The Poe Family Blog: Disney Vacation: Animal Kingdom

We spent out last day at Animal Kingdom and I think it was a pretty great way to end the vacation. Animal Kingdom is only open until 5:00, so we didn't head back to the resort to give Zoey a nap and just enjoyed the park all day. It closing early also allowed us to get back to the resort at a decent time to get packed and ready to head home the next day.

We started out our day by getting completely soaked on Kali River Rapids. We ended up riding it 3 or 4 times in a row. The lines were so short that we were able to get off of the ride, walk to the closest place were the entrance and exit line met and cut back to the entrance line. Of course, Bev got the most wet, followed by Trey. Zoey loved it and loved getting wet.

Once we had our fill of water, we headed over to the Bugs Life show. It was a 3D show that involved things like bugs skittering across your seat, a bee stinging you in the back (boy did that hurt), and a spray of stink bug spray. It was really cute and I think funner than the one I remember from Disneyland. Zoey was hesitant to put her 3D glasses on but once the show got started she really seemed to like it and was laughing like crazy.

Walking to the Bugs Life ride

Once we left the Bugs Life show, we headed over to Kilimanjaro Safari. Scott and I were both really excited for this one. We thought that Zoey would love it and get really excited to see all the animals. However, she didn't really seem to care. I'm not sure if it was that she couldn't see the animals that well due to how she was sitting in the jeep, or if she just wasn't in the mood. That's the thing with Zo, you never really know what she's going to think is cool day to day. Personally, I thought it was pretty cool to be able to see all the animals close up. At one point there was a giraffe almost right next to the vehicle.

Waiting in line

After the safari ride, we headed to Camp Mickey and Minnie to do our only character greetings at this park. We hit it at a pretty good time and with the exception of the line for Pocahontas, we weren't in line for very long. We saw Baloo and King Louie. This wasn't really a character meeting I had on my list of must dos, but I am so glad we did. For some reason, Zoey absolutely LOVED King Louie. She wasn't as in to Baloo, but tolerated him. This was a moment that had tears in my eyes. It was just so good to see her give him a hug and interact with him.

Right next to Baloo and King Louie, Donald Duck was doing a greeting. Zoey refused to hug him or have her picture taken with him, but instead she gave him her special handshake. High Five, Dap It, Foot Slap It, Double Tap, Clap Three Times. Donald didn't really know what to do/think and the photopass photographer was laughing so hard they didn't get any pictures. Luckily, Bev was taking some pictures.

High Five

Dap It

Foot Slap

Tiff also had her picture taken

We stood in line, for longer than I would have liked, to meet Pocahontas. Zoey seemed excited up until we actually got up there. She wanted absolutely nothing to do with her, so we had to force her to stand with us for the picture.

After our character greetings, we went and grabbed some lunch (pizza) and then headed into the Lion King show. This was really good and Zoey really seemed to like it. They bring in 4 big floats with animatronic characters on them and them Timon and four African people interact with the audience to tell a story that incorporates some of the best songs from the movie.

Once we finished at the Lion King show, we moved over to Dinosaur Land. Bev stayed with Zoey while the rest of us rode Dinosaur. I will admit that I had my eyes closed the majority of the ride. I just hate when things jump out at me. I think it probably would have scared Zo just because it was dark and very loud.

Zoey was pretty much asleep by the time we were done with the ride, so we took turns staying with Zoey while the others went on Primeval Whirl. Scott, Leland, Trey, and Bev all seemed to enjoy it and went multiple times. Tiffany and I weren't huge fans.

By this time, we were all pretty tired, but we made our way over the Expedition Everest. Bev again stayed off with Zoey while the rest of us rode the roller coaster. The initial part where the car hooks up with the track was rough and it slammed your head back. The ride was pretty intense, but fun. The best part was hearing my sister and nephew's dialogue in the car behind us. Up until this trip, Trey had never been on a ride, let alone a big roller coaster, Tiffany kept asking him if he was ok and telling him it was fine, so at one point you heard him say "Stop Talking" over and over again. It was hilarious. The picture they take while you are on the ride was awesome too, but sadly no one got a picture of it.

On our way out of the park, we stopped back by Dinoland so Zoey could ride the TriceraTop Spin and then we made our way back to the resort for our final night.

Bev and Leland had an early flight out in the morning, so they had left before we had woken up. We got up, had some breakfast, and then started our drive back to Ohio. It rained the entire way home that first day, which was the only rain we saw on the trip. We stopped in South Carolina for the night again, and this time actually got some BBQ. It was absolutely amazing. By far the best I've ever had.

After a good night's sleep, we were back in the car for the remainder of our journey. I was so happy to see home and pull into the driveway!!!! It was a great vacation.