No Work and All Play – Disney on the Company’s Dime! (8/1 There and Back Again)

[thecapells]

Good Morning DISBoards!
Welcome to another Capell Adventure!
This time, I’m flying solo.
After 9 nine days in November 2008 followed by a quick surprise detour for Easter 2009, I had a conference scheduled in Orlando in May 2008.
I couldn’t pass up the opportunity for my first solo trip so I upgraded my Easter ticket to an Annual Pass and off I went.

For the newbies out there, here’s me:


I’m an anal planner and proud Papa to 3 - DS7, DD5, and DS2 (who we nickname X).
Check out my sig for links to reports about them.
This one is all mine.
And the one thing I can tell you is that when you are on your own, you can get A LOT done.
I hit all 4 parks as well as a free jaunt into the “other” park as the conference rented out Universal Islands of Adventure one evening.
So, sit back, relax, and join me for my solo adventures to the World (and some Islands)...
Oh and I did attend this conference thing from time to time...

[HilJoy14]

Yay - a new report! Looking forward to hearing of more adventures!

[yinyanggirls]

Ok, here we go!

[dawnbu40]

I'm here and ready for more Capell adventures!

[praisehisname]

I'm in!

[meeko_33785]

Followed the list from your last report, and I'm up for another one.

[praisehisname]

Great updates! Glad you hadn't missed your shuttle!

[meeko_33785]

Well, I think I'm finally caught up from being gone at WDW this week. Sounds like you had a nice evening.

I've heard so many good things about the Jungle Cruise at night. I might just have to try it one of these days. I always figured that it would be too dark to see anything. Didn't realize that they had flashlights or spotlights.

That was nice that you got to get someone to take your picture at the Expo Hall. Great shot of you as the 8th dwarf.

[thecapells]

Originally Posted by Echo queen

Do you have his app yet? So creative.

Maybe I'll just send the videos in as his application!

Originally Posted by praisehisname

Great updates! Glad you hadn't missed your shuttle!

Thanks! It was definitely a new experience finding the non-Disney resort shuttles.

Originally Posted by meeko_33785

Well, I think I'm finally caught up from being gone at WDW this week. Sounds like you had a nice evening.

I've heard so many good things about the Jungle Cruise at night. I might just have to try it one of these days. I always figured that it would be too dark to see anything. Didn't realize that they had flashlights or spotlights.

That was nice that you got to get someone to take your picture at the Expo Hall. Great shot of you as the 8th dwarf.

Jungle Cruise at nite was definitely worth trying.
As is hanging out at the Exposition Hall - just try to bring people to take your picture!

[thecapells]

I woke up Sunday morning and headed to breakfast at the hotel.
I had read online that the BVS had a character breakfast on Sunday morning which I though was great!
I had never heard of Mickey showing up at a non-Disney resort.
And now I know why.
He didn’t.
In fact, nobody had any clue of what I was talking about.
Boy do I miss Disney resorts….

Breakfast was decent enough – your average spread.
Then I headed out to catch the 8:00 shuttle to Animal Kingdom.
If first stops in Magic Kingdom and then heads over to the jungle.
It was fun to watch 90% of the shuttle get off at Magic Kingdom.
I spent the drive talking with the shuttle driver and got to know him.
I also helped out some of the conventioners heading to the parks with tips and tricks.
By the end of the trip, the driver asked me to drive with him everyday since I was so helpful to the guests!

Anyway, we arrived at Animal Kingdom about 8:35 or so.
I had plenty of time to get in for rope drop – I was really interested to see the rope drop show at AK.
Last time we were too far away so we couldn’t really enjoy it – the stop to get the rental stroller really adds some time to the walk to Discovery Island.

So I headed across the parking lot which I now have a whole new respect for.
Apparently the Imagineers took time to actually make this look old with cracked pavement and lots of open space.
It’s supposed to be a nice predecessor to the jungles of Animal Kingdom.
It works really well when you come in from this side (also something new since I’m usually dropped off in front thanks to Disney transportation).

Along the way, I noticed the Celebrate Today! Signage was in full effect


I made my way to the entrance plaza for the perennial picture


Another random side note – ever notice that this entrance plaza differs from the other parks?
Magic Kingdom has the grand railroad with a small sign above indicating Magic Kingdom.
Epcot doesn’t even have any themed signs telling you where you are.
DHS has that Hollywood-style sign across the entrance which is nice.
But this one always stands out to me.
It just screams Animal Kingdom with that big elephant head and all the surrounding trees.
I don’t know – maybe it’s just me.

Anyway, I hopped on a line not many others were on – not sure why but one line was basically ½ the size of the others.
And, to top it off, nobody else seemed to notice.
The gates opened and I headed into the park and quickly down the left path (everyone else went right).
I made it through quickly - I’m a fast walker by nature and you wouldn’t believe how much faster you can travel without little ones in tow.
I basically was standing right next to the tip board about 2 or 3 people from the rope.
They brought a child up for the ceremonial opening of the tip board.
A boy got to "unwind" the covering and got a certificate and a cheer from the crowd.
Then Minnie and Goofy arrived for The Adventure Begins show.
I taped the whole thing to show the kids and it’s actually a cute show.
I think I even like it better than the one in Magic Kingdom.
The safari idea is much more fun than some random dancing on top of the railroad station IMHO.


Then the rope dropped and all heck broke loose.
People stormed to the left to make for Kilimanjaro Safaris.
The other half of the crowd stormed to the right to get to Expedition Everest.
I chuckled to myself and strolled along watching the people run frantically by.
Knowing that I’m a wimp and not into rollercoasters, can anyone guess where my 1st destination was?

Hint: if you’re a loyal reader, it’s one we missed last time since the kids couldn’t go on it…

[All7OfUs]

Hmmmm... I am a loyal reader, and for the life of me, I can't figure this one out. YOu don't do coasters, but the kids couldn't go on it.??

Bug?

Kali?

I just don't know! It's driving me crazy!

Yes, I"m one who would notice the signage stuff too. I love the little details that make each park what it is.

[meeko_33785]

Nice updates. I've never noticed the Dino on the bench before. How funny!

You know, I actually kind of like Dinorama. It's not my favorite area of the park, but it's fun to check out every couple of trips. Nothing wrong with a little campy-ness every now and then.