cfc Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 ^People like Dinosaur for their own special reasons. Even though I think the ride is, well, kind of dumb (most of it takes place in darkness that, no doubt, pleased Disney's cost-cutting accountants when it was built), I consider no trip to DAK complete without it. I still find it entertaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking86 Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Another great report! I agree Animal Kingdom is a stunningly beautiful park, and once Avatarland opens it will also have a decent selection of rides. At the moment that department is lacking a little. Â I also enjoyed Festival of the Lion King during my trip last year. It's not a show you go to see multiple times, but watching it once is definitely a lot of fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StealthFan Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 ^People like Dinosaur for their own special reasons. Even though I think the ride is, well, kind of dumb (most of it takes place in darkness that, no doubt, pleased Disney's cost-cutting accountants when it was built), I consider no trip to DAK complete without it. I still find it entertaining. Â If I'm ever lucky enough to get back to Orlando I will follow your philosophy of "no trip to DAK is complete without it" when it comes to riding Dinosaur. I hope you also found time to visit the naked mole rats and turd frog during your trip though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperShawn Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 "Every time something blows up, you must chug a brew." Â Great game idea even if it does mean one would be trashed within the first 60 seconds of illuminations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBpony414 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Nice TR, Chuck. DAK is my favorite but that's because I could ride Expedition Everest an Kilimanjaro Safari all day without getting bored. Where is the shortcut one of your friends showed you, in enough detail that I could figure it out without having been there in a few years? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrthwnd Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 (edited) ^People like Dinosaur for their own special reasons. Even though I think the ride is, well, kind of dumb (most of it takes place in darkness that, no doubt, pleased Disney's cost-cutting accountants when it was built), I consider no trip to DAK complete without it. I still find it entertaining. Â I just want to ride it, because it's the (supposed) identical track route as Indy Jones in DL and TDS. And I always wanted to see what they did along which part of the route, etc. Edited November 25, 2015 by Nrthwnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted November 25, 2015 Author Share Posted November 25, 2015 ^Just remember this: "Not our dino!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrthwnd Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 ^ Noted. And I just found this retro photo I love looking at, from time to time. A very early construction photo of:  a) Indiana Jones, Disneyland b) Indiana Jones, Tokyo Disney Sea c) Dinosaur, Disney's Animal Kingdom d) All of The Above   (Well, it could be all of the above, but it is a DL photo, I remember.) No spoilers here, but you should be able to figure it out, all there. Thanks to www.bear-ytales.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted November 25, 2015 Author Share Posted November 25, 2015 ^Indiana Jones is still the best ride at Disneyland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubaski Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 This is for anyone. We had some friends who just came back from WDW and they said they were told that this year would be the last year for the Christmas lights at WDW, They were being discontinued. Anybody know anything about that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking86 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 This is for anyone. We had some friends who just came back from WDW and they said they were told that this year would be the last year for the Christmas lights at WDW, They were being discontinued. Anybody know anything about that? Â http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1632756#p1632756 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jray21 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Great report Chuck! I agree, no visit to AK is complete without a ride on the amazing Dinosaur! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disney4me2001 Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 Loving this TR! Great photos, can't wait to see the rest! I'm with you on the Osbourne lights at DHS- I actually just got to see them for the first (and last) time on Halloween, but since the season hadn't actually started yet I didn't get to see them lit up! Oh well...something better (or construction walls, which will lead to something better) will be there the next time I go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted December 8, 2015 Author Share Posted December 8, 2015 (edited) Well, it's about time I finished this TR, now that my Thanksgiving travels and Christmas decorating are finally done. Well, it's still technically "fall" until December 21, right? Â We had one last day at WDW before Cameron and I had to return to our respective homes, and we ended up spending another good day at the Studios. Yes, it is still possible to have a reasonably full, enjoyable day there, especially when you have Fast Passes for ToT, RnR, and Star Tours (thanks again, Robb, for setting them up for group). We even took in the Frozen show in it's new home at the Hyperion Theater. This venue is definitely a cut above the old theater this show used to play in, and, yes, this performance was packed. Despite some of the wailing and gnashing of teeth you hear from some Disney diehards, Frozen is definitely still a "thing" to many people. The projections in the new theater are better, and they've amped up the show effects, particularly Elsa's entrance. Â One mildly exciting incident: I lost my phone on RnR, but got it back. Like I said, only "mildly exciting." Â For our final meal at the resort, we dined at Morimoto's in Disney Springs; it is, indeed, excellent. Â Join us, won't you? Nope. Still not missing the hat. "Hit there! I got bubbles! Don't ya wanna play with my bubbles? Come on, I got bubbles!" Yes, we know that you totally have bubbles . . . . . . and we totally have Fast Passes. "If you'd paid me and asked 'Will Chuck lose his phone on Rock 'n' and Roller Coaster but get it back?' I would've answered 'yes.' But some do not wish to know their future." Suddenly, Cameron felt that something was hanging over his head. Perhaps it was the Sword of Damocles . . . in the Twilight Zone. The ToT gift shop still has some of Disney's best merchandise. The front side of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster . . . . . . and the backside. "You know, this could've been 'Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Featuring Rod Stewart,' but no, I had far too much class to lend my name to a theme-park ride. I gotta get a new agent." (I made this up. Please do not accept it as a "fact.") Now you see them . . . . . . now you don't. Disney perfectly captured the filth of your average big-city parking garage in this ride. And, like moths to the flame . . . . . . we were drawn to the "Frozen Sing-a-Long Celebration." Yep--still pretty popular, if the number of shows is any indication. "Ha! We totally own this place, Elsa!" "Yes, my dear Anna. Now we must find a way to extend our dominion over Animal Kingdom!" "Better make sure I'm extending the proper finger! I don't want to offend the good people of Hollywoodland!" "Hmm--I think we're lacking a Stooge here. I wonder if Elsa knows where Moe is?" Elsa looking particularly saucy. She's just lettin' it go all over the place. "Hmm--my girlfriend and her sister are very 'close.' I find this disturbing, yet arousing." Kristophe! Watch out for Elsa's ice spear! "Yep--totally 'let one go' myself. Too much pickled herring for lunch today." "That was you last night? I totally thought it was Sven who cut one when you and I were doin' it in the stable . . . oops! Better shut my big mouth!" "Wasn't me! My farts smell like blue Otter Pops!" "Well, may as well let one more go!" Yep--as I said, Frozen is still a "thing." One more set of photos to go. Edited December 8, 2015 by cfc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted December 8, 2015 Author Share Posted December 8, 2015 One last look at the Studios, then off to the Saratoga and Disney Springs. Cameron and I had the choice of seeing the Indiana Jones Stunt Show or riding ToT again. Wasn't much of a decision. Never noticed this sign in the queue before. Cameron found what he wants for Christmas! "Naughty you were. Coal you shall get." Goodbye, Studios! Looking forward to seeing the "new you" in a few years. The Saratoga Springs is a really nice resort. I stayed here once when it was still the Disney Institute. "All my friends know the low rider." It's a Hidden "Yekcim." I definitely recommend this resort. Take this path after dark, and you may end up at the "Titty Twister." Welcome to Disney "no longer Downtown" Springs. Still need to change a few signs, though. I think Disney Springs is looking good. Amphicars ready to launch. Didn't check this place out. Next time. Tonight, I was all about this joint. This concoction with chocolate gelato sitting on a thick bed of caramel with chocolate crunchies and tempura Oreos was excellent. Hmm--be careful not step on the "present" that Pluto made for us. Back across the bridge to Saratoga Springs. One last look at Disney Springs. It'll really be great when it's all finished. That's a wrap--thanks for reading! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking86 Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 That was a great end to the trip report! Loved the captions for the Frozen show! Fart jokes will never get old... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted December 8, 2015 Author Share Posted December 8, 2015 Fart jokes will never get old... Â I know my audience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Migs310 Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 Â It's good to see Taylor Lautner was able to get a job after Twilight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 I loved the re-do of Disney Springs. I like that it finally has continuity and so many new venues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted December 9, 2015 Author Share Posted December 9, 2015 ^I think Disney Springs is coming along very well. I was even rather impressed by the new parking garage, which has sensors to tell you if there are any open spaces in a row. Morimoto's was excellent, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking86 Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 I saw a recent aerial photograph of Disney Springs yesterday, it really is impressive how much that place is growing. Â ^I was even rather impressed by the new parking garage, which has sensors to tell you if there are any open spaces in a row. Â Those things are starting to become common here. Love it, really helps out when looking for available parking spaces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted December 10, 2015 Author Share Posted December 10, 2015 ^This was the first time I'd encountered a parking garage using this system. Seemed to work quite well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 ^I think Disney Springs is coming along very well. I was even rather impressed by the new parking garage, which has sensors to tell you if there are any open spaces in a row. Morimoto's was excellent, too. Â Agreed. Can't wait to go back when the edison opens! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBpony414 Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 That chocolate dessert with the oreos looks absolutely delicious! Interesting to see the transition from Downtown Disney to Disney Springs but they're doing a good job. Thanks for sharing your trip with us, Chuck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted December 12, 2015 Author Share Posted December 12, 2015 ^The tempura Oreos were really good. Even better were the churros--they just melt in your mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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