Grand Duo Birthday Trip: COMPLETE 2/5/09 About This Page:

[lauren-roxy]

What a great dinner, except for the server!! Glad you were able to meet up with Tiff!!

[DawnDenise]

Morning at the AK, a Terrific Lunch, and We Call an Audible

We slept in a bit and got up around 8:30am. We were at the bus stop by 9:15am and in the park by 9:45am. We grabbed some pictures of the AK Christmas tree and off course had Photopass there as well.



So we headed to security even though I only had my camera in a case that just surrounds the camera body. We make it through without an issue and get through the turnstiles. We headed straight to Asia as Everest was calling our name. We made it over to that area quickly and grabbed a FP. Stand-by was showing ten minutes so we just got in line, and we were boarding our train to see the Yeti before we knew it. After a great first ride, we headed over to Africa to do the Safari. Along the way, we ran into DeVine for the first time ever.



Along the way, we saw King Louie and Baloo out for a meet and greet. We initially got into line then a grouchy comment from a hungry husband made me get out of line and find something to tie his hunger over until lunch. We found some bananas and some drinks and went to sit down to get something in our bellies. After finishing off the banana, Chuck was much better and we headed over to the Safari and just went through stand-by as it was only showing a 10 minute wait. It was more like a walk-on because we walked right up to a Jeep for our 2 week journey. We saw a lot of animals but I won’t bore you with all of the pictures, just a few of my faves.





After the Safari, we decided to head back over to Asia to do the Maharajah Jungle Trek before going to lunch. We hadn’t done this trek since 2001 so I am glad we took the time to do this again. We got some good pictures and enjoyed it.





After our trek, we headed over to the Yak and Yeti to see if we could check in for our lunch. We had an 11:30am ADR and they went ahead and let us check in. Chuck took the camera and took some pictures of the surroundings. They seated us around 11:40am in the back room all by ourselves at a little table for two. Our server came over and got our drink orders and described what we could get on the dining plan. Chuck initially went for a Coke but once he saw my wonderful Yak Attack, he had to have one for himself. For an appetizer, Chuck went with the Wok-Fried Green Beans (battered green beans, sweet Thai chili dipping sauce) and I went with the Pork Pot Stickers (pan seared or steamed, soy lime dipping sauce). We both really enjoyed our appetizers. I even got to sneak a couple of green beans from Chuck. Chuck was impressed that I ate with chopsticks yet again. I was getting good at it.



We placed our order for our entrees once our appetizers where delivered. I decided to go with the Crispy Honey Chicken (tempura chicken, broccoli, carrots, honey sauce), and Chuck went with the Shaoxing Steak and Shrimp (skirt steak, tempura-battered shrimp, jasmine rice, stir-fried vegetables, chili plum dipping sauce). I had had the honey chicken via the counter service option and knew that I would enjoy it. Chuck enjoyed his as well but was impressed at the presentation more.



I skipped out on the dessert as I was beyond full but Chuck went with the Fried Wontons (Skewers of fresh pineapple and cream cheese wontons, vanilla ice cream, honey vanilla drizzle). He REALLY liked them as he wouldn’t even let me snag a bite. We settled the bill and headed out to Everest again after a quick pit stop. We used our FPs and within 5 minutes we were aboard the train again. We ended up buying the ride photo as once again, I had a scrapbook layout for this ride that I had planned. I hate that we were in the last row, but I’ll make it work.



We headed over to get in line for the Finding Nemo show because I knew Chuck would enjoy this show. We got a decent seat in the lower section and sat next to an adorable little girl and her mom. We spent the time waiting for the show to begin playing Find Nemo in the bubbles with the little girl. Well, I did. Chuck took a little happy nap. The show began about 30 minutes after we sat down. Chuck enjoyed the show and thought it was done very well, but he thought something was missing. Even today, he still cannot tell me what that thing is but still says it. Who knows! Here are some pictures from the show.





Now once we got out of the show, Chuck and I started talking about what we wanted to do. I told him we would miss the parade as we needed to head back to resort to get ready for dinner at the Artist Point. I told him of the plans after dinner and he said we needed to figure out something else for dinner. So we moved over to a bench and I called WDW Dining to see what we could find. If all else failed, we would grab counter service for dinner. We were able to snag an ADR for Tony’s Town Square since we were going to MK for EMH. We cancelled the Artist Point ADR (2nd trip I have cancelled this ADR, I will make it there!!) and headed on our way.

Coming Up: Lots of Characters, a Parade, and Another Audible

[Colexis Mom]

What a great time at AK Dawn! Love the pictures!! Glad you had a great eat at Y&Y too!! More please!!

[lindawdw]

Sounds like a good time at AK Dawn! The food at Yak & Yeti looked good. I must try one of those Yak Attacks on my next trip. Can't wait to hear about your evening in the MK.

[mcc0313]

Sounds like a great morning at the AK...glad you had low crowds and were able to hit your favorites. Lunch sounded really delicious...that honey chicken is really calling my name. Glad you were able to change your dining plans to fit into your schedule...

Can't wait to hear more...

[Meggera]

Yak & Yeti looks scrumptious. Glad you had fun in AK and were able to get an ADR for Tony's. More please!

[chezp]

Sounds like a great time at Animal Kingdom - and how neat that you found DeVine!

[Wendyismyname]

My tummy is growling looking at your food photos!!

Hope you are able to make your picture work in your scrapbook!!

Great update!

[CountryTink]

Great pictures! That lunch at Y&Y looked absolutely wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

[DyanKJ130]

WOW!! What an awesome day at AK!! Must....find....Yak....Attack.... Can't wait to hear more

[KMB733]

Sounds like a great time at AK! the pictures, especially the one from EE. I like to see that I'm not the only one who likes to pose for the camera.

[lauren-roxy]

Sounds like a great time at AK and your lunch looked so delicious!!

[KandJluvdisney]

great update dawn
you will have to let us know how tony's is we are trying it for the 1st time in oct
sounds like a great day at ak
hurry back with more please

[DawnDenise]

Lots of Characters, a Parade, and another Audible

So we left off with us deciding to forgo the AP ADR to stay and see the parade. We headed over toward CampMinnie Mickey to see some characters and see what trouble we could get into. We passed Dinoland, and Chuck declined to go on Dinosaur. I think it had to do with the fact we lost his crackberry on Indiana Jones in DL in April. Primeval Hurl was closed for the day, but we never found out why. We did however take the time to do It’s Tough to Be a Bug. We waited for about 3 minutes before the theater doors opened. Enjoyable as always. At this point we had an hour or so to get some characters in before staking out a place for the parade. We headed straight into CampMinnie Mickey. FOTLK had not started yet so I knew we had some time to see some characters before the theater let out. The lines to meet the characters were not long at all, except for Minnie. We headed into to see Mickey, then Goofy, and finally Donald.



Now after we left Donald’s line, I noticed Kenai from Brother Bear all alone. Well, there is no way I can let that go so we headed over to say hi. He was very animated and personable and excited to show off his Christmas tree.





Not sure why I was sticking my tongue out but Kenai was laughing so I am sure Chuck made some sort of snarky comment. Once we finished up hanging out with Kenai, we headed back over to DiscoveryIsland to snag a spot for the parade. Along the way, I took some pictures of all the character specific trees around the area. I loved how much detail was put into the decorating of these trees. Just another one of those little touches of Disney. I decided that I just HAD to have some popcorn. I mean it was a dire NEED. We found a couple of spots, and I popped a squat while Chuck went in search of popcorn and beverages. Chuck returned and we enjoyed our snacks while waiting for the parade to start. Chuck had never seen the parade here so he was really impressed with the floats and loved the music. I’m sooooooo glad that we called an audible and decided to hang out in AK some more. Here are some pictures from the parade. I only took about 50.







After letting the throngs of people disperse, Chuck decided that he wanted to try Dinosaur. We were getting close to closing time so we picked up the pace to ensure we would get in line. But of course, like so many times before, we were distracted. And it wasn’t me this time, it was Chuck. He saw his favorite, the little blue alien Stitch. So we steered off course and got in a line of about 10 people. When it was our turn, Stitch was all over Chuck showing him some massive love and he wanted nothing to do with me. I had a nice conversation with Lilo and even when it came time for the picture, Stitch got as far away from me as he could.


Stitch did finally show me some love as we were saying good-bye. In fact, he took Chuck and me by the arms and led us “across” the street” where Terk was out greeting people. Apparently he wanted to make sure that Terk got some love as well since no one was standing in line for her.



So with those two character greetings out of the way, we resumed our original course into Dinoland. As we were about to cross into that section of the park, I saw the sign and remembered that Pooh and Friends had a meet and greet here. Yep, distracted again. My gawd, if Chuck got to see his favorite, I was gonna see mine. Fair is fair. We headed down the path and walked right up to meet Pooh, Eeyore, and Tigger. Piglet was MIA.



By the time we were finished with the characters, we realized we should probably head out and find our way to MK. We decided to catch the bus back to the GF and then catch the monorail as there wasn’t a direct bus from AK to MK. A bus was waiting for us as we made it to the bus stop and made it back to the resort within 20 minutes. We headed right up to the memorial station and ‘lo and behold, there was a monorail waiting for us. After a minor wait due to traffic, we were walking into the Magic Kingdom within 35 minutes of departing Animal Kingdom. Disney transportation was working in our favor that day.

I grabbed a time guide on the way in and discovered that Spectro was running at 7:00pm, and our dinner ADR was at 7:15pm. Since this was the only time we would be in MK at night with the exception of MVMCP, we had to make a decision. We found a bench and discussed our options. Spectro is my favorite parade and Chuck really enjoyed it as well, so we decided to cancel the ADR for Tony’s and grab CS somewhere for dinner. Not thinking that we were right there in front of Tony’s, I called WDW Dining and cancelled the ADR saying that we were not going to make it in time. Kind of funny when we look back on it as we were right in front of the restaurant. So, with that decision out of the way, we made our way down Main Street.

Coming Up: Spectro, Wishes, Meeting Up with Tiff Again, and Will I Ever Get to Eat?

[Colexis Mom]

What great character pictures Dawn! Love the one with you sticking your tongue out!! Great pics of the parade as well! Sorry Tony's wasn't meant to be!! Hurry back with more!!