The Kingdoms

THURSDAY: MAGIC KINGDOM












The thrill of flying was new to Ike, Dallin, and Sage who had little recollection of traveling, which is why the family fared well on our flights to Tampa. Bright and early the next morning we drove to Orlando and by 8:30 AM were parked at Magic Kingdom!! By 9:30 we had Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear checked off. I thought Ike and Sage would not like Space Mtn (especially because it was dark - CA Disney has stars inside - not this one) but they did! We met Chrissy & Dane and the cousins there. Maddie & Spence walked around arms linked, Sage & Emi held hands. Magic Kingdom was incredibly fun - except for Dallin, the kids could all ride the main attractions. The overall favorite was Thunder Mountain, though. We did this one twice and the BEST was our last run of the day. After watching the Electric Parade (the kids loved it, a nice break to sit down), we dashed to Thunder and rode it in the dark with the amazing fireworks going off... ahhh! Going home was not so great, it took forever. Dallin did great all day, despite the cough and fever. Also, the house we rented via VRBO turned out dirtier than expected but OK.

FRIDAY: ANIMAL KINGDOM






Doesn't this gorilla look relaxed?


This gorilla reclined three feet from our glass-viewing wall, and then a rope fence kept us from going right up to the glass. Lots of people crowded by the rope to catch a glimpse of him. I was about three people back when Dallin skirted to the front - right UP to the glass (as in, in FRONT of the rope, where we're not allowed to go) and even before the guide could scold Dallin, the Gorilla BOUNDED on his feet towards Dallin, as though to charge! My heart skipped a beat! Dallin backed away quickly, probably calming the gorilla who then reverted back to the reclining position. Apparently as the tribe's head honcho, the gorilla's ever on guard. I wonder how Dallin will react next time we visit gorillas?









Highlights:
o Kilimanjaro Safari ride ... saw tons of animals, awesome ride, probably the closest I'll ever get to a real safari; the Bayob Tree... grows upside down, roots on top.
o Expedition Everest ... thrilling. The kids were a little freaked out by the backward part and scary Yeti.
o Kali River Rapids ... refreshing, but Dallin hated the water.
o Dinosaur ... terrifying, even for me. Isaac like it.
o Finding Nemo show ... well-done and great musical.
o kids frightened by the spiders in the "Bug's Life" show but loved all the effects.

Animal Kingdom's pace moved slower than Magic so it was a nice day-after tour. We capped the day off by eating dinner in the Rainforest Cafe. So nice to sit down to a hot meal after two days of sandwiches and snacks.


SATURDAY: TYPHOON LAGOON

Expecting this Disney resort to be lame we only left a couple hours (and also because we shopped at the outlets in the morning), but ended up REALLY enjoying the water resort. Sage, Maddie, and Ike can all claim they've swum with sharks and sting rays thanks to "Shark's Reef" a manufactured coral pool stocked with tropical fish, hammerhead shark, other small shark, and rays. They provide snorkel gear and you float one-way to the end. Dallin didn't want to get in. The resort had the best wave pool, slides, and white sand all over. It was the weather! However, at the beginning our backpack was stolen somewhere at the Park's entrance. Thankfully it only housed an extra change of clothes, snacks, sunglasses, medicine, and lip gloss.