dandaman Posted September 6, 2008 Author Posted September 6, 2008 Day 4: Animal Kingdom (I'd have thought the Epcot part above would be the most popular around here... no matter. ) And so concludes the day at Animal Kingdom... "Lovebirds" Right down there is where I took that last picture. Please note that there are hundreds of people behind me on the main path, and ZERO in front! Fibreglass tree photo montage! What can I say? Guy's got style. Uh... well, that's the main reason I went on the Trek, but hey, I'm flexible. Not pictured: Heath Ledger. OK, so for the next hour or so I was wandering around... and I discovered TONS of paths that little to no people were using. This is actually the Maharaja Jungle Trek, which can usually see a lot of people thanks to Kilimanjaro Safaris exiting out into the area. Not so much at 4 p.m.! "As usual, everything is perfect on Asia's Super Skyway..." LIES! "Guys, I've got an idea... let's all look really unsure about whatever lies ahead." "Like a politician faking his vision for the future?" "Exactly!" The pocket-sized map will inevitably place one of the least-popular but newer attractions on its cover. "Chakranadi Chicken Shop: voted best chicken in Asia by Theme Parks Magazine!" Before you ask, yes, this statue is supposed to mimic the mountain in its background. Glance between the two photos flipbook-style and you'll see it. Ze goggles, they do NOTHING! ...The Marineland branch is also scheduled to open next season. It will, however, actually open next decade. It's even authentic right down to the typos! "Theses mountains"... YetipaLOUza! Just realized the next 4 photos have a sort of zoom effect to them... Time for some REAL coaster action! It was all right, but I still like Festival of the Lion King better. (I still believe that Tim Burton should direct Pixar's next film, "Finding Emo".) "Hey ladies... you know what they say about big necks..." Ate at not-McDonald's just because Pizzafari was on the other side of the park. It's a spinning coaster, it has some themeing, and Elissa may or may not like it. NEXT. "I don't know why we built it, either!" "Come now... to a land before television... a land before Jesus... a land after John McCain..." The extinction of the world... sponsored by fast food! Some Everest action before the main onslaught. One of these things is not like the others... one of these things is a character! My "picture-taking-of-picture-taking" quota is half-met... but hey, it's got an HM, so we're good. Harambe Jambo! (Obscure Disney Sing-Along reference.) Random plant Finally from the Station, the smallest known Hidden Mickey on property. It's literally about half the width of my little finger. The well-trained staff appear to be playing a very serious game of "Got Your Nose" with a duck. Or, my personal favourite! Or these two... Or this one... Like this one... You know that giant mural inside Conservation Station? Well, it has about a bajillion Hidden Mickeys painted into the artwork. "Protect Yo Titi"... a.k.a. "The Guide to Riding Silver Comet For TPR Women" Eastern Star Railway < WDW Railroad This, however, wasn't half-bad. Like I said... no happy medium. Duma > kiboko Yakkin' Yeti... attached to Germany's Kaufhaus, no doubt. If you glanced at this and thought of new construction... you might be a theme park enthusiast! I can't even escape to a forest on the other side of the world without being assaulted by advertisements! One thing I didn't like about today was all the glare there seemed to be in 75% of my shots. If the sky was lit up nicely, the objects around it were shadowed (as pictured above). Vice versa, if the objects being photographed looked all right, the sky seemed to possess some ungodly gamma radiation. Not much I can do about it now. I've heard AK described once as "the best Disney park... before 11 a.m.". The heat was certainly turned on yet again today, with relative humidity around 95%. OMG, there's people in this shot! This is unacceptable! Mears was employed to help with the bussing service this morning. Nothing beats getting to a park in five minutes with cushioned seats and footrests. (When it costs something off-property, however, Mears service generally sucks.)
cprocks22 Posted September 6, 2008 Posted September 6, 2008 I've heard AK described once as "the best Disney park... before 11 a.m.". The heat was certainly turned on yet again today, with relative humidity around 95%. I would agree with this statement. Last time my family and I were at Disney we got into AK around... 8 I believe for EMH. Park was dead, weather was completely comfortable (especially so because I'm from Michigan) and crowds were extremely minimal until just about 11. After that attendance really picked up and the temperature shot WAY up along with the humidity. Needless to say the air-conditioning in Dinosaur was welcomed (also one of my favorite dark rides). Keep the pictures coming, they're all great!
dandaman Posted September 6, 2008 Author Posted September 6, 2008 Day 4, Part II: Downtown Disney And I leave you good people with a crappy shot of DisneyQuest. The next two days will be pure Epcot action, so stick around! HOLY CRAP YES! And only $450! (I bought the smaller $20 version... the last one, no less!) My souvenir shopping so far is pretty much non-Disney, but totally worth it. I never really find anything worthwhile on the West Side, and I don't think tonight will be any diff... ...Who knows, Highlander? Is this locale overrated, with cool looks but subpar-quality food? R.I.P. I see the FOX Network's fall lineup is running previews. Once again, Disney fails at merchandising by neglecting to sell valuable "I got crabs at..." paraphernalia. "RAWR, I'm crazy Lego Ness Monster, now GIMME SOME BRICK HUMANS!" Ghost train! (Fun Fact: This was my first-ever Disney ride back in 1994.) Thankfully, these horses are NOT apocalypse-related. (Do those count as Hidden Mickeys?) Meet Bob, the happiest horse ever involved in the Rapture! Personally, I'd never buy a figurine that requires a second mortgage. (Yes, that does say $37,500.) Totally not planned. Yep. ...But it was all about hot fudge-filled chocolate cake with ice cream and raspberry/caramel sauce! Tied the Chocolate Wave as best dessert of the vacation. (Yeah, they're similar... but this one has ice cream!) Cap'n Jack's had some good New York strip, my standard meal for most of the vacation. Since Animal Kingdom closes at 5:00, we made a reservation at a Downtown Disney restaurant. (No, it wasn't Rainforest Cafe.) ...But so does not conclude the day!
dandaman Posted September 6, 2008 Author Posted September 6, 2008 Park was dead, weather was completely comfortable (especially so because I'm from Michigan)... I'm about a half-hour outside Detroit (in Canada, though) and I certainly agree. The humidity normally doesn't bother me too much... heck, if it means more brief but severe storms, I'm all for it... but Animal Kingdom is always the worst.
vekoma_fan Posted September 6, 2008 Posted September 6, 2008 Hey, be nice to Norway! We know our film sucks, and are surprised over how many that actually sees it! well, some times there is none, and some times we have a half-full theater... And the ride could also be much better, but the Norwegian government won't found for a ride-rehab or a new movie, and that thing is about 20 years! And the ride need a rehab, here the other day, we registered 35 e-stops... We, the Norwegian cast members, have to take the walk of shame each day... and that's inn and out of the ride... please make us fix the ride!!!!
dandaman Posted September 6, 2008 Author Posted September 6, 2008 ^Trust me, I do feel sorry for you guys! It's disheartening to see all those people breezing through the theatre after Maelstrom; that's mostly why I decided to stay and watch when I rode last Tuesday. The film isn't all that bad... if anything, those jarring splices to the Vikings when the kid's looking at the ship scares the crap out of me. Holy crap, 35 e-stops in around 11 hours? That's brutal. I can see how the re-sponsoring of the pavillion could breathe some much-needed life back into Norway. Dan "Still my favourite ride in World Showcase " Smith
vekoma_fan Posted September 6, 2008 Posted September 6, 2008 the film isn't so bad, but trust me, Norway ain't stuck in the 80's... and the 35 e-stops was during a 6 hour time frame... and that's not good! And every one thinks that Maelstrom is the best ride in world showcase, because only norway and mexico has a ride, and it sucks... but i came up with an idea, to demolish the ride, and make a spinning family coaster instead... My manager laughed, so did I
dandaman Posted September 6, 2008 Author Posted September 6, 2008 ^Canada only got unstuck from the 80's last year, so Norway should be welcomed to the 21st century eventually.
ginzo Posted September 6, 2008 Posted September 6, 2008 Hey, be nice to Norway! We know our film sucks, and are surprised over how many that actually sees it! well, some times there is none, and some times we have a half-full theater... And the ride could also be much better, but the Norwegian government won't found for a ride-rehab or a new movie, and that thing is about 20 years! And the ride need a rehab, here the other day, we registered 35 e-stops... We, the Norwegian cast members, have to take the walk of shame each day... and that's inn and out of the ride... please make us fix the ride!!!! Rene, are you still posing Mickey and Pluto dolls into inappropriate poses?
vekoma_fan Posted September 6, 2008 Posted September 6, 2008 Yes I am I'm so sorry!!!! I left them at our office here the other day, and one of my managers saw them having a good time... And she was like "Rene, this isn't the true spirit of Disney. Please remove them and never do that again." I said that Mickey was using Pluto as a backpack, but she wouldn't belive me... Stupid americans....
dandaman Posted September 7, 2008 Author Posted September 7, 2008 LOL! You should inform her that the animators in Walt's time would relieve tension sometimes by drawing pornographic versions of their characters. Your doll "backpack" will seem like an innocent mistake.
vekoma_fan Posted September 7, 2008 Posted September 7, 2008 LOL! You should inform her that the animators in Walt's time would relieve tension sometimes by drawing pornographic versions of their characters. Your doll "backpack" will seem like an innocent mistake. my manager wouldn't find that funny at all... but tomorrow i'm taking m.mouse and pluto/goofy to magic kingdom, inappropriate-style avec le fromage!
DMC-12 Posted September 7, 2008 Posted September 7, 2008 Great WDW photo TR, Dan! Its the best one I have seen in years! Great captions and all! You had me glued to my computer screen last night! Thanks!
Cameron Posted September 7, 2008 Posted September 7, 2008 Fantastic photos, Dan .. really captured the parks and made it feel like we were all there too. Looks like you had some fun weather too, which only adds to it! I'm going to be there in October, and I just can't freaking wait.. Cameron. PS: Thanks also for stuffing the Raw Thrills cash-boxes
Kalepi_Konei Posted September 7, 2008 Posted September 7, 2008 Yes, I have to say that this has been the best photo TR I have read on this site (not counting the Alvey's.) You kept me very entertained, like someone else said I was glued to my chair reading the captions and looking at the photos. Great job man, glad you had a good time here in Florida. As for the Maelstrom topic, for some reason I like that ride ALOT and I never pass it up when I go to EPCOT. It's just REALLY fun to me. Also, Dan be proud I saved my 400th post for your topic! You should feel honored!
Tempeguy00 Posted September 7, 2008 Posted September 7, 2008 I have contemplated doing trip reports from trips to Tokyo or Paris, but I would have to be on my A game after reading a TR of this caliber. I am humbled at your writing and photography expertise. And I am twice your age. You precocious little sh*t! Look forward to reading future TRs.
dandaman Posted September 7, 2008 Author Posted September 7, 2008 Great WDW photo TR, Dan!Its the best one I have seen in years! Great captions and all! You had me glued to my computer screen last night! Thanks! Quick question... are you the same "DMC-12" from WDWMAGIC? (Even if you aren't, props on the username. I'm going to be there in October, and I just can't freaking wait.. PS: Thanks also for stuffing the Raw Thrills cash-boxes Man, did I ever. The F&F series is like the damned nicotine of arcade games! As for the Maelstrom topic, for some reason I like that ride ALOT and I never pass it up when I go to EPCOT. It's just REALLY fun to me. Normally that's my case, too, but I quickly found out this trip that my bony back could barely handle the jarring of the boat. Rubbed my spine raw by the second switchback. You precocious little sh*t! Favourite post of the week! Thanks again, everyone. Now that I have my own camera, I honestly find taking pictures and posting them for people to see as half the fun of vacations. As time-consuming as it is, it's really awesome to know that some people appreciate my (really) amateur photography. I plan to have up the next two days of Epcot goodness within the next two days, but given schoolwork etc. I may fall behind a day or two on the resizing and caption-writing. (It took me about 4 hours to do the Animal Kingdom/Downtown Disney section alone, so you can imagine how much free time I need to do this trip report and do this right!)
BeemerBoy Posted September 9, 2008 Posted September 9, 2008 (I'd have thought the Epcot part above would be the most popular around here... no matter. Taiko Happy) Sorry it took me a while to get around to this, but trust me, the Epcot portion was greatly appreciated....especially the kick arse monorail orange pics!! Nice work, as always.
mcjaco Posted September 9, 2008 Posted September 9, 2008 ^ I'll concur with Scott. Love the EPCOT photos.
dandaman Posted September 9, 2008 Author Posted September 9, 2008 I just figured if I got approval from you two, the Epcot portion would have been a complete success. Sorry 'bout the delay... like I said before, schoolwork and all. Sending off my university applications as soon as I get some letters of recommendation. Really, really hoping to get some more Epcot photos up by tonight or tomorrow!
dandaman Posted September 9, 2008 Author Posted September 9, 2008 Day 5: Epcot II Arrivederci, Epcot! 'Till tomorrow! Note to SLR owners: you can probably get a lot better picture of this than my $150 point-and-shoot. Watch the show from the Italy courtyard next time and it should afford you some fantastic pyro/statue shots! Light 'em up! I stayed right outside the restaurant in that rather large plaza you may have seen before, courtesy of Sergio a few pages back. There was maybe 10 people in the entire courtyard when Illuminations started, and it still afforded a great view. (This was taken at full zoom [16x] across the lagoon.) The sacchetti was pretty awesome. The pasta was filled with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, which tasted surprisingly light. While I normally prefer a lot of sauce on my pasta dishes, the amount shown was absolutely perfect for each individual bite, and again was very light. Overall in terms of filling up, it wasn't excessive nor did it fall short. I'd go so far as to say it was my favourite meal of the trip! (Aside from New York strip, of course.) LOVE the shadowing on this. Viva Italia! "When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie... your doctor still won't be convinced that's what caused your optic problems." Luckily, this held off for Illuminations. Unluckily, it produced no photographable lighting later on. Best part of World Showcase! (Getting to it tomorrow. Saving the best for the last update and all.) Hidden bumblebee! La vie… Jamais on ne me dira Que la course aux étoiles; ça n’est pas pour moi Laissez moi vous émerveiller et prendre mon en vol Nous allons en fin nous régaler Fun Fact: This painting is of the exact scene viewed from the artist's stool. Les rêves des amoureux sont comme le bon vin; Ils donnent de la joie ou bien du chagrin. Affaibli par la faim je suis malheureux Volant en chemin; tout ce que je peux, Car rien n’est gratuit dans la vie. ($5 in Dan Smith Fun Bucks for getting this reference.) I seriously only realized passing it the second time that this is a waterslide. Disney hotel pools rock! I photographed this just in case it turned out to be a major Floridian weather event later that week as an "ironic placeholder". Hidden rainbow! (We parked at the Yacht Club because it provided for faster access after our dinner reservation. Sorry, Disney, our morals went the way of the Dreamfinder on this one.) We leave the park for the afternoon as Monorail Purple glides solemnly past the Epcot War Memorial. (Matt/Scott, when you die you should totally hire a Mark VI to transport you to your grave Gettysburg-style.) Once this baby hits 64.7 miles per hour... you're gonna see some serious sh*t. "Please note that in the event of an emergency, you may jump out of your vehicle and locate the nearest convenient call box." I still say Siemens should have sponsored The Making of Me. Wallpaper interests: Inquire within. Hope your desktop likes 1600x1200 and under. I see the airlines are making the budget cuts less subtle now that everyone is fully aware they're screwed. "If you choose to bypass this experience, ask a uniformed Brazilian for directions. (Before they ask you. All 300 of 'em.)" "Anal colic"... y'know, for all the flack we give Beverly, it's at least nice to know there's still such a thing as truth in advertising. (Smart Watermelon FTW.) HM # 11-y billion I had Canadian Tire work on the waterfall into the pool. It's the basic idea of Canadian climate... dark for exactly half the year. "And now, with some pretty flowers and colourful trees... and some attractive porcelain moose... our country appears warm and inviting!" [/reference] My pool's always heated to 33 F! Little known fact: Imagineers used my backyard as a model for the pavillion. "I hear that visiting Canada is better than getting hit in the head with a 2x4!" "I won't believe that 'till I see it! Let's go!" And speaking of segues, here's how fast food views my beloved home country of Canaba! I believe this piece is entitled, "Mountie And Personal Sage Bear Guide Search For Pot of Greased Gold" Segway tour invasion! Go Jammitors! Heaven: Est. 1982
BeemerBoy Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 (Matt/Scott, when you die you should totally hire a Mark VI to transport you to your grave Gettysburg-style.) Hmmm, I like this idea. Now post more Epcot photos.
dandaman Posted September 12, 2008 Author Posted September 12, 2008 Yeah, sorry 'bout that, guys... boss called and asked if I could work a couple of extra shifts (last night and tonight). Hopefully I can get the grand finale up by tomorrow afternoon before my shift at 5:00.
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