Disney: Day 5 - Animal Kingdom

We were excited to be back to Animal Kingdom.  Ready to ride Flight of Passage again, but also do some of the other experiences.

But, first, we needed some pictures in front of the Tree of Life.

Then to Pandora.

Look out!  A banshee!

We had about 45 minutes before our Fast Pass, so we stopped to grab some lunch at the Satu'li Canteen.  We decided we want to split 2 quick service lunches and use another one later at another restaurant.  We selected our items and went to pick them up when a worker came up to us and announced we'd been selected as the restaurant's "Family of the Day."  We should follow him!  He took us to a section that wasn't open yet and sat us at a table with a plate of cupcakes in the middle.

He gave us a certificate, we talked a little about where we were all from, and he left to get our food.

But he noted we only got 2 meals...would we like a third on him.  Sure!  Camden had gotten a kids meal, but we got one of their bowls.  You select the base (rice, potatoes, beans, etc), a meat, and a dressing.  They have a crunchy veggie slaw and boba balls on top.  We selected one that was a bit different from our first.  Both were delicious...and very filling!

Our host also said he wanted to get us a special drink from the Pongu Pongu restaurant next door.  It's called the "Night Blossom" and it is layers of apple and desert pear limeade with passion fruit boba balls.  It was delicious!

Grateful for our experience we stopped for a picture and then rode the flight ride (my new favorite!).

Then we headed out to Asia to do a few runs on Expedition Everest (another great roller coaster).

I had some issues with my feet and decided to head over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge (where we would have dinner) and rest.  Kevin and Camden continued on for another few hours of fun together.

Animal Kingdom Lodge has some of the best restaurants in it.  There is also three savannas surrounding the main resort.  I enjoyed sitting in the lodge watching the giraffes and other animals while waiting.

We had dinner at Boma which was a buffet of various foods from over 50 African countries.  Afterward we headed outside so Kevin and Camden could see the animals and discovered they were making s'mores.  It was a resort activity, but we were welcome to join in.

Another day in the books...only one more day of park fun.

Disney: Day 4 (Night) - Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

This special event closes the Magic Kingdom to the public and is only open to those who purchase a ticket.  The event runs from 7pm-midnight, but you can get in the park at 4pm.  It drastically cuts down on the crowd, plus they have special snacks, souvenirs, parades, and fireworks.  They add special surprises to some of the rides and all the characters are in their Halloween costumes.  We can trick or treat at spots throughout the park for candy.  Lots of candy.  Like handfuls at a time candy.  

Camden wore a dress that has black cats on it, plus her cat ears for a simple costume of her own.

While Kevin got a Starbucks (yes they are here and the best place to get a free cup of ice water), Camden and I took individual pictures.

Everything is so festive and different from a normal evening.  

Space Mountain is like a large pumpkin.

The ride is usually pretty dark, but for the first year, they made it pitch black with a special soundtrack playing.  It definitely took the ride up a notch to not be able to see!

Camden likes to ride with her dad on most things, but he couldn't go into the Buzz Lightyear ride with his drink, so she got to ride with me...and totally outscored me!

We actually ended up in a section of the Magic Kingdom we had not ever visited.  I didn't think it was possible!  But there is a little side section in Fantasyland between the Dumbo ride and the Beast's castle that has a few rides and restaurants.  It has the Little Mermaid stuff (these pictures are in front of the Under the Sea ride) and a bit more of the village from Beauty and the Beast.  We saw Ariel, Prince Eric, and even Gaston, but their lines were very long.  We did stop at Gaston's Tavern for a rest and refresh.  We tried the items they are most known for - giant cinnamon rolls and LeFou's Brew.  The latter is frozen apple juice with toasted marshmallow topped with a passion fruit-mango foam.  I was pretty sure we wouldn't like it - Kevin didn't, but Camden and I actually did.

Our candy bags were getting full and we were getting tired, so a Kevin and Camden made a quick ride through the Haunted Mansion while I found a seat to watch the fireworks.  I found a good spot with a seat (unheard of) that had excellent views of the light show on Cinderella's Castle and a partially blocked view of the fireworks.

It had been a long day, so we called it quits about 10:30 and headed back for a good night's sleep.

As we were leaving, the electrical water parade was going on the lake outside the park near the bus stops.  This is usually done much earlier in the evening, but they must have repeated it for the party guests.  We love this event!