Orlando- Day 4

We spent another long day running from attraction to attraction at Animal Kingdom and MGM Studios. First, we arrived at Animal Kingdom, right when it opened. When we got there, we ran to Kilimanjaro Safaris, to try to beat the lines. We rode in a big, jeep-like vehicle, on a Safari, where we saw all kinds of (real) animals including alligators (pictured), giraffes including a baby (pictured), “Grant’s Zebras” (that is really what they were called), lions, jaguars, elephants including two adorable baby elephants (pictured), and many, many more. Then we went on a walking tour, where we saw bats, Komodo dragons, tigers (pictured), birds, etc. At the Animal Kingdom, the main symbol of the park (like the ball at Epcot or the Castle at Magic Kingdom) was the Tree of Life. It was amazing, as it had animals carved into the trunk. How cool! Then Grant somehow talked me into going on Expedition Everest (pictured-- I hate scary rides because I get so sick!) and it was my first backwards ride (only about 1/4 of it was backwards), but it really wasn’t that bad- kinda scary but fun! I realized that the thing I don’t like is really big drops, like Splash Mountain. I love lots of medium sized drops, that is fun. We also went on Kali River Rapids (ending up wet) and a Dinosaur Ride. This picture is actually a picture of the T.V. picture that they try to sell you for a ton of money, at the end of each ride. (Does that make sense?) We saw someone else taking a picture of theirs, and thought it was an excellent idea! Then we stopped and got a Churro and Hot Chocolate because we were wet. We were on the Disney Dining Plan. You get 3 snacks, 3 quick meals, and 3 sit down meals. We were quite impressed with the amount of food you get for your money. Plus, it forces you to remember to eat, which is good. After Animal Kingdom, we took our rental car back and soon realized just how nice it was to have it. Then Enterprise drove us back MGM Studios. The main symbol there is Mickey’s Blue Hat. Anyway, Grant talked me into another ride—Aerosmith’s Rock and Roller Coaster—my first upside down ride!! However, there were no drops and you were going so fast, you couldn’t even tell you were upside down. I actually enjoyed myself. Then we went on the Great Movie ride. They had scenes from different movies, including Munchkinland from Wizard of Oz. Next, we went to the Beauty and the Beast show, which was so magical. The characters were so cute! Then we ran to the Backlot Tour. On the tour, we saw different props from movies, like the planes from Pearl Harbor (pictured) and they had a movie trick with water coming at us! Next, we ran over to the “Lights, Motor, Action- Extreme Stunt Show.” It was awesome! They taught us movies tricks, had car chases, motorcycles jumping, a jet ski racing, and ended with a big explosion!! After that, we ran over to the Indiana Jones Stunt show. Then we had our last snacks- Mickey Mouse shaped ice cream bars. Yummy! Then I went to get some seats to “Fantasmic” and Grant went on Tower of Terror. We sat in the pouring rain (I know Florida, at least it was warm rain), waiting for the finale of our trip to Disney World. We talked to an usher, who told us they probably wouldn’t have characters in the show, because of the rain, just fireworks. I was so bummed! When the show started, Mickey came out! I figured he would be the only one. But then the princesses dancing with their princes, came out on their little water floats. I was so happy, until the riverboat that was suppose to be carrying all the characters came around the corner. It looked totally empty. However, when it came around… all the characters came out of the cabin!! It was so magical, that I started crying! (I was tired okay!) It just made me so happy that all those characters would come out in the pouring down rain. It was truly a magical end to an amazing trip! After MGM, we got on a bus back to our hotel, to change for dinner. Then we rode the bus to Magic Kingdom, then switched buses, to go to the Yacht’s Club. (See what I mean by missing the car?) There we went to the Yachtman’s Steakhouse. We used two sit down meals to go to a fancier restaurant. It was really yummy! Finally, we rode a few buses back to our hotel and went to sleep. It was a fun day!