant elephant, but as soon as he turned around and the flashbulbs started to go off, he freaked out and began to cry!
He didn't want to participate any more and came rushing over to us, trying to catch his breath and crying. Dave got it all on video... I wish I could show it to you.
Here he is watching the rest of the show snuggled up to his Mommy (he actually only snuggled until the kids returned to their seats, and then he started to forget about it and started having fun again):
I love Mimi, keeping a close eye on the elephant behind us. She had to check back to make sure he wasn't getting any closer to us, I think!
We didn't have the time we were hoping for to meet characters at Camp Minnie-Mickey after the show because our brunch ressie at Tusker House was at 10:25 am. We waited a loooong time to get in and everyone was very hungry when we sat down. MIMI NEED FOOD!
Luckily, the place was rich with characters, and before we even got up to get food along came our first visitor:
They both adored him:
I love Roo's face as he stares up at his best pal!!!!
FINALLY:
In answer to your question, yes, Tusker House serves Fruit Loops...
...and bacon... :
...plus Mickey waffles and blueberry muffins:
Dave caught this beautiful photo of Roo's profile:
At this stage of the vacation, Mimi still preferred her characters to be at a distance:
I love my girl!!!
FRUIT LOOPS, DADDY!:
Roo wanted to participate in the Goofy music parade, but he was too concerned about the status of his Fruit Loops, muffin and bacon so he darted back to the table after one spin around the room:
I posted this earlier, but I just can't get enough of Roo - holding Daisy's hand and looking up at her with love:
GOODBYE TUSKER HOUSE! WE HAD FUN!!:
COMING SOON - 9/28, OUR AFTERNOON!