Walt Disney World Trip Report: Day 4

Day 4 - March 2

We had a full day planned so we got up early. Aunt Joyce really wanted to buy our breakfast, so we headed to Everything Pop for breakfast. Aunt Joyce, Mom, and Melinda all got French toast, while I got a bagel with cream cheese and some grapes. It was a nice breakfast.

Once everyone had finished we headed for Animal Kingdom. We got there just after 9:00 am. Before we went into the park we saw Timon, Rafiki, and Meeko. It was at this point we realized that we didn’t have the autograph book with us and just assumed we had left it at the hotel.

Aunt Joyce with Timon



Me with Meeko



After we got into the park we headed for Camp Minnie Mickey. When we got there we saw Chip and Dale over by where Donald’s hut is located. After we got photos with Chip and Dale we noticed that Donald was standing by the entrance to his hut, so we got some photos with Donald. It was then that we noticed Koda and Kenai!!! YAY!!! Melinda and I ran over to get in line to meet them. We were so excited. We both love Brother Bear. One of the best parts of our Disneyland trip in 2008 was getting to meet them at breakfast and then after the totem ceremony. I wish they had the totem ceremony at WDW. When we got closer to the front of the line we were standing by the handler so I asked if they signed autographs, because the ones in California don’t. And he said they sure do. Bummer. Of course the day we don’t have the book with us is when we needed it. Oh well. Koda and Kenai were super friendly. Mom and Aunt Joyce posed for a photo with Koda and Kenai. By this time the other characters were out. We met Goofy first then Mickey since his line didn’t look that long and saved Minnie for last. Minnie is so cute in her safari outfit. We didn’t get to see her last time we came, so I was really excited to see her. Mom and Aunt Joyce had fun meeting the characters.

Me with Koda and Kenai



Tree of Life



Once we had met all the characters we headed for the Kilimanjaro Safaris, which is one of the few rides we actually like at Animal Kingdom. There was a 20 minute wait, but it was so worth it! When we boarded our safari truck we were in the very last row, which I worried would be bumpier, but it definitely had some advantages. At first there weren’t that many animals out, but at one point two giraffes come down a hill and crossed in front of our truck. It was awesome. There was at least one more giraffe that was up on a hill. It is amazing how close you are to the animals. We saw quite a few elephants as well as white rhinos. The cheetahs were all laying together. We didn’t see any of the lions, which was a disappointment, but we saw so many other really beautiful animals. Mom and Aunt Joyce really liked the Safari ride. They both thought it was really neat.

Elephants





Giraffe



Melinda was still undecided if she wanted to ride Expedition Everest. So after the Safari she went to go see how long the wait was. She came back a short time later to say it was like 30 or 40 minutes, though I knew she would chicken out.

Expedition Everest



By this time we were getting hungry and wanted to get lunch before the next showing of “Finding Nemo: the musical.” The last time were went to WDW we had lunch at the Flame Tree BBQ and it was really, really good so we decided to go there. Melinda, Mom, and Aunt Joyce all got the smoked half chicken meal with baked beans and a corn muffin. I was torn between getting the chicken which is what I had last time or trying the smoked turkey sandwich. I was undecided all the way until I ordered. I went with the turkey sandwich. It was good, but it needed some mayo or something. It was a bit dry. While we were eating there were two ducks that kept bugging us. It didn’t help that Mom was brushing crumbs on the ground for them even though we told her to not feed them. Melinda dubbed them “Beavis” and “Butt-head.” Overall it was a nice lunch.

Smoked 1/2 Chicken



Smoked Turkey Breast Sandwich



"Beavis"



After we had finished lunch we wanted to get in line to see “Finding Nemo: the musical.” We sent Melinda ahead to get in line while we went to find a restroom. It was amazing how many people were already in line. It didn’t take long to be seated. We had decent seats. It was incredible how many people they fit into the theater. Melinda and I didn’t get a chance to see it the last time we came to WDW, so this was going to be a first for all of us. It was an extraordinary show! Everyone did a fantastic job. Though they definitely took out some parts of the story. I was sad that they didn’t include the part where Dory and Merlin were in the whale since that was the moment when he learned to trust her. My Aunt thought it was better than the shows they produce at the local theater.

Finding Nemo: the musical







By this point we had spent a lot more time at Animal Kingdom than we had originally planned, but we still wanted to see “It’s tough to be a bug.” We quickly made our way there and got there just as the next show was going to start so we didn’t have to wait very long. Melinda and I were mean and didn’t warn Mom or Aunt Joyce about the stink bug! LOL Though I don’t think it was as stinky as other times. They both seemed to enjoy the show.

With all of our goals for Animal Kingdom achieved we decided to leave so we could go back to Pop to freshen up before going to Hollywood Studios for dinner. When we got back to the car Mom found the missing autograph book! UGH! It had been there the entire time! Just our luck! This meant a good laugh because that seems to always happened to Melinda and I.

After we got back to Pop we freshened up a bit and changed into some warmer clothes before going to Hollywood Studios. We didn’t have a lot planned for here since this is probably our least favorite park. The first order of business was to see how long the wait for Toy Story Mania was. At that point it was 70 minutes. We had dinner reservations at the 50’s Prime Time Café at 6:15 so if we waited for Toy Story we wouldn’t have been able to do anything else before dinner. So we decided to skip it for now.

On the way back towards “The Great Movie Ride” we walked through “One Man’s Dream” which reminded Melinda and I have the one attraction at Disneyland. It was fun to see the models and such. We didn’t stay for the movie though. We continued then on to the “Great Movie Ride,” which is our favorite ride at Hollywood Studios and we thought it would be something Mom and Aunt Joyce would like. We were seated in the very front row of the car, which was a first. Normally we get seated in the back. Melinda and I were hoping we would get stopped in the gangster movie section and we did. I think that took Mom and Aunt Joyce by surprised. At the end of the ride I think they really enjoyed it.

Melinda and I on the "Great Movie Ride"



A scene from the "Great Movie Ride"



It was time to go check in for our dining reservation. We had decided on the 50’s Prime Time Café thinking Mom and Aunt Joyce would like the atmosphere and food. Melinda and I weren’t sure if we would like it. The inside was so cool. The theme and atmosphere was spot on. I loved the uniforms. We had to wait about 20 minutes to be seated. Our “Mom” was hilarious! Aunt Joyce kept getting in trouble for having her elbows on the table, which was funny. Mom and I both ordered the “Mom's Old-Fashioned Pot Roast,” Melinda ordered the “Aunt Liz's Golden Fried Chicken,” but got it with corn rather than greens, and Aunt Joyce had “Uncle Charlie's Grilled Tuna Casserole.” The pot roast reminded me of mom’s cooking. It was so good. Everyone really liked the food. The family at the table next to ours helped us with our homework. It was funny because Mom actually noticed a few items that has at home. The deserts were really good as well. I had the apple cobbler a la mode while Melinda tried the S‘mores. Mom and Aunt Joyce split “Dad's Brownie Sundae.”

The interior of the 50's Prime Time Cafe



Melinda and I at the 50's Prime Time Cafe



My pot roast dinner



Melinda's fried chicken dinner



By the time were done eating dinner the park closing. Mom and Aunt Joyce decided to head back to Pop while Melinda and I stayed to enjoy the extra magic hours. Our goal was to ride “Toy Story Mania” no matter how long the wait. The posted wait time was 60 minutes, but we only waited about 30 minutes. The queue is super fun. I love all the oversized toys. Mr. Potato Head was really funny. The ride was soooooooooo much fun!!!! I totally kicked Melinda’s butt!!!! We both loved it! We were kind of tired and had to get up early the next morning for our breakfast with the Princesses so we decided to head back to Pop.

Me waiting for "Toy Story Mania"



Mr. Potato Head



There were a few things we didn’t get to do at Hollywood Studios that we wanted to show Aunt Joyce, which disappointed us, but we had lots of fun. The safari ride, “Finding Nemo: the musical,” dinner at 50’s Prime Time Café, and “Toy Story Mania” were definitely the highlights.

Up next: EPCOT!!!