Cast Members:
Me (K9Disney), Disney freak, 12th visit to WDW in 8 years
Mac, slightly less of a Disney freak but closing in, 5th visit in 4 years
Friday, December 15th
We were up and out to the bus stop by 8:00. Again, an AK bus was right there and the 10 minute ride over seemed so short. In March we had stayed at WL and I remember that ride taking forever! Anyway, we walked right into AK and onto the Safari, which had a posted time of 10 minutes but was really only the time it takes to walk the queue. Another great ride! I never get tired of seeing the animals and I have found, as others have, that first thing in the morning is the best time. In fact we were a little later than usual as the food for the animals wasnâÂÂt as apparent as it normally is. Although the Lioness was very actively grooming something off of her paws!! One thing I noticed was that, at leas tin the car that we were in, the guide to the animals was no longer on the seat in front of you but rather hanging from the roof â I found this to be harder to read â has anyone else noticed this?
Anyway, we went to Tusker House for a quick bite. I had the Cinnamon roll (yum!!!) and Mac had a breakfast sandwich with awesome hash browns. I really like this place and go every visit (sometimes twice, as youâÂÂll read below!). We then went for our first ever time to the Festival of the Lion King. What an awesome show! I have seen Lion King on Broadway (which is unbelievable!) and wasnâÂÂt sure what to expect but was so happy that I finally saw this. What incredible music and talented performers! That Circle of Life song gets me every time! A definite must see, in my opinion!
Went on to ItâÂÂs Tough to Be a Bug â I really like this and find something different to enjoy every time. Now weâÂÂre waiting for the announcement of BugâÂÂs Life 2!
After shopping and deeming the line at Dinosaur too long (we already had FP for ITTBAB), we went back to Tusker House for lunch. Mac had Fried chicken (a favorite!) and I had the Marinated Vegetable sandwich which, as always, is a tasty change of pace at the parks. Also had the Safari Amber which is good and I found out that itâÂÂs made for them by Budweiser â who knew??
Left AK and went back to the YC for a rest before our Epcot afternoon and CP.
We had to return to our Beers around the World adventure so we began upon our entrance with a Bass ale from the United Kingdom. We had a PS for Le Cellier so we bypassed that and went into the little Christmas shop at the gateway â what a lot of neat holiday items! We sat on a bench for a while to gain up some strength for our massive 15% shop-off at Mouse Gears (I think thatâÂÂs the name). We did a lot of damage and had it all shipped back to our room (where it arrived, as promised, by noon the next day). Then we set out on our quest again. We went to China for a Chinese Beer and watched a great group of gymnasts do a show. Amazing!. Then on our way again, we got held up by the Illuminations globe passing under the bridge â always a new experience at Epcot! One note on this â why do people make a huge fuss over a short delay for something like this? I thought it was very cool and didnâÂÂt even realize that the walkway came up like a drawbridge. But still we had to hear the groans (some quite nasty) from those who were stuck waiting. Please! I preferred joking with the people next to us about how only at Disney can you literally âÂÂwatch the worldâ go by!!
We browsed through more countries - I had threatened to buy a holiday ornament from every country as a memento but never made it. Something for next time! Grabbed a Kirin in Japan and then were off to our 6:00 PS at Le Cellier. This was the first time I had ever eaten here and I really enjoyed it. Our server was just the best and, since we had the CP Package, we started with appetizers. Mac had the Shrimp Cocktail Martini (very good) and I had the Mixed Field Greens salad (great dressing!). The bread basket was also very good. I really like the sourdough while Mac liked the pretzel bread. For the main course, I had the Vegetarian Napoleon which was fantastic and Mac had the Filet Mignon (high marks!). For dessert, we both had the Millennium dessert. All in all, great food, great service â I would return again.
By the time we were done eating, the line was already backed up to France for the CP Package so we took advantage of the situation and grabbed a French beer. We had very good seats for the 8:15pm show and, looking around at the others entering, I didnâÂÂt see anyone there who did not have a CP badge around their neck â it definitely seemed the way to go!
What a wonderful show this is â I canâÂÂt say enough about it! Phylicia Ryshad was our narrator and was fabulous. I bought the CD which also features her so I have been reliving it over and over. I would see this again in a heartbeat!
After the show, we were determined to finish our Beer Around the World tour (we didnâÂÂt include America as we have that all the time!). So we darted over to Italy and grabbed our last foreign beer and watched Illuminations from there. We were victorious in our questâ¦.but very tired!! A casual stroll back to the YC and then off to bed.
Tomorrow: MGM, Resort decorations tour and Osborne Lights
Me (K9Disney), Disney freak, 12th visit to WDW in 8 years
Mac, slightly less of a Disney freak but closing in, 5th visit in 4 years
Friday, December 15th
We were up and out to the bus stop by 8:00. Again, an AK bus was right there and the 10 minute ride over seemed so short. In March we had stayed at WL and I remember that ride taking forever! Anyway, we walked right into AK and onto the Safari, which had a posted time of 10 minutes but was really only the time it takes to walk the queue. Another great ride! I never get tired of seeing the animals and I have found, as others have, that first thing in the morning is the best time. In fact we were a little later than usual as the food for the animals wasnâÂÂt as apparent as it normally is. Although the Lioness was very actively grooming something off of her paws!! One thing I noticed was that, at leas tin the car that we were in, the guide to the animals was no longer on the seat in front of you but rather hanging from the roof â I found this to be harder to read â has anyone else noticed this?
Anyway, we went to Tusker House for a quick bite. I had the Cinnamon roll (yum!!!) and Mac had a breakfast sandwich with awesome hash browns. I really like this place and go every visit (sometimes twice, as youâÂÂll read below!). We then went for our first ever time to the Festival of the Lion King. What an awesome show! I have seen Lion King on Broadway (which is unbelievable!) and wasnâÂÂt sure what to expect but was so happy that I finally saw this. What incredible music and talented performers! That Circle of Life song gets me every time! A definite must see, in my opinion!
Went on to ItâÂÂs Tough to Be a Bug â I really like this and find something different to enjoy every time. Now weâÂÂre waiting for the announcement of BugâÂÂs Life 2!
After shopping and deeming the line at Dinosaur too long (we already had FP for ITTBAB), we went back to Tusker House for lunch. Mac had Fried chicken (a favorite!) and I had the Marinated Vegetable sandwich which, as always, is a tasty change of pace at the parks. Also had the Safari Amber which is good and I found out that itâÂÂs made for them by Budweiser â who knew??
Left AK and went back to the YC for a rest before our Epcot afternoon and CP.
We had to return to our Beers around the World adventure so we began upon our entrance with a Bass ale from the United Kingdom. We had a PS for Le Cellier so we bypassed that and went into the little Christmas shop at the gateway â what a lot of neat holiday items! We sat on a bench for a while to gain up some strength for our massive 15% shop-off at Mouse Gears (I think thatâÂÂs the name). We did a lot of damage and had it all shipped back to our room (where it arrived, as promised, by noon the next day). Then we set out on our quest again. We went to China for a Chinese Beer and watched a great group of gymnasts do a show. Amazing!. Then on our way again, we got held up by the Illuminations globe passing under the bridge â always a new experience at Epcot! One note on this â why do people make a huge fuss over a short delay for something like this? I thought it was very cool and didnâÂÂt even realize that the walkway came up like a drawbridge. But still we had to hear the groans (some quite nasty) from those who were stuck waiting. Please! I preferred joking with the people next to us about how only at Disney can you literally âÂÂwatch the worldâ go by!!
We browsed through more countries - I had threatened to buy a holiday ornament from every country as a memento but never made it. Something for next time! Grabbed a Kirin in Japan and then were off to our 6:00 PS at Le Cellier. This was the first time I had ever eaten here and I really enjoyed it. Our server was just the best and, since we had the CP Package, we started with appetizers. Mac had the Shrimp Cocktail Martini (very good) and I had the Mixed Field Greens salad (great dressing!). The bread basket was also very good. I really like the sourdough while Mac liked the pretzel bread. For the main course, I had the Vegetarian Napoleon which was fantastic and Mac had the Filet Mignon (high marks!). For dessert, we both had the Millennium dessert. All in all, great food, great service â I would return again.
By the time we were done eating, the line was already backed up to France for the CP Package so we took advantage of the situation and grabbed a French beer. We had very good seats for the 8:15pm show and, looking around at the others entering, I didnâÂÂt see anyone there who did not have a CP badge around their neck â it definitely seemed the way to go!
What a wonderful show this is â I canâÂÂt say enough about it! Phylicia Ryshad was our narrator and was fabulous. I bought the CD which also features her so I have been reliving it over and over. I would see this again in a heartbeat!
After the show, we were determined to finish our Beer Around the World tour (we didnâÂÂt include America as we have that all the time!). So we darted over to Italy and grabbed our last foreign beer and watched Illuminations from there. We were victorious in our questâ¦.but very tired!! A casual stroll back to the YC and then off to bed.
Tomorrow: MGM, Resort decorations tour and Osborne Lights
