A Girl's First Solo Trip - August 2018 *updated 10/9 x2 and COMPLETED!*

[missangelalexis]

Your photos with Chip & Dale are adorable!! And I love your dress btw!

 

[paradesintherain]

What lovely chipmunk interaction

I love your ‘oh my goodness...chipmunks in Dino-onesies’ face!

I’m looking forward to exploring Pandora and eating at Satu’li canteen on my next trip.

Thank you! It was a fun time, they're so great at interacting!

Haha, I'm not a fan of it, so thank you! It's an accurate representation of me, though.

Oh you'll have so much fun! There's SO much to see, I've noticed new details each time. And Satu'li is delicious, you're gonna love it!

Chip and Dale are so cute dressed up as Dinosaurs!

We love Satuli and the tofu bowl is very good!

Pandora is very beautiful to explore and photograph

They are!! Makes my heart happy, I don't ever want them to stop meeting in those costumes.

I agree! And Satuli is consistently good, there's no off days to it like some other restaurants.

It is! I was sure skeptical about this land when it was announced but it definitely won me over.

I've only driven to a lot and walked but I have heard excellent things about the transport.

Ok that's good to know! I guess nowadays there's always Uber, too.

Adorable

Thank you!

Seriously adorable pics with the chipmunks!!!

Thank you - spoiler, there's even more adorable chipmunk meets later in the trip!

Your photos with Chip & Dale are adorable!! And I love your dress btw!

Thank you! It's funny you mention the dress, because I decided I hated it and Marie Kondo'ed it

 

[paradesintherain]

August 3rd - An Afternoon Safari!






When I left off I was in Africa to meet up with Samira and Will for a Safari. Love these details!

Time for Kilimanjaro Safaris!

I split up the couple! But just so they could each have an outside view.

It was about 2 in the afternoon, so the animals weren’t terribly active.

A hungry giraffe!

This elephant seemed to be waving hello!

Look at the baby!! I can’t remember the name of the baby, right now, but oh so cute!

I know I said the animals weren’t terribly active, but these rhinos did get super close to the safari vehicle, and then walk alongside it for a while! That was something I had never seen!

Goodbye, my chubby friend!

The other super cool thing that happened on this safari was that the cheetahs were very visible, and they were eating!

While in the FP queue for Safaris I had booked a FP for Navi River Journey for Samira and Will - I was trying to teach them the refresh method, but mostly I just wanted to make sure they were able to get on the Pandora rides! I had a FP for Flight of Passage coming up, so we all went back to Pandora. Yes, I did a lot of backtracking on this day! But, before I got too far a treat caught my eye at Tamu Tamu Refreshments.

Malva Cake Sundae - Warm Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream and Caramel

I thought this would be similar to the malva pudding at Boma so I was pretty excited about it. It wasn’t actually like it, more spicy in flavor like a carrot cake. It was still enjoyable, I always like cake and ice cream, but I’m not sure it’s something I would seek out again. I ate it while we walked in the back way to Pandora.

Up Next: Back to Pandora!​

 

[TanzUnited99]

Great pics of the safari and the baby elephant is soo cute

Lol at splitting up the couple.

That snack looks lush...shame it didn’t taste as nice as the one at Boma.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Kara, have you done the rhino tour yet????

 

[missangelalexis]

Awesome pics of the rhinos and cheetah!!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Oh my goodness I have never seen the rhinos active like that, very cool!

 

[jwoodbury]

Enjoying your trip report!!

 

[paradesintherain]

Great pics of the safari and the baby elephant is soo cute

Lol at splitting up the couple.

That snack looks lush...shame it didn’t taste as nice as the one at Boma.

The baby elephant melts my heart! Most baby animals do, to be fair.

It was for noble reasons!

It definitely had a nice taste; I probably would have enjoyed it more if I'd had different expectations. Worth trying!

Kara, have you done the rhino tour yet????

Nooo but I keep hearing such wonderful things about it. I've actually never done any tour (aside from the wonderful VIP tour!)

Awesome pics of the rhinos and cheetah!!

Thank you! It was pretty neat to see!

Oh my goodness I have never seen the rhinos active like that, very cool!

Right? I feel like they're always standing still way in the back!

Enjoying your trip report!!

Thanks for reading it!!

 

[paradesintherain]

August 3rd - More Animal Kingdom!







After finally meeting the chipmunks we made our way back to Pandora! Once in Pandora we split up to ride our respective rides - Samira and Will on Navi River Journey, and me on Flight of Passage. But first I saw a PhotoPass I had to try out!

The sky wasn’t great for the Banshee magic shot, but I’m glad I did it.

Then I tapped in for my Flight of Passage and received a link pass. These are weird, but I guess it helps with liability for Disney?

The preshow dragged on and on. It was entertaining exactly once, and torturous since then!

The ride was amazing, as always. It’s pretty impressive how there’s always something new to see, always new perspectives. When the banshee jerks down towards those stampeding animals I ALWAYS jump back.

Samira and Will decided to eat at Satu’li so I explored around Pandora some more. Which means… more pictures.

When we finished with Pandora we walked BACK to Africa and got in line for Festival of the Lion King.

I want a tumble monkey!

After enjoying the show that never gets old we decided to go visit the Maharajah Jungle Trek. It was open until 7 on this day, which is later than I’ve ever seen! And of course I took pictures along the way. It can’t be helped, there’s just too many beautiful details.

This ice cream cart delighted me.

And back behind the Tree of Life. So much backtracking on this day!

And then we made it to the Maharajah Jungle Trek and gawked at some Komodo Dragons

Next up was the bat house! Bats are my second favorite animals, behind lions, so I can’t imagine why anyone would bypass viewing them!

There weren’t many bats visible, and they were pretty sleepy so we quickly moved on to the Tiger Forest.

I think this might be the male tiger. I’m pretty sure the mother tiger and her two “babies” were in a separate enclosure.

I was hopeful I'd get to see the babies. Since they'd been born I hadn't had much luck seeing them!





Up next: TIGERS!​

 

[paradesintherain]

August 3rd - TIGERS!





We continued along the Jungle Trek and found some more tigers. Forewarning, this update is HEAVY on the tiger pictures. But, I was finally lucky enough to see them active so I took approximately 1000 pictures. Pretty sure this is momma tiger. At first they were pretty lazy, but at least they were visible!

The cubs were farther back in the enclosure, resting. But then I saw one stand up and do this and I thought “oh he’s going to attack his mom!”

She has no idea what’s coming…

And sure enough, that baby did pounce on her! I don’t think she was too thrilled by this, but I sure was! This is definitely the most activity I’ve seen from them.

Children…

A little tiger bleb. I was recently told that when animals show a little bit of tongue it’s called a bleb. Who invents this stuff? Why do I love it?

Goodness, she is just so majestic.

Baby still had energy to kill.

I’m not a mom, but I think this is a perfect depiction of what being a mom is like.

After all their exertions they were both a bit winded. This is one of my favorite pictures ever!

Baby is just never done playing.

Their faces are so mesmerizing. It’s fun to try and figure out their different stripe patterns.

Since mom was fed up with baby’s play, he went over to attack his sleeping sibling.

And then sat on her face. My cats definitely do this.

Once the tigers settled some I was finally able to drag myself away and finish the trail.

Another aviary! Someday I’ll actually take a bird guide and figure out what I’m looking at.

This is one of my favorite birds in this aviary, it’s so ornate.

It’s Britney, b. These remind me of that one Britney Spears album cover, obviously.

Up Next: A change of pace!​

 

[TanzUnited99]

Ah FOLK and the Maharajah jungle trek are bringing back fond memories

Lovely pictures of the show, tigers and bats

 

[cassidy57]

Your pictures are amazing especially all the tiger pictues. I love AK it is so beautiful.

​

 

[suse66]

Africa is one of my favorite locations. The theming here is out of this world, and I love the live entertainment.

After seeing some animals we continued on our quest to DinoLand. I’m a huge fan of the proverbs all around the park, and this is one of my favorites.

Mine too!

FINALLY we made it to DinoLand and got in line for the cutest chipmunks. Samira got lots of snuggles with the boys.

Love!

Pretty sure they were as smitten with me as I was with them, because the hugs and kisses were endless!

Aren't they just the best??? I think this is one of the most fun meets out there!

One of the things I loved most about traveling solo was that I could do whatever I wanted, which meant that I could really stop and focus on details.

Exactly why I so enjoy my solo trips!

Chili-Spiced Crispy Fried Tofu Bowl - Crispy Fried Tofu seasoned with Chili-Spice topped with Crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Boba Balls served with your choice of Base and Sauce (I got the rice & black beans with charred green onion vinaigrette)

That's my favourite dish too although I usually get the creamy herb dressing.

The other super cool thing that happened on this safari was that the cheetahs were very visible, and they were eating!

Nice to see the cheetahs out!

While in the FP queue for Safaris I had booked a FP for Navi River Journey for Samira and Will - I was trying to teach them the refresh method, but mostly I just wanted to make sure they were able to get on the Pandora rides! I had a FP for Flight of Passage coming up, so we all went back to Pandora. Yes, I did a lot of backtracking on this day! But, before I got too far a treat caught my eye at Tamu Tamu Refreshments.

I loved that Malva cake. I am a sucker for cake and ice cream and anything with caramel sauce just puts it over the top for me!

The ride was amazing, as always. It’s pretty impressive how there’s always something new to see, always new perspectives. When the banshee jerks down towards those stampeding animals I ALWAYS jump back.

I know....it just feels so real!

After enjoying the show that never gets old we decided to go visit the Maharajah Jungle Trek. It was open until 7 on this day, which is later than I’ve ever seen! And of course I took pictures along the way. It can’t be helped, there’s just too many beautiful details.

I adore this trail and your pictures are stunning!

We continued along the Jungle Trek and found some more tigers. Forewarning, this update is HEAVY on the tiger pictures. But, I was finally lucky enough to see them active so I took approximately 1000 pictures. Pretty sure this is momma tiger. At first they were pretty lazy, but at least they were visible!

Amazing!

After all their exertions they were both a bit winded. This is one of my favorite pictures ever!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

There weren’t many bats visible, and they were pretty sleepy so we quickly moved on to the Tiger Forest.

True story. My kids were at AK one night, a few years back, walking through the EE queue. My daughter looked down and, found a real-life bat on her shirt. She thought fast and softly touched one of its wings and it flew off of her. How crazy is that?????

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Then I tapped in for my Flight of Passage and received a link pass. These are weird, but I guess it helps with liability for Disney?

It is strange because they are so inconsistent with handing them out. You would think if it was truly down to liability every single person would get one every single time they ride.

orewarning, this update is HEAVY on the tiger pictures.

Love all the tiger photos! They are always sleeping when I go so you are really lucky to have seen them active!

adorable

I was recently told that when animals show a little bit of tongue it’s called a bleb.

Interesting. My cats do that all the time.

Great picture!

True story. My kids were at AK one night, a few years back, walking through the EE queue. My daughter looked down and, found a real-life bat on her shirt. She thought fast and softly touched one of its wings and it flew off of her. How crazy is that?????

Oh my gosh, I would have died. I am terrified of bats and out of instinct scream bloody murder every time I see one flying around.

 

[paradesintherain]

Ah FOLK and the Maharajah jungle trek are bringing back fond memories

Lovely pictures of the show, tigers and bats

Some of the best parts of Animal Kingdom!

Thank you, it was a pretty good day for animals!

Your pictures are amazing especially all the tiger pictues. I love AK it is so beautiful.

Thank you! Animal Kingdom is truly an exceptional park. Funny to think California Adventure opened soon after and was nowhere near as impressive.

Mine too!

It's a wonderful thing to remember! Man this is making me miss Animal Kingdom!

Love!

They're just the cutest!

Aren't they just the best??? I think this is one of the most fun meets out there!

They really are! I would agree with you on that. I think having two characters helps, it's fun when they play off each other!

Exactly why I so enjoy my solo trips!

It really is great! I'm looking forward to planning another one someday.

That's my favourite dish too although I usually get the creamy herb dressing.

That's my second favorite dressing! Which is funny because when I first got the dish I was ordering the black-bean vinaigrette, and it's actually my least favorite of the dressings now that I've tried them all.

Nice to see the cheetahs out!

It was really cool! And I think my first time to see a carnivore eating on the safari.

I loved that Malva cake. I am a sucker for cake and ice cream and anything with caramel sauce just puts it over the top for me!

I'm definitely a sucker for cake and ice cream too, so I think I should retry it with different expectations. I bet I'd enjoy it a lot more if I hadn't been expecting something a bit different.

I know....it just feels so real!

Totally! Best example of a screen-based ride, in my opinion.

I adore this trail and your pictures are stunning!

It's an amazing trail! I'd love it even if there weren't animals along it. And thank you, I had so much fun taking them!

Amazing!

I was so happy!

Right? Melt my heart!

True story. My kids were at AK one night, a few years back, walking through the EE queue. My daughter looked down and, found a real-life bat on her shirt. She thought fast and softly touched one of its wings and it flew off of her. How crazy is that?????

OH MY GOODNESS! THIS IS AMAZING! Why can't this happen to me???

Though, I work on the 11th floor at my hospital, which is the top and we've been known to get bats on our floor. It's pure pandemonium because people are terrified of bats, but I live for it! I think they've finally figured out how they get in the building and blocked the hole, sadly.

It is strange because they are so inconsistent with handing them out. You would think if it was truly down to liability every single person would get one every single time they ride.

Yeah, and sometimes when I've made it without a pass they've made me stop and look it over at the merge point. Very odd.

Love all the tiger photos! They are always sleeping when I go so you are really lucky to have seen them active!

Thank you! I felt really lucky because they're usually sleeping or out of sight when I visit too.

adorable

Poor momma! Haha

Interesting. My cats do that all the time.

yeah, mine too! Little weirdos.

Great picture!

Thanks, I was thrilled when I captured it!

Oh my gosh, I would have died. I am terrified of bats and out of instinct scream bloody murder every time I see one flying around.

Hahahaha! I take it you'd never visit a cave? My local theme park was built around a cave and I've been visiting it since I was a baby. I've always LOOOOVED seeing the bats - they're just so cute! And they eat pesky bugs.

 

[paradesintherain]

August 3rd - A Visit to Animal Kingdom Lodge!








After the trail I decided to exit the park and go check out Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was pretty hot and I needed a change of pace! I originally had an ADR to Sanaa, but canceled it to save some money, but still, it wouldn’t be a Disney trip if I don’t step foot in Animal Kingdom Lodge!

What a wonderful feeling it is to walk into this lobby. If you didn't know, this is my very favorite resort.

I spent some time just soaking in the atmosphere and admiring all the details and artwork.

Because I hadn’t just spent hours admiring animals, I went out to the savannas to check out some more animals.

Next I went back inside to get to the pool area/The Mara.

Is there a prettier pool area at Disney World? Polynesian might be equal…

The Mara is where I worked during my College Program (also did some time in in-room dining). It's always fun to see how much has changed or stayed the same. At The Mara I saw this adorable rhino cupcake.

Look at that lovely costume I used to have to wear! It wasn’t all bad, though, I didn’t have to tuck in the shirt. I would have hated wearing high-waisted pants with a button up shirt tucked in! But then again it is orange... and khaki... and a weird little orange hat... ok, it's pretty bad. The in-room dining costume was much better!

The sun was starting to go down which made everything look even lovelier.

Out on the savanna overlook I got to see a baby giraffe!

Eeeek, it’s so cute!

And some ankole cattle.

And then I made my way slowly toward the exit of Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Before I left I had to spend some money in the gift shop. I bought an Animal Kingdom Lodge key chain, and a pin. On the way out I rubbed the good luck door, like always. I don't know if it actually gives me good luck, but I'm not willing to chance it!

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It was a little bittersweet to say goodbye to Animal Kingdom Lodge for the trip, but I was returning to Animal Kingdom and that lessened the blow.






Up Next: Animal Kingdom at night!​

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I take it you'd never visit a cave?

Nope, I will not willingly go near bats. I think when I was a kid my parents may have taken us to one but not something I would do now I don't think. At my university bats would get into the buildings all the time and scare the blazes out of me. Didn't help that I often worked the night shift when they would come out. I got a bit of a reputation among my co-workers due to my screaming bloody murder. I would hide in the bathroom while they caught it and released it outside. lol

Is there a prettier pool area at Disney World?

I think AKL definitely wins in the atmospheric pool category.

 

[disneyAndi14]

Beautiful tiger pictures! The babies have always been sleeping when we are there!

Beautiful AKL, love it

Scary bird pictures, eek!!