This turned out to be a shorter conference day and so we all travelled together to Animal Kingdom. The heat and humidity was high and my feet were really starting to bother me at this point so I was moving pretty slowly. Im quite sure I was not doing anything annoying, whatsoever.
However, my husband was getting on my nerves.
He kept insisting he knew his way around, leaving us frequently walking in circles and backtracking. When Id sweetly suggest looking at the map on
MDE, hed complain that it takes too long. When I would politely point to a directional sign that said "Africa" that included and arrow pointing to the left, he'd argue that "sort-of left" means the same thing as "left." When the daughters remembered the way to whatever from the last trip, he remembered more accurately.
(At this point in this trip report, you should choose a side and stick with it. Women, of course will take my side and totally understand everything I'm going through. Any men reading should either go away now, order flowers for their significant other or just pretend to agree with everything I type.)
The theming was also on my nerves. Its too good. It really felt like we were baking, right on the equator, in a third world country during a drought, with annoying husbands everywhere.
Mine had the audacity to remark that, thanks to the look/theming of the park one could not really tell if the run-down look of some areas was intentional or age. He then went on to say that he felt the other parks, especially the Magic Kingdom had meticulous attention to maintenance and appearance, where this park was allowed to slip a bit, since it blended in with the theme. What a grouch. His comments triggered either a hot flash or a solar flare because I was instantly drenched and resentful. How dare he ruin my vacation?
I felt my vision was compromised at this point by either rage or raging hormones and I had to sit down. But there was nowhere to do so. I became acutely aware of a lack of seating. WOW. Im getting old.
This park was not doing it for me. I thought back to the DIS boards and the discussions about whether DAK was a half day park or a full day park and how some people didnt like it all. AHA! Note to self: conduct discrete study to test hypothesis that the like/dislike of AK is related to the ages and hormone levels of park goers. Ah screw the study. Im just going to say it. If you are experiencing symptoms of pms and/or menopause, have allergies, asthma or carry excess body weight, have one or more bunions or teenagers or are otherwise negatively affected by hot, humid conditions, stay the heck out of AK unless it is November through February!
Still, I was sure my misery was the fault of everyone else. On the safari, I didnt speak up and get an end seat and no one bothered to read my mind, so I was stuck in the middle. I was going to take some amazing photos but I chose not to bring my good camera so it annoyed me exponentially when DH took photos with his phone. Furthermore, there were two guys seated behind me that talked to each other a little, making comments like, Wow, thats awesome. And This is really cool. Can you believe it?
Ill spare you all the rest. But I was pretty cranky and Im sure not pleasant to be around.
I felt much better after getting some shade and a drink and was happy to finally get to see the Nemo show, which had been on my trip bucket list and which we all enjoyed. None of us had seen it before so that was a real treat. I'm pleased to report that I snapped out of my crankiness and my family did not ditch me, though I'm sure they thought about it.
Hubby and I exchanged that glance later on, and no, it was not the one from the Cealis commercial. This glance was the one that says, Were getting old. This occurred after he told the girls he didnt think his back was up to joining them on Expedition Everest anymore. It was a given that I was out. I had not done coasters for a while. I wonder if the Cealis couples can still do coasters. Or if they even have time.
The rest of our time at the park was of the typical AK variety so to speed things up, I will break it down into the top ten remaining (non attraction) things that made me smile, in no particular order.
1. The little mouse-ear shaped thing with a blue clip that allows you to clip a bottle of water onto your bag.
2. The toddler that freaked out at the end of It's a Bug's Life, and that, adorable as she was, she was not MY problem.
3. The cupcakes my daughters and I split.
4. Telling my family about the Dinoland backstory. If you don't know it, LOOK IT UP NOW!
5. Finally eating at Flame Tree BBQ, and it was every bit as yummy as reported on The Dis.
6. Low crowds.
7. Outstanding cast member friendliness.
8. My daughters saying how much they missed their older sister.
9. Texts from DD1, thanking us for the trip and saying she missed us.
10. That my family puts up with me, even when I am tired and crabby.
Coming up: A much needed down day.
And you thought I was misusing the word, "literally!" 
The Cealis comments cracked me up! 
