 | disneygeek.com - Walt Disney World Resort Pictures |
- An early morning thunderstorm or two rolled through today so we stayed indoors until it broke up a bit. We ventured out to breakfast around 9:30am.
- As I sat in Everything Pop and looked around I really think if they did something to make it feel less of a warehouse it would be a better experience.. also maybe something to absorb the sound more. It can get loud.
- A look at the kids waffle meal.
- Headed out to the bus stops around 10:15 along with a lot of other guests.
- We had no real destination in mind so instead looked for the least crowded bus stop.
- Ended up at the Animal Kingdom line since it looked like this.
- While en route to the park it kept getting darker out.
- As we made our way out to Africa the acrobats were heading toward the theatre with flags and soccer balls.
- Decided to walk through Pangani Forest
- A couple of young Zebra in the herd.
- Speaking of young the young gorillas were active this morning.
- Here is a video clip of the two young gorillas playing.
- A cardinal landed nearby. The gorillas ignored it.
- Only a 10 minute wait for the Safari so that was next on the agenda. While walking the queue the rain started up again.
- The hippo area.
- A couple of kudu nearby.
- The crocs did not seem to mind the rain.
- A jungle trek. They go no matter the weather.
- The painted dogs were all laying under cover
- More antelope on the savanna
- A couple of giraffe
- Mandrill monkeys
- Elephants on the move.
- The rain was coming down pretty good by this point.
- The younger elephants were playing by the water hole. Here is a brief video clip.
- The rain did not interfere with the lion and his plans of resting.
- Two lionesses were nearby.
- The warthogs were in their burrows
- A rhino heading for what it hopes is a snack.
- As we passed the Adventures Outpost cast members were announcing no wait at all to see Mickey and Minnie and offering a dry spot for a few minutes. We opted to keep going and head for lunch.
- Decided to eat inside in Dinoland and had a large dining room almost to ourselves.
- After eating decided to head for the buses and another park.. one with some more cover. It was just before 1pm.
- While walking through Discovery Island the birds arrived for Winged Encounter. So they do have the show with a light rain.
- Next stop was Epcot. The rest of my group went back to the room to dry out for a couple hours. I decided to roam around Future World.
- Walked through Innoventions east. Sum of all Thrills had some guests in line.
- Large portions are walled off.
- The Colortopia exhibit had a crowd too.
- I opted for Universe of Energy. The center pair of theater cars were off limits.
- Random dinosaur picture
- Wrapping up Jeopardy
- The final Jeopardy answer.
- It was still raining when I exited so I walked across to the other side of Future World.
- Stopped by the expanded Character Spot. Baymax, Joy and Sadness have moved in across the walkway from the original Character Spot (which is still in operation).
- The queue for Inside Out.
- The queue for Big Hero 6. The rest of the building was walled off.
- Baymax was out.
- I was waiting for the Inside Out duo and took a second look at the Big Hero 6 queue.
- A look inside Head Quarters as I waited.
- Joy and Sadness arrive.
- A sign on the other side of Innoventions for the AP artwork distribution.
- The rain let up so I walked around a bit.
- A Fantasia set of topiaries
- Imagination.. my plan was if the rain picked up to go watch the Pixar Short Film Festival.
- Since the weather was holding stopped by the butterfly tent.
- Large topiaries mark the way to/from the butterfly house.
- The large flower beds facing World Showcase
- The Music Garden is along the walkway from Imagination to World Showcase and it features a play area and topiaries.
- Goofy
- Donald
- Mickey Mouse
- Minnie Mouse
- Pluto
- Urban Farms garden and marketplace.
- Monorail Orange with a Zootopia wrap passing by.
- Italy across World Showcase Lagoon
- Japan
- France
- Heading back toward Future World
- Minnie and Pluto
- Minnie Mouse
- Pluto
- Plenty of floating baskets this year.
- Ranger Mickey
- On the walkway toward Test Track.
- Lightning is part of this display.
- As is Mater
- Monorail gold
- Guests waiting for Test Track to reopen. Cars were starting to be cycled again since the rain had been stopped for a while.
- Some snack options.
- Buzz Lightyear in front of Mission Space
- Monorail Orange - the Zootopia monorail
- Making my way to World Showcase.
- Stopped by Canada.
- Inside the Trading Post a bar has opened recently replacing some of the merchandise space.
- It only takes the one room the rest is still merchandise.
- Quickstep performs in the United Kingdom area still.
- Alice dancing her way up the street.
- Several clips from the Quickstep performance.
- A Friendship Launch in World Showcase Lagoon making the rounds.
- I took one from the International Gateway out to the Dolphin for dinner. The original plan was to walk but it was raining so I opted to stay under cover.
- Dinner this evening was at Shulas in the Dolphin.
- A portion of the menu.
- The sides are large.. here is the baked potato
- Another reason I do not take food pictures.. framing.. I can manage to make a good steak look like this..
- After dinner waited for a Friendship Launch to the Studios.
- Where were cast members doing this on Monday night at Epcot.
- The rain started up again as we arrived. It was supposed to blow through in time for the fireworks.
- We eventually decided to leave the crowded shops and head toward the Muppets. Stopping at the Backlot Express on the way to wait out a heavier portion of rain.
- There seemed to be more TVs in the pre-show area. Some had the regular pre-show others just showing static images.
- Wonder if these will be used for some sort of myDisneyExperience thing.
- A screen in the dressing room set too it appeared.
- Another screen up front.
- Show time...
- After the show the rain had stopped. Still had an hour and a half until fireworks though.
- Stopped by Toy Story. It had a posted 40 minute wait but the cast member said it was shorter.
- They did not lie. The queue was empty.
- A wall is in place where Mr. Potato Head used to be. Guessing this is part of the third track and Toy Story Land re-configuration of the queue.
- Overhead LCD screens with some safety and instruction info, new to me.
- The wait took under 10 minute from when we talked to the cast member until I was onboard.
- I did ok for going by myself.
- Almost hit the best for the day.. and there was only another 10-15 minutes before they closed for the evening.
- The wait time had been corrected when we left and Cast Members were urging guests who wanted a last ride to go now.. it closed at 8:45pm
- Walking through the Animation Courtyard. All quiet at the Meet and Greets at this hour.
- The thought was to go see the Little Mermaid but we missed it by a couple minutes.
- So instead set off to roam around the park, we had an hour until fireworks.
- Some dessert choices.
- The combination of Fantasmic just about to start and the rain all day made the park feel really quiet.
- The Carthay Circle here features neon.
- Making my way to Hollywood Blvd.
- The dessert party was moved indoors this evening due to weather but the area was roped off, guessing they would be arriving soon to watch the show.
- For the fireworks the screens in front of the theater are lowered so you get a clear view again.
- I opted to join the rest of my group down by crossroads though.
- Hollywood Blvd about 10 minutes till showtime.
- Time for Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Celebration.
- The smoke was blowing into the park and obstructing the Chinese Theater.
- As the show went on more of the street was engulfed. Really happy I did not stay up there for the show.
- This wraps up my day. Took a bus back to Pop Century to dry out and call it a night.