Thursday - Disney Springs (aka Downtown Disney)

We had planned to spend most of this day relaxing at our hotel, swimming and gearing up for our big evening event.  However, Camden really wanted to check out a few things she heard/saw on the Disney channels on the hotel TV that were at Disney Springs.  We were thinking we might try to squeeze it in on Friday morning before we left, but we just weren't sure.  Then Kevin suggested we didn't need all day to relax at the hotel so why not try to fit it in on Thursday late morning/afternoon. So....

We did spend the morning swimming in both pools and building sand castles on our little beach.  Then we got ready and headed for lunch at the T-Rex Cafe.  We didn't have reservations, so we had an hour wait.  We used that time to see the other things Camden wanted to see - mainly the Lego store.  And, yes, these statues are made of Legos.

Kevin and Camden made a few Lego cars in a hands-on area and then raced them.  Camden's won!

We headed back to the restaurant and still had a bit of a wait.

Camden spotted a Build a Bear Workshop store inside the gift store.  Except it was Build a Dino Workshop.  Kevin was so generous (or read Camden was so spoiled) and thought this was something Camden should get to do on vacation for a souvenir.  She picked a T-Rex which also was a hand puppet.  In addition to the heart that she got to put inside (like ever toy that is built), she was allowed to add sound (for a few extra dollars).  So "Rex" has a mighty roar too.

Finally it was time to sit.  The restaurant is filled with animatronic dinosaurs throughout the large room.  In the center is a huge ice cave.  Every once in a while, the room darkens, thunder claps and the dinosaurs start to roar.  The the ice cave turns multiple colors.

It is a pretty cool experience - especially for our dino girl. 

Wednesday - O'hana Restaurant

After getting back to our room from a day at Animal Kingdom, we all laid down for a 2 hour nap!  That was because we had late, late dinner reservations at O'hana at the Polynesian Resort. 

Because you can't travel from one resort to another, we took a bus to Magic Kingdom and then rode the monorail to the Polynesian.  This resort is on the opposite side of the lagoon from MK, so we arrived in time to sit in the lobby and watch the MK fireworks across the water.  When we actually got seated, our table was at a window with a direct view of the illuminated castle.

This meal is a preset menu that came out in courses.  Our "cousin" - what they call the wait staff - handed Camden the bread plate and had her carry it to our table.  Our complete menu was:

Starters:
‘Ohana Pineapple-Coconut Bread
Mixed Greens Salad with Lilikoi Dressing

Appetizers:
Pork Dumplings tossed in Garlic-Ginger Sauce
Honey-Coriander Chicken Wings

Skewers:
Sweet-n-Sour Chicken
prepared over an Oak fire, served with Peanut and Sweet-n-Sour Sauces
Szechuan Sirloin Steak
prepared over an Oak fire, served with Peanut and Sweet-n-Sour Sauces
Spicy Grilled Peel-n-Eat Shrimp

Accompaniments:
Noodles, tossed in a Teriyaki Sauce with Fresh Vegetables
Stir-fried Vegetables

Dessert
‘Ohana Bread Pudding à la mode with Bananas- Caramel Sauce  

Camden LOVED the bread, but it went downhill quickly from there.  She ended up ordering a kids meal and enjoyed chicken tenders and fries.  At first she also wanted to get a virgin cocktail served in a real pineapple, but then saw the Toy Story drink cups with a lighted Buzz Lightyear toy.

Because our dinner was late, some of the "entertainment" was over for the night (coconut races and hula hoop contests), but we did get to be serenaded by a lounge singer and her ukulele, as well as have the last hula lesson of the night.

This was my favorite meal of the trip.  Kevin and I both loved all the food, but from the skewers, Kevin loved the chicken best and I loved the shrimp.  This is TOTAL opposite of normal.  I actually preferred everything but the skewers and my absolute favorite was the appetizer items.

Wednesday - Animal Kingdom Rides and Characters

There were three thrill rides at this park and Camden's favorite was probably Expedition Everest.  It is the tallest coaster at Disney and takes you on an adventure to find a Yeti.  At the halfway point, you come to a stop and it looks like the Yeti and torn up the tracks and you can't go any farther.  So, of course, you have to go backwards...and fast.  It takes you to another stop atop a hill where you are let go for another forward zoom around the mountain to the end.  

Our first go-round, Kevin wasn't in our car, but he was on the second trip (notice Camden acting cold in the third picture since we were high a top Mt. Everest).

Her second favorite was probably Dinosaur.  It was quite the adventure ride trying to steal a dinosaur egg from some remote island (think Jurassic Park theme).  Our dino-loving girl enjoyed every minute of the bumpy ride.

She also enjoyed watching some other people get drenched on the Kali River Rapids (also in the Asia section near Everest).

We only met a few characters here.  Dug (the dog) and Russell (the wilderness scout) from the movie Up!

And Tarzan.

The third section was Dinoland USA.  There were a few smaller rides in this section (in addition to Dinosaur), but the main thing Camden and Kevin did was explore the Boneyard - a dinosaur dig site playground.

After this we went to "It's a Bug's Life" which was my favorite 4-D show at Disney (probably my favorite show period).  It took place in an area underneath the big Tree of Life.

Like Hollywood Studios, this park is only open 9am-5pm most days and we opened/closed it and had a good, non-rushed experience.  We headed back to the hotel for an evening nap since our dinner reservations were not until 9:40pm!

Wednesday - Animal Kingdom Family Portraits

Another of my favorite pictures from the entire trip.

Wednesday - Animal Kingdom Tusker House Breakfast & The Lion King

Our breakfast reservations were at Tusker House in the Africa section near our safari.  This was a character breakfast that had a huge buffet with American classic breakfast food, along with some African specialties.  I tried to time it so we could have breakfast and then sample a few lunch items when they changed over to that.  I was successful, but we were too full from breakfast!  The buffet was spread out like a Harambe marketplace.

Camden and Kevin both loved the Jungle Juice which was a drink of orange, guava, and passion fruit juices.

Donald Duck was the host of the safari-themed breakfast, but he brought along his friends Daisy, Goofy, and Mickey.

Daisy was so embarrassed that she dropped the marker when she went to sign Camden's book. Camden happily picked it up and then gave Daisy a hug.

Mickey left our table after a high-five from Kevin and then helped lead our section in a parade around the restaurant.  Camden played some maracas.

Immediately after breakfast, we headed to see the Lion King show.  We had to wait outside for about 15 minutes and Camden enjoyed sitting in a little window alcove and wearing Kevin's hat.  I love this natural pics of her.

The Broadway musical is one of Kevin's favorites and this didn't come close, but it was fun to see the animated floats and the acrobatics of the performers.