Disney January 2012: Day #5

      So you think that Animal Kingdom (AK) is just a Zoo with a couple of attractions?  We disagree.  Aside from showcasing a long list of animals, AK features our favorite attraction of all of Walt Disney World: Expedition Everest.  It also features other must-do attractions such as Kilimanjaro Safari and Dinosaur.  For first time visitors we also suggest that you check out the famous Lion King and Finding Nemo musical shows.  Due to the small crowds and short wait times we were able to tackle this park within a few short hours.  
  

The Tree of Life at AK

     Like we do while visiting all parks, we headed straight towards Expedition Everest and snagged a Fastpass.  We were excited to see a short wait of only 15 minutes, so we decided to go ahead and wait and save our Fastpass for later.  15 minutes meant walking straight through all of the waiting areas and right up to the ride attendant who told us which row to go to.  With hardly any wait, we requested to wait for the front of the ride.  The ride was better than ever...it always makes me laugh in excitement as if it were my first time.  And it never fails, I always scream like a little girl when...well, I don't want to give it away if you have not been on it. 

In front of Expedition Everest

In front of Expedition Everest

Waiting area for Kilimanjaro Safari

Yes, you get this close to the animals

Baby elephant :)

    We stepped off of Everest and walked over to ride Dinosaur.  This is not a ride to miss.  It is a ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make your heart pump a little faster.  What am I saying...it makes your heart pump a lot faster, but in a good way.  We usually ride it multiple times, and our picture is always hilarious.  I wish I would have snapped a picture of the first time we rode it, because that was possibly the funniest photo I have ever seen.  After walking straight onto Dinosaur and walking off, we went back to use our Fastpass for Expedition Everest and enjoyed it as much as we did the first time.

Kenny in line for Dinosaur

    Lunch took place at Flame Tree Barbecue.  This Quick Service restaurant features various barbecue options such as pork sandwiches and barbecue chicken.  Kenny and I shared the half chicken since they give you a large portion and to save another table service credit.  Animal Kingdom does not offer a ton of food options and Flame Tree is convenient; so we usually choose it.  We also really like the Yak and Yeti restaurant when we are going to a Table Service at AK, but we chose to skip it this trip to allow us to try some new restaurants.
    After lunch we rode Everest and Dinosaur again and decided to head out to hit the water park.  Kenny had never been to any of the Disney water parks so I was excited to take him there.  Typhoon Lagoon was closed for refurbishment so we headed to Blizzard Beach.  We were only there for a couple of hours, but this is because hardly anyone was there and we were able to walk right onto everything.  After enjoying the lazy river for a bit, we walked up a million flights of stairs to do the family slide called Runoff Rapids.  Although the water was chilly when we first got in, it was so nice.  And Kenny is still giggling like a girl because while we were relaxing as we floated around the lazy river he push me under the cold waterfall and I screamed.  That was not nice.  It felt like someone poured a bucket of ice water all over me.  Three words: boys are mean!
    Walking up all of those stairs at Blizzard Beach gave us the appetite we needed to eat when we returned to Coronado Springs.  We decided to use another Quick Service and eat at our resort.  I read online that the Pepper Market at Coronado is tasty so we rode the bus over.  Kenny ordered a burrito and I had a chicken philly cheesesteak.  Everything was pretty good, but nothing to ooohhh and ahhh  over. 

Kenny's burrito at The Pepper Market

My Chicken Philly at the Pepper Market

     We decided that this our favorite resort that we have stayed in, when you consider everything.  Sure, if money was falling out of our pockets we would stay at the Grand Floridian or the Polynesian during each trip, but for the price Coronado Springs is really nice.  Our only complaint...the pillows suck!  Note to self: bring Tempurpedic pillow from home for next trip.  We are spoiled with our Tempurpedic items at home.  But who can complain when you are at Disney?  And don't you worry... I will get Kenny back for placing me under freezing cold water at Blizzard Beach.  How quickly he forgets that we live in Indiana and it is freezing now! More details of our fun coming soon!