Wild Africa Trek

 Always a fan of experiences over stuff, my Christmas gift to the guys was the Wild Africa Trek behind the scenes tour at Animal Kingdom Park during our holiday trip.   The only time that we were able to reserve was the first time slot on January 1.  What an exciting way to start the new year!  It was also our last hurrah before heading home.   

The tour starts near the Kilimanjaro Safari entrance where each participant is outfitted with vest, ear piece and a locker to stash all loose articles.  We were given a strap to hold on our sunglasses and a waterbottle that attached to our vest.   Hands free!  I was able to wear my phone in a case around my neck; the guys left theirs in the locker.   We also had a dedicated Photopass photographer with us the entire 3-hour tour.   Our group was around 12 people, I believe, in groups of 2, 3 and 4, with one woman on her own since she was sick the day her family did their regularly scheduled tour.

Backstage our forest walk and zip line were in the hippo and crocodile area, which was fun to see from behind the usual viewing area.  I loved the perspective of the trucks on the other side of the water.  We were fastened in to make sure we didn't lean over too far and tumble into the croc waters!

From this area, you could see how back to the barn, which you can't see from anywhere along the drive.  I don't think the crocs get much barn time, but the hippos and other animals do!

Finally it was time to head up to the ropes course and cross the two bridges.   I knew there was one, not not two.  I also didn't realize the big gaps in the spacing!  You definitely had to watch your feet.  There was netting below but no need to rely on that.   There was a hippo sunning itself in the sand under the first bridge and crocodiles under the second.   I went first, then William, then John, each spaced half a bridge apart, so I was able to get pictures of the two of them, and the Photopass did as well.

After each person had done the bridges, we shed our vests and boarded a specialty safari vehicle for a modified tour and transport to our boma for lunch.   It was so much fun to listen to our guide and photographer discuss their favorite animals by name, in particular this longhorn (Ankole) named Audrey.  She was a personality and ended up being the star of the safari, when I've rarely given the cattle much attention on a public safari.

Lunch was a lovely tiffin of mezze and juice which hit the spot.  The view from the elevated boma back across the savannah was neat in order to see areas you normally don't see in one shot.   I also never realized there were multiple baobob trees besides the one they talk about during the safari.

Audrey or one of her Ankole relatives showing off the water station.

Disney Holiday - New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve ended up being a super chill day and night.  We slept in, enjoyed coffee on the balcony, did some swimming, and head over to Epcot for a few rides, lunch and walking around.  We had a late dinner at Flying Fish on the Boardwalk so no real commute to speak of, and then planned to return to Epcot for their New Year's Eve fireworks.  Only we never did.   I wasn't into the crowds and loved my balcony so much that I chose to stay and watch from there.   Plus knowing how early our New Year's Day plans were starting, it was hard to want to be out late.   John decided to stay with me.   I was surprised how many people had the Boardwalk as a destination - there was some entertainment but nothing very formal.  Most of the entertainment for us was people watching and just enjoy the atmosphere.     

At midnight we saw both Magic Kingdom and Epcot fireworks at the same time.   I was very impressed!  It was fairly impossible to get in the same frame though.

Disney Holiday - New Year's Eve Eve

The night I had most been looking forward to was the December 30th "New Year's Eve Eve" fireworks at Magic Kingdom.   When we saw them two years ago, there were literally the most magnificent fireworks I had ever seen.  I also wanted to catch the last day of the Christmas parade (yay dancing reindeer and marching toy soldiers!).   It was also William's first time to ride Tiana's Bayou Adventure.   So an action packed day!

We got to Magic Kingdom bright and early to do it up right.   No sleeping in for that park on a major holiday.   Our plan was to ride the rides all morning/early afternoon (the Tiana VQ was for 1 or 2 pm) and then come back in the evening for the fireworks.  Must dos are the holiday overlays:  the Jingle Cruise and Space Mountain with the lights on/punk carols playing (probably my favorite ride of all time - just that version!)

University of Illinois band marching down Main Street, since the football team was playing in Orlando later that day (or the next day) in a bowl game.

For the parade, I stationed myself where I would have a head on view of the traffic.  The guys were less interested and chose an obstructed view sitting in the sleigh outside the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe.  It was a good choice for each party.   I learned that there are sign language interpreters for the parade, and enjoyed watching them during some of the pre-show. 

Finally it was Tiana time.   We made William (he chose?) to ride in front of us since seating is in twos.  There was no one else in our boat which was really strange.  I enjoyed splashing him when we slowed down.   Turns out there was one other person in our boat behind me and John that none of us noticed, but because of our weight distribution, we got soaked on the splash down!  It was pretty hilarious.  We dried fast enough.   It's a pretty lame ride but now we can all say we have done it.  John and I rode on our October trip.

A few more photos on our way out.  I wanted a particular snack at Grand Floridian but William was ready to head home, so he rode the bus to Boardwalk while John and I took the Monorail to GF to also see the gingerbread house.   Turns out the lounge wasn't opening for another hour so we did pictures of the Christmas decorations and then took at Uber back to our resort for corn dogs on the Boardwalk.

I seem to have forgotten a corn dog photo but it was delicious.  I did get a photo of our room, which was the first set of blue next to the red on the 5th floor.  So we had a great view of both Epcot fireworks when we looked forward and right over Beach Club, and the Magic Kingdom fireworks when we looked left over Yacht Club.   On NYEE and NYE, Magic Kingdom fireworks were at 6:30 and midnight so we caught the 6:30 show before we left for our dinner at California Grill and returned to the park.

Dinner was good but California Grill has not been the same since it went prix fixe.   It's not a must do for me anymore.   Back at the parks, we had William my all time favorite Disney parks photo from almost 10 years ago.  Close. :-)

We got a little greedy with the rides (even snuck in old school favorite Astro Orbiter) and ended up cutting it too close on the fireworks as we were getting off the People Mover as they started.  However, we did get to ride through a broken down Space Mountain while on the People Mover, so that's always cool! The show was spectacular and I think John likes watching me watch the show more than he likes the fireworks themselves!  Not sure what it is that pulls as my emotions so much but I love a good Disney fireworks show!