An Animal Kingdom State of Being with Cam and Fam COMPLETED 9/18 About This Page:

[southerngirl1014]

Ok upon hearing (or rather reading) that you get to not only be in the parade but on the Mickey float I started jumping up and down. Thankfully my DH is used to me being ridiculous when reading things on here and shrugged it off. Lol

[Roxie2006]

As usual I very much enjoyed the pics of Stephanie with her little professional self with the characters. She just makes my day!!!!... WOW riding in the parade, how great is that!!!!...

[Cam22]

Up Next: What happened to being in character? What happened to the show as I know it?
June 9 Part 7
In a giddy frame of mind, we now moved to Donald’s line; today he was celebrating his 77th birthday.







We had more great character interaction and even sung “Happy Birthday” to him.



PhotoPass Pictures with Donald





Donald reacting to our singing.








We’re all singing to Donald here!




When we finished singing, Donald even gave me a huge hug! that duck!





Next we headed in to visit with Goofy, who was so blah the name was a misnomer as this one was very unGoofy. Really he just stood there. We all walked away stunned. But I guess one bad interaction for this morning is not a bad deal.







PhotoPass Pictures:








Minnie was next with a very long line, but she was as charming as usual.







PhotoPass Pictures:












We decided against Mickey’s even longer line and like salmon swimming upstream braved the crowd to get to Festival of the Lion King. This was not an easy challenge and Stefanie and I were in the lead, trying not to be plowed down by the frantic parents with strollers. I was hunched down, guarding and guiding Stefanie when we finally emerged from the chaos. A CM bend over and said to come with her as she had a better way in. I told her we’d lost some of our party, but just at that moment the three of them reappeared and we were led to the reserved seating line. A few minutes later we were inside and being directed to Row 3 where Stefanie was sitting on the far edge for good visibility. The show was as breathtaking as it always is, but I was disappointed that the Tumble Monkeys did no tumbling. Boo! That is one of my favorite parts of the whole show. Ann says this happens in some of the earlier performance, but I say it is just wrong, though I guess if you’ve never seen the show, you wouldn’t know any differently. Otherwise it was an enjoyable show and we’re going to be in the parade later!

After FotLK, the plan was to see It’s Tough to Be a Bug, but when we saw Discovery Island we decided to do a bit of exploring first. No kangaroos were visible. Bummer! I’ll just have to keep checking back every trip. It’s Tough to Be a Bug was great! I think there may have been fewer screaming kids and the audience clapped and whooped when Hopper was eaten.





After the show, we followed the direction in Hidden Secrets and wandered to the left from the attraction and enjoyed more Discovery Island trails. Luke took quite a few pictures of the Tree of Life, and was excited to finally find the bat.















Our very own critter by the Tree of Life















In our wanderings we met this big turtle.




I failed to write down the name of these birds, but they remind me of parrots.


And the nene, state bird of Hawaii

Now we headed off to Africa to wander the Pangani Trail in search of meerkats and my favorite gorilla, Lilly.


Up Next: Will we find Lilly or not?

[Cam22]

Up Next: What happened to being in character? What happened to the show as I know it?
June 9 Part 7
In a giddy frame of mind, we now moved to Donald’s line; today he was celebrating his 77th birthday.







We had more great character interaction and even sung “Happy Birthday” to him.



PhotoPass Pictures with Donald





Donald reacting to our singing.








We’re all singing to Donald here!




When we finished singing, Donald even gave me a huge hug! that duck!





Next we headed in to visit with Goofy, who was so blah the name was a misnomer as this one was very unGoofy. Really he just stood there. We all walked away stunned. But I guess one bad interaction for this morning is not a bad deal.







PhotoPass Pictures:








Minnie was next with a very long line, but she was as charming as usual.







PhotoPass Pictures:












We decided against Mickey’s even longer line and like salmon swimming upstream braved the crowd to get to Festival of the Lion King. This was not an easy challenge and Stefanie and I were in the lead, trying not to be plowed down by the frantic parents with strollers. I was hunched down, guarding and guiding Stefanie when we finally emerged from the chaos. A CM bend over and said to come with her as she had a better way in. I told her we’d lost some of our party, but just at that moment the three of them reappeared and we were led to the reserved seating line. A few minutes later we were inside and being directed to Row 3 where Stefanie was sitting on the far edge for good visibility. The show was as breathtaking as it always is, but I was disappointed that the Tumble Monkeys did no tumbling. Boo! That is one of my favorite parts of the whole show. Ann says this happens in some of the earlier performance, but I say it is just wrong, though I guess if you’ve never seen the show, you wouldn’t know any differently. Otherwise it was an enjoyable show and we’re going to be in the parade later!

After FotLK, the plan was to see It’s Tough to Be a Bug, but when we saw Discovery Island we decided to do a bit of exploring first. No kangaroos were visible. Bummer! I’ll just have to keep checking back every trip. It’s Tough to Be a Bug was great! I think there may have been fewer screaming kids and the audience clapped and whooped when Hopper was eaten.





After the show, we followed the direction in Hidden Secrets and wandered to the left from the attraction and enjoyed more Discovery Island trails. Luke took quite a few pictures of the Tree of Life, and was excited to finally find the bat.















Our very own critter by the Tree of Life















In our wanderings we met this big turtle.




I failed to write down the name of these birds, but they remind me of parrots.


And the nene, state bird of Hawaii

Now we headed off to Africa to wander the Pangani Trail in search of meerkats and my favorite gorilla, Lilly.


Up Next: Will we find Lilly or not?

[cubfancolleen]

Great pictures with C&D! Sorry Goofy was being less than fun!
I've been waiting to read about the parade ever since it was posted on FB!!! Can't wait to hear all the details! Must have felt like an incredible dream!

[sc507]

I remember the first time we saw that giant turtle - we had a several minute discussion over whether it was real or not. Then it moved. Scared the daylights out of the kids! LOL! More great pics - love all the tree of life ones!

[lauriep]

Disappointing to have a blah Goofy and non-tumbling Tumble Monkeys! But, I'd say the fabulous safari, wonderful interaction with the other characters and the PARADE made up for it! The kangaroos must be very shy--I hardly ever see them. But you saw my favorite tortoise! I always take the trail to the left of the exit so I don't miss them. The photos of the tree carvings are great--it's not easy to get the shadows right so you can see the details.

[Cam22]

Up Next: What happened to being in character? What happened to the show as I know it?
June 9 Part 7
In a giddy frame of mind, we now moved to Donald’s line; today he was celebrating his 77th birthday.







We had more great character interaction and even sung “Happy Birthday” to him.



PhotoPass Pictures with Donald





Donald reacting to our singing.








We’re all singing to Donald here!




When we finished singing, Donald even gave me a huge hug! that duck!





Next we headed in to visit with Goofy, who was so blah the name was a misnomer as this one was very unGoofy. Really he just stood there. We all walked away stunned. But I guess one bad interaction for this morning is not a bad deal.







PhotoPass Pictures:








Minnie was next with a very long line, but she was as charming as usual.







PhotoPass Pictures:












We decided against Mickey’s even longer line and like salmon swimming upstream braved the crowd to get to Festival of the Lion King. This was not an easy challenge and Stefanie and I were in the lead, trying not to be plowed down by the frantic parents with strollers. I was hunched down, guarding and guiding Stefanie when we finally emerged from the chaos. A CM bend over and said to come with her as she had a better way in. I told her we’d lost some of our party, but just at that moment the three of them reappeared and we were led to the reserved seating line. A few minutes later we were inside and being directed to Row 3 where Stefanie was sitting on the far edge for good visibility. The show was as breathtaking as it always is, but I was disappointed that the Tumble Monkeys did no tumbling. Boo! That is one of my favorite parts of the whole show. Ann says this happens in some of the earlier performance, but I say it is just wrong, though I guess if you’ve never seen the show, you wouldn’t know any differently. Otherwise it was an enjoyable show and we’re going to be in the parade later!

After FotLK, the plan was to see It’s Tough to Be a Bug, but when we saw Discovery Island we decided to do a bit of exploring first. No kangaroos were visible. Bummer! I’ll just have to keep checking back every trip. It’s Tough to Be a Bug was great! I think there may have been fewer screaming kids and the audience clapped and whooped when Hopper was eaten.





After the show, we followed the direction in Hidden Secrets and wandered to the left from the attraction and enjoyed more Discovery Island trails. Luke took quite a few pictures of the Tree of Life, and was excited to finally find the bat.















Our very own critter by the Tree of Life















In our wanderings we met this big turtle.




I failed to write down the name of these birds, but they remind me of parrots.


And the nene, state bird of Hawaii

Now we headed off to Africa to wander the Pangani Trail in search of meerkats and my favorite gorilla, Lilly.


Up Next: Will we find Lilly or not?

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by Roxie2006

As usual I very much enjoyed the pics of Stephanie with her little professional self with the characters. She just makes my day!!!!... WOW riding in the parade, how great is that!!!!...

She is a pro! Being in the parade was not on our list of must do, but became a we-can-refuse-to-do-it moment!

Originally Posted by southerngirl1014

Ok upon hearing (or rather reading) that you get to not only be in the parade but on the Mickey float I started jumping up and down. Thankfully my DH is used to me being ridiculous when reading things on here and shrugged it off. Lol

You would have fit right in with Ann, Carly, Stefanie, and me!

[mcc0313]

I love the character lovefest, especially celebrating with Donald for his birthday. Sorry Goofy was...well a bit uncharacteristic, guess he was being a bit shy or under the weather

I love the tumbling monkeys also...one of my favoreite parts, and one of our favorite shows. Can't wait to hear all about the parade and if there was a Lilly sighting...I was so upset last August when not only did we not see Lilly but it seemed all the gorillas were in hiding except for the Silverback and his back was all he was giving us that day.

[lexiemom]

You got a lot accomplished so far! I must admit that I have yet to do the character trail in Camp Minnie-Mickey, but plan to remedy that in September.

[chezp]

What a great time with the birthday boy Donald - I love those photos!

[chezp]

What a great time with the birthday boy Donald - I love those photos!

[ilovedisney247]

It looks like a great time with Donald and Minnie! Keeping us in suspense with the parade hmm . . .

[lindawdw]

Great character pictures