6.3: Finishing Up at Animal Kingdom (December 2019)

If you missed the last post, you can read it here. 

The CM who walked us back out on stage was very nice. His name was Dan and when he asked where we were from and I said New York he said “City or State?” God bless you, sir! It’s so annoying that people think New York is only the city. I think he said his husband’s family is from Buffalo so that may have contributed to his understanding. 

There was a couple from Columbia, Missouri who were celebrating their 50th anniversary. Dan had been in boot camp with a guy from Missouri and he said there were two ways to say it: Missour-e or Missour-a. The wife said there’s a reason for the Missouri Compromise. SHe was very passionate! Who am I to judge.

Then, we slowly made our way to Flight of Passage. We wandered around for a little bit while we waited for our FastPass time. There were some drummers performing and we could hear the banshees...screaming? Do banshees scream? Wail? Yell? 

When we rode Flight of Passage I tried to be brave because there was a young girl in our group. She had a Nala plush who watched us from the cubbies. Nala also enjoyed the ride according to the girl. I was still scared! 

We were hungry so we did mobile order for Flame Tree Barbeque. I got the salad because I had heard good things. It was the longest wait I’d ever had for mobile order, but not too bad. The salad tasted good, but didn’t stick with me for very long. 

Next, we used our FastPass for Kilimanjaro Safaris. We got stuck at the beginning. Sometimes animals just create traffic jams. We did get to see our new buddy, Dugan. The giraffes were all staring in the same direction which was a little weird. I’m sure there is no giraffe conspiracy.

It would be a tight squeeze, but we decided to try and catch the 3 PM performance of Festival of the Lion King. We just missed it, but did have FastPasses for the 4 PM show. We just hung out in Africa while waiting.

We ended up in the Elephant section which is the best! It was fun and entertaining like usual.

After the show, we headed out. 

The menagerie/puppets for Christmas were out, but they were finishing up so we didn’t get to see a lot of them. I was a little sad about that.

Up Next: Surprising Construction

Trip Report: Rhino Tour (December 2019, Day 6 Part 2)

 If you missed the last update, you can read it here. 

Before you know it, our tour was off. For the Rhino tour you cannot take any pictures or videos because the whole thing is backstage. I’m sure safety of the animals is a factor, too. 

Our main guide was Jenene (I think I have the spelling right). We went to the Rhino barn which is near the Elephant and Cheetah barns. Disney has 5 rhinos (4 females and 1 male). The male, Dugan, is never and has been there for about a year. Apparently, he’s 24 and had never been around lady rhinos before. So, I’m sure he’s currently living his best life trying to make more rhinos for the world. As of our tour, he’d been bred to 3 of the females. Fingers crossed for a future baby rhino or two.

There was another male rhino, Frankie, but he’s gone to another AZA location. It’s important to change up bloodlines and Frankie already fathered several rhinos with the ladies at Animal Kingdom. Two females born at Disney actually were sent to Uganda to help them repopulate the wild rhinos. And they’ve had multiple babies. How cool is that?

They told us that recently the first baby white rhino in Uganda in 20 years had been born. Again, so exciting!

She also told us about the differences between Southern and Northern white rhinos. The Northern white rhino are actually considered extinct. The last male died relatively recently. And there are only 2 females left who are both too old to breed. 

Scientists are trying to figure out other ways to repopulate or cross-breed. In San Diego they had a successful artificial insemination which is good news. 

Then, we got to meet and touch Dugan. He was very big, but nice. He’s covered in hair-kind of like a human’s legs. He kind of feels like a hairy basketball-his skin has little bits of texture. 

Apparently, Dugan has a favorite scent. It’s Obsession by Calvin Klein. His previous zookeepers sent a bottle with him so he would be comforted in his new home. I don’t know how you determine a rhino’s favorite scent, but I’m not an animal expert.

We did have to move a little bit because the cheetahs were coming in. Another CM who was with us said they can get a little excited especially if kids are around. 

Dugan was ready to head out to the savannah and hang out with the ladies, so our tour wrapped up. You can take a picture with a rhino cut-out, but dad and I skipped that. Overall, this was a great and informative tour. Definitely worth it. We recommend it.

Up next: Finishing Up at Animal Kingdom 

6.1: Rise of the Resistance Opens, So We Went to Animal Kingdom (December 2019)

 If you missed the last update, you can read it here.

Today was actually the opening of Rise of the Resistance. It opened at 4:30 AM! Boarding Groups had already filled up before we left our room. We knew this would be opening during our trip. While it would be cool to be a part of a new attraction opening, we didn’t want to deal with all that craziness. 

Today I actually woke up with my alarm and not early. This was also the first time I didn’t want to wake up right away. But I did. I took a shower and got dressed.

We were out the door by 9 AM. Our plan was to take a bus to Animal Kingdom. The bus was there right as we walked up. Another bit of great timing this trip!

At the park, we were able to go through the annual Passholder line. The line for Dinosaur was short so we hit that up. Our picture didn’t show up on photopass which was sad. Then, we walked around Dinoland. I know a lot of people don’t like it, but I love the kitchy look and feel. It’s especially cool at night with all the lights. Primeval Whirl was still down :( 

Then, we were off to Africa to check in for the rhino tour. While we waited for the tour to start, I took a bathroom break. Then, we watched the performers. I love the whole vibe of Harambe. 

Up next: Rhino Tour!

5.4: Finishing Our Evening (December 2019)

 If you missed the last update, it can be read here.

At 8:15 we hit up the bathrooms. The women’s bathroom line was particularly long. One mom sent her daughter into the men’s room with her dad. I was jealous. Kids with dads don’t know how lucky they are. 

Then, we headed down to the grass in front of the plaza. It was a decent view, but you do still have crowds around you.

Overall, I think the experience was worth it. It isn’t something I would do every trip, but it was nice to not have to line up for hours before the fireworks. 

When the show ended, we headed to Buzz for our FastPasses. We were like salmon swimming upstream. I won again and we got stuck in the same room again. I accidentally tapped my MagicBand for the wrong picture, but there will be another one in the future. 

Then, we did the TTA at night, because why not? I love Tomorrowland at night. It’s probably my favorite land to be in at night.

Next, we went to the Haunted Mansion even though it really freaks me out at night. I’m easily scared. Then, we hopped on the Wildest Ride in the wilderness. Our final ride was Pirates of the Caribbean. Always a risk since we got stuck on it one night before. Then, we took the bus back to the hotel and went to bed. 

Steps Walked: 20,183

Up Next: Rise of the Resistance Opens, so We Went to Animal Kingdom