Finally a chance to enter a Disney Park!!!

[ladyofavalon77]

Well, after waiting all this time, we finally went to a Disney Park.  My brother wanted to go to the Animal Kingdom because they have a safari that his youth pastor said was awesome.  I wanted to go last year so it was all good.  My Mom was going to get us a park hopper for 4 days with a 5th day free but we only had 4 days left before we left, it was $60 more than the two day hopper, AND we would be too tired from the first few days to take advantage of the other days.  From past experience, it's best to space it out by visiting a park every other day so you can recover between visits.  Therefore, we would go to Animal Kingdom today and parents would go to Holyland USA while the whole family would go to Epcot on Thursday since we didn't get to see everything last time and Mom wanted to eat at the French restaurant.  

Unfortunately it was FREEZING!!! Where was the humidity we encountered on Saturday!! I didn't even bring winter clothes because I was sure it would be warm.  I was wrong and had to borrow my Mom's jacket since it's lighter than the one I brought but still warm.  She of course being the Mom that she is kept trying to get me to bundle up some more but I knew it would get warmer as the day went on :)  After dropping us off, we decided to hit the shows first so then we could go on the rides and not worry about running around.  First up was Festival of the Lion King and it was really good.  We were the warthog section and Pumba was ADORABLE because he's so chubby and round.  I wanted to buy one just like him on the spot.  The dancing birds took my breath away as they spun around the dance floor to "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?" in breathtaking ballet moves and then hooked up to a wire so she could fly over the audience.  I never wanted it to end :)

The other show of note was the bird show where the actors took predictable lines and made them funny, even taking a few jabs at the idea of visiting a theme park.  I loved it when the baby vulture came out and the guy said "If you see this guy flying above you, remember...LOOK ALIVE, PEOPLE....LOOK ALIVE!"  *giggles*  And when a bird returned some money to a visitor, the guy remarked "Well, that's a first...actually getting money back at a theme park."  Best.show.ever!  And the birds were cute too :)  I also saw some forest creatures at the Pocahontas show that were adorable like the chubby raccoon, tiny mice, and waddling porcupine!  Well, after that we decided to get breakfast and I had a nice big cinnamon bun while my brother chose a cheese danish.  

We then decided to head out on safari and it was pretty good while the wait wasn't too bad at all.  The park was actually kind of empty today.  They load you up on a safari jeep while the guide tells you about the wildlife.  Unfortunately the whole thing is scripted with other people making calls in about poachers and you have to save baby elephants.  I would have preferred it being more spontaneous with a comedian for a tour guide.  There were some funny moments when I saw what looked like a baby deer and the driver responded with "And no, it's not a baby deer...it's a Thomson's gazelle."  Then some ditzy girls up front saw some flamingos and one swore that the flamingo only had one leg when it really was just raising the other so it could sleep.  The driver even said, "No, the flamingo is not missing a leg" but she kept insisting it was true hehe.  We didn't see any lions but there was a giraffe, some hippos, adorable baby elephants and a cheetah :)

We then decided to catch a train up to the animal preservation site where I saw the cutest bunny! It reminded me of the one I had in Germany with floppy ears...this one had ears that stood straight up.  I got to pet him and take a picture.  Wish I could upload it to this journal!  We headed back to the safari area so I could buy a keychain with Stitch in a safari hat (I LOVE Stitch).  What was really funny was that work called me on my cellphone (which is usually never on but is on now so parents could contact us) and were looking for some official checks.  I didn't handle them that night so had no idea but was worried about them for a little while because I might have handled them and forgotten about it.  Nothing I could do anyways while down here in Florida.  

We had ribs, beans, and corn for lunch.  There was a flock of aggressive ducks around the tables with one who kept honking for attention so he could get more food.  I also purchased a frozen lemonade to drink as we walked the park.  After that, we went on a jungle trek through some ruins and saw tigers, lots of exotic birds, and some really strange cows.  They did a great job landscaping the place!  We skipped the water ride because it was still cold and any type of fast moving one because I hate the way it makes my stomach lurch.  Finding Nemo the Musical was our last attraction but first it was time for some shopping.  After checking out the shops on Discovery Island, I settled on an Animal Kingdom Passport with stamps for each area we'd been to as well as a Pooh on Safari keychain to match the Stitch one I had bought :)  Then it was time our last show.  The puppets were great and most of the voices spot on but the songs were kind of campy and they just really redid the whole movie so we knew what was coming next.  All I'm saying is that they could have done a better job!

So that was pretty much what we did today.  Oh that and watch two hours of 24 Season Five!

Episodes 5.17 and 5.18 to be exact :) For the first part, Audrey needs to meet with her father so they can tell him the new evidence.  Jack drops Evelyn off at a hotel so he and Wayne can get the recording at a bank.  I didn't like them terrorizing the bank manager in his home with his wife.  The guy looked so nice and normal...too bad he died later.  Wayne was pretty good in these episodes though I don't think it was wise for him to take part since he's a recognizable face from his brother's administration.  I ADORED the scene with Martha and Charles when she comes in to tell him how well he did today and they share a passionate kiss both really mean (not like what happens later on).  Miles tracking down Audrey was a brilliant move and I like Chloe helping Audrey get rid of the tracker :)  Best line of the night was said by Chloe when Miles asked what she was doing when she comes out of the bathroom: "Are you serious?" *giggles*

I think this last episode was one of my favorites for two reasons: Heller and Logan have a true showdown in the best traditional fashion and Martha and Charles share another tender moment.  When Jack shows up at the airfield and Heller is upset to see him because of the warrant, it's great because his character is not so easy to pin down.  Then when he hears the evidence and comes back to put Jack and Audrey under arrest, another great moment for another complicated character.  Why can't he be President for Season Six?  The trap to get Chloe to reveal herself was fun to watch and then her pickpocketing Miles was great.  Her confrontation with Shari was cute and I liked her showing up at Bill's house and bossing him around.  However, the scene stealers were truly Heller and the Logans.  First Martha comes in to check on Charles and they briefly kiss as she wants him to get some rest but then Charles takes a call from Heller and has to straight out lie to Martha about the nature of the call (without blinking!).  I also like seeing Mike coming in to nose around and Logan pulling out the "Because I'm the President" card.  Hehe, works everytime.  And finally Heller calling Charles out on his crimes that day...both men had strong arguments for each side but sneaky Charles escaped unscathed once again thanks to Henderson.  I love him even more!

Before I leave you, here is another great love poem to think on...

 

Now this poem is kind of strange because it doesn't allow the spouse to show their true feelings.  I like how it talks about gently knocking at each other's hearts but the idea of hiding things from the one you love is never a good idea.  Best to get it out in the open so you can both deal with it then keep it from them until it finally comes to a head.  That's just my take on it of course :)

Come on...pick up, Aaron...I don't know how much longer I can be out here before I'm discovered...