Walt Disney World - Part 5

Animal Kingdom

Saturday - January 19th 2008

Animal Kingdom is dedicated to animals and consists of several lands, which are Africa, Asia, Dinoland USA, The Oasis, Discovery Island and Camp Minnie Mickey. The centerpiece of the park is the Tree of Life.

Today we have planned something special. We had booked a character breakfast in the Animal Kingdom and we had to be at the entrance an hour before the park opened. Then a Castmember brought us to the Tusker House Restaurant where the breakfast took place. The park looked really wonderful with all the fog and without any other guests.

Animal Kingdom

Tree of Life

Before we were brought to our table, a Castmember made a picture of us with Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Minnie, which could be purchased after the breakfast and of course we bought it. The Tusker House offered a huge buffet with fruits, cheese, breakfast potatoes, boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, rolls, juices and cereals. There was a lot to chose from, even for vegetarians. The food was delicious and we had a great time there. We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast, but the highlight was, of course, when Mickey and his friends visited us at our table.

Harambe Village

Tusker House Buffet

Tusker House

Breakfast

Harambe Village

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom

Afterwards when the park opened we rushed to Expedition Everest, one of Disney's best roller coastesr, got a fastpass and queued. The ride was fantastic and it was by far our favorite attraction at Walt Disney World.

Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest

After we met the Yeti in the Himalaya it was time for a journey through Africa's amazing wildlife. Kilimajaro Safaris is one of the major attractions and the lines can get very long. We boarded a truck and the tour began. During the Safari guests will see many African animals, like lions, crocodiles, elephants or giraffes.

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Later we took the steam train to Rafiki's Planet Watch, the conservation station of the park. There Castmembers showed the guests how Disney cares about their animals. Outside of the conservation station is a petting zoo, children liked that place a lot. When we arrived at Rafiki's Planet Watch, a castmember awarded us with a Dream Fastpass. During The Year Of A Million Dreams that fastpass allowed us to use all fastpass attractions. You can imagine that we were so happy about that and we felt so special. It wasn't the last time, that we got a Dream Fastpass.

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom

Rafiki's Planet Watch

Steam Train to Rafiki's Planet Watch

Now it was time for the extinct animals, but before we had a small lunch. Our first attraction in Dinoland USA was Dinosaur, where guests became part of research team that travels back in time to rescue a dinosaur. It was a fantastic attraction and it shouldn't be missed. Afterwards we took a spinning ride with Primeval Whirl at Chester and Hester's Dino Rama, since we still had some time left until the Finding Nemo Musical.

Dinoland USA

Dinosaur

Chester & Hester's Dino Rama

Chester & Hester's Dino Rama

Dinoland USA

The Finding Nemo Musical was fantastic, it was the best stage show we have ever seen at a Disney park. The show was so popular that we had to be at the theatre an hour before it started, otherwise the chances to get a good seat were very small, but it was definately worth it.

Finding Nemo Musical

Finding Nemo Musical

Finding Nemo Musical

Finding Nemo Musical

After the musical we walked to Discovery Island to watch Mickey's Jamin' Jungle Parade, which was our favorite Walt Disney World parade.

Mickey's Jamin' Jungle Parade

Mickey's Jamin' Jungle Parade

Mickey's Jamin' Jungle Parade

Later, when the parade was over we did It's tough to be a Bug, a 3D film based on Pixar's A Bug's Life. The attraction is inside the Tree of Life and it was a lot of fun.

Tree of Life

Tree Of Life - It's Tough To Be A Bug

Animal Kingdom

In the afternoon the rainy clouds were gone and the sun was shinning and so we decided to ride Expedition Everest again, because we could use our Dream Fastpass for that roller coaster.

Expedition Everest

Animal Kingdom closed earlier than the other parks, due to the animals, but before we left the park we enjoyed the fastpass attractions, like Dinosaur or Kilimanjaro Safaris, again, because we didn't want our Dream Fastpass to expire. Later we returned to the hotel where we enjoyed a wonderful evening.