The Promise of Spring: Flower & Garden Festival 4.0 -- A Cam and Luke TR COMPLETED 8/27 - Page 51 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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On every trip we do make one meal at Earl Sandwich. As for Planet Hollywood we reviewed the menu and the prices, we all decided the need to find a new TS in DS. You are really a trooper, I'm not sure I could have lasted as long as you did especially in the Florida heat.
It sounds like it was a good decision to cancel the reservation for Planet Hollywood feeling the way that you were. We are planning on going to EOS with our daughters in October as we haven't visited there in a couple of years and our girls love their sandwiches. Glad you were able to cancel without a charge! How great that you found the times guide with your notes for the day. Looking forward to hearing about your AK tour the next day.
I've never done that but did this before we had to put our credit cards down for the ADR bookings. Before this I think the special prepaid meals were on as well as any meal at V&A's as has always been the case, since my first meal there in 2003.
As you said the heat can get to you and gets to me too, but more with the humidity. I can deal with the heat, it;s the latter I have the problem with and combo of the two. It was hot the first few days of my trip but humidity was not terrible luckily. I will be going in October 11 days earlier than last year, so we'll see how the weather situation, temps, humidity and conditions pan out.
Wait for the weather on the last day of my TR (October 22nd) as it will surprise you. But, no storms!
Heat and humidity are a deadly combo.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cattailmarsh
Glad that the nap helped you to feel more like yourself. So great that the CM managed to get the ADR canceled without a charge due to the circumstances. It was a very long day for you and I am glad it ended on an up note.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
I was very thankful for that CM's kindness.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Sounds like that nap was just what you needed! Glad the concierge was able to cancel the PH reservation. EoS was probably much better! Love the sound of your new jacket - picture?
Luke and I both had the same thought. EoS was so delicious this night. I've checked my souvenir photos and the jacket wasn't there. So I'll pull it out tomorrow and take a photo.
We have not made any plans yet other than for me to MVMCP. I will tell Judy so you guys can talk about meeting. Would love to get together.
We're going to MVMCP on November 14. We've made ADRs and we're still waiting to see about a ROL dining package to open up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
I'm so glad you felt better after that nap and the Cast Member was able to waive the fee for Planet Hollywood.
It was very comfortable in the shade and that nap really helped my head clear up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tcmary
I truly hope you're not a heat magnet in November! The heat and humidity will not be conducive to my touring plans for the week.
Luke and I were just talking about the November weather yesterday when we were walking. We are so hoping for some milder weather than we've had lately.
On every trip we do make one meal at Earl Sandwich. As for Planet Hollywood we reviewed the menu and the prices, we all decided the need to find a new TS in DS. You are really a trooper, I'm not sure I could have lasted as long as you did especially in the Florida heat.
We would have liked to have seen the refurbishments done to the restaurant, but I enjoyed our meal very much at Earl of Sandwich.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lindawdw
It sounds like it was a good decision to cancel the reservation for Planet Hollywood feeling the way that you were. We are planning on going to EOS with our daughters in October as we haven't visited there in a couple of years and our girls love their sandwiches. Glad you were able to cancel without a charge! How great that you found the times guide with your notes for the day. Looking forward to hearing about your AK tour the next day.
We're actually hoping to make EoS in November. But nothing firm yet. I couldn't believe it when I found those notes even if they were very brief.
As soon as the alarm sounded this morning, I was up and getting ready. I was excited for our tour at Animal Kingdom this morning. Definitely motivation to get moving. We were boarding a bus by 8:30ish. Once at the park , we had little difficulty making our way through security and the park gates. We decided to eat breakfast at the park, so our original plans changed slightly. We had thought we’d see It’s Tough to Be a Bug before our tour. We didn’t want to rush eating so we canceled our FastPass for ITTBAB. Before we could eat though we needed some PhotoPass photos with our cool elephant t-shirts, perfect for our tour.
From the Tree of Life we headed toward Africa for breakfast at Creature Comforts, aka Starbucks. Luke ordered a Fruit Cup and a Mocha Grande while I got a chocolate croissant. When our name was called, I picked up the bag that was supposedly holding my chocolate croissant. But instead I found a plain croissant, which would be okay, but it wasn’t what I’d ordered. I went back up to explain the situation. I was told to keep the plain croissant and a chocolate one would be right up. And it was. We took our breakfast goodies and headed down to some tables near where our tour would be beginning.
Notice that Starbucks added, "May the 4th Be with You." It was May 4 indeed.
There were several other folks who were also waiting for the tour. We finished in plenty of time and even had a little while to relax before needing to check in for our tour. By the way, we shared the extra croissant so no leftovers. Luke and I went up promptly at 9:45, but we were told that Hollis who took care of the Caring for Giants tour was not out yet.
We went back to our seats, and a few minutes later a line had formed at the podium. So we got up again and joined the others. When we checked in and had presented our photo ID, we were given a lanyard with a name tag, mine had Cornelia, which confused Hollis momentarily as I had introduced myself as Cam. Luke’s made more sense because it said Luke. We still had a little more waiting to do as the tour did not begin until 10:00 so Luke backtracked to the Harambe Fruit Market to get us water, which was strongly suggested for while we were on the tour.
This reminded me that I have forgotten to upload the final stats for Days 6 and 7. So you all will get those now. Remember the rain cooled it down. Stats Day 6 at Epcot: Fitbit Data = 23,5111 steps / 9.79 miles / 2,518 Calories /8 floors/8 hours 8 minutes Asleep Today’s High Temperature = 88 degrees Worst Part of the Day = Rain Delay Best Part of the Day = Patio Table at Rose & Crown with friends for Illuminations
Stats Day 7 at Magic Kingdom: Fitbit Data = 18,166 steps / 7.46 miles / 2,160 Calories /6 floors/6 hours 43 minutes Asleep Today’s High Temperature = 88 degrees Worst Part of the Day = Getting motion sick on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Best Part of the Day = Earl of Sandwich for dinner without any more motion sickness feelings
And while we’re on Day 7, Colleen asked for a photo of my Mickey jacket, which I failed to include. I got a photo today and now you all can see my cool jacket.
Now back to Thursday, May 4. Once Hollis had everyone checked in, she explained some of the rules for this tour. We would be told when we could take photos, and until then we were to not use our cameras or phones. She mentioned that we’d be escorted back stage and to stay within a pedestrian walkway so that we didn’t get hurt. Then we’d board a mini-bus to drive back to the special viewing area. The tour would last approximately an hour from the time we walked backstage. With the directions complete, Hollis led us backstage pointing out a few things as we went. Luke and I had been back in this area before when Stefanie worked her charm and got us into the Jammin’ in the Jungle parade on the Mickey float. Hollis had us all laughing when we pointed out the “Human Day Barns,” more commonly known as lockers. We also noticed the park to park bus area here, which at this time in the morning was very quiet. We had to cautiously cross a roadway into a parking lot for the mini-buses. Our driver Connor was then introduced to us. Both Hollis and Connor were very enthusiastic and clearly loved their jobs here at Animal Kingdom. As we passed various night barns, he identify which animals were housed there. I remember rhinos, and of course, giraffes, a barn we’ve been fortunate enough to visit twice. He also told us to look for the deer in a display back stage. I was able to spot it. When I let him know I saw it, he told me on the way back to see if I could find two deer. Spoiler alert, I still saw only the one. He did confide that he’d only recently found the one deer and he’d been looking since he was hired six months ago. Eventually, we came to the Elephant Barn where Connor introduced us to Sabos, an eight year old boy who is having issues relating to others, which is normal Connor told us for teenage male elephants. For now he is kept at the barn all day. Eventually, he’ll be given his own spot on the safari.
Connor drove us past the barn and into an area directly behind the elephant area on the safari. As we all disembarked the mini-bus, he told us to look up the embankment, pointing out a change from a metal ramp to a wood ramp. He let us know that once we got to the area enclosed with wood, we could take all the photos we wanted. From this point on Mel, one of the elephant keepers, was our tour guide. She immediately let us know that we could take photos while she continued to teach us about elephants. One cool fact, the bull elephant who is always by himself on Kilimanjaro Safaris is named Maclean, but usually called just “Mac.” He is Stella’s daddy. Stella is the little baby elephant that you are going to see so many photos of. Mom is Luna and big sister is Nadira. By the time I took some notes, I forgot the names of the others. I did record that one of the males was named Tembo, but I don’t remember is exact relationship to the others. When Mel finished, she asked if we had any questions. Almost everyone did and she was excellent in answering them all. The next portion of the tour was led by Nana who is a Cast Member from Lesotho whose time at Animal Kingdom Lodge was almost over. I loved her accent. Her country is a very tiny country totally inside South Africa, totally landlocked. She also noted that her country has great rivers, which attract elephants. I don’t know if everyone is aware of Disney’s conservation program to help African villagers deal with elephants who were trampling their crops. Nana’s country Lesotho was one of those helped. The Disney vets’ researched the situation and discovered that elephants are deathly afraid of bees. They then created these cool wooden apparatuses that are now built to surround the fields where crops are grown. When an elephant tries to pass through a couple of these, the swing portion is filled bees and as it begins to sway, the buzzing noise alerts the elephants. They quickly turn around and move away. A neat by-product of this whole endeavor is that the farmers can now also harvest the honey and sell it for added income.
After about 50 minutes in this special viewing area, Connor returned with the mini-bus. We walked back down the ramp and boarded, seeing the elephant barn one more time as we headed back. In all we’d been backstage approximately an hour and 20 minutes counting our walking, riding, and viewing times all together. We both loved this tour, and at $30 a person it is an excellent value. We received a discount for being DVC members. There is also an AP discount. The total for us both was $51.00.
Now for all the photos I took of these sweet giants. Enjoy the tour, folks!
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Oh wow, the tour looks amazing! I've been waiting for you to get to this part of the trip report, as I'm thinking of taking this tour and I wanted to get your views on it. Based on what I've seen, I'm thinking we'll book this...
That tour sounded so interesting and fun!!! I didn't know that elephants were afraid of bees and how great that Disney was able to solve the farmers crop issue in South Africa. Loved the pictures, especially of the baby elephant with it's mom!
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You are really a trooper, I'm not sure I could have lasted as long as you did especially in the Florida heat.
I can deal with the heat, it;s the latter I have the problem with and combo of the two. It was hot the first few days of my trip but humidity was not terrible luckily. I will be going in October 11 days earlier than last year, so we'll see how the weather situation, temps, humidity and conditions pan out. 
We still had a little more waiting to do as the tour did not begin until 10:00 so Luke backtracked to the Harambe Fruit Market to get us water, which was strongly suggested for while we were on the tour. 
We also noticed the park to park bus area here, which at this time in the morning was very quiet. We had to cautiously cross a roadway into a parking lot for the mini-buses. Our driver Connor was then introduced to us. Both Hollis and Connor were very enthusiastic and clearly loved their jobs here at Animal Kingdom. As we passed various night barns, he identify which animals were housed there. I remember rhinos, and of course, giraffes, a barn we’ve been fortunate enough to visit twice. He also told us to look for the deer in a display back stage. I was able to spot it. 
When I let him know I saw it, he told me on the way back to see if I could find two deer. Spoiler alert, I still saw only the one. He did confide that he’d only recently found the one deer and he’d been looking since he was hired six months ago. Eventually, we came to the Elephant Barn where Connor introduced us to Sabos, an eight year old boy who is having issues relating to others, which is normal Connor told us for teenage male elephants. For now he is kept at the barn all day. Eventually, he’ll be given his own spot on the safari. 
You sound refreshed today as well!!
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